knowing what we did, but with hindsight, that is the moment we should have done it, three weeks earlier, and it would have saved many, many lives. alistair darling, the labour politician who was chancellor during the 2008 global financial crash, dies at the age of 70. members of the rmt union except a pay deal ending their involvement in a long—running series of rail strikes. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. welcome to the programme. the pogues�* frontman shane macgowan has died at the age of 65. he was discharge from hospital last week. his wife confirmed he had died in social media. macgowan fronted the pogues from 1982 until their break—up in 2014. the band are best known for the christmas hit song fairytale of new york. our arts correspondent david sillito reports. # it was christmas eve, babe # in the drunk tank # an old man said to me... # "happy christmas, your ours, i pray god it's our last." fairytale of new york, a bleak, drink—sodden duet about lives gone wrong, isn't your normal christmas classic. but it was trademark shane macgowan. # i turned my face away # and dreamed about you... # his band the pogues brought a rambunctious punk fury to irish folk, but behind the noise, the drinking and the terrible teeth was a writer of rare talent. his roots were in ireland, tipperary, but he was actually born in tunbridge wells. he was a london punk, who had also won a literary scholarship to public school. but it was when he and his friends began to inject a bit of that attitude into the music of their childhood that he began to enjoy success. # as i go on my way, - they all have a story to tell...# he crafted beauty and poetry out of hard lives... ..and even harder drinking... ..something shane mcgowan knew all about. that he survived as long as he did is something of a miracle. it's true, i'm out of it. most of the time, right? but i can write songs when i'm out of it. . i find it's easier to write. songs when i'm out of it. the stories of his excesses rather overshadowed what made him special. thankfully... # the bells were ringing out for christmas day.# ..we�*ll always have this to remind us. every christmas. next... matt hancock has been giving evidence before the covid inquiry, which has been focusing on the decision making that happen before the pandemic. mr hancock served as the health secretary throughout the pandemic until he resigned in 2021. today, he defended his department, saying it rose to the challenge, and blaming a toxic culture in the government, saying in hindsight that the lockdown should have happened earlier. iii i lockdown should have happened earlier. , , lockdown should have happened earlier. if i may say so with hindsight. _ earlier. if i may say so with hindsight, italy _ earlier. if i may say so with hindsight, italy having - earlier. if i may say so with l hindsight, italy having locked earlier. if i may say so with - hindsight, italy having locked down initially lombardi locally on the zist initially lombardi locally on the 21st of january and then locked down nationally also around the 20th of february, in fact, that moment, having seen the sage assumptions, which they did not fully adopt, and you have heard from the scientists on that, at that moment, if we had realised that it was definitely coming, and the reasonable worst case scenario was as awful as it was, that is the moment that we should, with hindsight, have acted and if we had had the doctrine that i proposed, which is, as soon as you know you have got to lock down, you do it as soon as possible, then we would have got the lockdown done over that weekend, in on the 2nd of march, three weeks earlier than before. there is a doubling rate at this point estimated at every 3—4 days. we would have been six doubling is ahead of where we were, meaning fewer than a tenth of the number of people would have died in the first wave. at the time, there was still enormous uncertainty. the number of cases were still very low. in fact, there were only 12 cases reported on there were only 12 cases reported on the 1st of march. so you can understand why... and the costs of what i was proposing were known and huge. so i defend the actions that were taken by the government at the time knowing what we did, but with hindsight, that is the moment we should have done it. three weeks earlier, and it would have saved many, many lives. next, railway workers in the rmt union have voted to accept a deal on their 18 month dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions. the agreed offer, from 1a train companies, including a backdated pay rise of 5% for the last year, as well as job security guarantees. it means rmt members will no longer be involved in industrial action until at least next spring. however, train drivers, represented by the union aslef, will still strike. 