live from london. this is bbc news. uk labour leader sir keir starmer sets out his policy to stop migrant boat crossings. we sets out his policy to stop migrant boat crossings.— sets out his policy to stop migrant boat crossings. we will set up a new command with _ boat crossings. we will set up a new command with new— boat crossings. we will set up a new command with new powers, - boat crossings. we will set up a new. command with new powers, resources and a new way of doing things. security command. israel's prime minister vows to press ahead with the offensive in rafah in defiance of us calls for restraint. israel is through to the eurovision final despite the protests over the war in gaza. hello, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news,

interviews and reaction. sir keir starmer is promising to set up a new border security command to crack down on people—smugglers if his party wins power. lets have a look at what the labour party is doing to do. sir keir starmer is promising to set up a new border security command to crack down on people—smugglers if his party wins power. he is also pledging to hire hundreds more specialist investigators and cross—border police. meanwhile, counter—terror powers would be extended to cover organised immigration crime, including the power to search people suspected of being involved in people smuggling, close bank accounts, restrict their travel and trace their movements before an offence has taken place. and he says £75 million of the money allocated for the first year of the rwanda scheme would fund its plans. we will set up a new command with

new powers, resources and a new way of doing things. border security command. this is about leveraging the power and potential of dynamic government, based on a counterterrorism approach which we know works. and end the fragmentation between policing, the border force and our intelligence agencies. so border protection becomes an elite force, not a cinderella service.— becomes an elite force, not a cinderella service. our political correspondent _ cinderella service. our political correspondent spoke _ cinderella service. our political correspondent spoke to - cinderella service. our political correspondent spoke to us - cinderella service. our political. correspondent spoke to us earlier about the noticeable difference between labour and conservative approach on this question. labour saying they would scrap the rwanda scheme, the plan to send those arriving in small boats to rwanda. labour said they would take a law enforcement approach, the border security command. sir keir starmer characterised the rwanda scheme is a series

of gimmicks that wouldn't tackle the problem. he pointed to other mooted ideas like a wave machine in the channel that appeared in newspapers that didn't make it into policy. he said the rwanda scheme is just another in the latest series of gimmicks. one thing to point out. he was asked afterwards how many small boats his border security command would tackle, how many the numbers crossing would reduce. he didn't give a specific figure, saying he would look to reduce the numbers, but didn't put a number on it, not saying his scheme would stop small crossings. the other thing to point out is. sir keir starmer made a lot in a speech about how he would improve asylum processing in the uk by putting more funding into it, by hiring new caseworkers, to process those who are in the uk trying to claim asylum. he said they would be processed more

quickly and those who failed to get asylum would be returned. the difficult question is the largest nationality that came over in small boats to the uk last year was from afghanistan, and we don't have a return agreement with afghanistan because it is currently run by the taliban, so he said he didn't really have an answer for where those people who come from countries like afghanistan or iran would be returned to. so a couple of caveats there, but certainly a stark difference between the conservatives and labour, taking a more law enforcement approach to the small boats crisis. let's speak to steve smith, ceo of a refugee charity. let's speak to steve smith, ceo of a refugee charity-— refugee charity. what you make of what was announced _ refugee charity. what you make of what was announced today? - refugee charity. what you make of what was announced today? we i refugee charity. what you make of| what was announced today? we are leased to what was announced today? we are pleased to hear _ what was announced today? we are pleased to hear that _ what was announced today? we are pleased to hear that the _ what was announced today? we are pleased to hear that the rwanda . pleased to hear that the rwanda scheme is being scrapped. it is

absurdly expensive, it is statistically trivial in terms of numbers and it is ethically dubious. in terms of the upgrade of security, are we sure about that? there has been a lot of talk about putting a lot of money into bolstering the french police, that doesn't seem to have gone very far. since we are no longer members of europol, we no longer members of europol, we no longer have the european arrest warrant and we are no longer part of the schengen information system which is crucial in monitoring cross—border security, it is difficult to see how this will work. the main thing we would like to see is safe passage, we would like to see safe and regulated routes that allow people to come into the country. you can think of this in the same terms of prohibition in the us. alcohol was banned, criminal gangs flourished, as soon as it was allowed back in the shops the criminal gangs collapsed. safe passage will put the gang is out of

