some of the energy price rises with an sme price cap. the government tonight said it recognised the impact this was having on businesses and is looking for the best ways to support them. this global crisis is making economic and political waves right here at home. simonjack, bbc news, south shields. the weather is going to look and feel different tomorrow, today generally speaking was the wettest day of the week, and i want to show you the rain picture over the last few hours, because we have had rain over many parts of the country, just now moving away from eastern scotland, but still quite a lot of rain over the midlands, and steady bursts of rain in the east. it is shuffling out into the north sea, saw drying off tonight. cloud breaking up, sky is tending to clear ahead of the shower is coming into

the north—west. as it quietened down, much colder, a chilly night for many than last night. temperatures close to freezing quite widely, minus five in eastern parts of scotland. bands of showers coming from the north west, two of them, pushing across scotland and northern ireland with sunshine in between. as they move into northern part of england and wales, largely drying out. more sunshine across the midlands, towards the south—east, and generally temperatures higher than what we had today. the weather will be coming down after the rain, high pressure building on. that weatherfrom high pressure building on. that weather from the north—west will leave a residue of cloud and moisture, could have mist and patchy fog across wales and the midlands. lifting, though, and some cloud will move northwards during friday, but a lot of dry weather and sunshine to come, a fine spring day on friday, and temperatures continuing to lift, up and temperatures continuing to lift, up to 16 degrees. as we head into

the weekend, high pressure is going to drift away eastwards, it means the winds will start to pick up, more isobars on the charge, as you can see, but are dry this weekend. quite a lot of sunshine around, temperatures will drop away a little bit by sunday, and whilst it is pleasantly warm in the sunshine by day, a little bit chilly at night. back to you, clive. that's it, so goodbye from me. now on bbc one, let'sjoin our news teams where you are. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm gavin ramjaun. victory at last for england's women — but a mountain still ahead — as they try and defend the cricket world cup. a slow day for england's men in barbados — joe root leads by example though, in the second test against west indies. it was wet and wild — but that didn't stop ener—gumeen powering though,

to the win the top race at cheltenham this afternoon. also coming up in the programme. chelsea are in lille — hoping to put their off—field drama to one side, and seal a spot in the champions league quarter finals. and can liverpool steal a march on leaders man city in the premier league — they're at in—form arsenal tonight hello and welcome to sportsday. they're down — but most certainly not outjust yet. england's women came back fighting, in their defence of the cricket world cup. they beat india by 4 wickets — to keep their hopes alive, after enduring a miserable run so far. laura scott reports. their backs against the wall, what else could england do but come out

swinging? they looked transformed, how was that for position? delivering, she spun her way to four wickets in the second world cup match. india scheduled forjust134. but match. india scheduled forjust 134. but england got match. india scheduled forjust134. but england got off to a nervy start, losing two early wickets. sometimes you just need a little bit of luck. saved by the bail. she went on to score 45, captain heather knight adding 53, helping england secure victory with 18 overs to spare. secure victory with 18 overs to sare. . , , ., ., spare. really pleasing to get a win on the board- _ spare. really pleasing to get a win on the board. with _ spare. really pleasing to get a win on the board. with a _ spare. really pleasing to get a win on the board. with a pretty - spare. really pleasing to get a win on the board. with a pretty good l on the board. with a pretty good performance and hopefully this is the start of some wins, one of four that we know we need to win. realistic knowing they are on the board but not out of the woods. so a vital, must win victory for england. afterwards our reporter henry moeran caught up with former england

