donald trump dismisses the woman who won a sexual assault case against him as a whackjob as he again claims he s the victim of a political vendetta. and from defending human rights on television to rocking out at night at eurovision, the lawyer turned pop star representing australia. and coming up on bbc news, west ham look to reach their first european final in 47 years as they take on az alkmaar in the first leg of their european conference league semifinal. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. interest rates are at their highest in 15 years, after the bank of england raised them to 4.5%, making it more expensive to borrow but better for savers. the increase is an attempt by the bank of england to curb people s spending and bring down inflation that s the rate at which prices are rising which was just over 10% in march. but the bank also upgraded the prospects for the uk economy now no longer forecasting the economy will shrink but grow modestly over t
eurovision fever heats up with 16 countries taking to the stage in liverpool later for the second semifinal. hello and welcome to the programme. we start with the war in ukraine and confirmation from the british defence secretary that storm shadow cruise missiles are being sent to ukraine. the missiles have a long range capability and are typically launched from the air. the move prompted an instant response from the kremlin saying the decision would require an adequate response from the russian military. we will hear from of the from the russian military. we will hearfrom of the un s humanitarian coordinator in ukraine but first we have ben wallace in the house of commons. in december i informed the house i was developing options to respond to russia s continued aggression and today i can confirm the uk is sending storm shadow missiles to ukraine, storm shadow is a long range conventional only precision strike capability and it compliments the long range system already gifte
high. iwill average monthly payment hit a record high. i will be looking at why and whether there is an end inside to rising housing gusts. newcastle are edging closer to the champions league with a win at goodison park. that leaves everton deep in relegation trouble. good morning. a bit of a grey and drizzly start. the weather will brighten up today and it will be warmer than recent days. all the details for today and the bank holiday weekend throughout the programme. good morning. it s friday, the 28th of april. our main story. head teachers in england will be balloted for strike action, in a move which could see further disruption for schools and parents. the union last held a strike vote injanuary, which supported taking action but did not reach the required 50% turnout. ministers say the pay deal is fair and reasonable. our reporter frances read has the latest. empty hallways, empty desks, children at home, because the teachers say they aren t getting paid what they need
ever april day. hello, a very warm welcome. i m samantha simmonds. efforts are being stepped up in sudan to try and extend a fragile ceasefire between troops loyal to rival generals. the outbreak of violence in the country has left more than 500 people dead and forced thousands to flee. the current truce brokered by the us is due to expire later on thursday. both the un and south sudan are rapidly trying to organise a three day extension to it. the sudanese army says it s approved the idea of discussing the proposal but its rival, the rapid support forces, has not yet responded. here s our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, with the latest. there is an invitation from salva kiir, south sudan s president, to both the warring generals to try and get them to go to the south sudanese capital to sit down and talk about another three day ceasefire, to carry on when the current one expires later today. and also to talk about humanitarian corridors within khartoum and perhaps to t
will not get the support they need. so for us we are striking because we can ensure the best education possible. at the moment with the funding we are getting, its just not possible. let s turn to the rails now and those fresh strikes announced by train drivers in their long running dispute over pay. one of the strike days will include the day of the fa cup final on the 3rd ofjune according to their union aslef. i m joined now by our business correspondent theo leggett. tell us what the aslef union is saying? tell us what the aslef union is sa in: ? , tell us what the aslef union is sa in: ? ~ , ., tell us what the aslef union is sa in? a ., saying? the aslef union says their latest offer saying? the aslef union says their latest offer that saying? the aslef union says their latest offer that it saying? the aslef union says their latest offer that it is saying? the aslef union says their latest offer that it is sad saying? the aslef union says their latest offer t