where four—time champion john higgins is back, after his dramatic second round finish, which went right to the wire, beating mark allen with the final black of the deciding frame. he's losing to kyren wilson. wilson five frames to two up in that. could be revenge for him, having lost to higgins at the championship last year. in this morning's quarterfinals, judd trump came from behind to draw level with jak jones. trump held his nerve here to pinch the last frame of the session — first the pink and just look at this black. the 2019 champion turning on the style. it's now 4—1; as they head into this evening's session. david gilbert resumes his match against stephen maguire later with a 7—1 lead. the last frame of their morning session went to a respotted black. maguire will be kicking himself with this miss. gilbert, the world number 28, is very much in control of this match. not too long to wait until... not too long to wait until the first of the champions league. semi—finals — with two of england's key men going head to head. harry kane's bayern munich, against real madrid, featuring man of the momentjude bellingham. both sides ended the hopes of english sides arsenal and manchester city in the quarters. the first leg tonight is at the allianz arena. kane has scored more than a0 goals in all competitions this campaign for bayern — but his manager knows the magic bellingham is capable of. he said fantastic progress here... only possible with a huge personality, everyone who plays for real madrid also plays with the pressure of the shirt, to play for this club and with the demands and expectations. he handles it like he's never done anything else. jofra archer has been recalled to the england squad for the first time in a year, for the defence of their t20 world cup title injune. the 29—year—old hasn't played top level cricket since last may because of a recurring elbow injury, with fellow fast bowler chrisjordan also recalled. the tournament has been expanded to 20 teams for the first time with england in a group with scotland, australia, namibia, and oman. carlos alcaraz is in action at the madrid open — 5—3 up for a place in the quarterfinals. earlier, world numberfour daniil medvedev made it through to the last eight after beating alexander bublik in three sets. and a landmark for him — he's reached at least the quarterfinal stage, at all nine atp masters 1000 events. the russian will play five—time champion rafael nadal, or 30th seed jiri lehecka next — they play their last 16 match in the next few hours. in the women's event, world number one iga swiatek came from a set down to beat beatriz haddad maia. swiatek, a finalist last year, will face ons jabeur or madison keys in the last four. they play their match later tonight. and that's all the sport for now. thanks very much, gavin. the bbc has discovered that staff who abused children in so—called "calming rooms" at a special school in north—east london have not been sacked. the abuse, recorded on cctv between 2014 and 2017, included children being hit, kicked, and locked up for hours. the school says it acted in the best interests of pupils, and handed the footage over to the police as soon as it was discovered. noeljoins us now from the newsroom. you've been doing the work on this story, and we were playing your piece earlier in the day butjust tell us what you axley found out here. ~ , , ., , , tell us what you axley found out here. ~ ,, ., , , ., here. we spent months trying to ha en here. we spent months trying to happen what _ here. we spent months trying to happen what really _ here. we spent months trying to happen what really happened . here. we spent months trying to i happen what really happened inside these so—called coming rooms. many schools use these rooms outside the classroom to address sensory needs or challenging behaviour, but pupils were locked inside three rooms — they were bare, padded, lacking windows and ventilation, one was described to us as the size of a lift. now three years ago, a sealed box of memory sticks was discovered at the school containing more than 500 hours worth of footage from inside the rooms. the police investigated but we've learned no charges were then brought. but we also learned of separate safeguarding investigations conducted by the school — we've obtained them, confident ship —— confidential documents revealing appalling abuse and neglect, affecting 39 pupils, many of whom are unable to speak. they describe children being slammed against doors, hit, kicked and left sitting in the room. we also learned about the school bus inc. response, six members of staff are proven by the school's own documents on the bounce up school's own documents on the bounce up abilities to have been abusing their pupils, but they weren't sacked, and we learned one referral to the dbs wasn't made. a whistle—blower who worked for the school describe these investigations by the school as a whitewash. it is really disturbing detail, so much of what you found out — what did the parents know? what you found out - what did the parents know?