spinner alex hartley as they look ahead to what's set to be a pivotal week for the side. it has been a long cold winter with defeat in the ashes and in a poor start to the work of title, three defeats and three but finally a victory against the side that they beatin victory against the side that they beat in the 2017 final in india. alex harley, you're part of that side and lifted the trophy, this was a window was so needed. fix, side and lifted the trophy, this was a window was so needed. a massive si . h a window was so needed. a massive siuh of a window was so needed. a massive sigh of relief — a window was so needed. a massive sigh of relief for _ a window was so needed. a massive sigh of relief for the _ a window was so needed. a massive sigh of relief for the england - sigh of relief for the england girls, bringing a game of cricket and they— girls, bringing a game of cricket and they played like the england we all know _ and they played like the england we all know and love. there are ruthless _ all know and love. there are ruthless in the field, ruthless with the hall_ ruthless in the field, ruthless with the ball and it looked like they're having _ the ball and it looked like they're having a — the ball and it looked like they're having a great time. england played the best_ having a great time. england played the best cricket when they're out there _ the best cricket when they're out there and — the best cricket when they're out there and enjoy it and they did exactly— there and enjoy it and they did exactly that today.— there and enjoy it and they did exactly that today. there and enjoy it and they did exactl that toda . , ., , exactly that today. every game must win and without _ exactly that today. every game must win and without a _ exactly that today. every game must win and without a little _ exactly that today. every game must win and without a little bit _ exactly that today. every game must win and without a little bit of - win and without a little bit of freedom. , ~ ., win and without a little bit of freedom-— win and without a little bit of freedom. , ~ ., , ., freedom. they know if they do not win these next _ freedom. they know if they do not win these next three _ freedom. they know if they do not win these next three or— freedom. they know if they do not win these next three or four - freedom. they know if they do not i win these next three or four games, they going _ win these next three or four games, they going home. that gives you a sense of. — they going home. that gives you a sense of, we have mess this up, we are defending champions, we have

come _ are defending champions, we have come over— are defending champions, we have come over as champions and we lost our first— come over as champions and we lost our first three games, you're went up our first three games, you're went up to— our first three games, you're went up to play— our first three games, you're went up to play her best cricket and they've — up to play her best cricket and they've done that today. the plague in san _ they've done that today. the plague in san diego who were against west indies— in san diego who were against west indies under the in san diego who were against west indies underthe pump in san diego who were against west indies under the pump and the naid-inma— indies under the pump and the mid—india look very average today. unheaten— mid—india look very average today. unbeaten 15, important taverns and skipper. she unbeaten 15, important taverns and ski er. . . unbeaten 15, important taverns and skiuer. ,, ., ., unbeaten 15, important taverns and ski er. ,, ., ., , ., , skipper. she asked for her standup and previous _ skipper. she asked for her standup and previous interviews, _ skipper. she asked for her standup and previous interviews, she - skipper. she asked for her standup and previous interviews, she did i and previous interviews, she did exactly— and previous interviews, she did exactly that today. averaging 18 and --oin exactly that today. averaging 18 and going into _ exactly that today. averaging 18 and going into today's game, she would be disappointed with that, we have to remember she was knocking the aussies_ to remember she was knocking the aussies around and making cricket look incredibly easy and she did exactly— look incredibly easy and she did exactly the same today. amy look incredibly easy and she did exactly the same today. amy johns is auoin 50 in exactly the same today. amy johns is going 50 in the _ exactly the same today. amy johns is going 50 in the last _ exactly the same today. amy johns is going 50 in the last match, _ exactly the same today. amy johns is going 50 in the last match, the - going 50 in the last match, the chance to something pretty incredible if they can turn this around. a first step done. . done. new zealand _ around. a first step done. . done. new zealand next _ around. a first step done. . done. new zealand next and _ around. a first step done. . done. new zealand next and that's - around. a first step done. . done. new zealand next and that's a - new zealand next and that's a massive — new zealand next and that's a massive game for england, he was cadet _ massive game for england, he was cadet added support as well for new zealand. _ cadet added support as well for new zealand, there will be confident in played _ zealand, there will be confident in played some good cricket, england they when they came on sunday the of winning _ they when they came on sunday the of winning momentum behind them going

against _ winning momentum behind them going against bangladesh.— against bangladesh. sunday really is the key came- _ against bangladesh. sunday really is the key came. sunday _ against bangladesh. sunday really is the key came. sunday is _ against bangladesh. sunday really is the key came. sunday is the - against bangladesh. sunday really is the key came. sunday is the one, i the key came. sunday is the one, the key came. sunday is the one, they decided _ the key came. sunday is the one, they decided they _ the key came. sunday is the one, they decided they go _ the key came. sunday is the one, they decided they go home - the key came. sunday is the one, they decided they go home or - the key came. sunday is the one, | they decided they go home or not. finally— they decided they go home or not. finally on— they decided they go home or not. finally on the board and the women's world cup and we wonder if the sun may be setting on the campaign, but it seems not. they live to fight another day with victory over india by four wickets. meanwhile england's men are also in action. they're playing the second test against west indies in barbados. england won the toss and chose to bat. but, as so often, they lost an early wicket. zak crawley well caught byjoshua da silva off the bowling of jayden seales. and kemar roach might have taken the key wicket of england captainjoe root, but this time da silva couldn't cling on. that might be costly. root passed 50 as england started to build a good platform but west indies got a breakthrough, thanks to spinner veerasammy permaul who trapped alex lees lbw for 30. england are now 120 for 2.

