weekend attack on israel. conservative mp mark menzies is suspended after claims he missused campaign funds — which he disputes. the government says an investigation is underway. also coming up on the world today — we'll speak to the tiktoker who has set the world record for the most blankets knitted in 2a hours — using his arms. welcome to the world today — an hour of international news from the bbc. there have been warnings from world leaders that the planet is facing increasing danger.

at the united nations, the secretary general has today talked of the middle east being on a precipice which could spiral into a full scale regional conflict. meanwhile, the prime minister of ukraine has warned there will be world war iii if ukraine loses its conflict with russia. it is against this backdrop that g7 foreign ministers are meeting on the italian island of capri. both conflicts are concentrating minds what can the global community do to reduce tensions in the middle east and help bring the war in ukraine to an end. we're going to focus first on ukraine. here's foreign secretary lord david cameron on the support ukraine needs. they need more ammunition, they need more air defences, that needs to be filled. no country has done more than britain in terms of helping the ukrainian armed forces, helping the government, and we look forward to see with the permits are has to say

today about the further steps we need to take. meanwhile ukraine's prime minister is in washington to urge the us congress — to pass a long—stalled foreign aid bill — which includes billions of dollars earmarked for kyiv. the house of representatives is set to vote on the package this saturday. in an interview in washington, ukraine's prime minister told my colleague sumi somaskanda about the risks of a russian victory in ukraine. the global system of security will be destroyed at all, and all the world will need to find and will need to look in for a new system of security. or there will be many conflicts, many such kinds of wars. and in the end of the day, it could lead to the third world war. so our mutual task is to protect democratic values, to protect existing after the second world war, global system, secure global security system. and bring long term and sustainable peace on european continent. so russia must lose this war and aggressors should be punished, and putin's regime should be

destroyed at all. and putin's regime should be destroyed et al. and only this factors will lead us to the sustainable and long—term peace. earier i spoke to our correspondent jess parker who is capri — alongside gary o'donogue in washington and james waterhouse in kyiv. i started by asking her what the foreign ministers gathered in capri have suggested. there are lots of suggestions out there, i think the question is which one of those suggestions that may come through. so let's take your defence, first of all. ukraine's foreign minister is here making a very clear plea, for more air defence systems particularly after we've seen further russian missile strikes on ukrainian cities and the ukrainian infrastructure. but there is difficulty here. germany recently pledged patriot battery to ukraine,

stoltenberg, the nato secretary general, he says talks are with partner countries about what more can be done, but while the pleas for more help in terms of air defence systems and weapons are loudly echoing through this g7 conference, it isn't exactly clear whether they will be answered and when. one ray of hope though at the moment, certainly, is the news that we've had over the last 2a hours or so that there may well soon be a vote on this stalled usaid package and i think people hear are certainly chalking that up as a potential success if it should get through, of course it's been stalled for many months now and ukraine as you reflecting, really desperate to see that past. reflecting, really desperate to see that ast. ., , , , . , ., that past. you set us up nicely to move to washington _ that past. you set us up nicely to move to washington to _ that past. you set us up nicely to move to washington to gary - move to washington to gary o'donoghue. so take us through this vote on saturday, in the house of representatives. take us there why it there has been such a stalling of this much—needed money. the

