ukraine's president says he wants peace without delay and would discuss a neutral status for ukraine as part of any deal with russia. negotiations are due to resume tomorrow in istanbul, but for now the war rages on. some of the other leaders have said that if they intervened in the war, if there was a no—fly zone, it could be world war iii. if there was a no-fly zone, it could be world war iii.— if there was a no-fly zone, it could be world war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't — be world war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't close _ be world war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't close the _ if they don't close the sky, they will be next. and the other main stories on the programme: the former owner of chelsea, roman abramovich, and two ukrainian peace negotiators are said to have suffered symptoms of poisoning following a meeting in kyiv. shock at the oscars as actor will smith slaps the host,

chris rock, after a joke at his wife's expense. he blamed his actions on the pressure of fame. in this business, you've got to be able to have people disrespecting you, and you've got to smile and you've got to pretend like that's ok. tougher targets in english and maths — that's one of the government's aims in wide—ranging plans for schools in england. and a city of 25 million people — shanghai, in china — is going into a nine—day lockdown, over two years after the pandemic first started. and coming up on the bbc news channel: root�*s still up for the job but the england captain is under pressure following the loss to west indies. they've just one win in their last 17 tests.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six, from lviv, here in western ukraine. well, with a new round of peace talks about to resume, ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has said his country could adopt a status of neutrality as part of a settlement to end the war here. but he says it would have to go to a referendum and be guaranteed by third parties. it comes after russian advances have stalled in recent weeks here. this map shows the areas of ukraine currently under russian control. russian troops still haven't been able to encircle the capital, kyiv. the closest they've advanced there is about 15 miles from the city centre. humanitarian corridors had been set up to evacuate civilians from some other parts of ukraine that have been besieged. but today, ukraine said it wouldn't open those corridors because of fears russian forces might attack people who are fleeing,

something moscow denies. ourfirst report tonight is from jeremy bowen in kyiv. it does can train —— it does contain some distressing images. the russians attacked an oil storage depot in western ukraine. the war is settling into a deadly daily grind. medics live and sleep at the hospitals. there is no time to get home. in one in kyiv, the patients include a ukrainian diplomat. victoria said it was ironic that she was wounded in her own home when she came back from belarus, russia's ally. but i won't lie, she said, i'm very scared. gennady�*s home was also hit. the russians thought they would be greeted with hugs, he says, but if we don't get weapons to take the offensive, missiles and planes, the

war is going to drag on for a long time. president zelensky hinted at compromise to russian journalists on ukrainian neutrality and territory. translation: i ukrainian neutrality and territory. translation:— translation: i understand it's impossible _ translation: i understand it's impossible to — translation: i understand it's impossible to force _ translation: i understand it's impossible to force russia - impossible to force russia completely from the ukrainian territory. it would lead to the third world war. i understand it, and that is why i'm talking about a compromise. in and that is why i'm talking about a compromise-— and that is why i'm talking about a comromise. , . u, , ., compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are 0 en, compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are open. and — compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are open. and it — compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are open. and it is— compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are open, and it is less _ compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are open, and it is less tense _ compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are open, and it is less tense than - compromise. in kyiv, a few cafes are open, and it is less tense than a - open, and it is less tense than a month ago. slava and katarina were intrigued by what the president had said. ., ,., , intrigued by what the president had said. ., , , intrigued by what the president had said. , ,., said. nobody is saying we should cive u- said. nobody is saying we should give up the _ said. nobody is saying we should give up the territories, _ said. nobody is saying we should give up the territories, but - said. nobody is saying we should give up the territories, but there | give up the territories, but there should be some compromise or concession. should be some compromise or concession-— should be some compromise or concession._ we | should be some compromise or- concession._ we hope concession. translation: we hope that putin is — concession. translation: we hope that putin is a _ concession. translation: we hope that putin is a sane _ concession. translation: we hope that putin is a sane person. - concession. translation: we hope that putin is a sane person. that - concession. translation: we hope that putin is a sane person. that is l that putin is a sane person. that is a very— that putin is a sane person. that is a very small— that putin is a sane person. that is a very small hope.— a very small hope. but, at the end ofthe a very small hope. but, at the end of the lonely _ a very small hope. but, at the end of the lonely roads _ a very small hope. but, at the end of the lonely roads out _ a very small hope. but, at the end of the lonely roads out to - a very small hope. but, at the end of the lonely roads out to the - a very small hope. but, at the end j of the lonely roads out to the front line towns, the war feels much

