this is bbc news. the headlines... nato foreign ministers are to meet as images of destruction, and allegations of war crimes continue to emerge from towns surrounging kyiv, following the retreat of russian forces. the uk, us and the eu are expected to impose fresh sanctions on russia. they're likely to target strategic industries, including energy, oil and gas. ukraine's president accusses russia of hitting infrastructure in the country in efforts to starve the population. for them, hunger is also a weapon, a weapon against ours ordinary people.

millions of people will now pay more national insurance, as an increase to contributions comes into effect today. the prime minister says the government needs to make difficult decisions to support the nhs. what we are doing to day is unquestionably the right thing for our country, the right thing for the npa s. -- the our country, the right thing for the npa s. —— the right thing for the nhs. married couples in england and wales will be able to begin divorce proceedings without apportioning blame from today, as new �*no—fault�* divorce legislation comes into force. calories must now appear on the menus of food and drink businesses with more than 250 staff in england. ed sheeran wins his legal battle over claims part of his track shape of you was copied from a song by another artist.

welcome to bbc news, i'm yalda hakim. russian forces are continuing to shell areas in the east and south—east of country. their offensive in the southern port city of mariupol, which has been blockaded and relentlessly bombarded for more than a month, grinds on. an estimated 130,000 people remain trapped, in appalling conditions. as well as their ground assault, the russians are flying more than 200 missions a day, again targeting mariupol, but also the city of izyum, that's according british and american defence officials. the uk is now preparing more sanctions against russia, likely to target what's being described as moscow's �*military ambitions,�* while nato foreign ministers, are meeting in brussels, to discuss sending further support to ukrainian forces. let's get the latest

from our correspondent, emma vardy. trapped in a nightmare but clinging on. while the residents of mariupol remain cut off from the outside walls, these are the images that russia wants you to see, aid from russia wants you to see, aid from russia being distributed within the besieged city but the footage is tightly controlled. around them, there is little left to destroy but there is little left to destroy but the relentless bombing of marrow luck mariupol continues. —— the relentless bombing of mariupol. -- the relentless bombing of mariunol-_ -- the relentless bombing of mariuol. ., ., , ., , mariupol. how can i leave, my house is blown up? — mariupol. how can i leave, my house is blown up? i'm _ mariupol. how can i leave, my house is blown up? i'm standing _ mariupol. how can i leave, my house is blown up? i'm standing in - mariupol. how can i leave, my house is blown up? i'm standing in front - is blown up? i'm standing in front of you and that is all they have, i have nothing, just a blown up house. it is scary and terrible, the problem with food, i don't know what to do. , to do. sometimes you find something, sometimes people _ to do. sometimes you find something, sometimes people treat _ to do. sometimes you find something, sometimes people treat you _ to do. sometimes you find something, sometimes people treat you and - sometimes people treat you and sometimes people treat you and sometimes you receive humanitarian aid but _ sometimes you receive humanitarian aid but what should i do after it is all gone, — aid but what should i do after it is all gone, i— aid but what should i do after it is all gone, i don't know. the

ukrainian _ all gone, i don't know. the ukrainian president - all gone, i don't know. the ukrainian president is - all gone, i don't know. tie: ukrainian president is defined as ever, continues to reach out to world leaders, today addressing the irish parliament. again he laid bare the war crimes he said russia is carrying out in plain sight. for them, hunger is also a weapon, a weapon against as ordinary people. an instrument of domination, the worst thing is the city of izyum, there's a million inhabitants and there's a million inhabitants and the city was put under siege, they have blocked the access from the —— blocked the access from the soil, coming from the sea, they are not allowing anything to come through. nowhere, it seems, is off limits. not for the first time any conflict, there are claims that hospitals are being shelled, the humanitarian... effort says several have been hit in the past two days.— the past two days. there are... all around the — the past two days. there are... all around the ground _ the past two days. there are... all around the ground so _ the past two days. there are... all around the ground so it _ the past two days. there are... all around the ground so it was - the past two days. there are... all around the ground so it was not i the past two days. there are... all. around the ground so it was not one

large crater of impact. 0ne around the ground so it was not one large crater of impact. one of the hospitals around mentioned there were several in that area. they mentioned it was scattered around, so that experience of working in conflict zones, the team came to the conclusion that it must have been close to ammunitions. we conclusion that it must have been close to ammunitions.— conclusion that it must have been close to ammunitions. we have all seen the atrocities _ close to ammunitions. we have all seen the atrocities that _ close to ammunitions. we have all seen the atrocities that have - close to ammunitions. we have all seen the atrocities that have been| seen the atrocities that have been committed in bucha and places in ukrainem — committed in bucha and places in ukraine... ., ., committed in bucha and places in ukraine---— committed in bucha and places in ukraine... ., ., , ., ukraine... you are listening to the nato secretary _ ukraine... you are listening to the nato secretary general _ ukraine... you are listening to the nato secretary general who - ukraine... you are listening to the nato secretary general who is - nato secretary general who is speaking currently ahead of the nato foreign minister's meeting in brussels. ., ., . , foreign minister's meeting in brussels. ., ., ., , ., foreign minister's meeting in brussels. ., ., ., , brussels. nato allies are supporting international— brussels. nato allies are supporting international effort _ brussels. nato allies are supporting international effort to _ brussels. nato allies are supporting international effort to establish - international effort to establish all the facts, to investigate and to make sure that perpetrators are punished. we are now in the critical phase of the war. we see russia is

moving forces out of the north, to reinforce them, to redeploy them, to rearm them and move to the east where we are expecting a major offensive, president putin's aim is to try to control the whole of donbas, and to establish a language between donbas and russia. we have seen no indication that president putin has changed his admission to control the whole of ukraine, and also to rewrite the international order, so we need to be prepared for long haul. we need to support ukraine, sustain our sanctions, and strengthen our defences and our

deterrents. because this can last for a long time and we need to be prepared for that. we are joined by a foreign minister of ukraine, and i think it is important that we have this opportunity to engage directly with him, to discuss with him, to listen to the minister and discuss the way forward together. we are also joined the way forward together. we are alsojoined by partners, the prime minister of georgia, finland, sweden, the european union, and also by our partners from the asian pacific, australia, new zealand, japan, south korea, and these are all highly valued partners. tonight, foreign ministers will discuss nato's new strategic concept which will address, nato's new strategic concept which willaddress, of nato's new strategic concept which will address, of course, the new

security and the reality we are faced with, and the strategic concept will be the road map for nato and how to address a more dangerous walled and how to make sure we continue to protect and defend all nato allies. in the concept, we need to address the security... of russia's aggressive actions, of the shifting and balance of power, the security consequences of power, the security consequences of a much stronger shiner and the challenges they are posing together in national order, the democratic values and of course also in the concept, we will sort out the strategy for how to deal with cyber, hybrid terrorism and also the security consequences of climate change. i'm looking forward to the meeting and it will be an important

meeting, and not least facing the grim reality in ukraine, and with that, i'm ready to take your questions. that, i'm ready to take your questions-— that, i'm ready to take your cuestions. �* ., , , ., , questions. already sending heavy e . ui - ment questions. already sending heavy equipment to _ questions. already sending heavy equipment to ukraine, _ questions. already sending heavy equipment to ukraine, is - questions. already sending heavy equipment to ukraine, is there i questions. already sending heavy equipment to ukraine, is there a | equipment to ukraine, is there a reluctance, what is there position — make your position? should they send heavy equipment such as tanks ukraine? ., ., ., , ., , , ukraine? nato allies have supported ukraine? nato allies have supported ukraine for many _ ukraine? nato allies have supported ukraine for many years, _ ukraine? nato allies have supported ukraine for many years, we - ukraine? nato allies have supported ukraine for many years, we have - ukraine? nato allies have supported | ukraine for many years, we have tens of thousands of trained ukrainian troops who are now on the front, fighting the russian invaders and the nato allies also provided a different amount of equipment over many years and of course this, combined with of the ukrainian armed forces, is really making a difference every day on the battlefield. since the invasion,

allies have stepped up, their support. i also expect ministers when they meet today and tomorrow will discuss when they can further support for ukraine, our allies are provided with anti—tank and air our defence systems but also different kinds of advanced weapon systems and also both light and heavy air weapon systems to ukraine. i am not going to all the details of the kind of weapons equipment allies are providing but i can say that the totality of what allies are doing are significant. that includes also some heavier systems combined with lighter systems. ask especially now, what you can

tell us_ ask especially now, what you can tell us about this and also you yesterday said the importance of stepping — yesterday said the importance of stepping up... we need to provide support to those highly valued partners provide at is how to step up support, which are

georgia is controls that and we will look and other there we have a stability piece and the 30 allies to, russia and no

other country and third allies to decide. , ,., . ., , decide. this time, partner countries such as japan. _ decide. this time, partner countries such as japan, what _ decide. this time, partner countries such as japan, what is _ decide. this time, partner countries such as japan, what is the _ decide. this time, partner countries such as japan, what is the aim - but there, partners on it is where

we and nato— but there, partners on it is where we and nato ., , ., , ., ., we and nato how quickly does nato countries heavy _ we and nato how quickly does nato countries heavy military _ we and nato how quickly does nato countries heavy military equipmentj countries heavy military equipment if it is going to be able against onslaught from russia in the east and south and secondly, what is your comment on the... many different types light weapon systems. and we have seen

having an the and to allocate more money for anti—armour systems. there is urgent need, and i also expect allies to provide further support for different types of weapon systems. it is an unusual decision to expel russian officials from the embassy in norway, but this is now a pattern where many allies have done that, because we see that, with many of those, who say that they are conducting normal diplomatic activity but are actually not doing that and there are intelligence officers therefore russia and

several allies have expelled several russian officials in different countries. russian officials in different countries-— russian officials in different countries. ., ., , , countries. you mentioned yesterday that if finland _ countries. you mentioned yesterday that if finland and _ countries. you mentioned yesterday that if finland and sweden - countries. you mentioned yesterday that if finland and sweden applied l that if finland and sweden applied for nato _ that if finland and sweden applied for nato membership, allies would find ways— for nato membership, allies would find ways to address conspiracy —— security— find ways to address conspiracy —— security concerns between application and ratification. can you expand on that and what it would entail? _ you expand on that and what it would entail? |t— you expand on that and what it would entail? , ., ., ., entail? it is for finland and sweden to decide whether— entail? it is for finland and sweden to decide whether they _ entail? it is for finland and sweden to decide whether they want - to decide whether they want membership or not and we will respect that, regardless of the confusion. if they decide to apply, i expect all allies will welcome them and that the building... we are listenin: to them and that the building... we are listening to jens _ them and that the building... we are listening to jens stoltenberg, - them and that the building... we are listening to jens stoltenberg, the - listening tojens stoltenberg, the nato secretary general of speaking to the press ahead of the nato foreign ministers meeting. the us secretary of state, anthony lincoln,

will be attending and is addressing the press ahead of the meeting and described as a new phase of the war and that western allies should be sending supplies to ukraine, providing support to ukraine, as the war rages on, namely heavy military equipment, so let's go now to our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, whojoins us diplomatic correspondent, paul adams, who joins us from west london. we heard jens stoltenberg yesterday described it as a new phase in this war and he has said it again. in this meeting is about what is next, what sort of a military equipment they should be providing to ukraine as they have said, as this is a new phase.— to ukraine as they have said, as this is a new phase. that's right. nato leaders _ this is a new phase. that's right. nato leaders believe _ this is a new phase. that's right. nato leaders believe they - this is a new phase. that's right. nato leaders believe they have l this is a new phase. that's right. i nato leaders believe they have may be between three or four weeks before russia has been able to reorganise its forces what they expect to be a pretty horrendous onslaught on eastern ukraine. and so they are extremely keen to use this

opportunity to provide ukraine with whatever weaponry it needs to withstand that onslaught when it comes, and as you have just heard jens stoltenberg saying, this could be a mixture of light equipment, but also heavy equipment, and we have seen the czech republic leading the way in that regard with the supply of soviet—era tanks. the americans have weighed in with their latest block of support, $100 million of javelin anti—tank missiles. so the weaponry is pouring in, but there is a keen understanding now that despite this russian setback in the area north of kyiv, something really serious could unfold in the east, and they want ukraine to be as ready as possible when that moment comes. you will remember a few weeks ago the sort of drama that was created when the polish wanted to send those

mid—29 fighterjet, do you believe now, they will focus more on sending these heavier equipment and nato allies other than countries like the czech republic, will do so? there is a feelin: czech republic, will do so? there is a feeling that _ czech republic, will do so? there is a feeling that some _ czech republic, will do so? there is a feeling that some of _ czech republic, will do so? there is a feeling that some of those - czech republic, will do so? there is| a feeling that some of those eastern members who have quite significant stocks of all soviet—era equipment could well provide that with the ukrainians knowing all about those bits of equipment and knowing how to use it. i don't think the debate will be able to send much on fast jet, that is complicated because it involved the united states... there was quite a lively intellectual debate about whether tanks are really what ukraine needs right now, particularly as winter ends, and ukraine's famous thought arrives, which makes heavy armour like tanks quite difficult to operate in certain areas. you'll see a lot more talk of armour in general and that

is armoured fighting vehicles, the kind of armoured fighting vehicles that troops can move around in, light and heavy tanks and certainly crucial when it comes to ukraine's ability to defend itself around donbas bot tanks, possibly some other eastern european members but at the momentjust other eastern european members but at the moment just the other eastern european members but at the momentjust the cheques. —— at the momentjust the cheques. —— at the momentjust the cheques. —— at the moment, just the czechs. this at the moment, 'ust the czechs. this meetin: is at the moment, just the czechs. this meeting is quite significant, the secretary of state is there as well, so although we've seen a lot of meetings in brussels, this one, of all the foreign ministers coming together, josh shows how important they find this next phase as they enter it. —— mikejost shows. yes. enter it. -- mike jost shows. yes, this is a prearranged _ enter it. -- mike jost shows. yes, this is a prearranged regular - enter it. —— mikejost shows. yes this is a prearranged regular spring foreign ministers meeting but obviously, like everything at the moment, it is entirely overshadowed by events in ukraine and we are seeing the unfolding of what you

might call the bucha effect, the revelation of those communities around kyiv galvanising a popular opinion, galvanising international opinion, galvanising international opinion, both to provide ukraine with more weaponry but also a lot more talk of sanctions with the united states, britain and the eu all poised to announce their latest trounces of sanctions as early as today so it is quite an important week. . ~ today so it is quite an important week. ., ,, , ., today so it is quite an important week. ., ,, . ., today so it is quite an important week. ., . ., , week. thank you so much for bringing us u- to week. thank you so much for bringing us up to date — week. thank you so much for bringing us up to date there, _ week. thank you so much for bringing us up to date there, that _ week. thank you so much for bringing us up to date there, that is _ week. thank you so much for bringing us up to date there, that is paul - us up to date there, that is paul adams, diplomatic correspondent. let's speak to my colleague anna foster who's in the north west of the city of lviv. when i was there, day and night, we had these airy sirens, concerns about and russian jets overhead but tells why you are there right now. well, this place we saw last night,

there was another wall of those sirens that you talked about and the mayo had treated at the time that the air�*s defence was working stay in your shelters. —— the mayor treated. they should shut down to cruise missiles. —— is a short down to cruise missiles. linking it back to cruise missiles. linking it back to what was said there about weaponry, when you come into the countryside around somewhere like lviv, new cd up on a hilltop of what looks like temporary radars, air defences that belong to the ukrainians that have maybe been brought in from another country and last night here they worked, that they re—did cause some fires on the outskirts of the city but actually i was talking yesterday due to members of the ukrainian military and the point about weapons and ammunition was one that they were very keen to make, saying they need more, and in some cases, they had certain bits of

equipment that they do not have at all. that they feel they really need so they were reinforcing that message that president zielinski himself had said so many times —— that president zelensky had said that president zelensky had said that he needs from the international community. that he needs from the international communi . ~ ., that he needs from the international community-— that he needs from the international communi . . ., ., community. what was said there, all e es reall community. what was said there, all eyes really are _ community. what was said there, all eyes really are on _ community. what was said there, all eyes really are on this _ community. what was said there, all eyes really are on this potential- eyes really are on this potential attack on the east that nato members, the western intelligence agencies are saying that russia is preparing to target. to target the donbas now. preparing to target. to target the donbas now-— preparing to target. to target the donbas now. that is right. and the belief is, donbas now. that is right. and the belief is. we _ donbas now. that is right. and the belief is, we heard _ donbas now. that is right. and the belief is, we heard from _ donbas now. that is right. and the belief is, we heard from the - belief is, we heard from the ukrainian military that re—strengthen theirforces, and move in but that is the area they are really targeting now, the donbas, the areas that take on that whole eastern flank of ukraine, the

russian speaking areas that russia is particularly to take and to call its own. the fighting is still continuing in the south, in places like mariupol and continuing in the south, in places like mariupoland in continuing in the south, in places like mariupol and in the east and there is a feeling that russia will take anything it can get, and focus its firepower on the east of the country to really try and take that country to really try and take that country that it's —— that territory that it's really wants. country that it's -- that territory that it's really wants.— that it's really wants. thank you forjoining _ that it's really wants. thank you forjoining us— that it's really wants. thank you forjoining us there _ that it's really wants. thank you forjoining us there from - that it's really wants. thank you forjoining us there from just . forjoining us there from just north—west of lviv. going to the rest of today's news... from today, millions of people in the uk will begin to pay more tax as the controversial rise in national insurance contributions takes effect. it's predicted to raise an extra £11 billion this financial year. not everyone will pay more — lower earners will actually pay less national insurance. the uk government promised to spend the money on social care and easing pressure on the nhs. the move breaks a consevative election manifesto pledge,

but borisjohnson said the rise was "necessary, fair and responsible". this report from our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith. business of getting back on track at george's bistro but now they are paying more money on the wages of the staff. for paying more money on the wages of the staff. ., ., ., ~' paying more money on the wages of the staff. ., ., , the staff. for me, if i look at my sta that the staff. for me, if i look at my stay that might _ the staff. for me, if i look at my stay that might wage, _ the staff. for me, if i look at my stay that might wage, i - the staff. for me, if i look at my stay that might wage, i think - the staff. for me, if i look at my stay that might wage, i think it i the staff. for me, if i look at my| stay that might wage, i think it is not too much but if i look at it as a business and how we will have to pay it on everyone's wages, it had not really, really quick. what pay it on everyone's wages, it had not really, really quick. what does it mean for— not really, really quick. what does it mean for you? _ not really, really quick. what does it mean for you? how _ not really, really quick. what does it mean for you? how do - not really, really quick. what does it mean for you? how do you - not really, really quick. what does| it mean for you? how do you cover that cost? you we will have to try and bring more customers in, that the only way to do it. bums on seats? , , , ., , ., , the only way to do it. bums on i seats?_ from seats? yes, bums on seats. from toda , seats? yes, bums on seats. from today. lots — seats? yes, bums on seats. from today. lots of— seats? yes, bums on seats. from today, lots of the _ seats? yes, bums on seats. from today, lots of the staff _ seats? yes, bums on seats. from today, lots of the staff here i seats? yes, bums on seats. from today, lots of the staff here will i today, lots of the staff here will be paying extra national insurance on their wages, too. for the next few months, you will have just under

