National Guard troops have arrived in Los Angeles following protests over raids on undocumented migrants in which dozens of people were reportedly taken into custody.

The BBC's Regan Morris reports from outside a federal building, where there have been violent clashes over the past few nights.

Follow our coverage of events in LA on our live page

Home secretary yet to agree deal days before spending review

Police budgets are expected to get a real-terms increase in each of the next three years, but negotiations are ongoing about the wider Home Office budget.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner reached a settlement on Sunday evening after "progress" in negotiations, the BBC has learned, but Cooper is holding out in talks also involving No 10.

Ministers have been locked in talks with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and her team ahead of the major financial statement, which sets budgets for government departments covering the next few years.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is the last minister yet to agree a funding deal with the Treasury before Wednesday's Spending Review, BBC News understands.

Earlier on Sunday, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said police needed to "do their bit" towards reforming public services.

Kyle told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that "every part of society was struggling" and that the chancellor was facing pressure from all departments for additional funding.

He said the review would boost spending for schools and scientific research but declined to rule out a squeeze on policing.

Earlier on Sunday, BBC News was told that Home Office ministers do not believe there is enough money to recruit the additional 13,000 new police and community support officers Labour promised in its manifesto.

Kyle said the government had already provided an extra £1bn to the police, adding: "We are delivering investment in the police.

"We expect the police to start embracing the change they need to do to do their bit for change as well."

Kyle also declined to guarantee that Rayner's housing department would be protected from budget cuts when asked about the government's plan to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of the parliament.

But he added: "We made a manifesto commitment. We are absolutely laser-focused on delivering that."

The last-minute talks come ahead of what is set to be a highly significant week for every part of government.

It is expected there will be extra money for the NHS, with reports the Department for Health will receive increased funding.

A substantial increase in funding for the NHS would come at the expense of other parts of government, as the chancellor seeks to meet her own fiscal rules, which are not to borrow to fund day-to-day spending, and for debt to be falling as a share of national income by 2029/30.

But other parts of government will see their budgets squeezed as the chancellor seeks to meet her own fiscal rules, which are not to borrow to fund day-to-day spending, and for debt to be falling as a share of national income by 2029/30.

Some elements of what will be included in the statement have emerged in recent days.

On Sunday night the government announced £24m funding to boost artificial intelligence lessons in schools, as part of a wider £187m package to boost tech skills across the economy.

Earlier on Sunday, the government announced an £86bn package for science and technology to help fund drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries.

And on Wednesday, the chancellor unveiled a £15.6bn package to fund extensions to trams, trains and buses in Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the North East.

Spending decisions come against the backdrop of a broad commitment to increase defence spending further to 3% by 2034.

The government has already committed to increasing defence spending from 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.5% by 2027 - an extra £5bn a year - funded by a cut in the overseas aid budget.

Reeves has previously confirmed the government will revise its controversial decision to limit Winter Fuel Payments to those in receipt of means-tested benefits.

While the government is expected to share some information about who will receive the payment as part of the Spending Review, full details will not be released until the Budget later in the year.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said "relatively modest" growth rates mean "sharp trade-offs are unavoidable".

The think tank said the level of spending on health would dictate whether cuts were made to "unprotected" areas – those outside the NHS, defence and schools.

Israel warns it will stop aid yacht heading for Gaza

1 hour ago Share Save André Rhoden-Paul BBC News Share Save

Freedom Flotilla Coalition

Israel has warned its military will "take whatever measures are necessary" to prevent a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid reaching Gaza. The Madleen yacht is 160 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip and is attempting to challenge Israel's sea blockade around the territory. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the 12-strong crew, which includes climate protester Greta Thunberg, should turn back and that Israel will act against any attempt to breach the blockade. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said the vessel, which departed Sicily on Friday, was carrying humanitarian aid and was "prepared for the possibility of an Israeli attack".

Katz said the purpose of Israel's blockade, which has been in place since 2007, was to "prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas" and was essential to Israel's security as it seeks to destroy the Palestinian armed group Hamas. He warned in a post on X on Sunday: "I have instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to act to prevent the 'Madeleine' [sic] hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza - and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end." Addressing the crew directly, he added: "To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: You should turn back - because you will not reach Gaza. "Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organisations – at sea, in the air, and on land."

The FFC argues the sea blockade is illegal, and characterised the minister's statement as an example of Israel threatening the unlawful use of force against civilians and "attempting to justify that violence with smears". "We will not be intimidated. The world is watching," FFC press officer Hay Sha Wiya said. "The Madleen is a civilian vessel, unarmed and sailing in international waters, carrying humanitarian aid and human rights defenders from across the globe... Israel has no right to obstruct our effort to reach Gaza." The group added that the vessel had earlier experienced temporary signal jamming, causing its location to appear near Jordan. The Madleen is carrying a symbolic quantity of aid, including rice and baby formula, the group said. People from Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey are onboard.

Israeli media say its navy is expected to block the boat before it reaches Gaza. "We will calmly take control of the ship, bring them to Israel, and deport them abroad that same night," an Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post. In 2010, Israeli commandos killed 10 people when they boarded Turkish ship Mavi Marmara that was leading an aid flotilla towards Gaza.

Israel recently began to allow limited aid into Gaza after a three-month land blockade, prioritising distribution through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by Israel and the US but widely condemned by humanitarian groups. The UN's human rights chief Volker Türk said last week Palestinians were being presented with the "grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available". It is almost 20 months since Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to an unprecedented Hamas-led cross-border attack on Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 54,880 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, has died aged 65.

Rennie officiated more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," said a Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association statement., external

"Uriah made history as the Premier League's first Black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008. He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come."

Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down.

Born in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area of the city.

He started refereeing in local football in 1979 before making history in 1997 when he oversaw the top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon.

"Incredibly sad news about the passing of Uriah Rennie. A Black pioneering referee and leader in the game," said Leon Mann, co-founder of the Football Black List.

"We owe so much to those who push open the doors. Uriah should never, ever be forgotten.

"Thoughts and prayers with Uriah's family and close friends."

Rennie had been a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport, mental health and tackling deprivation.

He had a master's degree in business administration and law and, in November 2023, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities.

In May, Rennie was installed as the new chancellor of the university.

Iran expands dog-walking ban

Transporting dogs in vehicles has also been outlawed

But despite efforts to discourage it, dog ownership is rising, particularly among young people, and it is viewed as a form of rebellion against the restrictive Iranian regime.

Dog ownership has been frowned upon in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with dogs viewed as "unclean" by authorities and a legacy of Western cultural influence.

The ban - which mirrors a 2019 police order that barred dog walking in the capital, Tehran - has been extended to at least 18 other cities in the past week. Transporting dogs in vehicles has also been outlawed.

Iranian officials have expanded a ban on dog walking to a swathe of cities across the country, citing public order and health and safety concerns .

