waiting for supplies in gaza. lam anna i am anna foster live in east jerusalem where worshippers arriving for the first friday prayers of ramadan against the backdrop of the war in gaza and israel says ceasefire talks from hamas make impossible demands. and at the princess diana legacy award ceremony in london — both her sons make an appearance — but not together. hello i'm azadeh moshiri, welcome to the programme. we begin in russia, where voting is under way in presidential elections, which will almost certainly see vladimir putin extend his quarter of a century in power. the process began in russia's far east several hours ago — these

pictures are from vladivostock. and let's bring you some pictures live from a polling station in moscow. now, there is the potential for a run—off vote if no candidate wins more than 50% in the first round. but, with many of mr putin's opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that vladimir putin will be re—elected, without the need for that second ballot. our russia editor, steve rosenberg has more on the issues surrounding this election. these days, when vladimir ovchinnikov paints russia, the result is very dark. from a mountain of skulls and a dictator's ambition... to this — russia's war in ukraine likened to stalin's terror. the 86—year—old artist had taken his anti—war message onto the streets of borovsk, graffiti—ing, "stop the war." all these paintings were scrubbed out and vladimir fined twice for discrediting the russian army. but he continues to speak out against the invasion of ukraine.

translation: i believe that this is a crime against the territorial i integrity of a neighbouring country. it's a crime. and if i keep silent about it, it's like i'm condoning it. last month, after the death in prison of opposition leader alexei navalny, vladimir went into town. on this memorial to victims of political oepression, he painted mr navalny�*s face. it was quickly erased. but vladimir has created this navalny portrait at home. translation: where is russia heading? . some say we're on our way more repression. totalitarianism and to full dictatorship. but there is another picture of russia. one much brighter. the official version.

the picture the authorities want russians to see is not of a country that is aggressive abroad and repressive at home, but a russia with a glorious past and a bright future. of heroes and patriots who not only love their country but also their current president. instead of dictatorship, it's devotion to the leader on state tv, and an action man president flying high and on course for an election landslide. mind you, vladimir putin faces no serious challenge. his fiercest critics are in excile or in prison, or in alexei navalny�*s case, dead. it's absolutely impossible to say about our presidential election that this election is fair and free. politician boris nadezhdin was barred from running in the election. he claims it was because his anti—war message was growing too popular with the public. in russia we have propaganda

and we have a myth that everybody in russia supports putin and everybody in russia supports the special military operation. it's really not the fact and my election campaign shows that a lot of people against putin's politics and a lot of people against the special military operation. but he's on the ballot. although when i caught up with the communist candidate nikolai kharitonov, he praised putin. "vladimir putin," he said, "is consolidating the nation for victory." and back in borovsk, many seem to believe that. "i hope putin wins," ludmilla says. "although we do have talented leaders who could run the country in an emergency." a putin—less russia means an emergency? now that is a picture

the kremlin will be more than happy to see painted. steve rosenberg, bbc news, borovsk. let's speak to vitaly shevchenko, russia editor with bbc monitoring. thank russia editor with bbc monitoring. you forjoining. reporting thank you forjoining. we have been reporting there is no credible opposition, could you tell us more about how that came about? it is the result of 20 — about how that came about? it is the result of 20 years _ about how that came about? it is the result of 20 years of _ about how that came about? it is the result of 20 years of vladimir - result of 20 years of vladimir putin's rule. it started off as a fledgling democracy after the break—up of the soviet union. but the fact is now that russia's political landscape is barren and bleak and there are no effective or popular figures bleak and there are no effective or popularfigures in russia who bleak and there are no effective or popular figures in russia who could realistically challenge vladimir putin. there are four candidates on the ballot but he is head and shoulders above the other three and from that point of view he is