action. ~ ., �* , , , ., action. wouldn't the numbers be on terribly enormous _ action. wouldn't the numbers be on terribly enormous if _ action. wouldn't the numbers be on terribly enormous if that _ action. wouldn't the numbers be on terribly enormous if that was - action. wouldn't the numbers be on terribly enormous if that was to - terribly enormous if that was to happen? in terribly enormous if that was to ha - en? , terribly enormous if that was to ha--en? ,. terribly enormous if that was to ha en? , ., , , happen? in terms of the numbers cominu happen? in terms of the numbers coming through. _ happen? in terms of the numbers coming through, we _ happen? in terms of the numbers coming through, we could - happen? in terms of the numbers coming through, we could do - happen? in terms of the numbers - coming through, we could do offshore processing, screen people before they come through. issue visa and they come through. issue visa and they come through in the normal way. we are already accepting far fewer refugees into the country rather than other european countries like germany, france or spain.- than other european countries like germany, france or spain. there is a cost to the — germany, france or spain. there is a cost to the british _ germany, france or spain. there is a cost to the british taxpayer _ germany, france or spain. there is a cost to the british taxpayer if - germany, france or spain. there is a cost to the british taxpayer if more i cost to the british taxpayer if more people were allowed to come through in those safe and legal routes that you suggest. the pressure on people around the world is increasing, we know from climate change forecasts, more migration numbers globally. every country is worried about its borders, not least for security. what you wouldn't be doing is granting safe routes to those whom we don't believe have valid asylum

claims. i don't see the numbers going up at all. at the moment what you have got is anyone coming into the country, we go back to the point about the afghans, and what will we do with sending them back to afghanistan when the taliban are in control. 99% of afghans who applied for refugee status are accepted because of the circumstances they have come from. there are very high acceptance rates from people coming from other critical countries like iran and iraq. those are people who will be bought in through safe routes who have been through the worst possible experiences people can think of and are seeking safety. thank you for that. just let you know that here, the prime minister's spokesperson says it is essential to have a deterrent to people crossing

the channel which they think the rwanda policy achieves. israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has said he hopes to overcome his differences withjoe biden, but vowed to press ahead with that military assault on rafah. mr netanyahu was speaking to us media after president biden confirmed that the us had withheld a delivery of munitions, and could halt more shipments if israeli forces attack hamas in rafah, a densely populated city in the gaza strip. mr netanyahu said israel had to defeat hamas in rafah. we have more from jerusalem. israel still calling this limited, troops yet to enter base map's streets. the troops are massed nearby, the threat of an all—out assault still feels real. joe biden has warned israel not to do it and threatened to with

hold weapons. the israeli prime minister says he is determined to destroy what is left of hamas. we have had destroy what is left of hamas. - have had agreements and disagreements, we have been able to overcome them, i hope we can overcome them, i hope we can overcome them, i hope we can overcome them now but we will do what we have to do to protect our country. what we have to do to protect our count . , ., , what we have to do to protect our count. h, , ., , what we have to do to protect our count . , .,,, country. israel is heavily dependent on american _ country. israel is heavily dependent on american weaponry, _ country. israel is heavily dependent on american weaponry, the - country. israel is heavily dependent| on american weaponry, the ministry of defence celebrating the arrival of defence celebrating the arrival of everything from jeeps to smart bombs. joe biden�*s thread to suspend deliveries carries rare symbolic wait but how much doesn't really matter? ~ , , ., ~ wait but how much doesn't really matter? ~ , , ., ,, ., matter? when we speak about difficulties _ matter? when we speak about difficulties within _ matter? when we speak about difficulties within the - matter? when we speak about difficulties within the idf, - matter? when we speak about difficulties within the idf, it i matter? when we speak about. difficulties within the idf, it will be for— difficulties within the idf, it will be for the — difficulties within the idf, it will be for the long or range. for tomorrow's war in gaza or lebanon if it happens. _ tomorrow's war in gaza or lebanon if it happens, that would not make any difference _ it happens, that would not make any difference. , it happens, that would not make any difference. . ~ it happens, that would not make any difference. . ,, ., , it happens, that would not make any difference. . ~ ., , , ., difference. this week has seen a fresh wave _ difference. this week has seen a fresh wave of _ difference. this week has seen a fresh wave of palestinians - difference. this week has seen a | fresh wave of palestinians fleeing the fighting, most have moved multiple times before, the war following wherever they go. some are