Cities including Isfahan and Kerman have introduced bans in recent days, according to news agency AFP.

An official from the western city of Ilam, where a ban was implemented on Sunday, said "legal action" would be taken against people who violated the new rules, according to local media.

However, enforcing restrictions in the past has been patchy, while many dog owners continue to walk their dogs in public in Tehran and other parts of Iran.

There is no national law that outright bans dog ownership, but prosecutors often issue local restrictions that are enforced by police.

"Dog walking is a threat to public health, peace and comfort," Abbas Najafi, prosecutor of the western city of Hamedan, told state newspaper Iran.

Owners have sometimes been arrested and dogs confiscated for being walked in public.

Many have taken to walking their dogs in secluded areas at night or driving them around to evade detection.

Politicians in the Islamic regime regard pet ownership as un-Islamic. Many religious scholars view petting dogs or coming into contact with their saliva as "najis" or ritually impure.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously described dog ownership - other than for the purposes of herding, hunting and security - as "reprehensible".

In 2021, 75 lawmakers condemned dog ownership as a "destructive social problem" that could "gradually change the Iranian and Islamic way of life".

Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance banned advertisements for pets or pet-related products in 2010 - and in 2014 there was a drive in parliament to fine and even flog dog-walkers, though the bill did not pass.

Following the recent crackdown, critics argue the police should focus on public safety at a time of growing concern over violent crime, rather than targeting dog owners and restricting personal freedoms.

Dog ownership, defying Iran's mandatory hijab laws, attending underground parties and drinking alcohol have long been forms of quiet rebellion against Iran's theocratic regime.

'Hit-and-run' murder charges after boy, 16, dies

6 hours ago Share Save Rachel Russell BBC News, Yorkshire Share Save

South Yorkshire Police Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Al Yazidi was walking along Staniforth Road in Sheffield on Wednesday when he was hit by a car, police said

Two men have been charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder after a 16-year-old died in an alleged hit-and-run. Zulkernain Ahmed, 20, and Amaan Ahmed, 26, both of Locke Drive, Sheffield, were charged over the death of Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Al Yazidi, 16, South Yorkshire Police said. The teenager was walking along Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of Sheffield on Wednesday, when he was hit by the car. The force said they believed the grey Audi first hit the rider of an electric bike before continuing and hitting Abdullah, who was walking nearby.

The teenager died from his injuries in hospital. An 18-year-old man who was riding the electric bike suffered serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening and he remains in hospital, the force added. The two men are due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday. A man, 46, and a woman, 45, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender last week, remain on bail.

BBC/Phil Bodmer Saleh Alsirkal, a relative of Abdullah, said the 16-year-old had been hoping for "a better future" in the UK

Abdullah was devoted to his family and would "light up their faces with a big smile", his friends and family said in a statement. They added he recently arrived in the UK about three months ago from Yemen "for a better future" and was learning English ahead of starting college in September. One relative, Saleh Alsirkal, who runs a corner shop on Staniforth Road, which the teenager visited just before he was hit, said Abdullah had been enjoying learning English as "it meant a lot to him and he learned quick". He went on to say the 16-year-old had had a hospital appointment earlier in the afternoon and then popped into the store before heading off to find some food.

Mr Alsirkal added he was a "kind boy" who just wanted to look after his family. "His dad brought him over to change his life, to get a better future for his son but this has happened and destroyed everything," he added. Speaking after the crash, Darnall independent councillor Qais Al-Ahdal said "we've really lost someone who is good in the community". "Praised by everyone unanimously, he was a really good kid. May God have mercy on his soul," he said. Mr Al-Ahdal added the community was united in grief.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North

It's the Race Across The World finale, and Love Island is back: What's coming up this week

6 hours ago Share Save Noor Nanji • @NoorNanji Culture reporter Share Save

BBC/Studio Lambert/ITV

This week, it's the Race Across the World finale on BBC One, with the competitors battling to reach the finish line first. But that's not all the next seven days have in store. A fresh batch of singletons will be heading into the Love Island villa, it's the finale of I Kissed A Boy, Louis Theroux will be speaking to Ed Sheeran on his podcast, gaming fans have MindsEye to look forward to, and Rebel Wilson and Jason Isaacs are starring in new pop musical Juliet & Romeo. Read on for what's coming up this week...

Get set for the Race Across the World finale

Another frenetic Race Across the World comes to an end on Wednesday. For anyone who hasn't seen the Bafta-winning BBC One show, it features a number of duos racing around the globe for a £20,000 prize. This year's pairs have been tasked with travelling around 14,000km - starting at the Great Wall of China and taking in the sights across Nepal and India. The scenery has been breath-taking, but for me, this show is as much about its contestants as the race and travelling. Everyone taking part has a story to tell, and they are always incredibly relatable - from bickering teenage sweethearts Fin and Sioned, to mother and son Caroline and Tom. This year's lineup also included sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, former married couple Yin and Gaz, and brothers Brian and Melvyn.

It's another summer of Love (Island)...

ITV/Joel Anderson

Love Island is back, and if you're a fan of the show, you'll be getting set for another summer of fun, flirtation and plenty of drama. The latest season of the reality dating show starts on ITV2 and ITVX on Monday, a decade after it first hit our screens. This year's line-up includes a motivational speaker, a gold trader and a landscape gardener. However, one Love Islander's journey has ended before the new series has even started. Kyle Ashman, 23, was due to enter the villa but was axed after The Sun newspaper revealed he had been arrested over a fight at a funeral earlier this year. In an Instagram post Kyle, who was released by police without further action, said he was "innocent". After that rocky start, ITV's bosses will be hoping for smoother sailing over the coming weeks - and also to continue the viewing boost that last year's series enjoyed.

...just as I Kissed a Boy comes to an end

Tonight, it's the series 2 finale of the UK's first ever gay dating show, I Kissed a Boy, on BBC Three. As the name might suggest, the format sees 10 singles matched up, and introduced for the first time - with a kiss to test out their chemistry. Over the past month, we've seen budding romance, wandering eyes and lots of drama in the Masseria - all overseen by Dannii Minogue in her role as Cupid. One of the remaining contestants, Jack S, says there is more drama in this last episode "than there has been all series", while another, Ruben, says you should "expect the unexpected". If you miss the grand finale, you can catch up on the whole series on BBC iPlayer.

Ed Sheeran talks family, his rise to stardom, and his Mini Cooper

Getty Images

By Guy Lambert, culture reporter

Ed Sheeran blew fans away when he made a surprise appearance at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool last month. Just days later he that was caught off guard, when he took a tumble on stage in front of 70,000 people, kicking off his European tour in Madrid. Ed's 2025 Mathematics Tour will see him play his biggest tunes in venues across 13 European countries, as well as tracks from his upcoming album Play, which is released in September. On Tuesday, he's making a safer appearance on Louis Theroux's podcast, which will be available on Spotify. I am told that the conversation will be a journey through his career, from the challenges he faced breaking into the industry, to performing on the biggest stages like Glastonbury in 2017.