this much-needed money. the essential this much—needed money. the essential problem here has been internal— essential problem here has been internal republican politics inside congress — internal republican politics inside congress. and because the republicans in the house of representatives have such a slim majority, — representatives have such a slim majority, can't come tomorrow, it will be _ majority, can't come tomorrow, it will be 1's— majority, can't come tomorrow, it will be 1's seat more than the democrats. the right of the party have _ democrats. the right of the party have had — democrats. the right of the party have had a — democrats. the right of the party have had a disproportionate ability to impact— have had a disproportionate ability to impact and to stall these bills going _ to impact and to stall these bills going through, because some of them, a group _ going through, because some of them, a group of— going through, because some of them, a group of them, are very much opposed — a group of them, are very much opposed to _ a group of them, are very much opposed to spending more money in ukraine _ opposed to spending more money in ukraine as — opposed to spending more money in ukraine. as is, of course, the former— ukraine. as is, of course, the former president donald trump from which _ former president donald trump from which they— former president donald trump from which they take their lead, from whom _ which they take their lead, from whom they take their lead. so the speaker— whom they take their lead. so the speaker of— whom they take their lead. so the speaker of the house, mikejohnson, who i_ speaker of the house, mikejohnson, who i know— speaker of the house, mikejohnson, who i know is of the right himself but is _ who i know is of the right himself but is how— who i know is of the right himself but is now in sort of a position where he _ but is now in sort of a position where he has to manage this whole process, _ where he has to manage this whole process, has been a bit of a bind because — process, has been a bit of a bind because they can't in a sense hold a vote over— because they can't in a sense hold a vote over his— because they can't in a sense hold a vote over his head about his own future, _ vote over his head about his own future, just — vote over his head about his own future, just by one of their number standing _ future, just by one of their number standing up— future, just by one of their number standing up and calling for a vote for him _

standing up and calling for a vote for him to— standing up and calling for a vote for him to be ousted. gary o'donoghue _ for him to be ousted. gary o'donoghue in _ for him to be ousted. garyl o'donoghue in washington. for him to be ousted. (1:53 o'donoghue in washington. let's for him to be ousted. (1:51: o'donoghue in washington. let's go to kyiv, and our correspondentjames waterhouse. james, ukraine, the of discussion, we heard there in washington, also in a capri. the stakes really could be hire, could they? you made that absolutely clear in his interview to the bbc. absolutely, he was making the argument _ absolutely, he was making the argument that— absolutely, he was making the argument that should - absolutely, he was making the argument that should ukrainel absolutely, he was making the - argument that should ukraine fall, then russia — argument that should ukraine fall, then russia wouldn't _ argument that should ukraine fall, then russia wouldn't stop - argument that should ukraine fall, then russia wouldn't stop there. . argument that should ukraine fall, then russia wouldn't stop there. ii then russia wouldn't stop there. i think— then russia wouldn't stop there. i think a _ then russia wouldn't stop there. i think a lot — then russia wouldn't stop there. i think a lot needs _ then russia wouldn't stop there. i think a lot needs to _ then russia wouldn't stop there. i think a lot needs to happen - then russia wouldn't stop there. i think a lot needs to happen whenl then russia wouldn't stop there. i- think a lot needs to happen when you consider— think a lot needs to happen when you consider russia's— think a lot needs to happen when you consider russia's performance - think a lot needs to happen when you consider russia's performance in- consider russia's performance in this large-scale _ consider russia's performance in this large—scale invasion- consider russia's performance in this large—scale invasion the - consider russia's performance in this large—scale invasion the way ukraine — this large—scale invasion the way ukraine defended _ this large—scale invasion the way ukraine defended itself- this large—scale invasion the way ukraine defended itself and - this large—scale invasion the way ukraine defended itself and the. ukraine defended itself and the share _ ukraine defended itself and the share losses _ ukraine defended itself and the share losses that _ ukraine defended itself and the share losses that russia - ukraine defended itself and the share losses that russia has i share losses that russia has sustained~ _ share losses that russia has sustained. but _ share losses that russia has sustained. but it— share losses that russia has sustained. but it would - share losses that russia has sustained. but it would be . share losses that russia has sustained. but it would be a| share losses that russia has - sustained. but it would be a tall order— sustained. but it would be a tall order for— sustained. but it would be a tall order for an _ sustained. but it would be a tall order for an event _ sustained. but it would be a tall order for an event a _ sustained. but it would be a tall order for an event a way - sustained. but it would be a tall order for an event a way to - sustained. but it would be a tall. order for an event a way to march into a _ order for an event a way to march into a nato— order for an event a way to march into a nato member. _ order for an event a way to march into a nato member. what- order for an event a way to march into a nato member. what you've order for an event a way to march - into a nato member. what you've just heard _ into a nato member. what you've just heard here, _ into a nato member. what you've just heard here, of— into a nato member. what you've just heard here, of these _ into a nato member. what you've just heard here, of these political- heard here, of these political tubings — heard here, of these political tubings and _ heard here, of these political tubings and drawings, - heard here, of these political tubings and drawings, it - heard here, of these political tubings and drawings, it willl heard here, of these political- tubings and drawings, it will take time _ tubings and drawings, it will take time even — tubings and drawings, it will take time even if— tubings and drawings, it will take time even if this _ tubings and drawings, it will take time even if this bill— tubings and drawings, it will take time even if this bill is— tubings and drawings, it will take time even if this bill is voted - time even if this bill is voted through— time even if this bill is voted through the _ time even if this bill is voted