guaranteed to win. so the selection, it is not really going to change anything in practical terms. but for vladimir putin, it is a way of legitimising his continued rule or validating his policies and that is why this time around it is the first time russians will be voting for three days, which is going to make it easierfor officials to three days, which is going to make it easier for officials to provide high turnout figures. find it easier for officials to provide high turnout figures. and when we seak of high turnout figures. and when we speak of opposition _ high turnout figures. and when we speak of opposition it _ high turnout figures. and when we speak of opposition it is _ high turnout figures. and when we speak of opposition it is hard - high turnout figures. and when we speak of opposition it is hard not l speak of opposition it is hard not to think of alex mack, one of the most prominent opposition figures who is now dead. what have we had from his widow about these elections. from his widow about these elections-— from his widow about these elections-_ elections. alexei navalny's suworters _ elections. alexei navalny's supporters have _ elections. alexei navalny's supporters have been - elections. alexei navalny's. supporters have been called elections. alexei navalny's- supporters have been called to come to polling stations on sunday, the third and final day of the voting. and she urged them to just be there,

if they want to, they can vote. if they don't want to vote they can just be there and see each other and show how many of them there are. but that's precisely the problem his wife and the position in russia is facing at the moment. this is pretty much all they can do is just be there without actively voicing their opposition to vladimir putin and his policies. because if they start doing that they become a target and they face fines, time in prison or worse in alexei navalny's case. thank you for the context. let's speak to natasha lindstaedt, professor in the department of government at the university of essex. she has been studying these issues closely. thank you forjoining us. we have talked about the opposition the with our correspondence and the

lack of opposition in fact. what work has been done this time round to project legitimacy to these elections?— to project legitimacy to these elections? , . . , ., elections? they change the rules of the constitution _ elections? they change the rules of the constitution to _ elections? they change the rules of the constitution to make _ elections? they change the rules of the constitution to make it - elections? they change the rules of the constitution to make it more i the constitution to make it more difficult for any candidate who has lived in the west to run. so their constitution is that you have to be over 35 years, that didn't change, but you can't have live somewhere else, have a residency permit in a foreign country or citizenship in a foreign country or citizenship in a foreign country or citizenship in a foreign country and you have to have been a resident of russia for at least 25 years. so that is a big change. it has also been difficult for anyone to run because of the vetting process, the way they vet candidates. they can decide, the kremlin can decide who can run and you cannot run and you have to game a certain amount of signatures if you are not in a party that is within the duma, which has to be

vetted by the kremlin. it is incredibly difficult for anyone to run, but particularly anyone who putin views as a credible member of the opposition, some sort of threat. on top of that, there has been a huge amount of propaganda abouti billion euros spent on propaganda in the lead up. you billion euros spent on propaganda in the lead un— billion euros spent on propaganda in the lead via-— the lead up. you have studied the russian landscape _ the lead up. you have studied the russian landscape very _ the lead up. you have studied the russian landscape very closely, . the lead up. you have studied the i russian landscape very closely, what image is vladimir putin trying to project here and visit resonating with russians? for project here and visit resonating with russians?— with russians? for putin it is important — with russians? for putin it is important to _ with russians? for putin it is important to project - with russians? for putin it is important to project an - with russians? for putin it is| important to project an image with russians? for putin it is . important to project an image of strength and he is the defender of greater russia. a russia that would include parts of ukraine and that the break—up of the soviet union was the break—up of the soviet union was the greatest catastrophe, of course, in their history. and russians need a strong president and he is the man for thejob and he really a strong president and he is the man for the job and he really should a strong president and he is the man for thejob and he really should be in power indefinitely. he has changed the constitution in order to do that. the amount of propaganda that russians receive, i have

