this is bbc news. hundreds of people wrongly convicted in the post office scandal are due to have their names cleared — as the government introduces plans for new legislation. aid agencies say — hunger and disease are spreading in gaza — we have rare access, to the first uk—air—drop of food and fuel into the gaza strip. we are about to open the doors. this is one of the few remaining ways to get help to the people trapped there. almost 60 mps — call on the house of commons speaker to quit — after yesterdays�* voting chaos — over a ceasefire in gaza. some fertility treatments are paused — in alabama — after a us court ruling — that frozen embryos will be classified as children. and a drone maps parts of antarctica never seen before —

we show you these incredible pictures. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, and straight to breaking news. hundreds of people wrongly convicted in the post office scandal are set to have their names cleared after the government set out plans for new legislation. the government expects the new law will come into effect by the end ofjuly. let's get more on this story, it has just happened, let's go to our business corresponding in the newsroom, tell us more. this was contained in _ newsroom, tell us more. this was contained in a _ newsroom, tell us more. this was contained in a ministerial- newsroom, tell us more. this was l contained in a ministerial statement from the post office minister. a certain amount of what he is saying we already knew so there are some 983 postmasters up and down the country who have been convicted on cases that involved in some way evidence from the now discredited horizon accounting software. the

government said it would come forward with legislation to quash these convictions en masse because these convictions en masse because the process of clearing people's names has been going slowly, only around 100 people have had their convictions quashed so far. so what we have had today as the government setting out how it plans to do this in the first point as it is not everyone who has been convicted that will have the conviction quashed. some 700 cases were brought by the post office and prosecuted by the post office and prosecuted by the post office. those will be quashed, some were brought by the crown prosecution service and will also be quashed but some were brought by the department for work and pensions and in those cases the government said there was more physical evidence with a bit of horizon corroboration and that those convictions remain relatively safe therefore want to be included in all of this. it also only includes england and wales for the government says it will be working with the scottish government

and northern ireland executive to see similar levels of compensation elsewhere but at the moment this is just england and wales but another point is that the government admits in the statement that doing this does mean some people who are potentially actually guilty may have their convictions quashed as well. it says that this is necessary in order to achieve the main goal which is making sure that people who are innocent are able to have their names cleared. it says one precaution it is going to take is anybody who then goes on to seek compensation after having their conviction quashed will have to sign a statement saying they are innocent of the crime they are charged of which would expose anyone lying to charges of fraud so that is the latest news today.— charges of fraud so that is the latest news today. earlier in the week we had — latest news today. earlier in the week we had the _ latest news today. earlier in the week we had the former - latest news today. earlier in the l week we had the former chairman latest news today. earlier in the - week we had the former chairman of the post office allege that the government had been slow in paying compensation to get to the other side of the election. that was denied by the business secretary, but after all of that, a number of

key players wanted written into this legislation some sort of date by which compensation would be paid by you. is there any indication that actually that will happen? there is not because _ actually that will happen? there is not because what _ actually that will happen? there is not because what we _ actually that will happen? there is not because what we haven't - actually that will happen? there is not because what we haven't seen j actually that will happen? there is - not because what we haven't seen yet is the legislation itself. this is the government setting out what it wants that legislation to contain and the criteria specifically under which people will be eligible for convictions quashed. a lot of the rest of the detail will have to wait for the draft law in order to see that. what the government has said as it wants to bring out this draft legislation pretty soon and it wants to have the new law in place by the time parliament goes into recess in late july. time parliament goes into recess in late jul . ., time parliament goes into recess in latejul . ., , time parliament goes into recess in latejul. . , . and that story has dominated the uk headlines and made global headlines since christmas when the itv drama a

