this is bbc news. i'm carrie gracie. the headlines at two: sir roger bannister, the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes, has died at the age of 88. theresa may urges the eu to get on with discussing whart she called an "ambitious but practical" vision for relations after brexit. we've set out what we want. we've set out where we think we could have this ambitious relationship that is good for prosperity on both sides. let's get on with it. work continues to clear snow from roads and railways lines after severe disruption. meanwhile warnings of flooding as strong winds batter the coasts. also this hour, could silvio berlusconi's party be about to make a comeback in italy? anti—immigration and populist parties are set to make the biggest gains as millions of italians vote in their general election.

we shall fight on the beaches. we shall fight on the landing grounds. oscar hopes for gary oldman for his portrayal of winston churchill in the darkest hour. he could be one of the winners at tonight's 90th academy awards. and stay with us here on bbc news. coming up in half an hour, we'll take a look at this week's big events at westminster. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. sir roger bannister, the first man to run a mile in underfour minutes, has died at the age of 88. the world of sport has been paying tribute — lord seb coe saying "there is not a single athlete of my generation who was not inspired by roger and his achievements both on and off the track". after his athletics career was over,

sir roger dedicated his life to medicine, and went on to become a distinguished neurologist. he was diagnosed with parkinson's disease in 2011. joe wilson looks back at his life. 25—year—old roger bannister, third from the left... there are some moments of sporting history which become part of the world's history. he's decided this is the right moment. what roger bannister achieved in 1954 was like a lunar landing for 20th—century sport. bannister‘s old friend and rival chris chataway is in third place, waiting his time to take over as pacer. to run a mile and stop the clock before it reached four minutes. in 1954 this was a magical number, a barrier of human achievement, a feat that would redefine what was humanly possible. and it would fall to a young medical student to achieve it. after two and a half laps, brasher gives way to chataway. bannister, a superb tactician, has suffered criticism in the past for adopting his unorthodox training methods, but they are

paying dividends now. at this point it becomes quite painful. i overtake chris chataway and begin the finish. and here he comes. bannister goes streaking forward with about 250 yards to the tapes. every stride counted. the tape broke at 3 minutes 59.1; seconds. and bannister has done it! though he's out on his feet, his coach and team manager tell him he has achieved his ambition. there was certainly a feeling of it being a national event, something of a landmark for the country. it might have felt like the world stopped when that clock stopped. "four—minute mile" was a sporting catchphrase everybody recognised. all i can say is i am absolutely overwhelmed and delighted. it was a great surprise to me to be able to do it today and i think i was very lucky.

sir roger bannister was knighted in 1975. athletics was only a small part of his life. he regarded his work as a neurologist as more significant. when he was diagnosed with parkinson's disease, he described the gentle irony that a neurologist should find himself with a neurological condition. training for roger bannister in athletics had been half an hour a day on a cinder track. the world's first four—minute miler was also perhaps sport's last great amateur. earlier my colleague ben brown spoke to roger black, the former british 400 metres runner and triple 0lympic medallist. it is an achievement and the big barrier that was broken, and has another barrier been broken subsequently that has had such an

impact on the world? ethics the a nswer impact on the world? ethics the answer is no. as a kid i remember doing a project on roger bannister breaking the four—minute mile, and we all knew about it. for me personally it was interesting because i wrote to him when i was having a dilemma as to whether to go to medical school or not and take athletics seriously, and he was the only person i could think of who had combined the two. he wrote me a lovely letter back saying, it was different in my day, old chap, you will have to take it more seriously than i did. but he was wonderful, he was always around athletics, he was this iconic figure, and when i chatted to him about it, it was interesting because we remember him for the athletics, but it was midson that was his true love —— medicine that was his true love —— medicine that was his true love —— medicine that was his true love, and he was true to that. as he said in his day he could play around with the athletics, but he was a huge figure in our sport athletics, but he was a huge figure in oursportand athletics, but he was a huge figure in our sport and will be sorely missed. and why was it such a

