this is bbc news. the headlines. three people have been arrested in connection with the deaths of five migrants in the english channel on tuesday. in a world of �*rising new threats�* the uk and germany announce stronger defence cooperation to counter the threat from russia. president biden confirms that more military assistance will be sent to ukraine within days — after the us senate approves a long—awaited aid bill. canada is hosting talks aimed at reaching global deal to end plastics pollution. it is time for a reaching global deal to end plastics pollution. it is time for a round—up of all the sports news. let's go over to the sports centre. hello from the bbc sport centre.

liverpool could have found their man to replacejurgen klopp. the club are set to open talks with feyenoord over their manager arne slot. klopp announced injanuary he would leave anfield at the end of the season and slot, who led feyenoord to the eredivisie title last season, has emerged as a candidate who fits liverpool's criteria. but tonight at goodison, liverpool first have to get through the merseyside derby against city rvials everton, if they are to keep the pressure in the premier league title race. win and they go second, level on points with arsenal, who beat chelsea last night — however, manchester city, in third, do have two games in hand. at the bottom, everton are two places and five points above the drop — so for sean dyche, this game is all about a performance. the performance side of it is relevant but the results are more relevant. two good wins and two clean sheets at home and we want to continue that form however it's against and itjust happens it's against and itjust happens it's against liverpool. for against and itjust happens it's against liverpool.— against and itjust happens it's against liverpool. for it is clear, i don't have _ against liverpool. for it is clear, i don't have to _ against liverpool. for it is clear, i don't have to say _ against liverpool. for it is clear,

i don't have to say it _ against liverpool. for it is clear, i don't have to say it again - against liverpool. for it is clear, i don't have to say it again and l i don't have to say it again and again — i don't have to say it again and again it's _ i don't have to say it again and again. it's really important like all the — again. it's really important like all the other games. we know about the importance definitely. you all the other games. we know about the importance definitely.— the importance definitely. you have to -la the importance definitely. you have to play well- _ the importance definitely. you have to play well- the — the importance definitely. you have to play well. the big _ the importance definitely. you have to play well. the big emphasis - the importance definitely. you have to play well. the big emphasis willl to play well. the big emphasis will be on us at home in front of a home crowd and our performance has to be right. for crowd and our performance has to be riuht. ., ., right. for me when we are where we should be and _ right. for me when we are where we should be and now— right. for me when we are where we should be and now let's _ right. for me when we are where we should be and now let's make - right. for me when we are where we should be and now let's make really| should be and now let's make really the absolute best of it, that is my idea and — the absolute best of it, that is my idea and if— the absolute best of it, that is my idea and if that means in the end we will win_ idea and if that means in the end we will win the — idea and if that means in the end we will win the league and i would be happy— will win the league and i would be happy as— will win the league and i would be happy as long as there is a chance for that— happy as long as there is a chance for that i— happy as long as there is a chance for that i think we should give it a proper— for that i think we should give it a pmper try~ — three other games tonight. crystal palace host newcastle who are chasing europa league football. as are manchester united who host sheffield united. the blades could be relegated this weekend unless they win tonight. wolves and bournemouth are both safe in mid table. former argentina international carlos tevez has been admitted to hospital after suffering from chest pains. the ao—year—old former manchester united, manchester city and west ham striker was taken to hospital in buenos aires on tuesday and will remain there until medical tests are completed.

tevez, who won 76 caps for argentina, took over as manager of independiente in august last year. the former world umber one naomi osaka has won herfirst match of the clay court season at the madrid open, beating belgium's greet minnen. osaka won in straight sets, 6—4, 6—1. it was only her second match on clay since going out in the first round of the french open two years ago, and herfirst win on the surface since then. but britain's emma raducanu has dropped the first set in herfirst round match against argentine qualifier maria lourdes carle, six games to two. and i can just and i canjust tell you she has and i can just tell you she has also lost the second set 6—2 so she is now out of the tournament. meanwhile, rafa nadal says he's not

sure if he will be able to play at next month's french open after pushing through the pain barrier in his comeback from injury. the 37—year—old, who is a 22—time grand slam champion, said that he is farfrom being in top form and that he's only playing in the first round of the madrid open on thursday as a personal sacrifice. nadal, who has said he expects to retire after this season, returned to competition in brisbane injanuary, after almost a year sidelined with a hip flexor injury, but hasn't played consistently since. china's ding junhui is out of the world snooker championship in sheffield after losing the deciding frame in a dramatic first round match against the world number 17 jack lisowski. a clearance break of 131 from ding, who was runner up here eight years ago but has never won the world title, levelled the match at 9—all. but it was the englishman, lisowski, who came out on top in that final frame — to set up a meeting with stuart bingham in the second round. world number one ronnie o'sullivan has got his bid for a record—breaking eighth world title under way — he cleared up