closer. people risk a trip to the market here. but the mayor shows off his ukrainian made assault rifle and says that nato pulls my only choice is to give them the planes in the tanks they need to beat the russians. i tanks they need to beat the russians-— tanks they need to beat the russians. ~ , , russians. i think if putin wins this war, the russians. i think if putin wins this war. they don't — russians. i think if putin wins this war, they don't stop. _ russians. i think if putin wins this war, they don't stop. next - russians. i think if putin wins this war, they don't stop. next will. russians. i think if putin wins this war, they don't stop. next will be poland, maybe romania, bulgaria and other countries in the european union. i think. other countries in the european union. ithink.— other countries in the european union. ithink. union. i think. biden and some of the other leaders _ union. i think. biden and some of the other leaders have _ union. i think. biden and some of the other leaders have said - union. i think. biden and some of the other leaders have said that l union. i think. biden and some ofj the other leaders have said that if they intervened in the war, if there was a no—fly zone, it could be world war iii. was a no-fly zone, it could be world war iii. , was a no-fly zone, it could be world wariii. , , was a no-fly zone, it could be world wariii. , , war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't close — war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't close the _ war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't close the sky, _ war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't close the sky, they _ war iii. maybe, maybe, but if they don't close the sky, they will be i don't close the sky, they will be next. ~ . �* , don't close the sky, they will be next. ~ . v , , don't close the sky, they will be next. «a, �*, , , next. ukraine's president was right to talk about _ next. ukraine's president was right to talk about compromise. - next. ukraine's president was right to talk about compromise. but - next. ukraine's president was right to talk about compromise. but it . next. ukraine's president was right i to talk about compromise. but it may never happen. ceasefire agreements that work generally require either

two sides fighting each other to exhaustion, orthe two sides fighting each other to exhaustion, or the weaker side making concessions because it fears defeat. or an outside intervention. none of those conditions applies in ukraine at the moment. so the most likely option is a continuation of a war of attrition. jeremy bowen, bbc news, kyiv. in the south, ukrainian forces have had some success in recent days pushing back russian forces, raising doubts over whether the kremlin will still try to seize control of the whole coastline. in odesa, the immediate fear of russian bombardment has eased, but people there are unsure whether it's just a temporary lull in the fighting. from there, andrew harding sent this report. somewhere out there is the russian navy. and on ukraine's black sea coast, no one is letting down their guard.

we've had a lot of incoming fire, he says — rockets, bombs. and the fear of an amphibious landing. and yet, in the nearby port city of odesa, clu bs a nd restau ra nts a re reopening. not exactly packed yet, but the mood here appears to be easing. the city's coming alive. i feel something like this. why is that? i don't know. i think the fear is going away a little bit. people think that odesa won't be attacked? i think, yes. and here is why he may be right. along the black sea coast, russian hardware and russian plans lie in ruins. the kremlin's advance here has stalled or even been pushed back.

which may explain these tense scenes in kherson, a front line city occupied by the russians. but they are having growing trouble controlling it. when they started using gas, smoke pellets and stun grenades, so i started running. it seems they are using more threatening techniques and tactics. i think they are in panic. panic or not, back in odesa, ukrainians are still preparing for a russian attack, from land, sea or air. but what if this war is edging towards some kind of a stalemate? of course, anything is still possible, but the south, ukrainians increasingly are looking for reasons to be hopeful, maybe even confident. down in odesa's ancient catacombs, echoes from the

past. these vast tunnels once helped families shelter from the nazis. there is some graffiti here from the 1940s. it reads: hitler, go. death to fascism. now, the past and present seem to mingle in the musty air. and yet, from its catacombs to its clubs, today's odesa is embracing optimism, as if that alone were a form of defiance against the kremlin. andrew harding, bbc news, in southern ukraine. our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, is in the capital, kyiv. does this latest offer to make ukraine a neutral state make any difference to the peace talks that are due to resume tomorrow?

