this is bbc news with the latest headlines: ukraine says russia's large—scale offensive on the donbas has begun — but president zelensky remains defiant. no matter how many of the russian troops are driven there, we will be fighting, we will defend ourselves. boris johnson faces mps today for the first time since he was fined for attending a birthday party during lockdown. over the years, actually, ministers of both parties have had fixed penalty notices for various different reasons including speeding which i appreciate is not the same as the covid—19 regulations, but it is fixed penalty notices. what the prime minister has done is he's accepted that, he's acknowledged that, he's apologised for that. so the prime minister's expected to apologise today. is that enough for you? orare you still

making up your minds? we'd like to hear from you, do get in touch at @annitabbc using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions a million off—peak rail fares are being cut — some by as much as half — in a bid to boost train travel and it's 100 days to go until the start of the commonwealth games — we'll be hearing about the athletes who are hoping to shine ukraine says russia has launched a large—scale offensive in the east of the country, signalling the start of the second phase of the war. according to president volodymyr zelensky, a large part of the russian army is now focusing on the donbas region. moscow's forces already occupy large parts of the territory.

this attack had been widely predicted — as russia focuses its efforts on the east of ukraine. ukraine's national security council says russia has already tried to break through the whole front line in the donetsk, luhansk and kharkiv regions. but officials at pentagon are reporting that the besieged port city of mariupol still hasn't fallen. russia has attacked in the rest of ukraine too. cities have been bombarded, with at least 17 people dead. seven people died in the western city of lviv — which had largely escaped attack until now. president biden is expected to discuss the current situation in a call with nato leaders later. and the humanitarian situation is also reported to be dire — with ukraine saying no civilians can be evacuated for a third consecutive day. our defence correspondent, jonathan beale reports from eastern ukraine.

distant explosions. this is now the sight and sound of donbas. severodonetsk, another city and another target for russia's unrelenting bombardment. translation: we can assess i now that the russian troops have begun the battle for donbas for which they have been preparing for a long time. a very large part of the russian army is now concentrated on this offensive. no matter how many of the russian troops are driven there, we will be fighting. we will defend ourselves. we tried to speak to families taking shelter. but the thump of artillery was steadily coming closer. we just came here to go to a shelter, but there is shelling a bit close to us and so we had to move out. a lot of crump of artillery going on at the moment.

nothing appears to be sacred when russia wages war. this, one of the holiest sites in the donbas, but that did not save svaytogorsk�*s historic monastery from being scarred by a russian air strike. the few who have stayed behind have to queue for food. they are notjust hungry, though. they are scared. translation: i cry every day. what kind of god would allow this to happen? i cry every day. what kind of god should we ask to stop all this? there is now a strong military presence in this town. just a few miles down the road, russian forces are advancing from the north. a ukrainian soldier shared this drone footage of how they were trying to slow down the russian columns, blowing up a bridge. but they know more will be coming. translation: we know that

russian forces are bringing i reinforcements into this region, but we are doing everything possible. we are ready to repel the russian occupiers and prevent the capture of our cities. we will stand to the last and defend our homeland. we headed south, the roads eerily empty. we soon found out why. plumes of smoke. once again, we were within range of russian artillery. the constant bombardment is also taking its toll on the city of avdiivka. here, they are praying for divine intervention. nowhere here is safe within range of russian artillery and, as we have seen, russia is pushing forward from the north, from the east and from the south. and there is a real danger that ukraine's forces here could be surrounded.

for now, they are holding out. so, too, are the remaining citizens of avdiivka, hiding in bunkers. but for how long? jonathan beale, bbc news, eastern ukraine. joining me now is the military analystjustin crump — ceo of sibylline — a country risk advisory company — justin is also a former british army tank commander. good morning to you. there seems to be a shift in strategy now expected from russia. the pentagon spokesman said the russians are engaged in what he described as shaping, creating conditions for larger attacks in the east. is that your assessment of what is going on? the? assessment of what is going on? they have been doing _ assessment of what is going on? tue have been doing this with assessment of what is going on? tij: have been doing this with increasing intensity over the last couple of weeks, are totally bombardments increase, airpower increase, and as it was covered in the report,

ukraine has tried to destroy bridges to slow down their russia, rely on wooded areas and rivers to slow things down as the russians increase the pressure. shaping operations, creating conditions for russia to launch a more major attack or attacks around the donbas. reports that the us military _ attacks around the donbas. reports that the us military is _ attacks around the donbas. reports that the us military is going - attacks around the donbas. reports that the us military is going to - that the us military is going to beat reigning ukrainian military in the use of anti—artillery weapons which they are supplying, reports of the uk sending mobile missile launchers. how useful will those be in the fighting to come? this reflects what _ in the fighting to come? this reflects what the _ in the fighting to come? ti 3 reflects what the ukrainians have been asking for for a period of time, more weaponry to fight a conventional war. originally the expectation was that russia and ukraine would be fighting insurgency, and that explains the weapons they were sent originally. very focused on defence, anti—tank missiles, we have seen so much of them. now they need artillery,