to take the first frame against welsh qualifierjackson page. he's currently 3—0 up. and that's all the sport for now. we know it happens here near the —— this town 300 kilometres away from ukraine orjust under 200 miles. we have verified the location of the

video by matching some of the details like these storage tanks you can see two other images in the area you can see on the map. here is another video of another oil depot that was on fire today. it was filmed from a nearby village and we have verified the location by matching the outlines of trees and some buildings you canjust matching the outlines of trees and some buildings you can just about see in the video. drone strikes have also been reported elsewhere in western russia including... ukraine has been increasingly targeting oil depots and refineries across russia in the past month. since january we have tracked i9 in the past month. since january we have tracked 19 reported drone strikes on these facilities across the country and this is based both on russian media reports you can see and read here and verified footage that we have checked ourselves. some of these areas had been targeted more than once and some strikes as you can see on this map are quite deep into russia. for example, here

is a video from an old refinery in the samara region in march that is nearly 600 miles away from the ukrainian border and that is about 1000 kilometres. reports of drone strikes in russia come hot on the heels of russian missile strikes in ukraine over night. here is a video of odesa in southern ukraine that we have verified. some 30 buildings have verified. some 30 buildings have been damaged in the city as a result of the strike. and they have been strikes in the north of the country as well. like this residential building in the city of kharkiv. both odesa and kharkiv have been targeted several days in a row this week. as both the us and the uk announced this week they would send more aid, russian defence minister who is pictured here vowed yesterday to carry out more strikes on ukraine

and he claims they will target storage depots of western weapons. the national crime agency is questioning three people on suspicion of immigration offences, afterfive migrants died while trying to cross the channel to reach the uk yesterday. the dead included a seven year old girl. two of the three people arrested are from sudan —— the other is south sudanese. let's speak to mary stretch, who runs calais light — an organisation that helps refugees in and around calais... can you just tell us more about what your organisation does? yes. can you just tell us more about what your organisation does?— can you just tell us more about what your organisation does? yes. we have three missions. _ your organisation does? yes. we have three missions. one _ your organisation does? yes. we have three missions. one is _ your organisation does? yes. we have three missions. one is to _ your organisation does? yes. we have three missions. one is to go _ your organisation does? yes. we have three missions. one is to go and - three missions. one is to go and support and distribute humanitarian aid by volunteering in cali to keep them alive because they are living in unimaginable conditions. largely

caused by the huge package our government pays to keep them in that condition so that hopefully they disappear. oursecond condition so that hopefully they disappear. our second mission is to help them survive in the uk and foster social integration so that if they get here they can actually belong rather than survive. and to shift public attitude towards compassion.— shift public attitude towards com assion. �* ., . ., , compassion. and how much torque is there among — compassion. and how much torque is there among the _ compassion. and how much torque is there among the migrants _ compassion. and how much torque is there among the migrants based - compassion. and how much torque is there among the migrants based in i there among the migrants based in cali about the government's rwanda policy? cali about the government's rwanda oli ? ~ ., ., ., policy? next week we are going over with 30 volunteers. _ policy? next week we are going over with 30 volunteers. we _ policy? next week we are going over with 30 volunteers. we have - policy? next week we are going over with 30 volunteers. we have been i with 30 volunteers. we have been doing this, this is our 27th trip, and when we go we go into the field, they are living miles outside cali in the woods and the most destitute conditions without sanitation. there

are two types volunteers we have, we have the turners, 60% of the people we take have been between one and 25 times before because we are transformed by their hope, their energy, their determination. they know britain doesn't want them but they are saddened by it because they see britain as a kind place and they can't understand why. but see britain as a kind place and they can't understand why.— see britain as a kind place and they can't understand why. but they still want to come _ can't understand why. but they still want to come and _ can't understand why. but they still want to come and risk— can't understand why. but they still want to come and risk their - can't understand why. but they still want to come and risk their lives i can't understand why. but they still want to come and risk their lives in | want to come and risk their lives in the process and as we saw yesterday we can see the most appalling consequences. do you get the impression that any talk about them having to go to rwanda to be processed would deter any of them? it will never deter them. they have seen so many kinds of deaths already. i don't meanjust people. we have come from countries full of

