and friendship never ends — the spice girls get back together to celebrate victoria beckham's 50th birthday. we start in the middle east where israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says the only way to secure the release of hostages in gaza is to increase the military pressure on hamas. in his message to mark thejewish holiday of passover, mr netanyahu vowed to hit hamas with painful blows. he said the army will launch a ground operation in the southern city of rafah, where more than a million displaced palestinians are sheltering — and in the latest air strike on the city — 15 children are among the dead.

fergal keane now reports on the continued suffering in gaza. in gaza nothing changed. this was rafah today at the 15 children were killed in an airstrike. show me one—man among them. they are

all children and women. you can see why my identity is completely erased with the death of my wife and children. 3 with the death of my wife and children. �* , ., ., ., ., , ., ., children. a pregnant woman was among the dead. children. a pregnant woman was among the dead- her— children. a pregnant woman was among the dead. her baby _ children. a pregnant woman was among the dead. her baby daughter— children. a pregnant woman was among the dead. her baby daughter was - 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 in the story of what follows for the families caught in the shadows of death. her husband was one of more than 70 civilians killed in israeli raid to rescue hostages in february. these were the couples children in the aftermath of their father's death.

we went back to see her now eight months pregnant with her dead husband child. an increase awaiting the arrival of a new life. her words, the eulogy of a wife and mother for her words, the eulogy of a wife and motherfor all her words, the eulogy of a wife and mother for all that's been lost. her words, the eulogy of a wife and motherfor all that's been lost. in central gaza israelis hunt for hamas. they are still launching attacks from tunnels and buildings. and as the war rages on sickness and hunger hot 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. translation: we have been coming here for six months and we're completely dependent on food charity. we come here to get food to eat and feed the other children. in the north with the threat of famine is most acute he aged three suffers from kidney disease exacerbated by malnutrition. his six—year—old brother provides cover 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. staying in the region... 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. they are also saying that the us fighter jet they are also saying that the us fighterjet was they are also saying that the us fighter jet was targeted. for more on these latest developments let's speak to scott lucas, professor of american studies at the university of birmingham. scott, first i want to get your reaction to these reports of rocket�*s fired from northern iraq towards a us miltary base in syria? the media says this is not

unexpected. early saturday there were explosions on an iraqi base with pro—iranian militia. there was at least one pro iranian killed and eight wounded. some form of retaliation and this appears to be retaliation and this appears to be retaliation was to be expected. firing a few rockets on an american base in syria more as a demonstration that i think is an escalation given that there is only minor damage and no casualties so far. it could be significant. there were more than 150 attacks on bases with us personnel by around like militia since october seven. hamas, followed by israel's mass killings. those attacks stopped at the end of february. they stopped because the americans carried out air strikes on the rn like militiamen. in the head

of iran's force which are responsible for operations in the region told the militias to back off. the question will be, is it simply a one—off attack is tehran going to say the militias, 0k, simply a one—off attack is tehran going to say the militias, ok, you can resume periodic attacks on the american at the risk of us retaliation and further inflaming the region. the retaliation and further inflaming the region-— retaliation and further inflaming the reuion. ., ., ., the region. the around back lebanon u-rou the region. the around back lebanon a-rou has the region. the around back lebanon grow) has blood _ the region. the around back lebanon group has blood as _ the region. the around back lebanon group has blood as they _ the region. the around back lebanon group has blood as they are - the region. the around back lebanon group has blood as they are on - the region. the around back lebanon group has blood as they are on a - group has blood as they are on a combat mission in southern lebanon. do you see anything of a broader conflict happening in israel? the conflict happening in israel? tue: conflict between conflict happening in israel? tte: conflict between his conflict happening in israel? tt2 conflict between his brother and israel has been going on at a lower level for the end gaza of course still hundreds of personnel, most on has bullet side and some civilians have been killed in the past six and half months. israel over southern

