ukraine's president zelensky warns that a new russian military offensive may come in the next few months. and it's one year since the wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich was detained in russia on spying charges. his sister has spoken to bbc news. the uncertainty is very hard to deal with, but we just see evan and how strong he is. and the actorjohn to speak for the person about the killing of his childhood friend shaped his life. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories and checking out the truth behind them. let's start with that stunning

development in northern ireland — news thatjeffrey donaldson, the leader of the democratic unionist party, has been charged with historical sexual offences and has quit as leader. the dup says mr donaldson, who has been in politics for almost a0 years, has had his membership suspended pending the outcome of a judicial process. the party released a statement earlier. it says... police issued a statement on friday morning, not disclosing the identity of those charged. it read a 61—year—old man had been charged with "non—recent sexual offences", adding that a 57—year—old woman was also arrested and charged with "aiding and abetting additional offences". the statement confirmed two people will appear in court on april the 24th. our ireland correspondent sara girvin has the latest.

more details, more information starting to trickle through after what has been really shock breaking news that sirjeffrey donaldson has stepped down with immediate effect as the leader of the democratic unionist party following charges of what the police describe as non—recent sexual offences, and what i can tell you now is that the bbc understands that sirjeffrey has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences. we understand that a police investigation had been taking place over the past few months before today's announcement after two women came forward, and we also know now that sirjeffrey�*s letter to the dup

saying that he was stepping down saying that he will be strenuously contesting charges. just to remind you what else they have said, they didn't name sirjeffrey this morning, theyjust said a 61—year—old man had been charged with non—recent sexual offensives, and that a 57—year—old woman was arrested at the same time and charged with aiding and abetting additional offences. that statement also said this morning that the pair will be appearing in magistrates�* court in county down here in northern ireland next month on the 24th of april. the police said that both parties were arrested yesterday morning by psni detectives and were questioned before they were charged last night. that led to a meeting of dup officers early this morning, and then this afternoon, a couple of hours ago, we had the statement from the dup confirming that

sirjeffrey, one of the most well—known faces in northern ireland politics, was stepping down as dup leader with immediate effect, and that the deputy leader of the party, gavin robinson, also an mp for east belfast, he will now be interim leader of the dup. there now be interim leader of the dup. has been an ava reaction there has been an avalanche of reaction over the last few hours. let's go through some of it. let's hear from julian smith on bbc let's go through some of it. let's hearfrom julian smith on bbc radio. it came as a huge shock to everybody as sirjeffrey donaldson had helped lead the party back in the power—sharing. lead the party back in the power-sharing.- lead the party back in the ower-sharina. . . , . power-sharing. having a brilliant start with michelle _ power-sharing. having a brilliant start with michelle o'neill. - power-sharing. having a brilliant start with michelle o'neill. so i power-sharing. having a brilliant start with michelle o'neill. 50 al start with michelle o'neill. so a huge _ start with michelle o'neill. so a huge shock, but i think one where

with the _ huge shock, but i think one where with the election of gavin robinson as interim — with the election of gavin robinson as interim leader today by a statement the dup have just made, real continuity on the position that was taken — real continuity on the position that was taken by party officers and the dup to _ was taken by party officers and the dup to return to power—sharing. so i'm dup to return to power—sharing. so i'm not— dup to return to power—sharing. so i'm not concerned in any way that this shocking news today will lead to any— this shocking news today will lead to any change in the momentum behind power—sharing. and he has paid in this political leadership role and absolutely critical part over the past _ absolutely critical part over the past few — absolutely critical part over the past few months. he let the negotiations with the government, and he _ negotiations with the government, and he worked with his own party to move _ and he worked with his own party to move them — and he worked with his own party to move them from their position of staying _ move them from their position of staying out of the executive on the bases _ staying out of the executive on the bases they— staying out of the executive on the bases they did not agree with northern ireland protocol. earlier, i spoke to david graham, former dup special adviser and councillor.