through the delays - time even if this bill is voted through the delays have - time even if this bill is voted i through the delays have taken time even if this bill is voted - through the delays have taken time, and key— through the delays have taken time, and key points— through the delays have taken time, and key points out, _ through the delays have taken time, and key points out, it's _ through the delays have taken time, and key points out, it's a _ and key points out, it's a correlation— and key points out, it's a correlation that's - and key points out, it's a correlation that's hard i and key points out, it's a correlation that's hard toj and key points out, it's a - correlation that's hard to dispute these _ correlation that's hard to dispute these delays _ correlation that's hard to dispute these delays have _ correlation that's hard to dispute these delays have cost— correlation that's hard to dispute these delays have cost ukraine l these delays have cost ukraine territory — these delays have cost ukraine territory and _ these delays have cost ukraine territory and soldiers, - these delays have cost ukraine territory and soldiers, lives - these delays have cost ukraine. territory and soldiers, lives have been _ territory and soldiers, lives have been lost — territory and soldiers, lives have been lost because _ territory and soldiers, lives have been lost because of— territory and soldiers, lives have been lost because of this - territory and soldiers, lives havej been lost because of this waning aide where — been lost because of this waning aide where we _ been lost because of this waning aide where we have _ been lost because of this waning aide where we have seen - been lost because of this waningl aide where we have seen soldiers running _ aide where we have seen soldiers running low— aide where we have seen soldiers running low on _ aide where we have seen soldiers running low on artillery, - aide where we have seen soldiers running low on artillery, shells, l aide where we have seen soldiersl running low on artillery, shells, on bullets. _ running low on artillery, shells, on bullets, long—range _ running low on artillery, shells, on bullets, long—range missiles. - running low on artillery, shells, onl bullets, long—range missiles. when you are _ bullets, long—range missiles. when you are near— bullets, long—range missiles. when you are near the _ bullets, long—range missiles. when you are near the front _ bullets, long—range missiles. when you are near the front line - bullets, long—range missiles. when you are near the front line and - bullets, long—range missiles. when you are near the front line and youl you are near the front line and you hear _ you are near the front line and you hear the _ you are near the front line and you hear the constant _ you are near the front line and you hear the constant rumbling - you are near the front line and you hear the constant rumbling of- hear the constant rumbling of artillery. _ hear the constant rumbling of artillery. it's— hear the constant rumbling of artillery, it's always _ hear the constant rumbling of artillery, it's always striking, i hear the constant rumbling of. artillery, it's always striking, but it's a _ artillery, it's always striking, but it's a way— artillery, it's always striking, but it's a way for— artillery, it's always striking, but it's a way for either— artillery, it's always striking, but it's a way for either side - artillery, it's always striking, but it's a way for either side to - artillery, it's always striking, but it's a way for either side to try. artillery, it's always striking, but it's a way for either side to try to suppress— it's a way for either side to try to suppress the _ it's a way for either side to try to suppress the other, _ it's a way for either side to try to suppress the other, to try - it's a way for either side to try to suppress the other, to try and i it's a way for either side to try to . suppress the other, to try and make any kind _ suppress the other, to try and make any kind of— suppress the other, to try and make any kind of progress. _ suppress the other, to try and make any kind of progress. theoretically i any kind of progress. theoretically this us _ any kind of progress. theoretically this us package _ any kind of progress. theoretically this us package could _ any kind of progress. theoretically this us package could allow- any kind of progress. theoretically. this us package could allow ukraine to once _ this us package could allow ukraine to once again — this us package could allow ukraine to once again counterattack- this us package could allow ukraine to once again counterattack and - to once again counterattack and liberate — to once again counterattack and liberate. because _ to once again counterattack and liberate. because of— to once again counterattack and liberate. because of the - to once again counterattack and liberate. because of the sheer. to once again counterattack and - liberate. because of the sheer scale that the _ liberate. because of the sheer scale that the us — liberate. because of the sheer scale that the us can— liberate. because of the sheer scale that the us can offer, _ liberate. because of the sheer scale that the us can offer, because - liberate. because of the sheer scale that the us can offer, because of. that the us can offer, because of armoured — that the us can offer, because of armoured vehicles _ that the us can offer, because of armoured vehicles on _ that the us can offer, because of armoured vehicles on the - that the us can offer, because of. armoured vehicles on the munition site mentioned _ armoured vehicles on the munition site mentioned. we _ armoured vehicles on the munition site mentioned. we are _ armoured vehicles on the munition site mentioned. we are in - armoured vehicles on the munition site mentioned. we are in a - armoured vehicles on the munition site mentioned. we are in a periodj site mentioned. we are in a period right— site mentioned. we are in a period right now— site mentioned. we are in a period right now where _ site mentioned. we are in a period right now where ukraine _ site mentioned. we are in a period right now where ukraine is simplyl right now where ukraine is simply holding _ right now where ukraine is simply holding on. — right now where ukraine is simply holding on, russian _ right now where ukraine is simply holding on, russian soldiers - right now where ukraine is simply holding on, russian soldiers havej holding on, russian soldiers have taken _ holding on, russian soldiers have taken hundreds— holding on, russian soldiers have taken hundreds of— holding on, russian soldiers have taken hundreds of square - holding on, russian soldiers have l taken hundreds of square plumbers over the _ taken hundreds of square plumbers over the past— taken hundreds of square plumbers over the past few _ taken hundreds of square plumbers over the past few months. - taken hundreds of square plumbers over the past few months.- over the past few months. james waterhouse _ over the past few months. james waterhouse in _ over the past few months. james waterhouse in kyiv, _ over the past few months. james waterhouse in kyiv, just - over the past few months. james waterhouse in kyiv, just parker | over the past few months. james| waterhouse in kyiv, just parker in capri and gary o'donoghue in washington, thank you all.