going north searching for scraps of open ground often by the sea, places without any basic services. we take water from the sea for our children this woman says, there are no bathrooms, no food no tents. the children haven't had any breakfast orseen children haven't had any breakfast or seen food. seven months of war have totally appended life in the gaza strip, displacing most of the population, creating vast new refugee camps, with ceasefire talks still deadlocked, this desperate movement look set to continue. earlier i spoke to the middle east director of the international community is and also a former hostage negotiator. he gave me his assessment. fist hostage negotiator. he gave me his assessment-— hostage negotiator. he gave me his assessment. �* , , ., assessment. at the present time what we have is a — assessment. at the present time what we have is a situation _ assessment. at the present time what we have is a situation where _ assessment. at the present time what we have is a situation where the - we have is a situation where the gaps between israel and hamas are unbridgeable. because as you reported, hamas is demanding a deal

that includes an obligation by israel to end the war and israel is not going to agree to any agreement that will end the war. that is the difficulty. while israel wants to get it 132 hostages home, many of them dead already. hamas is holding onto those hostages until it achieves what it once which is an end to the war and release of palestinian prisoners. we don't have a situation right now which is bridger bowl, the have walked away from the table. that bridger bowl, the have walked away from the table.— from the table. that is obviously incredibly alarming _ from the table. that is obviously incredibly alarming if _ from the table. that is obviously incredibly alarming if that - from the table. that is obviously incredibly alarming if that is - from the table. that is obviously incredibly alarming if that is the | incredibly alarming if that is the case. do you think netanyahu is serious about going into rafah despite the enormous risk to civilian life?— civilian life? netanyahu is interested _ civilian life? netanyahu is interested in _ civilian life? netanyahu is interested in prolonging l civilian life? netanyahu is l interested in prolonging the civilian life? netanyahu is - interested in prolonging the war civilian life? netanyahu is _ interested in prolonging the war and his attack on rafah is similar to every attack we have had in gaza since the beginning of the war where

the israeli public and the international community has been told by the idf and the prime minister that this is the key location with a hamas leadership is, where there material is, whether it be the city of gaza, the hospital in the centre of gaza, or khan younis we were told the same thing. now we have been told the same thing about rafah. the point is you cannot defeat an organisation like hamas, a terrorist organisation with military means. hamas is an ideology notjust a government and fighting force and israel needs to be concerned with fighting the ideology of hamas and that can only be done with a political end game which the israeli government refuses to deal with. around the world and across the uk this is bbc news.

military sources in ukraine say

russian forces have advanced one kilometre into ukrainian territory. people are being evacuated from one town near the city because of sustained russian selling. the ukrainian defence military says that defence forces have been sent. our correspondence give us this update. it is feared that russian forces are going to mount a big counteroffensive in the heart give region where around 35,000 troops are gathering. whilst this is concerning for kyiv, it is thought this doesn't amount to that yet. defending troops said they saw seven russian scouting groups that make probing attacks in different villages and it is centring around a town where around 3000 people live and are being evacuated at the moment we are told that russian

forces try to break through the border with armoured vehicles. president zelensky says we are prepared for it, when we met them with artillery fire. they seem to be contained for now, but heavy fighting is still very much ongoing. moscow has been very open about its desire to create a buffer zone in this area because of ukrainian forces continuing to launch artillery strikes on the region which is inside russia. it could be that, but of course, battlefields are all about shaping, this could be part of a wider offensive but i don't think there are any generals in western circle is expecting russian forces to be able to take cities like kharkiv itself as one of the one further north simply because you need a lot of very well trained troops to make that happen. it is certain is looking to push on, not least with a delay to this american

ammunition and weaponry which is only really starting to trickle into certain parts of the front line. when will it a difference that aid? well, it will be, you would imagine it would have a tapering effect. the objective as far as ukraine is concerned is to stabilise the front line, making a difference simply means suppressing russian advances where you might have artillery teams that might stop having to ration ammunition. it might mean that ukraine can mount more medium—range missile strikes which are part of that us package on russian supply lines which could suppress further offensive attempts. for most people this is in danger of feeling very 2022, when we talk about the gathering of russian troops across the border, and moscow shaping for some kind of offensive. a lot has