sadly, no. president zelensky has said it before — the significance of it this time was the language. russian. the audience, russian journalists. and the timing, as you say, in advance of these peace talks. we had heard from the international mediators, the israelis and the turkish, that the talks, while they still hadn't made enough progress, were realistic. they said ukraine understood it had to abandon its ambition to join nato. they also said president putin was more realistic. he wasn't calling for the end of the zelensky government. the biggest issue on the table is that of territory, and there won't be progress at the negotiating table until there is more progress on the territory, as far as president putin is concerned. you will want at least the donbas, eastern ukraine, a corridor connecting crimea and eastern ukraine, both areas under his sway, largely. you may want more. the ukrainians say that he wants a north

and south korea idea, the country split in two. there was a warning from president zelensky in that interview as well. he said, the person elected often need will be younger and less accommodating, and perhaps that is a measure of this generation growing up in president putin's war. lyse, thank you. and certainly people i've been talking to here don't have much faith in the peace talks. in fact, they believe this is a war they can eventually win, even if, at the moment, the odds seem stacked against them. from me and the team in lviv, back to you in london. then, thank you very much. the former owner of chelsea, roman abramovich, and two ukrainian peace negotiators are said to have suffered symptoms of poisoning following a meeting in kyiv. fiur following a meeting in kyiv. our security correspondent, frank gardner, joins us now. tell

security correspondent, frank gardner, joins us now. gardner, “oins us now. tell us more. ve gardner, joins us now. tell us more. very mysterious. — gardner, joins us now. tell us more. very mysterious, but _ gardner, joins us now. tell us more. very mysterious, but it _ gardner, joins us now. tell us more. very mysterious, but it looks - gardner, joins us now. tell us more. very mysterious, but it looks as - gardner, joins us now. tell us more. very mysterious, but it looks as if. very mysterious, but it looks as if somebody didn't want those peace talks to take place, because on the evening of the 3rd of march, roman abramovich and three other men met in kyiv in ukraine, right in the heart of ukrainian territory, and later that evening, three of them, including —— according to an investigative website, suffered nerve agent poisoning. they had inflamed skin, irritated eyes, severe pain behind the eyes, symptoms which lasted all night, right through till the morning. none of them had eaten anything more than chocolate and water, but the chemical weapons specialists have examined this case and concluded that they believe it was intentional. we have no idea who did it, no claim of responsibility. inevitably, people will be wondering, what is this the work of the gr you, whom britain concluded did the salisbury poisoning, but there was no link to russia and no proof as to who was behind it, but

somebody didn't want those peace talks to take place.— talks to take place. frank, thank ou. the actor will smith has apologised to the organisers of the oscars and to his fellow nominees after he stunned audiences everywhere by slapping the comedian chris rock on stage after the comic made a joke about the actor's wife, jada pinkett smith. will smith was back on the stage shortly after the assault to pick up his first oscar for best actor. he did not apologise to chris rock, and the police later said the comedian had not filed a complaint. let's go live now to los angeles and to our culture editor, katie razzall. last night was as unpredictable as the weather here in la today. we should be talking about an oscars that made history. as a celebration of the movies and diversity, not least that best actor win for will smith. instead, we are only talking about one thing — that attack on the oscars stage that certainly wasn't in the script. my report does contain flashing images. it should

have been so different — will smith was always going to make news at the oscars, but he dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. presenting an award, comedian chris rock made a joke about will smith's why�*s like of hair. gi rock made a joke about will smith's why's like of hair.— why's like of hair. gi jane 2, can't wait to see _ why's like of hair. gi jane 2, can't wait to see it. _ why's like of hair. gi jane 2, can't wait to see it. watch _ why's like of hair. gi jane 2, can't wait to see it. watch jade - why's like of hair. gi jane 2, can't wait to see it. watch jade pinkettj wait to see it. watch jade pinkett smith reaction _ wait to see it. watch jade pinkett smith reaction because _ wait to see it. watch jade pinkett smith reaction because stop - wait to see it. watch jade pinkett smith reaction because stop it i smith reaction because stop it clearly got to her. her husband walked onto the stage and delivered this. at first, it wasn't clear if it was an elaborate joke. those involved weren't laughing. the tv broadcast muted the sound, but inside the dolby theatre, shocked guests watched as will smith continued. guests watched as will smith continued-— guests watched as will smith continued. , , �* , ., guests watched as will smith continued. , , �*, ., ., continued. keep my wife's name out of expletive — continued. keep my wife's name out of expletive mouth. _

