india will vote in national elections from 19th april in the world's biggest democratic exercise. and i am injerusalem where there is a glimmer of progress. people in russia are going to the polls on the second day of voting in the presidential election. hello. we start in wales, where vaughan gething will become europe's first black leader, after winning the welsh labour leadership election. the outgoing first minister, mark drakeford, will step down from the post next week. mr gething was born in zambia and is a former solicitor. in his acceptance speech, he highlighted the historic nature of his win.

today, we turn a page in the book of our nation's history. a history that we write together. notjust because i have the honour of becoming the first black leader in any european country, but because a generational dial has jumped, too. devolution is not something i have had to get used to, or to apologise for. devolution, welsh solutions to welsh problems and opportunities, is in my blood. it is what i have always known through my adult political life. that's the same for a growing number of our citizens. i want us to use this moment as a starting point for a more confident march into the future. a march into the future on behalf of a generation that too often is being asked to pick up the pieces and the bill for those

who came before them. in wales it often takes the worst times to get the best out of us. in adversity, you can't match us. we will be there. fighting tooth and nail for the will be there. fighting tooth and nailfor the impossible will be there. fighting tooth and nail for the impossible to will be there. fighting tooth and nailfor the impossible to happen, for the underdog, for the oppressed. when your back is against the wall, you want welsh people by your side. we will be there. our wales correspondent, hywel griffith was watching the announcement. a two horse race where both men stuck rigidly to the centre but in the end of the new leader of the welsh labour was elected byjust under two 52% of the vote. vaughan gething, congratulations. after being responsible for health and the economy, vaughan gething will now take a big step up to become the first black first minister of wales.

today, we turn a page in the book of our nation's history. a history that we write together. notjust because i have the honour of becoming the first black leader in any european country, but because a generational dial has jumped, too. i want us to use this moment as a starting point for a more confident march into the future. a march into the future on behalf of a generation that too often is being asked to pick up the pieces and the bill for those who came before them. in his campaign video, he tackled theissue in his campaign video, he tackled the issue of race head on. he spoke about facing taunts as a teenager, and struggling against stereotypes as he entered student politics. the? as he entered student politics. they do damaue as he entered student politics. they do damage access, _ as he entered student politics. tie: do damage access, they too as he entered student politics. tie1: do damage access, they too cut people off. do damage access, they too cut peeple off-— people off. since entering the

senedd he — people off. since entering the senedd he has _ people off. since entering the senedd he has ruffled - people off. since entering the senedd he has ruffled a - people off. since entering the senedd he has ruffled a few l senedd he has ruffled a few feathers. . . senedd he has ruffled a few feathere— senedd he has ruffled a few feathers. . . , , ., feathers. vaughan gething is to turn his micmphone _ feathers. vaughan gething is to turn his microphone off! _ feathers. vaughan gething is to turn his microphone off! the _ feathers. vaughan gething is to turn his microphone off! the campaign i his microphone off! the campaign brou:ht his microphone off! the campaign brought controversy, _ his microphone off! the campaign brought controversy, too, - his microphone off! the campaign brought controversy, too, not - his microphone off! the campaign l brought controversy, too, not least a £200,000 donation from a company whose owner was prosecuted for dumping waste. i whose owner was prosecuted for dumping waste-— whose owner was prosecuted for dumping waste. i have always been scruulous dumping waste. i have always been scrupulous about _ dumping waste. i have always been scrupulous about following - dumping waste. i have always been scrupulous about following the - scrupulous about following the rules. it is an indivisible part of modern politics. imilli rules. it is an indivisible part of modern politics.— rules. it is an indivisible part of modern politics. will that convince his political— modern politics. will that convince his political rivals? _ modern politics. will that convince his political rivals? jeremy - modern politics. will that convince his political rivals? jeremy myles l his political rivals? jeremy myles left without speaking, but issued a statement stressing that the trust needed to be earned. ultimately, it will be up to the voters of wales to show how theyjudge the next first minister. a second day of voting is taking place in russia's presidential election. vladimir putin is expected to win a further six years in power, as his only serious opponents are either in prison, in exile, or dead. authorities in russia have called on security officers to be vigilant, after vandalism at some polling stations on friday. to discuss it, i am