£10,000 of your wages tax—free and then instead of paying 12% national insurance, you will have to top up to 13 point 25% and more for higher earners. but after facing to 13 point 25% and more for higher earners. but afterfacing criticism, the government of tried to soften the government of tried to soften the blow so from july, the amount you can earn before you pay tax will increase to 12.5 thousand pounds. and then you will be charged a higher rate for national insurance. the government say they will use the extra money for funding the government say they will use the extra money forfunding health the government say they will use the extra money for funding health and social care. it is an extra pressure from middle earners. brute social care. it is an extra pressure from middle earners.— social care. it is an extra pressure from middle earners. we have to help families in any — from middle earners. we have to help families in any way _ from middle earners. we have to help families in any way we _ from middle earners. we have to help families in any way we can _ from middle earners. we have to help families in any way we can which i from middle earners. we have to help families in any way we can which is i families in any way we can which is why we are putting another £22 billion into supporting families through what are unquestionably tough times caused by the end of the pandemic, the global inflation problem and the price energy spike that we are seeing, we are abating

that we are seeing, we are abating that on to helping people but what we are doing today is unquestionably the right thing for our country, it's the right thing for the nhs. they have lost the most of the last few years and feel like they are being asked to pay a high price to cover the cost of the pandemic. you like it is absolutely crazy. with everything else going, it's another thing we have to deal with. the salon will have _ thing we have to deal with. the salon will have to _ thing we have to deal with. tt2 salon will have to pay more for each member of staff butjoseph said it is ok if you charge more personally. i don't mind because i know much help i_ i don't mind because i know much help i have — i don't mind because i know much help i have had over the last 18 months. — help i have had over the last 18 months. it— help i have had over the last 18 months, it needs to come from somewhere. white men but faced with a much _ somewhere. white men but faced with a much bigger increase, boss richard does not _ a much bigger increase, boss richard does not agree. —— but faced with a much bigger increase, boss richard does not agree. i don't agree, it is a bigger challenge to move forward. we: i don't agree, it is a bigger challenge to move forward. it's an increase when _

challenge to move forward. it's an increase when so _ challenge to move forward. it's an increase when so many _ challenge to move forward. it's an increase when so many others i challenge to move forward. it's an l increase when so many others have got all the corners they can. let's speak to our political correspondent rajdeep sandhu in westminster — what's the reaction been? of course this is coming in today and people will feel it in their pay packet, their next pay packets when they get them and of course were referred from borisjohnson is him defending this aussie because there is a lot of criticism about the timing, especially with the backdrop of increasing prices for people of food, energy, petroland fuel of increasing prices for people of food, energy, petrol and fuel bills that we are seeing, what the prime minister has said today is though he accepts unquestionably that people are going through tough times that the government do as much as it can to help, that there are limits to what they can use taxpayer money for and he is therefore defending this increase is what he says is the right thing to do because the government has promised to spend this money on tackling the nhs

backlog that has developed after the pandemic after 2024, it's expected the will then go into social care costs in england and that would be to help people pay for those adult social care costs which for some people can feel quite crippling and there was a lot of pressure on the chancellor during the spring statement where he said he would change the point at which people have to start paying national insurance contributions and what that has led to is that people earning less than £34,000 will expect to pay less tax, people paying more, earning more, more than £34,000, will pay more tax but the threshold does not come in until july so there will be the next couple of months for lower earners will be paying more national tax but ones that change comes in, it is expected that it will drop back down again but there is heavy criticism from the opposition, the labour leader saying that this is the wrong tax at the wrong time and the liberal democrat leader ed davey

saying it should be ditched but then we've heard from the health secretary sajid javid who has essentially said that if they do not do this, the government would need to borrow money which would be unfairfor to borrow money which would be unfair for future generations. thank ou so unfair for future generations. thank you so much _ unfair for future generations. thank you so much for— unfair for future generations. thank you so much for bringing _ unfair for future generations. thank you so much for bringing us - unfair for future generations. thank you so much for bringing us up i unfair for future generations. thank you so much for bringing us up to l you so much for bringing us up to date. joining me now is nadra ahmed, the chair of the national care association which represents small and medium sized care providers across the u. —— and medium sized care providers across the uk. thank you forjoining us, just picking up on what my colleague were saying, this is seen as incredible controversial and has been criticised. tt controversial and has been criticised.— criticised. it is, it is controversial. i criticised. it is, it is controversial. we l criticised. it is, it is- controversial. we understand criticised. it is, it is— controversial. we understand that money has to be raised but i think it is about the timing and methodology, and whatever the government date would have some challenge but to affect those that are going to be most affected by the general cost of living rises, for

providers, for example, the fuel bills, we cannot turn anything down, we are looking after vulnerable people in setting, so are bills are going to double, triple, quadruple, we've heard some really terrifying cases. we've got a staffing crisis, people need to earn more, so actually what you would like to be able to do as we go forward is to make sure they could earn more but if they get hit by the attacks, the national insurance, will it be worth their while? there are so many things that seems so unfair and for our sector, the intervention control fund stopped on the 31st of march and that was the only fund that the social care sector got direct me to support our staff from isolating and being paid. the; support our staff from isolating and bein: aid. a ., �*, ., being paid. as you say, that's what it is, it is the _

being paid. as you say, that's what it is, it is the perfect _ being paid. as you say, that's what it is, it is the perfect storm - it is, it is the perfect storm because they are seeing the cost of living going, we see inflation, energy prices are now national insurance. exactly, there are nothing but increases and they will impact on our sector in a really big way. we have a shortage of staff, so how are we going to encourage people to come and work in our sector when we are going to have to be thinking about the earnings and people who want to be earning enough to be able to pay their own fuel bills, to be able to travel. if you are a home care worker and you have travel around the county you are in, the fuel crisis will have an impact. the care sector itself _ crisis will have an impact. the care sector itself is _ crisis will have an impact. the care sector itself is on _ crisis will have an impact. the care sector itself is on its _ crisis will have an impact. the care sector itself is on its knees. - sector itself is on its knees. absolutely. we are absolutely on our knees and what is even worse is that when you hear that this is about

social care, but all the talk is about how we will support the nhs and that will start to support them. the crisis will social care will be around for a really long time. do ou around for a really long time. do you think you will get any of these funds? hf you think you will get any of these funds? �* ., , ,., , ., , you think you will get any of these funds? �* , ., , �* funds? if i'm absolutely honest, i'd be delighted _ funds? if i'm absolutely honest, i'd be delighted if— funds? if i'm absolutely honest, i'd be delighted if we _ funds? if i'm absolutely honest, i'd be delighted if we do, _ funds? if i'm absolutely honest, i'd be delighted if we do, but - funds? if i'm absolutely honest, i'd be delighted if we do, but i'm i funds? if i'm absolutely honest, i'd be delighted if we do, but i'm not l be delighted if we do, but i'm not holding my breath. nothing suggests to me that we have been told about the 500 million for recruitment and staff, but we haven't got the staff. we need to be working towards an image where we are at least akin to colleagues in the nhs rather than having to consistently go to the crumbs on the table. share having to consistently go to the crumbs on the table.— having to consistently go to the crumbs on the table. are you saying that there could _ crumbs on the table. are you saying that there could be _ crumbs on the table. are you saying that there could be potentially i that there could be potentially something in 2024, and you can sustain the sector the way you want

until then? the sustain the sector the way you want until then? , . ., _, , ., until then? the sector continues to deliver despite _ until then? the sector continues to deliver despite the _ until then? the sector continues to deliver despite the challenges, i until then? the sector continues to j deliver despite the challenges, and thatis deliver despite the challenges, and that is coming out of the costs that providers of their borrowing is going up and we see this viability issues and we have providers not able to take people out of hospital at this moment in time because they have outbreaks and because the infection is so rife out there. so they are operating at potentially have services with 40 or 50 beds and that will have a direct impact on her ability to meet rising costs that will affect us that includes national insurance but it also has an impact on us getting staff at the rate ratios to support our colleagues in the nhs.

sport now, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin ra mjaun. chelsea are looking to follow in the footsteps of liverpool and manchester city — and take the advantage, in their champions league tie later. they take on real madrid at stamford bridge this evening in the first leg of their quarter final. its been a tough week for thomas tuchel�*s side after a heavy defeat to brentford at the weekend. chelsea did beat real madrid en route to the final last season but tuchel says that will have no bearing on this evening. we need to be better on the pitch — we are the first to admit it — but we need the crowd to be better, supporters to be better. it was like this — we need everybody on the front foot. when you play in turin, play in malmo, play in st petersburg, play in lille, it's super hard and it's much harder to play against the spectators, as well. and we will face it next week in madrid. so, yeah, everybody needs to be on top level. it had been thought that madrid boss and former chelsea

manager carlo ancelotti wouldn't be able to return to stamford bridge due to covid. the italian tested positive last week and didn't travel to london yesterday with his squad. but he tested negative this morning and will now be in the dugout tonight. a big game in the premier league as well this evening, with strugglers everton going to burnley, who are second from bottom and equally hungry for a win. despite the high stakes, everton boss frank lampard says he is looking forward to it. tension can be a good thing. it can also go the other way. i don't think we will feel tense, i think we will feel excited with the level of game and the competitive nature of what this game is. i loved, as a player, been involved in games where there was a lot on them. you know, we had ten of those and this is the first one that is in front of us, so, yeah, i am calm and excited and when the game comes, we willjust have to have an absolute belief in ourselves. elsewhere, the us businessman chris kirchner has been selected as the preferred bidder to buy derby county.

that's according to the club's joint administrators this morning. kirchner revived his interest in derby this week, having withdrawn an initial bid three months ago. relegation—threatened derby have been in administration since 22nd september. england's opening group game against iran at the 2022 world cup will be shown live on the bbc. gareth southgate's side are in action on the opening day of the tournament in qatar on monday the 21st of november. england's last group game against the final european qualifier, which will be one of wales, scotland or ukraine, will also be live on the bbc. the second group game between iran and either wales, scotland or ukraine will also be broadcast live. ronald koeman will return as manager of the netherlands for a second time, following the 2022 qatar world cup. he'll replace louis van gaal, who on sunday revealed he's receiving treatment for prostate cancer. koeman, who most recently managed barcelona, was in charge of the dutch national side between 2018 and 2020. he said in a statement that he was "very much looking forward to this new challenge, on to achieving new successes together." and the final preparations

are underway in augusta, ahead of the first men's golf major of the year — the masters — all the build up dominated by talk of tiger woods — and his return. he has now confirmed he does intend to play, and will play a final nine practice holes today. just 14 months after suffering life—threatening injuries after crashing his car. 0bviously he is one of the greatest who has ever played this game, especially in our era, so any time he tees it up, especially after his injuries, he is going to take a lot of attention, which is ok with me. i always like sliding in a little under the radar. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. let's return to our top story now and all the latest from ukraine.

clive mhairi has been speaking to the ukrainian prime minister said the ukrainian prime minister said the west must respond with top —— tougher sanctions on that russian forces are trying to wipe ukraine off the face of the earth. iam i am absolutely sure this is genocide against the ukrainian nation from the russian side. absolutely. d0 nation from the russian side. absolutely-— nation from the russian side. absolutel . ~ ., ., absolutely. do you think now that there is a moral _ absolutely. do you think now that there is a moral imperative i absolutely. do you think now that there is a moral imperative to i absolutely. do you think now that | there is a moral imperative to stop buying russian oil and gas? paying mone to buying russian oil and gas? paying money to russia _ buying russian oil and gas? paying money to russia and _ buying russian oil and gas? paying money to russia and to _ buying russian oil and gas? paying money to russia and to the - buying russian oil and gas? paying | money to russia and to the russian budget to finance this homicides, these crimes, these killings from these crimes, these killings from the russian side. so these crimes, these killings from the russian side.— these crimes, these killings from the russian side. so they have to stop buying _ the russian side. so they have to stop buying russian _ the russian side. so they have to stop buying russian oil— the russian side. so they have to stop buying russian oil and i the russian side. so they have to stop buying russian oil and gas? | stop buying russian oil and gas? they paint money for killings we have not seen in ukraine. hfiisit have not seen in ukraine. visit blood money? _ have not seen in ukraine. visit blood money? absolutely. i have not seen in ukraine. visit blood money? absolutely. for| have not seen in ukraine. visit i

blood money? absolutely. for me, that our people. — blood money? absolutely. for me, that our people, absolutely - blood money? absolutely. for me, | that our people, absolutely because the russian budget is the budget of terrorism and not only against ukraine, but it is blood money because they use this money to buy weapons from which they kill ukrainians. let's speak to tom keatinge is the founding director of the centre for financial crime and security studies at the royal united service institute in london — and an expert on sanctions. we've been hearing a lot about the impacts of sanctions and we have seen a fifth round by the eu, but in your view, seen a fifth round by the eu, but in yourview, has seen a fifth round by the eu, but in your view, has enough been done? when the sanctions started a month orso when the sanctions started a month or so ago, there was a tremendous impact, the crash of the rouble, the freezing of the central bank assets, the blocking of russian aircraft

from the eu airspace. that started to tail off in its effectiveness and fundamentally, aunties quite right to call it blood money, the payments that the west are making to russia for hydrocarbons are fuelling the war, simple as that. can for hydrocarbons are fuelling the war, simple as that.— for hydrocarbons are fuelling the war, simple as that. can you tell us rou~hl war, simple as that. can you tell us roughly how — war, simple as that. can you tell us roughly how much _ war, simple as that. can you tell us roughly how much since _ war, simple as that. can you tell us roughly how much since the - war, simple as that. can you tell us roughly how much since the war- roughly how much since the war began has been paid to russia from things like gas. alejos its hundreds of million dollars a day and 40 days of war, that's a huge payment into the coffers of the russian state and the west, unfortunately, i don't know it is challenging and difficult and not an easy decision to make, but we have to go faster on replacing russian hydrocarbons because otherwise we continue to fund the missiles and artillery shells raining down on ukrainian citizens. when they talk about a fifth package and targeting certain sectors are you saying that that is frankly not going far enough, so what exactly are you calling for? the; t