— what you found out - what did the parents know? we've spoken to nine ofthe parents know? we've spoken to nine of the 39 families _ parents know? we've spoken to nine of the 39 families affected, - parents know? we've spoken to nine of the 39 families affected, and - of the 39 families affected, and they say they were misled about the use of isolation at the school. they imagine to the schools to be sensory rooms with colourful lighting and comfortable seating. they also say they've been repeatedly denied the footage. now in response, the multi academy trust which runs the school in london told us that new leadership had taken over since the rooms were closed, it shared the footage immediately with police when it was discovered, and they've been learning from failings. it said the current management team wasn't legally obligated to make the dbs referrals about these six numbers of staff, this is because the staff weren't removed from their roles, but rather suspended. you put that to the dbs and they said the duty to refer the staff to dbs wasn't altered by decision to suspend. noel altered by decision to suspend. noel, thanks for taking us through all that. anthony leblanc and is injordan to present a list of measures he says will increase the flow of him entering aid into gaza —— antony blinken. he's been speaking and repeating calls for hamas to accept a true steel. have a listen. fiur a true steel. have a listen. our views on _ a true steel. have a listen. our views on roth _ a true steel. have a listen. our views on roth i _ a true steel. have a listen. our views on roth i think— a true steel. have a listen. oi" views on roth i think are very well—known. the president has been very clear about it, i've been very clear about it and repeated as recently as yesterday at —— our views on the five. where our focus is right now, along with the humanitarian effort, ourfocus is is right now, along with the humanitarian effort, our focus is on getting a cease—fire and hostages home. that's the most urgent thing, and it's also i think what's achievable, because the israelis have pretty strong proposal on the table, they've demonstrated that they are willing to compromise, and now it's on hamas. no more delays, now it's on hamas. no more delays, no more excuses, the time to act as now. so ourfocus is no more excuses, the time to act as now. so our focus is on this and we want to see, in the coming days, this agreement coming together, because again, that is the best way and most effective way to really deal with the suffering of the people, and also to create an environment in which we can hopefully move forward to something that's really sustainable and a lasting peace for the people who so desperately need it, and a lasting security for israelis, as well. antony blinken speaking in the little last while, we are keeping an eye on what's coming out of the white house too, they've been talking about the various hopes they have about increasing aid into gaza, and also talking about the prospects of a new cease—fire deal, the white house urging hamas to actually take the deal that is on offer. so more on that as it comes into us. the race to find scotland's next first minister and snp leader has begun, after humza yousaf announced his resignation yesterday. former finance secretary kate forbes and former deputy first minister john swinney are both considering whether to run. political correspondent kirsten campbell is in edinburgh for us. take us through the likelihood of the field being any whiter than the two names ijust mentioned there. what is the feeling where you are? nominations have opened this morning and candidates need 100 signatures from 20 different branches by monday lunchtime if they are going to stand. but so far, there are no declared candidates. the names everybody is talking about ourjohn swinney, the former deputy first minister who was leader of the party 20 years ago and is now considering a come back — he had considered standing the last time around when humza yousaf was elected. but ruling that out, he said it was time for a new generation and a fresh perspective. but he is considering whether to stand this time, he says he's had lots of people contact him and ask him to do so, and that he's one person who listens to such representations. the other person who is considering standing is kate forbes, the former finance secretary. now she stood against humza yousaf in the last snp leadership election, and she ran very close, getting 48% of the vote, and her supporters argue that she would appeal beyond the snp to the wider population, although there are concerns about some of her socially conservative views on issues like 93)’ conservative views on issues like gay marriage. so, so far, unclear whether they'll be joined by anyone else, in fact it's not even clear that there will be a contest — it could be that we have a coronation, and if that's the case, scotland could have a new first minister as soon as next tuesday. we could have a new first minister as soon as next tuesday.— could have a new first minister as soon as next tuesday. we will watch that particular _ soon as next tuesday. we will watch that particular aspect _ soon as next tuesday. we will watch that particular aspect of _ soon as next tuesday. we will watch that particular aspect of it _ that particular aspect of it all, but whoever emerges as the new first minister, huge challenges lay ahead. yes, all the issues that have been facing humza yousaf will face whoever replaces him, and this'll a minority government because humza yousaf decided he'd no longer wanted to continue with the bute house agreement, that power—sharing agreement, that power—sharing agreement with the greens. so they are in the minority, they don't have are in the minority, they don't have a majority in they'll need to work issue by issue cross party to get legislation through, to get budgets through, and that'll be a difficult thing to do in the current climate, in the run—up to an election where perhaps the political feeling in the run—up to an election where perhaps the politicalfeeling is not so much for consensus and very much in favour of competition. we so much for consensus and very much in favour of competition.