already mentioned the amount that has been spent but the speed and intensity of the propaganda that they receive is something we haven't seenin they receive is something we haven't seen in some time now. it will either confuse russians or it will mobilise them to be nationalistic, more nationalistic than ever. it is moving in a more totalitarian direction. moving in a more totalitarian direction-— moving in a more totalitarian direction. ~ . ., ,, ., ., direction. we are talking about a otential direction. we are talking about a potential six _ direction. we are talking about a potential six more _ direction. we are talking about a potential six more years - direction. we are talking about a potential six more years in - direction. we are talking about a l potential six more years in power. when you look at history and compare him to former leaders, how strong is his grip on power? he him to former leaders, how strong is his grip on power?— his grip on power? he has a huge i ri . his grip on power? he has a huge tl’la on his grip on power? he has a huge grip on power— his grip on power? he has a huge grip on power in _ his grip on power? he has a huge grip on power in russia, - his grip on power? he has a huge grip on power in russia, he - his grip on power? he has a huge grip on power in russia, he is - his grip on power? he has a huge grip on power in russia, he is a l grip on power in russia, he is a personal list dictator and he has the power in his hands, and there isn't any other actor who can challenge him, he has weakened the military, the legislator and the judiciary, which is all under his thumb. if we can compare him to other leaders in history, he's moving towards josef

other leaders in history, he's moving towardsjosef stalin. that seems to be the direction he moving in. ., ~' , ., seems to be the direction he moving in. . ,, i. seems to be the direction he moving in. thank you so much for all of that insight. — in. thank you so much for all of that insight, as _ in. thank you so much for all of that insight, as well _ in. thank you so much for all of that insight, as well as - in. thank you so much for all of that insight, as well as your - in. thank you so much for all of i that insight, as well as your time. let's take you to the middle east now and for all the latest here's my colleague anna foster. welcome to eastjerusalem and damascus gate. it is the first friday prayers of ramadan, a time and place which is tense at moments like this. i'm looking at the worshippers arriving but a large number of israeli security forces here. they have set up a perimeter that goes out a distance from here at damascus gate and of those worshippers, they have come to checkpoint. they shouldn't be anybody here between the ages of ten and 50, they have been strict on

numbers on the type of people who can come here because they are concerned this could reflect on what has happened in previous years and we could see valid classes at this location. but so far, everything has been peaceful as people come to pray. one of the interesting lines from here overnight, what seems like a bit of movement in the ceasefire agreement talks between israel and gaza, now this is something at times really seems to have stalled. we had last night that while tacro had put forward, adapted, let's say, a proposal with some changes in it. israel said they were still unrealistic demands when it came to that. but they are convening with the war cabinet and the security cabinet today in order to discuss those proposals. there was of course, a real push, an international push to try and have some humanitarian ceasefire agreement on the way by ramadan. but that was always the date they were

moving towards. but that didn't happen as planned and we have several days into ramadan. and this is an important scene we are seeing. and they have been looking at what is happening in gaza and it has changed the complexion of the celebration here. i have been talking to a former imam of al aqsa mosque where people are going to in bethlehem and he explained a little more about what brings people to pray inside this place come inside the city walls, which is the third holiest mosque in islam. all muslims all over the world, they are called from muhammad to go to al—aqsa mosque. they are reading in the koran that there is a mosque called al—aqsa mosque under israeli occupation. and so we hope to go. i was imam in al—aqsa

mosque, and i was arrested from there several times, and i am prevented from going there. so from bethlehem, if you go to a hill, you can see al—aqsa mosque from the hill. here to the border of... ..our border of bethlehem, only one kilometer, you will be injerusalem, if you can. but the walls stop you, the checkpoints stop you, the soldiers stop you. you need special permission. special permission only from the israeli security. the israeli security doesn't give anyone. in gaza are the humanitarian crisis remains and we have been following the progress of bringing aid. it is a big barge of about 208 of on this barge and it is the first time that it will arrive to gaza by sea. it has been fairly slow progress but we

know that ship is visible off the coast of gaza. whether or not it will try and talk on the temporary peer today whether, because it will be a delicate and difficult operation, whether they wait until tomorrow to give themselves the full day of daylight is yet to be seen. there are logistical challenges when it comes to unloading and then safely distributing the aid. humanitarian organisations and politicians around the world, the international community have set bringing aid by sea and air is no substitute to actually bringing in the amount of aid that is required by land. so much more to come from here in eastjerusalem to the day and bbc news. back to you now. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. prime minister rishi sunak rules out holding a general election on the 2nd of may, when voters will go to the polls for local elections in england. the prime minister had previously