going far enough, so what exactly are you calling for?— are you calling for? as i say, the initial sanctions _ are you calling for? as i say, the initial sanctions i _ are you calling for? as i say, the initial sanctions i think— are you calling for? as i say, the initial sanctions i think was i are you calling for? as i say, the. initial sanctions i think was strong against the central bank, freezing theirforeign against the central bank, freezing their foreign assets but now we have to turn to cutting off the funds that are flowing into the russian economy so we need to see, if you like, and the uk has already said it's going to reduce or stop its purchase of oil and gas. we need to see a clear timetable from european countries as to how they will do that and we need to see commitment from other parts of the world. what are we doing diplomatically to engage with countries like india to stop buying oilfrom russia. so we need to ramp up this dialogue on hydrocarbons. brute need to ramp up this dialogue on hydrocarbons-— need to ramp up this dialogue on h drocarbons. ~ ., _, , ,, hydrocarbons. we have countries like india, for example, _ hydrocarbons. we have countries like india, for example, and _ hydrocarbons. we have countries like india, for example, and they - hydrocarbons. we have countries like india, for example, and they have i india, for example, and they have condemned the atrocities and images we have seen at places like bucha, but they have been careful diplomatically and said they have historic ties and don't want to

damage the diplomatic relations. t damage the diplomatic relations. i think we will reach a point at sometime soon where in the words of previous leaders, you have to figure out, are you with us or against us? yes, people like india could argue it is not their war, but if they continue to fund that war, it absolutely is their war and they need to stand up and make it clear sisley whose side they are on. if they choose to back the wrong side, they choose to back the wrong side, they should expect sanctions to come their way, and i think the sanctions game is in the foothills at the moment. there are many more steps that can be taken and steps that will see emergence over the coming weeks. ~ . will see emergence over the coming weeks. 2 ., ., will see emergence over the coming weeks. ~ ., ., , ,, weeks. what about countries like german ? weeks. what about countries like germany? they _ weeks. what about countries like germany? they have _ weeks. what about countries like germany? they have been i weeks. what about countries like i germany? they have been reluctant to have sanctions on things like gas and concerned about their own economy and their independence. again, they will have to make some tough choices. we used to have back in the uk the 1970s, the three—day week, where there were power cuts and all the rest of it, and is that

going to beat the price of supporting the ukrainian people? that is what we should be considering and is the kind of messaging the governments need to give their people, this is what we need to do to support freedom on the borders of the european union. horse borders of the european union. how lona do borders of the european union. how long do they — borders of the european union. how long do they have though? every day we these images emerge, horrendous images that the uk prime minister has said today could be tantamount to genocide, and yet they are still mulling over it and still considering what they should do next. what a package should look like. . y next. what a package should look like. ., , ., ., ~ like. personally i would have liked to have seen _ like. personally i would have liked to have seen a _ like. personally i would have liked to have seen a stronger— like. personally i would have liked to have seen a stronger move i like. personally i would have liked to have seen a stronger move by i like. personally i would have liked i to have seen a stronger move by the european union in the fifth package and we see more than enough evidence of war crimes orforms and we see more than enough evidence of war crimes or forms of genocide in recent days and to continue funding the putin war machine is unacceptable. i accept the eu has been weak in this package and we need a sixth package quickly and we need a sixth package quickly and we need to start to grapple with the fundamental issue of hydrocarbon

purchase. the fundamental issue of hydrocarbon -urchase. ., ., fundamental issue of hydrocarbon urchase. ., ., , purchase. the one thing we have been heafina purchase. the one thing we have been hearing continually _ purchase. the one thing we have been hearing continually from _ purchase. the one thing we have been hearing continually from the _ hearing continually from the beginning of the conflict, even before the conflict, western allies, nato talking about unity. do you think there is unity when you have different leaders and different countries, the german saying one thing, the british saying another, some being forced tougher sanctions and others concerned about their own economies. the and others concerned about their own economies. . .,, ., , and others concerned about their own economies. _,, ., , , , ., economies. the cost of unity is slow movement- — economies. the cost of unity is slow movement. you _ economies. the cost of unity is slow movement. you move _ economies. the cost of unity is slow movement. you move at _ economies. the cost of unity is slow movement. you move at a - economies. the cost of unity is slow. movement. you move at a consensus speed and the lowest common denominator which is why we are moving so slowly. if the uk and us had their way they would have had strong oil sanctions weeks ago but we are having to respect the difficult position that the likes of germany are in. we as the uk and us need to do whatever we can to help jeremy find supplies and see that delay is not acceptable any longer.

let's return to the devastation left by russian forces in the town of bucha on the outskirts kyiv. the ukrainian opposition mp kira rudik has visited the town a number of times since it was liberated by ukrainian forces. earlier she described to me what she saw. i have seen many bodies. i have seen mass graves. and i have seen peoples whose hands were tied behind their back before they were shot. we have seen bodies with bullets in their knees and female bodies that were run over by tanks multiple times and female bodies that were burned and then left along the road, trying to cover up for what happened to them beforehand. we have seen tortures, and i have talked to people there in bucha. i have talked to women who were raped and their children were

witnessing it. and to mothers whose children died of pneumonia because they were in the basement for 39 days. we have talked to families whose relatives were burned alive in the houses that were hit by russian missiles. the worst thing that i heard was a person saying that russian soldiers told them you are the dirt and we are cleaning this land from the dirt. it sounds very nazi to me, isn't it? i land from the dirt. it sounds very nazi to me, isn't it?— nazi to me, isn't it? i mean, it is horrific, nazi to me, isn't it? i mean, it is horrific. no _ nazi to me, isn't it? i mean, it is horrific, no matter _ nazi to me, isn't it? i mean, it is horrific, no matter where - nazi to me, isn't it? i mean, it is horrific, no matter where it i nazi to me, isn't it? i mean, it is. horrific, no matter where it happens in ukraine, but help our audiences understand the size of bucha. it was a small town of about 40,000 people. the people there, they didn't have any kind of defensive front or

military, it was just a very small town on the outskirts of the capital. town on the outskirts of the caital. ., ,, town on the outskirts of the caital. ., i. ., ., capital. for you to mention it, it was a small— capital. for you to mention it, it was a small town, _ capital. for you to mention it, it was a small town, very - capital. for you to mention it, it| was a small town, very peaceful. capital. for you to mention it, it i was a small town, very peaceful. the one that when you turn 45 and decide to settle down, this is where you would buy a house so your children can ride a bike and can be outside a lot. right now it is less than 2000 people there. there was this house that burned down to the ground and there was a fence still standing, and on the fence there was a sign, a handmade sign, in a plastic vial, written by hand, saying, we are peaceful people. in the hope that it would drive the russians away. they were indeed peaceful people, but it did not help them. they were not

armed, there was no resistance there, it was a peaceful, small—town where people just wanted to survive, and right now, many of them are killed. many of them are raped, and it is cannot get inside you with what is happening. today one of the report as i know, he went there again and he was, he sent me some shots of the playground that was shots of the playground that was shot with so many bullets, and i asked him, were any children killed there? he said no, and we were all crying. there? he said no, and we were all c inc. , ., ., , ., crying. these are devastating scenes, crying. these are devastating scenes. and _ crying. these are devastating scenes, and i— crying. these are devastating scenes, and i will— crying. these are devastating scenes, and i will put - crying. these are devastating scenes, and i will put it i crying. these are devastating scenes, and i will put it to i crying. these are devastating l scenes, and i will put it to you, the russians, the kremlin, the authorities, we have heard it over and over again and yesterday at the un and they are saying these images are fabricated and these images are

fake. ., ., ~' are fabricated and these images are fake. ., ., ~ ., , ., ., fake. look, we have been at war with russia for eight _ fake. look, we have been at war with russia for eight years _ fake. look, we have been at war with russia for eight years and _ fake. look, we have been at war with russia for eight years and we - fake. look, we have been at war with russia for eight years and we do i russia for eight years and we do know all on their books. this was on day one of liberating bucha. we went there with all of their respectable journalist, including bbc news, by the way, so they could see with their own eyes, that they could film it, that they could definitely share the truth with the world that this is happening and i knew that russians would be denying it, but how is it possible to deny it if there is so much evidence and we are getting the evidence and we are making sure that every single person responsible for that will be brought to justice. responsible for that will be brought tojustice. brute responsible for that will be brought to 'ustice. ~ ., ., , , ., to justice. we have a very short time left on _ to justice. we have a very short time left on the _ to justice. we have a very short time left on the programme, i to justice. we have a very short. time left on the programme, but to justice. we have a very short i time left on the programme, but if you could tell me, did you expect when towns were starting to get liberated that you would see these sorts of scenes, this kind of horror? ., ,., , ..,

horror? nobody in their mind can exect horror? nobody in their mind can expect something _ horror? nobody in their mind can expect something like _ horror? nobody in their mind can expect something like this, i horror? nobody in their mind can i expect something like this, nobody. ukrainian mp speaking to me about the horrors that she witnessed when she went to the town of bucha. scientists in england have warned that the number of covid cases in older age groups who are most at risk from the virus is continuing to increase. the react study, by imperial college london, suggests that more than 6 per cent of england's population were infected last month — double the rate in february. but the data also indicates that cases may have peaked in children and younger adults. british airways has cancelled four more flights at heathrow airport due to covid—related staff shortages. this is on top of 74 services ba had previously withdrawn. easyjet have also cancelled around 50 flights including 30 at gatwick airport today. thousands of british holidaymakers have seen their easter plans affected because airlines and airports do not have enough

staff to meet the recovery in demand since covid travel restrictions were lifted. a former chef with p&0 ferries is suing the company for unfair dismissal, racial discrimination and harassment, after it sacked 800 staff without notice last month. john lansdown is the only crew member to have rejected a financial settlement. in his tribunal claim he accuses p&0 of treating him unfavourably as he is british and eligible for minimum wage. p&0 ferries says the job cuts are "categorically not based on race or the nationality of the staff involved". the singer, ed sheeran, has won his legal battle over claims part of his track shape of you was copied from a song by another artist. the grime artist sami chokri — who performs under the name sami switch — had accused him of ripping off his track 0h why.

but the high court ruled ed sheeran had neither deliberately not subconsciously copied the earlier song. 0ur correspondent mark savage reports # i'm in love with the shape of you. # we push and pull like a magnet... ed sheeran's shape of you was the biggest selling single of 2017 and spent 14 weeks at number one. but shortly after its release, he was accused of copying this line... # 0h—i—oh—i—oh—i—oh—i. # i'm in love with your body. ..from a song called 0h why by the grime artist sami chokri. lawyers for mr chokri, seen here on the left, called sheeran a magpie who borrows ideas that he doesn't always acknowledge. in court, andrew sutcliffe qc said, "my clients are not shaggy, rihanna, coldplay or jay—z.

if they were, they would have been treated in a very different way." mr sheeran denied this and said he always credits lesser known writers if he uses parts of their songs. # the club isn't the best place to find a lover, so the bar is where i go. # me and my friends sat at the table doing shots, drinking, fussing and we talk slow... the court heard how shape of you was written in under an hour in october 2016. lawyers for mr chokri said such speed was indicative of copying. # 0h—i—oh—i—oh—i—oh—i. # i'm in love with your body... #. the star and his co—writers, johnny mcdaid and steve mack, denied ever having heard the song. their lawyer said the speed of the writing only indicated sheeran's genius. the issue of whether sheeran had access to a copy of why was the key to the trial. if he was unaware of mr chokri's song, the similarities in shape of you would be a coincidence, not copyright infringement.

0n the witness stand it was put to the star that he must have been aware of mr choksi's work because they both had videos on the same youtube channel, they shared friends, and because mr chokri had messaged sheeran on twitter. in response, the star said, "this is all stuff that you're saying. this isn't stuff that's true." the trial lasted for three weeks at the beginning of march. ed sheeran, who launched the proceedings in an attempt to clear his name, attended court every day, listening attentively to the arguments. judge anthony zacaroli has now ruled in his favour, saying there was no attempt to copy mr chokri's song. i feel like claims like this are way too common and there is an idea that a claim will be cheaper than taking it to court even if there is no basis to the claim and it's really damaging to the songwriting injuries —— industry. the damaging to the songwriting in'uries -- indust . ., ,., damaging to the songwriting in'uries --indust . ., ., , -- industry. the ruling also means he will get —

-- industry. the ruling also means he will get to _ -- industry. the ruling also means he will get to keep _ -- industry. the ruling also means he will get to keep his _ -- industry. the ruling also means he will get to keep his share i -- industry. the ruling also means he will get to keep his share of i -- industry. the ruling also meansj he will get to keep his share of the royalties of the song, a summer that runs to millions of pounds. we will be back in the next few minutes. it's turned into a day of april showers across the uk and some of the downpour is heavy and quite prolonged in places as well with spells of sunshine in between on the wind increasingly becoming a feature through the rest of the day. and on the satellite picture you can see a curl of cloud, the central area of low pressure and speckled shower clouds in this type of cloud has been working east and brought some quite hefty downpours of rain and as we move through the latter part of wednesday, this area of low pressure dominating deepens and the wind will strengthen. temperatures through the afternoon between nine and 13 degrees in most places, sunshine and

showers the story for the majority but more persistent rain across 0rkney and as we go in the evening we see persistent rain fringing into the south—west of england and it will turn windy through the english channel and northern and western parts of scotland but more especially southern parts of northern ireland, north wales and north—west england and we could see ghosts of 60 up to 70 mph in places and some of the wet weather will turn wintry in the north and we could see five centimetres of snow over high ground in scotland where temperatures will drop away and it stays miles further south, so tomorrow morning, a bit of rain in the far south which should clear and a band of cloud bringing rain, sleet and hill snow south and all tending to break up into another sunshine and showers day but some of the showers will be wintry, particularly in the north and it will stay windy and we could see gusts of 40 or 50 mph or more, even for central or southern portions of the uk so with the brisk wind and cold air it will feel like a cold day and into double digits down towards the south. certainly a cold night on thursday

as the wind eases and many of us see clear skies overhead in quite a widespread frost especially for central and northern areas which will dawn on a sunny note on friday. rain very close to the south of england and certainly affecting the channel islands which should attend to pull away and on friday another sunshine and showers day but some of the showers will be heavy and wintry in places with top temperatures between eight and 12 degrees. as we look towards the weekend, it starts off with this bump of high pressure building, so i mainly fine day on saturday with showers in the north but behind me, low pressure pushing in from the atlantic and that will bring many clouds on sunday but it will be relatively mild.

this is bbc news, i'm yalda hakim. the headlines... nato foreign ministers are to meet as images of destruction, and allegations of war crimes continue to emerge from towns surrounging kyiv, following the retreat of russian forces. the uk, us and the eu are expected to impose fresh sanctions on russia. they're likely to target strategic industries, including energy, oil and gas. ukraine's president accuses russia of hitting infrastructure in the country in efforts to starve the population. translation: to them, hunger is also a weapon. a weapon against us ordinary people, as an instrument of domination. millions of people in the uk will now pay more national insurance, as an increase to contributions comes into effect today.

the prime minister says the government needs to make difficult decisions to support the nhs what we are doing today is unquestionably the right thing for our country, it's the right thing for the nhs. married couples in england and wales will be able to begin divorce proceedings without blame from today, as new 'no—fault�* divorce legislation comes into force. calories must now appear on the menus of food and drink businesses with more than 250 staff in england ed sheeran wins his legal battle over claims part of his track shape of you was copied from a song by another artist.

welcome back. russian forces are continuing to shell areas in the east and south—east of ukraine. their offensive in the southern port city of mariupol, which has been blockaded and relentlessly bombarded for more than a month, grinds on. an estimated 130,000 people remain trapped, in appalling conditions. (00v map)as well as their ground assault, the russians are flying more than 200 missions a day, —— in appalling conditions. as well as their ground assault, the russians are flying more than 200 missions a day, again targeting mariupol, but also the city of izyum, that's according british and american defence officials. the uk is now preparing more sanctions against russia, likely to target what's being described as moscow's �*military ambitions,�* while nato foreign ministers, are meeting in brussels, to discuss sending further support to ukrainian forces. let�*s get the latest from our correspondent, emma vardy. trapped in a nightmare but clinging on. while the residents of mariupol remain cut off from the outside world, these are the images that

russia wants you to see. aid from russia being distributed inside the besieged city. but the footage is tightly controlled. around them, there is little left to destroy. but the relentless bombing of mariupol continues. efforts to organise a mass evacuation have so far failed. translation: how can i leave? my house was blown up. i am standing here in front of you. that is basically all i have. i have absolutely nothing, just a blown up house. it is scary and terrible and the problem with food, i don't know what to do. sometimes you find something, sometimes people treat you, sometimes you receive humanitarian aid. but what shall i do after it is all gone? i don't know. ukrainian president as defiant as ever continues to reach out to world leaders. today addressing the irish parliament. again, he laid bare the war crimes he says russia is carrying out in plain sight.