happened since then, not least that russia has already invaded and lost a lot of men. certainly, it is forcing ukraine to redeploying troops to the area to try and contain this battle. on top of the defensive operations it is mounting further south where russian forces are continuing to take territory and settlements which is only building the pressure on kyiv. let settlements which is only building the pressure on kyiv.— the pressure on kyiv. let me take ou to the pressure on kyiv. let me take you to new _ the pressure on kyiv. let me take you to new york _ the pressure on kyiv. let me take you to new york life _ the pressure on kyiv. let me take you to new york life because - the pressure on kyiv. let me take you to new york life because the | you to new york life because the former president donald trump is expected to arrive shortly through those doors for today's hearing in the courthouse on the hush money trial. it comes after the adult form star stormy daniels clashed with the defence team. the former president is charged with hiding a payment to her to cover up an alleged affair before the 2016 election. he is pleading not guilty to 3a counts of falsifying business records. let

speak to our correspondent in new york. do we know if the president is in the building? just york. do we know if the president is in the building?— in the building? just behind me, donald trump's _ in the building? just behind me, donald trump's motorcade - in the building? just behind me, donald trump's motorcade has i donald trump's motorcade has arrived, he should be walking through those doors to go into the courtroom for what will be the wrap of the third week of testimony in this criminal trial. it has been an intense few weeks, yesterday the most intense yet. cross examination of stormy daniels, donald trump's lawyers trying to paint her as someone trying to extort the president for money and trying to profit off his indictment by selling merchandise. but stormy daniels hit back at those attempts with a mix of humour, indignation and trying to show that she wasn't intimidated by the tough questioning. certainly, it is thejury who

the tough questioning. certainly, it is the jury who will have to decide if her answers ring true to them. but the witness we have on the stand todayis but the witness we have on the stand today is very different from stormy daniels, it is a former white house aide, who is somebody who wrote the book on how much she admires donald trump and the time at the white house, despite being fired for making comments off the record that angered the former president. she has testified about the fact that cheques from the trump organisation would come to the white house and she would get donald trump to sign them. and that donald trump would occasionally call his chief financial officer to discuss some of those checks. the checks at issue here are the ones he wrote to michael cohen, he says they were legitimate legal expenses but the prosecution says those checks were to reimburse michael cohen for what was essentially an illegal campaign

donation according to prosecutors. so she will be understand but the big star witness, michael cohen is expected to take the stand as soon as monday so prosecutors beginning to wrap up the case here. thank you there, we to wrap up the case here. thank you there. we will— to wrap up the case here. thank you there, we will be _ to wrap up the case here. thank you there, we will be following - to wrap up the case here. thank you there, we will be following the - there, we will be following the events with you in the coming hours. one of europe's most wanted human traffickers, the boss of a gang who smuggle thousands of people into the uk. so far he has avoided capture, we met up with an aid worker to try and catch him down. we met many of those put in danger by him including six—year—old miley who was rescued from a boat in the english channel. i said please help, we need help. i said please, we need petrol, we need help. then i said my mum is feeling

bad, she feels sick.— bad, she feels sick. these other huntin: bad, she feels sick. these other hunting words _ bad, she feels sick. these other hunting words of _ bad, she feels sick. these other hunting words of six-year-old i bad, she feels sick. these other- hunting words of six-year-old miley, hunting words of six—year—old miley, she was rescued from a boat sinking in the english channel as they attempted to cross from france to the uk. because she speaks english she was the want to call the emergency services. she begged them to come and rescue then the police came here and took us out of the small boat. came here and took us out of the small boat-— came here and took us out of the small boat. they gave me and my mummy some _ small boat. they gave me and my mummy some blankets _ small boat. they gave me and my mummy some blankets is - small boat. they gave me and my mummy some blankets is to - small boat. they gave me and my mummy some blankets is to feel| mummy some blankets is to feel better. ., . , mummy some blankets is to feel better. ., ., , . better. how many children were under boat? for children. _ better. how many children were under boat? for children. we _ better. how many children were under boat? for children. we are _ better. how many children were under boat? for children. we are searching i boat? for children. we are searching for the boat? for children. we are searching forthe boss — boat? for children. we are searching for the boss of _ boat? for children. we are searching for the boss of one _ boat? for children. we are searching for the boss of one of _ boat? for children. we are searching for the boss of one of the _ boat? for children. we are searching for the boss of one of the biggest - for the boss of one of the biggest smuggling gangs in europe, he calls himself scorpion, he is on the run for police and is wanted by crime agencies across europe. because i am so excited to _ agencies across europe. because i am so excited to be — agencies across europe. because i am so excited to be in _ agencies across europe. because i am so excited to be in england, _ agencies across europe. because i am so excited to be in england, to - agencies across europe. because i am so excited to be in england, to go - so excited to be in england, to go to school, to have a life, my friend