0ur transport correspondent katie austin reports. it has been nearly a year since the long—running series of strikes on the railway began. commuters like these in west sussex could have used to it. we these in west sussex could have used to it. ~ ., ., ., ., these in west sussex could have used to it. ~ . ., ., ., ., “ these in west sussex could have used to it. ~ ., ., ., ., ., ~ , ., to it. we want to go to work instead of bein: to it. we want to go to work instead of being stuck _ to it. we want to go to work instead of being stuck at _ to it. we want to go to work instead of being stuck at home. _ to it. we want to go to work instead of being stuck at home. yes, - to it. we want to go to work instead of being stuck at home. yes, it - of being stuck at home. yes, it disrupts normal everyday life 100%. i don't understand why there are so many. i i don't understand why there are so man . . ., , ., many. i have not been getting to work as frequently _ many. i have not been getting to work as frequently as _ many. i have not been getting to work as frequently as otherwise l many. i have not been getting to i work as frequently as otherwise i would _ work as frequently as otherwise i would d0~ — work as frequently as otherwise i would do i— work as frequently as otherwise i would do. i understand why the unions — would do. i understand why the unions have been stroking, and i have _ unions have been stroking, and i have supported them throughout. today's _ have supported them throughout. today's news means the end of rmt walk—outs for now, at least. in march, maintenance workers and signallers accepted a deal, but thousands of other union members who work for the companies which run the trains continued strikes. they have now accepted proposals involving a backdated pay rise for last year of 5%, more for the lowest paid, and job security guarantees. but a pay rise for the current financial year will still depend on agreeing changes to ways of working that the government and industry say are needed. discussions on that will continue next year with individual operators. we will renegotiate in the new year, in the springtime, and see what the companies want to pursue. so it is a pause, a respite, but we are not celebrating this. it is another step forward in progress. there has not been the same progress on the train drivers�* dispute. they are in a different union, aslef, and the train drivers begin another wave of industrial action tomorrow. the transport secretary and real delivery group, which represents the train companies, welcomed the rmt vote, but that positive development isn�*t the end of the journey. we can hear more now from mick lynch, the rmt general secretary, who we just heard from in that report. well, it is a deal that takes us forward in the process of the dispute. we are not popping champagne corks. it is a very modest pay award, but there is a considerable amount of back pay. it achieves some things for our lowest paid members and gives us a no compulsory redundancies agreement. it is also unconditional. we have not conceded any of the measures that the companies wanted to bring in, thousands ofjob cuts, driver only operation, and closing all of our ticket offices. we have one on those fronts, none of those issues are being conceded. but we will renegotiate in the new year, in the springtime, and see what the companies want to pursue. so it is a pause, a respite, but we are not celebrating this issue. it is another step forward in the process. what changed to make this deal a bit more acceptable now, to vote for it? the government collapsed on the ticket office closure programme. we have nearly1 million responses in that programme. the country was firmly against what the government was proposing, which shows they are out of touch. people don�*t want that kind of railway, or those kinds of services. so they collapsed on that. we were saying —— they were saying we would have to accept all their proposals before we could get a pay rise and we could never have a job security agreement. we have not conceded any of those proposals, so now we have an unconditional pay rise, which is modest, and we can move forward. we get the pay rise, our members get paid a considerable amount of back pay before christmas, and we will deal with the agenda of the companies and the government in the companies and the government in the spring next year, talks being on from february until april, but we have not conceded any of their agenda at this time. so is this effectively the end of national strike action? lilo. so is this effectively the end of national strike action? no, because our driver members _ national strike action? no, because our driver members are _ national strike action? no, because our driver members are still- national strike action? no, because our driver members are still in - national strike action? no, because our driver members are still in a . our driver members are still in a dispute along with another trade union. we will see how that goes. we will see what the company is proposing that a year. if i were them, i would change their plans. if i were the government, i would change their plans and look to have in constructive dialogue with the workforce and their trade unions to try and get our railway back on track so we can run it for the country and the passengers, and for our economy and environment. they want to do that, they will find a willing partner with us, but if they want confrontation, that is what they will get. mick lynch there. next, former labour chancellor alistair darling has died at the age of 70. following labour�*s landslide 1997 election win, darling served in the cabinet for 13 years under tony blair and gordon brown, helping to steer the uk through the financial crisis in 2008. the ex edinburgh mp also led the better together campaign in 2014 in the scottish independence referendum. a statement issued on behalf of his family called him a much loved husband of margaret and loved father to callum and anna. labour leader sir keir