translation: for them, hunger is also a weapon. | a weapon. a weapon against us ordinary people as an instrument of domination. the worst thing is the city of mariupol. there are half a million inhabitants. the city was put under siege and they have blocked access from the soil, from the sea. they are blocking the humanitarian cargo. they are not allowing anything to come through. nowhere, it seems, is off limits. not for the first time in this conflict there are claims hospitals are being shelled. the humanitarian charity medecins sans frontieres says in mykolaiv, several medical facilities have been hit in the past two days. there were pockmarks all around the grounds, so it wasn�*t one large impact crater. all one direct hit on one

of the hospitals around. as i mentioned, there were several in that area. it was rather scattered all around. so with that, from experience of working in conflict zones, the team came to the conclusion it must have been cluster munitions. the us and eu is preparing more sanctions on russia. as the kremlin stepped up military aggression in the east of ukraine, thousands of people who live in the donbas region are now fleeing. ukrainian officials say they believe moscow because my aim is now to capture the whole region. but ukrainian forces continue to slow their progress. successfully targeting the russian military in the air and on the ground. here, a russian attack helicopter reported to have been destroyed by an anti—tank missile. but ukraine needs more than sanctions, says president zelensky. he wants more military support and is calling on world leaders to hold russia accountable. the horrific images of civilian deaths that have emerged in recent days, he says, arejust the beginning. my colleague clive myrie

has been speaking to the ukrainian prime minister, denys shmyhal, who said the west must respond with much tougher sanctions, and that russia�*s forces are trying to wipe ukraine, off the face of the earth. iam i am absolutely sure that this is genocide. against the ukrainian nation from russia. absolutely. d0 nation from russia. absolutely. do ou nation from russia. absolutely. do you think now there is a moral imperative to stop buying russian oil and gas?— oil and gas? bringing money to russia and _ oil and gas? bringing money to russia and paying _ oil and gas? bringing money to russia and paying money i oil and gas? bringing money to russia and paying money to i oil and gas? bringing money to i russia and paying money to russian budget to finance this genocide, the crimes, the killings from russia�*s side. crimes, the killings from russia's side. , ., ., , , , ., side. they have to stop buying oil and as? side. they have to stop buying oil and gas? absolutely _ side. they have to stop buying oil and gas? absolutely because i side. they have to stop buying oil. and gas? absolutely because buying this, they pay _ and gas? absolutely because buying this. they pay money _ and gas? absolutely because buying this, they pay money for _ and gas? absolutely because buying this, they pay money for killings i this, they pay money for killings which we have seen in ukraine. i5 which we have seen in ukraine. is what money? is that what it is? absolutely. for me and my people,

absolute because the russian budget as the budget of terrorism and not only against ukraine, against all the civilised forms. it is what money because they pay this, they use the money to buy weapons from which they kill the ukrainians. that was the ukrainian prime minister speaking to my colleague clive mhairi there. —— speaking to my colleague clive myrie. a convoy of buses and cars carrying more than 500 people have made it out of mariupol in south—east ukraine. an international committee of the red cross team led the vehicles to zaporizhzhia after the civilians fled the besieged ukrainian town on their own. joining me now is pascal hundt, head of delegation for the international committee of the red cross based in western ukraine. thank you very much, pascal, for joining us here on the programme. till is a bit more about this operation today because of course we have seen some stills, some images coming out all of your convoy leading those 500 people out. it is

in operation _ leading those 500 people out. it 3 in operation that has lasted for the last five days. we had a team leading from mariupol, a long journey, 200 kilometres, many check points, we had the separate guarantees from the parties and we had to stop many times along the road, so it took us a few days to go there and unfortunatelyjust before entering mariupol, 20 kilometres, the safety conditions were not possible for us to proceed further although we tried several times and finally yesterday evening, we managed to go back slowly, we collected people that were living in marie paul —— living in mariupol, and we kept travelling at around noon today, we managed to reach our

destination with buses and private cars joining the convoy because they saw the red cross come more —— and more than 100,000 people reached... today at local time. that more than 100,000 people reached... today at local time.— today at local time. that is extraordinary _ today at local time. that is extraordinary that - today at local time. that is extraordinary that 1000 i today at local time. that is i extraordinary that 1000 people, today at local time. that is _ extraordinary that 1000 people, many of them, they want clarity on this, managed to get out themselves from mariupol, not the red cross going in, these are citizens who managed to get out in their own vehicles and you assisted them safely to zachary�*s share. —— you assisted them safely zachary's share. -- you assisted them safely— zachary's share. -- you assisted them safel , . . , , , , them safely yes, we have seven buses with us and ultimately _ them safely yes, we have seven buses with us and ultimately at _ them safely yes, we have seven buses with us and ultimately at the - them safely yes, we have seven buses with us and ultimately at the end i them safely yes, we have seven buses with us and ultimately at the end of i with us and ultimately at the end of the convoy, we are reaching zaporizhzhia, we have more than 150 private cars joining the convoy and thatis private cars joining the convoy and that is why we ended up having more than 1000 people there. it was a

difficult operation, complex, and there was other conditions but we feel like more than 1000 people managed to leave from there, where they wanted to go as we have such an opposition from there, where they wanted to go as we have such an opposition will take place in the days to come because there have such an opposition will take place in the days to come because there are still many people living in mariupol and we believe they need to go out. and we believe they need to go out. and we spare no efforts to make that possible. we are in contact with authorities to make sure that happens. authorities to make sure that ha ens. �* .., . authorities to make sure that hauens. . , , authorities to make sure that hauens. . ,, happens. are concerned because your team, that happens. are concerned because your team. that was _ happens. are concerned because your team, that was the _ happens. are concerned because your team, that was the intention - happens. are concerned because your team, that was the intention was i team, that was the intention was that the red cross would be able to enter mariupol, get the civilians out but you were not able to... security promises were not made or you could not guarantee them. are you could not guarantee them. are you concerned that as more people come out, that could become incredibly dangerous for them? the

situation incredibly dangerous for them? ti2 situation remains extremely tense. we are in the middle of an international conflict, with sporadic skirmishes happening in some places, heavy bombardment and others, we have seen the image so we know that to ensure the ceasefire takes place, it takes not only willingness part also the mechanism and coordination to ensure that all those given in the capital reach to all checkpoints and that is why it needs preparation, time and when the next operation takes place, it will require many days for people to get out of mariupol and just not 24—hour is over 48 hours, so the more operation we can have, that can last many days, the better, and we will continue to do everything we can to reach mariupol. you continue to do everything we can to reach mariupol.— continue to do everything we can to reach mariupol. you say there was an attem -t reach mariupol. you say there was an attempt for — reach mariupol. you say there was an attempt for many _ reach mariupol. you say there was an attempt for many days _ reach mariupol. you say there was an

attempt for many days to _ reach mariupol. you say there was an attempt for many days to reach i attempt for many days to reach mariupol and your staff ran into some difficulties, some were detained. yes, i confirm that some of our staff were detained by the local police inside a city and after negotiations, they managed to get out —— might we managed to get them out. they understood our mission and were not well informed and we feel really relieved to have them out and then they were able to not only go back to zaporizhzhia but to go back to the mission and bring these thousands of people out and i�*m sure they will continue to do that. do you have teams in? b, they will continue to do that. do you have teams in?— they will continue to do that. do you have teams in? a few weeks ago, the team is — you have teams in? a few weeks ago, the team is running _ you have teams in? a few weeks ago, the team is running out _ you have teams in? a few weeks ago, the team is running out of— you have teams in? a few weeks ago, the team is running out of food, i the team is running out of food, water, electricity, everything like the rest of the population. the team described as and in an apocalyptic

situation. you can imagine the life and one more to survive the population of today and the team did not have any other of the net option rather than to do that but part of our team that was in mariupol was also in operation to continue to bring new civilians out of mariupol. why track we have seen these devastating images in places like bucha and the suburbs around kyiv, the ukrainian president and many others have said that they are incredibly concerned these things happened in the towns and suburbs outside of the cap, what on earth is going on in a place like mariupol which really has been at the forefront of this conflict from the very beginning? what kind of information are you getting from those who are coming out, and what they saw and went through. to describe what we hear from our team

two weeks ago, in a much worse situation, they have no water. they have no access to food. they have the shelling and bombardment, and i think we can describe the life there are the survival as being in one of the worst places on earth or being close to hell, so i think what they are doing there is beyond the imagination. flan are doing there is beyond the imagination.— are doing there is beyond the imauination. ., ,. , ,., imagination. can you give us some examples? — imagination. can you give us some examples? i _ imagination. can you give us some examples? i saw _ imagination. can you give us some examples? i saw a _ imagination. can you give us some examples? i saw a statement i imagination. can you give us some examples? i saw a statement as l imagination. can you give us some l examples? i saw a statement as you say a few weeks ago talking about the fact that people are running out of food, they have no water, they�*ve been plunged into darkness, spending night after night without any kind of heating or electricity, food is not on the shelves in the stores, as you say, it feels like hell.— you say, it feels like hell. yes, i can confirm _ you say, it feels like hell. yes, i can confirm that _ you say, it feels like hell. yes, i can confirm that and _ you say, it feels like hell. yes, i can confirm that and i _ you say, it feels like hell. yes, i can confirm that and i also i you say, it feels like hell. yes, i can confirm that and i also have| can confirm that and i also have similar testimonies.

can confirm that and i also have similartestimonies. ourteam can confirm that and i also have similar testimonies. our team are present in many places in the northern outskirts and we are receiving extremely disturbing and heartbreaking testimonies on how people are living there. elderly people are living there. elderly people staying alone at home without food, without electricity, without heating, water. they have to go out together to make fire and to put food outside for the elderly people so really heartbreaking testimonies. why track i know mariupol is very difficult to enter and is testimonies your hearing, we are seeing the kind of allegations of war crimes, images coming out of bucha, are you hearing similar such things taking place in mariupol? we are discussing with the people coming out of mariupol, the people in bucha and they are telling us

terrible stories. we continue to collect this information, we will discuss that bilaterally with the parties to ensure the respect of international... and in the meantime, people there needs also food, water and shelter. and with we will see the parties agreeing and finding the condition. figs will see the parties agreeing and finding the condition.— will see the parties agreeing and finding the condition. as you say, ou finding the condition. as you say, you manage _ finding the condition. as you say, you manage to — finding the condition. as you say, you manage to assist _ finding the condition. as you say, you manage to assist thousand i finding the condition. as you say, - you manage to assist thousand people to get them out of zaporizhzhia but there are still 130,000. are you going to continue given the success of the operation today to continue in this way over the coming days? we will in this way over the coming days? , will do our utmost to again keep up this type of contact. it is not only

about mariupol, there are other cities where you have to raise the concern. the type of operation, and can be done in a much larger scale. thank you so much forjoining us. ukrainian opposition mp kira rudik has visited the town of bucha a number of times since it was liberated by ukrainian forces. earlier she described to me what she saw. i have seen many bodies, i have seen mass graves, i have seen people whose hands are tied behind their back. we have seen many people with

their warts in the unease and female bodies that were run over by a tank many times. and then they are left along the road, trying to cover what happened with them beforehand. i have talked to people they are in bucha. we have talked to women who were raped and the children who witnessed it and the mothers whose children died of pneumonia because they were in the basement for 39 days. we have talked to families whose relatives burned down alive in the house is that were hit by russian missiles. in the worst thing i heard was a person saying that

russian soldiers are cleaning the land from the dirt. it sounds very nazi to me. it land from the dirt. it sounds very nazi to me-_ land from the dirt. it sounds very nazi to me. it is horrific no matter where it happens _ nazi to me. it is horrific no matter where it happens in _ nazi to me. it is horrific no matter where it happens in ukraine - nazi to me. it is horrific no matter where it happens in ukraine but i nazi to me. it is horrific no matter} where it happens in ukraine but to help people understand the size of bucha, small town, 40,000 people. people didn't have any kind of defensive front and it was a very... right, and for you to say that, small—town, very peaceful, when you turn 35 and decide to settle down, this is where you... and this is where there is 2000 people there. there is this house. there was a

fence that was still standing. on offence, there was a sign, a handmade sign written by... to say we are peaceful people. with a hope that they do not help them. there was a pupil lou king small town where people just wanted to survive and right now, many of them are killed. many of them are raped and it cannot get inside of what is happening. today, they went there again and they sent me the shot of the playground that was shot by so

many and we said no and we were all crying. why track they say these images are fake. we have been any with russia for eight years. we know all the tricks they have on their books. this is why on day one of violating bucha, we went there with all the respectable journalists, including bbc news, so they could see by their own eyes that this truth is happening and the russians were denying it. and they were

gathering the evidence and making sure that every single person responsible could be brought up. did you expect when towns were trying to see the sort of scenes that we would see the sort of scenes that we would see these kinds of horror?— see the sort of scenes that we would see these kinds of horror? nobody in their mind can _ see these kinds of horror? nobody in their mind can expect _ see these kinds of horror? nobody in their mind can expect something - see these kinds of horror? nobody in their mind can expect something likej their mind can expect something like this. nobody. it's alleged that 25 girls and women were raped by russian forces at bucha, according to a senior ukrainian official speaking to bbc news. lyudmila denisova, the ukrainian parliament's human rights commissioner, explained that a telephone helpline offering support had received at least 25 reports of rape of women and girls aged between ia and 2a by russian soldiers. she was speaking through

a translator to tim wilcox on bbc world news. today, we have evidence of genocide of ukrainian people, they have new munitions of... and a new weapon is raping women. we have a hotline phone for anything that is providing psychological support and women have been calling that... in bucha where there is about 25 women, that there were 25 women who are raped by russian soldiers, nine of them already died, that was also happening for a month, so every

criminal would be punished. mona criminalwould be punished. now there has been _ criminalwould be punished. now there has been lots of stories about how people have mobilised in response to the russian invasion. one woman who started helping just a few elderly neighbours in her kyiv neighbourhood, now runs a network that helps more than a thousand across the region. on the phone with a woman with no food left at home, she is reassured with a soft voice that she is not forgotten. she set up this hardware when russia invaded ukraine and there was a few elderly women, and

now her team looks after more than 1000 people. the list is growing. so are those who are willing to help. we are like one big family who is indifferent. they try to do what they can. some projects, some... and hewitt works like this. i will... —— and here it works like this. it hurts to see the suffering people are facing now. every day, she drives around kyiv with a team—mate with a list of names to deliver food and medicine to. and people keep calling her asking for help. sometimes she gets calls from areas now taken by the russian forces. and it is painful for

now taken by the russian forces. and it is painfulfor her to know now taken by the russian forces. and it is painful for her to know that she cannot go there to help. but she is full ofjoy when she cannot go there to help. but she is full of joy when she she cannot go there to help. but she is full ofjoy when she can. this time, she and her colleague brought supplies to this 85—year—old woman who lives alone in year. —— lives alone in kyiv. this unexpected gift of flowers brought a smile to the women's face. precious moments in a time of war. you're watching bbc news. let's stay with ukraine — and we can go now to hostomel and speak to dmytro niekazakov, local resident and member of myvdoma, a group of volunteers working in the town. thank you so much forjoining us here on the programme, just tells a little bit about what you're doing there. we

little bit about what you're doing there. ~ .., little bit about what you're doing there. ~ ., ., ., , little bit about what you're doing there. ., ., ., , ., ., there. we came and organised a home organisation — there. we came and organised a home organisation to — there. we came and organised a home organisation to help _ there. we came and organised a home organisation to help people _ there. we came and organised a home organisation to help people to - organisation to help people to deliver food, organisation to help people to deliverfood, medicalaid organisation to help people to deliverfood, medical aid and so on. after the first help, we will start to reconstruct the city, to... the electricity, water connection and so on. i electricity, water connection and so on. , . electricity, water connection and so on, , ., ., electricity, water connection and so on. , ., ., , ., on. ijust want to help our audiences _ on. ijust want to help our audiences understand - on. i just want to help our i audiences understand where on. i just want to help our - audiences understand where horse them all is —— where hostomel is because alongside ipri is because alongside irpin, it was on the border of kyiv. but we are seeing a destroyed town.—

border of kyiv. but we are seeing a destroyed town. yes, it looks like a desert, destroyed town. yes, it looks like a desert. there _ destroyed town. yes, it looks like a desert, there is _ destroyed town. yes, it looks like a desert, there is no _ destroyed town. yes, it looks like a desert, there is no civilisation - desert, there is no civilisation now. no commercial shops, drugstores, restaurants, they will destroy totally and many of the district are destroyed to zero, to the ground. and thousands of people have lost their homes as well. and have lost their homes as well. and a . ain, the have lost their homes as well. and again, the images we are seeing in bucha board is streets, maxi missing. yes, and are you seeing that? is it as visible as it is in bucha where

we are seeing people in ditches, mass graves? is that what you're seeing in hostomel? it was a few days ago but now we are working very quickly to pick up the bodies and to take them to medical stations, for medical experts defined their natives and to be for the identification of the body. and natives and to be for the identification of the body. and so ou're identification of the body. and so you're currently _ identification of the body. and so you're currently taking _ identification of the body. and so you're currently taking in - identification of the body. and so | you're currently taking in supplies but how many people are currently now in hostomel? i but how many people are currently now in hostomel?— but how many people are currently now in hostomel? i think about only a few hundred. _ now in hostomel? i think about only a few hundred. most _ now in hostomel? i think about only a few hundred. most of— now in hostomel? i think about only a few hundred. most of the - now in hostomel? i think about only a few hundred. most of the people | a few hundred. most of the people are gone but there are still many people who need help. we are looking for them because they are hiding in

