this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm lucy hockings. our top stories... russia bombards the ukrainian city of lviv with air strikes. at least seven people have died. i actually saw a couple of the missiles myself streaking across the sky and then hitting buildings on the city's roofline, and then we saw the black plumes of smoke rising up. ukraine says the southern port city of mariupol effectively no longer exists, but its forces there defy russian demands to surrender. china reports its first official deaths from covid since 2020, as the shanghai lockdown continues. and rescue efforts continue in south africa where floods and mudslides have killed more than 400 people.

russia has stepped up its air assault on targets in ukraine, including a missile attack on the western city of lviv, normally regarded as a relatively safe haven. the latest reports say seven people have been killed, including a child. smoke was seen rising from the outskirts of the city and people heard five explosions. footage later emerged of the impact on residential areas. multiple cities and towns across ukraine targeted by russian airstrikes and shelling. russia says it hit more than 300 targets. five people have reportedly been killed and 13 injured in shelling of the city of kharkiv. while in mykolaiv, near the port of 0desa, the governor reports continuous rocket attacks.

of the shattered city of mariupol, ukraine's foreign minister has said, "the situation is dire militarily and heartbreaking. it doesn't exist anymore. the remainder of the ukrainian army and large group of civilians continue their struggle, but it seems the russian army decided to raze the city to the ground at any cost." and in the eastern luhansk region, the governor says four civilians trying to escape the town of kreminna in a car have been shot dead by russian forces. let's bring you the latest from lviv. officials say three military facilities and a garage were attacked this morning. 0ur correspondent danjohnson is at the garage that was hit. this is the scene of one of those attacks, the car service centre, a place that fits tyres to cars. it was hit early this morning about half past eight local time. we have heard from local residents that they heard two explosions, they think two missiles hit the garage but the word from local

authorities is that this is no sort of military target and we know that four people lost their lives here. i don't know if you can make out the crater where the missile actually hit and you can see the level of damage it caused. there are teams trying to clear up the aftermath of the attack. when we arrived, the fire service was still here, putting out quite an intense blaze in that building and we know at least four people died. i spoke to the mother of one of them, a 26—year—old called yuri, who said he was about to have his birthday, about to get married this summer, and lost his life this morning just having a cup of coffee in the office before he started work mending people's cars and replacing car tyres. what has happened here in lviv this morning, this and the three other missile strikes on the city, are a stark reminder of the threat people face, even so far west, relatively close to the polish border. this is the moment the conflict

came closer to lviv. missile strikes out of the clear skies of a bright morning, hitting targets right in the city. i saw and heard some of the missiles myself, and i counted five explosions, five plumes of smoke. this is where one of the missiles hit. local officials say it's a car garage, a tyre fitting workshop where four people died. valia is 70. she lives just across the road. translation: our windows were shattered. _ everyone was frightened. we didn't know what to do. we started praying. we didn't know whether to stay or whether to flee. we went out, all of us. we didn't know what to expect. translation: it was a big boom and the house was shaken. - i thought we were falling. there was a first strike and then a big boom and the second one was weaker. almost immediately, one after another. i didn't see fire nearby,

it wasjust later that i learned this site was hit. translation: i was sleeping and as soon as i heard - the explosion, i went down to the shelter. _ then i heard more explosions, four or five in a row. _ when everything was over, i could see the smoke. - the emergency response is still under way here. firefighters trying to put out a blaze. they say this was a garage fitting tyres to people's cars. what happened in lviv this morning has really underlined the nature of the threat to the city, even hundreds of miles away from the fighting in the east. we are told that the missiles were fired from aircraft a long way away, and that four targets were hit. local officials say there were three strikes on military warehouses in addition to the garage. in total, seven people have died in lviv this morning and at least ii have been injured. translation: what we see today in ukraine is genocide, _ which is purposefully committed by the aggressor who kills civilians.

seven civilians had plans for life. today, their lives have ended. emergency teams are still at work and they are prepared for more grim discoveries. if anyone needed it, this was an early morning reminder that this country, all of it, is still at war and still under threat. i actually witnessed those missile strikes myself from a rooftop in lviv this morning and you heard a sound a bit like a jet coming overhead and i saw a couple of the missiles and counted five explosions although local authorities are saying that four targets were hit, there were definitely five thick black plumes of smoke rising into the clear blue skies across lviv this morning. it is overcast now and starting to snow but everyone has had a really harsh reminder of what the threats are. i have spoken to people over the weekend who had come into the country from poland, having been safe in other countries for the last few weeks during this invasion, they had come here this weekend,

some as tourists effectively to their own country, taking a few days and a break to be reunited and to see the dads that families have missed over the weeks this war has gone on. people thought this was the safest part of the country, where they could do that. i spoke to others who had moved further east and said they would stay there despite the warnings they should not be going home but now everybody knows that wherever they are in ukraine, the threat of russian air strikes is ever present and could hit anywhere. danjohnson, dan johnson, a danjohnson, a real shock dan johnson, a real shock for danjohnson, a real shock for people in lviv, thinking they had been safe until now with those missile strikes. we can update you with anna foster and find out what is happening in kyiv so what is the latest in the capital? for happening in kyiv so what is the latest in the capital?— happening in kyiv so what is the latest in the capital? for the last few da s, latest in the capital? for the last few days, there _ latest in the capital? for the last few days, there have _ latest in the capital? for the last few days, there have been - latest in the capital? for the last i few days, there have been renewed russian air strikes here, hitting military infrastructure, we have been told, around the perimeter of