in a separate development, germany has summoned the russian ambassador after arresting two men suspected of spying and planning to sabotage military bases helping ukraine. the men — named only as dieter s and alexanderj — are said to have have both german and russian citizenship. germany's interior minister said the authorities had prevented "possible explosive attacks". translation: our security authorities have prevented possible explosive attacks that were intended to affect and undermine our military aid to ukraine. this is a particularly serious case of suspected agent activity for putin's criminal regime. we will continue to provide ukraine with massive support and will not be intimidated. what more do we know about the two men who were arrested? here's our security correspondent, gordon corera. one of those, it appears, had been spending some time carrying out reconnaissance of military facilities. the second man is thought to have

assisted him and then in turn they are thought to have been in contact with another person linked to russian intelligence services. now, some details are emerging about what they may have been looking at. these are military facilities inside germany, but the suggestion is this wasn'tjust spying, just collecting intelligence. that's something that happens normally. but they were considering particularly that one individual sabotage, carrying out some kind of explosion or fire at one of those facilities. and i think that's what makes this particularly significant and particularly different from, if you like, the run of the mill espionage cases, which we've seen many of in recent years, including in germany. president biden has announced new sanctions and export controls on iran. they will target the islamic revolutionary guard corps, iran's defence ministry and the governments missile and drone programme.

european leaders have announced similar measures in the wake of tehran's unprecedented attack on israel on saturday night. the president of the european council says, it's important to do everything to isolate iran. tensions in the region remain high — with israel's prime minister insisting, his country will make its own decisions, about how to respond to iran's drone and missile attack. israel's western allies fear, striking back against iran, could trigger a broader war. a little earlier, the secretary general of the united nations antonio guterres gave his assessment as to how precarious the situation has become. the middle east is on a precipice. recent days have seen a perilous escalation in words and deeds. one miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake could lead to the unthinkable —

a full—scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved and for the rest of the world. the moment of maximum peril must be a time for maximum restraint. thank you so much forjoining us here on bbc news. you heard their antonio gutierrez talking about the seriousness of this situation, you have the eu leaders, the us hoping that sanctions are going to be enough to stop further escalation but the rhetoric continues between israel and iran. but the rhetoric continues between israeland iran. ijust want but the rhetoric continues between israel and iran. ijust want to review the foreign minister said today that turan would make israel regret any attack on his country in response to the islamic republic's marriage of missiles and drones.