continued. keep my wife's name out of expletive mouth. the _ continued. keep my wife's name out of expletive mouth. the joke - continued. keep my wife's name out| of expletive mouth. the joke wasn't of expletive mouth. the 'oke wasn't in the best taste. h of expletive mouth. the 'oke wasn't in the best taste. there _ of expletive mouth. the joke wasn't in the best taste. there is _ of expletive mouth. the joke wasn't in the best taste. there is clearly - in the best taste. there is clearly history here also might. when he hosted the oscars in 2016, chris rock mocked the couple after she had announced she was boycotting the awards for their lack of diversity. jaeger is going to boycott the oscars. that's like me boycotting rhianna's panties. last oscars. that's like me boycotting rhianna's panties.— oscars. that's like me boycotting rhianna's panties. last night, long before the slab. — rhianna's panties. last night, long before the slap, one _ rhianna's panties. last night, long before the slap, one of _ rhianna's panties. last night, long before the slap, one of the - rhianna's panties. last night, long before the slap, one of the hosts l before the slap, one of the hosts said this: ~ ,, , ., ., said this: will smith, you are married. _ said this: will smith, you are married, but _ said this: will smith, you are married, but you _ said this: will smith, you are married, but you know- said this: will smith, you are | married, but you know what? said this: will smith, you are - married, but you know what? you are on the _ married, but you know what? you are on the list. _ married, but you know what? you are on the list, and it looks like approved _ on the list, and it looks like approved to you. will on the list, and it looks like approved to you. on the list, and it looks like auroved to ou. ~ ,, ., approved to you. will smith laughing off that 'oke approved to you. will smith laughing off that joke about _ approved to you. will smith laughing off that joke about the _ approved to you. will smith laughing off that joke about the couple's - off that joke about the couple's reportedly open relationship, which two weeks before, rebel wilson had also referenced. i two weeks before, rebel wilson had also referenced.— also referenced. i thought his best performance _ also referenced. i thought his best performance was _ also referenced. i thought his best performance was being _ also referenced. i thought his best performance was being 0k - also referenced. i thought his best performance was being ok with i also referenced. i thought his best performance was being ok with all also referenced. i thought his best i performance was being ok with all of his wife's boyfriend. her performance was being ok with all of his wife's boyfriend.— his wife's boyfriend. her reaction last night--- _ his wife's boyfriend. her reaction last night... hard _ his wife's boyfriend. her reaction last night... hard to _ his wife's boyfriend. her reaction last night... hard to watch, i his wife's boyfriend. her reaction i last night... hard to watch, because robabl last night... hard to watch, because probably the — last night... hard to watch, because probably the best _ last night... hard to watch, because probably the best night _ last night... hard to watch, because probably the best night of _ last night... hard to watch, because

probably the best night of his i last night... hard to watch, because probably the best night of his life, l probably the best night of his life, in a way, — probably the best night of his life, in a way, but also might have some repercussions. and in a way, but also might have some repercussions-— repercussions. and the oscar goes to... and when _ repercussions. and the oscar goes to... and when more _ repercussions. and the oscar goes to... and when more predictable l to... and when more predictable event _ to... and when more predictable event of— to... and when more predictable event of the _ to... and when more predictable event of the night _ to... and when more predictable event of the night happened... l to... and when more predictable i event of the night happened... iultill event of the night happened... will smith. event of the night happened... will smith- the — event of the night happened... will smith. the only _ event of the night happened... will smith. the only question _ event of the night happened... will smith. the only question was i event of the night happened... will i smith. the only question was whether he would apologise. _ smith. the only question was whether he would apologise. i _ smith. the only question was whether he would apologise. i know, _ smith. the only question was whether he would apologise. i know, to - smith. the only question was whether he would apologise. i know, to do i he would apologise. i know, to do what we do. _ he would apologise. i know, to do what we do, you've _ he would apologise. i know, to do what we do, you've got _ he would apologise. i know, to do what we do, you've got to - he would apologise. i know, to do what we do, you've got to be i he would apologise. i know, to do what we do, you've got to be ablej he would apologise. i know, to do i what we do, you've got to be able to take abuse — what we do, you've got to be able to take abuse. you've got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. in this business, you've got to be able to have _ this business, you've got to be able to have people disrespecting you. and you've got to smile and you gotta _ and you've got to smile and you gotta pretend like that's ok. i want to apologise to the academy, apologise to all my fellow nominees. love apologise to all my fellow nominees. love will— apologise to all my fellow nominees. love will make you do crazy things. it overshadowed what had the makings of a glorious night, not least for sir kenneth branagh, who finally won an oscar after seven unsuccessful

