welcome to bbc news. i'm mark lobel. our top stories: as the war in ukraine enters its second month, the country's president calls for a show of support around the world. come from your offices, your homes, your schools and universities. come in the name of peace. come with ukrainian symbols to support ukraine, to support freedom, to support life. nato says it'll double the number of battle groups deployed on its eastern flank in response to russia's invasion. a siege without end: we talk to one of the survivors of mariupol, the ukrainian city under relentless russian shelling. no return to class for the girls of afghanistan: the taliban orders secondary

schools to remain closed. i. i, madeleine albright... and tributes are paid to madeleine albright, america's first female secretary of state, who's died at the age of 8a. hello there. it's exactly a month since russia defied expectations and invaded ukraine, a month in which ukraine has resisted the russian onslaught. in a speech to mark the occasion, president volodymyr zelensky appealed, in english, to people all over the world to come out onto the streets on thursday to show their support for ukraine. he reflected on the russian plan to, in his words, wipe ukraine

off the face of the earth. he also said "they were wrong" — words aimed at those who thought ukrainians would be frightened and wouldn't fight. it comes as nato is expected to agree to send more troops to eastern europe at an emergency meeting in brussels on thursday. for the latest, here's gareth barlow. for ukrainians, it's the war that should never have begun. for president putin, it's the special military operation that was supposed to take days. but a month on, the brutal conflict continues. in the face of superior forces, ukrainian soldiers and civilians are digging in, preparing the capital, kyiv, for the full force of moscow's military might. but despite overwhelming odds in some areas, russian forces are being pushed back. from official sources with information, right now, the small city, makariv, and almost whole irpin

already in the control of ukrainian soldiers. for residents of cities like mariupol, daily life has become death. with each week, a frustrated russian army has increasingly sought to grind down ukrainian morale and the very fabric of ukraine itself. and as western arms pour in, the country's president has sought to get the message out of the devastation caused by the russian invasion. on wednesday, in his nightly address, addressing the world in english, volodymyr zelensky called for people to unite. come in the name of peace. come with ukrainian symbols to support ukraine, to support freedom, to support life. come to your squares, your streets. make yourselves visible and heard. say that people matter, freedom matters, peace matters, ukraine matters. the conflict has seen nato bolster its presence along its eastern flank. around 40,000 forces are now gathered there, and on thursday,

after flying into brussels, president biden will meet with allies to discuss deploying more troops close to the conflict. i expect leaders will agree to strengthen nato�*s posture in all domains with major increases to our forces in the eastern part of the alliance. 0n land, in the air and at sea. despite continued talks between russia and ukraine, there's no sign president putin is prepared to back down and end the suffering inflicted on ukraine. but despite the grief and bloodshed the country has already endured, months on, there is no sign ukrainians are prepared to back down in the defence of their country. gareth barlow, bbc news. ivo daalder served as

the united states ambassador to nato from 2009 to 2013. he says nato is playing an important role in the conflict. clearly, it's not a bystander in the sense that major weapons, ships are continuing each and every day across the border into ukraine to provide ukraine with the means to defend itself, to shoot down helicopters and aircraft with stinger and other man pads, go after tanks and artillery systems and rocket systems that are being used to besiege the cities there, are being taken up with javelins and other anti—tank and weapons. sure, from nato members. but nato as a whole? well, nato as a whole is, first of all, there to protect the territory of nato, but, secondly, it's there also as a warning to vladimir putin, and one of the things i expect them to talk about in the meeting shortly at nato is in fact to have a discussion about how do we prevent vladimir putin from escalating

further, in particular, when it comes to the use of chemical or other weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. and to say, is there is a line that, if crossed, would lead to direct nato intervention? i think we're closer to that than we were four weeks ago. i hope that there is no further intervention, in fact, we all hope that the war can end as soon as possible and russian forces are withdrawn back to where they came from. but until such time, what's important is for nato to be ready to make clear that certain actions by russia are completely unacceptable and will lead to consequences. you mentioned the big fear — chemical, biological or nuclear attacks, or even an attack on a convoy in nato territory, providing military assistance before it crosses the border, but what could nato actually do then, what could the deterrence that it could spell out in the next few hours be? well, under specific