joined by ben dubov, senior democratic resilience fellow at the centre for european policy. thank you very much for being with us. good morning to you there in washington. we have had lots of reporting about the election is over the last few days, predominantly that it the last few days, predominantly thatitis the last few days, predominantly that it is a foregone conclusion. why is the kremlin going through this process? everyone seems to know the outcome already.— the outcome already. thank you for havin: the outcome already. thank you for having me- — the outcome already. thank you for having me. putin _ the outcome already. thank you for having me. putin was _ the outcome already. thank you for having me. putin was actually - having me. putin was actually trained as a lawyer, and he has been meticulously legalistic in his approach to dismantling democracy in russia, so he actually initiated a constitutional referendum back in 2020, to change the constitution to allow for a third consecutive term of his serving as president. this is part of crafting an image of himself as a guarantor of order, as somebody

who actually abides by the law as compared to the lawless west, and with the result a foregone conclusion it also serves to reassert his role as the legitimate expression of the will of the russian people. flan expression of the will of the russian people.— expression of the will of the russian people. can you talk us throu~h russian people. can you talk us through the _ russian people. can you talk us through the mechanics - russian people. can you talk us through the mechanics of - russian people. can you talk us through the mechanics of this i through the mechanics of this election? who oversees it, and how do they tie in with the kremlin infrastructure?— do they tie in with the kremlin infrastructure? , ,., . ., infrastructure? yes, so the election is overseen — infrastructure? yes, so the election is overseen by _ infrastructure? yes, so the election is overseen by the _ infrastructure? yes, so the election is overseen by the central- infrastructure? yes, so the election is overseen by the central election | is overseen by the central election committee, which is run by a putin loyalist. it is important to note that the stage is already set well before any votes are tallied, well before any votes are tallied, well before anything actually comes to the committee. for instance, there is really no reason for russians to

disapprove of the ultranationalist candidate, who is currently given a platform on state tv. nonetheless, he only pulls about 7% — 10% approval rating, so what putin has done through control over the media, through network, is make sure that any opposition candidates, or any candidates that can actually run, are wildly unpopular. so, while the committee will investigate any irregularities that benefit opposition candidates are very unlikely to investigate any irregularities that benefit putin. ultimately, the die is cast well before the voting starts. it ultimately, the die is cast well before the voting starts.- ultimately, the die is cast well before the voting starts. if the die is cast, before the voting starts. if the die is cast. as — before the voting starts. if the die is cast. as you _ before the voting starts. if the die is cast, as you say, _ before the voting starts. if the die is cast, as you say, how _ before the voting starts. if the die is cast, as you say, how come - before the voting starts. if the die is cast, as you say, how come we | before the voting starts. if the die i is cast, as you say, how come we are seeing such high turnout numbers? do

people feel an obligation to go and vote for a president who is going to win, regardless? the vote for a president who is going to win, regardless?— win, regardless? the turnout out exactly going _ win, regardless? the turnout out exactly going to _ win, regardless? the turnout out exactly going to be _ win, regardless? the turnout out exactly going to be one - win, regardless? the turnout out exactly going to be one of- win, regardless? the turnout out exactly going to be one of the . win, regardless? the turnout out i exactly going to be one of the main measures of success of the selection for the kremlin. dmitri pascoe, the presidential spokesperson, has admitted that this is not a real democratic election, it is more of a test of how well the bureaucracy functions, and so those turnout numbers are going to tell the kremlin how well their regional allies, their local partners, can execute on orders that are coming from the kremlin. the number to look out for here is 67%, that's what turnout was in the 2018 presidential election on the first day of voting, turnout was about 33%. so if the turnout was about 33%. so if the turnout matches that number between today and tomorrow, the kremlin will

consider the running of the election, the ability of their regional allies to execute orders as a success. we regional allies to execute orders as a success. ~ ., ., ., a success. we will have to leave it there. a success. we will have to leave it there- senior— a success. we will have to leave it there. senior fellow _ a success. we will have to leave it there. senior fellow at _ a success. we will have to leave it there. senior fellow at the - a success. we will have to leave it l there. senior fellow at the european policy centre, thank you forjoining us. well, the estonian town of narva is one of only a handful of places where the border between the eu and russia is still open, although you can only cross by foot. many of narva's residents are russian, and can cross the border to vote in russia's presidential elections. bbc russian's 0leg boldyrev sent this report from the border town. here in the estonian border town of narva lies the frontier between the western world and russia. across the river with its formidable fortress lies narva, a town 170 kilometres from st petersburg, and this is one of a handful of places where the border between the eu across the river with its formidable fortress lies narva, and russia is still open. what's even more unusual is that this place and the surrounding region, thousands of people are, in fact, russian citizens.