sublime conditions there in barbados, to a rather wet and windy cheltenham now. after the buzz of crowds being back for opening day — the weather tried to dampen things. but not so for ener—gumeen, who took the honours in the queen mother champion chase at the festival. a delight for trainer willie mullins, and jockey paul townend. 0ur correspondent andy swiss is there for us. was this a surprise in the big race earlier? that's right, yes. as you say after yesterday sunshine, the conditions have been a little bit different today. we have had heavy rain all day and it has had quite an impact, particularly as they watered the course you last night perhaps underestimating the amount of rain that we would actually have today. certainly had an impact on the big race, the queen mother championship which had been billeted as a duel between the favourite and shish can did not like the conditions at all

and that paved the way for them to charge clear and claim an emphatic victory. and for trainer willie mullins. he has enjoyed some of the victories here at cheltenham but he has never won the queen mother championship chase until today. what a great victory especially with the return of the fans after lester's walk down. return of the fans after lester's walk down-— return of the fans after lester's walk down. .,, , ., , ~ , walk down. -- last years locked up. just the walk down. -- last years locked up. just the buzz _ walk down. -- last years locked up. just the buzz of _ walk down. -- last years locked up. just the buzz of the _ walk down. -- last years locked up. just the buzz of the place, - walk down. -- last years locked up. just the buzz of the place, everyone loving _ just the buzz of the place, everyone loving it. _ just the buzz of the place, everyone loving it, some fantastic, this race wasjust. — loving it, some fantastic, this race wasjust, you know, it was great for fans to watch. — and a famous horse, made their final appearance earlier. the emotional highlight of today and

that was tiger role, the two—time screen national winner, five—time winner at the festival competing in his final race before being retired. could he get that fairy tale finish and it certainly looked at when the cross—country, he was over the final fence that of delta work but agonisingly dull to work etched amount and the closing stages you could hear the disappointment from the crowd and afterwards, michael, who owns both horses apologise for spoiling the party but when tiger role came back into the windows enclosure, with a reception he had, a deafening cheerfrom the enclosure, with a reception he had, a deafening cheer from the thousands and thousands of people who turned up and thousands of people who turned up to see his final race, the end of the glittering career and afterwards, these are the thoughts of his trainer gordon elliott. the horse of a _ of his trainer gordon elliott. the horse of a lifetime. he'sjust a very— horse of a lifetime. he'sjust a very special horse. a horse of a lifetime. he's 'ust a very special horsefi horse of a lifetime. he's 'ust a very special horse. a very emotional

moment? you _ very special horse. a very emotional moment? you see _ very special horse. a very emotional moment? you see them _ very special horse. a very emotional moment? you see them walking - very special horse. a very emotional. moment? you see them walking down --eole are moment? you see them walking down people are cheering _ moment? you see them walking down people are cheering and _ moment? you see them walking down people are cheering and very - moment? you see them walking down people are cheering and very proud . people are cheering and very proud of him _ people are cheering and very proud of him and — people are cheering and very proud of him and a bit emotional but it has been — of him and a bit emotional but it has been a — of him and a bit emotional but it has been a brilliant day and we fed two victories but tiger, he made the race what— two victories but tiger, he made the race what it — two victories but tiger, he made the race what it was. so two victories but tiger, he made the race what it was.— race what it was. so close to the fai tale race what it was. so close to the fairy tale finish. _ race what it was. so close to the fairy tale finish. certainly - race what it was. so close to the | fairy tale finish. certainly another dramatic day _ fairy tale finish. certainly another dramatic day here _ fairy tale finish. certainly another dramatic day here at _ fairy tale finish. certainly another dramatic day here at cheltenham| fairy tale finish. certainly another- dramatic day here at cheltenham but the good news for the fans here have taken a real soaking today is the forecast is a lot better for the next couple of days as we head closer and closer towards the highlight of the festival and the cheltenham gold cup which takes place on friday. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making headlines today. england's charlie ewels has been banned for three matches, following the red card against ireland, in the weekend's