lebanon whether they were constant or attack is not unexpected. what you watch for is israel or has blood violates the rules of the game and goes be on a skirmish into a wider attack. ., �* , ., , , ~' attack. you've previously liking the long-running _ attack. you've previously liking the long-running tensions _ attack. you've previously liking the long-running tensions is _ attack. you've previously liking the long-running tensions is a - attack. you've previously liking the long-running tensions is a cold - attack. you've previously liking the j long-running tensions is a cold war long—running tensions is a cold war proxy battle in the main not direction did not direct because of a wider war. do you still think that? , ., �* , ., a wider war. do you still think that? , ., ~ , ., ., , a wider war. do you still think that? , ., a ., ., �*, that? yes, i do. as large as iran's demonstration _ that? yes, i do. as large as iran's demonstration attacks _ that? yes, i do. as large as iran's demonstration attacks or - that? yes, i do. as large as iran's demonstration attacks orjust - that? yes, i do. as large as iran's| demonstration attacks orjust over that? yes, i do. as large as iran's i demonstration attacks orjust over a week ago with more than 320 missiles and drones, they telegraphed the attack, they let the americans know through turkey, switzerland that it was coming. the americans would've worked with the israelis. which is why every cruise missile, drone was intercepted before reach israeli motel with territory. iran to simply

wanted to show its domestic audience look, we're still tough after israel's assassination of its commanders. when israel did respond after several days it wasn't with a large attack it responded with drones and not missiles. it did not hit iranian nuclear sites. it hit iranian positions that were had before in 2021, 2023. causing relatively minor damage. both sides and said to the other, look, we can take you next time even harder. they both thumped their chest. i think they both have stepped back from direct confrontation. that still leaves what you might call in indirect war. be it in lebanon, syria, yemen and it continues and will as israel is carrying out its main operations in gaza. thank you for our main operations in gaza. thank you for your perspective _ main operations in gaza. thank you for your perspective today. - scott lucas — professor

of american studies at the university of birmingham. president volodymyr zelensky says the military aid package approved by the us house of representatives will give ukraine a chance of victory in its war against russia. he said it would help it retake the initiative. he pushed back at complaints that the us had spent too much on the war, saying ukraine was protecting freedom and democracy across europe. our correspondent in kyiv, james waterhouse, has the latest. 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, drones, 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 for kyiv 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 in 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. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv. i'm joined now byjared mondschein, who is the director of research at the united states studies centre. what's your main takeaway from the bill finally making it through the house this weekend? this is a major change for speaker johnson. let's not forget, he did not come to congress expecting to be

speaker. he came to congress as a conservative republican. voted against ukraine aid packages in the past. he has undergone quite a change in last few months. the administration went out of its way to really show him the intelligence, show them what they think putin in his intentions are for ukraine and broader europe and to show why the biden administration thinks that it is in the us national interest to support ukraine. and nato more broadly. this is something to see a republican speaker go against the majority of the republicans in congress, it is no small matter. i think this is a major development not only for ukraine but also for where the republican party is amidst questions about whether it's going in the midst of an alignment or not. this really shows that there is some value or still some perception of value or still some perception of value in the region republican party

that we may have been more accustomed to in past decades. —— reagan republican party. he accustomed to in past decades. -- reagan republican party. he could not find himself— reagan republican party. he could not find himself in _ reagan republican party. he could not find himself in a _ reagan republican party. he could not find himself in a difficult - not find himself in a difficult position. do you you now see attempts to oust him?- position. do you you now see attempts to oust him? very much so. i think marjorie _ attempts to oust him? very much so. i think marjorie taylor _ attempts to oust him? very much so. i think marjorie taylor greene - attempts to oust him? very much so. i think marjorie taylor greene has - i think marjorie taylor greene has already made clear she plans to do that. the way that this was done, but this was basically the last package vote that the house had before they went on a week—long recess. i think mikejohnson and his allies, including some democrats now are hoping that members of congress go home and focus on their reelection campaigns and this news item cycle passes and they could start focusing on other areas where they want to garner votes in support of the head of the november 2024 election. johnson and democrats who have said that they would vote to keep him if people like marjorie

