welcome to bbc news — i'm david eades. our top stories: can the french break the ice in military tensions between russia and the west? presidents macron and putin to meet, as we report on ukrainian forces facing russian separatists in the east of the country. this entire village is a casualty of the conflict. it is extraordinary that anyone still lives here. the handful who remain are pretty much cut off. the canadian capital ottawa declares a state of emergency as truckers continue their rowdy protest over covid rules. queen elizabeth marks the 70th anniversary of her reign — with a vow to carry on serving. and a leap to olympic

glory for snowboarder zoi sadowski—synnott — it's new zealand's first ever winter gold medal. we'll catch up with her very proud parents. the french president emmanuel macron appears to be taking the diplomatic lead for the west this week in seeking to avert a russian invasion of ukraine. on monday he heads to moscow to meet president putin, after earlier holding a telephone conversation with us presidentjoe biden. he's also due to meet ukraine's president zelensky and possibly germany's chancellor later in the week. in eastern ukraine, kremlin backed separatists have been fighting government forces since 2014. our international correspondent, orla guerin,

reports now from one village that has been virtually destroyed by the conflict. russia lies across the water, a threat not seen, but felt. on this side of the frozen azov sea, all is quiet on the beaches in the ukrainian seaside town of shyrokyne. these days, less beach resort, more last resort. war came here in 2014, and kremlin—backed separatists are still dug injust a few miles away. "there are defences on the shore "and mines in the water", says the commander, sergei, who insists president putin is just flexing his muscles. for now, more waiting and wondering — will he, won't he invade?

a worry notjust for ukraine, but for the world. and for this village, anotherfront line area, about two hours away. this entire village is a casualty of the conflict. most of the houses are abandoned. most of the people are long gone. it's extraordinary that anyone still lives here. the handful who remain are pretty much cut off. viktor is glad to have a visitor to his home on the first of may street. he's one of the last five villagers, sticking it out despite the separatist rebels, whose positions are likm beyond the tree line.

his wife, ira, who's 59, like him, says they are too old to move, and loneliness is the greatest battle. "i miss the old days", she says. "there were so many people. "now there's no one to talk to. "we watch tv and do crosswords, and we talk to the animals." standing proud down the road, theodore, a hardy 91—year—old. he tells me his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren live in rebel—held territory, and have been unable to cross the front line to see him in months. but the villagers are stoic. they have to be. "life is not so bad that we cry all the time", says ira. "we carry on.

"of course, we would like it to be better. "but there's nothing we can do." orla guerin, bbc news, eastern ukraine. i'm joined now by dmitri alperovitch, chairman of silverado policy accelerator, a washington—based geopolitical think—tank. thank you very much forjoining us. i wonder what you think. president macron has expressed some understanding for russia's concerns in the region and he is not as hard ball in this approach. can he make a difference? it approach. can he make a difference?— approach. can he make a difference? it is certainly a limited hail— difference? it is certainly a limited hail mary - difference? it is certainly a limited hail mary and - difference? it is certainly a limited hail mary and i - difference? it is certainly a limited hail mary and i am| difference? it is certainly a - limited hail mary and i am glad he is going because to this point we have not had a western leader late president macron visit president putin fa ce—to —fa ce visit president putin face—to—face and ask him point—blank what would it to pull back forces, what are you looking for specifically from the west and to try and find an

accommodation. ifear the west and to try and find an accommodation. i fear the likelihood is low because britain stands ready to invade and he has forces in position, or most all the equipment has been moved to the ukraine border, navalassets been moved to the ukraine border, naval assets are on the way to the black sea so he has incredible average here. but macron seems _ incredible average here. but macron seems to think that he can find a way forward. he is speaking in positive terms. i think that he has to. hope never dies and i hope he can ensure a breakthrough. but when you look at what putin wants and what he said he wants, he wants guarantees the ukraine will neverjoin nato and technically macron could give in these guarantees because france does have veto power as every other member of nato and exception of new members. the binding guarantees like that are unlikely to be given to putin. and beyond that i think putin. and beyond that i think putin will want more. want all nato infrastructure and weapons to be pulled out of ukraine, and that is not something that macron can accommodate so i fear the price will be too high