refused to rule out the possibility of a spring election, but said his "working assumption" is that an election would be held in the second half of the year. mps will get a 5.5% pay rise from april — meaning their annual salary will increase to over £91,000. the independent parliamentary standards authority says the decision was in line with the award recently agreed for senior civil servants, adding that it aims to be "fair, both for mps and the public". food delivery firm hellofresh denies taking subscriptions from customers who say they had cancelled their accounts. some customers say their accounts reactivated with money taken for orders they had not made. they believe thatjust logging on to the app reactivated their accounts, but hellofresh says money was taken only when customers made a quote "proactive decision" to do so. you're live with bbc news. here in the uk, the conservatives are under fresh pressure over ties to a party donor at the centre of a racism row. the party has refused to confirm,

or deny, reports that the donor has reportedly given more money to the party, than was known publicly. frank hester has apologised for what he called being "rude" about the mp, diane abbott, but said his comments were nothing to do with skin colour. let's speak to our political correspondent, hannah miller. more pressure on the prime minister? yes, so far the conservatives have neither confirmed or denied this. they say they declare rebel donations will be declared in the usual way. we also know that frank esther donated £10 million to the party last year. that is around a fifth of the total donations to the conservative party. it is a substantial chunk of money and then another media company are reporting that frank hester has donated another £5 million earlier this year. as i say, we won't know for certain until that is reported officially and recorded injune. but

it does sound like the party haven't taken the opportunity to diane billy monger deny that an frank heser has said he will continue to donate to the party as long as it helps rishi sunak. there is no question, given all the publicity there has been around this whether it is necessary the health of the party to be receiving money from him, even if it helped financially, there are big political questions here. what helped financially, there are big political questions here. what about the demands _ political questions here. what about the demands for _ political questions here. what about the demands for them _ political questions here. what about the demands for them to _ political questions here. what about the demands for them to give - political questions here. what about the demands for them to give the i the demands for them to give the money back, what have they said about that? the money back, what have they said about that?— about that? the views amongst conservative _ about that? the views amongst conservative mps _ about that? the views amongst conservative mps are _ about that? the views amongst conservative mps are quite - about that? the views amongst. conservative mps are quite mixed. there is definitely some unease on the back benches, as well as a few conservatives going on the record and saying the money should be given back. andy street, the mayor of the west midlands and the former party chair sadie he have said they would give the money back. douglas ross, the leader of the scottish conservatives have said the

donations should be looked at. other mps say that frank apologised and that apology should be accepted. i think the question is, if he continues to give even more, does the party continue to accept these donations? indications are they would, but that will create quite a political row. would, but that will create quite a political rom— political row. quickly, ruling out otential political row. quickly, ruling out potential early _ political row. quickly, ruling out potential early election, - political row. quickly, ruling out potential early election, the - political row. quickly, ruling out. potential early election, the prime minister has given us some news of a new date? , ~ , new date? yes, the prime minister was asked when _ new date? yes, the prime minister was asked when he _ new date? yes, the prime minister was asked when he was _ new date? yes, the prime minister was asked when he was in - was asked when he was in gloucestershire yesterday about a general election on the same day as the local elections, which is made the local elections, which is made the second. there has been growing speculation around that because had he chosen to have an election then he chosen to have an election then he would have had to say so within the next couple of weeks. he has ruled that out, that specific date of made a second. not said anything further other than his working