artillery rounds, a challenge that nato weapon systems and fire different actually runs to ex soviet system is that the ukraine is used traditionally, that are slowing up the supply of these weapon systems to ukraine when you need them the most. it is a race, getting the training, supplies, reinforcements to ukraine, and the equipment has to get across the country to the donbas. there is a number of challenges for the support to flow and whether it will be effective enough. we shall see hard fighting ahead as ukraine tries to hold possession as long as possible. itrefoil possession as long as possible. well that resunply — possession as long as possible. well that resupply be fast enough? in normal times, that resupply be fast enough? in normaltimes, military that resupply be fast enough? in normal times, military would purchase its hardware, the soldiers were trained, but in ukraine's case, supply, were trained, but in ukraine's case, supply, training deployment timetable is accelerated clearly. the question, is it going to be fast enough to make a difference when and where it is needed? that

enough to make a difference when and where it is needed?— where it is needed? that is why ukraine has _ where it is needed? that is why ukraine has been _ where it is needed? that is why ukraine has been shouting - where it is needed? that is why ukraine has been shouting for l ukraine has been shouting for needing heavier weapons. again, the longer they can hold russia and this is where mariupol is a good example of slowing russia, trying out russian forces, causing attrition, using clever tactics to make up for a lack of strength and equipment in numbers. ukraine has done brilliantly well. they will carry on deploying these tactics attacking russian supply lines, russia seems to have learnt some significant lessons from what happened earlier in the conflict in terms of supply. they are fighting closer to their supply base, some units are only 50 miles from the headquarters, and they have got good railway lines running through, they have sorted out electronic warfare, command control is better. they have problems with morale, with ground and terrain being hard to navigate at the moment, and problems with resilience of the ukrainian defence. this could be more evenly balanced than we saw rent kyiv in the

north—east in the earlier days. how north-east in the earlier days. how rotracted north-east in the earlier days. how protracted could _ north-east in the earlier days. how protracted could it _ north—east in the earlier days. how protracted could it be? north-east in the earlier days. how protracted could it be? we - north-east in the earlier days. how protracted could it be? we are - north-east in the earlier days. how protracted could it be? we are now lookin: to protracted could it be? we are now looking to see _ protracted could it be? we are now looking to see whether _ protracted could it be? we are now looking to see whether the - protracted could it be? we are now| looking to see whether the outcome is going to be followed by peace, a pause or protracted conflict. that has been going on since 2014 anyway. we focus on the war in the last 52 days, this is a long—running conflict. i do not think anything short of potentially insignificant russian failure that means they have to accept that they can hold is going to mean the end of the conflict in the short term. there may be a pause as we saw in 2015, frozen front lines, that is why the next couple of weeks are very significant. it will tell us so much about what we will see in the long term. how much of a victory as president putin able to eke out if any at all and what it means for the future of ukraine. this is why both sides regarded as a pivotal period. russia has options to extend the conflict afterwards if it needs to

our wishes, conflict afterwards if it needs to ourwishes, president conflict afterwards if it needs to our wishes, president putin has to deliver the success or he has probably finished in terms of domestic security and he knows that. thank you very much for your thoughts. 0ur correspondent danjohnson is in lviv, in western ukraine, where seven people died yesterday in air strikes. clearly, the people who live there, they had been in relative safety, really disturbed by what happened yesterday and the news from the east, renewed fighting, the second phase of the conflict. what is the message from president zelensky to the people at this point? the president _ the people at this point? the president is _ the people at this point? tuj: president is defiant, he says that his forces are ready for the new offensive. they are reinforced, re—equipped and digging and in the east and determined to stop the russian advance. they will fight for every inch of ukrainian territory. it was underlined yesterday how dangerous the situation is across

the country, there were four air raid alerts in the last 24 hours, attacks on a number of cities. the missile strikes that hit their city ticking civilians lives yesterday showed people how dangerous it can be. people were caught up in the attack who had just arrived as refugees from the east having been told to evacuate in expectation of the content they're intensified. there was a hotel which a missile landed near to had its windows blown out, refugee families staying there, having got off the train from the area is considered to be more dangerous. there were children who were hit by flying glass and had to be treated in hospital. we believe one of those missiles could have been intended for the railway network. that is part of russia's attempt to disrupt the supply of weapons to the forces in the east. lviv has become an important staging post on the supply line for those weapons, ammunition and armour coming in from other countries. that