— in favour of competition. we will leave it there _ in favour of competition. we will leave it there but _ in favour of competition. we will leave it there but thanks - in favour of competition. we will leave it there but thanks for - in favour of competition. we will leave it there but thanks for that update, live from edinburgh, thank you. thursday's local elections are just two days away, and thousands of councillors mayoral candidates and police commissioners up and down the country are still busy on the campaign trail. this round of local elections is attracting a lot of interest as a potential indicator of how the looming general election might swing. joining me now is olivia wilson — political reporter with bbc radio oxford — and ti iredale — who is political editor at bbc yorkshire and lincolnshire. -- tim —— tim iredell. thanks both of you for being on the programme. tim, first of all to you, what are you keeping a close eye on, what are the races that are really high up on the agenda where you are? we races that are really high up on the agenda where you are?— races that are really high up on the agenda where you are? we have three councils u- agenda where you are? we have three councils up for— agenda where you are? we have three councils up for grabs. _ agenda where you are? we have three councils up for grabs. the _ agenda where you are? we have three councils up for grabs. the city - councils up for grabs. the city of lincoln, where i am right now, is currently labour controlled, also hull, which is currently held by the liberal democrats. but i think the one many people will be looking out one many people will be looking out on thursday night is north east lincolnshire — that's an authority based in grimsby, which is one of those so—called redwall constituencies we hear so much about in the world of politics. somewhere that was won by the conservatives under borisjohnson�*s leadership in 2019 after many decades of labour dominance. if at this stage the tories do lose control of north east lincolnshire, many would argue it doesn't bode well for the forthcoming general election and would ramp up the pressure on rishi sunak the prime minister.— sunak the prime minister. olivia, the same question _ sunak the prime minister. olivia, the same question to _ sunak the prime minister. olivia, the same question to you - sunak the prime minister. olivia, the same question to you in - sunak the prime minister. olivia, | the same question to you in terms sunak the prime minister. olivia, - the same question to you in terms of what you're keeping a close eye on. well, the picture in oxfordshire is quite _ well, the picture in oxfordshire is quite an— well, the picture in oxfordshire is quite an evolving one, particularly the last— quite an evolving one, particularly the last couple years, and i think that's— the last couple years, and i think that's what— the last couple years, and i think that's what will make this thursday's election very exciting indeed — thursday's election very exciting indeed. we have three councils up for election, the first being sure well district council, they have a third _ well district council, they have a third of— well district council, they have a third of their seats up for grabs since _ third of their seats up for grabs since the — third of their seats up for grabs since the year 2000, it was a conservative stronghold with conservative stronghold with conservative overall control — but that'tt _ conservative overall control — but that'll change in 2023 when the conservatives lost five of their seats, — conservatives lost five of their seats, now they are a conservative minority— seats, now they are a conservative minority administration, which are well council are now the only council — well council are now the only council in _ well council are now the only council in oxfordshire with any semblance of a conservative influence at the moment. similar in wax on— influence at the moment. similar in wax on fruit —— west oxfordshire, a third _ wax on fruit —— west oxfordshire, a third of— wax on fruit —— west oxfordshire, a third of seats — wax on fruit —— west oxfordshire, a third of seats are up for grabs — and again. _ third of seats are up for grabs — and again, like true well district council. — and again, like true well district council, the conservatives had controt— council, the conservatives had control but that ended in 2022. a alliance _ control but that ended in 2022. a alliance was formed with the liberal democrats, greens and labour, and they've _ democrats, greens and labour, and they've been working together for they've been working together for the last _ they've been working together for the last couple years, so it's interesting that they are now having to fight _ interesting that they are now having to fight it _ interesting that they are now having to fight it out in the election. but the lib_ to fight it out in the election. but the lib dems have got 18 seats, the majority _ the lib dems have got 18 seats, the majority at — the lib dems have got 18 seats, the majority at the moment, at west oxfordshire council — but the conservatives are just very close behind _ conservatives are just