assumption is the second half of this year. lots of people suspect that perhaps means the autumn or heading into the winter. so still no exact clarity on when the general election will be but rishi sunak seems to be sticking to that idea that it will be in the second half of this year. that it will be in the second half of this year-— that it will be in the second half of this year. that it will be in the second half ofthis ear. ., ,, . ., of this year. thank you so much and there is much _ of this year. thank you so much and there is much more _ of this year. thank you so much and there is much more on _ of this year. thank you so much and there is much more on that - of this year. thank you so much and there is much more on that on - of this year. thank you so much and there is much more on that on the l there is much more on that on the bbc news website. ajury in michigan has found the father of a teenager who carried out a deadly school shooting — guilty of involuntary manslaughter. james crumbley was found to have partial responsibility for giving his son ethan access to the gun he used to kill four people at the oxford high school. ethan has already been sentenced to life without parole. with the story — here's nicky schiller. this mass shooting happened in november 2021 when then 15—year—old ethan crumbley opened fire at his school in michigan, killing four

fellow students aged 1a, 16 and 217—year—olds. seven other people were injured. he was sentenced to life without parole in december but his 47—year—old father, james, was put on trial for involuntary manslaughter. the trial heard that he had ignored his son's mental health needs and bought him the gun that was used in the attackjust days before the shooting. his lawyers argued that he had no idea that his son was having a tough time, orwhat that his son was having a tough time, or what he was planning. however, prosecutors argued the attack was both preventable and also foreseeable. thejury attack was both preventable and also foreseeable. the jury debated their verdicts forjust over a day and this is the moment they were read out in court. this is the moment they were read out in court-— out in court. count one, in voluntary _ out in court. count one, in voluntary manslaughter, l out in court. count one, in - voluntary manslaughter, guilty of involuntary manslaughter. count two, involuntary manslaughter. count two, in voluntary manslaughter, guilty of

involuntary manslaughter.— involuntary manslaughter. james crumbly showing _ involuntary manslaughter. james crumbly showing little _ involuntary manslaughter. james crumbly showing little emotion i involuntary manslaughter. james| crumbly showing little emotion as the verdicts were read out. his wife jennifer was also convicted of the same charges at an earlier trial. both are due to be sentenced next month and face up to 60 years in prison. they are the first parents to be charged with manslaughter over a child's role in a shooting. lawyers for the victims of the family say their children will never be brought back but this does mark a moment of accountability. at the end of another difficult week for the royal family, both the prince of wales and the duke of sussex took part in an event paying tribute to their late mother last night — but did not appear together. prince william was at the "diana legacy award" ceremony in london, while harryjoined later via video call — after his brother had left. our correspondent sophie long has more. there was a time on a night like

this that the prince of wales would have had his brother by his side. not now. with the divide between them as deep as ever, william attended the diana awards alone. i am thoroughly delighted, as always, to be here to recognise the transformational achievements of 20 exceptional young people from across the world. each and every one of their stories, which you will hear shortly, a testament to the character, their passion and their determination to make a lasting and meaningful difference to the lives of others. his meaningful difference to the lives of others. , ., ,, of others. his royal highness presented — of others. his royal highness presented the _ of others. his royal highness presented the prestigious - of others. his royal highness i presented the prestigious diana legacy award to young change—makers from all over the world who selflessly created positive social change. many of the recipients weren't born until after his mother was tragically killed in a car crash. now, they are proudly part of her legacy. she crash. now, they are proudly part of her lea . ,, , , crash. now, they are proudly part of herleua .. , , . crash. now, they are proudly part of her legacy-— her legacy. she is very much loved in niceria her legacy. she is very much loved in nigeria and _ her legacy. she is very much loved in nigeria and her— her legacy. she is very much loved in nigeria and her legacy _