six nations clash, ewels was sent off in the 2nd minute in the loss at twickenham — and misses the final game of the tournament against france on saturday. captain babar azam helped guide pakistan to a draw in their second test against australia in karachi. azam hit 196 as his side batted out the final day, leaving australia frustrated after they'd built a huge first innings lead. the series is level at one—all with the final test starting monday. mark cavendish has become the first british rider to win the world's oldest one—day bike race. the milano—torino race has been going since 1876 and the manx missile outsprinted his rivals to celebrate his 159th career victory, and his third this year. and britain's harriet dart lost in straight sets, to madison keys, in the fourth round at indian wells. she's still on course to make the world's top 100 for the first time, after her best ever run at the tournament in california. now staying with tennis, all four grand slams will use a 10—point final set tie—break on a year's trial. starting from the french open in may. the move will see a tie—break commence if the score reaches

six—games—all in the final set. roland garros is the only major that does not have a final set tie—break. wimbledon has played tie—breaks from 12 games—all in the final set since 2019, with the winner being the first player to seven points with a two point advantage. that decision followed kevin anderson's remarkable victory overjohn isner the previous year. anderson won 26 games to 24 in the final set to reach the final. previously american isner was involved in another wimbldeon epic — a 70 games to 68 win against france's nicolas mahut in 2010 — the longest match in grand slam history. the champions league continues tonight — with the most talked about club in english football at the moment, chelsea — in lille to face the french league winners for a spot in the quarterfinals. they're 2—0 up from the first leg — but the last week has seen the club engulfed in the storm of sanctions

on owner roman abramovich — with attempts to sell the club halted, and limits set on spending for travel to away matches. head coach thomas tuchel has been forced to get on and deal with the situation. a didn't have a choice, to also take this role. do i need it? no. i do not think too much about it. i tried to be honest may tread to give you an insight i tried to provide you with information, but more or less from a supportive side and from a coach heart, this is what i tried it and this is may be what you can rely on and i am more than happy if things calm down and we can speak more about from paul. as long as we have shirts and are alive, as long as we are a team and we arrive with the players, we will be competitive and we will fight hard for success because we owe it to the people who normally support us and not normally support us in the very visible way.

we will do it. tuchel there doing his best to focus on matters on the field. the ricketts family, who own major league baseball team the chicago cubs, have confirmed they're leading a group of investors, to make a bid for chelsea before friday's deadline. but for the fans, the worry around the club's future rumbles on. the still that huge uncertainty. i think it's the uncertainty that is not helping. many decisions, answers and the quick resolution to go back to talking about football. but it's the deadline for bids and make a quick decision as to who it's going to be and beyond that, we need the test as soon as possible and get back to normal. it's like, i know the of the contact with the government trying to get the licensed trade and pushing social

media and doing this in doing that. to fairly done, all the bids and i'm sure it's 90% or even get the shortlist down and occasionally as soon as possible. and the key issue to protect and so they can't be moved 20 miles away and the iconic chelsea moments and that's the key issue, to be there. we have a lot of support for this as well, it's really crucial because the next few days are going to be absolutely seminal in terms ofjersey's future. not to distract from editors on the pitch, where the last five and no qualms about what's happening on the pitch, how much credit do they and

the players deserve two meetings is because they can be on the field in terms of the form? for because they can be on the field in terms of the form?— because they can be on the field in terms of the form? for chelsea, it's absolutely superb _ terms of the form? for chelsea, it's absolutely superb and _ terms of the form? for chelsea, it's absolutely superb and the _ terms of the form? for chelsea, it's absolutely superb and the been - absolutely superb and the been absolutely superb and the been absolutely brilliant in terms of social media and no one can say, they've got their phones, the fact that the pats, maybe the football is a welcome distraction we need a little bit of patience but the football club is such an important part of so many peoples lives as a community and they have a casual stuff match day and people in the back office, it is just so crucial to get a resolution some people can because some the people are there that are not working, so many important things that need to be tied together so we can forward.