the capital. it is notable of course because russia had not been doing this for a while. they pulled their trips away and the equipment and started to refocus on the east but after the sinking of the russian flagship, the moskva a few days ago, there was a sense that russia wanted to do something symbolic in return. this was a real blow to russian face and the russian war effort so it seemed to refocus itself on kyiv again. interestingly, you heard dan talking about people coming back and people are starting to return to this city now but the mayor, vitali klitschko, has told people not to come back and urged them to stay away for now. heaters for those who did stay here, they need to follow the air runs when they sound, which they do regulate, several times a day but not everybody seeks shelter. he is urging people who are in kyiv to follow the air assignment and get underground and get into shelter when they sound and for those who

have not yet returned but want to, he is saying it is just a recommendation but he wants people to wait a while and in his words, to stay for now in safer places.- stay for now in safer places. every da we stay for now in safer places. every day we hear _ stay for now in safer places. every day we hear such _ stay for now in safer places. every day we hear such desperate - stay for now in safer places. every day we hear such desperate stories from mariupol and today the ukrainian foreign minister said it is not only heartbreaking but the city virtually does not exist any more but what is the latest verifiable information you from there? ., , ., ., there? for several days now, the word seem _ there? for several days now, the word seem to _ there? for several days now, the word seem to have _ there? for several days now, the word seem to have been - there? for several days now, the word seem to have been that - there? for several days now, the i word seem to have been that russia has the upper hand in mariupol but both sides are fighting fiercely for control of what is a strategic and important symbolic city for both. russia really want that continuous land corridor between russia and annexed crimea and president zelensky has described mariupol as the beating heart of this conflict. we believe the fighting has really come down to just one or two key areas in the city and we know the huge steel works is where most of

the ukrainian fighters who are still resisting art hold up. if you have seen a site like that before, they are huge with a big concrete buildings and it would seem to be quite a good place to make a last stand. that is the suggestion from ukraine, that their fighters will not surrender, they were given that option yesterday by russia and they said if you surrender now you can leave a life but ukraine, the government said they would keep pushing and the fighters there would continue until the end.— continue until the end. thank you for “oininu continue until the end. thank you forjoining us- _ two british fighters captured in ukraine by russian forces have appeared on russian state tv asking to be exchanged for a pro—russian politician who is being held by the ukrainian authorities. it is not clear whether the two men, shaun pinner and aiden aslin, were speaking under duress. in the video, which we are not showing, one of the men, who says he is shaun pinner, says he was captured in the port of mariupol while fighting for the ukrainian marines. it's understood he is being held as a prisoner in donetsk

in eastern ukraine. he's been in the ukrainian army for two years. the other man in the footage is believed to be aiden aslin, another british soldier serving with ukrainian forces who was captured by russian troops. both families are working with the foreign office to ensure their sons�* rights as prisoners of war are upheld under the geneva convention. 0ur news correspondent andrew plantjoins me now. what more do we know? shaun pinner was captured — what more do we know? shaun pinner was captured by _ what more do we know? shaun pinner was captured by russian _ what more do we know? shaun pinner was captured by russian forces - what more do we know? shaun pinner was captured by russian forces a - what more do we know? shaun pinner was captured by russian forces a few. was captured by russian forces a few days ago and have been fighting in mariupol for five days ago and have been fighting in mariupolforfive or six days ago and have been fighting in mariupol for five or six weeks he said with the ukrainian marines put he had previously been in the british armed forces but moved to ukraine in 2018 was a fully fledged member of the ukrainian marines. he was captured a few days ago. aiden aslin was also fighting with ukrainian marines and was captured a short time before that and we saw him last week, paraded on russian state tv with bruises and cuts to

his head and he was in handcuffs. both men have appeared in new videos on russian state tv lot together they are billed separately. in the first video shaun pinner essentially addresses the camera and asks boris johnson to get involved to help set both men free, specifically looking for a prisoner exchange which would involve a businessman from ukraine who is something of a celebrity in ukraine and a politician but also a pro—kremlin ally and a big supporter of vladimir putin. he has previously been under house arrest in ukraine but in the last few days has been detained by ukrainian authorities so what the men are asking for, and it's not clear whether they are speaking under duress of course, is for borisjohnson to intercede and try to make that exchange happened. what has been the reaction from the british government? we what has been the reaction from the british government?— british government? we have had a reaction from _ british government? we have had a reaction from the _ british government? we have had a reaction from the family _ british government? we have had a reaction from the family of- british government? we have had a reaction from the family of shaun . reaction from the family of shaun pinner which i can tell you about,

they say they are hoping for a quick resolution to allow both men to return safely to their families. all the foreign office will say is that they are in touch with both families but have called on the kremlin to treat all prisoners of war humanely. that a second video, of aiden aslin, is quite different from a much wider frame and he looks a lot less comfortable, shall we say. he is filmed from several angles and shown a phone video of the businessmen's wife where she is speaking english and makes the appeal to boris johnson to intercede and try to get the prison swap done. he is filmed watching the video and at the end he appears to agree with what she is saying to it's very difficult to draw any other conclusions from watching but what is clear that the russians are seeing any british nationals captured in ukraine as valuable prisoners, certainly in this case, and as bargaining chips to use to try to get one of vladimir

putin's closest allies set free in ukraine. . ~ putin's closest allies set free in ukraine. ., ,, , ., footage has emerged which appears to show the russian warship the moskva on fire and listing to one side while at sea. the vessel sank in the black sea four days ago. ukraine says it was hit by a missile strike while russia says it suffered a fire after munitions exploded on board. the russian navy said the moskva went down in a storm while it was being towed back to harbour although these pictures seem to show calm seas around the ship. more on ukraine coming up but let's update you on some stories around the rest of the world. the authorities in the chinese city of shanghai have reported the first covid deaths since 2020. official figures show three people died on sunday, all had underlying health conditions. lockdowns remain in place across parts of the city four weeks after they were first introduced. and some residents are understood to have been taken to quarantine facilities with reports of food shortages in some parts of the city.