is here in england. we need to next time go to england. another day, next time. . , ., ., time go to england. another day, next time-— time go to england. another day, nexttime. . , ., ., ~ , next time. six-year-old miley there. who was put — next time. six-year-old miley there. who was put at _ next time. six-year-old miley there. who was put at risk— next time. six-year-old miley there. who was put at risk on _ next time. six-year-old miley there. who was put at risk on a _ next time. six-year-old miley there. who was put at risk on a boat - who was put at risk on a boat crossing the channel. i spoke to a former british soldier an aid worker to get more details about that clip we saw. . . to get more details about that clip we saw. . , , ., to get more details about that clip we saw. . , to get more details about that clip wesaw. . , to get more details about that clip wesaw. . we saw. the clip you saw is a little airl we we saw. the clip you saw is a little girl we met _ we saw. the clip you saw is a little girl we metjust — we saw. the clip you saw is a little girl we metjust last _ we saw. the clip you saw is a little girl we metjust last month, - we saw. the clip you saw is a little girl we metjust last month, she . girl we metjust last month, she represents a little girl that i met seven years ago in exactly the same situation. what piqued our interest in this individual, scorpion, we did a podcast a few years ago and when we were researching that, when we were making that podcast, this one name kept coming up time and time again which was the scorpion. it seems the scorpion was in contact

with many migrants and refugees around turkey and around calais and around turkey and around calais and around dunkirk. and there seem to be around dunkirk. and there seem to be a lot of movement under his name. so myself and bbcjournalist sue mitchell sat down and we thought let's have a closer look at this quy- let's have a closer look at this guy. when we scratched beneath the surface of who he was, it went on and on. the extent of human trafficking network was carrying around europe was phenomenal. you actually managed to speak to him? around europe was phenomenal. you i actually managed to speak to him? we actually managed to speak to him? - tracked him through france into germany and turkey, eventually with tip—offs from contacts around germany and iraq we located him in iraq. we went to iraq without his knowledge and managed to find him. and i put some questions to him. how many people do you think you have smuggled to the uk? mar;

many people do you think you have smuggled to the uk?— smuggled to the uk? may be a thousand. _ smuggled to the uk? may be a thousand, 10,000, _ smuggled to the uk? may be a thousand, 10,000, |_ smuggled to the uk? may be a thousand, 10,000, | didn't - smuggled to the uk? may be a i thousand, 10,000, i didn't count. youtl— thousand, 10,000, i didn't count. you'll make — thousand, 10,000, i didn't count. you'll make thousands of passengers and your— you'll make thousands of passengers and your number in their phone. nobody— and your number in their phone. nobody forced them to, they are begging — nobody forced them to, they are begging the smugglers, do this for us. ., begging the smugglers, do this for us. ., " .. begging the smugglers, do this for us. ., ~ ., ., , ., us. you know that smuggling through euro -e is us. you know that smuggling through europe is illegal _ us. you know that smuggling through europe is illegal and _ us. you know that smuggling through europe is illegal and dangerous, - us. you know that smuggling through europe is illegal and dangerous, you | europe is illegal and dangerous, you know that? fit europe is illegal and dangerous, you know that? .., . europe is illegal and dangerous, you know that?_ and - europe is illegal and dangerous, you know that?_ and you - europe is illegal and dangerous, you know that?_ and you did l know that? of course. and you did it? i'm know that? of course. and you did it? i'm telling _ know that? of course. and you did it? i'm telling you, _ know that? of course. and you did it? i'm telling you, i— know that? of course. and you did it? i'm telling you, i have - it? i'm telling you, i have done those kinds _ it? i'm telling you, i have done those kinds of _ it? i'm telling you, i have done those kinds of things, - it? i'm telling you, i have done those kinds of things, i'd - it? i'm telling you, i have done those kinds of things, i'd done| it? i'm telling you, i have done i those kinds of things, i'd done it. do we _ those kinds of things, i'd done it. do we know— those kinds of things, i'd done it. do we know where he is now? and i don't know if you have a number, with the people that he was involved with, you have been working for a long time speaking to those who are making the crossing is, how many of those are genuinely fleeing threat in their home country? how many are economic migrants? i in their home country? how many are economic migrants?— economic migrants? i have been workin: economic migrants? i have been working with _ economic migrants? i have been working with migrants _ economic migrants? i have been working with migrants for - economic migrants? i have been working with migrants for many |