there are two matches tonight in the premier league. attention will be at the emirates, for arsenal's match against title chasers liverpool. after leaders manchester city dropped points on monday, jurgen klopp's side can cut the gap at the top, to just a point with a win. that should prove tough against an arsenal side, who've won the last 4 in the league, and are favourites for a top four spot. conor mcnamara is there, with matthew upson/jonathan woodgate. this was always going to be a huge game, arsenal winning theirfirst game, arsenal winning their first five game, arsenal winning theirfirst five games in a row in liverpool winning their last eight. ever since monday and in manchester city dropped points, this is become a massive game now. they have wanted to finish in the top four in there and being in the premier league in two years, five years since arsenal were last in the champions league and it is huge for liverpool because they are in hot pursuit of manchester city and the title race. 14 points is the gap between them and liverpool made up of the norms made of ground and juergen clubside will be one point off the top of the

league. they will play in certainly have manchester city cheering them on from afar that they were going to find out after their grade form how good this arsenal team really is. we have commentary on bbc radio. a later kick off tonight and it's a quarter past eight here the emirates. tottenham head coach antonio conte has called on his more experienced players to step up as the battle intensifies for champions league places. spurs face brighton and are currently in 8th position following a 3—2 defeat to manchester united at the weekend. have to ask a lot to the big players in that task a lot. these players and these moments to try to leave the situation.

and there are three matches in the womens super league tonight — manchester united can narrow the gap to 2nd placed chelsea.. if they can beat west ham later. chelsea also play tonight — they're away to everton. kick off at 7 there — as is the match between manchester city and reading. and one more football line for you before we move on. west ham's kurt zouma and his brother yoan have both been charged by the rspca under the animal welfare act. it follows a video, filmed by yoan, which showed kurt kicking and slapping his pet cat. after the video emerged the rspca removed two cats from kurt zouma's home and began liaising with essex police about the incident. the rspca says: "following a full and thorough investigation, its started the process of bringing a prosecution against kurt and yoan zouma. the two cats continue to be cared for by the rspca. one of ukraine's top badminton players has called for the blanket ban of russian athletes, following the invasion of her homeland. maria ulitana has been competing at the all england 0pen championships in birmingham and spoke

to us earlier. i wanted to stay because this is my country i have decided that it is better to leave because i can train and purpose in my country of the tournaments and that is myjob. but what i can do for the country, i am mentally tired put, it gives me power to fight and show others people that our country is strong everywhere. it's hard to explain but i fight for the interests of my country. i am i fight for the interests of my country. iam ukrainian. suddenly athletes and ukraine cannot go to

the country. so many cannot defend their families and children and they are not able to participate in the tournaments and i think russian athletes also cannot participate because what is happening is this is wrong and it has to stop. everyone knows what is happening in ukraine and i get a lot of nice words all over the world from families that everyone tries to help how they can and also here in england and uk, we get somewhat support and i have no words to say how thankful i am in their country.

finally — we caught up with britain's most successful winter pa ralympian today. visually—impaired skier menna fitzpatrick won silver and bronze at the beijing games, taking her total number of medals won to six. menna and her guide gary smith have been talking to chetan pathak. and menna started by telling him how she recovered from a serious injury at the end of the 2019—2020 season: at the start of the pandemic, as she said, i broke my leg and had to do facetime with fizzy assessments and trade uffizi or myself which is not ideal at all and it is come back and not done a huge amount of racing the next season and yet, to come into this with quite a few behind us and confidence is definitely high and we are destroying the ski as well as we could do and we had some amazing results. ., . . could do and we had some amazing results. ., ., ., , , results. two amazing results. in terms of that, _ results. two amazing results. in terms of that, your _ results. two amazing results. in terms of that, your guide - results. two amazing results. in terms of that, your guide on - results. two amazing results. in terms of that, your guide on the

