the conservatives say they want to update equality laws to define sex as someone�*s biological sex. they say current confusion over definitions cannot be allowed to continue, and updating the law would make biological sex a protected characteristic. that means it would be easier to create protected spaces for women and girls. labour say they wouldn't amend the law, and accuse the conservatives of stoking a culture war. here's alex forsyth. flanked by young footballers, the prime minister claimed today he was tackling an issue to improve the safety of women and girls. the conservatives want to change the equality act so sex would mean biological sex. they say that would make it clearer that single sex spaces, from public toilets to refuges, can be for biological women and girls only, not those born male, even they have legally changed their sex on their birth certificate. the equalities minister claims this is necessary because there has been confusion and legal challenges over the issue. we have, you know, rapists being put in women's prisons and that being said to be legal. we can'tjust leave this and say, "oh, well, you know, we'lljust put out some more guidance." we've put out the guidance, it's not working, people going to court, endless tribunals. we need to settle this once and for all. labour point out there is already provision for single sex spaces. they would issue more guidance, but claim the tories are just trying to divert attention. we've seen, whether it's through this or national service, i think an attempt by the conservatives to generate some debates which are not about the economy, or the nhs, or law and order and criminaljustice to move away from those issues where the conservatives have an appalling record. even the lib dems, no stranger to political stunts of their own, called this a distraction to stoke a culture war. where a public service needs to have further guidance, we are happy to issue that guidance, but let's not pick apart legislation that reflects the hard—fought and hard—won protections given to women, to trans women, and to all sorts of people from protected characteristics. the conservatives have been accused of trying to stoke tensions, not least in other political parties. they say it's a point of principle. this is a complex and sensitive area that can involve balancing the rights of those involved, and it's already been proven this issue is not easy to navigate. tensions were brought to the fore when the scottish government tried to change the law to make it easier for people to change their legal sex, only to be blocked by uk ministers. now the tories say decisions on this issue should be taken in westminster — not something welcomed by the snp. it's just another example of undermining the powers of the scottish parliament. now, obviously i don't want to see that, because i believe we should have a parliament with the full range of powers to tackle all of the issues that affect the people of scotland. so, a policy change that's needed, or an issue being used as a political football? another point of contention in this campaign. alex forsyth, bbc news. the liberal democrats have called for new protections for rivers and coastlines, to end what they call "environmental vandalism". the party has announced an expansion of marine protected areas and a new blue flag status for rivers, which will be included in its general election manifesto. the lib dems�* deputy leader daisy cooper has been campaining in henley—on—thames in oxfordshire. the fact is that there's been this absolute environmental catastrophe of raw sewage being pumped into our rivers and streams for far too long now. liberal democrats have been at the forefront of trying to call for an end to water sewage dumping for the last three years. we put out lots of incredibly bold proposals to tax the sewage companies so they can pay for the clear up. we've called for an end to sewage dumping, and today we are calling for blue flag status. we've had blue flag status for many of our beaches around the country, which is a guarantee to people that it's a safe place to swim. we think there should be the same for our rivers, as well. it’s a same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid _ same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid class, _ same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid class, while - same for our rivers, as well. it's a little bit mid class, while swimming in the thames, but it's an indication of the quality of the water? h indication of the quality of the water? ~ , indication of the quality of the water? ~' , , , , water? i think will be surprised, there are people _ water? i think will be surprised, there are people across - water? i think will be surprised, there are people across the - water? i think will be surprised, . there are people across the country that use our lakes and rivers for fishing, swimming, for walking the dog, just for pure enjoyment, and a walk may be at the weekend. it doesn't matter where you are in the country, everything a person is outraged about this scandal with raw sewage. the fact that people cherish our local environment, it's good for your mental and physical health to get out and about, and i think people want to see in and to this raw sewage dumping. —— and and two. research by leading pollsters yougov indicates that labour are on track for victory, with an even bigger landslide than their historic win in 1997. their polling suggests that the conservatives are set to have the lowest number of mps in over a century — naming jacob rees—mogg, penny mordaunt, and grant shapps among those who could lose their seats. so what does this poll tell us? patrick english is the director of political analytics at yougov. if the election was being held right now, and people had the current vote intentions for and what they were telling us was a reflection of what would happen at the ballot box, then labour would be on course for an historic win, the kind of when they've never seen before. they would have 422 constituencies, while the conservatives would be reduced down to mo. it's quite a remarkable turnaround, cast our minds back to only a few years ago and boris johnson was sauntering down with a huge majority of seats for every single day of the year. we are saying that in the course of one parliament, not only have labour managed to reduce that majority to nothing, and have a majority of their own of that size, but they've gone even further, doubling the majority of the size borisjohnson was able to put together, and putting a coalition for notjust the five years, but a decade of renewal planned that keir starmer has been talking about on the campaign trail. patrick english there. the israeli army has confirmed the deaths of four hostages abducted by hamas on october 7th. one of them was named as israeli—british man nadav popplewell. hamas had said last month he had died of wounds. 