In the MindsEye of the beholder…

By Tom Richardson, Newsbeat reporter

If you know games, you know the name. Leslie Benzies is hailed as one of the key minds behind the success of the record-breaking Grand Theft Auto series. After quitting developer Rockstar Games in 2016, he launched his own studio, Build A Rocket Boy (BARB). So you might expect a buzz around MindsEye, BARB's debut effort, releasing on PS5, Xbox and PC from Tuesday. On first glance the single-player game has big GTA vibes with car chases, shootouts and cinematic cut-scenes, but its makers say it's also the start of an ambitious "multi-narrative universe". However, the run-up to its release has been dampened by some less-than-enthusiastic previews calling out issues and airing concerns over its quality. BARB vowed to fix these before launch day, but it remains to be seen if this is a narrative it can turn in its favour.

It's Romeo & Juliet, but not as you know it

Kaleidoscope

By Danny Fullbrook, culture reporter

If you've ever wished Romeo & Juliet swapped Shakespearean verse for pop anthems, then Rebel Wilson's latest film might be your perfect match Juliet & Romeo is the first part in a planned pop musical trilogy, hitting cinemas for one night only on 11 June. Filmed on location in fair Verona the film stars Clara Rugaard (Black Mirror) and Jamie Ward (His Dark Materials) as the star-crossed lovers. The supporting players includes Jason Isaacs, Rupert Everett and Sir Derek Jacobi. Wilson said she was interested in playing Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet, as it was a chance to play against type. Critics have seen it a little differently. A one star review from The Washington Post called it as "a very special kind of hell". However Maggie Lovitt at Collider was a bit kinder when she said: "Juliet & Romeo isn't necessarily a good film, but it is a very fun film."

Other highlights this week

Murder inquiry launched as teenager dies

Forensics are on scene outside the Fairway Inn pub in New Moston

A murder investigation has been launched after a teenage boy died in north Manchester.

Officers, paramedics and the air ambulance were called to Nevin Road in the New Moston area of Manchester at about 17:00 BST, Greater Manchester Police said.

The force has not yet said how the boy died. Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Supt Marcus Noden said it was "distressing and heartbreaking" that a boy had lost his life and urged witnesses to come forward.

Israel says Hamas Gaza chief Sinwar's body identified

3 hours ago Share Save Aleks Phillips BBC News Sebastian Usher BBC News Reporting from Jerusalem Share Save

IDF The Israeli military released a video in December 2023 that it said showed Mohammed Sinwar being driven through a Hamas underground tunnel

The Israeli military has said it has located and identified the body of Mohammed Sinwar, the military leader of Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza. His body was discovered in a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday. It said it had verified the body's identity through DNA checks - though Hamas has not publicly confirmed his death. Sinwar, 49, was killed in an air strike on 13 May, which the Hamas-run civil defence agency said killed 28 people and injured dozens.

IDF The IDF said Sinwar's body was found alongside others in a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis

Sinwar's body was found alongside that of Mohammad Sabaneh, the commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade, the IDF said. It added that "several items belonging to Sinwar and Sabaneh were located, along with additional intelligence findings that were transferred for further investigation". The IDF said other bodies were found, which it was looking to identify. It took a small group of foreign journalists into Gaza to Khan Younis to show them the tunnel on Sunday. It also published video of the small entrance to the tunnel, accessible through freshly dug earth just in front of the European Hospital. The footage shows a long, narrow underground corridor that leads to several rooms. Inside some of them, piles of clothes and plastic chairs are visible, with a rifle leaning up against the wall. One video also shows a shrouded body being pulled from the tunnel by a rope. IDF spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin said that in one of the rooms they found the Sinwar's body. "This is another example of the cynical use by Hamas, using civilians as human shields, using civilian infrastructure, hospitals, again and again," he said.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using hospitals as hiding places for weapons and command centres, which the group denies. The IDF has mounted sieges and attacks on hospitals in Gaza, or ordered their evacuation, leaving the territory's health system on the verge of total collapse. Such attacks have caused widespread international concern, as many hospitals and medical facilities have been put out of action - and the lives of patients and staff put at risk. In a statement after an Israeli strike on al-Ahli hospital in April, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep alarm and declared that, under international humanitarian law, the "wounded and sick, medical personnel and medical facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected". Hospital staff in Gaza have also repeatedly denied that Hamas is using their facilities as a base. The IDF will point to this latest footage as vindication of its claims and its military strategy. As with so much in Gaza, however, full independent verification is not possible.

IDF The IDF said items belonging to Sinwar were found in the tunnel

Trump's LA 'face-off' and NHS out for blood

9 minutes ago Share Save Share Save

BBC The Guardian leads on Trump's "dramatic escalation" to quell LA protests against sweeping immigration raids in the US. The paper reports that Trump has been accused of "hoping for chaos".

A photograph of a group of heavily armed US National Guard soldiers in LA dominates the front page of the Times. The paper also reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to "boost" police budgets before this week's spending review.

The Financial Times follows with Trump's "LA face-off" as it says law enforcement officers used "rubber bullets" and "flash-bang grenades" to fend off protesters.

The i leads with the potential "softening" of cuts to welfare benefits to "head off a rebellion of 170 MPs" as Reeves prepares for the spending review.

The "NHS is out for your blood!" declares the Metro as it reports that around "200,000 more" blood donors are "urgently" needed to increase stocks.

The Daily Mirror echoes the "blood donor red alert" in its coverage of the "worst-ever crisis" facing the NHS as supplies plunge to a "critical low".

The Daily Telegraph features a warning to the chancellor that the police service is "broken", saying morale has been left "crushed" by funding cuts.

The Express says "angry campaigners" are demanding Reeves does not "betray pensioners again" after Labour's winter fuel payment U-turn.

The Daily Mail leads with its investigation into "corrupt immigration" advisers helping "illegal workers dupe the Home Office in a cash for visas scam".

"Hotter than Morocco" says the Daily Star, and predicts temperatures of 30C by the end of this week.

The Sun focuses on what it says is Britain's £4.7bn annual bill to keep migrants in hotels.

Trump's intervention in LA is a political fight he is eager to have

On the campaign trail last year, Donald Trump promised that he was not going to tolerate left-wing lawlessness on American streets and would use the full force of his presidential powers in response.

The protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts in California on Saturday night gave him an opening to follow through on that promise.

Never mind that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said that the protests were largely peaceful, or that local authorities said they could handle the clashes that did turn violent.

Trump administration officials said that immigration agents were being targeted and injured – and that local law enforcement had been too slow to respond.

"Waiting several hours for LAPD to show up - or them telling us that they're not going to back us up until they have an officer in a dangerous situation - is something that just isn't workable when you have violent protests going on," Homeland Security Secretary Kirsty Noem told CBS News on Sunday morning.