taylor greene want to oust him. there are saying thatjohnson did the right thing. they didn't like speaker mccarthy who is a prior speaker mccarthy who is a prior speaker and was ousted by his own party members. at the same time, mikejohnson in their view to the right thing on these aid packages to israel. gaza, ukraine and taiwan and the indo—pacific more broadly. thank the indo-pacific more broadly. thank ou for your time. jared mondschein, director of research at the united states studies centre. 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 "it has been an enormous privilege representing the people of fylde since 2010, but due to the pressures on myself and my elderly mother i have decided to resign from the conservative party and will not stand at the forthcoming general election. this has been a very difficult week for me and i request that my family's

privacy is respected. our political correspondent iain watson has the story. local party sources are pleased about that and by election rishi sunak will be pleased about that as well. perhaps less pleased about the publicity surrounding this mp. just to go back over the allegations troubled times alleged during the week that use money needed for campaigning to pay for private medical bills without a more spectacularly to compensate the party. paying 6000 pounds to bar people from a flat he's been held. tonight you can comment on those allegations at all. he's disputed them. he said that because of pressures on him and his elderly mother he will be resigning from the conservative party and stare down at the next election. the party has said that basically if you want to take this further they will cooperate with them. but because the

money did not come from an official party account therefore they could not conclude he had misused conservative party funds. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

the mayor of london, sadiq khan, has arranged an urgent meeting tomorrow with the metropolitan police commissioner to discuss the row over the way police treated a jewish man during a pro—palestinian protest in london earlier this month. prime minister — rishi sunak — said he was "appalled" by the incident. here's angus crawford. if i can ask you to stay there, please. thank you very much. gideon falter wants to cross the road — through a pro—palestine march. when the crowd is gone, i will happily escort you out. but he's told that's not possible. but why? you are quite openlyjewish, this is a pro—palestinian march.

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. if you choose to remain here, because you are causing a breach of peace with all these other people, you will be arrested. 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 time in three days. he'll speak tojewish community leaders tomorrow and open up operational planning to greater scrutiny. tonight, mr falter has been invited to a private meeting with the met, which he's accepted, to discuss what more the force can do to make jewish 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 their 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 we can't be saying to particular groups in society that their very presence is a provocation. you don't want anybody of any community to feel like that, which is how thejewish community has been made to feel. the london mayor, sadiq khan, said, "the met must have the confidence of the communities they serve and it's right they've apologised for the way the incident was handled." protest, counterprotest, and in the middle, the met, at times

struggling to police the divide. angus crawford, bbc news. ecuador�*s national prison agency say they are trying to establish who is behind the death of a prison director who died on sunday. his death comes as ecuadorians have been voting in a referendum to bolster security in response to a surge in violence by drugs gangs. measures include an expansion of military and police powers that will allow the military to patrol the streets alongside the police. they'll also signicantly boost gun controls and impose harsher prison sentences for "terrorism" and drug trafficking. president daniel noboha also wants to change the constitution so ecuadoreans wanted abroad for organised crime—related offences can be extradited. let's speak to our south america correspondent ione wells, in quito. ione get us up to speed with this. i understand a prison warden has also been murdered on the day

of this security referendum? that's right. unfortunately, this doesn't come as much of a surprise to a lot of people here in ecuador. the history would suggest that whenever somebody has tried to tackle organised crime or introduce topper measures to tackle gun violence often they have become targets of violence themselves. we see in this prison director killed today for them in the last week there's been two mayors killed this is all part of the bigger picture of rising violence, game criminality in ecuador after last year we saw a presidential candidate who was assassinated. earlier this year a state of emergency was called up to one of the countries top gang leaders escape from prison, which led to mass prison riots as well as lots of fighting in the streets, a rise and kidnappings like gang members. , . ,