starmer said alistair darling lived a life devoted to public service and will be remembered as the chancellor whose calm expertise and honesty helped guide britain through the tumult of the global financial crisis. former prime minister gordon brown, who appointed alistair darling as chancellor, said he would be remembered as a statesman. i am so sad and very sorry about the death of alistair darling, who was a good friend of mine. he had unimpeachable integrity. he showed great wisdom in everything he did. he had a wry sense of humour, and i think his politics was driven by a very strong sense of social justice, a desire to help people. he showed it as a member of parliament for edinburgh central, a job he loved. also as a government minister in work and pensions and transport, and in industry, and finally, of course, he was the man in the room at a time of crisis, because it was his calm and considered judgment during the financial crisis that the whole country and particularly i benefited.— country and particularly i benefited. ~ . ., ., ., benefited. we have also heard from the former first _ benefited. we have also heard from the former first minister— benefited. we have also heard from the former first minister of- the former first minister of scotland, alex salmond. it is very sad, because alistair has died at _ it is very sad, because alistair has died at a _ it is very sad, because alistair has died at a relatively young age, and ithink_ died at a relatively young age, and ilhink the — died at a relatively young age, and i think the two things about alistair. _ i think the two things about alistair, one, when he became chancellor, he reached the summit of uk politics _ uk politics. it _ uk politics. it was during the period of the financial— it was during the period of the financial crisis, and that was a time _ financial crisis, and that was a time when _ financial crisis, and that was a time when the western financial system — time when the western financial system was being rocked to its foundations, when banks were collapsing virtually every day. the thing you need most is a chancellor in these times was to .ive chancellor in these times was to give a _ chancellor in these times was to give a calm, authoritative appearance, and whatever else alistair — appearance, and whatever else alistair was feeling behind—the—scenes, he always came across— behind—the—scenes, he always came across as _ behind—the—scenes, he always came across as being in charge, being calm, _ across as being in charge, being calm, knowing what he was doing, and that was— calm, knowing what he was doing, and that was absolutely essential to that was absolutely essential to that moment of crisis. so when the moment— that moment of crisis. so when the moment of— that moment of crisis. so when the moment of test came, alistair passed it with _ moment of test came, alistair passed it with flying colours. when _ it with flying colours. when you were actually debating against him, on opposite sides of the independence campaign. what was that like? well, these were intense debates. if i remember correctly, ithink well, these were intense debates. if i remember correctly, i think the bbc debate, the second debate, was the most _ bbc debate, the second debate, was the most watched political programme of all time, _ the most watched political programme of all time, certainly in scotland, and had — of all time, certainly in scotland, and had huge audiences elsewhere. so these were _ and had huge audiences elsewhere. so these were really intense and vigorous— these were really intense and vigorous debates. 0ne these were really intense and vigorous debates. one thing i can say about— vigorous debates. one thing i can say about alistair is that despite these _ say about alistair is that despite these debates, despite the intense exchanges, i never exchanged a cross word with _ exchanges, i never exchanged a cross word with alistair darling outwith the debating format. actually, i rememberafter the debating format. actually, i remember after that bbc debate, we naturally— remember after that bbc debate, we naturally had a word with each other where _ naturally had a word with each other where we _ naturally had a word with each other where we were going to be the next weekend, _ where we were going to be the next weekend, in the next campaign. a perfectly— weekend, in the next campaign. a perfectly pleasant conversation. so alistair _ perfectly pleasant conversation. so alistair had the ability, which real politicians — alistair had the ability, which real politicians and statesmen have, not to confuse — politicians and statesmen have, not to confuse the workplace, with vigorous — to confuse the workplace, with vigorous debate, when you put forward — vigorous debate, when you put forward your side's points of view as best _ forward your side's points of view as best you — forward your side's points of view as best you can come up with any personal— as best you can come up with any personal animosity. that was a rare quality— personal animosity. that was a rare quality in _ personal animosity. that was a rare quality in politics, and a very fine one, _ quality in politics, and a very fine one. which— quality in politics, and a very fine one, which is why across the political— one, which is why across the political spectrum, people feel his loss today and want to send condolences to family and