The LAPD said it "acted as swiftly as conditions safely allowed" and began dispersing crowds within 55 minutes of receiving the call.

Over California Governor Gavin Newsom's objection, Trump federalised the 2,000 California National Guard soldiers, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that US Marines were also on "high alert" to deploy – which would mark a rare use of the active duty military on US soil.

By Sunday morning, Trump was declaring victory and thanking the National Guard for restoring peace, even though the guard had yet to fully assemble.

The forgotten story of India's brush with presidential rule

57 minutes ago Share Save Soutik Biswas • @soutikBBC India correspondent Share Save

Sondeep Shankar/Getty Images Indira Gandhi addressing a press conference in Delhi in 1983

During the mid-1970s, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's imposition of the Emergency, India entered a period where civil liberties were suspended and much of the political opposition was jailed. Behind this authoritarian curtain, her Congress party government quietly began reimagining the country - not as a democracy rooted in checks and balances, but as a centralised state governed by command and control, historian Srinath Raghavan reveals in his new book. In Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India, Prof Raghavan shows how Gandhi's top bureaucrats and party loyalists began pushing for a presidential system - one that would centralise executive power, sideline an "obstructionist" judiciary and reduce parliament to a symbolic chorus. Inspired in part by Charles de Gaulle's France, the push for a stronger presidency in India reflected a clear ambition to move beyond the constraints of parliamentary democracy - even if it never fully materialised. It all began, writes Prof Raghavan, in September 1975, when BK Nehru, a seasoned diplomat and a close aide of Gandhi, wrote a letter hailing the Emergency as a "tour de force of immense courage and power produced by popular support" and urged Gandhi to seize the moment. Parliamentary democracy had "not been able to provide the answer to our needs", Nehru wrote. In this system the executive was continuously dependent on the support of an elected legislature "which is looking for popularity and stops any unpleasant measure". What India needed, Nehru said, was a directly elected president - freed from parliamentary dependence and capable of taking "tough, unpleasant and unpopular decisions" in the national interest, Prof Raghavan writes. The model he pointed to was de Gaulle's France - concentrating power in a strong presidency. Nehru imagined a single, seven-year presidential term, proportional representation in Parliament and state legislatures, a judiciary with curtailed powers and a press reined in by strict libel laws. He even proposed stripping fundamental rights - right to equality or freedom of speech, for example - of their justiciability. Nehru urged Indira Gandhi to "make these fundamental changes in the Constitution now when you have two-thirds majority". His ideas were "received with rapture" by the prime minister's secretary PN Dhar. Gandhi then gave Nehru approval to discuss these ideas with her party leaders but said "very clearly and emphatically" that he should not convey the impression that they had the stamp of her approval.

Sondeep Shankar/Getty Images Gandhi with her son, Sanjay Gandhi, at a Congress party meeting during the Emergency

Prof Raghavan writes that the ideas met with enthusiastic support from senior Congress leaders like Jagjivan Ram and foreign minister Swaran Singh. The chief minister of Haryana state was blunt: "Get rid of this election nonsense. If you ask me just make our sister [Indira Gandhi] President for life and there's no need to do anything else". M Karunanidhi of Tamil Nadu – one of two non-Congress chief ministers consulted - was unimpressed. When Nehru reported back to Gandhi, she remained non-committal, Prof Raghavan writes. She instructed her closest aides to explore the proposals further. What emerged was a document titled "A Fresh Look at Our Constitution: Some suggestions", drafted in secrecy and circulated among trusted advisors. It proposed a president with powers greater than even their American counterpart, including control over judicial appointments and legislation. A new "Superior Council of Judiciary", chaired by the president, would interpret "laws and the Constitution" - effectively neutering the Supreme Court. Gandhi sent this document to Dhar, who recognised it "twisted the Constitution in an ambiguously authoritarian direction". Congress president DK Barooah tested the waters by publicly calling for a "thorough re-examination" of the Constitution at the party's 1975 annual session. The idea never fully crystallised into a formal proposal. But its shadow loomed over the Forty-second Amendment Act, passed in 1976, which expanded Parliament's powers, limited judicial review and further centralised executive authority. The amendment made striking down laws harder by requiring supermajorities of five or seven judges, and aimed to dilute the Constitution's 'basic structure doctrine' that limited parliament's power. It also handed the federal government sweeping authority to deploy armed forces in states, declare region-specific Emergencies, and extend President's Rule - direct federal rule - from six months to a year. It also put election disputes out of the judiciary's reach. This was not yet a presidential system, but it carried its genetic imprint - a powerful executive, marginalised judiciary and weakened checks and balances. The Statesman newspaper warned that "by one sure stroke, the amendment tilts the constitutional balance in favour of the parliament."

Sondeep Shankar/Getty Images Gandhi's defence minister Bansi Lal urged "lifelong power" for her as prime minister

Meanwhile, Gandhi's loyalists were going all in. Defence minister Bansi Lal urged "lifelong power" for her as prime minister, while Congress members in the northern states of Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh unanimously called for a new constituent assembly in October 1976. "The prime minister was taken aback. She decided to snub these moves and hasten the passage of the amendment bill in the parliament," writes Prof Raghavan. By December 1976, the bill had been passed by both houses of parliament and ratified by 13 state legislatures and signed into law by the president. After Gandhi's shock defeat in 1977, the short-lived Janata Party - a patchwork of anti-Gandhi forces - moved quickly to undo the damage. Through the Forty-third and Forty-fourth Amendments, it rolled back key parts of the Forty Second, scrapping authoritarian provisions and restoring democratic checks and balances. Gandhi was swept back to power in January 1980, after the Janata Party government collapsed due to internal divisions and leadership struggles. Curiously, two years later, prominent voices in the party again mooted the idea of a presidential system. In 1982, with President Sanjiva Reddy's term ending, Gandhi seriously considered stepping down as prime minister to become president of India. Her principal secretary later revealed she was "very serious" about the move. She was tired of carrying the Congress party on her back and saw the presidency as a way to deliver a "shock treatment to her party, thereby giving it a new stimulus". Ultimately, she backed down. Instead, she elevated Zail Singh, her loyal home minister, to the presidency. Despite serious flirtation, India never made the leap to a presidential system. Did Gandhi, a deeply tactical politician, hold herself back ? Or was there no national appetite for radical change and India's parliamentary system proved sticky?

Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Zail Singh (middle), flanked by Indira Gandhi and Fidel Castro in 1983 - a year after Gandhi considered taking the presidency herself but instead chose to elevate her loyal home minister to the role

Sam Gardiner's family 'overwhelmed' by support

7 hours ago Share Save Angela Ferguson BBC News, Manchester Share Save

BBC Sam Gardiner's mother Jo says they have received "tens of thousands of messages" since his death

The family of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner have said they are "overwhelmed" by the love and support they have received following his death. Mr Gardiner, 24, who took part in the BBC show alongside his mother Jo, died in hospital following a crash on the A34 near Manchester on 26 May. His family set up a fundraiser in his memory for the National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) charity which has raised more than £10,000. Ms Gardiner said her son had been diagnosed with the condition, which can develop when someone has been exposed to alcohol in the womb, and added: "If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood".