this is the legacy of soviet union break up. in the 1960s and 1970s, people were brought from the soviet union to work in local industries, and after the collapse of the soviet union, they failed to get estonian citizenship. this is a source of bitter arguments between the residents and the estonian authorities, but the fact is that these people have applied and got russian passports, and this means they can go and vote in the presidential elections which are taking place right now. the voting station is just across the bridge there. there were not any big queues on this side of the border. we tried to look for people who would cross over, and most people were turning away. they clearly are not willing to talk about this. they are afraid that if they admit that they voted, this will somehow mean trouble for them. but one woman named anna was not afraid to talk. translation: i voted for putin. he is closer to my viewpoint. i understand him. i have no doubts about him. i think every president should care

for his country and his people. i see this in putin. i have a sister there, my husband's brother is there, our relatives are buried there. to cut us apart is painful. we spoke to several more people who confirmed that they had crossed the bridge and voted in support of mr putin. they were choosing their words very carefully. if they say that they support mr putin and his war in ukraine, this will certainly mean trouble for them here in estonia. their votes did not matter much for mr putin. his victory in this election is a foregone conclusion. narva illustrates the complex situation the baltic states are in, nervously watching over their giant neighbours to the east, russia. just some breaking news now, and one of the oldest and most prestigious

film studios in the arab world has been destroyed by a major fire film studios in the arab world has been destroyed by a majorfire in cairo. several buildings near the studio in cairo also had to be evacuated as the fire spread to them. no casualties have been reported, but some people had to be treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. many egyptian films and tv series have been produced at the studio since it was founded 80 years ago. we will bring you more on this story when we have it. to the middle east — and gaza's health ministry hasjust updated the number of people who have been killed in the territory since israel launched its military action there in october, to 31,553. most of the dead are women and children. let's go to our correspondent mark 0wen injerusalem. what we know about this latest death toll? weill. about this latest death toll? well, this includes _ about this latest death toll? well, this includes the _ about this latest death toll? well, this includes the numbers - about this latest death toll? -tt this includes the numbers killed in

the last 2a hours, which were 63 as of this morning, according to carson health officials, including a single strike in central gaza that killed 36 people, according to local health officials, in one single building. we are yet to hear from the israeli military when they say what they were targeting, but it shows the continued disastrous death tolls and suffering for people on the ground in gaza, and of course also for those suffering from looming famine, with unicef, the un children's charity, saying that one in three children under the age of two are suffering from acute malnourishment, and that figure is double what it was in january. and that figure is double what it was injanuary. so that is the situation on the ground, and people are desperately needing aid. the first large ship to have arrived with aid coming from cyprus has off—loaded the shipment of aid and thatis off—loaded the shipment of aid and that is a spanish ship which was coming, carrying about 200 tonnes of

aid, food aid, oil, flour and rice and that has been off—loaded onto smaller boats, which will then transport it into gaza. it is unclear how it will be distributed, but the israeli forces are saying that they will provide some level of security for that shipment. if it is a successful shipment, the cypriots say a second ship with 240 tonnes of aid is ready to leave. this all comes a day before new ceasefire talks are due to begin in doha, with the israelis say they are sending a delegation to those talks. the head of the israeli spy agency will have talks with qatari and egyptian officials, perhaps a glimmer of progress even though the israelis say that some of the demands made by hamas are unjustified. let's speak now to doctor margaret harris who is a spokesperson for the world health organization. thank you forjoining 0rganization. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i quoted their those