basements, still hiding in basements, still hiding in basements, they don't have information that the city is under our control and they are still afraid to go out on the street. the authorities — afraid to go out on the street. the authorities are _ afraid to go out on the street. the authorities are currently searching for people in underground bunkers and basements where they had taken shelter? , , ., ., shelter? yes. they are patrolling the streets _ shelter? yes. they are patrolling the streets there, _ shelter? yes. they are patrolling the streets there, checking - shelter? yes. they are patrollingj the streets there, checking every house, every basement, and now people are reaching out and every day there is a number of people who need help growing up. white can account your hearing just earlier, the red cross was talking about the desperate situation in mariupol living without food and heating, the

people from hostomel cut off from access to things like heating? yes, it was scattered from three sides to get help from kyiv and other cities, now hostomel is under our control and we have only one way to get the help but now volunteer organisations every hour are getting water and food, and we are like picking up boxes to help people and we deliver to houses by addresses we know. we get people in our centre and now we are trying to organise a normal help and like not in—house. what

are trying to organise a normal help and like not in-house._ and like not in-house. what about the people — and like not in-house. what about the people who — and like not in-house. what about the people who have _ and like not in-house. what about the people who have lost - and like not in-house. what about the people who have lost their - and like not in-house. what about i the people who have lost their homes in the bombing, shelling and fighting? have they left the city completely are some people who have lost their home still remaining there? . , lost their home still remaining there? ., , ., lost their home still remaining there? ., , , ., there? there was no possibility to leave the city _ there? there was no possibility to leave the city at _ there? there was no possibility to leave the city at all, _ there? there was no possibility to leave the city at all, so _ there? there was no possibility to leave the city at all, so they - there? there was no possibility to leave the city at all, so they were | leave the city at all, so they were hiding in the basement in schools, in big houses, and now we are planning to organise some kind of shelter to make a temporary aid temporary police —— place to stay. tell us what you need most. much of the supplies are coming over the border into liv eve. are you then able to get supplies to the right places correspond —— in lviv. what we need most now are

electricity generators, and organised an electricity patrol and also transport. the crucial thing we need is transport. fine also transport. the crucial thing we need is transport.— also transport. the crucial thing we need is transport. are you also able to net to need is transport. are you also able to get to those _ need is transport. are you also able to get to those generators - need is transport. are you also able to get to those generators there? i need is transport. are you also able | to get to those generators there? is there a shortage or are you getting assistance with that question mark sorry? are you able to get generators into your home? we can aet it but generators into your home? we can get it but we _ generators into your home? we can get it but we don't _ generators into your home? we can get it but we don't have _ generators into your home? we can get it but we don't have it. - generators into your home? we can get it but we don't have it. you - get it but we don't have it. you don't have _ get it but we don't have it. you don't have it. _ get it but we don't have it. you don't have it. ok. _ get it but we don't have it. you don't have it. ok. we - get it but we don't have it. you don't have it. ok. we need - get it but we don't have it. you don't have it. ok. we need it. | get it but we don't have it. you - don't have it. ok. we need it. thank ou ve don't have it. ok. we need it. thank you very much _ don't have it. ok. we need it. thank you very much for — don't have it. ok. we need it. thank you very much forjoining _ don't have it. ok. we need it. thank you very much forjoining us - don't have it. ok. we need it. thank you very much forjoining us here i don't have it. ok. we need it. thank you very much forjoining us here on j you very much forjoining us here on the programme and we appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. some breaking news just some breaking newsjust coming in and we were hearing earlier today

that the us authorities wanted to sanction russian president vladimir putin's two adult daughters and we understand that that has now taken effect and the us has sanctioned the russian president vladimir putin and his two adult daughters and to toughen penalties on russian banks in retaliation for what is being described as war crimes in ukraine, so that is vladimir putin's two aduu so that is vladimir putin's two adult daughters facing sanctions as well as sanctions on the russian financial industry and the largest private bank. this action, we are being told, will freeze any of the alpha bank assets and prohibits us persons from doing business with them, so russia's largest financial institution and largest private bank have both faced sanctions as well as vladimir putin's two adult daughters who are now faced blocking sanctions

as well. sport now, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. prime minister borisjohnson says he doesn't believe transgender women should compete in female sporting events... it's a view he says may be considered "controversial". the issue of transgender athletes — looking at inclusion, sporting fairness and safety in women's sport — has recently been highlighted in the case of british transgender cyclist emily bridges. speaking today, the prime minister said "i don't think biological males should be competing in female sporting events. itjust seems to me to be sensible.". he added that it doesn't mean he's not sympathetic to people who want to change gender. and it's vital to give people maximum love and support in making those decisions. the issue of transgender athletes is in the spotlight, following the recent ruling by cycling's government body the uci which ruled that emily bridges was ineligible to compete in her first elite women's race last weekend. chelsea are looking to follow in the footsteps of last

night's wins for liverpool and manchester city — and take the advantage in their champions league tie later. they face real madrid at stamford bridge this evening in the first leg of their quarter final. it's been a tough week for thomas tuchel�*s side after a heavy defeat to brentford at the weekend. chelsea did beat real madrid en route to the final last season but tuchel says that will have no bearing on this evening. for us it is not a point to prove. we are out there to prove a point anyway, and to bounce back from saturday's performance and to play in the right way and the way we want to play, to be physical, intense, to be focused and to be at our very best because this is what we need. it had been thought that madrid boss and former chelsea manager carlo ancelotti wouldn't be able to return to stamford bridge due to covid. the italian tested positive last week and didn't travel to london yesterday with his squad. but he tested negative this morning and will now be in the dugout tonight. a big game in the premier league as well this evening,

with strugglers everton going to burnley who are second from bottom and equally hungry for a win. despite the high stakes, everton boss frank lampard says he is looking forward to it. we are fighting at the bottom end of the table to try and stay in the league. that's been the case for a while, and with every game that goes it becomes more intense, so the mental and physical preparation is key and then is how you perform on the day, so we can control lots of parts of that in terms of preparation in the squad will be very focused and very understanding of what we are going into there and after that it is the performance. england's opening group game against iran at the 2022 world cup will be shown live on the bbc. gareth southgate's side are in action on the opening day of the tournament in qatar on monday the 21st of november. england's last group game against the final european qualifier, which will be one of wales, scotland or ukraine, will also be live on the bbc. the second group game between iran and either wales, scotland or ukraine will also be broadcast live. ronald koeman will return as manager of the netherlands for a second time, following the 2022 qatar world cup.

he'll replace louis van gaal, who on sunday revealed he's receiving treatment for prostate cancer. koeman, who most recently managed barcelona, was in charge of the dutch national side between 2018 and 2020. he said in a statement that he was "very much looking forward to this new challenge, on to achieving new successes together." and the final preparations are underway in augusta, ahead of the first men's golf major of the year — the masters — which begins tomorrow. all the build up dominated by talk of tiger woods and his return. he has now confirmed he does intend to play, and will play a final nine practice holes today, just iii months after suffering life—threatening injuries after crashing his car. nobody has a work ethic and determination like him. i've never seen anything like it in terms of setting your mind to something and kind of setting a goalfor setting your mind to something and kind of setting a goal for yourself and proving to yourself and everybody that you can do it than him. that's all the sport for now.

i'll have more for you in the next hour. from today, millions of people will begin to pay more tax as the controversial rise in national insurance contributions takes effect. it's predicted to raise an extra £11 billion this financial year. not everyone will pay more — lower earners will actually pay less national insurance. the government promised to spend the money on social care and easing pressure on the nhs. the move breaks a conservative election manifesto pledge, but borisjohnson said the rise was "necessary, fair and responsible". this report from our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith. business is getting back on track at george's bistro. but now they will be paying more money on the wages of the 25 staff. for me, if i look at my wage, i think it is not too much, but i look at it as a business and how we will have to pay it on everyone's wages, it adds up really, really quick.

what does it mean for you? how will you cover that cost? we will try to bring more custom in, that is the only way to do it. more bums on seats? yeah, bums on seats, that's what we need to do. but that means more staff, so more cost from today, lots of the staff here will be paying extra national insurance on their wages, too. for the next few months, you will have just under £10,000 of your wages tax—free and then, instead of paying 12% national insurance, you will have to top up to i3.25% — and more for higher earners. but after facing criticism, the government of tried to soften the blow. so from july, the amount you can earn before you pay tax will increase to £12,5000. and then you will be charged a higher rate for national insurance. the government say they will use the extra money for funding health and social care.

it is an extra pressure from middle earners. we have to help families in any way we can, which is why we are putting another £22 billion into supporting families through what are unquestionably tough times caused by the end of the pandemic, the global inflation problem and the energy price spike that we are seeing. we are abating that and helping people but what we are doing today is unquestionably the right thing for our country, it's the right thing for the nhs. lots of the businesses and employees who lost the most of the last few years now feel like they are being asked to pay a higher price to cover the cost of the pandemic. it is absolutely crazy. with everything else going up, it's another thing we have to deal with. this salon will have to pay more for each member of staff butjoseph said it is ok if he is charged more personally. i don't mind if it goes up

a litte because i know a little because i know much help i have had over the last 18 months. it needs to come from somewhere. but faced with a much bigger increase, boss richard does not agree. it's another challenge as a business owner to survive and move forward. very difficult. it's an increase when so many others have already cut all the corners they can. the biggest reform to divorce law in 50 years has come into force with no fault divorces becoming legal in england and wales. divorce affects tens of thousands of couples and families every year and until now in over half of those applications a person has had to blame their partner in legal documents. no—fault divorce already exists in scotland, but the so—called blame rules stillapply in northern ireland. our legal affairs correspondent dominic casciani reports.

happy family life. what so many of us want. but sometimes it comes within an emotional cost. in 2018, olivia and her then husband realised their marriage was over and they had to find a way out of it for the good of themselves and their children. but when she met a divorce lawyer, she was in for a shock. olivia was told she'd have to legally blame her husband if she wanted to get on with it quickly. i felt very uncomfortable with this right from the beginning because they seemed to be very much sort of pointing the finger, and that someone was at fault. it felt that it was not going to be useful to the divorce process, especially when young children are involved. i think apportioning blame sort of fuels the flame a little, and it didn't seem like a great way to set up co—parenting in the future. hi, olivia, it's nice to see you again. the couple got help from amicable, a divorce support service, but still needed to wait two years to legally split

because they had chosen not to blame each other. the more tension between us, you know, obviously would have had an impact on them, it would have impacted our ability to share custody, you know. because as it is, we help each other out all the time, you know, we share a car, we share a dog. we're, you know, happy to look after the kids on different evenings. and we're very flexible. up until now, we've had a fault based divorce system in england and wales. someone has to be accused of adultery, desertion, or unreasonable behaviour. if one partner disagrees, the couple must wait five years. from today, one or both partners can declare the marriage is over in a statement to a court. judges will no longer ask for a reason. the same rules apply to same sex unions. divorce and family lawyers say it's a revolution that places people and their wellbeing first. this new law will be more humane. i think it also recognises

the dignity of the people wanting to be divorced, and it gives them some autonomy as well. what i'm hoping is that that sets the tone and the culture, and it will roll over into resolving financial matters and children matters, most importantly. divorce lawyers say there could be an increase in applications, but the legal steps will take longer. there's now a 20—week pause to allow couples to think again. time also to divide finances and agree arrangements for children. but campaigners say the new law means more separating couples will find a happier life without added emotional and financial pain. dominic casciani, bbc news. the bbc understands the government has cancelled its first international lgbt conference, after more than 100 organisations said they were pulling out. they're angry that a ban on conversion therapy will exclude transgender people. "safe to be me" was scheduled to take place in london injune to promote lgbt rights

within the uk and globally. we can go now to westminster and speak to our political correspondent dave wallace lockhart. not a good look for the government. no, and at the heart of all of this is the concept of conversion therapy and nhs england defines this as trying to change somebody�*s sexuality or their gender identity. the government, after a bit of you turning last week has clarified it wants to ban for conversion therapy but only when it relates to somebody sexuality, not when it relates to issues of gender and that has caused a lot of upset in some quarters, not least conservative backbench mps and we had one prominent backbencher, jamie wallace, who came out last week as the first transgender mp himself, saying he was bitterly disappointed that the government

took this position and believes it is wrong. yesterday the government lost their first lgbt business champion, a figure called iain anderson, who resigned in protest at this decision and that conference you mentioned called safe to be me was scheduled for the summer and was going to bring together hundreds of lgbt organisations and so many have pulled out in protest on the government stance on conversion therapy that it looks set to be cancelled and with that backdrop it was something the prime minister was asked about earlier today and here is what he had to say on that contentious issue of conversion therapy. j contentious issue of conversion thera . ., ':: ::f contentious issue of conversion thera-. ., '::::f contentious issue of conversion thera. ., '::::f g, , therapy. i am 10096 committed to this and therapy. i am 100% committed to this and we will have _ therapy. i am 100% committed to this and we will have a _ therapy. i am 100% committed to this and we will have a ban _ therapy. i am 100% committed to this and we will have a ban on _ therapy. i am 100% committed to this and we will have a ban on gay - and we will have a ban on gay conversion _ and we will have a ban on gay conversion therapy, which, to me, is oddly— conversion therapy, which, to me, is oddly apparent. but there are complexities and sensitivities when you move _ complexities and sensitivities when you move from the area of sexuality to the _ you move from the area of sexuality to the question of gender and there

are things _ to the question of gender and there are things there that i still think need _ are things there that i still think need to— are things there that i still think need to be worked out. i'm sorry we have _ need to be worked out. i'm sorry we have not— need to be worked out. i'm sorry we have not been able to reach agreement with the organisation is concerned. — agreement with the organisation is concerned, but that will in no way diminish— concerned, but that will in no way diminish our determination to tackle prejudice _ diminish our determination to tackle prejudice wherever we can. borisjohnson went on to say he has huge sympathies for people struggling with their gender but even though we heard him say it is a very complex issue, and he thinks more thinking has to be done around legislation there. he also in that interview, unprompted, brought up his view that people who are biologically male, as he sees it, should not be competing in a female sports and also talked about the idea of women only spaces being available in facilities like prisons and hospitals and we know that can be a particularly contentious debate thatis be a particularly contentious debate that is ongoing at the moment and was something that keir starmer was asked about with regards to

conversion therapy and whether or not that should be extended to trans people this afternoon when he was out and about in lancashire and he took a different position from the prime minister, looking for a more all—encompassing banner. prime minister, looking for a more all-encompassing banner. conversion thera - all-encompassing banner. conversion thera and all-encompassing banner. conversion therapy and all _ all-encompassing banner. conversion therapy and all of _ all-encompassing banner. conversion therapy and all of its _ all-encompassing banner. conversion therapy and all of its forms _ all-encompassing banner. conversion therapy and all of its forms should i therapy and all of its forms should be banned — therapy and all of its forms should be banned and that used to be the government's position and they have been flip—flopping on this for the last few— been flip—flopping on this for the last few days and they need to stick to their_ last few days and they need to stick to their promises. but i can't help feeling _ to their promises. but i can't help feeling that this is yet more distraction tactics from the government. they know that what is keeping _ government. they know that what is keeping people awake at night is the cost of— keeping people awake at night is the cost of living, whether they can pay their bills _ cost of living, whether they can pay their bills or— cost of living, whether they can pay their bills or not, in order to distract— their bills or not, in order to distract from that, the government wants— distract from that, the government wants to _ distract from that, the government wants to create an argument about conversion _ wants to create an argument about conversion therapy and it's not going — conversion therapy and it's not going to — conversion therapy and it's not going to wash. we can all see what they are _ going to wash. we can all see what they are up — going to wash. we can all see what they are up to. it going to wash. we can all see what they are up to— going to wash. we can all see what they are up to. it does seem to be a controversial — they are up to. it does seem to be a controversial issue _ they are up to. it does seem to be a controversial issue at _ they are up to. it does seem to be a controversial issue at the _ they are up to. it does seem to be a controversial issue at the moment l controversial issue at the moment and labour and the conservatives, at least in their official lines, taking very different positions.

