Good evening. Nurses have been told that their next strike is illegal, casting doubt over the planned walkouts. We also have the latest from the US, after Elon Musk's Starship rocket had an explosive end to its first launch.
Doubt over next planned nursing walkouts
Health officials have written to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) saying they have “clear legal advice” that the mandate for industrial action in England expires before the strikes end.
Our Health Editor Laura Donnelly writes that the 48-hour strike, planned from April 30 to May 2, is the most extreme in the union’s history, with A&E units, cancer services and intensive care units targeted at 130 NHS organisations.
But NHS Employers, a key party to pay negotiations, has written to the RCN to say it believes the mandate to strike expires 20 hours before the strikes end. The union has now hit back - read the full story to see the RCN's response.
Meanwhile, Lizzie Roberts reports that medical leaders have intervened in the junior doctor pay row and called for mediators to broker talks to end the strikes.
Elon Musk's Starship blows up after blast off
Elon Musk's Starship rocket blew up around four minutes after blasting off in an explosive end to its first launch.
Although the rocket stages failed to separate, the launch will be considered a success for SpaceX, heralding a new age of heavy space flight.
Mr Musk previously suggested the mission risked ending in a fireball, but said the launch would be considered a success if the Starship rocket managed to get off the launch pad.
The billionaire said the company had "learned a lot" from today's events for the "next test launch in a few months".
Find out what caused the rocket to blow up by reading our live blog - which also has pictures and video of the launch.
China 'snubbed Wagner weapon request', says Pentagon leak
Leaked intelligence has suggested that the Wagner group unsuccessfully asked China for supplies of weapons earlier this year. Representatives from the mercenary group - led by Vladimir Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin - reportedly “sought munitions and equipment” from China in “early 2023”.
William Nattrass writes that Putin’s propagandists are about to have a field day with the US intelligence leaks. It came as the US Treasury Secretary said that Joe Biden is prepared to accept damage to the American economy to protect the country from threats posed by China.
Meanwhile a whistleblower has claimed that the Biden administration is “interfering” with a criminal investigation into the President's son Hunter Biden.
Evening Briefing: Today's essential headlines
Dominic Raab | Rishi Sunak has received the independent report into bullying claims made against Dominic Raab, No 10 confirmed this morning. A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister is "considering" its findings.
- Paul O'Grady | Battersea dogs form guard of honour at funeral
- Royals | Duchess of York: I understand why I wasn’t invited to the Coronation
- Defence | MoD clashes with contractor over spiralling cost of new Royal Navy warships
- David Boyd | Killer of girl, seven, was able to evade justice for 30 years, court told
- Labour | John McDonnell and Lisa Nandy clash over attack adverts - watch
Comment and analysis
- Tom Harris | Rishi has played a masterstroke to stop the small boats
- Michael Deacon | The King should not apologise for slavery
- Ben Marlow | The Bank of England’s ineptitude has become humiliating
- Anne Jenkin | Online porn is warping an entire generation
- Tim Stanley | The Left’s attacks on Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News are shrouded in hypocrisy
World news: Cheerleaders shot in Texas after opening wrong car door
Two cheerleaders have been shot in a Texas carpark after opening the wrong car door. David Millward reports that the shooting was the third time in a week that young Americans have become victims of gun crime after making an innocent mistake.
Interview of the day
'Just ring my old man' – on the trail of the real Mark Williams
Snooker's biggest enigma opens the door on his storied career, with the assistance of his father, Dilwyn
Business news: Neil Woodford victims in line for £235m compensation payout
Victims of Neil Woodford’s investment empire collapse are in line to receive 77p in the pound in a deal which aims to conclude one of Britain's biggest investment scandals. Rachel Mortimer has more details on the deal.
Editor's choice
King and I | 'I invited Charles in for tea - and he accepted'
Health | Ozempic is poised to blow the diet industry apart
London | Has the capital peaked?
Sport news: Jack Nowell fined £10,000 for red card tweet and told to take referee's course
Jack Nowell has avoided a ban following his tweet questioning referee Karl Dickson but has been ordered to undertake a referee’s course and pay a £10,000 fine. Daniel Schofield and Charlie Morgan have more on the rugby player's punishment.
Three things for you
- TV | The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, ITVX
- Film | Hollywood has a mumbling problem – but has Amazon fixed it?
- Education | How to send your children to private school (without breaking the bank)
And finally... for this evening's downtime
Why this crossroads of cultures is Europe’s greatest island | With its charming old towns, exquisite cuisine and unmissable cultural sites, it is easy to see why this Mediterranean island topped our recent study.
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