attempts. original screenplay for belfast. a film about deaf culture also made history. best supporting actor for the first death man ever to win an oscar.— actor for the first death man ever to win an oscar. this is dedicated to win an oscar. this is dedicated to the deaf _ to win an oscar. this is dedicated to the deaf community, - to win an oscar. this is dedicated to the deaf community, the i to win an oscar. this is dedicated to the deaf community, the code | to win an oscar. this is dedicated i to the deaf community, the code or community, and the disabled community. this is our moment. coda, in which he _ community. this is our moment. coda, in which he stars, _ community. this is our moment. coda, in which he stars, also _ community. this is our moment. coda, in which he stars, also snatched - in which he stars, also snatched best picture. will smith appear defiant after the ceremony, posting this video saying he and his wife got dressed up to choose chaos. he apparently partied into the night. this morning he may be waking up to the reality of what he has done. think about the bigger picture, will smith attacked a comedian on stage because he didn't like hisjokes, he was supported by some for standing up was supported by some for standing up for his family and went off to party. many here are furious that he upstaged the night where history was made but will smith made all the

news. katie, many thanks. the time is 6.18. our top story this evening: as the war rages on in ukraine, peace talks are due to resume tomorrow in istanbul. coming up, on the eve of the memorial service at westminster abbey for prince philip, we speak to others who remember people they lost during lockdown. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel: 100 days to go until the women's european championship in england — the trophy was on show in london today. we'll be assessing the host nation's chances against some of the best opponents in football. driving up attendance in england's schools after the challenges of lockdown is to be made a priority, according to new government plans. there'll be an emphasis on good behaviour — and tougher targets too in english and maths for primary and secondary schools in england, including additional help for children who fall behind. by 2030, ministers want 90%

of children leaving primary school to reach expected standards in reading, writing and maths. in 2019, that figure was just 65%. the aim is for the national average gcse grade to rise from lt.5 to 5 — a strong pass — by 2030. and schools will have to offera minimum 32.5 hours teaching a week. education unions have criticised the plans, saying they lack ambition and won't do enough to help disadvantaged children. here's our education editor, branwen jeffreys. we are going to have a look first of all and what histograms are. ilustith all and what histograms are. with gcses on the _ all and what histograms are. with gcses on the horizon, school has got serious but across england, some teenagers have struggled to return. get started straightaway.— get started straightaway. ministers will cive get started straightaway. ministers will give councils _ get started straightaway. ministers will give councils stronger - will give councils stronger powers and attendance. ilustith will give councils stronger powers and attendance.— will give councils stronger powers and attendance. with their friends, with their teachers _ and attendance. with their friends, with their teachers and _ and attendance. with their friends, with their teachers and the - and attendance. with their friends, with their teachers and the supportj with their teachers and the support staff we _ with their teachers and the support staff we have, there comes that warmth — staff we have, there comes that warmth of — staff we have, there comes that warmth of them being back. here, it

is a must but — warmth of them being back. here, it is a must but to _ warmth of them being back. here, it is a must but to normal— warmth of them being back. here, it is a must but to normal after- is a must but to normal after difficult times, with mentors for those most at risk of not turning up. those most at risk of not turning u . _ ., , those most at risk of not turning u . . ., , ., ., ., up. families want to have their children closer _ up. families want to have their children closer to _ up. families want to have their children closer to home, i up. families want to have their children closer to home, but i up. families want to have their| children closer to home, but for up. families want to have their i children closer to home, but for us, it is more _ children closer to home, but for us, it is more about try to get children back into — it is more about try to get children back into school because i think again. _ back into school because i think again, that relationship with the families— again, that relationship with the families is really important, but we need _ families is really important, but we need them — families is really important, but we need them in school and that is something we worked really hard to uet something we worked really hard to get the _ something we worked really hard to get the children back into school as soon as— get the children back into school as soon as possible. in get the children back into school as soon as possible.— get the children back into school as soon as possible. in parliament, the education secretary _ soon as possible. in parliament, the education secretary pitched - soon as possible. in parliament, the education secretary pitched his i education secretary pitched his plans to families. the education secretary pitched his plans to families.— education secretary pitched his lans to families. ,., , plans to families. the parent pledge is that any child _ plans to families. the parent pledge is that any child that _ plans to families. the parent pledge is that any child that falls _ plans to families. the parent pledge is that any child that falls behind i is that any child that falls behind in english or maths will receive timely support to enable them to reach their potential. the national tutorin: reach their potential. the national tutoring programme, _ reach their potential. the national tutoring programme, described i reach their potential. the national tutoring programme, described by providers— tutoring programme, described by providers is at risk of catastrophic failure, _ providers is at risk of catastrophic failure, is — providers is at risk of catastrophic failure, is the answer to all of our problems — failure, is the answer to all of our problems. is that really it? teenagers have fallen behind in the last two years. there is new research today on their reading skills. it shows three months lost