very close behind with 17 seats, there's one seat _ behind with 17 seats, there's one seat difference and they'll absolutely be trying to call that back _ absolutely be trying to call that back. but with the political picture we are _ back. but with the political picture we are seeing at the moment, there's a chance _ we are seeing at the moment, there's a chance they might not be able to, and potentially the lib dems might be able _ and potentially the lib dems might be able to pull through. it's all to play for— be able to pull through. it's all to play for really and one to watch. and finally, quite different is oxford — and finally, quite different is oxford city council — that's been a labour— oxford city council — that's been a labour stronghold since 2010, but that all— labour stronghold since 2010, but that all changed in october 2023 when _ that all changed in october 2023 when it— that all changed in october 2023 when it was under full labour overall— when it was under full labour overall control, but nine counsellors in october from the labour— counsellors in october from the labour party resigned in protest to keir starmer's stance on gaza. so that could — keir starmer's stance on gaza. so that could definitely change, but the expectation is that labour will come _ the expectation is that labour will come through this time. a the expectation is that labour will come through this time.— come through this time. a quick final thought — come through this time. a quick final thought from _ come through this time. a quick final thought from both - come through this time. a quick final thought from both of - come through this time. a quick. final thought from both of you, the same question— what are you sensing, in terms of what is playing big? is at the national issues are more local? ., ., ., ,, , at the national issues are more local? ., .,., ,, ,. ., , local? national issues certainly -la in: local? national issues certainly playing apart. _ local? national issues certainly playing apart. but _ local? national issues certainly playing apart, but one - local? national issues certainly playing apart, but one of- local? national issues certainly playing apart, but one of the i local? national issues certainly - playing apart, but one of the things i've been speaking to voters on today has been crime. there are real concerns that there isn't always a visible presence around here, a lot of young women and students i spoke to today said they don't feel safe going into the city centre at night because they just don't see going into the city centre at night because theyjust don't see police on patrol. now there are police and crime commissioner elections here in lincolnshire — previously those contests have led to some very poor turnout, so although voters tend to be worried about crime, they say it's one of the issues that's most important to them, they don't necessarily see police and crime commissioner does as the solution to that problem. commissioner does as the solution to that problem-— commissioner does as the solution to that problem-- i _ commissioner does as the solution to that problem.- i think - commissioner does as the solution to that problem.- i think the - that problem. olivia? i think the local issues _ that problem. olivia? i think the local issues are _ that problem. olivia? i think the local issues are what _ that problem. olivia? i think the local issues are what is - that problem. olivia? i think the local issues are what is actually | local issues are what is actually driving — local issues are what is actually driving a — local issues are what is actually driving a lot of people's — the main thing _ driving a lot of people's — the main thing on _ driving a lot of people's — the main thing on people's mines at the moment, _ thing on people's mines at the moment, and one of the issues that's been the _ moment, and one of the issues that's been the source of a lot of debate and discussion has been low traffic neighbourhoods, implemented to reduce _ neighbourhoods, implemented to reduce the number of cars on the road, _ reduce the number of cars on the road. to— reduce the number of cars on the road, to encourage more people to be active _ road, to encourage more people to be active and _ road, to encourage more people to be active and to — road, to encourage more people to be active and to walk from a to b. a low traffic— active and to walk from a to b. a low traffic neighbourhood is essentially a road that has infrastructure that prevents lots of vehicles _ infrastructure that prevents lots of vehicles and traffic from coming in. but its— vehicles and traffic from coming in. but it's been met with lots of opposition, lots of people saying oxfordshire doesn't have the info structure — oxfordshire doesn't have the info structure in place such as affordable and regular buses to encourage more people to use public transport _ encourage more people to use public transport a — encourage more people to use public transport. a lot of people say that by redirecting some of the cars on the other— by redirecting some of the cars on the other roads, it's causing more traffic. _ the other roads, it's causing more traffic. and — the other roads, it's causing more traffic, and in extreme circumstances, we seen a lot of vandalism — circumstances, we seen a lot of vandalism and setting fire to bollards _ vandalism and setting fire to bollards and other infrastructure in response — bollards and other infrastructure in response. sol