here are the headlines. donald tusk says a short brexit extension is possible if parliament backs their withdrawal agreement. we cannot give up withdrawal agreement. we cannot give up seeking until the very last moment a positive solution. to may says mps will vote for a third time on her meaningful vote next week. the eu says it will only agree a desperate to a short brexit delay race against if mps finally back the prime minister's deal time to in the commons. save the survivors of cyclone idai. under intense the first pressure funerals take from all place for the victims of sides, theresa may asks brussels for a the attack on brexit delay but the mosques tilljean the 30th in at the latest. -- christchurch. 00:00:56,215 --> 238609227:58:14,937 the 238609227:58:14,937 --> 477218455:55:33,659 eu 477218455:55:33,659 --> 715827683:52:52,381 says 715827683:52:52,381 --> 954436911:50:11,104 it 954436911:50:11,104 --> 1193046139:47:29,826 will 1193046139:47:29,826 --> 1431655367:44:48,548 agree 1431655367:44:48,548 --> 1670264595:42:07,270 to 1670264595:42:07,270 --> 1908873823:39:25,992 a 1908873823:39:25,992 --> 2147483051:36:44,715 short 2147483051:36:44,715 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 delay june. the outcome of a long extension would be this house spending yet

more endless hours contemplating its navel on europe, and failing to address the issues that matter to our constituents. this is the letter she wrote. but eu leaders still have to approve any delay to brexit and tonight there's no guarantee that they will do that. if the prime minister cannot let her deal through or a short delay, could she quit? also on the programme tonight... aid agencies say thousands of people are still stranded in trees and on roof tops five days after a tropical cyclone which struck south east africa. funerals are held for the victims of the christchurch mosque attacks, as new zealand's prime minister calls for a global fight to root out racist right—wing ideology. spiralling out of control. psychiatrists criticise social media for allowing images that glamorise and encourage eating disorders. and a landmark moment for women's football as ba rclays announce the first multi million pound sponsorship for the women's super league. coming up on bbc news: an fa independent tribunal has found sheffield united's sophie jones guilty of racially abusing renee hector in a

match against tottenham hotspur injanuary. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the president of the european council, donald tusk, says a short delay to brexit should be possible but only if mps finally back theresa may's deal. it's expected to go before the commons for a third time next week. with just nine days to go before we are due to leave the eu, the prime minister wrote to mr tusk asking for an extension until the 30th ofjune. any delay still has to be agreed by all remaining 27 eu nations. it'll be discussed at a summit in brussels tomorrow. our political editor, laura kuenssberg has been following yet another turbulent day in

westminster. mayhem. this morning the prime minister let it be known she will only seek a short delay to brexit. without telling all of her own cabinet without knowing what the eu would say. this lunchtime she was ready to vow in public she would have another go at getting her defeated deal through. the government intends to bring forward proposals for a third meaningful vote was is past the extension will get the house time to consider the withdrawal agreement bill. get the house time to consider the withdrawal agreement billm get the house time to consider the withdrawal agreement bill. if not, she will only preside over a delay until the end ofjune. she will only preside over a delay until the end ofjune. as prime minister, iam... until the end ofjune. as prime minister, i am... i am until the end ofjune. as prime minister, iam... iam not until the end ofjune. as prime minister, i am... i am not prepared to delay brexit any further than the 30th ofjune. the outcome of a long extension with the endless hours and days of

this house carrying on contemplating its navel on europe and failing to address the issues that matter to our constituents. this has has indulged itself on europe for too long. that provoked calls of resign. she was furious but so were calls of resign. she was furious but so were they. people all over this country are anxious and frustrated with this government's utter inability to find a way through the crisis. if the prime minister cannot get changes to her deal, will she give the people a chance to reject the deal and change the government? in the national interest i begged this prime minister to think again. brexiteer troops willing her in the other direction. prime minister, it is entirely down to you. history

willjudge you at this moment. which is it to be? when will she develop a backbone and stand up to those who will take the nation to disaster? as a ministersaid will take the nation to disaster? as a minister said this morning, referencing another feeble prime minister, weak, weak, weak. the anger has exploded on the inside as well. one cabinet minister told me the prime minister's decision was reckless. to imagine if there was no day by the end ofjune we were just a part without. many others in the cabinet think it is a risk worth taking. do not underestimate the determination of this prime minister. again at the dispatch box he demonstrated she was determined to deliver brexit. it is up to parliament whether it does it when a deal or without one. it is notjust up deal or without one. it is notjust up to them. in comparative calm in brussels, still a dramatic