0ur china correspondent stephen mcdonell has been analyzing the authorities�* approach from beijing. after more than 400,000 infections in shanghai in this outbreak, these are the first three people to have been officially listed to have died from covid. now, of course the question of death and what causes it is a very complicated one. 0fficials, health officials in shanghai have said that these three people, a 91—year—old man, a 91—year—old woman and an 89—year—old woman, all had underlying health problems, plus all three of them had not been vaccinated. and when it comes to vaccinations, new figures released would appear to show that china really has dropped the ball when it comes to booster shots. so when we consider the number of, say, people over the age of 60 in shanghai who have had two shots, well, that is over 60%. it could be higher, but not too bad. those over 60 who have had

the booster shot, it is only 38%, it is too low if you want to be really easing off restrictions in those cities. some have asked why the government does not switch focus from this mass testing and centralised mass isolation towards a big push on getting those boosters done but the government is not showing that it is going to change tack. in fact, we had an article on the front page of the communist party's school newspaper today with an official saying that this idea of living with covid should be rejected, calling for more of these mass isolation centres to be built so it looks like that is the way, at least for the moment, that the chinese government is going to keep going. i think we can expect to see more mass lockdowns and it really is a big challenge for the chinese economy to stay afloat.

south africa is deploying 10,000 soldiers to assist search and rescue efforts after mudslides killed 443 people and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. the weekends heavy rainfall has eased in kwazulu—natal province on the country's east coast, but 63 people remain missing following the flood waters. some areas haven t had any official help yet, leaving residents to dig through the debris themselves. 0ur correspondent vumani mkhize has this report. at the kwa—santi township south of durban, this community is still trying to come to terms with the flash floods that devastated this area. this search and rescue team is on a recovery operation. they are looking for a woman swept away by the flash floods at night while she was asleep. behind me, this is where the water was cascading down this hill. unfortunately, a man and woman were swept away by the raging waters. the man was found alive.

unfortunately, the woman is still missing and we have got community members here sitting with their bare hands, looking for her. further downstream, we have got search and rescue operations with dogs also looking for the woman. 0n the night of the floods, some even risked their lives to save others. translation: | found | a man trapped by a tree, so i managed to pull him out of the water. i put him inside the house. i heard more people crying and ran to help another woman. she is still in hospital, but alive. the other man died. all over the kwazulu—natal province, stories of flash floods and local heroes who did their best to save lives are emerging. the death toll has risen to nearly 450. 63 people are still missing. local authorities are rallying the public to rebuild. this is the moment of great adversity, but this is also a moment where we need to summon our collective

courage and turn this devastation into an opportunity to rebuild our province. it is a moment for the human spirit to triumph over adversity. more search and rescue teams from around the country have been dispatched to kwazulu—natal as recovery operations continue. a decade of war has ruined syria's economy and it's now emerging as a narco—state with illegal drugs as one of its biggest exports. the stimulant, captagon — a class a drug in the uk — is widely used across the arab world. in recent weeks, thejordanian army has seized large hauls of drugs and killed more than 30 smugglers in operations along its border. 0ur middle east correspondent, yolande knell has been to this frontline of the regional war on drugs. three shadowy figures cross the border fence.

jordanian soldiers open fire. another skirmish in an increasingly deadly fight against drug smugglers. they want to show me what they are up against. it is a great view from here. you can see, everything beyond the fence, that is syria. and this is a new front line in the war on drugs. ruined by a decade of war, neighbouring syria is turning into a narco—state. after losing a jordanian soldier, the military has adopted a shoot to kill policy. and how much more dangerous is it now along this border? translation: the degree | of danger has grown recently with the increase in drug smuggling. there are highly organised and coordinated operations. they are determined to get the drugs intojordan by force, using weapons. since the start of this year, the army has killed more than 30

smugglers, and seized over 17 million pills of captagon. that is more than in the whole of last year. this illegal amphetamine is now one of syria's main exports. this hospital is treating more and more people from across the region for captagon addiction. none of the patients here wants to talk, but the clinical director tells me he sees serious cases. the consequences of taking this drug is, like, violence and psychosis. it is very addictive as well and people start with one tablet and then increase by two or three, and then shift into a more serious drug like crystal meth. jordan is up against powerful drugs cartels. the long conflict next door now brings a new misery. yolande knell, bbc news, amman.

doctors in sri lanka say they are running out of vital drugs and equipment and need urgent help. the country is going through its worst economic crisis in living memory and a shortage of foreign exchange means it is unable to import medicines that are desperately needed. 0ur south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports from colombo. already in a critical condition. sri lanka's now heading towards a medical emergency. doctors are running out of life—saving drugs. the future of this island nation becoming ever more fragile. at the largest children's hospital in the country, we meet a doctor who manages resources. these are difficult times. these surgeries, we need very specific things. sri lanka imports most of its medical supplies. a lack of foreign currency to buy them to blame for the shortages. stretched to the limit, operations continue at this hospital. others have already

stopped some procedures. we don't know what would happen if the dollars don't bring these things to the country. we might end up in a very difficult situation. this is a very stressful period. health officials at this hospital agreed to speak to us, but i have spoken to many doctors across sri lanka who say that the government says they are not allowed to speak out in an individual capacity, but they tell me that they are worried that their hospitals are running low or running out of essential medicines, and that if something isn't done soon, sri lanka will face a medical catastrophe. with few doctors willing to speak publicly about the shortages, some have taken part in silent protests. while hundreds of medical students stormed the health ministry, joining anti—government protests against food and fuel shortages. this is a crisis of scarcity,

with no clear end in sight. medical unions are appealing to the world to help. we need supply to come in whatever the form, whether from any other country, government procurement, or individual donation. so if this situation continues, there will be a day in the near future, maybe couple of weeks or one month, i am afraid to say there may be a situation where we won't be able to save the patient life or limb. sri lanka's health ministry told the bbc it's working to overcome the shortages, and is getting help from nearby india and other donors. but this is a public health system in distress. no—one knows how or when sri lanka will recover. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news, colombo. president biden has marked easter monday by taking part in the traditional easter egg roll event at the white house.