just how serious, precarious a situation are we in?— just how serious, precarious a situation are we in? even by middle eastern standards _ situation are we in? even by middle eastern standards this _ situation are we in? even by middle eastern standards this is _ situation are we in? even by middle eastern standards this is perhaps i eastern standards this is perhaps the most dangerous moments we've seenin the most dangerous moments we've seen in decades. we have around, for the first time, carry out an unprecedented direct attack against israel proper. i get of course, they came on the heels of also israel carrying an unprecedented strike against the iranian consulate in damascus. so we see this tit—for—tat that are clearly on an escalatory cycle, and worries me the most is that pathways towards a diplomatic de—escalation seem to be completely blocked. we heard today that qatar, which had been taking the lead in mediation between israel on one hand and hamas on the other, has suspended that mediation effort because it simply going nowhere. and obviously in the security council, to we saw coming to a head the vote on possibly including or recognising palestine as a member state. i think

we are at a very dangerous moment here that i do believe that israel will feel compelled to respond. however all efforts to shape that response is carefully choreographed and perhaps even telegraphed towards the iranians so we can reign in any further escalation of the region. how do you do that, how do you carefully choreograph a response without escalating the situation further? you heard there from the iranian forformer further? you heard there from the iranian for former minister that it could cause a counter retaliation, and so it goes on.— and so it goes on. there is a lot of bluster on — and so it goes on. there is a lot of bluster on both _ and so it goes on. there is a lot of bluster on both sides, _ and so it goes on. there is a lot of bluster on both sides, both - and so it goes on. there is a lot of bluster on both sides, both sides. bluster on both sides, both sides attempting to restore lost deterrence. there may be a narrow pathway towards containing, not being able to resolve the conflict by containing the escalation here one can foresee that if israel does not strike at iran proper, perhaps strike that some of its proxies in

the region, it syria, iraq, yemen. if the kinetic response could come in the form of a cyber attack on key installations and iran, you might be able to escalate where the counter response comes through third poly hezbollah in lebanon and yemen. business as usual, the grey zone warfare between these two countries, the indirect conflict between these two countries. but i do think that's a narrow pathway from more likely than not we might see you form of israeli retaliation against iran proper. in israeli retaliation against iran - ro er. , israeli retaliation against iran ro er. , ., ., proper. in terms of timeframe, the attack happened — proper. in terms of timeframe, the attack happened last _ proper. in terms of timeframe, the attack happened last week - proper. in terms of timeframe, the attack happened last week and - attack happened last week and saturday into sunday. how much time does israel want to spend working out its response?— does israel want to spend working out its response? that's part of the dilemma for— out its response? that's part of the dilemma for israeli _ out its response? that's part of the dilemma for israeli policymakers, l dilemma for israeli policymakers, the longer they wait, the more, harder the case they have to make as to why they went ahead and carried that retaliatory strike. from the

very get—go, on monday in that security cabinet, a strong push towards an immediate response. that was called off on the last minute, a lot of pressure from the biden administration to wait. the wet messaging from washington is strength should be coupled with wisdom and there are speculations given that we are approaching the passover holidays on april 22, that that strike, that retaliation might have to wait until after passover. frankly honestly i see no reason and i think that strike might come over earlier than passover, the next couple of days, 48 hours could be critical. �* , ., , couple of days, 48 hours could be critical. �* , . , couple of days, 48 hours could be critical. �* , ., , ., critical. it's really good to get our critical. it's really good to get your insights _ critical. it's really good to get your insights there _ critical. it's really good to get your insights there for - you, thank you. we'll bring you prince williams' first public appearance since his wife's cancer diagnosis, and following those devastating floods in dubai we will hearfrom a

following those devastating floods in dubai we will hear from a youtube or caught up in the drama. around the world and across the uk. this is the world today on bbc news.