circumstances, it could move in particular directions, it could in fact impose a no—fly zone in response to the use of chemical weapons or it could even come to direct assistance of ukraine with air power, potentially even with ground forces in order to help ukraine defeat the russian army inside ukraine and restore the territorial integrity and independence of ukraine. interesting. that's further than the leaders will have gone at all. i mean, they've particularly pushed back against those — so you think that might be likely — that's fascinating. can i just ask you one more question? russia — how close is it to ending this war now, do you think, based on what you know today? i don't think russians are prepared to end the war, at least vladimir putin isn't prepared to end the war yet. he is looking at achieving his waraims, which, from the very beginning, has included capturing kyiv and overthrowing the government.

he is no nearer there now than he was three weeks ago, but i think he's going to continue to try, which is one of the reasons i worry about potential escalation using unconventional weapons. ivo, daalder there. well, on the ground in ukraine, the port city of mariupol is still under intense russian bombardment. around 100,000 civilians are now trapped there without food, water or power. 0ur correspondent wyre davies has been speaking to a survivor of the attack on the city's theatre, where hundreds of civilians, including children, had been taking shelter. maria walked for four days to escape mariupol. without money, a car orfamily, she has nothing. she's the first known survivor of the mariupol theatre attack to speak about what happened. translation: the theatre was i completely packed with people. there was no space to lie down. people were just sitting. it was clear that this was

a shelter, people knew this. also there was massive signs saying "children" that were made on both sides of the theatre. where were you at the exact time of the attack? translation: we were getting our breakfast, . and by breakfast, i mean, we were getting some boiled water. someone brought me some pieces of fish, i think, to feed the dogs. when they finished eating, i went outside to the water tank to get a bowl of water for them. this is when the shell landed. i saw that it landed just where i'd been sitting. i was outside and survived only because there was some man nearby. he heard the shell falling, grabbed me by the collar, pinned me between the ground and the wall and covered me with his body. we were sprayed with broken glass and concrete. i was stunned, probably even concussed, because i fell unconscious several times since.

when the dust settled a bit, i cleared my eyes. i saw injured people around. i tried to make my way inside. the dogs were the family for me. they were everything i had left. i could not find a way to get inside, to at least find out whether they are alive or dead. i sincerely hope they died instantly. maria says there were at least a thousand people inside the theatre. while russia denies targeting civilians and says it wasn't responsible, what maria saw suggests otherwise. translation: | don't know | how many people died, sorry. there were some rooms in there. those were allocated for families with children. that part of the theatre is completely gone. partially deafened by the blast, her back in pain, maria now relies

on the kindness of friends. she worries for her grandmother in mariupol and mourns her dead pets. at just 27, it's difficult to stay strong. wyre davies, bbc news, zaporizhzhia. let's get some of the day's other news. there is more on our bbc website and later in the programme. let's get some of the day's other news. military sources in yemen say a senior general has been killed in a car bomb attack in the southern port city of aden. major—general thabet jawas was a commander of the saudi—led coalition forces fighting the rebels to restore president hadi's internationally recognised government. rescuers in china have found one of the two black box recorders from a passenger plane that crashed on monday with more than 130 people on board. no survivors have been found, although the search of the wreckage continues despite being hampered by rain. cars have been swept away in paraguay�*s capital,

asuncion, as heavy rains and floods lashed the south american country. streets in the capital turned to rivers. cars were immersed in water up to their roofs and many vehicles were washed away. it was their first day back at school, full of hope, but they were sent packing. the taliban abruptly ordered girls�* secondary schools in afghanistan to close on the day they were due to reopen. many had been shut since last august when the taliban retook control of the country. 0ur correspondent secunder kermani reports from kabul. dusting the desks. the morning began full of smiles and hope. for these students in the west of kabul, returning to school felt particularly poignant. last year, more than 90 were killed here

in an attack by the local branch of the islamic state group. "we want to be successful "so we can fulfil the dreams of our martyred classmates," says zikina. "that will be our revenge on those who were responsible." not long after they've arrived, there's unexpected bad news. the girls had literally just sat down at their desks and their head teacher got a whatsapp message from the local taliban in charge, saying that, actually, teenage girls can't come back to class just yet. and the girls are just devastated. "we just want to learn and to serve our country," says fatima. "what is our sin?" she asks the taliban. "you're always talking about islam. "does islam say to harm women like this? "it doesn't. "i want to address the girls of afghanistan. "please don't give up fighting for your rights."