friends. alex salmond there. we can now speak to alistair campbell, former director of communications at downing street. thanks for coming on the programme. thank you. ijust want to thank you. i just want to start with your reflections today. i think in common with virtually every other person i have heard, that alistair was a man of incredible integrity, someone genuinely devoted to public service. he actually hated a lot of the game, a lot of the nonsense that goes with politics. i think he had real morals, real ethics, realvalues. he loved his constituency, his country, his family. i think i am right in saying there was only gordon, who you havejust saying there was only gordon, who you have just heard from, alistair and jack straw, who were the only three members of the new labour team that were part of the cabinet from start to end. alistair did a succession ofjobs absolutely brilliantly. i genuinely can�*t think that i ever heard a bad word said about him. he really was one of the good guys, and i think it is so, so sad that at the relatively young age of 70, he has left us. it is pretty rare that people don�*t have a bad word to say, particularly in politics. it is quite an impressive feat. i want to focus for a second now on the financial crisis. were you surprised by the way he handled it, or was that perfectly, in your eyes, in keeping with what you expected? well, i don�*t think you should mistake the calm, unruffled exterior that people would remember from his many, many appearances on television during that time with what was going on inside. i think alistair would be the first to admit that he found it horrendously pressurised. i think there was a kind of sense of mounting panic amongst everybody at the scale of what was happening as it became clear. but the qualities that people had seen alistair display throughout his life and ministerial career were the qualities that, as you just heard gordon brown saying, came to his and the country�*s benefit at that time. alistair was somebody who could make decisions very, very calmly. he would listen to different strands of opinion, make decisions, and then go out and explain them clearly and honestly and with absolute integrity. and i think people respected that in him. i think when you see what a lot of our politics has become, i think people will miss him even more. and people will miss him even more. and 'ust awa people will miss him even more. and just away from _ people will miss him even more. and just away from politics, i suppose, what about the man when he was not thinking about these big issues of state? what stuck out to you? i think, actually, something that didn�*t really come across in alistair�*s public image was a very wry sense of humour. he really could be very funny, often at his own expense. he would mock himself, mock politics sometimes. i think he was somebody who underestimated himself to some extent. i think he sometimes... i can never, ever remember alistair coming along to me or anybody else in tony blair�*s circle and trying to get preferment or improvement for himself. i always saw him as somebody who, when he worked through the door, you thought, either he is bringing a problem, hoping that we might be able to solve it together, or more likely, that he knows that there is a problem and he is trying to work out how he might be able to help people solve it. so i think he was very, very funny, but also took the business of government and what he did as a politician seriously. but i think he found some of the stuff that goes with modern politics very, very difficult. i can remember during the scottish referendum being in a hotel with him in edinburgh, and he was incredibly high profile at that time. it was very pressured, as alex salmond was just saying. i can remember him snapping at one point, saying, why do these people have to stare at us when we are just sitting, having a cup of tea?! he couldn�*t stand that sense of the goldfish bowl, if you like. i think it was a very, very private man in some respects. absolutely adored his wife maggie and their two children anna and callum. i think that is what is saddest of all today. i�*m glad they were able to be with him in his last days, but i think it is so sad they have lost him just when he was probably looking forward to spending a bit more time in scotland, a bit more time out on the sea, and having a good life. indeed. thank you very much for coming on and sharing your memories, alistair campbell. thank you, all the best. we will move now to the covid inquiry, where matt hancock has been giving evidence today, of course. he served as health secretary throughout the pandemic until he resigned in 2021. he hasjust left the building there. he will be back with more evidence tomorrow. 