after claims he misused campaign funds to pay off what he reportedly called bad people who had him locked in a flat. the times newspapers said mark menzies, lancashire mp, requested thousands of pounds and a further £14,000 was spent on private medical bills. he strongly disputes the claims according to the crimes. the conservative party was made aware of the allegations three months ago, it says it's investigating, political correspondent nick early reports.

so the honesty needs to start now. the lack of clarity needs to stop. this was mark menzies last week in a local campaign video. when this was filmed, he was still a conservative mp. but last night he was suspended from the party. it came after allegations in a newspaper that he used funds from donors to pay thousands to so—called "bad people" who had apparently locked him in a flat. the bbc has checked details of some of the allegations printed in the times this morning — that mr menzies called a 78—year—old local activist in the middle of the night, asking for money. it is claimed he said he was being detained against his will, that he needed money as a matter of life or death. the £6,500 was provided by a local activist, the money was then reimbursed from donations to the local party. in his fylde constituency this afternoon, no sign of mr menzies. at the address given for the local party offices, there was no response. but he did tell the times, "i strongly dispute the allegations put to me. i fully complied with all the rules for declaration." there is anger, though, among some tory activists that more wasn't done to address the case after the allegations were first raised in january.

i understand that cchq have been aware of it for a while, and have been investigating. i think some new information has come to light, subsequently. there are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations. not least why it seems the conservative party took so long to act, and whether they have reported this to the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this. it's not the first time mr menzies has faced controversy. ten years ago, he quit as a ministerial aide after allegations he paid a male escort — allegations he denied. he was also reportedly quizzed a few years later by police over claims he got a dog drunk. again, those allegations were strongly denied. mr menzies said he had been cleared by police. after the latest allegations, some local voters on the beach at st annes were less than impressed. if you're in a public position like that, then honesty and high standards of ethics should be something you take seriously.

this is a messy story of allegations about the local mp here. but it has wider implications about the reputation of politicians, too. two jurors have been excused from serving in donald trump's criminal trial. one of them — a nurse — said she felt intimidated will because aspects of her identity had been made public. donald trump is accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 hush—money payment to porn star stormy daniels before the 2016 election — which he won. prosecutors say the former us prseident has breached a gag order designed to stop him attacking those involved in the case, on ten occasions. nada tawfik, in new york, has the latest. we are waiting to see that 12 jurors

will be seated at up to six ? having seated seven at this point, seemed like good progress. but seated seven at this point, seemed like good progress.— like good progress. but then very cuickl it like good progress. but then very quickly it became _ like good progress. but then very quickly it became clear— like good progress. but then very quickly it became clear that - like good progress. but then very quickly it became clear that not l quickly it became clear that not only one but then two jurors were going to be potentially excused and then they were. the first is a young female and she said that really after sleeping on it and having family and friends reach out to her guessing that she was a likely juror, shejust felt guessing that she was a likely juror, she just felt that she couldn't really separate outside opinions from her decisions in court. she told the judge she wasn't sure she could be fair and impartial any more. thejudge sure she could be fair and impartial any more. the judge that essentially was a shame, she would've been a very good juror, then he actually asked news outlets inside the courtroom to refrain from publicising any other potential jurors' employers. an approach to thisjury selection what jurors' employers. an approach to this jury selection what is and isn't allowed. the second juror that

was excused it was a gentleman who was excused it was a gentleman who was originally from puerto rico, he had some under questioning he found donald trump fascinating, he was an it consultant. the prosecutors had wanted to question him about his criminal history and ultimately after questioning and speaking with thejudge, thatjuror was after questioning and speaking with the judge, thatjuror was also excused, but we don't know the exact reason. so here we are, down to five jurors now, and that process is continuing with a second panel going through that same process of being questioned by both sides. the jury... thejury... unlawful the jury... unlawful killing and all the desks in dublin. the fire broke out early hours of valentine's day in 1981, a further 200 people were