the taliban's ministry of education pressed ahead with a ceremony marking the start of the new academic year, but seemed at a loss to explain what had gone wrong. "the central leadership has said, "until a plan is developed "on the basis of sharia and afghan culture, "girls�* secondary schools will remain closed," a spokesman told us. we were at a school in the west of kabul today. there were teenage girls in tears because they've been told that they have to go home again. who should they blame for this? "i work for the ministry of education," he says. "we made our preparations. "you need to ask someone representing the leadership." the students filed home just an hour or so after having arrived. in private, taliban members admit hard—line elements within the group still find the idea of female education controversial, even though schools are already segregated. that leaves these young women

deeply worried for the future. secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul. stay with us on bbc news. thank you for your company. tributes are paid to madeline albright, america's first female secretary of state, who's died at the age of 8a. applause i'm so proud of both of you. let there be no more wars or bloodshed between arabs and israelis. with great regret, _

the committee have decided that south africa be excluded . from the 1970 competition. recites islamic blessing streaking across the sky, the white—hot wreckage from mir drew gasps from onlookers on fiji. this is bbc world news. the latest headlines: as the war in ukraine enters its second month, the country's president calls for demonstrations of support around the world. nato says it'll double the number of battlegroups deployed on its eastern flank in response to russia's invasion of ukraine. from an immigrant

fleeing persecution to america's top diplomat. that was the journey we're remembering today or the former us secretary of state, madeleine albright, who has died at the age of 8a. arriving in america in 19118 as a child refugee from czechoslovakia, she was the first woman to become secretary of state. president biden said working with her in the senate was one of the highlights of his career at the time. 0ur washington correspondent nomia iqbal looks back at her life. madeleine albright was a trail—blazer. so help me god. congratulations, madam secretary. in 1997, she became american�*s top diplomat, the first female to do so. but her story began outside america. the daughter of a czech diplomat, herfamily fled prague from the nazis when she was a—year—old. a decade later, herfamily was granted political asylum in the us. her childhood would go on to shape her views and her policies. 0n the political stage, madeleine albright was the face of us foreign policy during

the president clinton years. she pursued what she called "aggressive multi—lateralism", pushing for intervention in the wars that tore apart yugoslavia. she was a major influence on us policy in the middle east, clashing with saddam hussein over sanctions on iraq. he called her a serpent, and so began her use of jewellery to make a diplomatic point, starting with a snake. russia's president putin once said he knew what the mood of a meeting would be by looking at her left shoulder. the 84—year—old supported getting other women in higher positions. she backed hillary clinton in 2016 with a comment that some considered controversial. she later apologised for it. just remember — there's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other! arriving in europe tonight, president biden said in a statement that madeleine albright was a force

and hers were the hands that turned the tide of history. there was also a tribute in the un from those who have followed in her footsteps. she left an indelible mark on the world and on the united nations. our country and our united nations are stronger for her service. 0nly last month, she warned that if president putin invaded ukraine, it would be an historic error. madeleine albright was raised in a time when eastern europe was in crisis, to only see that crisis return during herfinal days. madeleine albright, who's died at the age of 8a. calvin dark is a global affairs analyst and joins me now from los angeles. thanks so much forjoining us. we'rejust examining thanks so much forjoining us. we're just examining what made albright so special. what do you think that apart from other people? i you think that apart from other --eole? ~ , , you think that apart from other --eole?