yard, absolutely galvanising the political scene in the uk to actually seek redress in all of this, so that is a really important development and we will have more action throughout the course of today's verified live. so many hundreds of postmasters caught up in all of this so we will will get more after the news that the legislation is to be laid out so plenty more on that story in the next little while. let's turn to the war in gaza — we have the latest on trying to get aid to the beleagered north of the gaza strip. we'll also have the latest, on the fall—out from yesterday's extraordinary chaos in the uk parliament, when mp's were voting on gaza. meanwhile, aid has been air—dropped into gaza, after the uk struck a deal withjordan — four tonnes of supplies including medicines, food and fuel were floated down to the tal al—hawa, hospital — in packages fitted with parachutes. 2a hours ago — the world food programme told verified live — of the horrendous situation on the ground in northern gaza — and having to suspend their humanitarian efforts. quentin somerville was onboard one

of one of the planes delivering aid. it isa it is a flight and not for the faint—hearted. 17,000 feet directly above gaza. the royaljordanian air force get their oxygen ready before the cargo door open. the payload is a vital aid, desperately needed in the drop zone below, northern gaza. some last—minute adjustments to the parachutes and gps trackers which will deliver it to a tiny, clear patch of land below them, supplies for a jordanian run patch of land below them, supplies for ajordanian run hospital. that is the field hospital and aid will be dropped there. very precise. they have done this mission eight dozen times, but for the first time it is british aid that is being launched

into the strip. inside these pallets, fuel, medical supplies and ration packs all paid for by the uk. the last two tonnes of british aid on its way, in northern gaza. the area below me has been turned into a wasteland. there are still 300,000 palestinians remaining there. the un says the situation is too dangerous on the ground. it is a small drop in the chasm of gaza's need to back this aid sent into the night sky will at least manage to get through. it landed right on target. to westminster — where nearly 60 mps say — they have no confidence in the speaker — sir lindsay hoyle — after yesterday's debate, on a call for a ceasefire in gaza — descended into farce.

our political correspondent damian grammaticas report. hanging over parliament today, one question. can the speaker regain his authority after his actions last night? i authority after his actions last ni . ht? ., authority after his actions last ni . ht? . ., . authority after his actions last niuht? . ., . ., night? i have therefore decided to select the amendments _ night? i have therefore decided to select the amendments both - night? i have therefore decided to select the amendments both in i night? i have therefore decided to | select the amendments both in the name of the prime minister and in the name of the leader of the opposition. the name of the leader of the opposition-— the name of the leader of the 0- osition. ., ., .,, , ., ~ opposition. that move was breaking with convention _ opposition. that move was breaking with convention and _ opposition. that move was breaking with convention and as _ opposition. that move was breaking with convention and as anger- opposition. that move was breaking with convention and as anger grows| with convention and as anger grows the speaker disappeared.— the speaker disappeared. where on earth is this — the speaker disappeared. where on earth is this speaker _ the speaker disappeared. where on earth is this speaker of _ the speaker disappeared. where on earth is this speaker of the - the speaker disappeared. where on earth is this speaker of the house | earth is this speaker of the house of commons? how do we bring him to that seat? _ of commons? how do we bring him to that seat? to — of commons? how do we bring him to that seat? ., ., , ., that seat? to the right of your screen snp — that seat? to the right of your screen snp mps _ that seat? to the right of your screen snp mps are _ that seat? to the right of your screen snp mps are then - that seat? to the right of your - screen snp mps are then emptied their benches saying they are a debate was being usurped and on the opposite side conservatives who say they would have no part in proceedings. labour leader keir starmer met with the speaker before the vote happened, so did he pressure him in any way to get him to choose labour�*s text? i can to choose labour's text? i can categorically _ to choose labour's text? i can categorically tell _

to choose labour's text? i can categorically tell you - to choose labour's text? i can categorically tell you that - to choose labour's text? i can categorically tell you that i i to choose labour's text? i can| categorically tell you that i did not threaten the speaker in any way whatsoever. i simply urged him to ensure we had the broadest possible debate. the tragedy is the snp walked off the bench and the government walked off because they thought it was going to lose a vote. last night the speaker returned and apologised for what had happened. i am trying to do what i thought was the right thing for all sides of this house. it is regrettable and i apologise. but this house. it is regrettable and i a olouise. �* this house. it is regrettable and i aoloaise. �* ., , ., apologise. but will that be enough for mps today? — apologise. but will that be enough for mps today? to _ apologise. but will that be enough for mps today? to express - apologise. but will that be enough for mps today? to express their . for mps today? to express their anger conservative and snp mps have been putting their names to a motion saying they have no confidence in the speaker. it is not enough to remove him but more than 50 have signed and the numbers are climbing. the speaker has said he will hold meetings with senior mps to try and regain their confidence. the conservatives blame labour saying they are responsible for putting the speaker in a bind. tote they are responsible for putting the speaker in a bind.—