0ur reporter ellie price is there. talk us through what happened. well, there were lots of significant moments today, and as you say, it took a whole day and he is coming back tomorrow, so that gives you a sense of how important he is. a big, significant moment, i think, it was when he talked about how lockdown should have happened three weeks earlier, and had it happen three weeks earlier, he said a tenth of the people who died in the first wave of covid would have died. significant numbers, tens of thousands here. i don�*t think we have heard another politician put a figure on it or actually put a date on it, when it should have gone. he implied that it basically should and could have gone at that point. the other significant moment i think he talked about was when he said that in essence, the department of health realised there was an issue with covid, how severe it was, in around february of 2020, and it was his job, and he was trying to come as he put it, wake up whitehall to the problem of covid. he said it was something that central government, the centre, downing street and the cabinet office, should really have been living with rather that than the department of health, because he anticipated it being such a huge problem had it been a terrorist problem had it been a terrorist problem or terrorist threat, for example, that could have threatened the lives of tens of thousands of people, that would have been led by the centre of government. now, what he said really was one of the issues with this rather toxic culture that existed right at the centre of government, and he said in a way that inhibited his department from making decisions. he said any mistake that was made was seen as a deliberate mistake, and that kind of inhibited debates in good decision—making. he talked a lot about the centre of government, and then he kind of got onto who he really meant, that was dominic cummings. ithink really meant, that was dominic cummings. i think we can listen now. your position, is it? and the inquiry— your position, is it? and the inquiry asks _ your position, is it? and the inquiry asks you, _ your position, is it? and the inquiry asks you, because i your position, is it? and the inquiry asks you, because of your position, is it? and the - inquiry asks you, because of course, it asked _ inquiry asks you, because of course, it asked mr— inquiry asks you, because of course, it asked mr cummings, _ inquiry asks you, because of course, it asked mr cummings, to— inquiry asks you, because of course, it asked mr cummings, to what - inquiry asks you, because of course, l it asked mr cummings, to what extent the vlew— it asked mr cummings, to what extent the view taken — it asked mr cummings, to what extent the view taken by— it asked mr cummings, to what extent the view taken by him _ it asked mr cummings, to what extent the view taken by him and _ it asked mr cummings, to what extent the view taken by him and others - it asked mr cummings, to what extent the view taken by him and others of. the view taken by him and others of your unfitness — the view taken by him and others of your unfitness for— the view taken by him and others of your unfitness for the _ the view taken by him and others of your unfitness for the job _ the view taken by him and others of your unfitness for the job was - the view taken by him and others of your unfitness for the job was a - your unfitness for the job was a matter— your unfitness for the job was a matter of— your unfitness for the job was a matter of atmospherics, - your unfitness for the job was a i matter of atmospherics, toxicity, whether — matter of atmospherics, toxicity, whether or— matter of atmospherics, toxicity, whether or not _ matter of atmospherics, toxicity, whether or not is _ matter of atmospherics, toxicity, whether or not is actually - matter of atmospherics, toxicity, i whether or not is actually affected the running — whether or not is actually affected the running of— whether or not is actually affected the running of the _ whether or not is actually affected the running of the government- the running of the government machine — the running of the government machine and _ the running of the government machine and led _ the running of the government machine and led to— the running of the governmentj machine and led to deleterious consequences? _ machine and led to deleterious consequences? do _ machine and led to deleterious consequences? do you - machine and led to deleterious consequences? do you assessl machine and led to deleterious - consequences? do you assess that generally. _ consequences? do you assess that generally. mr— consequences? do you assess that generally, mr cummings' - consequences? do you assess that generally, mr cummings' role, - consequences? do you assess that generally, mr cummings' role, byl generally, mr cummings' role, by contrast. — generally, mr cummings' role, by contrast. of— generally, mr cummings' role, by contrast, of itself, _ generally, mr cummings' role, by contrast, of itself, had _ generally, mr cummings' role, by contrast, of itself, had a - contrast, of itself, had a significant _ contrast, of itself, had a significant impact - contrast, of itself, had a significant impact on - contrast, of itself, had aj significant impact on the contrast, of itself, had a - significant impact on the smooth running — significant impact on the smooth running or— significant impact on the smooth running or significant— significant impact on the smooth running or significant operation. significant impact on the smoothl running or significant operation of the government— running or significant operation of the government machine. - the government machine. yes. _ the government machine. yes. of— the government machine. yes, of course. _ the government machine. yes, of course.