that macron can pay. in which case, that macron can pay. in which case. i'm _ that macron can pay. in which case. i'mjust_ that macron can pay. in which case, i'm just trying - that macron can pay. in which case, i'm just trying to - that macron can pay. in which case, i'm just trying to work. case, i'm just trying to work out what you think would happen. you say that with that much closer to an invasion of sorts. ., ~ .., , sorts. from the american side, at least, sorts. from the american side, at least. they _ sorts. from the american side, at least, they would _ sorts. from the american side, at least, they would want - sorts. from the american side, at least, they would want and l at least, they would want and they just at least, they would want and theyjust had a phone call between macron and biden, they would want to understand what they want. they want macron to get those details out of putin at the meeting today, they would want to follow—up from the chancellor next week to do the chancellor next week to do the same and then maybe as allies they can come together and try to figure out is there something workable here, is there a last—ditch diplomatic effort that can be made to avoid war?— effort that can be made to avoid war? ~ ., , avoid war? we have been running throu~h avoid war? we have been running through this _ avoid war? we have been running through this for _ avoid war? we have been running through this for some _ avoid war? we have been running through this for some weeks - avoid war? we have been running through this for some weeks now| through this for some weeks now and obviously the buildup has been going on for months. we are still in the diplomatic phase which either gives some cause for confidence or hope, at least, or it points to some sort of military incursion. what would be your best bet is to what they would do? i

what would be your best bet is to what they would do?- to what they would do? i have been convinced _ to what they would do? i have been convinced for— to what they would do? i have been convinced for the - to what they would do? i have been convinced for the last. to what they would do? i have l been convinced for the last two months that they were going to invade and everything that has happened since then has only reaffirm that conviction. the reality is i think the russians have been stalling for time diplomatically so they can complete the buildup and they are almost ready and could invade in the next week if not sooner and, invade in the next week if not soonerand, really, ithink very little would stop them from doing so now. we very little would stop them from doing so now. we have been sa in: for from doing so now. we have been saying for weeks _ from doing so now. we have been saying for weeks now _ from doing so now. we have been saying for weeks now but - saying for weeks now but another critical week ahead, it seems. thank you very much. let's get some of the day's other news. a powerful tropical storm is starting to leave madagascar where at least ten people have died and around 50,000 have been made homeless. the east coast was the worst hit by cyclone batsirai which brought windspeeds of around 160 kilometres an hour. it's the second powerful cyclone in a fortnight to affect madagascar. a leaked un report says north korea is continuing to carry out cyberattacks to acquire cryptocurrency in order to fund its weapons programmes.

the report said pyongyang stole $50 million from 2020 until the middle of last year. mexican authorities have cleared a makeshift camp in the north of the country, where hundreds of migrants heading towards the us border had been staying for more than a year. nearly 400 migrants have been transferred by bus to three different shelters near the city of tijuana. in canada a state of emergency has been declared in the capital ottawa, in response to the ongoing truckers' protests against covid restrictions. the mayorjim watson said the city was outnumbered and losing the battle against the freedom convoy. the truckers have paralysed the centre of ottawa with vehicles and tents blocking roads. justin ling, an investigative journalist based in montreal, has been following the story and joins me now. thank you very much indeed. is

it getting worse or is itjust persistent in terms of this protest? it persistent in terms of this protest?— protest? it is definitely nettina protest? it is definitely getting worse. - protest? it is definitely| getting worse. patience protest? it is definitely i getting worse. patience is definitely running out for the folks who actually live in the downtown core who have been absolutely fed up with the behaviour of the protesters, the constant noise and just this evening was a raucous dance party with djs taking place in the shadow of parliament hill. the honking has been nearly incessant. it got so bad in fact that a class—action lawsuit was filed today, demanding that the court put an injunction in and threatened to fine these protesters up to $10 million canadian because they have basically destroyed any sort of normal life that local residents would otherwise enjoy. so things are getting quite tense in the capital, for sure. i quite tense in the capital, for sure. , , ., , sure. i bet they are but their message _ sure. i bet they are but their message is _ sure. i bet they are but their message is clear. _ sure. i bet they are but their message is clear. we - sure. i bet they are but their message is clear. we will. sure. i bet they are but their. message is clear. we will stay