and not yet repaired.— and not yet repaired. these plans are all about _ and not yet repaired. these plans are all about the _ and not yet repaired. these plans are all about the basics _ and not yet repaired. these plans are all about the basics of - are all about the basics of education.— are all about the basics of education. �* , , education. but there is very little in them to _ education. but there is very little in them to address _ education. but there is very little in them to address some - education. but there is very little in them to address some of- education. but there is very little in them to address some of the l in them to address some of the biggest problems coming out of the pandemic. the fact the poorest children have fallen further behind, and that the learning loss is greater in parts of the midlands and the north than in the south of england, and that's why the government's critics say they could fail to meet their ambitions. the government says pupils should not be over tested these teenagers told me maths and english matter, but they are already working hard. you maths and english matter, but they are already working hard.— are already working hard. you get our are already working hard. you get your targets _ are already working hard. you get your targets and _ are already working hard. you get your targets and then _ are already working hard. you get your targets and then it _ are already working hard. you get your targets and then it is, i are already working hard. you get your targets and then it is, you i your targets and then it is, you need to meet this, this is the bare minimum and if you have high targets, that is all that extra work just to meet the target but they expect you to get above your target. we have had extra lessons just to we have had extra lessonsjust to catch _ we have had extra lessonsjust to catch up _ we have had extra lessonsjust to catch up things like a work that we did but— catch up things like a work that we did but looking at the younger years you can _ did but looking at the younger years you can tell that even if there wasn't — you can tell that even if there wasn't the educational side, like

the year— wasn't the educational side, like the year sevens, they haven't experienced here seven really. they aet 'ust experienced here seven really. they get just one — experienced here seven really. they getjust one shot — experienced here seven really. they getjust one shot of— experienced here seven really. tie: get just one shot of school, getjust one shot of school, disrupted for them like never before. and that will test any political promises to the limit. branwen jefferys, political promises to the limit. branwenjefferys, bbc news, branwen jefferys, bbc news, birmingham. in china, the city of shanghai — home to nearly 25 million people — is heading into lockdown as the country battles to contain a resurgence of coronavirus cases. shanghai is a key financial and manufacturing hub, and lockdown is being imposed in two halves — the eastern part of the city today, and the western side from friday — as authorities carry out covid—19 testing. our china correspondent stephen mcdonell reports. panic buying led to fights, as shanghai's 25 million residents prepared to go into lockdown. from today, the east side of the financial capital is a ghost town.

the west side will follow on friday. across china, the daily covid tests are mostly orderly, but at times chaotic. in the third year of this crisis, the government's complete elimination strategy is under huge strain, with signs of pandemic exhaustion. those who break the rules are being taken away by the police. some are forced to make public confessions. here, a woman pleads to be allowed to leave home so her husband can receive urgent cancer treatment. from the north—east to the south, tens of millions of people are now confined to their homes. beijing, as a city, is not under lockdown, but if you live in this compound right now, you can't leave. that's because there has been a case here. now, these are the deliveries of food and other provisions. you can see they are marked up according to the flat number, and the staff here will take these provisions and deliver them

to people, and that way, everybody can stay inside for the next two weeks. in hong kong, 6000 mostly elderly and non—vaccinated people died in two months. yet, it is thought nearly half the population is infected, boosting herd immunity. china, by, you know, learning from the mistakes that hong kong have made, they will be upscaling the vaccination, especially among the elderly. on the mainland, officials say the vaccine booster rate for those over 80 is at only 19.7%. one 85—year—old tells us she and her husband have onlyjust been vaccinated. translation: i'm not worried. we just need to be careful. translation: chinese people do what they are told. - they listen to the government. yet it's hard for the party to shift when it's making political mileage attacking other countries for sacrificing lives by opening up. translation: if we chose |