they are responsible for putting the speaker in a bind. we have seen into the heart of — speaker in a bind. we have seen into the heart of labour's _ speaker in a bind. we have seen into the heart of labour's leadership. - the heart of labour's leadership. nothing — the heart of labour's leadership. nothing is — the heart of labour's leadership. nothing is more important than the interests _ nothing is more important than the interests of the labour party. the labour _ interests of the labour party. the labour party before principle, the labour _ labour party before principle, the labour party before principle, the labour party before principle, the labour party before individual rights, — labour party before individual rights, the labour party before the reputation — rights, the labour party before the reputation and honour of the decent man that _ reputation and honour of the decent man that sits in speaker's chair. yesterday— man that sits in speaker's chair. yesterday as the debate happened there were protests outside parliament. the issue of a ceasefire in gaza is one that has caused divisions inside and out, mps under pressure from constituents and their parties. and a short time ago the snp upped the stakes, they say they were denied their debate and are now pushing for the speaker to go. and pushing for the speaker to go. and as i have pushing for the speaker to go. firm as i have express pushing for the speaker to go. fific as i have express to pushing for the speaker to go. e'"ic as i have express to you pushing for the speaker to go. el"ic as i have express to you privately prior to proceeding here today, we do not on these benches are therefore believe that you can continue in your role as speaker. we

do not have confidence in your ability to do so. the do not have confidence in your ability to do so.— do not have confidence in your ability to do so. the speaker has offered a new — ability to do so. the speaker has offered a new chance _ ability to do so. the speaker has offered a new chance to - ability to do so. the speaker has offered a new chance to discuss| ability to do so. the speaker has - offered a new chance to discuss gaza but can he remain in his post? we will keep an eye on that situation, it is very fluid and westminster so we will have regular updates through the programme. earlier today there was a shooting in the west bank settlement of maale adumim — east ofjerusalem. israeli police say one person has been killed and eight wounded. casualties have been taken to a hospital injerusalem. the attacks come ahead of the latest visit to israel by a senior us official seeking a ceasefire deal for gaza. here's our middle east correspondentjenny hill. three palestinian gunmen targeted early morning commuters as they sat waiting on their cars to cross the checkpoint on the road into jerusalem. the men using automatic weapons to fire at the lines of cars. israel's

wore on gaza has exacerbated existing volatility not only in the west bank but across the region and it is one of the reasons foreign governments are so keen to try and bring this conflict to a resolution. negotiations aimed at brokering a temporary ceasefire and the return of israeli hostages are ongoing, talks happening as i speak, but those negotiators are under pressure because israel has insisted that unless those hostages are returned by the beginning of ramadan, just over a fortnight away, it will go away with a planned ground invasion in the southern city of rafah where there are well over 1 in the southern city of rafah where there are well over1 million palestinian civilians sheltering, and all the while aid agencies are expressing deepening concerns about the humanitarian situation on the ground in gaza saying it is notjust israeli air strikes which are risking lives, so our hunger and disease. just to tell you the un discussing

gaza at the moment and we will keep an eye on that in bring you the significant contributions from the member states as and when they come to us. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. an inquest has heard that a grandmother attacked by xl bully dogs died from a bite wound to her upper right limb. 68—year—old esther martin was visiting her grandson at a house near clacton—on—sea in essex, when she was injured earlier this month. an inquest opening in chelmsford was told police found her with "unsurvivable injuries". epilepsy charities are warning that ongoing shortages in the supply of life—saving medication are putting patients at a higher risk of seizures. they say many more people are calling their helplines, after struggling to get hold of the drugs they need. industry experts say there are also problems with the supply of many other medicines. police chiefs are warning that an increasing number of people are getting behind the wheel after using drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.