he was accompanied by his wife, jill, and flanked by two easter bunnies, as he re—introduced the event for the first time since the pandemic. the joy thejoy and the joy and laughter is something that has been a wonderful tradition here at the white house for a long time. i especially want to thank the white house historical association, the national park service and american aid board for all the hard work to make this day possible. let's give them a round of applause. applause all of you, have fun today! welcome to the white house, welcome to your house. welcome to the south lawn. thank you and happy, happy easter. a lot of happy children thrilled that the event is back after not happening during the pandemic. stay

with us, more to come from ukraine, see you in a few minutes. hello, there. 0n good friday and into the easter weekend, we saw temperatures reach the low 20s celsius in the warmest places, but we've lost those values now. today is a cooler day, not particularly cold, but certainly cooler than what we've had over the last few days. we've got a bit more cloud around with a few showers, too. it's all because we've got this area of low pressure influencing our weather throughout the day and again into tomorrow. it's bringing stronger winds, especially to the northwest of the country. it's introduced this cooler air, as you can see from the blue hue here on the air mass chart. so, a chillierfeel to things across northern and western areas through the afternoon, particularly where we have the stronger winds — low teens here. but we could still make 16 or 17 degrees in the southeast given some sunshine. but there will be one or two showers dotted around and those may last into the evening period across england and wales. variable cloud, clear spells here.

clear skies for scotland and northern ireland, but some cloud across the far northwest, so it won't be quite as cold here as what it will be where we have the clearer skies. so, a touch of frost in one or two spots across the north and the west. a chilly start to tuesday once again. maybe a touch of frost across parts of scotland and northern ireland. this weather front across the northwest of scotland, bringing outbreaks of showery rain. the winds will ease down through the day. england and wales will start with sunny spells, a bit of cloud and then into the afternoon could see a few showers developing, and there could be the odd heavy one in places. they'll be slow moving because the winds will be much lighter. a cooler day across the board, 13 to 15 degrees will be the afternoon highs. into wednesday, we're in between weather systems, a ridge of high pressure exerting its force across the country. so, a largely quiet day, i think, mainly dry for most of us. variable cloud, some good spells of sunshine around. there will be a noticeable easterly breeze developing across eastern england, so that may make it feel a bit cooler here. but further west, we could see highs reaching 17 or 18 degrees,

given some sunny spells. and a drier day for the north west of scotland. towards the end of the week this area of low pressure out west dives southwards to the south west of the uk. it doesn't look like it's going to affect us through thursday and friday. this area of high pressure to the north of the uk will be dominating the weather scene, bringing us fairly brisk easterly winds. so, i think through thursday, increasingly into friday, it'll start to turn chilly along some north sea coasts. probably the better, drier, brighter, warmer weather will tend to be further south and west.

this is bbc news ? welcome if you re watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: ukraine says missile strikes have killed at least seven people in the western city of lviv, which had largely escaped attack until now. three military warehouses and a car garage were hit. the city of mykolaiv in southern ukraine has been subject to continuous rocket attacks since sunday morning — according to the governor. as the fighting continues we report on the elderly being forced to wait out the war in the basements of the city. we'll hear from a former british army general — about how he wants to offer a home to a family of ukrainian refugees. and also ahead... police in sweden make more than 40

arrests after a weekend of protests against plans by a far right group to burn the koran. russia's assault on ukraine appears to be entering a new phase — with russian forces once again carrying out wide—ranging missile strikes. a kremlin spokesman claimed "high—precision missiles destroyed 16 ukrainian military facilities overnight, including command posts, ammunition depots, tanks and other combat vehicles". the bbc hasn't been able to independently verify the claims. russia had said about two weeks ago that it would be focussing on east ukraine. but in the last 24 hours there've been artillery bombardments and missile strikes here in lviv, in the far west of ukraine, in the capital kyiv, in the city of kharkiv in the north, and the southern city of mykolaiv, near the port of 0desa. at least seven people died

in the lviv strikes. towns in the south and east of ukraine — close to the donbas area, and inland from the sea of azov — were also hit. they're areas which have seen some of the fiercest fighting. let's hear now from mykolaiv, a city in southern ukraine, which, according to local officials, has suffered continuous rocket attacks since sunday morning. some people have fled but many elderly residents have been left to fend for themselves since they can t or won t leave. 0ur correspondent catherine byaruhanga went to the neighbourhood of kulbakino to visit those left behind. what's left of homes and lives. living rooms, kitchens, all destroyed. the people here were lucky to have survived after a shell hit their apartment block in the early hours of the morning in march. 72—year—old tatiana michailovna

was there asleep. translation: it was so scary being there. | so scary. tatiana is here alone — her husband and daughter died before the war. she says, despite the constant shelling, she can't leave. translation: the bomb shelter is far away, - and i have no ability to go there. my health doesn't let me go anywhere. and where would i go? we will be sitting and waiting for peace. peace is the most important thing nowadays. those who can have fled this neighbourhood in mykolaiv in southern ukraine. but for those who've had to stay, their lives have moved underground. this bunker is the last place of refuge for so many of those left behind — and that's usually the elderly. it's damp and dark.