message. a short delay? ok. only if you approve the deal. i believe a short extension will be possible but it will be conditional on a positive vote on the withdrawal agreement in the house of commons. so number10 could be asking mps next week. her deal with a short delay to tidy up oi’ deal with a short delay to tidy up or no deal at all. it feels like a major moment for theresa may, not only because she has had to give up her goal on leaving the eu on time but that no one round here can be com pletely but that no one round here can be completely sure at this stage what it will mean for her or the country. cabinet ministers had been in and out of number 10 this afternoon. backbenchers are demanding to see her in parliament. even senior members of the government, some of them do not know what is next. those with ambition are circling because frustration is rising minute by minute. she has failed. i

think there are queries as to whether she should be allowed to carry on because there are a growing number of people who think it is time to move on. i have of people who think it is time to move on. l have never of people who think it is time to move on. i have never felt more ashamed to be a member of the conservative party or to be asked to lend her support. she spent most of hertime lend her support. she spent most of her time castigating the house for its misconduct. at no stage did she pause to consider whether it is in fa ct pause to consider whether it is in fact the way she is leading this government which might be contributing to this situation. with it, and confrontation, brexit has brought this government plenty of political sorrow and a worsening struggle for this prime minister to find anyjoy. struggle for this prime minister to find any joy. we struggle for this prime minister to find anyjoy. we will talk to laura ina find anyjoy. we will talk to laura in a moment. theresa may will travel to brussels tomorrow to join the 27 other eu leaders for a summit — as time and patience runs out. what will the reaction there be? our europe correspondent damian grammaticus is there. just to be clear — there's no guarantee tonight that

they'll all agree to even a short extension? no, you are absolutely right. the prime minister will come here and address the 27 other leaders tomorrow and they will decide. donald tusk is indicating that he is recommending to them that they should agree to a short extension but possibly not till the 30th of june, possibly earlier, and with the key condition that the uk parliament would have to approve the withdrawal deal on the table first. that reflects frustrations that donald tusk talked about and he talked about brexit fatigue among countries like the dutch, the french in the spanish he wants something clear. does it mean a choice next week will be the deal by theresa may or no deal? not necessarily. mrtass be the deal by theresa may or no deal? not necessarily. mr tass said he could call an emergency summit later next week. why? that could be in the event that parliament has not

voted or any event that the deal itself was voted down enacted open the way to steal a longer extension. all of those things are still on the table. let's get more from our political editor, laura kuenssberg. where does that leave the prime minister? it is like the need has been blown off and exposed a bumbling morass of frustration and unhappiness all around. the prime minister is in big trouble. she made crystal clear to mps today that if she could not get her short delay or could not get her deal through, she would not tolerate the idea of, as prime minister, allowing us to stay in the eu beyond june. what could that mean? it raises expectation that mean? it raises expectation that if that were to happen or if parliament were to force it on her, she could even quit as prime minister. we are in these kinds of times here. in the next few hours, they might determine the future course of events. round about now

theresa may is sitting down with opposition leaders to talk about the she had to talk about the extension she had to talk about the extension she is speak extension —— extension she is speak extension —— extension she is speak extension —— extension she is seeking. she will make a statement in downing street. as things stand, that is not concerned. it may well end up being a defining day in the leadership of theresa may of the country that has been so played by had difficulties with brexit all along. big choices for her but big choices for every single mp in parliament who, so far, have been so divided and so unable to come together. thank you. aid agencies are struggling to reach survivors of the tropical cyclone that has battered south—eastern africa. communications are down, roads are cut off and some communities completely inaccessible. the storm has left hundreds of people dead and thousands more homeless