merseyside police say they're now catching more drivers under the influence of illegal drugs than of alcohol. the home office said it was clamping down on the behaviour. more on that story later in the programme. you're live with bbc news. the largest hospital in the american state of alabama has paused ivf procedures after its top court ruled that frozen embryos could be legally considered children — and that a person could be held liable for accidentally destroying them. the hospital says it is concerned it could be prosecuted. simonjones reports. around 100,000 babies are born each year in the us as a result of ivf treatments. the procedure can help people with fertility treatments have children, by removing eggs from a women's ovaries and fertilising them in a laboratory. but this ruling from the supreme court of alabama says that frozen embryos are ruled children and people could be held liable

for destroying them. now couples undergoing the treatment face being left in limbo. when i saw this ruling i got very angry and very hurt that it could potentially stop my cycle and ijust said, people need to know that this is affecting couples, real—life couples who are trying to start families and are just trying to live the quote and quote american dream and your stopping us from having the trial. stopping us from having a child. alabama's largest hospital has stopped its services feeling fearing it could be prone to prosecutions. this is unprecedented, it has never happened before. we have a situation where we are saying that a fertilised egg is a child and all of the things that we do as part of the ivf cycle are called into question. but conservative christian groups have described the ruling is a tremendous victory for life. we know that there are hundreds

of thousands of embryos that are discarded through the ivf process, killed and lost, and as— pro—lifers we believe that it is an unethical treatment of human life and so hopefully through this decision people can begin to examine that and to make changes in the _ industry. the ruling is being watched closely by campaigners on both sides of the abortion debate. there is the question of when an embryo is considered a person is a factor in many state abortion restrictions. let's speak to betsy campbell, from resolve — an american organisation which supports people with infertility. welcome to the programme, your headline reaction to this ruling first of all? it headline reaction to this ruling first of all?— headline reaction to this ruling first of all? it is devastating for families in _ first of all? it is devastating for families in alabama _

first of all? it is devastating for families in alabama who - first of all? it is devastating for| families in alabama who simply first of all? it is devastating for - families in alabama who simply want to have a baby and we are concerned that this ruling raises more questions than it answers and it is creating a lot of fear and chaos in alabama and frankly across the country. alabama and frankly across the count . , . ., alabama and frankly across the count . , ., ., ., ,., country. giving an idea of the sort of response _ country. giving an idea of the sort of response you — country. giving an idea of the sort of response you have _ country. giving an idea of the sort of response you have had - country. giving an idea of the sort of response you have had from i of response you have had from people, from families getting in contact with your organisation. irate contact with your organisation. we have contact with your organisation. - have been hearing from families who have been hearing from families who have embryos stored in alabama and don't know what is going to happen, whether they are going to be losing control of their embryos, whether they will have to pay to freeze them in perpetuity. we are hearing from people who are in the middle of their fertility cycles and don't know what's next, and people who are looking to ivf as their only pass for building a family, so this

ruling is devastating as is the pausing of treatment at the largest health centre in alabama.— pausing of treatment at the largest health centre in alabama. briefly on this question _ health centre in alabama. briefly on this question but _ health centre in alabama. briefly on this question but you _ health centre in alabama. briefly on this question but you raise - health centre in alabama. briefly on this question but you raise a - health centre in alabama. briefly on | this question but you raise a number of questions that they want answers to, as you look at this ruling i am assuming you are trying to figure it out yourself in terms of what the implications here are.— out yourself in terms of what the implications here are. exactly, and initiall it implications here are. exactly, and initially it looks _ implications here are. exactly, and initially it looks like _ implications here are. exactly, and initially it looks like it _ implications here are. exactly, and initially it looks like it could - initially it looks like it could interfere with the standard of care for ivf. the goal of ivf is to have a healthy pregnancy with a single baby, and that means creating enough embryos to have the greatest chance of a successful pregnancy. and even in natural fertility without medical assistance, most embryos don't develop, and the same as in the