start of the game, tested positive for covid—19 you worked together before but how tough was it to give an understanding back with a quickly? taste an understanding back with a ruickl ? ~ , ., ., an understanding back with a ruickl ?~ _, ., ., , quickly? we plan for what-ifs during the summer. _ quickly? we plan for what-ifs during the summer, and _ quickly? we plan for what-ifs during the summer, and katie _ quickly? we plan for what-ifs during the summer, and katie just - quickly? we plan for what-ifs during the summer, and katie just before l the summer, and katiejust before our training the summer, and katiejust before ourtraining camp the summer, and katiejust before our training camp before the games and we had a couple of weeks of training together and then we flew over to china and at the girls a few days before that but you got told that you are going to be doing the races with me and we're pretty happy to get to actually race instead of just sitting in the stands and watching. just sitting in the stands and watchinu. ., q just sitting in the stands and watching-— just sitting in the stands and watchinu. ., ., ., ., �* , watching. your off the area, what's that like? to _ watching. your off the area, what's that like? to do _ watching. your off the area, what's that like? to do that _ watching. your off the area, what's that like? to do that was _ watching. your off the area, what's that like? to do that was really - that like? to do that was really excitina. that like? to do that was really exciting- we — that like? to do that was really exciting. we can _ that like? to do that was really exciting. we can do _ that like? to do that was really exciting. we can do on - that like? to do that was really exciting. we can do on the - that like? to do that was really l exciting. we can do on the snow. that like? to do that was really . exciting. we can do on the snow. i just had _ exciting. we can do on the snow. i just had to — exciting. we can do on the snow. i just had to be ready and we are both really— just had to be ready and we are both really say that kitty could not make

it out _ really say that kitty could not make it out and _ really say that kitty could not make it out and i— really say that kitty could not make it out and i think our results when be what _ it out and i think our results when be what they are without katie, so i think— be what they are without katie, so i think it's _ be what they are without katie, so i think it's really special. we worked as a trio— think it's really special. we worked as a trio for— think it's really special. we worked as a trio for the summer and for the last weeks. — as a trio for the summer and for the last weeks. it — as a trio for the summer and for the last weeks, it was pretty special. you can— last weeks, it was pretty special. you can listen nice things about her but the most decorated winter paralympics, what they have achieved with six metals now? it paralympics, what they have achieved with six metals now?— with six metals now? it 'ust goes to show that hard h with six metals now? it 'ust goes to show that hard work — with six metals now? itjust goes to show that hard work pays off. - with six metals now? itjust goes to show that hard work pays off. not l show that hard work pays off. not 'ust show that hard work pays off. not just for— show that hard work pays off. not just for me — show that hard work pays off. not just for me but the coaches, the fizzy— just for me but the coaches, the fizzy is, — just for me but the coaches, the fizzy is, they thought they had done enough _ fizzy is, they thought they had done enough during the day but every day, she will— enough during the day but every day, she will put— enough during the day but every day, she will put it all and in hard work pays off — she will put it all and in hard work -a s off. , , , ., she will put it all and in hard work asoff. , , ., ., , pays off. just before we go, but every range _ pays off. just before we go, but every range 36-2 _ pays off. just before we go, but every range 36-2 in _ pays off. just before we go, but every range 36-2 in the - pays off. just before we go, but every range 36-2 in the west i pays off. just before we go, but - every range 36-2 in the west indies every range 36—2 in the west indies and barbados. it was continuing its efforts. you can follow it live on the spore website. —— on the sports

website. hello. after a rather wash—out of wednesday, central and eastern areas of uk, in the day ahead, it will be looking particularly troy thanks to high—pressure building in overnight tonight and clearing our skies and allowing things to turn quite chilly. and that's off to the north sea and you'll see the skies clearing and temperature is falling widely and a touch of frost and temperatures as low as —3 or —4 across eastern scotland into the small hours of thursday. pick a cloud in the western regions of northern ireland of the night. and keep it try and find sunny

throughout the day on thursday and for the north and we will see showers on throughout the day throughout scotland and northern ireland and perhaps later in the day, making its mention of the in england but some spells of sunny weather for scotland and northern ireland as well. heights of ten to 14.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is 0utside source. three weeks into russia's invasion of ukraine, more deadly attacks on civilians, in multiple locations. in the besieged city of mariupol, reports of a russian strike on a theatre being used by more than a thousand civilians as a shelter. president zelensky makes an impassioned appeal to congress for more help, calling again for the west to impose a no—fly zone over ukraine. i have a need. i need to protect our sky. i need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same, the same you feel when you hear the words, i have a dream.

the same you feel when you hear the words, i have a dream.