very shocking statistics about child malnutrition, according to your colleagues at unicef. what are your teams on the ground in gaza telling you, particularly about disease and famine among young people? indeed. in our famine among young people? indeed. in our meetings _ famine among young people? indeed. in our meetings people _ famine among young people? indeed. in our meetings people say _ famine among young people? indeed. in our meetings people say it - famine among young people? indeed. in our meetings people say it is - in our meetings people say it is beyond — in our meetings people say it is beyond words. it's misery they have never— beyond words. it's misery they have never seen — beyond words. it's misery they have never seen. my colleagues are people who have _ never seen. my colleagues are people who have worked in the toughest places _ who have worked in the toughest places in— who have worked in the toughest places in africa, in many, many wars and situations— places in africa, in many, many wars and situations and they have never seen _ and situations and they have never seen the _ and situations and they have never seen the speed and the horror and misery— seen the speed and the horror and misery that— seen the speed and the horror and misery that people are living in. they— misery that people are living in. they are — misery that people are living in. they are living massively crowded together, — they are living massively crowded together, starving, in places covered— together, starving, in places covered in human waste, unable to clean _ covered in human waste, unable to clean the _ covered in human waste, unable to clean the place because they can't even _ clean the place because they can't even chlorine in. it is good news to hear— even chlorine in. it is good news to hear that_ even chlorine in. it is good news to hear that at— even chlorine in. it is good news to hear that at least there is some movement towards a ceasefire because that is— movement towards a ceasefire because that is the _ movement towards a ceasefire because that is the only answer to what we are seeing —

that is the only answer to what we are seeing in gaza right now. you aint a are seeing in gaza right now. you paint a very _ are seeing in gaza right now. gm. paint a very depressing picture, of course, of the reality therefore people on the ground. i mentioned that a ship that has off—loaded food aid. are you getting any medical aid, vertically into northern gaza at the moment? we aid, vertically into northern gaza at the moment?— aid, vertically into northern gaza at the moment? ~ ., , ., at the moment? we have been able to net medical at the moment? we have been able to get medical aid. _ at the moment? we have been able to get medical aid, and _ at the moment? we have been able to get medical aid, and it _ at the moment? we have been able to get medical aid, and it has _ at the moment? we have been able to get medical aid, and it has been - get medical aid, and it has been possible — get medical aid, and it has been possible for us to do more missions in the _ possible for us to do more missions in the last— possible for us to do more missions in the last couple of weeks than it has been — in the last couple of weeks than it has been for a couple —— for a long time _ has been for a couple —— for a long time it— has been for a couple —— for a long time it is— has been for a couple —— for a long time. it is harder to get to the north— time. it is harder to get to the north simply because of the destruction and the danger, and we have to _ destruction and the danger, and we have to get — destruction and the danger, and we have to get our mission is approved, of course, _ have to get our mission is approved, of course, and agreement that we can safely— of course, and agreement that we can safely go _ of course, and agreement that we can safely go. we were able to get to the south — safely go. we were able to get to the south. now, remember only 12 of 36 hospitals — the south. now, remember only 12 of 36 hospitals that are partially functioning, but in the south one hospital— functioning, but in the south one hospital is— functioning, but in the south one hospital is managing to deal with 650 patients and there are 140 staff, — 650 patients and there are 140 staff, and they also have emergency medical— staff, and they also have emergency medical teams who are working there

as welt _ medical teams who are working there as welt we _ medical teams who are working there as well. we were able to get medical supplies— as well. we were able to get medical supplies to _ as well. we were able to get medical supplies to serve 80,000 patients. it supplies to serve 80,000 patients. it sounds _ supplies to serve 80,000 patients. it sounds a — supplies to serve 80,000 patients. it sounds a lot, but it is a drop when — it sounds a lot, but it is a drop when you _ it sounds a lot, but it is a drop when you are dealing with the enormity— when you are dealing with the enormity of the health disaster we are dealing with right now. the — are dealing with right now. the health disaster that you mention, doctor harris, i expect is particularly acute also in the south around rafah, where we understand 1.4 million people are now sheltering, over half of the entire population of gaza. just paint a picture of the health car facilities that are still open and still serving that enormous population down in the south, particularly around rafah —— health care facilities. around rafah -- health care facilities.— facilities. we talk about the hos - ital facilities. we talk about the hospital functioning, - facilities. we talk about the hospital functioning, we - facilities. we talk about the | hospital functioning, we say facilities. we talk about the i hospital functioning, we say it facilities. we talk about the - hospital functioning, we say it is 300%~ _ hospital functioning, we say it is 300%. now, that is nonsense. 100% means— 300%. now, that is nonsense. 100% means you _ 300%. now, that is nonsense. 100% means you have already got no beds. 300%— means you have already got no beds. 300% means you are treating people on the _ 300% means you are treating people on the floor. and you are just