elaborate array, so if these fertilised eggs that are microscopic cells you can't see with the naked eye, if they are considered to people then how are you going to, if these embryos do not develop, is that wrongful death? is that murder, is that manslaughter? we just don't know. will families be liable for the embryos of they don't transfer, will people be required to transfer all their embryos to be given a chance to develop? it is frightening not only for patients but for the professionals who handle the embryos. professionals who handle the emb os. �* . professionals who handle the emb os. . . ., ., embryos. and at the moment as we are s-ueakin embryos. and at the moment as we are speaking who — embryos. and at the moment as we are speaking who is — embryos. and at the moment as we are speaking who is actually _ speaking who is actually responsible for those embryos, as you say, more are retained than are actually used, so in terms of the cost of that, does not fall upon centres or the

families themselves?— families themselves? patients -icall families themselves? patients typically pay — families themselves? patients typically pay for _ families themselves? patients typically pay for storing - families themselves? patients typically pay for storing their l typically pay for storing their embryos and if they are still in a cycle that is probably part of the costs of they are paying the clinic, but after treatment is completed then they would be paying for the storage so i guess that is a question, if treatment is halted for those who are in treatment, art patients or the clinics now required to pay? patients or the clinics now required to -a ? �* patients or the clinics now required toa? ,, ., , to pay? and presumably that could be a cost that is — to pay? and presumably that could be a cost that is in _ to pay? and presumably that could be a cost that is in definite _ to pay? and presumably that could be a cost that is in definite and _ to pay? and presumably that could be a cost that is in definite and the i a cost that is in definite and the other alternative and you touched upon it is to transfer those frozen embryos elsewhere? this is only the state of alabama but i assume you run the risk of that transgressing some law or other within alabama, would that be fair?— some law or other within alabama, would that be fair? right, and i was referrin: would that be fair? right, and i was referring to — would that be fair? right, and i was referring to transferring _ would that be fair? right, and i was referring to transferring them i would that be fair? right, and i was

referring to transferring them to i referring to transferring them to the patient, whether they would be required to somehow make sure that these embryos develop, but you are absolutely right. whenever embryos are transported there is the risk that something should happen to them and would people be charged with a crime, so again so many questions without answers. it is crime, so again so many questions without answers.— without answers. it is a ruling that is caettin without answers. it is a ruling that is getting a _ without answers. it is a ruling that is getting a lot _ without answers. it is a ruling that is getting a lot of _ without answers. it is a ruling that is getting a lot of attention - without answers. it is a ruling that is getting a lot of attention right i is getting a lot of attention right round the world and it would be interesting to see whether it is a ruling that moves towards other states as well but thank you so much for joining states as well but thank you so much forjoining us here in this programme. the imprisoned russian opposition politician, vladimir kara—murza, has urged russians to keep fighting for democracy despite the death last week of alexei navalny in an arctic prison colony. kara—murza, who is serving a 25—year sentence over charges including treason over criticism of the ukraine offensive, appeared in court via a video link from his prison cell for a hearing in the case against inaction of the investigative committee of russia on his poisoning, in moscow. the court has rejected his appeal.

speaking during a video feed from his prison in siberia, he warned against giving up the fight for a free russia: translation: if we get into gloom and desair translation: if we get into gloom and despair that _ translation: if we get into gloom and despair that is _ translation: if we get into gloom and despair that is exactly - translation: if we get into gloom and despair that is exactly what i and despair that is exactly what they want. we have no right to do that. we owe it to a fallen comrade in the first place that we continue to work with even greater strength and achieve what they lived and died for, to make russia a normal, free, democratic country, i have no doubt that it will be that way. no one can stop that future from happening, regardless how much they want to. albania s parliament has approved a controversial asylum deal signed with italy in november. it involves reception centres being set up on albanian territory for people who went to italy seeking asylum. albania could now potentially process up