120 hostages remain unaccounted for. work has begun today on the rob burrow centre for motor neurone disease — as tributes continue to pour in for the former rugby league star, who died yesterday aged ai. gfx fans have been laying flowers and cards at headingley stadium, where he played for leeds rhinos before his diagnosis with motor neurone disease five years ago. john maguire has this report. two, one... cheering and applause it's the moment that rob burrow was determined would go ahead today without delay. a spade went into the ground for the first time to create the motor neurone disease centre in leeds that will bear his name. along with rob's family was his former team—mate kevin sinfield. between them, they've raised almost £15 million. some of that money will help to build this centre. it will be rob's legacy. i wish he could have seen the outpouring of love. i think we all lose special people, but it's very, very rare you lose someone who is so special to so many different people. rob's family say this new facility meant the world to him, and despite this being such a difficult day, it's a very proud moment. it's just amazing to be here today for rob. he'll be flying the flag, and we'll beat the drum, and we will keep doing it, raising money, and we will get a cure. not just the care centre - but a breakthrough for people with mnd so it's not the hell on earth that it's been. - rob played a part in designing the centre purpose—built and a one—stop shop for patients and theirfamilies. well, in the hours since rob's death, the tributes have built and built here at headingley. he played for the leeds rhinos 400 times during his career and won absolutely everything there was to win. lots of shirts, flowers, scarves, and in particular this one seems to be the perfect sentiment. it says he was a legend on the pitch and a hero off it. the centre in his name will stand testament to his life, defined by determination and by defiance. john maguire, bbc news, leeds. and you can watch a bbc special programme about rob tonight on bbc one, at 8.30pm. that documentary�*s called there's only one rob burrow. officers have arrested two men wanted by the french authorities over the death a young girl who was attempting to cross the channel in a small boat. seven—year—old sara died after boarding the vessel on a beach in northern france, on 23 april. the boat continued on into uk waters and those on board were brought to shore. the pair, sudanese nationals aged 19 and 2a, were detained in london. they are wanted by the french authorities on suspicion of causing the death. hm revenue and customs has apologised after about half a million people went without their child benefit payment today. they now say those who didn't get there benefit will receive it on wednesday. about 30% of today's scheduled payments didn't go through. many parents took to social media to complain about the missing payments, with some saying its left them unable to buy food. despite the wet and dull conditions some of the uk has been having, it turns out it has been the warmest may — and spring — since records began in 1884. so how has this happened? bbc weather�*s ben rich gave me some clarity on these record—breaking temperatures. yes, it has been the warmest spring on record, the warmest may on record. it's also been the six the wettest spring on record. so how's all that happened to? well, a few different things. one thing about may particularly as we've had some high temperatures in the north of the uk, so temperatures in scotland have been well above the previous records will stop so obviously, we take an average across the uk, temperatures in one part of the uk will push that whole average upwards. but the other thing we've seen this spring, and this has been a future right across the spring really, is some really warm nights —— a feature. we haven't had many cold nights. spring is a transition season, the transition from winter towards summer, it's not summer yet — of course we still get cold nights in spring, but we haven't seen many of those. now one thing — a lot of things that people have been asking me, how is it so warm in spite of all that cloud and rain? cloudy weather at night keeps the temperatures up, the cloud act like a blanket. so partly because of that cloud, we've had some really warm nights pushing those averages up overall. since russia's full—scale invasion of ukraine, the crackdown on dissent inside russia has been intense, and getting worse. a string of repressive laws have been adopted to silence criticism of the war, and the kremlin. but, as steve rosenberg reports, some russians are still finding ways to express their deep concerns. there are some faces you expect to see now in any russian town. but there are faces, too, that may surprise you. in ivanovo, this is the george orwell library — an oasis of free thought in an increasingly repressive russia. alexandra runs the library, which opened after the invasion of ukraine. there are books on russia's totalitarian past and dystopian novels about big brother controlling you. so, what are the lessons of orwell�*s 1984 for russia 202a? translation: that mankind must resist total control, _ total brainwashing. that everyone can protect their personal space and freedom if they understand what's going on around them, if they want to be free and have the will. there are talks, too. this one on how to overcome a sense of helplessness. lectures and literature encouraging russians to think about what's happening in their country. the library insists it's not breaking any laws, but the subject matter here is very sensitive. any honest discussion about russia's past or present can bring trouble — and trouble they have. the local businessman who's been funding the project has fled abroad, wanted by police. now the library has been told to vacate the building. but most people in ivanovo pass the library by, for a variety of reasons. in the city centre, a big band, but no talk of big brother. some here embrace the direction in which russia is moving. "we are growing more independent," vladimir says, "less reliant on the west." "we are making progress," says natalia. "as putin says, it's a new stage for russia." and russia's war in ukraine? "i don't watch anything about that now," nina says, "it's too upsetting." i find that, for many russians, it's too distressing to even contemplate that what is happening today carries the risk of a dystopian tomorrow. steve rosenberg, bbc news, ivanovo. time now to digest the day's election campaigning — and there's a lot to digest today — here's newscast — with adam fleming and the team. chris, let me get this straight. i can't see anyone, but you can see both me and alex forsyth?