to lay down now, our efforts will have come to nothing. we unswervingly insist on zero covid. blue fences mark communities under strict isolation. the world's covid emergency started here. it looks like this will be the last country to emerge from it. stephen mcdonell, bbc news, beijing. a former soldier has gone on trial in belfast charged with killing a man at a border checkpoint during the troubles. david holden, who served in the grenadier guards, is accused of the manslaughter of aidan mcanespie, who was shot with a machine gun as he walked to a gaelic football match. mr holden claimed his finger accidentally slipped on the trigger of the gun. the transport secretary has written to the chief executive of p&o ferries, urging him to rehire the 800 workers he sacked with no notice earlier this month. if not, he said the government plans to make it

illegal for all ferry firms operating from uk ports to pay at least the national minimum wage. —— make it legal. the bbc�*s political editor laura kuenssberg is to replace andrew marr as the host of bbc one's flagship sunday morning politics show. she'lljoin the new—look programme in september after she steps down from her current role in may. tomorrow the royal family will gather at westminster abbey for a thanksgiving service for the life of prince philip. it's hoped the queen will be able to attend. it will also be prince andrew's first public appearance since his father's funeral. for so many families, including the royals, who held funerals under covid restrictions, celebrations such as these are an important part of the grieving process. our royal correspondent daniela relph reports. giving thanks for 99 years of life. as a public servant. as a naval officer. and as a family man.

it's almost a year since prince philip died. like so many others, the royal family held a funeral with only 30 guests. the queen, a vivid image of grieving during covid restrictions. she had dressed in black alone. this speaks of so, so many people's experience. even in death, really, losing somebody, she still keeps that dignity. a chance to say thank you, i think would be wonderful, and healing as well at the same time. the thanksgiving service here for prince philip will be a celebration of a life on a grand scale. but across the country, families who held restricted funerals, whose mourning was limited by covid, are now finding ways to celebrate the lives of the people they loved. sombre piano music it was one of his favourite pieces of music. now, sue horsfall

has learned it too — her own tribute to her husband steve. steve died of complications from covid in 2020. with a small funeral, the family couldn't properly celebrate the full life he had lived. now, with greater freedom, they are planning a mini music festival in his honour. and has losing steve changed your perspective on your own life? steve's philosophy was, you only die once, but you live life every day. and if i can... oh! if i can... i'll get there in a minute. if i can live my life the same way that steve did and enjoy every day of my life, i'll have done good. the duke of edinburgh created the award scheme in his name to empower young people. tomorrow, many of them will be at the service to say thank you. his vision and his legacy absolutely

live on at the heart of the award, and i think, you know, we have a bright future for which i think is something that hopefully, the duke would be very proud of. and a piece of advice for tomorrow from those who know. prince philip liked his church services short. if people go on and on and on and on, he would say, "you could have done that in two sentences!" daniela relph, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. brace yourself, there is a big change on the way. hard to believe when you look at some of the scenes we have today. this is how it looked in aberystwyth and west wales, temperatures not too far away, all the way up to 18th but look north to shetland, just five celsius this afternoon. much colder air, and that will be sweeping its way southwards over the next few days. in fact it will be cold enough for snow. in

some parts of the uk. rain showers and places out there at the moment. we will see some quite hefty dampers across parts of southern england and the channel islands, a few showers elsewhere. lots of mist and murk and low cloud rolling in from the north sea coast and some fog patches elsewhere. a mild night where it is cloudy, a bit chilly we have clear skies. quite a lot of cloud around tomorrow, the best of an sunshine will develop towards the west. some rain across southern counties of england for a time. a few showers elsewhere and a band of rain, sleet and a little is now starting to push southwards across scotland. most of us tomorrow, 11 to m celsius. but temperatures across the northern half of scotland, just for to 6 celsius, more places getting into that cold air. to the north of the weather front, that cold air. to the north of the weatherfront, a band of rain, sleet and snow on wednesday, this now mostly over the hills, we could see some to low levels. lots of snow in the shower is pushing on across

scotland. 5