attack looked to have been unsuccessful, it missed target but caused civilian loss of life instead. everybody here is nervous, is aware of the risk. i spoke to people over the weekend who came into the city from other places, other countries like poland. a mother brought her sons over the borderfor a few days mother brought her sons over the border for a few days to see their dad who had to stay behind. her sons were nervous, she had reassured them that this part of the country will say. she, like everybody else, now knows they are not safe anywhere in ukraine. the russian air strikes can hit at any time. ukraine. the russian air strikes can hit at any time-— hit at any time. thank you very much. the prime minister will face mps later today, for the first time since he was fined for breaking covid lockdown laws. borisjohnson is expected to apologise once again when he addresses the commons this afternoon — but opposition parties insist he misled parliament. here's our political correspondent, nick eardley. this won't be an easy return from the easter

break for boris johnson. he will face mps later after being fined for breaking his own lockdown laws. more than 50 penalties have now been issued for parties in government buildings. the chancellor, rishi sunak, got one, so did the prime minister's wife, carriejohnson. many are expecting more fines to come. in a statement in parliament later, mrjohnson is expected to apologise to mps. he is said to understand the strength of feeling about rule breaking in downing street. but he also wants to move on and focus on other issues, like the war in ukraine and the cost of living squeeze. his critics say he should be resigning for breaking the law. in manchester yesterday, different opinions among voters. i think it should just be left now. yes, he has apologised, he said what he needed to say. just come out with the truth now. just get on with it. if nothing gets done about... obviously, these fines in the past, lyou know, it isjust going to keepl

on going until the next a sort of election, so, i anything they cannot sweep it under the carpet would be good. _ if there are laws that are made for the uk, or people that live in the uk, i feel like it should go across the board. it should notjust be for the common man, it should be for the politicians, as well. the prime minister is also facing claims he misled parliament with comments like this one. there was no party and that no covid rules were broken. opposition parties want an investigation, but downing street sources say mrjohnson always spoke in good faith and he has the backing of cabinet ministers. when the pm spoke at parliament, he did not knowingly appreciate that stepping into the room was going to be something that breached the rules, given that he had been in the room with exactly the same people for official meetings earlier in the day. it was wrong, he's apologised, he has accepted the fixed penalty notice and we move on.

the mood around westminster has changed since rows over parties threatened boris johnson's future. this time, only a few conservative mps have called for him to stand down. but there could be more fines to come and the prime minister can't be certain where this story goes next. nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. 0ur chief political correspondent adam fleming joins us now. what can we expect to day as the prime minister faces mps from both opposition politicians and most crucially, from his own mps? fist opposition politicians and most crucially, from his own mps? at the moment the — crucially, from his own mps? at the moment the prime _ crucially, from his own mps? at the moment the prime minister- crucially, from his own mps? at the moment the prime minister is - crucially, from his own mps? at the | moment the prime minister is facing the cabinet because they are having their first weekly meeting since the easter recess. cabinet ministers are arriving now, downing street is a car park, i imagine if the prime minister addresses partygate with

his immediate colleagues, he will stick to the strict —— script to use last week, he is paying the fine, he broke the rules but he did not do it knowingly. and that is certainly the message that was coming from the northern ireland secretary when he spoke to the media this morning. over the years, actually, ministers of both parties have had fixed penalty notices for various different reasons including speeding which i appreciate is not the same as the covid—19 regulations, but it is fixed penalty notices. what the prime minister has done is he's accepted that, he's acknowledged that, he's apologised for that. we've seen the other party leaders over the last few days being told that they have broken rules and regulations are around covid—19, what our prime minister has done is outlined that he recognised that things at number 10 were not being done in the way the public would have expected them to be done, he has changed the team, he has done what he said he would do on that. he has accepted the fixed penalty notice last week, he has paid that fine, apologise for that and he's getting back to and has been absolutely focused on the issues that are really going to have those long term as well as short term benefits and effects for people across the uk.

they suggest that when he speaks to mps at they suggest that when he speaks to mp5 at 330 they suggest that when he speaks to mps at 330 this afternoon, a lot of what he says will sound familiar. what could be different is what the opposition parties do. we know that labour, the lib dems, the snp and the greens have been looking at the parliamentary rule book to see what tactics they can use to hold the prime minister to account for breaching covid—19 rules and what they see as misleading statements to parliament on earlier appearances. that will be up to the speaker whether something is done and what format it takes. could it be some kind of vote of censure against the prime minister or could he be referred to a parliamentary committee to investigate for example. but the shadow attorney general from example. but the shadow attorney generalfrom labour was candid example. but the shadow attorney general from labour was candid that anything that relied on a vote would be unlikely to get through because of the parliamentary arithmetic. we are looking at various ways in which parliament may be used to hold the prime minister to account. but the fundamental point is this,