borisjohnson, saying in that interview he gave earlier that this was never really an issue he thought would be an issue when he became prime minister, that he would have to deal with in great depth, but we are in an issue he has to address at the moment and to win back these backbenchers on his own benches who it sounds like a very unhappy with the position he is taking, it does feel like he is, the very least, going to have to talk about if he is separating trans— conversion therapy from conversion therapy when it comes to sexuality, and it feels like at the very least he has to talk about how he will address the trans— issue when it comes to conversion therapy and how he can improve that area if he wants to get the backbenchers back onside, but definitely an area of concern for some in the party.— definitely an area of concern for some in the party. thank you so much for that update. _ i'm nowjoined by paul roberts, ceo of the lgbt consortium which is the umbrella

company behind the uks lgbt groups who have withdrawn support from the safe to be me conference. thanks forjoining us on the programme. tell me more about what you have decided to pull out from the conference.— you have decided to pull out from the conference. let's make it clear, this is the last _ the conference. let's make it clear, this is the last thing _ the conference. let's make it clear, this is the last thing we _ the conference. let's make it clear, this is the last thing we wanted - the conference. let's make it clear, this is the last thing we wanted to l this is the last thing we wanted to do and it really was the only option that all of us were left with. we have a government who have been committing to introducing a ban on conversion practices for many years and the prime minister talks about we need to talk about it longer and the experts are clear and then the u—turn to only include sexual orientation which is unacceptable and a ban without including trans— people is no ban on conversion therapy and will still mean torture for many trans people, which none of us can stand by and allow to happen, so the whole sector has stood in solidarity in the last couple of

days to say we can't claim that the uk is this global leader in lgbt equality when they will not include an inclusive ban on conversion therapy. an inclusive ban on conversion thera . ~ , , therapy. the prime minister, we 'ust heard him say. fl therapy. the prime minister, we 'ust heard him say, that i therapy. the prime minister, we 'ust heard him say, that this is i therapy. the prime minister, we 'ust heard him say, that this is a i heard him say, that this is a complex issue. is that good enough for you? i complex issue. is that good enough for ou? ., �* ~' complex issue. is that good enough for ou? ., �* ~ , for you? i don't think it is. we have professional _ for you? i don't think it is. we have professional bodies - for you? i don't think it is. we have professional bodies who | for you? i don't think it is. we - have professional bodies who have today been releasing their messages, saying that we are the professionals and we have been part of consultations and have all said that an inclusive ban on conversion therapy is the thing to do. if we look across the world it has been successfully introduced across many countries, a fully inclusive ban and i think this government has this misinformation of the complexities between our communities, so sexual terror —— orientation and gender identity and the government needs to listen to some people who have real

experience of these issues rather than getting a somewhat one—sided argument, because there is this big distinction between coercive practice, which means people go in with a predetermined outcome that they will change somewhat�*s identity and exploratory talking therapies which give somebody that opportunity to explore their identity in the safe spaces but there is no predetermined outcome. this is what all of the professional bodies have been saying but the government doesn't seem to be listening. share doesn't seem to be listening. are ou doesn't seem to be listening. are you having _ doesn't seem to be listening. are you having those conversations behind the scenes with key members of the government and the prime minister? irate of the government and the prime minister? ~ ., ., ., , minister? we have and we have been talkin: with minister? we have and we have been talking with the _ minister? we have and we have been talking with the lgbt— minister? we have and we have been talking with the lgbt minister - minister? we have and we have been talking with the lgbt minister for i talking with the lgbt minister for some time and have been talking with liz truss as the equalities minister for a long time, so nearly four years of conversations behind the scenes going on around banning

conversion therapy, but we are led to believe that it is the prime minister and number ten who have intervened in this and it seems really disappointing. and it means more trans people will undergo torture. so it leaves the question as to where to next and what happens now. the government needs to take a step back and how he engages with communities and i think there's been a portrayal that we are divided in our opinions, but the last 48 hours has shown that as lgbt organisations, we are as one. trans rights are human rights, just as rights are human rights, just as rights for lgbt are human rights, we can't have one without the other and we want the government to take a step back and talk with us and talk to real people who are experiencing these issues, and ultimately when it comes to conversion therapy, we need a fully inclusive ban, like so many

other countries around the world have been committed. paul roberts, thank ou have been committed. paul roberts, thank you very _ have been committed. paul roberts, thank you very much _ have been committed. paul roberts, thank you very much for _ have been committed. paul roberts, thank you very much forjoining - have been committed. paul roberts, thank you very much forjoining us i thank you very much forjoining us here. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. it's turned into a day of april showers across the uk and some of the downpours heavy and quite prolonged in places as well with spells of sunshine in between and the wind increasingly becoming a feature through the rest of the day. and on the satellite picture you can see a curl of cloud, the central area of low pressure and speckled shower clouds and this type of cloud has been working east and brought some quite hefty downpours of rain and as we move through the latter part of wednesday, this area of low pressure dominating and the wind will strengthen. temperatures through the afternoon between nine and i3 degrees in most places, sunshine and showers the story for the majority but more persistent rain across orkney and as we go in the evening we see persistent rain fringing into the south—west of england and it

will turn windy through the english channel and northern and western parts of scotland but more especially southern parts of northern ireland, north wales and north—west england and we could see gusts of 60 up to 70 mph in places and some of the wet weather will turn wintry in the north and we could see five centimetres of snow over high ground in scotland where temperatures will drop away and it stays miles further south, so tomorrow morning, a bit of rain in the far south which should clear and a band of cloud bringing rain, sleet and hill snow south and all tending to break up into another sunshine and showers day but some of the showers will be wintry, particularly in the north and it will stay windy and we could see gusts of 40 or 50 mph or more, even for central or southern portions of the uk so with the brisk wind and cold air it will feel like a cold day and into double digits down towards the south. certainly a cold night on thursday as the wind eases and many of us see clear skies overhead and quite a widespread frost especially for central and northern

areas which will dawn on a sunny note on friday. rain very close to the south of england and certainly affecting the channel islands which should tend to pull away and on friday another sunshine and showers day but some of the showers will be heavy and wintry in places with top temperatures between eight and 12 degrees. as we look towards the weekend, it starts off with this bump of high pressure building, so a mainly fine day on saturday with showers in the north but behind me, low pressure pushing in from the atlantic and that will bring many clouds on sunday but it will be relatively mild.

if this is bbc news. the headlines... nato foreign ministers are to meet as images of destruction, and allegations of war crimes continue to emerge from towns surrounging kyiv, following the retreat of russian forces. the us announces a new round of sanctions against russian institutions and individuals, including putin's adult daughters. the uk is also expected give more details about fresh sanctions on russia shortly. ukraine's president accusses russia of hitting infrastructure in the country in efforts to starve the population. for them, hunger is also a weapon. a weapon against us ordinary people, it's an instrument of domination.

after being blocked for weeks — the icrc manage to get some people out of the beseiged city of mariupol. from noon today, we managed to get to zaporizhzhia with bosses and managed to get people finally to zaporizhzhia. millions of people will now pay more national insurance, as an increase to contributions comes into effect today. the prime minister says the government needs to make difficult decisions to support the nhs. what we are doing today is unquestionably the right thing for our country, it is the right thing for the nhs. married couples in england and wales will be able to begin divorce proceedings without blame from today — as new 'no—fault�* divorce legislation comes into force. calories must now appear on the menus of food and drink businesses with more than 250 staff in england. ed sheeran wins his legal battle over claims part of his track shape

of you was copied from a song by another artist. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. russian forces are continuing to shell areas in the east and south—east of ukraine. their offensive in the southern port city of mariupol, which has been blockaded and relentlessly bombarded for more than a month, grinds on. an estimated 130,000 people remain trapped, in appalling conditions. as well as their ground assault, the russians are flying more than 200 missions a day, again targeting mariupol, but also the city of izyum,

that's according british and american defence officials. the uk hasjust annnounced more sanctions against russia, likely to target what's being described as moscow's 'military ambitions,�* while nato foreign ministers, are meeting in brussels, to discuss sending further support to ukrainian forces. and in the last hour the us has annouced sanctions against vladamir putin's adult daughters. let's get the latest from our correspondent, emma vardy. trapped in a nightmare but clinging on. while the residents of mariupol remain cut off from the outside world, these are the images that russia wants you to see. aid from russia being distributed inside the besieged city. but the footage is tightly controlled. around them, there is little left to destroy. but the relentless bombing of mariupol continues. efforts to organise a mass evacuation have so far failed. translation: how can i leave? my house was blown up. i am standing here in front of you.

that is basically all i have. i have absolutely nothing, just a blown up house. it is scary and terrible and the problem with food, i don't know what to do. sometimes you find something, sometimes people treat you, sometimes you receive humanitarian aid. but what shall i do after it is all gone? i don't know. ukrainian president as defiant as ever continues to reach out to world leaders. today addressing the irish parliament. again, he laid bare the war crimes he says russia is carrying out in plain sight. translation: for them, hunger is also a weapon. | a weapon. a weapon against us ordinary people as an instrument of domination. the worst thing is the city of mariupol. there are half a million inhabitants. the city was put under siege and they have blocked access from the soil, from the sea. they are blocking the humanitarian cargo. they are not allowing anything to come through.

nowhere, it seems, is off limits. not for the first time in this conflict there are claims hospitals are being shelled. the humanitarian charity medecins sans frontieres says in mykolaiv, several medical facilities have been hit in the past two days. there were pockmarks all around the grounds, so it wasn't one large impact crater. all one direct hit on one of the hospitals around. as i mentioned, there were several in that area. it was rather scattered all around. so with that, from experience of working in conflict zones, the team came to the conclusion it must have been cluster munitions. the us and eu is preparing more sanctions on russia. as the kremlin stepped up military aggression in the east of ukraine, thousands of people who live in the donbas region are now fleeing. ukrainian officials say they believe moscow because my aim is now to capture the whole region. but ukrainian forces continue to slow their progress. successfully targeting the russian military in the air and on the ground.

here, a russian attack helicopter reported to have been destroyed by an anti—tank missile. but ukraine needs more than sanctions, says president zelensky. he wants more military support and is calling on world leaders to hold russia accountable. the horrific images of civilian deaths that have emerged in recent days, he says, arejust the beginning. the us has sanctioned russian president vladimir putin's two adult daughters and toughened penalties on russian banks in retaliation for what the us describes as "war crimes" in ukraine. they've also targeted relatives of foreign minister sergei lavrov. in brussels, nato foreign ministers have begun two days of talks on increasing the alliance's support for ukraine. let's speak to our diplomatic correspondent paul adams who is in west london. first then, these sanctions that are

being announced by the us and the uk. , ., being announced by the us and the uk. yes, somewhat personal in the case of the — uk. yes, somewhat personal in the case of the ones _ uk. yes, somewhat personal in the case of the ones announced - uk. yes, somewhat personal in the case of the ones announced by - uk. yes, somewhat personal in the i case of the ones announced by united states, as you say, vladimir putin's two grown—up daughters, sir gale avril�*s wife and daughter, both the united states and uk have brought charges against one of the largest russian banks. —— sergey lavrov. there is an end to investment of the uk into russia and an end of import of all russian coal and oil by 2022 ending which is a debate raging in europe where the eu is likely to ban imports of russian coal, too, but are struggling, both with oil and gas, which are much bigger issues. as far as nato is concerned, we have this meeting taking place today,

what are they discussing and what other options? this what are they discussing and what other options?— other options? this is a regular s-urin other options? this is a regular spring meeting _ other options? this is a regular spring meeting of _ other options? this is a regular spring meeting of nato - other options? this is a regular spring meeting of nato foreign | spring meeting of nato foreign ministers but completely overshadowed and dominated by events in ukraine. you could say in a way this week has been dominated by what you could call the bucha effect, those things that are resonating right across the world and they are galvanising both this fresh wave of sanctions but also really concentrating in the minds of officials at nato while they try and figure out how best to respond, they reckon it will take a while for russia to organise and regroup, and once an offensive in the donbas region, in the east of the country. that will involve some of those forces which were recently withdrawn from the area around kyiv, but are currently in belarus, licking their wounds, frankly, and we reckon there

is a couple, two, three, maybe four weeks before the russians are in a position to launch that offensive and what nato wants to do is use that time as effectively as possible, and make sure when the offensive comes that officials at nato are warning it will be a pretty horrendous affair when it happens. but that the ukrainian defenders already. but that the ukrainian defenders alread . ., . ., ., , , already. how clear are they still bein: , already. how clear are they still being. though. _ already. how clear are they still being, though, in _ already. how clear are they still being, though, in nato - already. how clear are they still being, though, in nato abouti already. how clear are they still - being, though, in nato about where their responsibilities and their commitment ends?— their responsibilities and their commitment ends? where it ends, i don't think anyone _ commitment ends? where it ends, i don't think anyone will _ commitment ends? where it ends, i don't think anyone will really - commitment ends? where it ends, i don't think anyone will really say. i don't think anyone will really say. what they would like to see is obviously the complete withdrawal of russian forces from all of the territory of ukraine but i think they recognise that perhaps more realistic scenario is a return to the situation that existed on the ground on february 28 of this year when the russian operation began, that would leave obviously russia in control of crimea and also of parts

of those two blasts in eastern ukraine, don yet sound glance. if that were to be the result of all this, then it would be regarded as a significant achievement because frankly it would call into question the purpose of the decision to invade a vladimir putin. thank you very much- — the international committee of the red cross has told bbc news it has led to safety a convoy of more than 1,000 people who had managed to escape the besieged port of mariupol on their own. the civilians had managed to reached berdiansk, where they were the accompanied by the icrc to zaporizhzhia. pascal hundt is the head of icrc�*s delegation in ukraine. he told my colleague yalda hakim the operation was difficult and precarious.

collecting people that are leaving mariupol, and then by moot noon today, we managed to hit zaporizhzhia with buses, private cars that joined zaporizhzhia with buses, private cars thatjoined our convoy because they saw the red cross more than 1000 people finally managed to reach zaporizhzhia around noon local time. that is extraordinary that 1000 people, many of them, and i want to get clarity on this, managed to get out themselves from mariupol, this is not the red cross going into mariupol, you could not in the end. these citizens who got out in their own vehicles and you assisted them safely to zaporizhzhia.— safely to zaporizhzhia. affirmative. some of them _ safely to zaporizhzhia. affirmative. some of them i _ safely to zaporizhzhia. affirmative. some of them i guess _ safely to zaporizhzhia. affirmative. some of them i guess left - safely to zaporizhzhia. affirmative. some of them i guess left maybe l safely to zaporizhzhia. affirmative. | some of them i guess left maybe by foot, others by cars. we also saw a lot of them in berdiansk. then there was a convoy where we had 150

private cars are the convoy, so that is why we ended up with more than 1000 people there. it was a difficult operation, complex operation and there was the secret conditions that we really feel relieved that more than 1000 people we managed to leave from well they wanted to go and we hope such an operation will continue to take place in the days to come because there will still be many people living in mariupol and we believe they need to go out, want to go out, and we spare no efforts to make that possible. we are in contact with the parties to make sure they respect the obligation and there are... fire the obligation and there are... are ou the obligation and there are... are you concerned because your teams were not able to enter mariupol? that was the intention that the red cross would be able to enter mariupol, get the civilians out what you were not able to, security

promises were not made or you could not guarantee them, are you concerned that as more people come out that it could become incredible dangerous for them? the out that it could become incredible dangerous for them?— dangerous for them? the situation remains extremely _ dangerous for them? the situation remains extremely tense. - dangerous for them? the situation remains extremely tense. we - dangerous for them? the situation remains extremely tense. we are l dangerous for them? the situation l remains extremely tense. we are in the middle of an international conflict with sporadic skirmishes happening in some places, heavy bombardment in others, we've seen the image, we know that you ensure the image, we know that you ensure the ceasefire takes place, it takes not only willingness but also mechanism and coordination to ensure that orders that are given in the capital reach to the checkpoint and thatis capital reach to the checkpoint and that is why it needs preparation, time, and to any next operation takes place, it will require many days for people to get out of mariupol and just not 24 hours or 48 hours, so the more central operation we can have, that can last many

days, the better and we will continue to do everything to reach mariupol. there was an attempt for many days to reach mariupol and your staff actually ran into some difficulties, some were detained. yes, i confirm that tom of our staff were detained by local police and after negotiation, we managed to get them out. they understood our mission, they were maybe not well informed and we feel really relieved to have them out, and then they were able to not only go back to zaporizhzhia but continue the mission and bring all these thousands of people out and i'm sure they will continue to do that in the coming days. d0 they will continue to do that in the coming days-— they will continue to do that in the coming days. do you have teams in mariu ol coming days. do you have teams in mariupol self! _ coming days. do you have teams in mariupol self! no, _ coming days. do you have teams in mariupol self! no, we _ coming days. do you have teams in mariupol self! no, we do _ coming days. do you have teams in mariupol self! no, we do not. - mariupol self! no, we do not. unfortunately, _ mariupol self! no, we do not. unfortunately, we _ mariupol self! no, we do not. unfortunately, we had - mariupol self! no, we do not. unfortunately, we had to - mariupol self! no, we do not. l unfortunately, we had to leave mariupol because a few weeks ago, our team was running out orfood,