compassion and the empathy that we hadn't really seen before. especially thinking about what is going on in the world right now, it's even more needed, but she was able to, really, embrace her background and use it to be a voice for the united states abroad and the genuineness came through. less covered is _ genuineness came through. less covered is how _ genuineness came through. less covered is how she _ genuineness came through. less covered is how she was - genuineness came through. less covered is how she was an inspiration to the african—american community. can you explain how that came about and what impact that had? weill. and what impact that had? well, i think one _ and what impact that had? well, i think one of _ and what impact that had? well, i think one of the _ and what impact that had? well, i think one of the things - and what impact that had? well, i think one of the things we - i think one of the things we have heard told a lot in the obituaries is how she met with an african immigrant in the united states and we said only in the united states could and african immigrant media secretary of state, to which she responded only in the united states couldn't immigrant become the secretary of state. it inspired all communities, particularly african—american ones. i was inspired, i was a fulbright scholar, i got the fulbright the last year surgery albright

was in office and they went to morocco. they have continued my work to try to encourage african—americans to pursue foreign service and foreign work. but i think what she left in the state department really lay the foundation for people like me who want to take learned in america, take all the adversity, and show the world what we're really all about. so i think that is one of lasting mugs you will have for me and a lot of african—americans —— marks. for me and a lot of african-americans -- marks. and a lot has been _ african—americans —— marks. and a lot has been made that she was a refugee who made it to the top. do you think the journey is given the extra drive to achieve the things she achieved? , drive to achieve the things she achieved?— achieved? yes, i think it gives off any time — achieved? yes, i think it gives off any time you _ achieved? yes, i think it gives off any time you have - off any time you have adversity, whether you are a refugee or your face challenges in your home country, it is going to give you that drive stop but i think what her story shows is too often refugees and immigrants, overthe shows is too often refugees and immigrants, over the last two decades, especially, have been painted with a brush that isn't positive. you know, we need to

think about examples like secretary albright, who was a refugee, who added so much to our country, and we need to keep that in mind when we develop policies and when we figure out how we're going to respond refugees and immigrants who want to come to our country and other countries around the world. think that is an example she leftjust by being who she was. she left 'ust by being who she was. ,, . she left 'ust by being who she was, ,, ., ., she left 'ust by being who she was. ,, ., ., .,., ., , was. she had an extraordinary live in politics, _ was. she had an extraordinary live in politics, but _ was. she had an extraordinary live in politics, but also - was. she had an extraordinary live in politics, but also a - live in politics, but also a big life outside of politics, afterwards. how will you be remembering her?- afterwards. how will you be remembering her? well, one of the things _ remembering her? well, one of the things i _ remembering her? well, one of the things i will— remembering her? well, one of the things i will be _ the things i will be remembering is that even though she had policy and positions that not everyone agreed with, i don't think they agreed with her on all of them, what people did agree with was that she was a states woman that got the respect that she deserved, regardless of ideology and political party, and that is something we don't have enough of, that we need more of today, and i'm going to try to do that in my own life and try to encourage others to have that statesmanlike quality, regardless of your ideology or politics. innate

regardless of your ideology or nolitics. ~ ., ., ~' regardless of your ideology or nolitics. ~ ., ., ., politics. we look forward to heafinn politics. we look forward to hearing how _ politics. we look forward to hearing how you _ politics. we look forward to hearing how you get - politics. we look forward to hearing how you get on. . politics. we look forward to i hearing how you get on. thank you so much forjoining us to discuss madeleine albright, who has died at the age of 8a. the former south korean president, park geun—hye, is heading home for the first time since she was jailed for corruption four years ago. ms park smiled as she was released from a seoul hospital. she was pardoned in december, but has been in hospital suffering from an undisclosed illness. the prosecutor who played a key role in her conviction, yoon suk—yeol, was elected president earlier this month. women's world number one tennis player, ash barty, has held a press conference in brisbane after her shock decision to retire from the sport. ms barty said she has no regrets and that people will have to �*wait and see' what comes next. ms barty did say however, that she is looking forward to coaching young indigenous australians. i know that my contribution with the aboriginal and indigenous side of our sport will only grow, i'm really excited for that,