is that even if there was a great mechanism for holding the prime minister to account, we _ still need the votes. and the truth is at the last general election, the conservative party won an 80—seat majority, so even if all the opposition stood united on this, the question is, what are the conservative mps going to do? and when it comes to conservative mps, they are still in those three groups that have become familiar. the smallest group, people who have publicly called for the prime minister to resign or do something equally dramatic, the next group as the super loyalists who have made up their minds and sticking with him through thick and thin and the largest group as the conservative mps who are waiting to see what happens, will there be further fines? furtherfixed penalty notices heading to downing street. also, what happens when the report into the whole partygate affair is published, the one that is being conducted by sue gray the senior

civil servant. all of those things will be taken into their calculations. again, today, will be another one of those moments where people will bejudging another one of those moments where people will be judging the tone, the demeanour of the prime minister and the content of what he says. we have been asking you what you think that the prime minister is going to apologise today. whether it be enough for you? they do not come through a filter, i am reading them as they have been sent in. this message says the prime minister's apology will not be enough. he is the first prime minister to have broken the law and should resign immediately. if he does not it shows contempt for the rules and those who follow the rules. another message, borisjohnson is taking us for full, he misled he should resign, the tories are the party of law and order but it does not include the prime minister, he thinks he is

above the law and beyond reproach. another message, i am fed up with the news reporting about parties, it is time for the government concentrated on major issues in the uk and the world and the opposition parties grew up and became effective opposition instead ofjust digging dirt. another message, there were hundreds of key workers who mixed with colleagues every day, it was like a social bubble, we could not mix with families, work was a relief, we could not stay home and stay safe. the prime minister has important edges to deal with. he needs to get on with them. keep sending your thoughts on that on twitter. we would love to read them and read out a few more comments. i'm joined now by kate maltby, political columnist at the i newspaper. i read something you wrote a few days ago, for those people who are

outrage, the outrage comes easy. i guess for people who are outraged, they are surprised that they are not seeing more outrage from conservative politicians. do you think there is going to be any shift today or is it going to be a protracted process?- today or is it going to be a protracted process? this is the bearinnin protracted process? this is the beginning of— protracted process? this is the beginning of a _ protracted process? this is the beginning of a process, - protracted process? this is the beginning of a process, i - protracted process? this is the beginning of a process, i think| protracted process? this is the l beginning of a process, i think if you are looking for dates, the next big one is the 5th of may in a couple of weeks, when the local elections, we begin to see the impact on voters on the doorstep. the important point is when you look at, your correspondent has gone through this, there are two motions, to processes that labour can try to use today to put some pressure on the prime minister, when i say today, it will start today but it could take one week as it is to go through. 0ne could take one week as it is to go through. one is to try and refer the matter to the committee on privileges. the other is to try and force a motion on contempt, trying to get parliament to vote, a majority vote to hold the prime

minister and contempt. the broader problem is notjust the conservative party has a very large majority which makes it unlikely to pass, we are at the point where all political observers would acknowledge, it is not necessarily a party political points, that the existing mechanisms for holding the government to account and the strength of our legislative, house of commons, have been very weakened in recent years. if you want to go to contempt, not many people have pointed out, in early december of 2018, theresa may's government was held in contempt of publishing, they had not published expert opinion provided to the cabinet over brexit. the house of commons had voted to require them to do that, they ignored the vote of the commons, the commons voted to hold them in contempt and that was ignored. the consequence of the photo contempt in 2018 was nothing really immediately except perhaps it was part of the long slow death of

theresa may's government. which is what the labour party is trying to impose on borisjohnson, death by 1000 cuts. this week is about trying to embarrass him. it is highly unlikely any of these procedures will do anything right now. do you think it comes _ will do anything right now. do you think it comes down _ will do anything right now. do you think it comes down to, _ will do anything right now. do you think it comes down to, to - will do anything right now. do you think it comes down to, to bring l will do anything right now. do you j think it comes down to, to bring it back to the local elections, is that going to be a crunch point if the party is punished by the electorate, do you think that is where there may be some change? i guess that is debatable as we heard in the comments i read out, not a scientific poll obviously, slightly more criticising borisjohnson than they were in support of him so far in those comments. clearly, some people think that they are ready to move on and that he should be allowed to get on with governing. yes, you said that was not a scientific poll, but there is a poll which is out today which argues from