water, electricity, everything, like the rest of the population, our team described an apocalyptic situation already two weeks ago, so you can imagine the life, the survival of the population today and our team did not have any other option than to go out without the civilians when it was possible but part of our team that was in mariupol is also involved in the operation to try and bring, continue to bring the situation is out of mariupol. latte situation is out of mariupol. we have seen _ situation is out of mariupol. we have seen the devastating images in places like in places like bucha. and they said they would be concerned of these things continue to happen in towns and suburbs outside of the capital, what on earth is going on a anyplace like mariupol which really has been at the forefront of this conflict from the forefront of this conflict from the very beginning. what kind of

information are you getting from the people who are coming out to our speaking about what they witnessed and saw. and to describe what we see and saw. and to describe what we see and hearfrom our team two and saw. and to describe what we see and hear from our team two weeks ago. from a much worse situation. we have no access to food, no heating, they are the shelling and bombardment, and the conflict is extremely intense, so i think we can describe the life they are all the survival as being one of the worst places on earth or close to hill, so i think what they are doing there is beyond imagination. can you give us some examples? i saw an icrc statement, as you say, if you days ago, talking about the fact that people are running out of food, they have no water, they've been plunged into darkness, spending night after night without any kind of heating or electricity, food, not on the shelves in the storms, as they say,

it feels like hell. l shelves in the storms, as they say, it feels like hell.— it feels like hell. i can confirm that and i— it feels like hell. i can confirm that and i also _ it feels like hell. i can confirm that and i also have _ it feels like hell. i can confirm that and i also have similar. that and i also have similar testimonies from our team who are present in bucha, on the northern outskirts of kyiv, they are going other places, and we are receiving extremely disturbing and heartbreaking testimonies on how people are living there.— people are living there. elderly --eole people are living there. elderly people staying _ people are living there. elderly people staying alone _ people are living there. elderly people staying alone at - people are living there. elderly people staying alone at home | people are living there. elderly - people staying alone at home without food, without electricity, without heating, without water, they have to go out together to make fire and to cook food outside for the elderly people so really, heartbreaking testimonies and also from other places. i know that mariupol is very difficult to enter and his testimonies your hearing, we are seeing the kind of allegations of war crimes, the images coming out of bucha. are you seeing similar such things taking in mariupol? latte

bucha. are you seeing similar such things taking in mariupol?- things taking in mariupol? we are discussin: things taking in mariupol? we are discussing with _ things taking in mariupol? we are discussing with the _ things taking in mariupol? we are discussing with the people - things taking in mariupol? we are | discussing with the people coming out of mariupol, we are discussing with the people in bucha, and they are telling us terrible stories. we continue to collect this information, we will discuss that bilaterally with the parties to make sure the risk remains low and we will continue to scale up operation because people they are, they need food, water and shelter, and we do hope that the parties will agree and find an agreement, find a secure condition to allow aid to enter mariupol and to allow the civilians to get out. find mariupol and to allow the civilians to net out. �* .,, i. mariupol and to allow the civilians to uetout.�* mariupol and to allow the civilians touetout.�* to get out. and as you say, you manaue to get out. and as you say, you manage to — to get out. and as you say, you manage to assist _ to get out. and as you say, you manage to assist 1000 - to get out. and as you say, you manage to assist 1000 people | to get out. and as you say, you | manage to assist 1000 people to to get out. and as you say, you - manage to assist 1000 people to get to zaporizhzhia but there is still 130,000 remaining in the city. will you continue given the success of the operation today to continue in

this way over the coming days? we will do this way over the coming days? - will do our utmost to have again this type of operation, we are in constant contact with the parties and it's not only about mariupol, the other cities where we have significant humanitarian concern and we will continue to push in order to raise the type of... to be done in a much larger scale. let's speak to our correspondent in radekhiv, anna foster. one of the sort of satellite towns outside kyiv has been liberated, recaptured according to the ukrainians in the past few days. what are they finding are now the russians have retreated? that what are they finding are now the russians have retreated?- russians have retreated? that is riaht, we russians have retreated? that is right. we have — russians have retreated? that is right, we have seen _ russians have retreated? that is right, we have seen already - russians have retreated? that is| right, we have seen already those pictures from bucha and irpin which

have been broadcast around the world, pictures of bodies in the streets, destruction and what we are curing here as there is —— is retreating russian forces have left mines. that they are making it difficult for grainy and reclaiming troops to move into but we are starting to see pictures of debris, some pictures of destruction, and you think of how many of these towns are around the capital, a huge, sprawling capital with lots of suburban commuter towns around it which were taken by russian forces and we've only seen inside if you have those towns so far with many more, you're told last week, up to 13 towns and settlements that are in the process of being reclaimed by ukrainian forces so again his pictures that we seem to be seeing day by day at the moment, these reports of what had been left behind, we are likely to see much more of that in the coming days. in

more of that in the coming days. in contrast to a retreat in those areas, we are seeing more of a push ljy areas, we are seeing more of a push by the russians in the south—east. that is right. that is areas that russia is desperate to take and hold onto, and all the indications are that they will really refocus and regroup, and saint everything they have into those areas. and the russian speaking areas that russia is so desperate to get to and you talk about places like mariupol and thatis talk about places like mariupol and that is a key city that russia wants to try and capture because it would get a land corridor against the annexed crimea, so in the early days of kyiv, you have a far larger swathe of land and they have managed. and you have to decide what

the priorities are and list everything it has, troops, assault weapons, hardware, everything towards the east and south of ukraine. ., ., ., ., , ., ukraine. you have moved to this town because ukrainian _ ukraine. you have moved to this town because ukrainian say _ ukraine. you have moved to this town because ukrainian say they _ ukraine. you have moved to this town because ukrainian say they have - because ukrainian say they have managed to shoot down a russian plane. what if you managed to claim they have done? it plane. what if you managed to claim they have done?— they have done? it was to russian cruise missiles _ they have done? it was to russian cruise missiles last _ they have done? it was to russian cruise missiles last night. - they have done? it was to russian cruise missiles last night. when i they have done? it was to russian i cruise missiles last night. when the air sirens went off last night as they do very frequently, there was something slightly different last night because the mayor of lviv tweeted that people should stay in the shelters because he said ukrainian air defences were working and then we heard on the outskirts of the city, they had shot down the russian cruise missiles, we are told the diary sets and fires in the wooded areas and the russians were targeting what we are told is possibly a disused civilian oil facility now and we still see these

strikes in different parts of ukraine, places where russia thinks the key infrastructure is based but it is interesting when you think about the press conference that the secretary general of nato gave in the last couple of hours, and he was very much focused on that ukrainian call for weapons which president zielinski said when he has been addressing parliamentarians, he asks for hardware, weapons and ammunition. —— president zelensky asks for. and they said we do not have as much as we need, in some cases supplies are dwindling and they said in some cases there are specific pieces of military hardware, weapon systems that they do not have it all that they think if they could get would really help ukraine push forward in this conflict. ., ., ., ,, , ., conflict. for the moment, thank you very much- —

p&o ferries has said it is preparing to get two of its ships back in action on the dover—calais route "by next week".the ferries will need to pass inspections by the maritime coastguard agency before services can resume. p&o ferries confirmed yesterday that all of its dover—calais routes would remain suspended this weekend, and that another ferry operator, dfds, would not be able to take p&o customers. scientists in england have warned that the number of covid cases in older age groups who are most at risk from the virus is continuing to increase. the react study, by imperial college london, suggests that more than 6 per cent of england's population were infected last month — double the rate in february. but the data also indicates that cases may have peaked in children and younger adults. british airways has cancelled four more flights at heathrow airport due to covid—related staff shortages. this is on top of 74 services ba had previously withdrawn. easyjet have also cancelled around 50 flights including 30 at gatwick airport today. thousands of british holidaymakers have seen their easter plans affected because airlines and airports do not have enough staff to meet the recovery in demand since covid travel restrictions were lifted.

the singer — ed sheeran — has won his legal battle over claims part of his track shape of you was copied from a song by another artist. the grime artist sami chokri — who performs under the name sami switch — had accused him of ripping off his track oh why. but the high court ruled ed sheeran had neither deliberately not subconsciously copied the earlier song. our correspondent mark savage reports. # i'm in love with the shape of you. # we push and pull like a magnet... #. ed sheeran's shape of you was the biggest selling single of 2017 and spent 14 weeks at number one. but shortly after its release, he was accused of copying this line... # oh—i—oh—i—oh—i—oh—i. # i'm in love with your body. #. ..from a song called oh why by the grime artist sami chokri. lawyers for mr chokri, seen here on the left,

called sheeran a magpie who borrows ideas that he doesn't always acknowledge. in court, andrew sutcliffe qc said, "my clients are not shaggy, rihanna, coldplay or jay—z. if they were, they would have been treated in a very different way." mr sheeran denied this and said he always credits lesser known writers if he uses parts of their songs. # the club isn't the best place to find a lover, so the bar is where i go. # me and my friends sat at the table doing shots, drinking, fussing and we talk slow... #. the court heard how shape of you was written in under an hour in october 2016. lawyers for mr chokri said such speed was indicative of copying. # oh—i—oh—i—oh—i—oh—i.

# i'm in love with your body... #. the star and his co—writers, johnny mcdaid and steve mack, denied ever having heard the song. their lawyer said the speed of the writing only indicated sheeran's genius. the issue of whether sheeran had access to a copy of why was the key to the trial. if he was unaware of mr chokri's song, the similarities in shape of you would be a coincidence, not copyright infringement. on the witness stand it was put to the star that he must have been aware of mr choksi's work because they both had videos on the same youtube channel, they shared friends, and because mr chokri had messaged sheeran on twitter. in response, the star said, "this is all stuff that you're saying. this isn't stuff that's true." the trial lasted for three weeks at the beginning of march. ed sheeran, who launched the proceedings in an attempt to clear his name, attended court every day, listening attentively to the arguments. judge anthony zacaroli has now ruled in his favour, saying there was no attempt

to copy mr chokri's song. that decision could save the star millions of pounds in lost royalties. mark savage, bbc news. # ..something brand new. # i'm in love with the shape of you... #. )now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich and its all his own work. yes, though we can do not control the weather, that controls itself but i can tell you what it's going to do and what it will do over the next 24 hours has become really quite windy, courtesy of this area of low pressure sliding in from the west, which has brought the hefty april showers during today but with these isa bars, these white line squeezing together, we will see some strong winds and merry areas, through

northern ireland, north wales, parts of north—west england, gloucester 50, 60, 70 of north—west england, gloucester 50, 60,70 mph, snow falling where it will be a cold night, staying milderfurther it will be a cold night, staying milder further south, tomorrow is a blustery day, sunshine and showers today but the showers will be wintry of a higher ground today but the showers will be wintry ofa higher ground in today but the showers will be wintry of a higher ground in the north of the uk and there was confirmation of those brisk winds, even into the afternoon with parts of england and wales seeing wind gusts of around 50 mph, so blustery and feeling quite chilly for many as well, 7—9 c for the northern half of the uk, 12 and 13 further south, friday is another day of spells and showers, some of which will be wintry and we can start on a fine and dry note but it may not stay that way.

hello, this is bbc news with martine croxall. the headlines. nato foreign ministers are to meet as images of destruction, and allegations of war crimes continue to emerge from towns surrounging kyiv, following the retreat of russian

forces. the us announces a new round of sanctions against russian institutions and individuals, including putin's adult daughters. the uk is also expected give more details about fresh sanctions on russia shortly. after being blocked for weeks, the icrc manage to get some people out of the beseiged city of mariupol. millions of people will now pay more national insurance, as an increase to contributions comes into effect today. the prime minister says the government needs to make difficult decisions to support the nhs. married couples in england and wales will be able to begin divorce proceedings without blame from today, as new 'no—fault�* divorce legislation comes into force. calories must now appear on the menus of food and drink businesses with more than 250 staff in england. sport now, and a full round—up

from the bbc sport centre. prime minister borisjohnson says he doesn't believe transgender women should compete in female sporting events. it's a view he says may be considered "controversial". the issue of transgender athletes — looking at inclusion, sporting fairness and safety in women's sport — has recently been highlighted in the case of british transgender cyclist emily bridges, after cycling's world governing body ruled her out of competing in her first elite women's race. this is whatjohnson had to say. i don't think that biological males should _ i don't think that biological males should he — i don't think that biological males should be competing in the female sporting _ should be competing in the female sporting events. maybe that is a controversial thing, but it seems to me to _ controversial thing, but it seems to me to he _ controversial thing, but it seems to me to be sensible and i also happen to think— me to be sensible and i also happen to think that women should have spaces. — to think that women should have spaces, whether it is in hospital, prisons. — spaces, whether it is in hospital, prisons, changing rooms, wherever, which _ prisons, changing rooms, wherever, which are _ prisons, changing rooms, wherever, which are dedicated to women. that's as far— which are dedicated to women. that's as far as— which are dedicated to women. that's as far as my— which are dedicated to women. that's as far as my thinking has developed on this— as far as my thinking has developed

on this issue. chelsea are looking to seize the initiative, and gain the upper hand, in their champions league tie later and follow in the footsteps of liverpool and manchester city who won last night. they face spanish league leaders real madrid at stamford bridge this evening in the first leg of their quarter final. its been a tough week for thomas tuchel�*s side after a heavy defeat to brentford at the weekend. chelsea did beat real madrid en route to the final last season but tuchel says that will have no bearing on this evening. for us it is not a point to prove. we are out there to prove a point anyway, and to bounce back from saturday's performance and to play in the right way and the way we want to play, to be physical, intense, to be focused and to be at our very best because this is what we need. it had been thought that madrid boss and former chelsea manager carlo ancelotti wouldn't be able to return to stamford bridge due to covid. the italian tested positive last week and didn't travel to london yesterday with his squad. but he tested negative this morning and will now be

in the dugout tonight. a big game in the premier league as well this evening with strugglers everton going to burnley, who are second from bottom and equally hungry for a win. despite the high stakes, everton boss frank lampard says he is looking forward to it. we are fighting at the bottom end of the table to try and stay in the league. that's been the case for a while, and with every game that goes it becomes more intense, so the mental and physical preparation is key and then it's how you perform on the day, so we can control lots of parts of that in terms of preparation and the squad will be very focused and very understanding of what we are going into there and after that it is the performance. england's opening group game against iran at the 2022 world cup will be shown live on the bbc. gareth southgate's side are in action on the opening day of the tournament in qatar on monday the 21st of november. england's last group game against the final european qualifier, which will be one of wales, scotland or ukraine, will also be live on the bbc. the second group game between iran and either wales,

scotland or ukraine will also be broadcast live. and the final preparations are underway in augusta, ahead of the first men's golf major of the year — the masters — which begins tomorrow. all the build up dominated by talk of tiger woods — and his return. he has now confirmed he does intend to play, and will play a final nine practice holes today, just 14 months after suffering life—threatening injuries after crashing his car. obviously he is one of the greatest who has ever played this game, especially in our era, so any time he tees it up, especially after his injuries, he is going to take a lot of attention, which is ok with me. i always like sliding in a little under the radar. that's all the sport for now. from today, millions of people will begin to pay more tax as the controversial rise in national insurance contributions takes effect. it's predicted to raise an extra £11 billion this financial year. not everyone will pay more — lower earners will actually pay less national insurance.

the government promised to spend the money on social care and easing pressure on the nhs. the move breaks a consevative election manifesto pledge, but borisjohnson said the rise was "necessary, fair and responsible". this report from our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith. business is getting back on track at george's bistro. but now they will be paying more money on the wages of the 25 staff. for me, if i look at my wage, i think it is not too much, but i look at it as a business and how we will have to pay it on everyone's wages, it adds up really, really quick. what does it mean for you? how will you cover that cost? we will try to bring more custom in, that is the only way to do it. more bums on seats? yeah, bums on seats, that's what we need to do. but that means more staff, so more cost.

from today, lots of the staff here will be paying extra national insurance on their wages, too. for the next few months, you will have just under £10,000 of your wages tax—free and then, instead of paying 12% national insurance, you will have to top up to 13.25% — and more for higher earners. but after facing criticism, the government have tried to soften the blow. so from july, the amount you can earn before you pay tax will increase to £12,5000. and then you will be charged a higher rate for national insurance. the government say they will use the extra money for funding health and social care. it is an extra pressure for middle earners. we have to help families in any way we can, which is why we are putting another £22 billion into supporting families through what are unquestionably tough times caused by the end of the pandemic, the global

inflation problem and the energy price spike that we are seeing. we are abating that and helping people but what we are doing today is unquestionably the right thing for our country, it's the right thing for the nhs. lots of the businesses and employees who lost the most of the last few years now feel like they are being asked to pay a higher price to cover the cost of the pandemic. it is absolutely crazy. with everything else going up, it's another thing we have to deal with. this salon will have to pay more for each member of staff butjoseph said it is ok if he is charged more personally. i don't mind if it goes up a little because i know much help i have had over the last 18 months. it needs to come from somewhere. but faced with a much bigger increase, boss richard does not agree. it's another challenge as a business owner to survive and move forward.