to 36,000 people a year. our balkans correspondent guy de launey gave us the latest. albanian opposition mps hinted that derision as this asylum deal between albania and italy came to the vote. didn't make very much difference. it tookjust seven minutes didn't make very much difference. it took just seven minutes for mps didn't make very much difference. it tookjust seven minutes for mps in albania's parliament to ratify the deal. 77 voted in favour, no votes again stand no abstentions because of the opposition mps boycotted the vote. it is worth reminding ourselves why it was the opposition mps didn't want the deal to go through. they said that it was a violation of albania's sovereignty because of the deal allows italy not just to send people to albania while their asylum claims are being considered but actually to build and

operate two facilities on albanian territory. one of them would deal with the initial arrival phase of people who want to claim asylum in italy. the second the longer term accommodation. the way is now clear for italy to do this. it wants to host around 3000 people at any given time in albania, as many as 36,000 a yearin time in albania, as many as 36,000 a year in total. albania's prime minister has said he wouldn't do this for any country other than italy. rights organisations have criticised the arrangement, amnesty international calling it shameful. more on that story a little later in the programme. some fabulous pictures now. a drone sent to film parts of antarctica that have never been mapped before, has taken to the air over the continent for the first time. scientists from the british antarctic survey have carried out the first test flights of the drone, which is specifically built to withstand tough environments, over the continent's coast.

it is hoped it can be used to help experts forecast the impacts of climate change. just a glimpse of some of the first pictures that drone is providing. firefighters in los angeles successfully rescued a horse from a sinkhole on wednesday. as you can see here, firefighters worked with a team of animal rescue specialists to fit a harness around the horse— which weighed around 1,200 pounds, before lifting it out of the sinkhole. the horse's name? quite aptly, �*lucky�*. before we take a break, let me just show you the house of commons website at westminster because we are monitoring that story about the speaker and a number of mps saying they no longer have confidence in lindsay hoyle. that number rising now to 63. we will keep an eye on that story together with the rest of

today's headlines, more injust a moment. hello. our weather is turning a lot colder and it is all down to a change in the wind direction. we have had mild south—westerly winds for ages but they are moving out of the way to replaced by colder north—westerly winds dropping the temperature in a big way. yesterday we had a top temperature of 15 whereas this afternoon we are looking at the temperature around eight celsius lower. and as the cold front pushes eastwards, this band of rain, we have seen the temperature dropped by five celsius in the space ofjust one hour. wettest weather through southern england the afternoon. quite windy with gusts of around 30-40 but quite windy with gusts of around 30—40 but in the channel islands when they are than that. scotland and northern ireland having a day of sunshine and showers, shower is coming through with snow in them

above 400 metres elevation in the scottish mountains and we will notice a bit of snow from the tops of the scottish mountains. a colder feeling day and as we go through this evening and overnight were looking at showers piling on particularly frequently across western areas of the uk and it is a frost free night for most areas because the winds will stay up and we are the ones for light there will be a few patches of frost developing, a cold start to the day, colder than it has been for a number of mornings. should be bright enough with plenty of sunshine around and showers from the word go and western areas and showers elsewhere as the day goes by. some snow across the hills of northern england, northern ireland and scotland but quite high up. saturday looks like we could see some rain skirting into southern areas of england, some mist and fog patches around, fewer showers and slightly less cold so the snow pushing up to the tops of the scottish mountains by this stage, the temperature around about 8—9 so

close to average for the time of year. sunday we could see the winds pick up again across southern areas, rain skirting into the south coast, if you showers for northern ireland and otherwise a fair bit of dry weather for scotland and a good chunk of england and wales. the temperature around about average, 8-9 temperature around about average, 8—9 widely and looking at this unsettled weather continuing into next week with further accumulations of rain, already a wet month.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the un security council meets today to discuss the situation in gaza, as concerns about the humanitarian situation intensify. first public execution in a football stadium in afghanistan since the taliban seized power. in the uk, a watchdog says employers should make reasonable adjustments for women experiencing menopausal symptoms or face being sued. and scientists say they've finally worked out the mystery behind whale song.

significant breaking news coming