oppression and persecution, some of them have walked from south sudan where there has been wore many years, they've experienced the most horrific incidents, they have seen people drowning. it might take seven years for some of them to arrive in cali. then in cali they can die 403 people have died in cali being refugees since 1999. hit and suicide, hypothermia when they have fallen out of boats. people getting knocked over trying to get the safety on the main roads. there are so many ways to die. this isjust one more potential death. it'sjust one more potential death. it'sjust one more. they feel they have tried and jumped so many hurdles, this is the final chance to get to a place of safety which is their right. this is the human right. rwanda, yes they

might end up in rwanda, they might end up in a detention centre in the uk, they might die trying, but they feel it's worth it.— feel it's worth it. thank you so much for _ feel it's worth it. thank you so much for talking _ feel it's worth it. thank you so much for talking to _ feel it's worth it. thank you so much for talking to us. - to northern ireland, where former democratic unionist party leader, sirjeffrey donaldson, has arrived in court. he's accused of historical sex offences. the 61—year—old was arrested at his home in march. he's said he will strenuously contest the charges, which include an allegation of rape. delegates from around the world are meeting in canada for a fourth round of talks aimed at reaching a binding global agreement delegates from around the world are meeting in canada for a fourth round of talks aimed at reaching a binding global agreement to end plastics pollution. countries agreed in 2022 that a treaty to tackle the problem would be finalised by the end of this year.

environmental activists are critical of oil—producing nations and industrialists who favour recycling over cuts in output. global plastic production has more than doubled this century but only about nine percent is recycled. let's speak to eirik lindebjerg, global plastics policy lead at the world wide fund for nature, who is at those negotiations in ottawa. can you talk us through specifically what they are trying to agree at these talks because i know there are future talks still to come, this isn't the end of it, but what are you trying to achieve? this isn't the end of it, but what are you trying to achieve?- isn't the end of it, but what are you trying to achieve? this is the second to last _ you trying to achieve? this is the second to last meeting _ you trying to achieve? this is the second to last meeting so - you trying to achieve? this is the second to last meeting so the . you trying to achieve? this is the | second to last meeting so the aim you trying to achieve? this is the i second to last meeting so the aim is really to finish the treaty by the end of this year. the meeting is really a crucial one, when it comes to content. we need to move ahead to have a treaty that can be adopted by the end of the year. that means that negotiators must go in still the global rules that are needed to end the plastic pollution problem, they

need to develop global brands on the most harmful and avoidable plastic products, they need to develop the products, they need to develop the product design requirements to ensure reduction, reuse and safe recycling for plastics and they need to start agreeing on the financial package that can really ensure implementation of these measures in developing countries.— developing countries. there is this divide between _ developing countries. there is this divide between oil-producing - developing countries. there is this i divide between oil-producing nations divide between oil—producing nations and other countries. they are talking about recycling being the answer in the figure is very small at the moment, only 9% of plastic is recycled. they say it's the most effective way in terms of the least environmental and economic cost, thatis environmental and economic cost, that is their argument. yes environmental and economic cost, that is their argument.— that is their argument. yes but unfortunately _ that is their argument. yes but unfortunately it's _ that is their argument. yes but unfortunately it's a _ that is their argument. yes but unfortunately it's a false - that is their argument. yes but - unfortunately it's a false argument because whether recycling would work

or not depends on what you put into the system. as long as we are in a situation we are in today with an overproduction and overconsumption of types of plastic products that are really made to be thrown away and end up as pollution, we are putting a lot of waste and garbage into the system and then you will never get a clean recycle material back out. we really need to tackle this across the full life—cycle. we need reduction in production and consumption and we need to be specific and eliminate those types of plastics and those plastic products that we really can live without. ~ , ., ., without. we should say that synthetic — without. we should say that synthetic plastics _ without. we should say that synthetic plastics are - without. we should say that synthetic plastics are made | without. we should say that - synthetic plastics are made from crude oil and natural gas and that is why producing nations are so interested in it. one of the answers would be to try and make plastic in different ways and focusing on the more or better recyclable products and also my last question, what do you think are the chances of getting

everyone to agree? indie you think are the chances of getting everyone to agree?— everyone to agree? we have to, we have no choice- — everyone to agree? we have to, we have no choice. this _ everyone to agree? we have to, we have no choice. this is _ everyone to agree? we have to, we have no choice. this is an _ have no choice. this is an exhilarating crisis. we have to get the global regulations in place. plastic is currently unregulated globally. the chances are there. i think we will see businesses across the value chain asking for global rules. we see citizens demanding action and if you break it down these negotiations often only come down to one thing and that is political will. so if enough countries have the courage to move on and develop a strong treaty by the end of this year they can do so. thank you so much for talking to us. around the world and across the uk this is bbc news.