they have to use these buckets as toilets. and over here is where they sleep. at the start of the war, there were over 20 families here, but now it's just four women. anastasia, ludmilla, nina and galina keep each other company through the difficulty and loneliness of this war. they go out to try and find food and water, but the air—raid sirens go off so often they spend most of their day in darkness. translation: my heart hurts. i have hypertension and diabetes. i can't stay here for a long time as my legs hurt. i need to walk a lot, but i can't. i need to have a good diet, but it's impossible now. this is one of galina's last tablets. she has enough for three weeks, but after that she's not sure what will happen. but the stories of the elderly here in mykolaiv are

repeated across ukraine. translation: we were told, - if you hear a siren, you should go to the basement to hide. but we don't know whether this will save us, or we will die here. catherine byaruhanga, bbc news, mykolaiv. let's hear now from lord richard dannatt, who was the head of the british army from 2006 to 2009. but we've been speaking to him about his plans, along with his wife, to provide a home to a mother and son who have fled ukraine, seeking refuge in the uk. my colleaguejoanna gosling has been talking to him, and he explained how bureaucracy had made the process less than straightforward. a lot of people in this country have decided they would like to do something for ukrainian refugees and my wife and myself are sponsoring a couple who came from chernihiv, a city that was heavily shelled and

occupied in the early days of the campaign. they made their way along with many others across the ukrainian border into poland and there they were contacted by david powers, the editor of the eastern daily press, our local newspaper in east anglia, and a group of six trying to make their way to norfolk, but the disappointing thing is that the home office scheme, it is in such a complex and long bureaucratic scheme, it is a nine page application form. every individual member of a family has to fill in this application and given that some of the people trying to come here are stage two or three, some of the questions they are being asked are totally inappropriate, and the home office has designed a scheme which is too complex and too bureaucratic and they are understaffed to be able to process their own system properly and many people, my wife and myself

included, are getting very frustrated at the slow speed. the six that i monitoring have got as far as dunkirk six that i monitoring have got as faras dunkirk and six that i monitoring have got as far as dunkirk and i six that i monitoring have got as faras dunkirk and i heard six that i monitoring have got as far as dunkirk and i heard on saturday that all their clearances and applications have been approved and applications have been approved and i'm just waiting to come through my e—mail the letter giving authorisation for them to travel, i was promised it on saturday, today is monday but i still haven't got it. as soon as the letter comes they can make their travel plans and come to norfolk where homes are ready for them and we are looking forward to welcoming them to safety and sanctuary. it welcoming them to safety and sanctuary-— welcoming them to safety and sanctua . , , , ., sanctuary. it must be frustrating for ou sanctuary. it must be frustrating for you and _ sanctuary. it must be frustrating for you and for _ sanctuary. it must be frustrating for you and for them, _ sanctuary. it must be frustrating for you and for them, but - sanctuary. it must be frustrating for you and for them, but in - sanctuary. it must be frustrating l for you and for them, but in terms of when they come to you, you say they are coming from chernihiv which was under intense bombardment the russians suddenly withdrew, and obviously you have an awful lot of experience of war zones, and i'm sure that will give you a certain

level of empathy and understanding in terms of how to respond to what their needs will be, has there been any kind of guidance from others in terms of addressing the needs of people coming to this country who will have been through horrendous experiences? will have been through horrendous exueriences?_ experiences? there are support mechanisms — experiences? there are support mechanisms which _ experiences? there are support mechanisms which are - experiences? there are support mechanisms which are being i experiences? there are support| mechanisms which are being put experiences? there are support i mechanisms which are being put in place. as soon as they arrive here, i will be in touch with norfolk county council and they know that we have got two coming here and they want to know as soon as they arrive and there are support mechanisms they will offer to assist. 0ne there are support mechanisms they will offer to assist. one of the other couples coming to norfolk, they speak extremely good english, so it will be much easier to communicate with those who are coming here because one of them can speak good english and one of the people who works with my wife lived

in russia for a time and she will help with the communication, and although russian and ukrainian are different languages, not that far apart. but the boy coming here is in his tease and he has learning difficulties and he and his mother spent a month living in their basement being shelled some time ago —— coming here is in his teens. he will need a lot of reinsurance and help but really that is why people around the country have been offering help and sanctuary to ukrainians —— a lot of reassurance. i wish the home office application system was a bit speedier and less complex and then we could bring people more quickly here to receive the safety and sanctuary they need. if the government is worried about huge numbers of immigrants coming into the country, most people who are coming here from ukraine ultimately want to go back home and so this is a temporary sanctuary thatis so this is a temporary sanctuary that is being offered and when the time is right, and i don't know when thatis time is right, and i don't know when that is going to be, these people will probably all want to go home, so wouldn't you want to go home? i

would, and i think that is what they would, and i think that is what they would want to do, as well. hour would, and i think that is what they would want to do, as well.- would, and i think that is what they would want to do, as well. now to a sto in would want to do, as well. now to a story in sweden. _ more than 40 people have been arrested in riots and violence in five swedish cities over the easter weekend. the violence broke out after the leader of a far—right group said it had burned a koran, and would burn more in future. 0ur correspondent maddy savaagejoins us what maddy savaage joins us have the police said about was what have the police said about who was involved in these riots? it has been a tense _ was involved in these riots? it has been a tense couple _ was involved in these riots? it has been a tense couple of _ was involved in these riots? it has been a tense couple of days i was involved in these riots? it has been a tense couple of days here | was involved in these riots? it 1:3 been a tense couple of days here and the police have made it clear that they believe this is not simply counter protesters angry about the burning of the koran, they believe this is work of criminal networks, people coming together to use this opportunity to deliberately target the police and they are also looking to potentially the fact that these organised protest may have been organised protest may have been organised by people outside of