"We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting," she said. "We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. "It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people."

Race Across The World viewers were touched by Sam and his mum Jo's "special relationship", a spokesperson for the show said

Ms Gardiner said she had been "particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by FASD". "We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents," she said. But she added that the National FASD charity "helped us on that journey".

family handout Sam was described as "pure sunshine in human form" by another contestant of the BBC series

The landscape gardener died when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side on the A34 in Gatley, Cheadle, Greater Manchester Police said. He was the only person in the white Volkswagen Golf R estate and was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries on 29 May. Mr Gardiner and his mother travelled across Mexico and Argentina in the BBC show, broadcast in March 2020. His father Andrew said: "When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. "After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. "The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human." He said it was "very humbling to see the Race Around The World family rally to this worthy cause". A message on its official Instagram account said: "Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. ⁠ ⁠"National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds."

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More on this story Former Race Across the World contestant dies in crash

The first Grand Slam showpiece between the two dominant players on the ATP Tour had been a tantalising prospect - and it surpassed the hype.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner pushed themselves - and each other - to the limit in a classic contest that showcased all of their shot-making, athleticism and resilience.

Their fascinating rivalry is quickly turning into an enduring duel that could transcend the sport.

It has all the facets - the core talent, gripping encounters on the biggest stages and the blend of personalities.

Alcaraz, with his swashbuckling style, passion and infectious smile, has long been a box-office star who engages millions of fans.

In the toughest moments of the battle against Sinner, he continued to play with freedom - perhaps too much for his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero - and demanded more noise from the Paris crowd.

They loudly responded as Alcaraz demonstrated the heart and courage - along with explosive returns and deft hand skills - for which he has become known and revered.

The majority of the 15,000 fans were jumping to their feet after every point in a thrilling finale, where both players continued to execute top-quality shots that often defied belief.

Alcaraz flew out of the blocks in the first-to-10 match tie-break of the deciding set, sapping every last bit of Sinner's energy before sealing victory with a remarkable running forehand winner that fizzed down the line.

He fell flat on his back before Sinner trudged around the net for a warm, heartfelt embrace.

Alcaraz somehow found the energy to sprint off court, climbing up the stands to celebrate with 2003 French Open winner Ferrero, the rest of his team and his family.

Both players were given rapturous rounds of applause as they collected their trophies after the second longest major final in history.

England sealed a series win over West Indies with a game to spare after a superb chase of 197 in the second T20 at Bristol.

Former captain Jos Buttler struck 47 and his successor Harry Brook made 34 as England reached 112-2 in 12.2 overs, before they fell in consecutive overs with 85 still required to swing the game back in the tourists' favour.

But Jacob Bethell's stunning cameo of 26 from 10 balls, including three huge sixes, and Tom Banton's unbeaten 30 off 11 set up a four-wicket win with nine balls remaining.

England had earlier been eyeing a much smaller target as they had restricted West Indies to 121-4 at the start of the 17th over, only for an onslaught of 75 runs from the final four overs to follow.

Luke Wood had given England the perfect start by pinning Evin Lewis lbw with a swinging yorker from the first ball of the match, before captain Shai Hope's elegant 49 led the recovery in a stand of 90 with Johnson Charles, who made 47.

Their innings had been in danger of floundering with just 32 runs scored in 5.1 overs after Hope's dismissal in the 11th, but Rovman Powell clubbed 34 from 15 balls and former skipper Jason Holder whacked an unbeaten 29 off nine.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid bowled the penultimate over as England again only selected two seamers, and conceded 31 runs to finish with 1-59 - the most expensive figures of his T20 career.

NHS calls for 200,000 new blood donors to maintain supply

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the body that oversees England's blood donation system, said the number of regular donors needs to rise from around 800,000 to more than one million to maintain a safe and reliable supply.

Supplies have remained low ever since, with officials warning there is a "critical" need for more donors who have O negative blood, which can be given to the majority of patients.

Concern over blood stocks prompted the health service to issue an "amber alert" last year, meaning supplies were running low enough to have an impact on patient treatment.

The NHS has warned that it continues to face a "challenging" blood shortage as it calls for 200,000 new donors to come forward.

NHSBT chief executive Dr Jo Farrar said: "Our stocks over the past 12 months have been challenging. If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy - you'd truly be one in a million."

There is a pressing need to avoid a "red alert", which would mean demand far exceeds capacity, threatening public safety, NHSBT added.

Health Minister Baroness Merron said the NHS was in "urgent need" of more blood donors from all backgrounds.

"We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home," she added.

NHSBT stressed the need for more black donors in particular, as they are more likely to have specific blood types which can help treat people with sickle cell disease.

Just 2% of the population keep the nation's blood stocks afloat by donating regularly, the body said. Donors are defined as regular if they have donated in the last 12 months.

The number of people registering as donors rose in 2024, but only 24% of them went on to donate.

The appeal comes almost a year after the NHS issued an amber alert for only the second time in its history, last July.

It was caused by what the NHS called a "perfect storm" of unfilled appointments at donor centres and increased demand following a cyber-attack, which affected services in London.

At that time, stocks of O negative stood at just 1.6 days, and 4.3 days for all types of blood.

Two thirds of the blood collected by NHSBT is used to treat people who rely on regular blood transfusions, including people with cancer and blood conditions.

Britain's energy bills problem - and why firms are paid huge sums to NOT provide power

34 minutes ago Share Save Justin Rowlatt Environment Editor Share Save

BBC

It is 1am on 3 June. A near gale force wind is blasting into Scotland. Great weather for the Moray East and West offshore wind farms, you would have thought. The two farms are 13 miles off the north-east coast of Scotland and include some of the biggest wind turbines in the UK, at 257m high. With winds like that they should be operating at maximum capacity, generating what the developer, Ocean Winds, claims is enough power to meet the electricity needs of well over a million homes. Except they are not. That's because if you thought that once an electricity generator - whether it be a wind farm or a gas-powered plant - was connected to the national grid it could seamlessly send its electricity wherever it was needed in the country, you'd be wrong. The electricity grid was built to deliver power generated by coal and gas plants near the country's major cities and towns, and doesn't always have sufficient capacity in the wires that carry electricity around the country to get the new renewable electricity generated way out in the wild seas and rural areas. And this has major consequences.