as long as it aches and ultimately, presumably, that means the removal of the vaccination mandate for truckers who want to go back and forth across the border to the united states. it is important _ the united states. it is important to _ the united states. it is important to note - the united states. it is important to note that| the united states. it is - important to note that they the united states. it 3 important to note that they are not just asking for important to note that they are notjust asking for an end to that mandate for truckers. they want an end to all vaccine mandates top to bottom at every level of government and that is something that the trudeau administration nationally cannot even do. their demands are absolutely untenable and some of the protesters have even insisted that they will not leave until the prime minister resigns from office and calls a new election. the demands being meted out from these protesters, you could never be abided too. these people represent about 10% of the country who are unvaccinated and they are asking forjustin trudeau to basically remove every requirement for healthcare workers to be vaccinated, for a vaccine to be required for domestic flights and

international flights and four police officers, firefighters, a host of otherjobs and to have these mandates be lifted. better that is not going to happen. it better that is not going to ha en. , ., better that is not going to hauen. ,., , ,, ., ., happen. it is one expression of the frustrations _ happen. it is one expression of the frustrations that _ happen. it is one expression of the frustrations that many - the frustrations that many people have felt, many canadians i'm sure in different ways. how much support would you say there is across the piece for these protests? i don't suppose many ottomans are chuffed about it across the country?— chuffed about it across the count ? ~ ., ., , country? we have a little bit of data on — country? we have a little bit of data on this. _ country? we have a little bit of data on this. two - country? we have a little bit of data on this. two poles i country? we have a little bit. of data on this. two poles were conducted over the past week that found somewhere in the range of 13— 35% of the country identifies or sympathises with these protesters. you may even see that number slide even further. basically, we know that they are broadly supportive of the vaccine mandates and we are one of the most vaccinated countries in the world. 70— 80% range support vaccine passports. there is an enormous amount of frustration in canada were some of the more draconian measures, quebec has lived under a curfew

for large stents of the past year, restaurants and bars, gyms, theatres have been open and shut sporadically over the last 12 months or so. but these protesters really are rejecting the requirements only around vaccination. frankly they are not getting a lot of buy in from people who broadly support the vaccine. i from people who broadly support the vaccine-— the vaccine. i wonder when this one will end. _ the vaccine. i wonder when this one will end. justin, _ the vaccine. i wonder when this one will end. justin, thank- the vaccine. i wonder when this one will end. justin, thank you | one will end. justin, thank you very much indeed. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: celebrations in senegal as they beat egypt to win the africa cup of nations football title for the first time. there's mr mandela, nelson mandela. a free man taking his first steps into a new south africa.

iran's spiritual leader, ayatollah khomeini, has said he's passed a death sentence on salman rushdie, the british author of a book which many muslims say is blasphemous. the people of haiti have flocked to church - to give thanks for the ousting of their former president, - 'ba by doc' duvalier. because of his considerable value as a stallion, shergar was kept in a special secure box in the stud farm's central block. shergar was driven away in a horse box the thieves had brought with them. there stepped down from the plane a figure in mourning. elizabeth ii, queen of this realm and of all her other realms and territories, head of the commonwealth, defender of the faith. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: french president macron to meet