he was listening to whatjulian smith was saying and did not share that analysis. he spoke of potential dangers of power—sharing and political pain for the dup. a level of shock, i a level of disbelief. i'm trying to really come i to terms with the political significance of the fact that - sirjeffrey donaldson has resigned as party leader and has been . suspended as a party member. so, you know, there's a lot to uncover here. | there are huge or potentially huge political ramifications. _ i mean, stormont returned - on what i would say quite flimsy foundations, quite weak foundations. a lot of unionists like myself. didn't like a lot of what was in what became colloquially known as sirjeffrey's deal. _ both the media and his opponents put sirjeffrey right behind _ the eight ball on this one. but there's no doubt that people - like myself see that the longer—term i significance of having stormont i and having a working government, but, you know, bear in mind that

some of the biggest hitters- hitters within the party — the lord dodds, - hitters within the party — - the lord dodds, a former deputy leader, lord morrow, the party chairman, l sammy wilson, who has been a party representative for over _ 40 years and one of, you know, the biggest pro—brexit voices i and anti—deal voices — - these guys have nothing to lose by stormont coming down because, you know, they are secure - in their seats in one of the two houses in london. _ so if you then add to _ the significance that the interim leader gavin robinson— is on the smallest or the slimmest of all the majorities of dup mps — there is a chance, i think- a significant chance, i that he could lose his seat when the general election comes so, you know, i don't see any route or road the dup can take _ in the short—term that doesn't bring further political challenge _ and political pain. alex kane is a columnist and

commentator in belfast was a bit of a people now there in northern ireland will be nervous for the future of power—sharing. i ireland will be nervous for the future of power-sharing. i remember every commentator _ future of power-sharing. i remember every commentator and _ future of power-sharing. i remember every commentator and journalist - future of power-sharing. i remember| every commentator and journalist and columnist in northern ireland, the recently went back we were going through our shopping the following day, sunday, most of us asked how long will it last this time it was my is it stable? will it last? people listening to the storage they will think for goodness' sake we have really gotten two months and are already teetering on the edge again. the one thing, the one thing which mightjust come to the rescue of some sort of resemblance of stability again if the fact i think there is an acceptance that even in there is an acceptance that even in the dup and in other areas of unionism that if the assembly was to go down again come the personal circumstances attached to what it has a problem now, but if he is and they were to go down again, i think it would be extraordinarily difficult to get it back up again

because people will go this is the fifth or sixth time we have done this and it's taken years and years to get where we are now and five minutes into it and we are down again. and i think it would then again, that mightjust stay the hand of some people even though they are uncover where they are or on the aspects of the deal. i think they realise it disassembly, if the dup withdrawal again in a matter of weeks, getting anybody back in there again could be an absolute nightmare. let's speak to freelance journalist based in belfast amanda ferguson. welcome to the programme. so much reaction over the past few hours and it has been described as stunning, been described as seismic. how would you describe the events of today? certainly seismic would be in the arena _ certainly seismic would be in the arena that— certainly seismic would be in the arena that we are looking at opposite _ arena that we are looking at opposite the departure of the dup ieader— opposite the departure of the dup leader does not automatically equal dysfunction and crisis at stormont but it— dysfunction and crisis at stormont but it certainly does not help. but ithink— but it certainly does not help. but ithihk that — but it certainly does not help. but i think that it will weaken the deputy— i think that it will weaken the deputy first minister because she