Getty Images Ocean Winds was paid to turn the output of its wind farms in the Moray Firth

The way the system currently works means a company like Ocean Winds gets what are effectively compensation payments if the system can't take the power its wind turbines are generating and it has to turn down its output. It means Ocean winds was paid £72,000 not to generate power from its wind farms in the Moray Firth during a half-hour period on 3 June because the system was overloaded - one of a number of occasions output was restricted that day. At the same time, 44 miles (70km) east of London, the Grain gas-fired power station on the Thames Estuary was paid £43,000 to provide more electricity. Payments like that happen virtually every day. Seagreen, Scotland's largest wind farm, was paid £65 million last year to restrict its output 71% of the time, according to analysis by Octopus Energy. Balancing the grid in this way has already cost the country more than £500 million this year alone, the company's analysis shows. The total could reach almost £8bn a year by 2030, warns the National Electricity System Operator (NESO), the body in charge of the electricity network. It's pushing up all our energy bills and calling into question the government's promise that net zero would end up delivering cheaper electricity. Now, the government is considering a radical solution: instead of one big, national electricity market, there'll be a number of smaller regional markets, with the government gambling that this could make the system more efficient and deliver cheaper bills. But in reality, it's not guaranteed that anyone will get cheaper bills. And even if some people do, many others elsewhere in the country could end up paying more.

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The proposals have sparked such bitter debate that one senior energy industry executive called it "the most vicious policy fight" he has ever known. He has, he says, "lost friends" over it. Meanwhile, political opponents who claim net zero is an expensive dead end are only too ready to pounce. It is reported that the Prime Minister has asked to review the details of what some newspapers are calling a "postcode pricing" plan. So is the government really ready to risk the most radical shake-up of the UK electricity market since privatisation 35 years ago? And what will it really mean for our bills?

Net zero under attack

The Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, is certainly in a fix. His net zero policy is under attack like never before. The Tories have come out against it, green politicians say it isn't delivering for ordinary people, and even Tony Blair has weighed in against it. Meanwhile Reform UK has identified the policy as a major Achilles heel for the Labour government. "The next election will be fought on two issues, immigration and net stupid zero," says Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice. "And we are going to win." Poll after poll says cost of living is a much more important for most people, and people often specifically cite concerns about rising energy prices.

Getty Images Ed Miliband's net zero policy is under attack like never before

Miliband sold his aggressive clean energy policies in part on cutting costs. He said that ensuring 95% of the country's electricity comes from low-carbon sources by 2030 would slash the average electricity bill by £300. But the potential for renewables to deliver lower costs just isn't coming through to consumers. Renewables now generate more than half the country's electricity, but because of the limits to how much electricity can be moved around the system, even on windy days some gas generation is almost always needed to top the system up. And because gas tends to be more expensive, it sets the wholesale price.

Could 'zonal' pricing lower bills?

Supporters of the government's plan argue that, as long as prices continue to be set at a national level, the hold gas has on the cost of electricity will be hard to break. Less so with regional – or, in the jargon, "zonal" - pricing. Think of Scotland, blessed with vast wind resources but just 5.5 million people. The argument goes that if prices were set locally, it wouldn't be necessary to pay wind farms to be turned down because there wasn't enough capacity in the cables to carry all the electricity into England. On a windy day like 3 June, they would have to sell that spare power to local people instead of into a national market. The theory is prices would fall dramatically – on some days Scottish customers might even get their electricity for free.

The grid was built to deliver power generated by coal and gas plants near the country's major cities and towns

Other areas with lots of renewable power - such as Yorkshire and the North East, as well as parts of Wales - would stand to benefit too. And, as solar investment increases in Lincolnshire and other parts of the east of England, they could also see prices tumble. All that cheap power could also transform the economics of industry. Supporters argue that it would attract energy-intensive businesses such as data centres, chemical companies and other manufacturing industries. In London and much of the south of England, the price of electricity would sometimes be higher than in the windy north. But supporters say some of the hundreds of millions of pounds the system would save could be used to make sure no one pays more than they do now. And those higher prices could also encourage investors to build new wind farms and solar plants closer to where the demand is. The argument is that would lower prices in the long run and bring another benefit - less electricity would need to be carried around the country, so we would need fewer new pylons, saving everyone money and meaning less clutter in the countryside.

Getty Images Reform UK chairman Richard Tice, seen here with party leader Nigel Farage, says the next general election will be fought on immigration and "net stupid zero"

"Zonal pricing would make the energy system as a whole dramatically more efficient, slashing this waste and cutting bills for every family and business in the country," argues Greg Jackson, the CEO of Octopus Energy, one of the biggest energy suppliers in the UK. Research commissioned by the company estimates the savings could top £55 billion by 2050 - which it claims could knock £50 to £100 a year off the average bill. Octopus points out Sweden made the switch to regional pricing in just 18 months. The supporters of regional pricing include NESO, Citizens Advice and the head of the energy regulator, Ofgem. Last week a committee of the House of Lords recommended the country should switch to the system.

Energy firms push back

There are, however, many businesses involved in building and running renewable energy plants that oppose the move. "We're making billions of pounds of investments in renewable power in the UK every year," says Tom Glover, the UK chair of the giant German power company RWE. "I can't go to my board and say let's take a bet on billions of pounds of investment." He's worried changing the way energy is priced could undermine contracts and make revenues more uncertain. And he says it risks undermining the government's big push to switch to green energy.

AFP via Getty Images Seagreen, Scotland's largest wind farm, was paid £65 million last year to restrict its output 71% of the time, according to Octopus Energy

The main cost of wind and solar plants is in the build. It means the price of the energy they produce is very closely tied to the cost of building and, because developers borrow most of the money, that means the interest rates they are charged. And we are talking a lot of money. The government is expecting power companies to spend £40bn pounds a year over the next five years on renewable projects in the UK. Glover says even a very small change in interest rates could have dramatic effects on how much renewable infrastructure is built and how much the power from it costs. "Those additional costs could quickly overwhelm any of the benefits of regional pricing," says Stephen Woodhouse, an economist with the consultancy firm AFRY, which has studied the impact of regional pricing for the power companies. That would come as already high interest rates have combined with rising prices for steel and other materials to push up the cost of renewables. Plans for a huge wind farm off the coast of Yorkshire were cancelled last month because the developer said it no longer made economic sense.

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And there's another consideration, he says. The National Grid, which owns the pylons, substations and cables that move electricity around the country, is already rolling out a huge investment programme – some £60bn over the next five years - to upgrade the system ready for the new world of clean power. That new infrastructure will mean more capacity to bring electricity from our windy northern coasts down south, and therefore also mean fewer savings from a regional pricing system in the future. There are other arguments too. Critics warn introducing regional pricing could take years, that energy-intensive businesses like British Steel can't just up sticks and move, and that the system will be unfair because some customers will pay more than others. But according to Greg Jackson of Octopus, the power companies and their backers just want to protect their profits. "Unsurprisingly, it's the companies that enjoy attractive returns from this absurd system who are lobbying hard to maintain the status quo," he says.