sought—after achievements to run the mile underfour sought—after achievements to run the mile under four minutes? sought—after achievements to run the mile underfour minutes? it was compared almost to climbing everest, wasn't it, in the 1950s? it was. it wasn't it, in the 1950s? it was. it was just that perfect number of four minutes, to break it. it wasn't breaking four—minute ten, it was that elusive figure. he proved that once something could be done, eve ryo ne once something could be done, everyone could do it, and it is used in the corporate world is a great example of that. 0nce in the corporate world is a great example of that. once you smash through a barrier, you prove to other people it can be done, and people believe, and of course that's what happened. he was the first person to do it, and will be remembered foreverfor person to do it, and will be remembered forever for being that person. and just talk to us about how he did do it. he said he was lucky, with typical modesty. but he had his pacers, and they were important, ina

had his pacers, and they were important, in a sense it was a team effort. it definitely was a team effort. it definitely was a team effort. they chose the event, the place, the time, and they had a strategy and they stuck to that strategy. and of course he was the one who came through. he felt he was the person that cross the line, but it was absolutely a team effort, and immortalised in the stadium. when you go back, you get nostalgic, because it really was the amateur days of athletics. you had an image ofa days of athletics. you had an image of a waking up in the morning, getting on the train, turning up, putting on his spikes and giving it a go, and that wouldn't happen now. it isa a go, and that wouldn't happen now. it is a completely different sport now, a professional sport. and we admire that, we love that symbolism of what he did back then. but i

think the most important thing of it was breaking that elusive barrier that had been there for so long and so that had been there for so long and so many people thought couldn't be broken. roger black remembering sir roger bannister. just getting confused with the two rogers! moving on. ireland's foreign minister has suggested that the eu is likely to reject theresa may's plan to keep a soft border between northern ireland and the republic after brexit. mrs may says the uk will leave the single market and customs union but insists there will be no return to barriers and checks on the border. here's our political correspondent suzana mendonca. it's 310 miles long, 30,000 people cross it every day, and more than £1 billion a week is done in trade across the border between the uk and the republic of ireland. when britain leaves the european union, this currently invisible border will become its frontier with the eu and all sides want to keep it invisible. the question is how, considering britain doesn't

want to stay in the single market or customs union. we are committed, the irish government, all the parties in northern ireland, to making sure there is no hard border. the prime minister says a soft border could be kept intact through the use of technology and no new trade restrictions on smaller businesses, but in its first in—depth response to her plan, the republic of ireland has cast doubt on whether the eu would go for it. i'm not sure that the european union will be able to support a situation whereby 80% of companies that trade north—south and south—north will actually protect the integrity of the eu single market. the irish leader and the prime minister have met to discuss solutions to the irish border question which has been a sticking point in the brexit negotiations. the eu wants northern ireland in a customs union, while the dup and the uk government do not. mrs may says her speech moves the issue forward. it sets out some ways,

particularly on the issue of customs across the border, in which we can resolve that and i am pleased to say that the taoiseach has agreed the uk and irish governments and the commission can look in more detail at the proposals we have put forward. the future of financial services is another crucial area for the uk economy, and the prime minister has made clear the city could lose some access to european markets. she knows the deal britain is after in this area and other sectors is a vast departure from the kinds of trade deals the eu has done before. it's very broad, so it is covering issues like industrial goods, cars, but also financial services, energy, transport, law, science, agriculture, fisheries. tomorrow we will get a clearer idea of what the eu thinks when it responds to mrs may's plans. susana mendonca, bbc news. and susana is with me. we have heard from the prime

minister this morning and the irish foreign minister. what is the reaction to what they have been saying? in terms of theresa may's own party, where she has divisions, she has managed to placate both sides, so you have the brexiteers saying that she has come up with practical solutions, she has offered a balanced and clear view of what she wants, and they think that she's kind of made the right move in that respect. and then on the other side you have the remainer is, so people like nicky morgan being positive about this and saying that she welcomes it, although with a caveat saying that she will watch out for any drifting backwards. and also suggesting, hinting that she might withdraw her support for an amendment to the trade bill which was all about basically trying to include the customs union in any future trade bill. so you have got that kind of movement, but then on labour's side, they are critical, we have heard from peter mandelson today, he spoke to the andrew marr show, saying that this was all based on leaps of faith, the one leap of faith being that the european union