sweden. ,, ,, _ sweden. sparked by the anti-immigration - sweden. sparked by the| anti-immigration group, sweden. sparked by the i anti-immigration group, tell sweden. sparked by the - anti-immigration group, tell us anti—immigration group, tell us about them? anti-immigration group, tell us about them?— anti-immigration group, tell us about them? anti-immigration group, tell us aboutthem? ., , about them? this is a group that is led b a about them? this is a group that is led by a man _ about them? this is a group that is led by a man called _ about them? this is a group that is led by a man called erasmus i about them? this is a group that is i led by a man called erasmus paludan, he is in his 40s and a danish politician —— erasmus paludan. he is hoping to stand in the swedish elections if he gets enough support. he is known is very hard line and he has organised these koran burnings before and there was violence in 2020 when there was a similar situation in malmo in southern sweden but this violence spreading across six cities, more than 40 people arrested, dozens of police officers injured and around 14 others also injured and we are not sure whether those were people who were involved in the rioting or were caught up in the violence since they were in the neighbourhood. they have made it very clear that this is bigger than anything that has been seen before and that has been the

focus of the debates here. were the police targeted and should they have had extra resources and what does this all mean for crime in sweden which is one of the most important issues in the run—up to the election injust a few issues in the run—up to the election in just a few months�* time? the in just a few months' time? the foreian in just a few months' time? the foreign office _ in just a few months' time? the foreign office in _ injust a few months' time? the foreign office in baghdad has been concerned, summoning swedish diplomats and expressing their concern. has the government said anything to reassure some of its allies about what is happening? are they taking it seriously? from allies about what is happening? are they taking it seriously?— they taking it seriously? from what i have they taking it seriously? from what i have seen — they taking it seriously? from what i have seen so _ they taking it seriously? from what i have seen so far _ they taking it seriously? from what i have seen so far the _ they taking it seriously? from what i have seen so far the governmentl i have seen so far the government has very much been focusing on the picture of national calm and letting people know they are going to invest in the police resources here and that seems to be their main focus at the moment but i�*m sure when things pick up again and there are more people back at work we will see more reactions from the politicians. fort

sweden in general, returning from the holiday period, swedish people will be in shock at this violence, and the most serious violence, amongst the most serious violence we have had in sweden in the past decade so i think there will be a lot of reflecting in the coming days and of course potentially more international and national reaction. absolutely, thanks forjoining us. you�*re watching bbc news, still to come — we�*ll have an update on the sport — stay with us. scotland hasjoined the rest of the uk in ending the legal requirement for people to wear facemasks in indoor public settings. however, the scottish government is advising people to continue wearing face coverings while covid case numbers remain high. here�*s our correspondent in glasgow, jamie mcivor.

it is the law that you needed to wear a mask in a place like a bar or cafe or a wear a mask in a place like a bar or cafe ora in wear a mask in a place like a bar or cafe or a in scotland, and on the train, since the summer of 2020, but anecdotal evidence suggests that in recent weeks fewer people were actually bothering to wear a mask. looking around glasgow city centre, safe to say that on the underground most people still seem to be wearing a mask but in the main railway station and in some shops which were open early this morning, certainly mask wearing seems much less common thanit mask wearing seems much less common than it had been in recent weeks. will we see any big change in the coming days? the scottish government is urging caution but certainly there is the thing of the few behavioural psychologists find interesting, whether people are waiting to see what other people do —— there is the thing that behavioural psychologists find

interesting. the big change in england did not happen injuly last year, freedom day, but it happened gradually in the days and weeks that followed. holly hamilton has all the sport. good afternoon. we�*ve had another marathon day of efl action and potentially the promotion or relegation fates of some clubs could be decided today. earlier, huddersfield town moved to within one point of the automatic promotion places as they dented middlesbrough�*s play—off hopes with a 2—0 win at the riverside stadium. naby sarr opened the scoring for the visitors just before half—time, beforejordan rhodes rounded off the win against his old club after the break. so it�*s been a nervy afternoon for some in the championship, particularly down the bottom end, and reading are battling to stay out of the relegation zone.

they were 4—0 down to swansea. there�*s nowjust one in it, 4—3. if reading lost, that would give hope to all three teams at the bottom. the bottom two have been battling it out. peterborough lead barnsley1—0. derby county also looking to keep survival hopes alive at qpr. at the top, bournemouth looking to calm their promotion jitters with a win over coventry, 3—0. liverpool host man united in the premier league tomorrow night, knowing a draw or win will take them to the top of the table. managersjurgen klopp and ralf rangnick are good friends and this will be the first time the two managers face off against each other, outside of germany. and klopp was asked how

theirfriendship is, ahead of one of the biggest games in english football. 0n hold! on hold! laughter we have _ on hold! laughter we have not - on hold! laughter we have not had i oh hold! laughter - we have not had contact oh hold! laughter _ we have not had contact since he has beenin we have not had contact since he has been in england, i respect hisjob and he respects mine. i respect him for everything he has done in his career, to be honest. incredible jobs where ever he was. a difficult one at manchester united, obviously, thatis one at manchester united, obviously, that is clear, big expectations, and no time to get there because our business is like this but you can see the changes he made and the parts he has improved. brute see the changes he made and the parts he has improved. we definitely will travel there _ parts he has improved. we definitely will travel there tomorrow _ parts he has improved. we definitely will travel there tomorrow and i parts he has improved. we definitely will travel there tomorrow and tried l will travel there tomorrow and tried to get— will travel there tomorrow and tried to get three points. this is what it is all— to get three points. this is what it is all about — to get three points. this is what it is all about. —— try. to get three points. this is what it is allabout. —— try. it to get three points. this is what it is all about. —— try. it is not about— is all about. —— try. it is not about their— is all about. —— try. it is not about their situation but our own situation — about their situation but our own situation and after last weekend's results _ situation and after last weekend's results we are still in the race for fourth _ results we are still in the race for fourth place, but to stay in that race _ fourth place, but to stay in that race we — fourth place, but to stay in that race we have got to win almost every game _ race we have got to win almost every game and _ race we have got to win almost every game and to—