with president putin later for the latest efforts to avoid a russian invasion of ukraine. the canadian capital ottawa has declared a state of emergency as protests by truckers against covid restrictions continue. prince charles has led tributes to queen elizabeth on her platinum jubilee for the "remarkable achievement" of reaching 70 years on the throne — a milestone never reached by any other british monarch. prince charles welcomed his mother's wish that camilla, duchess of cornwall, be known as 'queen consort�* when he becomes king. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell has more. "i look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart" — the pledge of a monarch who has already done her duty for 70 years and whose commitment clearly remains undimmed, despite the passage of years. and with that promise, a glimpse of the unseen work that has been part of the queen's daily life from those 70 years — the paperwork from her

official red boxes. government documents, many of them highly confidential, and messages from abroad. extremely nice comments, including one from president biden. oh, that's very kind. tributes to the queen on this accession day were led by prince charles. in a message, he said: and of the queen's stated wish that camilla should become charles' queen consort, the prince said: the prince of wales is clearly delighted at the queen's endorsement of camilla's future status as queen consort, and it really is a remarkable transformation. not so many years ago, the queen would not even meet her. when charles and camilla married in april 2005, the ceremony had to be

conducted at windsor registry office, such were the sensitivities about the circumstances which had led to the breakdown of charles' first marriage to diana, princess of wales. the queen only felt able to join them for the blessing at st george's chapel. during that service, the couple sought forgiveness for previous sins. it was said then that when charles took the throne, camilla would be known simply as 'princess consort�*. but in the years since, camilla has proved a staunch member of the royal family. she has brought charles great happiness and won the trust and affection of the queen. charles once described camilla as a "non—negotiable part of his life". now, she will, as charles has always hoped, be crowned alongside him at his coronation. that that should be the case is at the personal initiative of the queen. 70 years? extraordinary. but until that day,

it is elizabeth that will continue to occupy the throne. in her accession day statement, she said she was humbled by the loyalty and affection she continued to receive. she signed her message, "your servant, elizabeth r". nicholas witchell, bbc news, sandringham. one of india's greatest ever singers, lata mangeshkar, has been cremated at a huge funeral ceremony in mumbai, attended by the country's prime minister. narendra modi said she "left a void in the nation that cannot be filled". our correspondent raijini vaidyanathan looks back on her life. sings. lata mangeshkar was one of the most prolific artists in history who recorded more songs than the beatles and the rolling stones combined.

bollywood music plays. as a bollywood singer, her vocals were dubbed over generations of actresses as they lip—synched dance routines in indian films. lata mangeshkar leaves a legacy as old as independent india itself — a career of more than seven decades. today, the country's prime minister narendra modi led tributes to an artist so revered, she was afforded a state funeral. affectionately known as india's 'didi', or sister, to millions in this country and around the world, this loss feels personal. india is now in two days of mourning in honour of lata mangeshkar. her appeal was universal, crossing religious and cultural divides. her music was played at weddings, funerals and national events. it is hard to find an indian who wasn't moved by her music, the music of lata mangeshkar.

translation: i have been a fan since i was a child. _ words cannot express how sad i feel at her passing. in one of her final last interviews, given to the bbc asian network, she talked about reaching that milestone. "i've reluctantly accepted i'm old," she said, "but i feel like i'm 25." her voice was ever youthful. it was one of a kind. if bollywood is the soul of india, then lata mangeshkar was its beating heart. the chinese tennis player peng shuai says she met with the ioc president thomas bach on saturday inside the winter olympics bubble in beijing. during herfirst western media interview with the french newspaper l'equipe, peng shuai

said she never accused anyone of sexual assault and she'd deleted her social media post that appeared to make such a claim. the well—being of the three—time olympian became a matter of global concern when the allegation first emerged in november. a bit of history for you. new zealand has won its first ever gold medal at the winter olympic. it came courtesy of snowboarder zoi sadowski—synnott. the 20—year—old clinched the top spot in snowboard slopestyle after a dramatic final run that ended the united states' run of dominance in the discipline. well, the scenes ofjubilation weren't confined to the slopes — there was also a raucous reaction in wanaka, new zealand — zoi's hometown. and i'm delighted to say we're joined from there now by zoi's parents, sean and robin. robin, sean, thank you for joining us. i think zoi