would agree to theresa may cherry picking, and the other leap of faith being that the european union would agree to this idea of mutual recognition rather than alignment on theissue recognition rather than alignment on the issue for example talking about the issue for example talking about the financial sector. the prime minister has said she wants mutual recognition on that because she is not going to be in a situation where british companies here in the city would be able to have passport rights, so she wants to create a new relationship within the eu. so certainly she has placated some, but there is still a lot of criticism. and important moves in brussels from tomorrow, really? we need to hear what brussels makes of her plans, but also we have the dup and sinn fein meeting with michel barnier, the chief negotiator for the eu, and also the irish border which we were talking about before, that will be a big issue for them. theresa may are supposed to be giving a statement to parliament tomorrow on brexit, and negotiations continuing later this

month, because of course we have the eu summit later on, and what britain needsis eu summit later on, and what britain needs is to get to a point where it can agree in transition deal so that it can get onto the trade deals, and thatis it can get onto the trade deals, and that is what theresa may really wa nts. that is what theresa may really wants. susana, thank you. work is continuing to clear snow from roads and railways lines after days of disruption. 15 flood warnings are still in place in the south west and north east of england. andy gill is at scotch corner on the a1 in north yorkshire. andy. tell us how it's going. the a66 is a very important trans—pennine route, linking north yorkshire with penrith in cumbria, vital for businesses and passengers. it has been shut for five days because of the snow, but the highways agency say after hard work by their crews, it has reopened. driving conditions still very bad, it has been snowing and sleeting here today and there is a lot of fog around as well. the weather also still affecting

trans—pennine rail routes, there is a replacement bus service on the carlisle to a replacement bus service on the ca rlisle to newcastle a replacement bus service on the carlisle to newcastle route and the leads to carlisle route is affected, too. as far as the east coast mainline goes, they did get some trains running last night, but today, still no trains on the west coast mainline. there is a replacement bus service there. within scotland itself, scotrail say their services are nearly normal, although there will be alterations to timetables within scotland tomorrow. in fact, to timetables within scotland tomorrow. infact, rail companies across the uk saying that the weather has been so bad, it is causing cancellations today, and that will continue into tomorrow for the return to work. many minor roads still closed by snowdrifts. there are still flood warnings and closures around the coast because of high winds and high tides, and thousands of homes are still without power in many parts of the uk. we are told that a thaw is on the way

in summer or areas tonight it could get back to —4, so with the disruption to electricity, to roads and rails, for people tomorrow it would be a normal rush—hour return to work on monday. thank you for that update, still very challenging. the headlines on bbc news: sir roger bannister, the first athlete to run a mile in less informants, has died at the age of 88. theresa may urges the eu to get on with what she calls her ambitious but practical vision for relations after brexit. and work is continuing to clear snow from roads and rail lines after severe disruption. meanwhile warnings of flooding, with strong winds battering coasts. president trump has stepped up his rhetoric on trade tariffs, by threatening to impose additional taxes on cars imported to america from europe. the eu had said it would retaliate in kind if mr trump carried out

an earlier threat to apply tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium. andrew plant reports. the white hot glow of steel. this multi—billion dollar global industry has sparked heated threats of trade tariffs and friction between the us and europe. it's disgraceful, and when it comes to a time when our countries... on thursday, donald trump announced plans to levy a 25% tax on steel imports and 10% on aluminium. the current deals, he said, bad for the us economy. european commission president jean—claude juncker said that eu could retaliate in kind with tariffs of its own on things the us sells to europe. we buy more steel from the united states than any other country. canada, too, opposed the idea. justin trudeau urging mr trump to reconsider. it is significant and serious. now donald trump has hit back, threatening to increase tax on imported european cars.