there's a fresh warning today that the government may struggle to deliver its promise of free

childcare to working parents in england. by september next year, families with pre—school children who are 9 months and older will be entitled to 30 hours a week of government funded child care — but the independent spending watchdog the national audit office says a pilot of the scheme was cancelled, and it's not clear that childcare providers can find enough staff. let's speak to jonathan broadbery, director of policy and communications at the national day nurseries association. can you explain to us what the issue is? . . can you explain to us what the issue is? , ., ., ., ., can you explain to us what the issue is? , . . ., ., ,, , is? yes, there are a lot of issues for providers _ is? yes, there are a lot of issues for providers and _ is? yes, there are a lot of issues for providers and we _ is? yes, there are a lot of issues for providers and we know - is? yes, there are a lot of issues i for providers and we know providers have been working really hard to deliver the places in time for this april which is when the roll—out started. but looking ahead to

september next year we are talking about 85,000 more places needed and they are for younger children so for younger children have to look after them, we are talking about babies, and so the staff requirements are higher. it also the space in the rooms and nurseries need to be different so they are right for children of the right age groups. what we want to see is really high—quality early education and care and the plans needs time, investment to make that a reality. do you applaud the ambition, the government says it's going to put £5.9 billion government funding for this year and says it has taken steps to prepare the sector for the next phases. the steps to prepare the sector for the next phases-— next phases. the ambition is good because we _ next phases. the ambition is good because we know _ next phases. the ambition is good because we know early _ next phases. the ambition is good because we know early education | next phases. the ambition is good i because we know early education and care can really either give children the best start in life especially when it's high—quality. the problem

is the delivery. we know that we need 40,000 more staff and that's on top of any staff that leave the sector. and when we've had government underfunding for years of these places, just to put that into context they have put more money into the three and four—year—old and there is only gone up by 4.3% at a time and staff wages are going up by nearly 15% and parents are facing fee increases of about 8.5%. so it's quite clear that the more money that is going into it is in keeping pace with rising costs and that is what is putting pressure on the workforce, it is what making it more difficult for settings to expand in the way they would need to and that is why there is so much uncertainty from councils and providers and parents. from councils and providers and arents. . ~' , ., from councils and providers and arents. . ~' ,, from councils and providers and arents. ., ,, . ., parents. thank you so much for talkin: parents. thank you so much for talking through _ parents. thank you so much for talking through all _ parents. thank you so much for talking through all of _ parents. thank you so much for

talking through all of that. - the former labour minister and crossbench peer frank field has died at the age of 81. lord field was a leading voice on welfare reform in britain and a campaigner on poverty for much of his career and he was one of the longest serving mps, representing birkenhead in merseyside for 40 years. politicians have paid tribute to him. rishi sunak described him as a "decent, moral, and thoughtful man". let's speak to steve webb, former minister for pensions. i suppose the tributes are coming from all sides of the house and that tells you a lot. talk us through a kind of a man he was. absolutely. frank was — kind of a man he was. absolutely. frank was not _ kind of a man he was. absolutely. frank was not what _ kind of a man he was. absolutely. frank was not what they - kind of a man he was. absolutely. frank was not what they call - kind of a man he was. absolutely. frank was not what they call a - frank was not what they call a tribal politician, he would work with anybody about causes he cared about and over such a long and distinguished career child poverty, pensions, justice and so on. people always respected him even if they

didn't always agree when he stood up in the house of commons you wanted to hear what he had to say. a lot of people across the political spectrum are sad today. flan people across the political spectrum are sad today-— are sad today. can you explain for --eole are sad today. can you explain for people who _ are sad today. can you explain for people who may _ are sad today. can you explain for people who may not _ are sad today. can you explain for people who may not know - are sad today. can you explain for people who may not know much l are sad today. can you explain for- people who may not know much about who he was and what he did, explain how he was willing to work for each side. it was the issue that mattered to him. the political party wasn't the thing, it was the issue. he chaired an _ the thing, it was the issue. he: chaired an all—party committee of mps that shadowed the department for work and pensions over many years. those committees are not party political and you get all different parties on the committee. frank was very good at getting people to agree on things. i have memories of him holding powerful people to account and he would get angry about injustice but he knew to change things. there was a big fuss about sir philip green and the british home stores pension scheme and whether as an owner he had enough