described it as complete disbelief, that was the polite test explanation i have seen from her on winning gold. did you share that? we from her on winning gold. did you share that?— from her on winning gold. did you share that? we did. we were 'ust you share that? we did. we were just astounded _ you share that? we did. we were just astounded at _ you share that? we did. we were just astounded at the _ you share that? we did. we were just astounded at the outcome i just astounded at the outcome and it was big, when she dropped the third run and pulled it off after being inaudible position so you have to dig deep for that. i bet inaudible position so you have to dig deep for that.— to dig deep for that. i bet she did. robin, — to dig deep for that. i bet she did. robin, it— to dig deep for that. i bet she did. robin, it must've - to dig deep for that. i bet she did. robin, it must've been . did. robin, it must've been nerve racking but she is a bronze medallist after all, it is not as if it is a flash in the pan, this.— is not as if it is a flash in - the pan, this.- inaudible. the pan, this. yep. inaudible. you are speechless, _ the pan, this. yep. inaudible. you are speechless, i _ the pan, this. yep. inaudible. you are speechless, i can see it is such a big deal. i was going to say for her, she is 20 now, to reach this level, i mean, she is top of the world, i want to know how she did it.

here is new zealand, never won a gold medal in winter olympics before. i know you have some ski resorts probably not that far from you, ski resorts probably not that farfrom you, but ski resorts probably not that far from you, but are you bust kings and queens of the slopes yourself or has she done this of her own bat?— of her own bat? no, we both have a sort _ of her own bat? no, we both have a sort of— of her own bat? no, we both have a sort of ski _ of her own bat? no, we both have a sort of ski and - have a sort of ski and snowboarding back on the day but more recreational so we just transferred from skis to snowboards eight years old and inaudible skis. mum was an avid skier and i get into trouble for that but there we go. i concede you have to take all of this in. i mean, she's actually got another, she has the big air still to come, she may do it again. is a chance?- air still to come, she may do it again. is a chance? well, if ou no it again. is a chance? well, if you go on _ it again. is a chance? well, if you go on the _ it again. is a chance? well, if you go on the form, - it again. is a chance? well, if you go on the form, i - it again. is a chance? well, if you go on the form, i guess i you go on the form, i guess from the x games you would not be placing a bet on a

possibility.— be placing a bet on a possibility. be placing a bet on a ossibili . ~ ., ., possibility. we will have our finaers possibility. we will have our fingers crossed _ possibility. we will have our fingers crossed for - possibility. we will have our fingers crossed for that. - possibility. we will have our. fingers crossed for that. what about the sort of response you have had from friends and family? i know new zealand has taken off a bit on this but it must be party time?- taken off a bit on this but it must be party time? yeah. go on. must be party time? yeah. go on- yeah- _ must be party time? yeah. go on- yeah- it — must be party time? yeah. go on. yeah. it certainly - must be party time? yeah. go on. yeah. it certainly has - on. yeah. it certainly has been. i think yesterday afternoon, i may have dropped the f bomb on a couple of radio shows or live tv and i know the bbc probably doesn't encourage that but i will hold those inaudible back late in the week. i think the big air, she will be there and we hoping she will be there and we hoping she will be there and we hoping she will be on the podium and yes, we have been, we had a couple of whiskeys yesterday to celebrate and yet... i expect ou celebrate and yet... i expect you may _ celebrate and yet... i expect you may have _ celebrate and yet... i expect you may have a _ celebrate and yet... i expect you may have a few - celebrate and yet... i expect you may have a few more i celebrate and yet... i expect you may have a few more to| you may have a few more to come. thank you for holding back on the f bombs, greatly