focus groups that partygate is no longer the biggest thing, no longer the first thing that voters mention, the first thing that voters mention, the talk about ukraine, the geopolitical situation, when you move the focus group onto partygate, there is strong polling results for there is strong polling results for the prime minister to be punished in some way and more seriously punished than he has been now. i think the elections are really important but what will be difficult and that'll be a way that borisjohnson tries to wriggle out of consequences, if the conservatives do badly, he will argue that these elections, they are not happening everywhere in the country, in some very limited areas which are not reflective of the whole country, i also think it is likely that they will be a low turnout, people not actively coming out to vote against the tories but staying at home. it is hard to argue much from a low turnout result. the elections will be a tricky time, a crunch point but we cannot say for

certain that there will be consequences for boris johnson certain that there will be consequences for borisjohnson in the result. consequences for boris johnson in the result. ~ , ., ~ consequences for boris johnson in the result-— consequences for boris johnson in the result. ~ , ., ~ ., the result. why do you think, it all hinaes on the result. why do you think, it all hinges on what — the result. why do you think, it all hinges on what mps _ the result. why do you think, it all hinges on what mps do, _ the result. why do you think, it all hinges on what mps do, they - the result. why do you think, it all hinges on what mps do, they are l the result. why do you think, it all i hinges on what mps do, they are the people who really hold the power at the moment, why do you think so many of them are either publicly stating their support for him or at least not saying anything which is not favourable?— not saying anything which is not favourable? ., favourable? boris johnson is known to retaliate politically _ favourable? boris johnson is known to retaliate politically against - to retaliate politically against anyone who comes out against him. unable cabinet minister did not support him and ran for election against him, was out of the cabinet for a while, and given a junior minister post. borisjohnson is a person who demands total loyalty, and people are scared for their careers. some mps still think he might be a vote winner, and that is why the local election results will matter because it will be the first test of whether that is true. i think some mps are picking up on

patches of their constituencies that feel this is overblown. i am an opinion columnist, you quoted me earlier, i say to those who are outrage, outreach comes easily and i am outraged, but i am one of those people, i was also arguing that there are a lot of people in this country for whom outrage and virtuous outrage, even if i think it is justified, virtuous outrage, even if i think it isjustified, is very virtuous outrage, even if i think it is justified, is very off—putting and there is a group of people, not and there is a group of people, not a small group of people, both in parliament and amongst the electorate, who are known as angry with boris johnson electorate, who are known as angry with borisjohnson as they are annoyed or frustrated by with borisjohnson as they are annoyed orfrustrated by the hypocrisy or over virtue of those who criticise him. they identify with his rule breaking, and that tendency is something that is actually, that is an electoral energy that boris johnson has actually, that is an electoral energy that borisjohnson has always fed off. there will be people who are put off by the way we are

constantly criticising borisjohnson for what they perceived to be a minor rule breach, i am afraid to say i am happy to make this criticism because i personally think they are fair. criticism because i personally think they are fair-— criticism because i personally think they are fair. thank you very much. the labour— they are fair. thank you very much. the labour leader— they are fair. thank you very much. the labour leader has _ they are fair. thank you very much. the labour leader has been - they are fair. thank you very much. l the labour leader has been speaking to itv this morning. he has accused borisjohnson of using ukraine as a shield to keep hisjob. he added that he found it pretty offensive and he went on to say that boris johnson wealth apologised for his partygate fine this afternoon in the house of commons before making excuses and ministers will, these are the words of the labour leader, will start making fools of themselves defending him, he said, in that interview. it's 100 days to go until the 2022 commonwealth games kicks off in birmingham. it will be the first multi—sport event to be held in front of fans since the coronavirus. 0ur sports correspondent laura scott is at sandwell aquatics centre in birmingham.

100 days to go, a big milestone and i am sure huge excitement there. tit really is. the momentum is building towards the commonwealth games. i am here at the aquatic centre, the only purpose built venue we have had the first swimmers and divers here this morning getting used to the surroundings. as you say, the momentum is building, the countdown is on for the event which begins on the 28th ofjuly. 19 sports across 11 days of competition. it is the bigger power sports programme in the commonwealth games and more medals for women than men. 0ne commonwealth games and more medals for women than men. one of these ports to be taking place is pirate swimming. iamjoined by ports to be taking place is pirate swimming. i am joined by the paralympic champion, and two—time paralympic champion, and two—time paralympic champion, and two—time paralympic champion, you will not actually be competing at the commonwealth games because you have