across mozambique, zimbabwe and malawi. the british red cross is warning that the situation is set to become even more challenging, with heavy rain predicted in the coming days. our correspondent, shingai nyoka, reports from the city of mutare in zimbabwe, close to the border with mozambique. in mozambique, the water stretches for miles in every direction. the bbc saw hundreds of people trapped in a stadium awaiting food and fresh water. aid for the cyclone survivors is pouring in and leaving as fast as it comes. authorities say the need is overwhelming and it is mainly for the basics. but it is not only the aid agencies that are working around the clock. in the midst of a tragedy, a heart—warming element, ordinary zimbabweans who, even in the midst of an economic crisis, are giving the food in their pantry and the clothes off their

backs to survivors. it has even prompted the country's president to react, a nation used to queueing for food and bread now lining up to help in an unprecedented community aid effort. but most of the supplies remain stuck on the wrong side of the disaster. access remains a challenge. zimbabwe's military has led operations to restore road network so that the help can reach those who remain isolated. we are now reallyjust concerned about the livelihoods more than the... the infrastructure we are concerned about, right now it is to get to help the communities, to help individuals. while there are teams who are working on assessing, so that we can have a consolidated appeal, we are not able to do so. in neighbouring malawi, large areas of the central and southern regions are still underwater. over 120,000 people displaced.

the united nations is warning that this may prove to be the worst weather—related disaster ever in the southern hemisphere. some have made it to safety but, for the majority who remain out of reach, time is running out. shingai nyoka, bbc news. the first funerals for victims of the gun attacks at two mosques in new zealand have been taking place in christchurch. 50 people were killed and dozens more were injured in last friday's deadly shootings in the city. the prime minister, jacinda ardern, has told the bbc there needs to be a global fight to root out racist right—wing ideology, from christchurch, clive myrie sent this report. above christchurch, the rising sun illuminates a day of mourning. with a lonely flag at half mast, a portent of things to come. an open casket threads its way through a crowd, bearing a body in

a white shroud. at last, the victims of the mosque shootings are finding peace. this journey will be made 50 times. the grave—diggers have much work to do. so, too, the survivors, now desperate to exorcise memories of the attacks. nathan smith, here on the right with a friend, is originally from poole in dorset. a convert to islam, he now lives in christchurch and was at prayer when the gunman struck. you heard bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! and it was relentless. but it wasn't right in the room. it was, like... people were looking at each other. to be honest, i thought it was firecrackers. i thought maybe electrical problems or something. 50 people dead... the bodies were stacked on top of each other, people just falling.

the windows going out. i can't explain it. how i got out, i don't know. outside the mosque, where nathan cheated death, the reconciliation of strangers. and the burden of fostering disunity nationwide after the shootings rests on slender but strong shoulders. —— this unity. i happen to be the prime minister of a particularly peaceful nation. you know, how could this happen here, to us and to this community? but it did happen here. anti—immigrant, anti—muslim sentiment is hardening. housing shortages are blamed on newcomers by some in her own party. and elements within her ruling coalition see immigrants as even a threat to rural life. but jacinda ardern says the fight against prejudice isn'tjust local. we still have a responsibility to weed it out where it exists and make sure that we never create an environment where it can flourish, but i would make that a global call.

what new zealand experienced here was violence brought against us by someone who grew up and learned their ideology somewhere else. she's facing the toughest test of her political career, soothing a nation traumatised by extreme violence, he but charisma and an ability to strike just the right tone in a moment of national mourning has endeared her to new zealanders and many around the world. how do you bring this community back together? this was a community that was, by and large, already together. myjob is to ensure it's not shattered apart. clive myrie, bbc news, christchurch. our top story this evening: theresa may is told the eu will only agree to a short brexit delay if mps finally back her deal next week. she asks for brexit to be delayed

untiljune the 30th. and still to come... it's thought to be the biggest investment in uk women's sport — the multi—million pound sponsorship deal for the women's football super league. coming up on sportsday on bbc news... the fa have signed a deal with barclays to sponsor the women s super league, in what's being described as the biggest ever brand investment into women s sport in the uk. a bbc investigation has found extreme material encouraging and glamorising eating disorders on the social media platform instagram. instagram says it doesn't allow this content. but children are swapping disturbing images of weight loss and advice on how to make their illnesses more extreme. the royal college of psychiatrists says the problem is "spiralling out of co ntrol". last month, instagram pledged to remove all graphic images of self—harm, following our reports about the death of 14—year—old molly russell, whose family say she took her own life after viewing graphic content on the platform.