i'm really excited to have the opportunity to give indigenous youth and aboriginal youth around our nation more opportunity to get into the sport. and that's something that we'll work on down the track, but i am excited to spend more time in that space. ash barty. as we've heard, it's one month since the russian invasion of ukraine began. an unknown number of people have been killed. millions more have been forced to leave their homes. the war has been particularly traumatic for the children of ukraine. but some are seeking comfort in an artistic way, as the bbc�*s tim allman explains. how do you explain war to a child? and how do they process the horror they are witnessing? for two ukrainian parents, one answer is to offer a creative outlet with paper, pencils and crayons. they set up a social media account to let children use art as a way to channel the trauma of war. we definitely feel an urgent need to give them a safe space so they can switch their focus with reality from this war, from tanks,

from bombs, from missiles. hundreds of drawings, all of them from ukrainian children. some showing family and friends, some showing angels. some showing tanks. one girl from 0dessa drew a portrait of her mother who is now serving in the army, trying to protect her hometown. this picture is really like a beautiful woman, this brave and strong woman. she must protect herself. as the war goes on, more paintings drawings and illustrations will surely follow. their message is crystal clear. like only a child can convey. tim allman, bbc news.

plenty more analysis and updates on the bbc news website on the ukraine war. you can reach me on twitter. i'm @marklobel. thanks for watching. hello there. this fine, settled spell of spring weather is set to go on for several more days, with some warm sunshine by day. the nights still rather chilly with some frost and fog in places. 0ne subtle change, a bit more cloud in the north of the uk thanks to this weather front, a very weak affair. for the most part, high pressure is holding firm, and that is what's keeping things fine. but we are going to get off to quite a chilly start to the morning with those clear skies overhead, one or two fog patches around, some general mistiness here and there. that should tend to lift, and then we will see a lot of sunshine across england and wales, just the small chance for a shower, especially over high ground in northern england. more cloud for scotland and northern ireland,

the odd spot of rain, but even here, there will be some sunny spells. temperatures north to south, well, maybe 12 degrees for stornoway, but 18, 19, possibly 20 further south. but with that stagnant air, high pressure in charge, very light winds, air pollution is likely to be a problem. high levels of air pollution, particularly across eastern parts of england. as we go through thursday night, again, temperatures will drop away under the clear skies. there will be some fog patches here and there, more cloud rolling into northern ireland and parts of western scotland. towns and cities typically staying just above freezing, but one or two places in the countryside will drop below, and then for friday, well, more of the same. more sunshine and just a little patchy cloud for england and wales. northern ireland and scotland tending to see a little more cloud, especially up to the northwest. some rain for the northern isles, temperatures getting up to highs of 19, maybe 20 degrees in the sunniest spots. and high pressure is set to stay with us into the weekend. this front up to the north always bringing a bit more cloud, maybe some showery rain

for shetland and for 0rkney. there will be some patches of low cloud and fog elsewhere as well, particularly around some of the coasts, but some good spells of sunshine. temperatures dropping back maybe a little bit, 15 to 18 degrees. sunday morning could well start with some areas of low cloud and fog, perhaps most especially towards the southeast of england, tending to burn back towards the coasts. lots of sunshine, temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees. but into next week, quite a big change on the way. we will develop northerly winds and we will bring some much colder air southwards across the uk, so the temperatures will be much, much lower than they have been, and there could even be some wintry showers in places.

this is bbc news. the headlines: in a speech to mark one month since the russian invasion, president volodymyr zelensky has appealed to people all over the world to come out onto the streets to show their support for ukraine. to bring out their ukrainian symbols. president biden is in brussels for an emergency meeting of nato and a g7 summit to discuss ukraine. nato is expected to agree to deploy additional troops to eastern europe. 0n the eve of the gathering, britain announced it would send thousands more anti—tank weapons to ukraine. the us president has led tributes to madeleine albright, the first woman to serve as secretary of state, who's died at the age of 8a.