was jeffrey's deputy first minister because she wasjeffrey's pick is deputy first minister because she was jeffrey's pick is such an deputy first minister because she wasjeffrey's pick is such an is unelected. the saving grace for the dup is— unelected. the saving grace for the dup is that — unelected. the saving grace for the dup is that gavin robinson now is going _ dup is that gavin robinson now is going be — dup is that gavin robinson now is going be leading the party, that he was supportive of the restoration of stormont _ was supportive of the restoration of stormont and it really what commentators are saying about the possible _ commentators are saying about the possible implications for stormont hever _ possible implications for stormont never returning again if it collapses again could be true. we have _ collapses again could be true. we have had — collapses again could be true. we have had a — collapses again could be true. we have had a stop start system of government in northern ireland for as long _ government in northern ireland for as long as— government in northern ireland for as long as i— government in northern ireland for as long as i have been a journalist, and there _ as long as i have been a journalist, and there is— as long as i have been a journalist, and there is a real sense that if it fails _ and there is a real sense that if it fails again. — and there is a real sense that if it falls again, it may not come back. we are _ falls again, it may not come back. we are hot— falls again, it may not come back. we are not in that sort of readjust quite _ we are not in that sort of readjust quite yet — we are not in that sort of readjust quite yet but however the implications for the dup and their eyes on _ implications for the dup and their eyes on their electoral fortunes in the westminster election is really something they're going to be considering seriously, why the tuv and utster— considering seriously, why the tuv and ulster unionists will look to what _ and ulster unionists will look to what is — and ulster unionists will look to what is unfolding obviously and they will be _ what is unfolding obviously and they will be wanting due process to be followed — will be wanting due process to be followed legally and thoughts are with all— followed legally and thoughts are with all victims of any type of offences— with all victims of any type of offences that have or the politics

offences that have or the politics of this— offences that have or the politics of this will factor into considerations and reaction for pretty— considerations and reaction for pretty much every group you can think— pretty much every group you can think of. _ pretty much every group you can think of. i — pretty much every group you can think of. . ., pretty much every group you can think of. _, . ,, ., think of. i will come back to the current politics _ think of. i will come back to the current politics in _ think of. i will come back to the current politics in a _ think of. i will come back to the current politics in a moment, i think of. i will come back to the | current politics in a moment, but just a question about sirjeffrey donaldson because he has art to over 40 donaldson because he has art to over a0 years in politics they are in northern ireland, a0 huge figure in unionism. he was there in the ulster unionists with david trimble three decades or so ago. he left the party. we have images come of that famous clip that we are going to put on the screen nap of him ripping up the framework document in terms of his objections. he then goes and joins the dup and becomes leader of that party and his politicaljourney ends with him being the person that actually gets power—sharing back up and running. it was an extraordinary journey politically. it and running. it was an extraordinary journey politically.— journey politically. it certainly is. he journey politically. it certainly is- he has _ journey politically. it certainly is. he has been _

journey politically. it certainly is. he has been a _ journey politically. it certainly is. he has been a career- journey politically. it certainly - is. he has been a career politician. his political— is. he has been a career politician. his political work goes right way back to — his political work goes right way back to innate power. obviously threw _ back to innate power. obviously threw into — back to innate power. obviously threw into the ulster unionist party and then— threw into the ulster unionist party and then the dup it now seems as in minutes, he— and then the dup it now seems as in minutes, he is vanishing from every area of— minutes, he is vanishing from every area of life — minutes, he is vanishing from every area of life online, all social media — area of life online, all social media content is gone and all the organisations he was associated with have removed him from their website. there _ have removed him from their website. there was— have removed him from their website. there was some recent commentary from the — there was some recent commentary from the orange order he has missed in and _ from the orange order he has missed in and from _ from the orange order he has missed in and from there and no further comment— in and from there and no further comment will be made into the legal process— comment will be made into the legal process follows through. and so on. so certainty — process follows through. and so on. so certainly the homework dup minister— so certainly the homework dup ministerjim wales as being on air throughout the day describing sir jeffrey— throughout the day describing sir jeffrey donaldson as a political giant— jeffrey donaldson as a political giant and talking about his shock at what's _ giant and talking about his shock at what's happened. we also need to find out _ what's happened. we also need to find out what's going to happen next regarding _ find out what's going to happen next regarding his role as an mp because while _ regarding his role as an mp because while he _ regarding his role as an mp because while he has stepped down as the dup ieader— while he has stepped down as the dup leader with _ while he has stepped down as the dup leader with immediate effect, he has been submitted by the party while they follow through their procedures, but he is currently the mp. procedures, but he is currently the mp so _