you may find some of angus crawford's report distressing. a secret world of harm. i close my eyes and i can see them, images i'll never, everforget. promoting illnesses that can kill. the fact that i did have instagram, it fuelled the eating disorder. i was dying. if it hadn't been for immediate treatment, yes, i wouldn't be sat here today. but jodie has recovered and is thriving, the memory of the illness pushing her to help others. i love this one here... with her mum julie, using their instagram account to offer advice and to fight back against the damaging content they find there. i show them that it's possible. the pictures on there were so graphic, ofjust skin and bones, really, and anorexia would make you believe that actually you're bigger than that, you need to be like that. and instagram reinforced that, with the comments of "i feel so fat" all over these posts. but it's notjust about the images.

we uncovered a world of extreme diets and content promoting aggressive weight loss. some instagram users post their target or goal weight, dangerously low. it's a secretive community built around the illness. i think it's deeply worrying and, to some extent, the situation is spiralling out of control, because there's so much out there, how to be a better anorexic, tips and tricks to be better at having an eating disorder, so it is sinister. it can be dangerous. even more disturbing, look at this. instagram users searching for so—called ana—buddies to help them make their illness more extreme. we found this conversation — like many others, a child wanting other children to fast with. i can't do it alone, she says. and there's a stream of replies. # i'm

a bird... meet roseanne. likejodie, she spent months in hospital. just having my whole life taken over by my eating disorder. i just felt lost and hopeless. and, likejodie, she's recovered. the fact that i did have instagram, it fuelled the eating disorder... she says instagram played a major part in her illness, too. even on the ward, the platform bombarded her with recommendations for more harmful content. for me, it was the algorithms that weren't helping at all. i'd just get all these suggestions of kind of weight loss hashtags or hashtags thatjust really weren't very helpful. itjust made it easier and, in a way, kind of tempting to look at it again, and tempting to dip my foot back into the eating disorder world. instagram insists it is taking the problem seriously, directing users to helplines,

banning certain hashtags, spotting harmful activity. in a statement, it said... jodie and her mum, julie, are still scarred by what anorexia did to their family. you and dad look so tired. we were shattered. there is a lot of worry. in part, they blame instagram, and are now demanding change. please just close all these awful sites down, get rid of the hashtags, get rid of the negativity there. it should be a safe space, it should be a happy place, and it certainly isn't either. angus crawford, bbc news. if you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support with eating disorders, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free at any time to hear recorded

information on 0800 066 066. the football association is calling it a landmark moment for women's football. barclays has announced it's to become the first ever title sponsor of the women's super league. the three—year, multi—million pound partnership is the biggest investment by a brand in women's sport in this country. it will start from next season and includes a prize money pot of £500,000. our sports correspondent natalie pirks reports. female footballers have been proving for years now that they've got the talent, theyjust needed a big brand to back them. and chelsea are certainly going to be the champions now! today's news is reason to celebrate. it was something that has been needed in the women's game for so long. even when i was playing, i was hoping a big brand would come on board, and help promote and develop the women's game. and obviously now, it's happened, finally happened. the women's super league is europe's only fully professional women's league, but some clubs are cash—strapped. this announcement means they will receive prize money for the first time.

we are setting the tone, the trend, the way in the world. it has always been about america. sorry, they lag behind us. the interest in the game is growing, and i can't see anybody getting in the way of england becoming the best place in the world to play football. there's still some way to go, though. this deal, which starts next season, is estimated to be worth £10 million over three years. now, the last time the men's game got an equivalent amount was way back in 1993. and, when it comes to wages, it's a similar tale. england's women's captain steph houghton reportedly earns around £65,000 a year, whilst the men's captain, harry kane, well, he supposedly takes home more than £10 million annually. it's great for me to be here to see so many girls playing... some of this cash will go towards getting girls to play more football in schools, investment that is crucial to ensure a talent pipeline for england teams of the future.