retired but you are a board member. what do you have these gains achieved? j what do you have these gains achieved?— what do you have these gains achieved? ., , , .. ., achieved? i hope they achieve a lea , achieved? i hope they achieve a legacy. sport — achieved? i hope they achieve a legacy. sport at _ achieved? i hope they achieve a legacy, sport at its _ achieved? i hope they achieve a legacy, sport at its finest, - achieved? i hope they achieve a legacy, sport at its finest, and l legacy, sport at its finest, and like you — legacy, sport at its finest, and like you said, integrated able—bodied and para— sport together, more medal events for women, — together, more medal events for women, seeing sport at its best is a massive _ women, seeing sport at its best is a massive thing. to be here today at the aquatic— massive thing. to be here today at the aquatic centre with 100 days to lo, the aquatic centre with 100 days to go. it_ the aquatic centre with 100 days to go. it is— the aquatic centre with 100 days to go, it is very, very exciting. you are hoping _ go, it is very, very exciting. you are hoping to — go, it is very, very exciting. m, are hoping to compete at the commonwealth games. yourfirst commonwealth games. your first commonwealth games. yourfirst commonwealth games. yourfirst commonwealth games. yourfirst commonwealth games. you have already beenin commonwealth games. you have already been in the swimming pool this morning. i was that? ht been in the swimming pool this morning. i was that?— been in the swimming pool this morning. i was that? it was amazing, and owner to — morning. i was that? it was amazing, and owner to be _ morning. i was that? it was amazing, and owner to be one _ morning. i was that? it was amazing, and owner to be one of _ morning. i was that? it was amazing, and owner to be one of the _ morning. i was that? it was amazing, and owner to be one of the first - and owner to be one of the first people — and owner to be one of the first peopie to — and owner to be one of the first peopie to come _ and owner to be one of the first people to come in _ and owner to be one of the first people to come in the - and owner to be one of the first people to come in the pool. - and owner to be one of the first people to come in the pool. we and owner to be one of the first- people to come in the pool. we were saying _ people to come in the pool. we were saying it _ people to come in the pool. we were saying it was — people to come in the pool. we were saying it was smooth _ people to come in the pool. we were saying it was smooth and _ people to come in the pool. we were saying it was smooth and fast. - people to come in the pool. we were saying it was smooth and fast. it - saying it was smooth and fast. it built_ saying it was smooth and fast. it built the — saying it was smooth and fast. it built the excitement _ saying it was smooth and fast. it built the excitement to - saying it was smooth and fast. it built the excitement to know - saying it was smooth and fast. iti built the excitement to know that these _ built the excitement to know that these swimmers— built the excitement to know that these swimmers and _ built the excitement to know that these swimmers and me - built the excitement to know that these swimmers and me if- built the excitement to know that these swimmers and me if i - built the excitement to know that these swimmers and me if i get i built the excitement to know thatl these swimmers and me if i get to swim _ these swimmers and me if i get to swim in— these swimmers and me if i get to swim in the — these swimmers and me if i get to swim in the swimming _ these swimmers and me if i get to swim in the swimming pool, - these swimmers and me if i get to swim in the swimming pool, it- these swimmers and me if i get to swim in the swimming pool, it will be a really— swim in the swimming pool, it will be a really fast _ swim in the swimming pool, it will be a really fast swim _ swim in the swimming pool, it will be a really fast swim for— swim in the swimming pool, it will. be a really fast swim for swimming. how special—

be a really fast swim for swimming. how special would _ be a really fast swim for swimming. how special would a _ be a really fast swim for swimming. how special would a gold _ be a really fast swim for swimming. how special would a gold medal- be a really fast swim for swimming. | how special would a gold medal be? win really special, para— swimming is onlyjust come onto the commonwealth games, it would be really special to win a medal, and if i get to add it to my collection it would be very memorable. you mention swimming and the introduction to the commonwealth games. where does the commonwealth games. where does the commonwealth games rank in terms of the other multis bought events? fin games rank in terms of the other multis bought events?— games rank in terms of the other multis bought events? on the same level as paralympic. _ multis bought events? on the same level as paralympic. you _ multis bought events? on the same level as paralympic. you are - level as paralympic. you are swimming _ level as paralympic. you are swimming for— level as paralympic. you are swimming foryour- level as paralympic. you are swimming for your home - level as paralympic. you are - swimming for your home country, england. — swimming for your home country, england. i— swimming for your home country, england. i have _ swimming for your home country, england, i have never— swimming for your home country, england, i have never done - swimming for your home country, england, i have never done that. england, i have never done that before — england, i have never done that before it — england, i have never done that before. it will— england, i have never done that before. it will be _ england, i have never done that before. it will be exciting - england, i have never done that before. it will be exciting and i before. it will be exciting and strange — before. it will be exciting and strange because _ before. it will be exciting and strange because some - before. it will be exciting and strange because some of- before. it will be exciting and strange because some of myl strange because some of my team-mates _ strange because some of my team—mates are _ strange because some of my team—mates are scottish, ii strange because some of my. team—mates are scottish, i will strange because some of my- team—mates are scottish, i will be swimming — team—mates are scottish, i will be swimming against— team—mates are scottish, i will be swimming against them. - team—mates are scottish, i will be swimming against them. the - swimming against them. the commonwealth _ swimming against them. the commonwealth games- swimming against them. the commonwealth games is - swimming against them. the commonwealth games is a l swimming against them. the - commonwealth games is a brilliant sport— commonwealth games is a brilliant sport to _ commonwealth games is a brilliant sport to have — commonwealth games is a brilliant sport to have and _ commonwealth games is a brilliant sport to have and it's _ commonwealth games is a brilliant sport to have and it's so _ commonwealth games is a brilliant sport to have and it's so exciting. l both of you are in tokyo where they had a reduction in spectators because of covid, this is the first