working with migrants for many years, i break them down into three categories. what we do, we always point out the boats and trucks and we miss so many human stories by mentioning the boats. so many human stories there. what i have broken them down into is three categories, you have refugees fleeing conflict. you have economic migrants. and i have looked at that statement, economic migrant and i think if i was living in an economy where there was living in an economy where there was corruption and the economy was smashed to bits, i would want to get my family to a better economy. and then we have a third category that i deem the smugglers, people who are coming here to hurt people by human trafficking them across europe and to hurt western countries. aha, trafficking them across europe and to hurt western countries. a former british soldier _ to hurt western countries. a former british soldier and _ to hurt western countries. a former british soldier and now _ to hurt western countries. a former british soldier and now volunteer i british soldier and now volunteer aid worker. stay with us here on bbc

news, i am aid worker. stay with us here on bbc news, iam back aid worker. stay with us here on bbc news, i am back soon and this is bbc news. hello. for most of us, it feels more like summer than spring out there today. another very warm one across large swathes of the uk. the weekend will be very warm, as well. dry for most on saturday, but things are set to change on sunday with the increasing chance of some heavy thundery showers. you can see weather systems waiting in the wings out in the atlantic, but, for the time being they are being fended off by this area of high pressure. we do have a bit more in the way of cloud across the north of scotland. the odd spot of rain here. also, this area of low cloud and mistiness rolling on to some of these eastern coasts of east anglia and the south—east of england. elsewhere, good spells of sunshine, highs of 2a, maybe 25 degrees. through this evening and tonight, this area of cloud will roll its way in off the north sea into parts of eastern england, perhaps getting into the midlands, as well.

also some areas of low cloud just rolling across the north—west of scotland, maybe affecting shetland. most places seeing clear skies and hence some sunshine to start saturday morning. temperatures not dropping too far at all. for saturday, this area of cloud will tend to roll back towards north sea coasts. for most, it's going to be fine with some sunshine, but we do have the chance for some showers to pop up. they should be quite well scattered, but across some parts of scotland, especially over high ground, we could see the odd heavy thundery downpour. equally, in the best of the sunshine, highs of 2a, perhaps 25 degrees. not a bad looking day for northern ireland, maybe just the odd shower out towards the west. dry for the bulk of england and wales. a bit of patchy fairweather cloud and still some of this low cloud and mist affecting some north sea coasts, but temperatures easily up to 23, 2a, 25 degrees. our area of high pressure starts to give way as we head into the second half of the weekend, with these frontal systems rolling in from the atlantic, so the increasing chance of seeing some heavy showers and perhaps some

thunderstorms popping up as we head through sunday, particularly across parts of northern ireland, northern england, wales, the midlands and down towards the south—west. it may well be that eastern parts of england stay dry. we'll see some showers getting going across parts of scotland. still very warm, though, with temperatures up to 25, perhaps up to 26 degrees on sunday. as we head into next week, well, a very different weather outlook. it looks much more unsettled. some rain at times and feeling cooler, as well.

this is business today, live from new york, where us shares opened higher, looking to extend their rally after strong revenues from the world's biggest chip—maker bestie the sector. the uk posted its strongest growth in more than two years. but could that mean there is less pressure for an interest rate cut? plus, regaining altitude— british airways's owner, iag, sees a surge in bookings as it pulls out of the post—pandemic slump. and a

crushing experience for apple. it is forced to