it's hoped, with a world cup looming, a new audience will learn that football is not just a job for the boys. natalie pirks, bbc news. a metalfactory workerfrom hereford who won a euromillions jackpot of £71 million has proudly declared that it will change his life. ade goodchild — who's 58 — has quit his job and now has his eye on a new house with a jacuzzi, "a few staff", as he put it, and dream holidays to the grand canyon and the pyramids. who knows what the next 2a hours will hold, as the prime minister heads to brussels for an eu summit tomorrow, nine days before we are due to leave the eu. will it be delayed or are there signs that people are prepared to compromise? our deputy political editor, john pienaar, has been to norwich to find out. brexit. any suggestions? if you are cooking, it's

like the batter won't rise. the cakes are burned — again. time is running out. brexit‘s deadlocked and may be delayed, so what did they think at this hotel in the heart of remain—voting norwich? some think someone's got to give, but who? not everyone can win this argument. what do you think? i think the brexiteers are a bit too rigid in their views. something needs to give and i think it needs to come from their side. what about you ? i need to wait. at some point i'm really worried about my future. it's your life. you just want to know what's going on. i don't know what is the best option for me. it is notjust this business — you'll struggle to find business leaders round here keen on brexit. plenty are wondering how it might work, if it works at all. richard, what are you worried about? staffing is the real issue. if we don't have a constant flow of european staff, we can't open the doors. it's quite simple. ok, i know you voted to remain, what about compromise?

well, somehow we have to find a way of leaving the european union but sticking to european rules we have now. we have to do business. 0k. some brexiteers say that's not a proper brexit. we have to find something that works. we have to keep trading. who would have mrs may's job? shared ambition? hard to find. uniting the country? looks impossible. everyone's demanding clear leadership but, as for pleasing everyone, there is no recipe, no plan, that will do that. trust me. as if! trust in politics is wearing thin. butjust outside norwich, more people seem maybe willing to make the most of brexit. at this old established, family—owned boat building firm, workers and bosses see leaving the eu as an opportunity. a lot of businesses are worried about brexit. what about you ? it's the uncertainty and delay, jon. my concern in the boat building businesses that there is opportunity out there and we need to go and get it now. you sound positive. there is a worry about

the wider economy, including the value of the pound. but not for you. there is potentially good opportunity in export and the pound decreasing will make us more competitive with other people in building boats outside the country. jenny, how is all this touching you your family? there is always someone like my gran or one of my aunts ranting on facebook giving the opposite opinion. in the family, it would be nice not to have to talk about it and, in the business, we want to move on. when though? brexit is barely afloat. theresa may may seem calm but she is paddling desperately under the surface. the rest of us just waiting to see where the crisis is heading. jon pienaar, bbc news, norfolk. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. thank you. spring equinox today, astronomically speaking the first day or spring, and it looks like it. for some of us, sunny skies here for this weather watcher in derbyshire. not everywhere was that sonny. we

had large areas of cloud. where we had a slice of sunshine, temperatures got as high as 19, not bad at all for this point in march. where you had those clear skies at the moment, we are expecting them to fill in to some extent with cloud tonight, so most of us will be cloudy tonight, the thickest cloud in the west and south, some mist and merck over hills and coasts and more persistent rain for western scotland, and not a cold night by any stretch. tomorrow, we can generally expect more cloud than today. sunshine will be in short supply, today. sunshine will be in short supply, but there should be some, chiefly in east wales, the west midlands, north—east england. a lot of dry weather, apart from western scotland, with outbreaks of rain. temperature is a bit lower than today, because there isn't as much sunshine, but still 13 to 16. friday sta rts sunshine, but still 13 to 16. friday starts patches of cloud, and some missed, but in england and wales at eastern scotland, some spells of sunshine and a mild day, but this

band of rain starts to push in, with gusty winds in the far north—west. 50 to 60 mph. behind this rain, we start to see signs of something a bit cooler, taking us into the weekend. on friday night, that cold front weekend. on friday night, that cold fro nt m oves weekend. on friday night, that cold front moves south—eastwards. high pressure building behind, so a lot of dry weather for the weekend, but we get back into some cooler air. it isn't plunging us into the depths of winter, but you will notice a difference in the feel of the weather. temperatures down to 12 or 13, some wintry showers in north—west scotland, so feeling a bit less springlike. that's all from the bbc news at six, so it's goodbye from me. on bbc one, we nowjoin the bbc‘s news teams where you are.