— yes, of course. right. significant _ yes, of course. right. significant too - yes, of course. right. significant too were i yes, of course. right. - significant too were comments yes, of course. right. _ significant too were comments he made about care homes. remember, health secretary matt hancock came under a lot of stick laterally, but in may 2020, he said the government had thrown a protective ring around care homes. a lot has been made of that during this inquiry, whether the government did enough to protect care homes. he said what he meant by those comments was that a series of measures he had implemented, more money and ppe for care homes, that sort of thing, but he conceded, i think for the first time, that that protected ring did have a break in it. it wasn�*t a continuous circle without a break. i was asking you whether there was any truth _ i was asking you whether there was any truth to— i was asking you whether there was any truth to the _ i was asking you whether there was any truth to the suggestion - i was asking you whether there was any truth to the suggestion that. i was asking you whether there was any truth to the suggestion that sir| any truth to the suggestion that sir patrick— any truth to the suggestion that sir patrick vallance _ any truth to the suggestion that sir patrick vallance had _ any truth to the suggestion that sir patrick vallance had asked - any truth to the suggestion that sir patrick vallance had asked you, . any truth to the suggestion that sirl patrick vallance had asked you, and had told _ patrick vallance had asked you, and had told you. — patrick vallance had asked you, and had told you, that _ patrick vallance had asked you, and had told you, that the _ patrick vallance had asked you, and had told you, that the issue - patrick vallance had asked you, and had told you, that the issue of- had told you, that the issue of moving — had told you, that the issue of moving people _ had told you, that the issue of moving people between - had told you, that the issue of moving people between care i had told you, that the issue of- moving people between care homes was important. _ moving people between care homes was important. and — moving people between care homes was important, and that— moving people between care homes was important, and that you _ moving people between care homes was important, and that you had _ moving people between care homes was important, and that you had rejected - important, and that you had rejected that as _ important, and that you had rejected that as an— important, and that you had rejected that as an issue. _ important, and that you had rejected that as an issue. he _ important, and that you had rejected that as an issue. he says, _ important, and that you had rejected that as an issue. he says, i- important, and that you had rejected that as an issue. he says, i got- that as an issue. he says, i got told _ that as an issue. he says, i got told off. — that as an issue. he says, i got told off. and _ that as an issue. he says, i got told off. and that _ that as an issue. he says, i got told off. and that you - that as an issue. he says, i got told off. and that you only - told off. and that you only helatedly— told off. and that you only belatedly appreciated - told off. and that you only belatedly appreciated that j told off. and that you only - belatedly appreciated that there was a very— belatedly appreciated that there was a very real— belatedly appreciated that there was a very real problem. _ belatedly appreciated that there was a very real problem. is _ belatedly appreciated that there was a very real problem. is that - belatedly appreciated that there was a very real problem. is that true - belatedly appreciated that there was a very real problem. is that true or. a very real problem. is that true or not? _ not? that| not? i that is not? - that is not non — that is not correct. it is not a fair— that is not correct. it is not a fair reflection of my position. firstly. — fair reflection of my position. firstly. i— fair reflection of my position. firstly, i wouldn't deign to tell off patrick vallance, who is a very eminent— off patrick vallance, who is a very eminent scientist and businessman. also. _ eminent scientist and businessman. also. my— eminent scientist and businessman. also, my challenge at the time as secretary— also, my challenge at the time as secretary of state, indeed, our challenge — secretary of state, indeed, our challenge both as a department and with the _ challenge both as a department and with the care sector, who we discussed _ with the care sector, who we discussed these matters with, was this balance between the need, the absolute _ this balance between the need, the absolute need to have staff and the imperative to reduce transmission which _ imperative to reduce transmission which was — imperative to reduce transmission which was carried by staff, and these — which was carried by staff, and these two _ which was carried by staff, and these two difficult considerations were in— these two difficult considerations were in conflict. it is not reasonable tojust take were in conflict. it is not reasonable to just take one were in conflict. it is not reasonable tojust take one side of that argument. you have to take both sides into _ that argument. you have to take both sides into account. ithink— sides into account. i think you had a taste of the tone there, didn�*t you? it was rather punchy, and not surprisingly, because so much criticism has been levelled at matt hancock over the last few weeks at this inquiry that i think he took today to be something of an opportunity to set the record straight. now, the grilling continues, if you like, and there