bollards and other infrastructure in response. so i think local issues are definitely at the heart of these elections — are definitely at the heart of these elections. . . are definitely at the heart of these elections. ., ., ., ., elections. olivia and tim, thanks to both of you- — elections. olivia and tim, thanks to both of you. the _ elections. olivia and tim, thanks to both of you. the local _ elections. olivia and tim, thanks to both of you. the local elections - elections. olivia and tim, thanks to both of you. the local elections are | both of you. the local elections are two days away. you can view the full list of candidates running in the local elections for england and wales on the bbc news website by typing your postcode into this web page about the local elections. you'll also find details on all candidates running for mayor and police and crime commissioner. we've been speaking about king charles' first major public engagement since his cancer diagnosis in february. he's attended a specialist cancer treatment centre in london, speaking with patients, who're shared their experiences. it was also announced today that the king is the new patron of the charity cancer research uk. and we can talk to the chief executive of the charity, michelle mitchell. white made a big smile from you because presumably that's a big boost to you and your charity, to have the king as the new patron? absolutely delighted controls has chosen to be the patron of cancer research uk. it of course brings a spotlight to the important issues of cancer survival and cancer research. so absolutely delighted, yes. hour so absolutely delighted, yes. how sirnificant so absolutely delighted, yes. how significant do _ so absolutely delighted, yes. how significant do you _ so absolutely delighted, yes. how significant do you think it's been today and over the past months of the king being so open about his experience and his diagnosis? to experience and his diagnosis? trr give you a sense of the atmosphere today, it was one really of positivity, i think one of solidarity, and it was wonderful to see the king talked to the cancer patients, share his experience, see the science and research in action, and a real sense of commonality with the population at large, because one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, it's an issue that affects every family nearly up and down the country, and i think the king's openness, transparency has really had a positive impact on the general public, and we've seen in our own information provision which we provide, in the first weeks of the king's announcement about his cancer, a 33% increase in the numbers of people coming to us for information. and we know it is so important that they get expert information to respond to the science and symptoms of cancer, and get treatment very quickly and get a diagnosis very quickly.— diagnosis very quickly. picking up in terms of _ diagnosis very quickly. picking up in terms of what _ diagnosis very quickly. picking up in terms of what you're _ diagnosis very quickly. picking up in terms of what you're saying, . diagnosis very quickly. picking up - in terms of what you're saying, some of the conversations he had, he spoke the shock of his own diagnosis — that is really very human, in terms ofjust — that is really very human, in terms of just the content and relating to so many other people's experience. so that was human but, as you say, a lot of important advice about just early as you say, a lot of important advice aboutjust early diagnosis, and that's been very important in terms of charities like your own. absolutely — what we've seen is a golden era of cancer research, a doubling up of cancer survival in the united kingdom in the last four years, but we know it's essential that people are diagnosed early because often if you get a diagnosis at the earlier stages of cancer, your survival will be significantly improved. so making sure people are aware of themselves of the signs and symptoms of cancer, that they get an early diagnosis is critical in improving cancer outcomes in the united kingdom. sadly, although we have world—class research and innovation, our cancer outcomes are lagging behind many other countries — and that's why we've also been calling upon the government to introduce a cancer strategy that prevents more cancers, diagnoses them early, ensuring people get timely access to test and treatments to see an overall improvement in cancer survival, which is what we all want. . ,,., , cancer survival, which is what we allwant. . , ~ . all want. absolutely, michelle, thanks so much _ all want. absolutely, michelle, thanks so much for— all want. absolutely, michelle, thanks so much forjoining - all want. absolutely, michelle, thanks so much forjoining us | all want. absolutely, michelle, l thanks so much forjoining us on all want. absolutely, michelle, i thanks so much forjoining us on a really busy day for you, but thanks so much for your time.— eurovision has catapulted many acts to global fame over the years, but one performer triumphed without even competing. michael flatley was the half—time entertainment when he stole the show in 1994, with riverdance, his fresh take on irish dancing. 