rise and kidnappings like gang members. , ., , ., ., members. tells a bit more about the referendum — members. tells a bit more about the referendum is _ members. tells a bit more about the referendum is expected _ members. tells a bit more about the referendum is expected to _ members. tells a bit more about the referendum is expected to happen i referendum is expected to happen next? , ., , ., next? this referendum was asking the eo - le next? this referendum was asking the --eole of next? this referendum was asking the people of ecuador— next? this referendum was asking the people of ecuador to _ next? this referendum was asking the people of ecuador to vote _ next? this referendum was asking the people of ecuador to vote on - people of ecuador to vote on toughening up security measures in the country. it included enshrining the country. it included enshrining the military presence on the street to tackle gang violence. also measures like increasing resin sentences, allowing extradition for violent criminals. it is widely expected in the opinion polls before the vote suggest that these measures will pass. we're still waiting for that result this evening. the opinion in ecuador today has been mixed around this. i spoke to people who have been in favour of the new measures saying they think it will make them feel safer, it is got to the point where they can't even go out for meals or coffees without feeling like they're looking over their shoulder, worried about their safety. there is certainly people who are worried about the implications of the security measures, particularly the human

rights implications of them. i've spoken to some people have been victims themselves of excessive force and brutality for that even those who are not done anything wrong themselves with that there are concerns by human rights groups that giving more power to the military and the police could lead to increase in abuses like this. thank you for that. our south america correspondent ione wells, in quito. authorities in southern china have introduced emergency response plans — in preparation for severe floods. there have been heavy downpours in recent days in the guangdong province — which is home to around 127 million people. according to state media, landslides have injured six people and trapped others with some villages being cut off. local officials say some rivers are hitting water levels which have a one in 50 chance of happening every year. 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...# victoria beckham behind the camera. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello there. northern ireland was certainly the place to be on sunday. light winds, sunny skies and it turned out to be the warmest day of the year so far in the country, with temperatures reaching 19 degrees. by contrast, much further east across the uk remains cold, particularly so across northeastern parts of england with cloud and the breeze coming in off the north sea. now high pressure is close by, but it is tending to edge your way and that's allowing these weather fronts to bring cloud and even some rain southwards overnight. but ahead of that, we've got clearer skies for east anglia and the southeast. so temperatures could be close to freezing.

first thing in the morning before that cloud comes in and there will be a lot of cloud on monday, we've got this light rain and drizzle affecting northern england, the midlands, wales heading towards the south. there could be a few spots of rain moving down across scotland before northern areas. see the sunshine returning in the afternoon but there won't be as much sunshine in northern ireland. it's not going to be as warm on monday. may make 16 degrees in glasgow, but it's going to be particularly chilly for the midlands and eastern parts of england. that area of high pressure continues to just get pushed away and these weather fronts move southwards overnight with clearer skies. though, following into scotland, there could be an early frost around here. most of the cloud will be affecting some eastern parts of england, heading to the south east and northerly wind then follows in the odd light shower around north sea coast cloud will tend to build up the sunny skies for western scotland, northern ireland and wales. and here temperatures will be 13 or 14 degrees, but again it's going to be colder further east and generally over the next few days west

is going to be best. but high pressure is no longer with us by wednesday. but we're still in that cold air stream with the northerly wind bringing the odd shower down some of those north sea coast where it will feel particularly cold. we may well see a touch of frost here and there if the cloud breaks, but the cloud will tend to build up through the day on wednesday, and that could lead to a few showers, mainly for england and wales, looking a bit sunnier, perhaps for western scotland and northern ireland, but temperatures are 11 degrees in belfast and that's going to be a typical best number on wednesday. it is going to be a chilly week ahead. temperatures dropping across northern areas and there's even the risk of frost overnight before lower pressure, maybe bring some rain by the end of the week.

welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sakur. we humans keep pushing the frontiers of bioscience. we now understand the molecular biology that makes us who we are.

but we are still figuring out how to use that knowledge. should we screen all human embryos for genetic abnormalities? should we root out mutations? could we be sleepwalking into a new era of eugenics? my guest is the ethicist, disability rights activist and writer tom shakespeare, who also happens to live with a genetic condition, achondroplasia, which has restricted his growth. should we embrace difference rather than use science to root it out? tom shakespeare, welcome to hardtalk. thank you, it's great to be here. it's great to have you. now, in your personal life and your professional life,

everything has been intertwined in terms of your campaigning work, your academic work.