money in an frank field got in front of the committee and gave me grilling. i believe as a result of that millions of pounds were paid into the pension fund. all of the members of the pension scheme didn't have the power to do that but frank used the power he had to good. is it used the power he had to good. is it fair to say he — used the power he had to good. is it fair to say he was best suited to the backbenches? it’s fair to say he was best suited to the backbenches? it's interesting. we had a year _ the backbenches? it's interesting. we had a year in _ the backbenches? it's interesting. we had a year in the _ the backbenches? it's interesting. we had a year in the early - the backbenches? it's interesting. we had a year in the early days i the backbenches? it's interesting. we had a year in the early days in| we had a year in the early days in tony blair's government as a minister and that didn't really work. he would accept that. he was at his best not being a cheerleader for the government or his party but fighting against injustice and campaigning and being determined until he got things done rather than consultations and trying to agree a line. he ended up in the right place. d0 line. he ended up in the right lace. , :, line. he ended up in the right lace. ,, ~' line. he ended up in the right lace. ~ , place. do you think politicians could learn — place. do you think politicians could learn about _ place. do you think politicians could learn about today? - place. do you think politicians could learn about today? we l place. do you think politicians - could learn about today? we don't see a lot of collaboration.- see a lot of collaboration. would ou like see a lot of collaboration. would you like to _ see a lot of collaboration. would you like to see _ see a lot of collaboration. would you like to see more. _ see a lot of collaboration. would you like to see more. i - see a lot of collaboration. would

you like to see more. i would. it| you like to see more. i would. it does go on but it doesn't grab the headlines. the confrontations and rows grab the headlines. but there are a lot of mps will —— willing to work in this way but frank stood out not least for 40 years in parliament and for his willingness to work with anybody to get justice for people who cared about things.- anybody to get justice for people who cared about things. thank you ve much who cared about things. thank you very much for— who cared about things. thank you very much for talking _ who cared about things. thank you very much for talking to _ who cared about things. thank you very much for talking to us. - who cared about things. thank you very much for talking to us. plentyj very much for talking to us. plenty more to come on the programme after the next hour. we will be hearing from the white house becausejoe biden is going to be signing into law that bill that has been passed and we are also, we can see the podium waiting for us so we will go to that as soon as president biden appears. that package was agreed by the senedd, long delay package finally come into being and we will see president biden shortly. do stay

with us on bbc news. hello. there is very little sign of the weather warming up much over the next few days. we will stick with this unusually chilly feel for the time of year. there will be some sunshine and also a scattering of showers and some of those showers will be wintry over higher ground in the north of the uk. we keep this cold air mass, that chile are being drawn down from the north. you can see the blue colours in our chart which takes us through thursday and into friday. for the rest of today, still some showers around particularly affecting eastern areas where they will be a brisk breeze and it will feel particularly cold. the best of the sunshine further west. higher temperatures up to around 12 or 13 degrees. through this evening and tonight we will see areas of clouds drifting southwards

bringing some showers and some of those showers will be wintry of the high ground particularly in scotland. even with fairly modest sales above 200 metres elevation we could see some snow mixing in with the showers. seeing wendy across northern and eastern coasts. temperatures dropping close to or even below freezing in some spots of a touch of frost to some of us to take us into tomorrow morning. tomorrow will bring areas of cloud southwards across england and wales. some bits and pieces of showery rain. it should brighten up in northern england and sunny spells in northern ireland. scotland with a mix of sunshine and showers are those in widnes in those showers. through thursday night and into friday we will see another frontal system raising the south of the uk so more cloud and maybe some more showers in southern england and south wales. further north, sunny spells and showers. still hints of something wintry in those showers over the hills and the mountains.

still publicly called in the north—east. a degree for aberdeen and 11 or 12 degrees further south. for the weekend there are some signs of something a little bit less chilly but only a little bit. these yellow colours trying to spill northwards but the reason for that is an area of low pressure so certainly not a heatwave uncertainly not completely dry for the weekend. they will be some outbreaks of rain particularly for ringland and wales. a better chance of sunshine for northern ireland and scotland and feeling a bit less chilly.

ukraine has been running out of artillery shells and ammunition. meanwhile, putin's friends keep him well supplied. china has provided

can phone —— components to boost the defence production. russia has ramped up air strikes against ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. it has rained down ammunition is on brave ukrainians defending their homeland. this weekend, and ifind this amazing, the report of cheers breaking out in the report of cheers breaking out in the trenches in eastern ukraine, i am not show any came from, but they were cheering as they watched the house vote in support for ukraine. they understand what we have done. they understand what we have done. they have noticed how critical it is for them. they have noticed how critical it is forthem. i they have noticed how critical it is for them. i am they have noticed how critical it is forthem. iam making they have noticed how critical it is for them. i am making sure the shipment will start straightaway. in the next few hours, we will begin sending equipment ukraine. for

artillery, rocket systems, armoured