Yet the power companies say Octopus has a vested interest too. It is the UK's biggest energy supplier with some seven million customers, and owns a sophisticated billing system it licenses to other suppliers, so could gain from changes to the way electricity is priced, they claim. And the clock is ticking. Whether the government meets its clean power targets will depend on how many new wind farms and solar plants are built. The companies who will build them say they need certainty around the future of the electricity market, so a decision must be taken soon. It's expected in the next couple of weeks. Over to you, Mr Miliband.

Brit Awards to leave London for Manchester after 48 years

35 minutes ago Share Save Colin Paterson BBC Entertainment Correspondent Share Save

Getty Images The latest Brits went Brat as Charli XCX won five awards

Next year's Brit Awards are to be held in Manchester - the first time the ceremony has taken place outside London since the awards began in 1977. The ceremony will be held at the Co-op Live arena on Saturday 28 February. A two-year deal means that the 2027 ceremony, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Brit Awards, will also be held at the same venue. It is the second major music ceremony to announce plans to leave London. Last month the BPI, which represents the British music industry and runs the Brit Awards, also revealed that this year's Mercury Prize will be held in Newcastle in September after 32 years in the capital.

Dr Jo Twist, CEO of the BPI, told the BBC: "We've had a fantastic history in London for nearly 50 years, and we just feel that now is the time to make a bold leap into other parts of the UK to the fans. "Manchester has such a rich musical heritage and it has a fantastic ecosystem of support there on the ground, including lots of amazing grassroots venues." Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described the move as "a massive coup" for the area. Hailing the city's "unparalleled music heritage," Burnham said Manchester would "pull out all the stops" to prove the BPI had made the right decision.

Getty Images Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood memorably presented the Brits' live ceremony in 1989

The past 15 Brit Award ceremonies have taken place at London's O2 Arena. This year's awards were dominated by Charli XCX, who won five including best artist, album and song of the year. Back in 1977, when the awards started, they were called The British Record Industry Britannia Awards. As part of the celebrations for the Queen's Silver Jubilee, they gave prizes to the best music released during her reign.

Shutterstock Queen celebrated at the Britannia Awards, London, in 1977

Best album went to Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles. Best single was a tie between Procul Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, who turned up to accept the award from host Michael Aspel. The ceremony was held at the Wembley Conference Centre, which was demolished in 2006 and turned into flats. The Brit Awards became an annual event in 1982, taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel and other London venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the Dominion Theatre, Hammersmith Apollo, Alexandra Palace, Earls Court Exhibition Centre and London Arena.

PA Media Co-op Live in Manchester is hosting the awards

Co-op Live has already held a major music award ceremony, the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), in November last year, which attracted the likes of Teddy Swims, Benson Boone and Shawn Mendes. Britain's biggest indoor venue originally made headlines when its opening was delayed three times due to a series of highly-publicised problems. These included part of a ventilation system falling from the ceiling, an event the boss of Co-op Live Tim Leiweke said could have been "catastrophic". Since then, the venue has held the only UK shows on The Eagles' farewell tour, celebrated its first anniversary with three Bruce Springsteen gigs, and last November Charli XCX opened her Brat World Tour there.

Getty Images Robbie Williams has won 18 Brit awards in his time

Manchester has a serious Brit Awards pedigree. Take That, who formed in the city, have won eight Brit Awards. Their former member Robbie Williams holds the record for the most Brit Award wins, with 18 including five while in the band. Simply Red, Elbow and The 1975 have all been named best group. M People were best dance act in 1995 and The Chemical Brothers, who met at the University of Manchester, won the same award in 2000. Two years ago, Aitch was named best hip hop, grime or rap act and in his acceptance speech said: "Not many people from my side of Manchester get the opportunity to stand up here and receive such an amazing gift or award." New Order, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, The Bee Gees, 10CC, Johnny Marr, Ian Brown, Doves, James, Blossoms and Badly Drawn Boy have all been nominated for Brit Awards over the years, but none of those acts have ever won. The Smiths, one of the most influential indie bands of all time, were never nominated at the Brits.

Getty Images Oasis at the Brits in 1996

How did abuse of children go undetected for a decade?

35 minutes ago Share Save Josh Sandiford BBC News, West Midlands Share Save

West Midlands Police Daniel Clarke was jailed in May for abusing six vulnerable young people

Parents are demanding answers over how a paedophile was able to abuse potentially dozens of disabled and special educational needs children while working as a teaching assistant. Daniel Clarke may have targeted "well over 81" vulnerable young people over a decade, according to detectives overseeing a major West Midlands Police investigation. The 29-year-old was jailed last month for offences against six children, but officers believe he could be one of the most prolific sex offenders of recent times. The BBC can now reveal he held key safeguarding responsibilities at two council-run schools as recently as September 2023, where bosses said they acted as soon as concerns came to light.

In February, Clarke pleaded guilty to offences including making indecent photographs of a child, assaulting children by touching, and inciting children to engage in sexual activity with no penetration. The charges included Clarke's work, separately, as a personal assistant to several children, but he had also been responsible for online safety at Forest Oak and Merstone schools before he was arrested in October 2024. He is thought to have begun working with the local authority-run special schools as a teaching assistant in 2016. Both of them are rated outstanding by Ofsted and are separate but share facilities and an executive head teacher.

Saj Golby runs the North Solihull Additional Needs Support Group

The BBC has spoken to multiple people who claim concerns were raised by staff and parents at Forest Oak about Clarke at least three months before he was arrested. "He should not have continued working at that school but he did, which tells you they didn't do anything," one anonymous mother said. "If they had any inkling whatsoever that man should have been suspended pending an investigation."

A sentencing hearing was told Clarke had made a list of his victims, some of which dated back to 2016. The local authority told the BBC that as soon as it was made aware of concerns about Clarke, it immediately contacted police and this led to his October arrest. However, it has refused to reveal when concerns were first raised with the school. Nor has it said if an internal investigation will be carried out to look at how the case was handled.

'Angry and hurt'

Saj Golby, who runs the North Solihull Additional Needs Support Group, told the BBC she had been in direct contact with the families of at least a dozen of Clarke's potential victims. "The families that are approaching us are so angry and so hurt," she said. "He was in a position of trust and that has been broken. "Something horrific was happening at a school on our doorsteps and families are saying 'we raised concerns' but they were ignored. "Someone needs to be held accountable."

Clarke had been responsible for online safety at Forest Oak and Merstone schools

Ms Golby founded the group in 2016 because she believed there was not enough support for parents of children with additional needs. Her community campaigning led to her being selected as a baton bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. But about the same time, the 43-year-old said she was having problems with her own children at Forest Oak, because of what she called unrelated safeguarding concerns. She has now launched a petition, backed by cross-party councillors and a local MP, calling for families of young people who raise safeguarding issues to be more effectively supported. It is also demanding more accountability when things go wrong, like in the case of Daniel Clarke. "It paints a picture of systemic failure," Ms Golby said. "This needs investigating to find out why such a horrific man got away with what he did for such a long time when concerns were raised."