- both me and alex forsyth? that's riaht, both me and alex forsyth? that's right. although — both me and alex forsyth? that's right, although that's _ both me and alex forsyth? that's right, although that's only - both me and alex forsyth? that'sl right, although that's only because i was sent a little picture of the two of you. just remind me what you look like with you and your studio, and alex in hers, and me in mind. we last saw each other on thursday, you've forgotten already?- last saw each other on thursday, you've forgotten already? know, i “ust like you've forgotten already? know, i just like to — you've forgotten already? know, i just like to be _ you've forgotten already? know, i just like to be reassured. - you've forgotten already? know, i just like to be reassured. what. you've forgotten already? know, i | just like to be reassured. what was that came just like to be reassured. what was that game you _ just like to be reassured. what was that game you play _ just like to be reassured. what was that game you play where - just like to be reassured. what was that game you play where you - just like to be reassured. what wasj that game you play where you have to lie in the dark? i that game you play where you have to lie in the dark?— lie in the dark? i don't know what came lie in the dark? i don't know what game you're _ lie in the dark? i don't know what game you're talking _ lie in the dark? i don't know what game you're talking about, - lie in the dark? i don't know what game you're talking about, i - lie in the dark? i don't know what| game you're talking about, i don't know where you're going with it. less _ know where you're going with it. less about — know where you're going with it. less about your weekend. a game where ou less about your weekend. a game where you can't — less about your weekend. a game where you can't shout _ less about your weekend. a game where you can't shout over - less about your weekend. a game where you can't shout over each . where you can't shout over each other, but you can't see anyone else? basically that's what this podcast will be light, people who can't see each other having to talk in sequence. but the main subject will be nigel farage's — i can even say his name, his return of his return. his upgrade of his return. he's a master of the political theatre, farage. i interviewed him less than a week ago, it was last tuesday? it was last tuesday where he said, "i'm not standing, there's no point it's too late, you have to spend six months working a seat, bob loblaw," and kept talking about how his eye was being drawn across the atlantic towards the presidential race in autumn. a week later, he's running, and oh, he's the leader of reform uk! and that means he'll get more profile and a greater platform during the campaign, as opposed to being honorific precedent, which was his title prior to today. he is grab the attention last week, his grubby attention today. he is grab the attention last week, his grubby attention today. he he is grab the attention last week, his grubby attention today. he will play a far bigger role in the next five and a bit weeks then he otherwise would've done. he was already playing quite a roll. we have loads _ already playing quite a roll. we have loads to talk about in this episode of newscast. hello, it's adam �*s the studio. hello, it's adam 's the studio. it's chris and hello, it's adam 's the studio. it�*s chris and salford. hello, it's adam 's the studio. it's chris and salford. alex in - chris and salford. alex in westminster. _ chris and salford. alex in westminster. before - chris and salford. alex in westminster. before we | chris and salford. alex in - westminster. before we dive into chris and salford. alex in _ westminster. before we dive into the niel westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage — westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, _ westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, what _ westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, what did - westminster. before we dive into the nigel farage news, what did you - westminster. before we dive into the | nigel farage news, what did you work on today, alex? h nigel farage news, what did you work on today. alex?— on today, alex? i was working on what the conservatives _ on today, alex? i was working on what the conservatives probably l what the conservatives probably wanted — what the conservatives probably wanted to talk about today before said nigel farage news, which is a plan that— said nigel farage news, which is a plan that the conservatives have come _ plan that the conservatives have come up — plan that the conservatives have come up with to rewrite the equality act, which _ come up with to rewrite the equality act, which was an act that dates back— act, which was an act that dates back to — act, which was an act that dates back to 2010 and effectively enshrines in the law the rights of some _ enshrines in the law the rights of some protected characteristics. one of them _ some protected characteristics. one of them is _ some protected characteristics. one of them is six, and what the conservatives have been saying is their— conservatives have been saying is their plan— conservatives have been saying is their plan is they want to change that to _ their plan is they want to change that to make it clear it refers to biological six, and the reason they say this— biological six, and the reason they say this is— biological six, and the reason they say this is needed is because they say this is needed is because they say it— say this is needed is because they say it will— say this is needed is because they say it will make it clear that single — say it will make it clear that single sets spaces, so think things like domestic abuse refuges or rape crisis _ like domestic abuse refuges or rape crisis centres or even public toilets, _ crisis centres or even public toilets, it— crisis centres or even public toilets, it will make it clear that they— toilets, it will make it clear that they can — toilets, it will make it clear that they ca