injured in the blaze. it has been the longest inquest in the history of the ever state. stardust was the name of a nightclub in north dublin in the 19805 and as you've outlined, on valentine's night, 1981, it was where over 800 young people, many of them teenagers, went for a night of dancing and fun. but in the early hours of the morning, an unimaginable horror unfolded. what started as a small fire quickly spread throughout the ballroom, black smoke, the lights went out, black smoke surrounded and impeded those who were trying to escape, the ceiling collapsed and today's inquest findings are crucial in terms of establishing the facts of the fire. the inquest opened last year, the reason it has taken many decades for these findings to be put into the public domain is because the

victims' families and survivors have long campaigned for a second inquest to establish the facts of how their loved ones died. so the inquest today, the jury concluded that the unlawful killing in the case of each of the 48 young people who died, the average age in fact was 19. and crucially, it also found that the inferno that resulted inside the stardust nightclub on that night in 1981 was spurred on, if you like, by the fact that there was tiling, tiles on the walls, the height of the ceiling, the type of material that was in the seats in the nightclub all contributed to its spread. and also, crucially today, the inquest returned that the fire, the cause of the fire was an electrical fault. now, there were over 800 young people in that nightclub and they were all trying to get out when the

fire broke out, and crucially, the jury concluded today that at the time of the fire, exits in the stardust ballroom were either locked, chained or otherwise obstructed and for this reason, thejury said the deceased were impeded in their ability to access or exit through the emergency exits. do stay with us here on bbc news. good evening. bit of a weather cliche, i know, but a north—south divide with the weather story today. we had some beautiful sunshine, and with lighter winds across central and southern england, it felt a little warmer as well. this was londonjust a few hours ago. different story further north. it was cloudy and wet at times, a rather drizzly, overcast picture, as you can see in argyll and bute. and that's because of this weather front. it's toppling around

the high pressure that's pushing in for the weekend, that's bringing some rain. now, the progress of the rain has been quite slow. it's been moving its way out of scotland, pushing into northern england and north wales. for the rest of the day, it will gradually sink its way steadily south. so, we will see some outbreaks of rain through the night tonight across central and southern england. clearer skies further north, a brisk wind and a few scattered showers. and with temperatures to the tops of the mountains, perhaps into low single figures, maybe a little bit of a wintry flavour here as well, but a milder start to the morning for england and wales. a dreary, drab morning here, slowly brightening up into the afternoon. sunny spells, a few scattered showers, but, again, the winds picking up. that'lljust take the edge off the feel of things, particularly in eastern scotland — we could see gusts in excess of 40 miles an hour. so here, only a high of 8 celsius in aberdeenshire, with a little more shelter further west, we could — with more sunshine — see 14—15 celsius. here's the high that's going to arrive through the weekend.

a lot of dry weather around at the weekend. this weather front will just introduce a little bit of patchy drizzle. and as we go into sunday in particular, more of a northeasterly flow, making it feel cool on exposed east coasts and certainly producing a lot more in the way of cloud. so we will be chasing cloud amounts around this weekend. but on the whole, saturday starts off sunny. there will be a brisk east wind, north east wind coming through, making it feel cool here. further west, with a little more sunshine, we could see highs of 14 celsius. so this west—east divide continues, particularly for the second half of the weekend. in the east, it will be a gray, drab affair and the temperatures struggling, i'm afraid, from time to time. with a little more shelter and more sunshine in the west, it's not out of the question, we may see 17 celsius in parts of northern ireland.

this is the world today from bbc news. the headlines.... ukraine's prime minister warns the west of the threat of a third world war if they don't help to arm his country. the uk and the united states announced a new sanctions on iran targeting the country's drone production after its weekend attack on israel. police scotland say peter

murrell, former snp chief executive married to nicola sturgeon has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the scottish national party. we speak to the tik tucker who set the world —— we'll speak to the tiktoker who has set the world record for the most blankets knitted in 24 hours , using his arms. all of that to come, but we start here in the uk. here in the uk, prince william has returned to official public duties for the first time since his wife princess catherine revealed her cancer diagnosis four weeks ago. he was given get well soon cards from well wishers for his wife and also for the king — while visiting a food charity in surrey, where he lent a hand in the kitchen and helped load meals into delivery vans.

our royal correspondent jonny dymond was there