30 years on, he's been talking to our culture correspondent charlotte gallagher. eurovision, 1994 in dublin. and this was the interval act — riverdance with michael flatley. my goodness, that brings up a lot of memories. it was a very unique evening. it was very, very special. i'll tell you a story, i don't think i've ever mentioned it before. right before i went on stage, they came to me beside the stage. a couple of them said, "please, we're getting calls from all the dance teachers. please don't wave your arms around. you're going to make us look ridiculous in front of the world and we'll be very embarrassed. so can we just ask you this time, whatever happens, keep your arms down." and i said, "no." irish dancing quickly became a global sensation and fans filled arenas. and that impact, going right across the world. how cool is that? so we nailed it. my dream, for 35 years, i was working in construction sites and digging foundations in chicago, in those freezing cold winters. but i was creating those steps and my dance style in my mind that whole time. and that's what got me through the hard labours. michael set up his own show, lord of the dance. but growing up and wanting to be an irish dancer in the late—19605 wasn't easy. i got bullied at school, terribly. so i know what young lads go through. and it's trying. it's mentally difficult. it's stressful to have to walk into school and hope somebody doesn't say something negative toward you. and it's fair to say that irish dancing has changed a lot over the decades. music: back in black by ac/dc so what about the new generation of irish dancers? we took michael to meet a group of students in castleknock, county dublin. hiya. one, two, three. four, five, six. point and up. point toes. good job! allunder nine. beautiful. my god! and did you ever think, 30 years later, you'd be talking still about that moment? when riverdance finished, on that last stamp of the feet, when it stopped, even i was blown away with the response. and it was one of those moments in time, you know? we were so blessed. charlotte gallagher, bbc news, dublin. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. the southerly breeze brought the warmer air further north across the uk today, mainly for eastern areas where we had the dry weather and the sunshine. further west, it was different story because as you can see from the satellite picture, we've had much more cloud and that's been bringing some rain as well. this cloud, though, continues to threaten the southeast with a few showers, and those could run their way northwards up these eastern coastal areas up towards the northeast of england. further west, though, the cloud will tend to thin about, the rain tending to die out in many places, becoming dry. misty, low cloud, though, could develop in eastern scotland, perhaps northeast england. temperatures on the mild side, and it may well be a little bit warmer than last night in the southeast. but we've got some cloud and some showers coming across northeast england into eastern scotland, further west, it's going to be a drier and brighter day with some sunshine. just the odd shower, a few showers breaking out in the midlands ahead of this rain that's developing here in southern parts of england. but for western areas, those temperatures will be higher than today, 18 in the northwest of england and western scotland. it's going to be cooler in eastern scotland and northeast england, especially where it stays grey and misty with some warmth. further south, though, and that rain coming in from france. we've got the risk of some thunderstorms for a short while on wednesday nights. more likely, southern england and south wales could be some large hail and some gusty winds. most of that rain then clearing away. we've got that weather front stuck across southern areas and to the north. the easterly wind is continuing to pick up. now that is going to bring some warmer air from the continent. trouble is, it's moving over the cold north sea where sea surface temperatures are only 8—9 degrees. so it's going to keep it cooler around north sea coast and there could be some mist and low cloud around it, as well. but otherwise, we'll see some sunshine coming through the cloud taking a little longer to break up here in the southwest after the overnight rain. and we could trigger a few sharp showers across those central areas, but many places will be dry on thursday. it's going to be warm through the midlands, northwest england and northern ireland, this time making 20 degrees in western scotland. still cool into friday for eastern scotland, maybe a few showers here and some more wet weather developing across england and wales, pushing northwards, bringing some thunderstorms into northern england. that will drop the temperatures here. we could get some sunshine in southern england. the highest temperatures, 20 degrees again will be in western scotland. at six — a sword attack in east london leaves a 14—year—old boy dead. a man is arrested after four others are also stabbed. police say it's not terror related. lock your doors! a 36—year—old man is being questioned tonight, as people living here in east london are left reeling with shock after the brutal attacks this morning. also tonight — the king meets fellow cancer patients as he returns to public duties for the first time since his diagnosis. two men in their 30s are charged with causing criminal damage to northumberland's famous tree at sycamore gap. and the sailors, swimmers and rowers clubbing together to ask the government to clean up the uk's water. and coming up on bbc news. english clubs are gone, but england players are to the fore tonight with real madrid andjude bellingham travelling to harry kane's bayern munich in the champions league semi finals.