procedures, but he is currently the mp. so what happens in that regard next as— mp. so what happens in that regard next as well?— next as well? briefly and finally, how destabilising _ next as well? briefly and finally, how destabilising is _ next as well? briefly and finally, how destabilising is this - next as well? briefly and finally, how destabilising is this both - next as well? briefly and finally, how destabilising is this both forj how destabilising is this both for the dup and forjust general politics and power—sharing in northern ireland? if politics and power-sharing in northern ireland?— politics and power-sharing in northern ireland? ., ., northern ireland? if none a boost in certainl it northern ireland? if none a boost in certainly it does _ northern ireland? if none a boost in certainly it does not _ northern ireland? if none a boost in certainly it does not mean that - certainly it does not mean that stormont — certainly it does not mean that stormont will collapse and not because — stormont will collapse and not because sirjeffrey is an mp and is not an— because sirjeffrey is an mp and is not an mla. certainly is not something the dup would in any way happy— something the dup would in any way happy about and obviously a very negative — happy about and obviously a very negative story that's being linked to their— negative story that's being linked to their party to wait and see how this unfolds.— to their party to wait and see how this unfolds. . ., ., ., ,, , ., , this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running _ this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as _ this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as live _ this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as live here - this unfolds. amanda, thank you very much and running as live here on - this unfolds. amanda, thank you veryj much and running as live here on bbc news with them to point out straightaway do head to the website. now this is a story which is live and moving, so if you'd like to follow all the updates online, you can head to our website for all the latest developments. our political editor in northern ireland share of his analysis of the dup in disarray. a lot of really useful information there and there

has been so much reaction through the last few hours to do head to the bbc news website with a lot of material to actually get through. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

you are alive with bbc news. to ukraine now, and president zelensky is warning that a new russian military offensive could happen in the next few months, and he says his country is not ready to face it. the ukrainian leader made the comments during an interview with cbs news, confirming he believes it could happen between may and june. he stresses the need for more military aid. take a listen. so you're expecting a counteroffensive in may, june from the russians. i think so. what sort of weapons do you need to stop that counteroffensive? translation: number one is anti-air defence and artillery shells. _ that's what we need. meanwhile, ukraine says russia fired

99 drones and missiles overnight, with moscow stepping up its attacks in recent weeks. the ukrainian interior ministry said russian forces targeted infrastructure in several regions, damaging three power stations as well as private homes. our correspondent in ukraine sarah rainsford sent us this update from kharkiv. this is another major attack on ukraine overnight. russia launched 99 drones and missiles. we're told by officials here targeting ten regions of ukraine. and this increasingly seems to be a strategy by russia. it's the second massive missile attack in a week, and kharkiv city, where we are in northern ukraine, was attacked like that a week ago. so a massive power outage here. now a week on, life seems very much back to the usual. there are outages. there are power problems in some parts of the city, but by and large they're coping. there were generators at the beginning.

now power is gradually being restored. as you can see, lots of people out and about. we understand that in these latest attacks, whatever russia was targeting, some ten houses were destroyed and six civilians were injured. the power company here, the national power company, has said that three power plants in ukraine have been seriously damaged. now the commander—in—chief has added his voice to calls for ukrainian officials saying ukraine needs more air defences and it needs more missiles for those air defences. that's a call we've heard before, but certainly i think as these attacks specifically on energy infrastructure become more frequent, that is the focus of ukraine's calls at the moment. here in kharkiv, there was a very long air raid overnight, but this city wasn't targeted in the latest attack. but certainly the mood here is fairly nervous. people are also worried, there's lots of rumours about a possible offensive, another military offensive against kharkiv here in the north of ukraine. lots of rumours, no real facts, but to the commander—in—chief commented on that in an interview with ukrainian media.