america — the eu's biggest car market. in a tweet, he said, if the eu wants to further increase their already massive tariffs and barriers on us companies doing business there, we will simply apply a tax on their cars which freely pour into the us. they make it impossible for our cars and more to sell there. big trade imbalance. as yet, there has been no retaliatory response. the white house press secretary simply saying no one should be surprised at mr trump's announcements. andrew plant, bbc news. some breaking news now from north—east london. police were called just before 1:30pm we hear from the metropolitan police to reports of an explosion in harold hill. 0fficers reports of an explosion in harold hill. officers from the london fire

brigade, the london ambulance service, at the scene now. no confirmation of the cause of the explosion, no confirmation on casualties. residents being evacuated, and the local authority informed with local road closures in place. pedestrians are advised to avoid the local area. we will bring you more but as get it. large numbers of people are reported to be fleeing the syrian enclave of eastern ghouta as government forces continue a ground assault against the last remaining rebels there. there are suggestions rebels in some areas may be negotiating a surrender. the un has cancelled plans to deliver aid to civilians in the area today— around 40 trucks had been due to go in. polls have opened in italy's general election, following a divisive campaign dominated by immigration. the centre—left government is facing a stiff challenge from both a right—wing coalition and the populist five star movement, which could emerge as the largest party. gavin lee reports from rome. this election is seen as a test of

the populist movement against the establishment, a choice between the promise of change or the stability of the old guard. a familiar face promise of change or the stability of the old guard. a familiarface is back. silvio berlusconi. the 81—year—old ex—prime minister leads a centre—right coalition, although a tax fraud conviction prevents him from personally holding office. he is sharing a platform with the far rightanti—immigrant party, is sharing a platform with the far right anti—immigrant party, la liga. matteo renfe leads a centre—left coalition, trying to keep his government in power. but the dynamics here means it is unlikely any single party will maintain a majority. key issues here are the economy, how to cope in a country struggling with a huge debt problem. unemployment is an issue, third of young italians are jobless, unemployment is an issue, third of young italians arejobless, but unemployment is an issue, third of young italians are jobless, but what comes up young italians are jobless, but what comes up again and again as the migration crisis, how to deal with 600,000 migrants who arrived here in the last few years. another figure

of note is luigi di maio, the 31—year—old former football official who is leading the five star movement. they expect record votes. as polls closed tonight, watching closely will be other european leaders, already hit by brexit and hoping for no major surprises here. gavin lee, bbc news, rome. an independent report that was given to the board of the construction giant, carillion, four months before it collapsed has now been published. it said the firm had been "aggressively managed" to make its balance sheet look better than it was. the document has been published by two commons committees, which are examining why carillion went out of business in january with debts of almost a billion pounds. a night of rainbow flags, sequins and flamboyant displays has marked a milestone year for sydney's gay and lesbian mardi gras. hundreds of thousands of people turned out for the massive street party,

celebrating 40 years since activists first marched in the city for lgbt rights. it was also australia's first parade since legalising same—sex marriage in december. georgina smyth reports. the sun sets in sydney as party—goers warm up for its famous gay and lesbian mardi gras parade — the 40th anniversary of the original march and the first since australia said yes to same—sex marriage. i feel like this is a really important platform for me to show myself as a middle eastern australian in a dress and show a different side of myself. for the people that don't have freedom. equality. it means being loved and accepted and, you know, being acknowledged. 40 years — it is a big thing. it's a milestone. riding up front, the self—styled dykes on bikes kicked off a night of colour, music, costumes and glitter. # there's a party going on right here. over 200 floats paraded down sydney's oxford street from drag

queens to giant bottles of champagne and lgbti icon, cher. but for many, the most significant float is that of the 78ers, dedicated to the original activists who marched 40 years ago in sydney and were met with police violence. it's wonderful, exhilarating to have such a wonderful audience to look at us and cheer us and all that. we didn't have any of that 40 years ago. a very proud pride march still glowing from the yes vote. georgina smyth, bbc news. that does look like a pretty incredible party. here, hundreds of people are gathering in central london to join a march and rally for women's rights

and gender equality. the event is being held ahead of international women's day, which is this thursday. 0ur reporter, adina campbell, is at the start of the event outside parliament. despite the cold weather, hundreds of people have turned up here in central london in today's march for women event which is also tied into international women's day. holding placards and banners, campaigners were keen to spread their message of gender equality, along with the great granddaughter of emily pankhurst, who co—founded the suffragettes movement in the early 20th—century. the suffragettes movement in the early 20th-century. i think she would be enjoying this. she would say it's really important you are still doing it. here we are using the deeds not words slogan. these we re the deeds not words slogan. these were the slogans of the day. today it is time is up and me too. she would still be going, using modern