trying — on the floor. and you are just trying to— on the floor. and you are just trying to manage. again, those hospitals — trying to manage. again, those hospitals have thousands and thousands of displaced people on the premises _ thousands of displaced people on the premises because they have nowhere to go _ premises because they have nowhere to go we _ premises because they have nowhere to go. we are seeing ever rising cases— to go. we are seeing ever rising cases of— to go. we are seeing ever rising cases of infectious diseases. 16,500 cases— cases of infectious diseases. 16,500 cases of— cases of infectious diseases. 16,500 cases of hepatitis. we assume it is hepatitis _ cases of hepatitis. we assume it is hepatitis a — cases of hepatitis. we assume it is hepatitis a. the tests we have been able to— hepatitis a. the tests we have been able to do— hepatitis a. the tests we have been able to do have indicated that it is and that— able to do have indicated that it is and that is— able to do have indicated that it is and that is a severe and dangerous disease _ and that is a severe and dangerous disease. we are seeing 300,000 cases of diarrhoea. _ disease. we are seeing 300,000 cases of diarrhoea, 500,000 cases of respiratory infection. and those are only the _ respiratory infection. and those are only the cases of people who have been _ only the cases of people who have been able — only the cases of people who have been able to get to some sort of facilitv — been able to get to some sort of facility. we have no idea how many chitdren— facility. we have no idea how many children are — facility. we have no idea how many children are really dying. we know that 13,000 have been killed in the bombardment, but we don't know about the little _ bombardment, but we don't know about the little ones who died in their mother— the little ones who died in their mother sounds shortly after birth, orjust _ mother sounds shortly after birth, orjust from starvation. the level of death— orjust from starvation. the level of death and loss really is something that none of us will be

able to— something that none of us will be able to chart until after this is over~ — able to chart until after this is over. ., ., ., , ., over. doctor margaret harris, from the world health _ over. doctor margaret harris, from the world health organization, - over. doctor margaret harris, from i the world health organization, thank you. i mentioned rafah in the south of gaza, the israeli government says that prime minister �*s office has green—lighted a military incursion into rafah, but today the german foreign minister tweeted "a large—scale operation in rafah cannot be justified. large—scale operation in rafah cannot bejustified. more large—scale operation in rafah cannot be justified. more than 1 million people have nowhere to go". a perilous decision if israel decides to send its military into rafah. plenty more from us right across the day, but for now in jerusalem, back to london. thank you. now it's time for a look at today's sport. ireland are just one full size that could win the six nations title on saturday, but they are the most likely to do so and they will retain the championship if they getjust a point against scotland in dublin.

and ireland's opponents lie in wait should they fail to do so. while the first match of the tournament's final day is just underway in cardiff, with the traditional wooden spoon the unwanted prize for either wales or italy. it is the italians who had a storming first half and they lead 11-0. storming first half and they lead 11—0. they have scored one try. minutes gone 4.5 in the second half in cardiff. well, captain peter 0'mahony is well aware of all those potential outcomes, and admitted he wants to prevent the torture of another tense finale. you have to discuss these things. we are making discussions around three referees. there is a handful of us who might not have to make a decision, but we want to put in a performance that is capable of winning.

that is what the super saturday means for the competition. it's great that there are so many teams involved. the first fa cup quarter final of the weekend has provided plenty of drama. championship side coventry are through to the semi finals. wolves scored twice in the final ten minutes and were heading for a 2—1win at molineux. coventry led 1—0 until rayan ait nouri got an equaliser for wolves with seven minutes to go, and then hugo bueno a second five minutes later. but ellis simms equalised for coventry, seven minutes into injury time. coventry have become the first team through to the last four. later, manchester city host newcastle. it's nearly 70 years since newcastle's last major trophy. no such problems for city who could become the first english side to win successive trebles

but pep guardiola knows the threat newcastle pose — they knocked city out of the league cup back in september. the people from saudi arabia took over, and i don't expect differently tomorrow. we need support from our fans are likely had against united to reach the wembley semifinal again. luton needs a win over nottingham forest to have their opponents replace them in the relegation zone. still goalless at kenilworth road with about 25 minutes gone in these games. early drama for brentford with a