race we have got to win almost every game and to start with tomorrow. two ofthe game and to start with tomorrow. of the biggest game and to start with tomorrow. thrrr of the biggest clubs game and to start with tomorrow. tlo'irr of the biggest clubs in the world, for sure, face each other, massive history. big fights in the past, big fights since i�*ve been here. although we might be the underdogs we still— although we might be the underdogs we still know that if we raise our level— we still know that if we raise our level and — we still know that if we raise our level and play a top performance ourselves, — level and play a top performance ourselves, that we have a chance to -et ourselves, that we have a chance to get three _ ourselves, that we have a chance to get three points there and this will be our— get three points there and this will be our ambition and our goal tomorrow. be our ambition and our goal tomorrow-— tomorrow. this time it is an incredibly — tomorrow. this time it is an incredibly important - tomorrow. this time it is an incredibly important game | tomorrow. this time it is an i incredibly important game again tomorrow. this time it is an - incredibly important game again for both teams. that says it all. snooker�*s world championship continues at the crucible in sheffield. anthony mcgill is through to the last 16 after beating liam highfield10—7 in the morning session. mcgill goes on to play either hossein vafaei orjudd trump in the next round. liam came back at me and he was a better player today, no doubt about it. i edged it, yesterday, but!

better player today, no doubt about it. i edged it, yesterday, but i got lucky in the end. i probably needed it to be honest because he was coming back really strong. might safety come was pretty pleased with my safety game in that match, and that helped me win a few famous but if i have got any —— help me win a few frames, but if i have got any chance of progressing, i need to pot a few balls. in the other morning session, northern ireland�*s mark allen holds a 5—4 lead over scott donaldson. allen took the advantage heading into the evening session, conjuring up a second century to make it 5—4. the winner of this one will face the six—time champion ronnie 0�*sullivan. australia�*s neil robertson is in action against ashley hugill in the afternoon session. ashley huddle is leading 3—1 at the moment. —— ashley hugill. that�*s all the sport for now. more now on the flash floods which have devastated kwazulu—natal in south africa.

hundreds of people have died, and dozens are still missing. our correspondent pumza fihlani has travelled to the worst affected region, and just sent this report. we have just come across a community which are trying to rebuild a bridge that was washed away a few days ago here, and they said this has been here, and they said this has been here for many decades but because no help has they have decided to come out and try to put whatever infrastructure they can to hold it infrastructure they can to hold it in place, and the reason for that is that there is a schooljust across from where we are standing, primary school, and they are worried that in a few weeks�* time when schools reopen, children won�*t be able to go to school. another reason why they have decided they don�*t trust the authorities to do this, just on my right here, there is a bridge that was last constructed in about 2016, and they say if this bridge had been standing, that people here would not have to come out and it would have been spared, and they also said how

they physically had to go out into they physically had to go out into the community and tried to locate people who had been washed away further upstream and their bodies were found here. they said no one from the government has come over the weekend and i won from any sort of rescue effort has visited this area. he says that officials who have made numerous promises to the people of this village to try and rebuild this bridge that is decades old but so far nothing has happened and he says they are the sort of community that gets up and tries to do things for themselves and he said they realise how dangerous the task is but that on the other side of it are communities who are isolated with no shops, and this is the only route that will make it possible for them to get to hospitals or even shops, so it is a matter of deciding

between letting the people from either side to stop or doing what they can to help them. the southern city of mykolaiv also saw fresh strikes overnight. sustained assault and bombardment has seriously degraded the city�*s critical infrastructure, creating serious concern over access to water. ukraine�*s operational command "south" said convoys of container trucks were being dispatched from 0desa to carry crutial water supplies to the beleaguered city and its residents. before the war daniel salem was an actor, and tv presenter and a restaurateur. but following russia�*s invasion he volunteered for the national guard. he�*s now an officer and joins us from 0desa, having just returned from the southern mykolaiv kherson front. what is the situation there and what is happening in terms of getting water supplies into the city? thank you for having me, it is a real pleasure you for having me, it is a real leasur . .,

you for having me, it is a real -.leasur ., ., you for having me, it is a real “leasur ., ., , pleasure and right now odesa is helinu pleasure and right now odesa is helping mykolaiv _ pleasure and right now odesa is helping mykolaiv with _ pleasure and right now odesa is helping mykolaiv with water i pleasure and right now odesa is i helping mykolaiv with water supplies and a lot of water is getting there. we are trying to do our best, helping them. no water. i hope everything will be fine with the help from 0desa so we are trying to do our best. but mykolaiv is on the borders with kherson where there are a lot of strikes and it is getting really harsh. a lot of strikes and it is getting really harsh-— a lot of strikes and it is getting really harsh. kherson, is it still held by the _ really harsh. kherson, is it still held by the russians? - really harsh. kherson, is it still held by the russians? are i really harsh. kherson, is it still| held by the russians? are there attempts to get it back? we held by the russians? are there attempts to get it back?- attempts to get it back? we are t in: , of attempts to get it back? we are trying, of course. _ attempts to get it back? we are trying, of course. right - attempts to get it back? we are trying, of course. right now i attempts to get it back? we are trying, of course. right now the only thing we can do is to say that we are saving people and getting them out, via the safe routes. the things they are telling us are