forms of communication. there is a lot to be done, and she would be focusing is forwards not backwards. today's rally has been gaining widespread support from sadiq khan to michael sheen. there is clearly a moment going on, but we have to make sure it is ongoing, and men have to stand up and show their solidarity with women, it is notjust women's issue, this is about having a more equal and fair society which everyone benefits from. it maybe a hundred years in some women were given the right to vote, but many still feel gender equality is still a long way off. it's the most famous carpet since

aladdin's and preparations continue for hollywood's big night. not long to go now, but operations continue to hollywood's big night. this star wars actor will be making an appearance for the first time since 1977. all these years of watching it in my pyjamas, saying, look at her hair! now this year i have to put on a tuxedo and be part of it, because i'm presenting. as big an honour as it is to be part of it, it's more fun to watch it at home. you cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth! playing a starring role this year will be gary oldman, who is favourite to win best actor for his portrayal of winston churchill in darkest hour. do they know i'm black? british hopes also rests with daniel kaluuya for get out. i've got a few text messages from people saying, good luck. i'm just trying to relax and enjoy it. you may think that thing looks human. stands on two legs, right?

the shape of water has 13 nominations. its british star, sally hawkins, is up for best actress. francis mcdormand is tipped to win for three billboards 0utside ebbing, missouri. while it may look much the same as usual, this is not a typical 0scars year. the issues of sexual harassment and gender equality are being talked about as much as the likely winners, which is threatening to overshadow the ceremony. is it going to be about the prizes or the protests this year? i think you decide, that person decides. for us, it's about the fun. your life should be a protest. your voice, every day, should be the protest. notjust one night. i know that if i get up on the stage i will be so nervous... this woman is competing against herself, with nominations for best costume design for beauty and the beast and darkest hour.

how did this happen, i don't know! you have been in this position before, you won an oscar in 2013 for anna karenina. what is that moment like, when your name is read out? totally and utterly overwhelming. it's everything mixed up together. it's a kind of... absolute shock. and then a kind of dread, of standing up and going up onto the stage. but also the most wonderful feeling that you can't believe that you've actually won. the stars have been out and about in hollywood this weekend. but it is just a taster before the main event. whether they win or not, good luck to it all. and apologies that on the way into that report, we had a problem with the sound on my microphone. we have sorted it out now! skaters have been making the

most of the freezing temperatures on the fens, which have been used as an ice rink for the first time in almost a decade. but as you can see, it's not always easy! experts advise don't skate alone and do make sure you understand the conditions. talking of conditions, let's get the weather. good afternoon. do respect things like the ice, because the milder weather is coming, and that would get rid of a lot of the lying snow that we have an soft the ice. the theme that we have, becoming milder but staying unsettled, with wintry weather still to come for scotland. but it is blue on the map behind me not quite, showers and rain, thundery towards the south—east. still some snow for the far north of england, more snow for scotland as we move into this evening, but the

milderair we move into this evening, but the milder air sweeping its way further north as the hours go by will mean the snow increasingly becomes confined to the higher ground by the end of the night. another pretty chilly night, frost free to the far south, but ice could still be an issue. notjust south, but ice could still be an issue. not just about anywhere across the northern half of the uk first thing on monday. heavy rain for the south—west is the day pans out. that could some quite rapid thawing, so the next issue we could be contending with is some extensive flooding. this is bbc news. our latest headlines... sir roger bannister, the first athlete to run a mile in underfour minutes, has died at the age of 88. he had been suffering from parkinson's disease. theresa may urges the eu to get on with agreeing what she calls her "ambitious but practical" vision for relations after brexit. work continues to clear snow from roads and railways lines

after severe disruption. meanwhile, warnings of flooding as strong winds batter the coasts. and in italy, millions go to the polls in the general election with the anti—establishment five star movement expected to become the biggest party. now on bbc news... alicia mccarthy presents the week in parliament. hello and welcome to the week in parliament, our look back at the big events of the last few days