player sent off. it is still 1—0 to burnley. bayern munich will attempt to take a bite out of bayer leverkusen's commanding lead in germany's bundesliga on saturday. it was at ten points ahead of bayern's game at darmstadt. they are to happen one up at half term. —— time. real madrid have a seven point lead over girona. two goals there. italy have now scored a second try and they lead wales 18—0. you can see all the results on our website. india, the world's largest democracy, has announced the date of its national elections. polls to be held over several weeks from 19th april. the hindu—nationalist and incumbant prime minister, narendra modi, is strongly favoured

to win a third term. there are around 968 million eligible voters in india. here's the chief election commissioner making the announcement. india is the world's largest democracy and there are 968 million eligible voters. in order for all of those people to be able to cast their ballots, voting will take place over several weeks. it is going to be broken down into seven different phases, and the results of the elections are expected on during the elections are expected on during the fourth. 0n the one hand, you will have the prime minister and his party and they are looking very strong coming into these elections. the country's main opposition party for the congress is trying to mount a counter to the might of the bjp. they have aligned themselves with more than two dozen other smaller political parties to try and push

back against the bjp government. but so far they have not been able to gain much traction. for the prime minister, who is seeking his third consecutive term in office, they are looking, or rather the bjp party is looking, or rather the bjp party is looking to increase the number of seats that they already have in parliament. india is the world's biggest democracy and this is a major test of the nation �*s infrastructure. much more on that story as always on the bbc news website, and the bbc news app. i will be back in a moment with the headlines. goodbye. hello there. last night was a cold one. we had a frost in places. but following on from that chilly start — at least, for a while — we did see some sunshine. but the weather is changing quite quickly because the cloud is coming in, and this area of low pressure is to the west of us, out in the atlantic. but well ahead of it, this cloud

is coming in from the west, and these weather fronts are bringing some rain and drizzle. so the weather is going downhill through the rest of the day. temperatures towards the end of the afternoon maybe making double figures. it's a bit cooler than it was yesterday across south—eastern areas, but there won't be much rain here. we do have rain across other areas pushing eastwards during this evening. the heaviest of the rain will be across scotland, before it clears away, and then we'll see some rain developing across more of england and wales by the early hours of the morning, into the end of the night. and there could be a fair bit of rain around as well, particularly over the hills. that'll keep the temperatures up. a bit chillier where we have some breaks in the cloud for scotland and northern ireland. and we should see more breaks in the cloud developing on sunday, once the morning rain clears away. sunny spells and just a few showers here and there. we do have this wet weather to move across england and wales. it does move eastwards fairly quickly out into the north sea, and then the cloud breaks up, sunny spells develop. there will be a few showers around, mainly for the northern half of the uk. one or two heavy ones perhaps in northern england. but we're drawing in milder air,

actually, tomorrow. temperatures across the board will be higher than today, reaching 15, or even 16, quite widely across england. and then, we've got a couple of weakening weather fronts moving in overnight on sunday night. not much rain on those at all. we're left with this band of cloud and a few spots of rain first thing in the morning. that moves through and then there'll be some sunshine coming out, and many places will have a dry day. but the next weather system is arriving in the west, picking the winds up, particularly through the irish sea, and bringing some rain in here and across northern ireland. but we've still got temperatures of reaching 15 or 16 degrees. and it's going to stay mild into tuesday as well. that area of low pressure is going to drive northwards, taking the wetter weather more across scotland overnight and then out of the way, so things will become drier and brighter through the day on tuesday, with some sunshine. but we've still got this cloud hanging back here in southern england, and it could turn wetter in the afternoon in the south—west. but it's still mild —

temperatures, 15 or 16.

this is bbc news, the headlines. vaughan gething is elected as welsh labour leader and first minister of wales — making him the first black leader of any european country.

the us and un renewed warnings about a ground assault in gaza. vandalism arrests in russia as voters spoil their ballots on day two of the country's presidential elections. vladimir putin is almost certain to win a further six years — his only serious rivals are dead, in prison or in exile. leading doctors warn against unnecessary use of blood sugar monitors for people who don't have diabetes. let's return to our top story — and vaughan gething has been announced as the winner of the welsh labour leadership election. the outgoing first minister, mark drakeford, will step down from the post next week. vaughan gething,

wales' economy minister