Hazel Dawkins is a Labour councillor with a daughter who attends Merstone

Hazel Dawkins, a Labour representative on Solihull Council, has a daughter who attends Merstone. Her child did not have contact with Clarke, but the mother said the case had brought her to tears due to the timespan of the offending and the fact some victims could be non-verbal. "It's horrific," she said. "I can't even bear to think what these parents are going through." Dawkins said the school and the council needed to "accept responsibility and seek to reassure parents". She called for an inquiry and strengthened policies to keep children safe. The local politician has also been representing parents with unrelated concerns about bullying at the only other special school in the area, and claimed an "overhaul" was needed in Solihull's overall provision. "We're seeing it over and over again with children being constantly failed," she said.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Clarke could have more than 81 victims

Clarke is currently serving a prison sentence of seven years and six months after pleading guilty to sexual offences, although the attorney general's office is reviewing that after claims it is too lenient. He met his victims while working across the two schools, and through a role with a charity that organised activities for children with additional needs. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the mother of one victim had paid Clarke £3,500 for work as a personal assistant for her child, but had been left feeling like she had been "paying him to abuse her son". After Clarke's arrest in October, police were said to have "moved extremely quickly, almost with unprecedented speed" to put the offender behind bars. The court heard he is almost certain to face further charges, possibly against more than 81 victims.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard it could be a year until further charges are brought

A "complex and sensitive investigation" is understood to be continuing, with detectives in the process of "slowly and carefully" contacting the parents of young people Clarke might have had contact with. But the court was told it was likely to be at least a year before further charges are brought and it could be 2027 before any potential trial begins. Some parents believe this means more information should be shared with them now, but the school has declined to release any details due to the live investigation. "They are keeping everything very quiet," said a second anonymous mother. "The letters they have sent out to parents don't go into much explanation at all."

Former pupil Alfie Ford said he was "shocked, disappointed and angry"

Alfie Ford, a former Forest Oak pupil, was not targeted by Clarke but said he was "shocked, disappointed and angry" as he previously interacted with the teaching assistant most days. The 19-year-old, who is now a town councillor and disability awareness campaigner, left the school in 2023. He also believes bosses should be sharing more information with former parents and pupils about Clarke following his conviction. "He would have known nearly every child," Mr Ford said. "You would never have known he was that sort of person. "You would think he was there for you and he would care for you. I wonder if that may have been a trick of his." The former student recalled Clarke wearing tracksuits to work and a school emblazoned jacket, and said he appeared a normal member of staff. Mr Ford suggested the teaching assistant had taken advantage of his knowledge of autism to "betray the trust" of pupils, and said the school had questions to answer. "There are so many ways this should have been stopped from happening," he added. "[It] needs to be looked at."

Action taken 'immediately'

Solihull Council's efforts to keep children have safe have been under widespread scrutiny in recent years following a number of high profile incidents, including the murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes in 2020. But Multiple Ofsted reports, including one released this month, have suggested children's services are improving from a previous rating of inadequate. A Solihull Council spokesperson said: "We take the safeguarding of children with the utmost seriousness. "Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the horrific actions of Clarke and we are pleased that he is now behind bars, unable to prey on further potential victims. "As soon as the council was made aware of concerns about Clarke, we immediately took action to investigate the allegations, which involved contacting the police and this led to his arrest. "We understand that in difficult circumstances such as this, people want to know more. "However, West Midlands Police stated that information cannot be disclosed due to the complex nature of their investigation, which remains ongoing."

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears as he won a third trophy with Portugal - the Nations League.

And what a way to do it, as they beat their neighbours and oldest rivals Spain on penalties.

Ronaldo may have already been off the pitch, having been replaced in the 88th minute - but he had already played his part.

The Portugal captain made it 2-2 in the 61st minute with a close-range finish. That was his 138th international goal, extending his own record.

And it was his eighth in nine Nations League games this campaign, only behind Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres.

Not bad for a 40-year-old who has spent the past two and a half years in the Saudi Arabian league with Al-Nassr.

It marks the first time Spain have failed to lift a trophy since the 2022 World Cup, having won the Nations League in 2023 and Euro 2024.

At times in this tournament - beating France 5-4 in the semi-finals - they looked unstoppable. But Ronaldo and Portugal did just that.

Nuno Mendes too, with the Portugal full-back keeping Spain star Lamine Yamal quiet and scoring a goal himself.

Ronaldo said: "Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal.

"It's tears. It's duty done and a lot of joy."

It was a final so engrossing that the Spanish national football team huddled around a mobile phone to watch before their Nations League meeting with Portugal.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on a performance for the ages as they battled over an epic five sets for the French Open crown.

Backed into a corner after losing the opening two sets, defending champion Alcaraz came out swinging - and saved three championship points on the way - to win 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-2).

Just two minutes before Spain kicked off their Nations League final against Portugal at 20:00 BST, their compatriot Alcaraz had defied the odds to complete his magnificent comeback.

The Spanish footballers, who also went the distance before losing on penalties, watched at least some of his heroics as they took in their surroundings on the field at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Though Jobe is following in his brother's footsteps by joining Dortmund, he wears his first name on the back of his shirt as he aims to create his own headlines.

"He doesn't want to live off the back of his brother's name; he wants to be the footballer he is and show people what he can do. He's trying to create his own identity," said former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray in 2023.

While Jude operates largely as a number 10 - behind the main striker - for club and country, Jobe can play as a defensive or box-to-box midfielder.

In his first season at the Stadium of Light he even deputised as a central forward, although he has maintained his best position is in the middle of the park.

"I know playing box-to-box is what I enjoy the most, because you can get stuck in and drive forward," he told Sky Sports., external "I can show more of what I'm capable of in that position."

In the 2024-25 season, he played 43 times for Sunderland, scoring four goals and registering three assists.

"He's still a young player with the ability to play many different roles," said Sunderland boss Regis le Bris earlier this season.

"I like him as a number eight because he's an offensive midfielder. He can express his power, his ability to run and his ability to press, to link defence and attack."

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes moving to Germany will be a positive for Jobe.

"The Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League," said BBC Radio Newcastle pundit Gabbiadini.

"It's a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well."

Jobe was 17 when he moved to Sunderland from Birmingham for an undisclosed fee - on the same day Jude completed his move to Real Madrid.

"It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland," added Gabbiadini. "Not because we weren't a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent.

"Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn't a massive step up at that stage.

"He's been very good for us. Do I think he's as good as his brother? Not from what I've seen so far, but there is nothing wrong with that.

"If he's 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants."

British number two Emma Raducanu speaks to BBC Sport's Isa Guha about being targeted by a stalker during a match in Dubai in February, and the impact it has had on her.