he said you can't ignore those plans, that ukraine is increasing its fortification and that's right along the front—line. but he also warned that if russia tries it, he said then that will be a fatal battle for them, a fatal step here in kharkiv. but certainly, as i say, the mood is fairly nervous because nobody quite knows what the russians might be planning next. the former us ambassador to nato, kurt volker, says he's not concerned about ongoing western funding to ukraine, even in the event of another trump presidency. i spoke to him earlier and started by asking about strikes which have hit ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight. first thing to take into account that these are war crimes. - these are direct attacks on civilian targets. - they are designed both - to terrorise the population, to make people uncomfortable, but also strategically— ito try to bring down the electricityl grid in ukraine and separate eastern ukraine from the rest

of the country. - but in a new interview, president zelensky has told cbs news that he is anticipating a new russian push, a new assault around may, june. is that the sort of analysis that you think that pretty much fits with what you're expecting? well, there's a difference - between russia attempting a major offensive and russia succeeding in a major offensive. _ what we saw around of avdiivka, for example, not too long ago i was a massive loss of russian lives. putin just throwing wave after wave i of soldier to their deaths in orderl to take one rather insignificant city in south—east ukraine - right next to donetsk. that is the sort of thing that - russia will likely try to do again. they will likely try- to get their hands on more ukrainian territory. but they are also suffering . from ammunition shortages.

they're also suffering - from manpower shortages. they have a terrible time . with command and control, and they're having increasing . difficulties with logistics thanks to ukrainian efforts to go after the supply lines. i |that being said, it is essential| that we accelerate the delivery of western aid, military aid to ukraine. - and here, the us congress is due i to reconvene after the 8th of april, and i certainly hope that they move on this expeditiously. _ i saw that zelensky spoke - with the speaker of the house, mike johnson, not long ago. and i hope that they. have an understanding in the house now of, - not that there's a difference of iview over this because there's not, l but they have a better understanding of the urgency of the need. relatives of the wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich are marking the anniversary of his detention in russia. he's the first american to be charged with spying by the russian authorities since the end of the cold war. the us government and the wall streetjournal have dismissed the charge, saying mr gershkovich is being used as a bargaining chip by moscow.

his sister danielle has been speaking to our russia in berlin, some of evan's friends held a small protest at his detention. they unfurled a banner reading "free evan" in front of the brandenburg gate. among the crowd was the new york times moscow bureau chief anton troianovski. oh, it's extraordinarily tough. you know, i'm obviously thinking back to the moment a year ago when i learned the news, and i'm here in berlin now, where a lot of evan's friends are located and based. we actually unfurled a big "free evan" banner in front of the brandenburg gate a few hours ago, because the key thing is really just to keep talking about evan and what an injustice it is that he has now spent 365 or 66 days behind bars. exactly on that point, in terms of the public protest, the pronouncements we've had

so many of over the past 12 months, do you think that helps or hinders potentially? i think it helps, because it's really the only thing that can get evan out. evan... the espionage charges that evan faces are absurd. he was simply doing his job, but they're also very serious and they carry a 20—year prison sentence. so the only way he can get out is if there is public pressure on, of course, first and foremost the russian government to release him, but also on western governments to make sure that everyone understands how much of a critical press freedom issue this is, because if we're not there to stand up for and help journalists who get in trouble when they're doing a risky but incredibly important assignment, i don't know how we can expect, as democratic societies,

to get this kind of critical information in the future. two more questions for you, because it is fascinating, because reading about him it is so obvious in terms of his own journey how much he loved russia, going back to there, recognising the risks but always trying to seek out stories, seek out people to tell their stories. that is so evident, but you know him. are you able to make any sort of assessment on how he'll be holding up given that he's been held in these conditions for 12 months? that's a great question, and, you know, he hasjust this extraordinary strength of character and of spirit. as you say, he understood the risks, he knew he was doing something that carried risk, but also that it was extremely important in terms of reporting