really awful. things they are telling us are really awful-— things they are telling us are reall awful. ~ . ,, ., really awful. what kind of things? the are really awful. what kind of things? they are acting — really awful. what kind of things? they are acting as _ really awful. what kind of things? they are acting as if _ really awful. what kind of things? they are acting as if this - really awful. what kind of things? they are acting as if this is - really awful. what kind of things? they are acting as if this is their l they are acting as if this is their land. they are buying stuff from the magazines so they rob people and then they buy stuff. for me, it is already a horrible thing. with what happened in bucha and what is happening in mariupol right now, we hope that kherson will not go to that stage. brute hope that kherson will not go to that stage-— hope that kherson will not go to that state. . . ., ,., , that stage. we have heard reports that stage. we have heard reports that russia _ that stage. we have heard reports that russia is _ that stage. we have heard reports that russia is trying _ that stage. we have heard reports that russia is trying to _ that stage. we have heard reports that russia is trying to organise i that stage. we have heard reports that russia is trying to organise a| that russia is trying to organise a kind of referendum in kherson, is that true? i kind of referendum in kherson, is that true? ., �* ~ ., kind of referendum in kherson, is thattrue? ., �* ~ ., ., �* that true? i don't know, i don't know. i don't _ that true? i don't know, i don't know. i don't know. _ that true? i don't know, i don't know. i don't know. people i that true? i don't know, i don't know. i don't know. people are that true? i don't know, i don't i know. i don't know. people are able to leave the — know. i don't know. people are able to leave the city? _ know. i don't know. people are able to leave the city? some _ know. i don't know. people are able to leave the city? some of- know. i don't know. people are able to leave the city? some of them, i to leave the city? some of them, es. we to leave the city? some of them, yes- we are _ to leave the city? some of them, yes- we are trying _ to leave the city? some of them, yes. we are trying to _ to leave the city? some of them, yes. we are trying to help, i to leave the city? some of them, yes. we are trying to help, of- yes. we are trying to help, of course. we have our own roots but i

wish we had a green corridor to get all the people out of there. we have seen reports — all the people out of there. we have seen reports of _ all the people out of there. we have seen reports of elderly _ all the people out of there. we have seen reports of elderly people i all the people out of there. we have seen reports of elderly people who i seen reports of elderly people who don�*t want to leave or who can�*t leave, having to shout in their basements, just terrible for them. —— having to shelter. how is the morale amongst the armed forces? hagar morale amongst the armed forces? how is what? the _ morale amongst the armed forces? how is what? the morale. _ morale amongst the armed forces? how is what? the morale. how— morale amongst the armed forces? how is what? the morale. how are _ morale amongst the armed forces? how is what? the morale. how are you i is what? the morale. how are you beafina is what? the morale. how are you bearing up? _ is what? the morale. how are you bearing up? we — is what? the morale. how are you bearing up? we are _ is what? the morale. how are you bearing up? we are doing - is what? the morale. how are you bearing up? we are doing fine. i is what? the morale. how are you| bearing up? we are doing fine. we are struggling. _ bearing up? we are doing fine. we are struggling, but _ bearing up? we are doing fine. we are struggling, but in _ bearing up? we are doing fine. we are struggling, but in terms - bearing up? we are doing fine. we are struggling, but in terms of i are struggling, but in terms of motivation we have a very good spirit. we have a strong will and the truth behind us and we know that we are on our land and for me, as a person who had a different life before the war, i have the greatest

honour and much respect for our president, first of all, and the way he has handled it, it is amazing. and to the people, and volunteers, who are helping mykolaiv and also helping people from kherson and kharkiv and bucha, it is amazing, and because of what i can see from the spirit of our people, this is why we are holding on... daniel, we have not why we are holding on... daniel, we have got to — why we are holding on... daniel, we have got to leave _ why we are holding on... daniel, we have got to leave it _ why we are holding on... daniel, we have got to leave it there _ why we are holding on... daniel, we have got to leave it there but - have got to leave it there but thanks forjoining us. you have been watching bbc news. hello, there. and noticeably fresher day across the board. some good spells of sunshine across the south and east, and tonight it will turn chilly with the cool air and tonight it will turn chilly with the coolair in and tonight it will turn chilly with the cool air in place and clear skies over scotland and northern

ireland and there could be a touch of frost and also may be a few showers linger around. it is down to this area of low pressure at sitting at the north—west of the uk, what if you ice bars in the charts, so it has been windy, —— quite a few isobars. the cooler air mass will be pretty much across the country through this evening and overnight. a bit of cloud it was and southern and eastern england and a couple of showers here and burst of rain for the north—west of scotland but for the north—west of scotland but for the rest of scotland, northern ireland, clear skies and a cold of night with a touch of frost. a chilly night for much of england and wales, especially to the west and wales. tomorrow begins on a chilly note, plenty of sunshine in the north away from the weather front in the north—west, and a few showers there, and showers will develop widely across england and wales through the afternoon and some of them could be quite heavy. the winds will be lighter compared to what we

have had throughout monday. showers will be slow moving but a cooler day still on tuesday with temperatures ranging from 12—15. a ridge of high pressure begins to exert its force across the country for wednesday and that means wednesday will be a largely dry day with bits and pieces of cloud around to start with and another chilly start but there it should be quite a bit of sunshine in the daytime. easterly breeze picking up the daytime. easterly breeze picking up across the east of england and that will make it feel cooler across north sea coasts but the best images will be in more southern and western areas with highs of 17—18 —— the best temperatures. the area of low pressure sitting out to the west will dive at south at the end of the week into biscay and iberia and that could affect the far south of england as we move into the weekend but thursday and friday will be influenced by the area of high pressure to the north of the uk and that will bring pretty strong brisk easterly winds for both thursday and friday and that will make it feel quite chilly, especially along north

sea coasts, and the best of the weather at the highest temperatures will be further west.

this is bbc news. welcome if you�*re watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: as fighting intensifies in the donbas region of ukraine, we�*ll being you a special report from the frontline. translation: i'm - overwhelmed with grief. i�*m 70 years old and i�*ve nowhere to live. at least seven people are killed in the western city of lviv as russia intensifies its air raids across ukraine. china reports its first official deaths from covid since 2020, as the shanghai lockdown continues. and rescue efforts continue in south africa, where floods and mudslides have killed more than 400 people.