paragraph is with fell spectators w at the end of the day in tokyo, you are so focused on swimming so you did not think the crowd make a difference but afterwards, you do, and for me, competing at london 2012, in front of a home crowd, makes a huge difference. you are more nervous _ makes a huge difference. you are more nervous because _ makes a huge difference. you are more nervous because you - makes a huge difference. you are more nervous because you have l makes a huge difference. you are l more nervous because you have got the crowd _ more nervous because you have got the crowd and the home nation sopport— the crowd and the home nation support but also the excitement it gives _ support but also the excitement it gives in— support but also the excitement it gives in the atmosphere as well, like, _ gives in the atmosphere as well, like. tokyo— gives in the atmosphere as well, like, tokyo was phenomenal but also quite quiet. — like, tokyo was phenomenal but also quite quiet, it wasjust like, tokyo was phenomenal but also quite quiet, it was just you like, tokyo was phenomenal but also quite quiet, it wasjust you and your— quite quiet, it wasjust you and your mates, so having the atmosphere and the _ your mates, so having the atmosphere and the home crowd just makes a big difference _ and the home crowd just makes a big difference i— and the home crowd just makes a big difference. lam and the home crowd just makes a big difference. i am excited to be watching _ difference. i am excited to be watching as well as competing and being _ watching as well as competing and being a _ watching as well as competing and being a spectator and watching the likes of— being a spectator and watching the likes of maisie and england and all of the _ likes of maisie and england and all of the other nations doing really well but — of the other nations doing really well but i — of the other nations doing really well but i am sure you are excited. definitely. — well but i am sure you are excited. definitely, yes. pis well but i am sure you are excited. definitely. yes-— definitely, yes. as you say, the countdown _ definitely, yes. as you say, the countdown is _ definitely, yes. as you say, the countdown is very _ definitely, yes. as you say, the countdown is very much - definitely, yes. as you say, the countdown is very much on - definitely, yes. as you say, the countdown is very much on and j definitely, yes. as you say, the - countdown is very much on and the momentum is building towards these games which benefited from £770 million of local government and central government funding. the organisers are hoping it will be the biggest and boldest ever commonwealth games, not long to wait

now. . ~j commonwealth games, not long to wait now. . «j y ., commonwealth games, not long to wait now. . ~ , ., ., ., ., now. thank you, laura, we will have more on the — now. thank you, laura, we will have more on the commonwealth - now. thank you, laura, we will have more on the commonwealth games| more on the commonwealth games throughout the morning and the rest of the day. a million off—peak rail fares are being cut — some by as much as half. the move is an attempt by the government and train operators to get more people travelling. joining me now is our business correspondent ramzan karmali with more on this. how will this work? could one person by multiple tickets or is it one ticket per person? tell us more. from today, you can go online and purchase these tickets but they are only valid for off—peak fares between the 25th of april and the 27th of may but there are some big discounts and the transport secretary grant shapps has called this a unique initiative because it is the first time that a number of operators have got together to put the scheme together. for example, you can go from london to edinburgh off—peak, it would have been £44 and it is now £22. you can travel from wolverhampton to liverpool forjust

wolverhampton to liverpool for just over £5 wolverhampton to liverpool forjust over £5 so there are some big savings but it is only for off—peak fares and not peak fares. the campaign _ fares and not peak fares. the campaign for— fares and not peak fares. the campaign for better transport says this just campaign for better transport says thisjust highlights campaign for better transport says this just highlights people are priced off the railway most of the time in their view and that costs should be cut further and i'm sure a lot of people who travel by train will say, look, rather than lot of people who travel by train will say, look, ratherthan doing lot of people who travel by train will say, look, rather than doing a one—off sale, why not offer us some reductions on a more permanent basis? j . . . reductions on a more permanent basis? j . ., , ., basis? and that argument is also bein: basis? and that argument is also being brought — basis? and that argument is also being brought forward _ basis? and that argument is also being brought forward by - basis? and that argument is also | being brought forward by labour, basis? and that argument is also - being brought forward by labour, who point to the fact that back in 2010, the average season ticket was around just over £1000, the average season ticket was around just over e1000, and today it is over £3000. fare rises, the fare rise announced in march of 3.8% is the highest we have had in england and wales for nine years. there is that, too. the government are saying they are trying to encourage people to get out more and they want to boost uk tourism. they believe that by making people get on the trains,