will be more questions tomorrow morning. look out for questions from lawyers representing bereaved families, because they will get an opportunity today to put their question... tomorrow, to put their question... tomorrow, to put their question... tomorrow, to put their question to matt hancock, and i think that will throw up some quite moving and significant moments. ellie, thank you very much for that. some breaking news. britain�*s media minister said she would intervene in the acquisition of the telegraph media group by the abu dhabi —based redbird i am i on impact grounds, as it might impact the accurate presentation of news or free expression. next, we will head to the israel gaza war. hamas has handed over to more hostages to the international red cross. the two released women are mia schem, who is 21, and 40—year—old amit sousana. it comes just a few hours after the fragile deal was extended until friday. the us secretary of state, antony blinken who has met israeli and palestinian leaders, has called for the pause to continue further. shortly after the deal was announced, three people were shot dead at a bus stop injerusalem, an attack hamas has said, it was behind. the dual french and israeli national shown to have been released was abducted from the music festival. this was the moment her mother received the news of her release. sobbing. herfather her father has been speaking to the media, saying it is the happiest day in the world, and that she is an amazing girl. he also said he will not give up until all the hostages returned to israel. let�*s get more now and the shooting injerusalem. 0ur middle east correspondent hugo bachega has been to the scene. half past seven in the morning injerusalem. as people head to work, two gunmen get out of this white car and open fire. an off duty soldier in a red car responds, shooting at the attackers. this was found inside their car. the attack happened in the morning rush—hour of this busy road, one of the entrances tojerusalem. the attackers stopped their car here, got out and opened fire on people waiting at this bus stop. this deadly attack is another sign of heightened tensions in israel and in the occupied palestinian territories amid the israel hamas war. israeli security officials said the two attackers who were shot dead were palestinian brothers. hamas said they were members of the group. translation: this event proves again how we must not show weakness, - that we must speak to hamas only through the scope of war. against hamas, we must fight. the attack happened shortly after an extension to a ceasefire truce in gaza was announced. more hostages should be returned to israel later today. but diplomatic efforts for a prolonged deal continue, with us secretary of state antony blinken visiting tel aviv. over the last week the very positive development of hostages coming home, being reunited with their families, and that should continue today. in gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues, the un says more aid needs to get in urgently. the ceasefire has stretched into another day, but palestinians wonder for how much longer it will last. hugo bachega, bbc news, jerusalem. the uk is to send a second warship to the gulf in response to rising tensions in the middle east. defence secretary grant shap said it was critical of the uk bolsters our presence in the region. in addition, a uk led task forces to soon begin patrols from the english channel to the baltic sea to protect europe �*s critical undersea cables. uk's critical undersea cables. uk�*s last open cast coal mine are set to close today, more than a year after mining there was due to end. there are concerns that the company that runs the site in merthyr tydfil could walk away without cleaning it up. it is roughly the size of 400 football pitches, which will cost an estimated 120,000,000— football pitches, which will cost an estimated 120,000,000- £170 football pitches, which will cost an estimated 120,000,000— £170 million. the site operator says it is speaking with the council. and the company which makes more than half the uk�*s disposable rates is axing a number of sweet flavours, which have been criticised for appealing to children. elfbar also joined calls for tougher restrictions on vape sales ahead of a government consultation on new regulations for the industry, on new regulations for the industry. councils have called for an outright ban on disposable rates. let�*s bring you right up to date with what has happened today at the covid inquiry. we have been hearing, of course, from matt hancock, and a two of his evidence. here he was leaving a short time ago. he was health secretary throughout the pandemic until he resigned in 2021. he will be back to give more evidence tomorrow, but today, he did say that the lockdown could and should have come sooner. i am lewis vaughanjones, and this is bbc news. this is bbc news, the headlines 0ur made headlines this half hour, the former health secretary matt hancock defences role during the pandemic and tells the word or inquiry lockdown should have been introduced earlier. the us secretary of state process for a truce extension as hamas releases two more hostages but many still wait to hear. shane macgowan, who transformed irish traditional music has died at the age of 65. and alistair darling, the labour politician who was a transfer during the 2008 global financial crash, dies at the age of 70.