appreciated and many congratulations to the parent view. . ~ congratulations to the parent view. ., ~' , ., congratulations to the parent view. ., ,, , ., ., congratulations to the parent view. ., ,, ., ., , view. thank you for 'oining us. you are welcome. _ view. thank you forjoining us. you are welcome. thank - view. thank you forjoining us. you are welcome. thank you l view. thank you forjoining us. i you are welcome. thank you very much. you are welcome. thank you very much- thank— you are welcome. thank you very much. thank you. _ senegal have won the african cup of nations for the first time. they've beaten egypt on penalties after the game finished goalless. in a match billed as being a battle between two liverpool stars — mo salah from egypt and sadio mane from senegal — it was mane who provided the game's most pivotal moments, as piers edwards reports from cameroon. this is the olembe stadium, in yaounde, where the teranga lions have, as you said, won their first—ever africa cup of nations title. it's their first ever major title of any note. now, this was billed as the match between mane and his liverpool team—mate salah and, as you say, in the early stages, it was not exactly going the way that mane had hoped it would when he missed that penalty. gabaski, the egyptian keeper, blocking a fiercely driven penalty, to be fair to mane, that really played into the egyptian's hands. they are very cagey, they don't like to come out of their shell and they wanted to hit senegal on the break and just rely on their defence, which got them through

but neither side could actually make it past the goalkeepers. edouard mendy, the chelsea stopper, was in good form at one end and gabaski, as said, at the other. we went to penalties and after egypt missed two — they have not lost a penalty shoot—out since 1984. well, there we are. that is bbc news — hello there. a quieter end to the night to come, the wintry showers are easing away, as are the winds, which have been a feature of the weather throughout the weekend, and that's because we're having a little ridge of high pressure building in. so not only are the winds easing but, as the showers die down, the cloud is breaking and temperatures tumbling away. close to freezing in many parts by dawn, so a much colder start by monday morning —— so a much colder start on monday morning and potentially, as well, an icy start where the surfaces are still damp because temperatures notjust in the air but on the roads will be close to freezing. you can stay up to date with the warnings, as ever, on our website. for the day ahead, we've got further weather fronts coming in and fairly brisk winds but not as windy

as it has been, and as those weather fronts come in to the high pressure further south, there won't be that much rain. but what they will do is introduce much milder air through the day. so, initially, there could be some snow on the forward edge of that weather front as it moves into the hills of scotland but it will turn back to rain quite quickly. what we will find, though, is the sunshine that we start the day with. a lovely bright start will tend to fade as the cloud comes in. still staying largely dry and bright across many central, southern and eastern areas but some drizzly rain and hill fog in western and northern areas. more significant rain for the highlands and the islands but the temperatures, 10—12 degrees celsius — yes, there will be a stronger wind picking up towards the north—west but much milder air to the south of our weather front, and that continues through monday night into tuesday. the colder air returns, though, with a few wintry showers in the north. not as cold as it has been and still much milder a night for many as we go into tuesday, when we have that weather front straddling the country. probably northern ireland, parts of scotland, northern england, perhaps north wales. the dividing line, if you like, between that mild atlantic air

and lots of dry weather but quite cloudy weather in the south, and brighter but showery weather further north. and we will see some sunshine breaking through equally in the south as well, and it will be very mild on tuesday — 13s and 14s — and still relatively around normal further north, even in the colder air. and that battle continues through the week with our weather front straddling central areas. not producing that much rain, we don't think, as it's coming into the high pressure, butjust keeping a lot of cloud with us here whilst we could see a spell of windier weather midweek in the north and harnessing those wintry showers but then, high pressure builds towards the end of the week for a lot of dry, bright but chillier weather.

this is bbc news, the headlines: french president macron has spoken to president biden to coordinate efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the ukraine crisis. mr macron will travel to moscow later to speak to his russian counterpart, vladimir putin. russia has continued to deploy large numbers of troops on the ukrainian border. at least ten people have been killed and thousands left homeless in madagascar — after the island was hit by the second severe storm in two weeks. cyclone batsirai brought strong winds and heavy rains leading to flooding. whole villages were reported to have been almost completely destroyed. the canadian capital ottawa has declared a state of emergency in response to more than a week of protests by truckers against covid restrictions. the mayor said the protests posed a threat to the safety of residents.