from on the ground inside russia, and so after he got arrested, i think he knew that he was in a very difficult situation and that he could end up being behind bars for a very long time, as his release is being negotiated and pressured for, and i'm in touch with him, as a lot of people are, by letter. he is able to send and receive letters from prison, and you can tell that he's holding on, he still has a lot of hope and he still has his charm and sense of humour that he had as a free man, you can still tell. that was the new york times moscow editor talking to me a little earlier from editor talking to me a little earlierfrom berlin. let's end

editor talking to me a little earlier from berlin. let's end this half—hour with stunning pictures coming into us with mother nature in action in iceland. look at this with action in iceland. look at this with a volcano continuing to it right but caught at the same time as the famous northern lights display. to that red hot lava spewing from the ground at the same time you have the green glow of the natural light display in the sky. it is a time lapse video that was shot in the southwest of iceland were that volcano has erupted several times since december. beautiful, beautiful pictures. do stay with us here on bbc news. plenty more in the coming minutes and i will take you to the website because that made story dominating that news thatjeffrey donaldson, leader of the dup, charged with historical sexual offences. more analysis of that, our main story on bbc news so do stay with us. hello there, good evening. it's been a day of sunshine and showers. some of the showers heavy and thundery, even some hail

mixed in at times, too. some beautiful rainbows, though, spotted by our weather watchers from across the uk. and for the rest of the bank holiday weekend, still sunny spells and showers, but fewer showers than we saw today. and it will feel warmer, more sunshine and lighter winds. but watch out for some more rain towards the south as we head through bank holiday monday. i'll have more on that injust a moment. now, overnight tonight, still breezy for a while across england and wales, but the winds will ease down. we'll see a scattering of the showers out towards the west, perhaps a bit more cloud for eastern coastal areas, but with clearing skies, there'll be some patches of frost around and maybe a bit of mist and fog into tomorrow morning. so a cold start to the day on saturday. now, our area of low pressure is gradually pulling away towards the west, so the wind is lightening, but it does allow for this weather front to graze parts of east anglia and kent, as well, as we had into saturday morning. so maybe a little bit of patchy rain here and probably more cloud, but it will brighten up as we head through the afternoon.

there will be a lot of dry weather around on saturday and plenty of sunshine as well, but more showers could develop through the afternoon. they're most likely out towards the north and the west. it will feel a bit warmer. highs of around 12—ia celsius, locally i think we'll probably see 15, too. as we head through saturday night and into sunday morning, don't forget the clocks spring forward, so we'll see some dark mornings for a while, but much lighter evenings of course. into sunday morning, and we could start off with some patches of mist and fog from the midlands up to the vale of york. a lot of dry weather around and plenty of sunshine on sunday, but cloudier and cooler with more of an easterly breeze blowing towards north sea—facing coasts. again possibly some more showers for western wales and down through the south—west of england. temperatures again 12—ia degrees celsius, but then we looked towards the south as we head into bank holiday monday to see this area of low pressure bring some outbreaks of rain across england and wales. now, still some uncertainty in the forecast, so do keep checking. but it could be quite wet for england and wales

on bank holiday monday, but drierfurther north, but the best of the brightness perhaps across parts of western scotland and northern ireland. again, it's cloudier and it's cooler with that easterly wind for north sea coasts. bye— bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines... jeffrey donaldson resigns as the leader of northern ireland's democratic unionist party, after being charged with what bbc news understands to be rape and multiple other sexual offences. we'll talk live on the programme to the bbc�*s political editor. and — reports of long queues at dover as the easter getaway begins. and actorjohn boyega speaks for the first time about how the killing of his childhood friend, damilola taylor, shaped his life. all of that is coming in the next few minutes, let's head to the bbc sport centre, hugh ferris is there. leicester city's dismal run the championship has continued this afternoon with a 1—0 defeat at bristol city, they were runaway

at bristol city, they were runaway