her legacy. she is very much loved l in nigeria and her legacy transcends generations. my generation, we have social media and we get to read about her and she was about to do so much. we love her so much, we can do so much more. much. we love her so much, we can do so much more-— so much more. prince william laughed and 'oked so much more. prince william laughed and joked with — so much more. prince william laughed and joked with the _ so much more. prince william laughed and joked with the winners, _ so much more. prince william laughed and joked with the winners, showing i and joked with the winners, showing little sign of strain amid the health issues facing his father and his wife, catherine. after william had left, his brother harry congratulated the winners from california via video phone. mr; congratulated the winners from california via video phone. my mum would be incredibly _ california via video phone. my mum would be incredibly proud _ california via video phone. my mum would be incredibly proud of- california via video phone. my mum would be incredibly proud of all- california via video phone. my mum would be incredibly proud of all the| would be incredibly proud of all the work you _ would be incredibly proud of all the work you have done. i am incredibly proud _ work you have done. i am incredibly proud and _ work you have done. i am incredibly proud and thank you for doing everything that you do. a proud and thank you for doing everything that you do. a sign that des - ite everything that you do. a sign that despite their _ everything that you do. a sign that despite their differences, - everything that you do. a sign that despite their differences, the - everything that you do. a sign that despite their differences, the two l despite their differences, the two brothers remain committed to honouring their late mother's efforts to empower young people. but also that any chance of resolving the rift between them remains remote, too. sophie long, bbc news, london.

outdoor tennis can sometimes be stopped by rain — but players at the 'indian wells open' had a rather different problem on thursday when a swarm of bees forced their match to be suspended. carlos alcaraz and alexander zverev had only been on court for a few minutes, when the insects buzzed across the court in california. the players and officials took shelter in the changing rooms — the spectators did their best to stay safe — and eventually, the swarm 'buzzed off�*. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. well, it's still unsettled today in through the weekend, so there will be further outbreaks of rain to come at times. but today, something a little cooler and a bit brighter emerging from the north and the west as we head through the afternoon,

as low pressure starts to drag these weather fronts further southwards and eastwards. so some sunny spells emerging across northern ireland through the afternoon and also across parts of western scotland. but there'll also be some showers here just moving through on that now, northerly to north westerly wind. further south across much of england and wales for the second half of the day, it's a mixture of clouds, some brighter spells and possibly some heavy, even thundery downpours. the thunder most likely across central southern england and east anglia for the second half of the day. temperatures are lower across the board than they were yesterday, with that colder air sinking further southwards and eastwards. and that process continues overnight tonight. still a hang back of cloud across many parts of eastern england, this will help to keep the temperatures probably in mid single figures here. but there will be a touch of frost developing across northern england and scotland and a bit of frost probably for at least part of the night across northern ireland as well. with lighter winds, there'll also be some mist and some fog forming perhaps, too. and then into tomorrow when we look out towards the south and the west again to find another set of weather

fronts, gradually sweeping eastwards, introducing more cloud and some outbreaks of rain, but probably dry for much of the day across eastern scotland and down through eastern england with some sunshine hazy at times. but turning wet through the afternoon for western spots — again, it's mild with now that south—westerly wind blowing all of these fronts further northwards and eastwards as we head through the night. now there will be some heavy rain through the night across southern areas of england, probably lingering on into sunday morning as well. we've still got that south—westerly flow so the air is going to be really quite mild again. but a lot of cloud around on sunday, some brighter spells developing perhaps particularly towards the east as we head towards the end of the day. some showers moving across northern ireland and western scotland and we'll be turning quite windy across the northern isles again. it's mild highs of around 13 to 16 degrees celsius for the vast majority. and we are set to keep the same sort of conditions as we head into the start of next week. monday could be mostly dry with a few showers. we'll be keeping that mild air again on tuesday. bye— bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines: polls open in russia — in an election which vladimir putin is bound to win — securing another six years in power. hope on the horizon — an aid ship towing food approaches gaza.

and at the princess diana legacy award ceremony in london — both her sons make an appearance — but not together. let's return to our top story today — the people of russia are going to the polls for the presidential elections — where the incumbent, vladimir putin, is all but certain to emerge victorious and extend his term in power by a further six years. our russia editor, steve rosenberg, is following developments in moscow. vladimir putin has been in power a long time, right, 25 years almost as president or prime minister. and he's expected to win a fifth presidential term. now, this whole event, this three—day event, which starts today, is being presented by the russian authorities almost as a celebration of democracy. the kremlin just a few days ago described russian democracy as the best democracy in the world. critics of the kremlin would disagree and would say