very difficult. it's an increase when so many others have already cut all the corners they can. our health correspondent nick triggle is here. this is a lot of money, and it sounds like a lot of money, but you can throw all sorts of cash out health and what is it supposed to do or what differences it meant to make? , .. ., .,, or what differences it meant to make? , ., ., make? the 'ustification was that it would make? the justification was that it would provide _ make? the justification was that it would provide a _ make? the justification was that it would provide a significant - make? the justification was that it would provide a significant boost l would provide a significant boost for health and social care over the next few years, but to put it into context, as you mentioned earlier, about 11 billion this year will be raised and the health budget is 130 billion once we take into account the inflation, the budget is rising ljy the inflation, the budget is rising byjust under 4%. that is

historically in line with what the nhs normally has got in terms of a funding rise but if inflation keeps going up, we will see the yearly rises in the coming years whittled that this comes off the back of a funding squeeze for much of the past decade in social care. she has been getting 1% extra, much less than the traditional 4% she has got, so that means we have seen shortages and staff emerging and the buildings and the equipment needing to be replaced and all this needs to happen before the government can make that extra investment go further in terms of tackling the backlog and opening new clinics and then we have the cap on care costs and that won't come in, or the cost won't come in for another couple of years but this national insurance height also has to pay for that and you can see whilst it seems a large sum it starts to get whittled away. when

the social care _ starts to get whittled away. when the social care start _ starts to get whittled away. when the social care start to _ starts to get whittled away. when the social care start to feel- starts to get whittled away. when the social care start to feel the i the social care start to feel the benefit? this increase in national insurance is to pay for the cap on care costs. it doesn't bring in any extra money for social care but from the year after next, people will start having that guarantee that the cost they could accrue if they need to go into a care home or if they need a lot of care in their own home will be protected, so that money will be protected, so that money will have to be shared between health and social care from then on, but the impact in terms of the money will be in the latter part of this three year period that it will start to be felt. we know there is a lot of backlog of different health cases that did not get the attention because of coronavirus.- that did not get the attention because of coronavirus. yes, and we are beginning _ because of coronavirus. yes, and we are beginning to _ because of coronavirus. yes, and we are beginning to see _ because of coronavirus. yes, and we are beginning to see the _ because of coronavirus. yes, and we are beginning to see the impact - because of coronavirus. yes, and we are beginning to see the impact of i are beginning to see the impact of that. earlierthis are beginning to see the impact of that. earlier this week we had the health committee warning about cancer services and in terms of

survival and early diagnosis, it is a risk that we will start going in reverse because large numbers of people have not come forward for cancer checks and they will start coming forward and could well be diagnosed at a later stage and that means more complicated care and worse outcomes for those patients and we have the backlog in hospital treatments, things like knee and hip replacements, and more than 6 million people in england on a waiting list, one in nine people and thatis waiting list, one in nine people and that is white health bosses are saying that while the increase in national insurance which will result in more money is welcome, we have to be realistic about how far it will 90, be realistic about how far it will go, especially if we continue to see covid cases circulating at a high level, so there's a lot of pressure on the front line in the nhs. nick, for the moment, _ on the front line in the nhs. nick, for the moment, thank _ on the front line in the nhs. nick, for the moment, thank you. - let's return to our top story now

and all the latest from ukraine. my colleague clive myrie has been speaking to the ukrainian prime minister, denys shmyhal, who said the west must respond with much tougher sanctions, and that russia's forces are trying to wipe ukraine, off the face of the earth. i'm absolutely sure that this is genocide against the ukrainian nation from the russian side. absolutely. do you think now there is a moral imperative to stop buying russian oil and gas? paying money to russia and paying money to the russian budget to finance this genocide, these crimes, these killings... so they have to stop buying oil? absolutely because buying this they are paying money for killings which we are seeing in ukraine. is it blood money? absolutely. for me, for my people, absolutely

because russian budget is budget of terrorism. not only against ukraine but against the world. it is blood money because they use this money to buy weapons with which they kill ukrainians. it is nearly four weeks since 100,000 british people signed up to take in a ukrainian family and nearly three weeks since any family they found could apply for a visa. but according to the latest figures relased last friday, only 4,700 visas had been issued under the homes for ukraine scheme. that's despite more than 32,000 applications being made. the new refugees minister lord harrington admitted at the weekend that only hundreds of refugees have arrived in britain under the scheme, while last night he admitted the scheme was embarrassing and said he "wouldn't disagree" that the scheme was a disgrace. one of those trying to help is a volunteer called robin threapleton, and hejoins me now.

tell us what you have been trying to do and who you have been trying to help. itide do and who you have been trying to hel. ~ . do and who you have been trying to hel _ . ., ., do and who you have been trying to hel. ~ ., ., help. we are a uk host family lookin: help. we are a uk host family looking to _ help. we are a uk host family looking to partner— help. we are a uk host family looking to partner up - help. we are a uk host family looking to partner up with - help. we are a uk host family looking to partner up with a i looking to partner up with a ukrainianfamily and looking to partner up with a ukrainian family and we took a minibus out to the ukrainian border two and a half weeks ago now to try to recover our family two and a half weeks ago now to try to recover ourfamily and two and a half weeks ago now to try to recover our family and another family at the same time and what we thought would be a fairly smooth and seamless transition back into the uk became anything but, sadly. and we are stuck in poland and i'm back in the uk but as a team, we are sustaining the minibus on the man on the ground to do the safeguarding but we now have six families under our care and it has got stuck at various stages of the visa process two or three of which have been waiting two and a half weeks we are increasingly finding it difficult to resource safeguarding that is necessary. resource safeguarding that is necessary-— resource safeguarding that is necessa . ., ., , necessary. you say safeguarding, but what do you — necessary. you say safeguarding, but what do you mean _ necessary. you say safeguarding, but what do you mean by _ necessary. you say safeguarding, but what do you mean by that? _

necessary. you say safeguarding, but what do you mean by that? they - necessary. you say safeguarding, but what do you mean by that? they are | what do you mean by that? they are mothers and — what do you mean by that? they are mothers and children _ what do you mean by that? they are mothers and children and _ what do you mean by that? they are mothers and children and they - what do you mean by that? they are mothers and children and they have| mothers and children and they have heard the stories about what ill fate has befallen a number of people through people trafficking and we saw that. i identified one or two people traffickers when i was at the border, so the threat is real. and we felt it very necessary to leave a man in place and these are predominantly x forces veterans who are very robust and capable and resilient individuals that are helping logistically and orchestrating movements to the visa application centre is and the families is appreciated hugely and are insisting that the man sleeps on are insisting that the man sleeps on a camp bed in the corridor of the apartments we are able to find to give them reassurance. you talked about the lack _ give them reassurance. you talked about the lack of _ give them reassurance. you talked about the lack of progress - give them reassurance. you talked about the lack of progress with i give them reassurance. you talked j about the lack of progress with the visas. the government is saying that they are moving as quickly as possible to ensure those fleeing ukraine can come to the uk and say they have streamlined the process so valid passport holders don't have to attend in person and appointments

and simplifying forms, but what is your experience? does it ring true? not yet and i'm hoping it will. i saw the news at the weekend that they are trying to process in 48 hours and i'm hoping that is true because we have got to widen the pipeline here. if there are families from the east of ukraine coming to that border in poland in the number that border in poland in the number that they are likely to, the uk has got to open that pipeline much faster. the need to not go to visa application centre is with a valid passport has been there from the beginning, so i'm not sure that is a change in the process. but spare a thought for the ukrainian father and husband fighting on the other side of the border and i know is a former serviceman myself that it is important when you are in those dangerous situations to have no distraction and know your loved ones and children are being looked after somewhere now, are they, if they are coming to the uk right now? i think

we will find most of those people are on polish school floors or bunkers in ukraine still. they are going through this two and a half week process. so i think we owe it to the people of ukraine to look after these mothers and children with a faster process.— after these mothers and children with a faster process. what would make it simpler, _ with a faster process. what would make it simpler, in _ with a faster process. what would make it simpler, in your- with a faster process. what would make it simpler, in your view? it| make it simpler, in yourview? tit just seems a little irrational and out of proportion, the levels of checks both in the visa scheme and also with the local authorities, the czechs that they do back here. i just wonder how big the risk really is and whether there wasn't an opportunity to put in place a proper emergency scheme that by definition carries a degree of risk. we are an outlier as a country. most european countries are taking people and doing reviews in the slow time later once the people are within the boundaries of the country itself, so the uk is unique in holding people

in these school halls, in these bunkers while we go through these extending check processes. iloathed bunkers while we go through these extending check processes. what is the likelihood — extending check processes. what is the likelihood of _ extending check processes. what is the likelihood of the _ extending check processes. what is the likelihood of the families - extending check processes. what is the likelihood of the families who i the likelihood of the families who are trying to help thinking this is just too hard, let's forget britain and go somewhere else, it's a really good point and the wait time is not healthy. itide good point and the wait time is not health . ~ ., ., healthy. we are finding on both sides of the _ healthy. we are finding on both sides of the equation, - healthy. we are finding on both sides of the equation, whether| healthy. we are finding on both | sides of the equation, whether it healthy. we are finding on both i sides of the equation, whether it is the family or the host family, they are questioning the decision and on the family side they are wondering if the uk is the right place to come to and actually you will see the limited number of applications, i think it is at 30,000, is symptomatic of the fact that they realise it is a two or three week process, these are mothers with children, and they are thinking there is no way i will sit in poland for that long. there is no way i will sit in poland forthat long. i there is no way i will sit in poland for that long. i will go to spain and germany, thank you very much. itide and germany, thank you very much. we hope it speeds up and you manage to get the families over here. thank you very much.

the biggest reform to divorce law in 50 years has come into force with no fault divorces becoming legal in england and wales. divorce affects tens of thousands of couples and families every year and until now in over half of those applications a person has had to blame their partner in legal documents. no—fault divorce already exists in scotland, but the so—called blame rules stillapply in northern ireland. our legal affairs correspondent dominic casciani reports. happy family life. what so many of us want. but sometimes it comes within an emotional cost. in 2018, olivia and her then husband realised their marriage was over and they had to find a way out of it for the good of themselves and their children. but when she met a divorce lawyer, she was in for a shock. olivia was told she'd have to legally blame her husband if she wanted to get on with it quickly. i felt very uncomfortable with this right from the beginning because they seemed to be very much sort of pointing the finger, and that someone was at fault.

it felt that it was not going to be useful to the divorce process, especially when young children are involved. i think apportioning blame sort of fuels the flame a little, and it didn't seem like a great way to set up co—parenting in the future. hi, olivia, it's nice to see you again. the couple got help from amicable, a divorce support service, but still needed to wait two years to legally split because they had chosen not to blame each other. the more tension between us, you know, obviously would have had an impact on them, it would have impacted our ability to share custody, you know. because as it is, we help each other out all the time, you know, we share a car, we share a dog. we're, you know, happy to look after the kids on different evenings. and we're very flexible. up until now, we've had a fault based divorce system in england and wales. someone has to be accused of adultery, desertion, or unreasonable behaviour. if one partner disagrees, the couple must wait five years. from today, one or both partners can declare

the marriage is over in a statement to a court. judges will no longer ask for a reason. the same rules apply to same sex unions. divorce and family lawyers say it's a revolution that places people and their wellbeing first. this new law will be more humane. i think it also recognises the dignity of the people wanting to be divorced, and it gives them some autonomy as well. what i'm hoping is that that sets the tone and the culture, and it will roll over into resolving financial matters and children matters, most importantly. divorce lawyers say there could be an increase in applications, but the legal steps will take longer. there's now a 20—week pause to allow couples to think again. time also to divide finances and agree arrangements for children. but campaigners say the new law means more separating couples will find a happier life without added emotional and financial pain. dominic casciani, bbc news.

some breaking news. a security guard at the british embassy in berlin has been charged with nine offences under the official secrets act. david ballentine smith, who is 57 british national was living in living in potsdam in germany and will appear in living in potsdam in germany and willappear in a living in potsdam in germany and will appear in a magistrates�* court today and was extradited to the uk today and was extradited to the uk today from germany having been arrested by german police in august last year. all nine charges relate to the collection and communication of information that would be useful to the russian state. so, a security guard, david ballentine smith charged with spying for russia. from today all restaurants in england that employ more than 250 people will have to print calorie information on their menus.

it�*s part of the government�*s efforts to reduce obesity rates, but there are concerns it could have a negative impact on people with eating disorders. our health correspondent dominic hughes reports. the lunch rush is just getting going, and the manchester branch of the vapiano restaurant chain is one of the businesses that will be displaying calories on menus from today. the boss of vapiano says it�*s right that customers are offered choice. we�*d like to be able to give people access to the information to enable them to make informed decisions about the food that they�*re consuming. the new regulations mean calories must be displayed clearly at the point of choice. normally a menu along with the statement, "adults need around 2000 calories a day." the new rules will only apply to businesses that employ at least 250 people, so smaller restaurants are exempt. the government hopes that providing more information on calories in food will help people make healthier choices and so reduce obesity rates.

many larger restaurant, fast food, and pub chains already display calories on menus and have done so for years. wow, look at that. but the idea received a mixed reception among diners in manchester. yeah, it would make a difference. i�*d choose what i thought was the healthiest option. you know, i take a keen interest on what goes into my body and, yeah, i�*d definitely be interested. we should accept our own responsibility for what we eat. people should get on it and decide to look after themselves. i don't count the calories. i'm young and healthy. i don't think it really. affects me in any way. i come to a restaurant because i go there knowing what i want to eat. i go there knowing that it�*s going to be a big meal. i don�*t go there thinking, "oh, i want to eat healthy at this restaurant today!" there have been some concerns about the impact that highlighting the calories in meals could have on people struggling with an eating disorder, who can become very focused on calorie counting. and at this slimming group, they know that while an awareness of calories may be helpful, there�*s much more to a healthy diet.

well done! the calories on their own aren't going to make that much of a difference. i think you need to know what else is in there, don't you? even your vegetables are like, braised in butter or oils, - just so they glisten under the light. i thinking about the fibre content, the protein, the things _ that obviously fill- you up, ratherthanjust a number next to a dish. because obviously that canjust be kind of misleading in terms - of actually what's - inside that food itself. the governments in scotland and wales are consulting on whether to introduce similar regulations, but the big question is what impact these measures will have in the fight against rising obesity levels. dominic hughes, bbc news. time for a look at the whether with ben. we have seen a few rainbows out there today and it�*s been a classic april showers day although some of the showers have been quite heavy and the pavements were left pretty

wet here for this weather watcher in birmingham and much of what has fallen from this guy has been rain and there has been relatively mild air which will change a little bit over the next couple of days. this is the satellite picture and you can see the shower clouds and this is the centre of an area of low pressure increasingly dominating the weather and temperatures as we and the afternoon between eight and 12 degrees in most places with a mix of sunshine and showers but the area of low pressure will make its move in the evening and overnight in the wind fought many places will strengthen and we could see gales in the english channel for north—west scotland but especially for southern parts of northern ireland and north—west england with gusts of 50 or 60 or 70 miles an hour and at the same time as the cold air digs in from the north, some rain will turn to snow in northern scotland and temperatures falling below freezing so that could be milder air further south. a bit of mild air that will

clear and then is the sunshine and showers the day and a band of cloud pushing southwards and tending to break up with bright spells in between but we keep the brisk winds through the day and we can expect some of the windiest weather by the afternoon in central and southern areas and with the cold air digging and it will feel chilly, 7 degrees in newcastle and holding up at 13 in london temperatures will drop away and showers tending to fade on the wind will ease as well so for wales and the midlands northwards, widespread frost but not as cold to the south because there will be a shield of cloud tied in with the weather system and the centre of this weather system is expected to stay away from our shores and that is the case for most and we will see rain in the channel islands and may be grazing the south coast of england and then we are back to sunshine and showers, some of which will be heavy, possibly thundery and

possibly wintry. as we get into the start of the weekend, a promising start of the weekend, a promising start if you�*re looking for drier weather and the bump in the isobars is a risk of high pressure and that will give us a fine day on saturday with wintry showers in the north, however, that won�*t last on sunday because we will see wet and blustery weather pushing in from the west but at the same time we will start to feel milder. that�*s all for me.

this is bbc news. the headlines. a new round of sanctions against russia, the uk freezes access of the criminal and�*s largest banks and announces plans to ban imports of russian coal by the end of 2022. it comes as the us imposes new sanctions against russian institutions and individuals, including putin�*s adult daughters. images of destruction and allegations of war crimes continue to emerge from towns surrounding kyiv following the retreat of russian forces. after being blocked for weeks, the international red cross managed to get some people out of the besieged city of mariupol. millions of people not pick more national insurance is increased the

contribution comes into effect today. the premisejust