it will encourage people to travel in a more green way as well. so this is trying to boost that. don't forget, the numbers of people travelling on trains are still far below what it was pre—pandemic and so this is just one initiative to start the ball rolling, to get more people back on the trains.- start the ball rolling, to get more people back on the trains. thank you for “oininr people back on the trains. thank you forjoining us- _ now, the tourism economy. coastal towns were the big winners from the first easter bank holiday weekend without covid restrictions in three years. lots of places with good sunshine as well. 0ur reporter ben boulous is in brighton. there is something to keep everyone entertained in brighton, welcome to the world—famous brighton policy which has been given more than 100 years and in that time, many have come to the city for a seaside break and the fresh sea air. but like so much of uk tourism, it took a battering during the pandemic, the last couple of years, which is why the easter weekend has been such a

crucial time. the easter weekend has been such a crucialtime. let's the easter weekend has been such a crucial time. let's find out how uk tourism did as a whole, with me, than he represents visitor attractions, and tracey represents one of the big hotel chains. firstly, how was the easter weekend for visitor attractions? ht firstly, how was the easter weekend for visitor attractions?— for visitor attractions? it was really good. _ for visitor attractions? it was really good, the _ for visitor attractions? it was really good, the best - for visitor attractions? it was l really good, the best possible for visitor attractions? it was - really good, the best possible start to a spring and summer recovery for uk tourism. the weather really helps, brilliant weather practically all the way across the uk. we saw people coming out and spending in really good numbers.— people coming out and spending in really good numbers. where were the big winners? — really good numbers. where were the big winners? the _ really good numbers. where were the big winners? the big _ really good numbers. where were the big winners? the big winners - really good numbers. where were the big winners? the big winners were . big winners? the big winners were outdoors, places _ big winners? the big winners were outdoors, places like _ big winners? the big winners were outdoors, places like safari - big winners? the big winners were outdoors, places like safari parksl outdoors, places like safari parks and zoos, stately homes and places like that but actually, some people still wanted to go into city centres and museums and galleries because they are less crowded and busy because overseas visitors are not here at the moment. a really good tip if you want to enjoy visitor attractions without crowds, now is that i'm. , attractions without crowds, now is thati'm. , attractions without crowds, now is thati'm. ., that i'm. tracey, your chain of hotels, that i'm. tracey, your chain of hotels. how— that i'm. tracey, your chain of hotels, how has _ that i'm. tracey, your chain of hotels, how has it _ that i'm. tracey, your chain of hotels, how has it been - that i'm. tracey, your chain of hotels, how has it been in - that i'm. tracey, your chain of. hotels, how has it been in terms that i'm. tracey, your chain of- hotels, how has it been in terms of bookings? ht hotels, how has it been in terms of bookinus? . . hotels, how has it been in terms of bookinus? .. . hotels, how has it been in terms of bookinus? ., , . , bookings? it has been really encouraging. _ bookings? it has been really encouraging, great - bookings? it has been really encouraging, great return i bookings? it has been reallyj encouraging, great return to bookings? it has been really - encouraging, great return to the

norm _ encouraging, great return to the norm. brighton is always busy around the school _ norm. brighton is always busy around the school holidays but compared to easter— the school holidays but compared to easter 2019, we were actually 20% up, easter 2019, we were actually 20% up. 26% _ easter 2019, we were actually 20% up. 26% in— easter 2019, we were actually 20% up, 26% in fact, and 36% nationwide. very encouraging in terms of visitor numbers— very encouraging in terms of visitor numbers and guests are really loving being _ numbers and guests are really loving being back— numbers and guests are really loving being back out. how numbers and guests are really loving being back out-— being back out. how are you feeling about the summer, _ being back out. how are you feeling about the summer, it _ being back out. how are you feeling about the summer, it looking? - being back out. how are you feeling i about the summer, it looking? good, seaside locations _ about the summer, it looking? good, seaside locations have _ about the summer, it looking? good, seaside locations have some - about the summer, it looking? good, seaside locations have some good - seaside locations have some good reasons— seaside locations have some good reasons but nationwide, we have some beautiful _ reasons but nationwide, we have some beautiful locations that people are more _ beautiful locations that people are more keen than ever to explore so the summer— more keen than ever to explore so the summer is looking really positive _ the summer is looking really ositive. . 4, the summer is looking really ositive. . ~j , ., the summer is looking really ositive. . ~j ., the summer is looking really ositive. ., ,, ., positive. thank you to you both. if the easter — positive. thank you to you both. if the easter weekend _ positive. thank you to you both. if the easter weekend was _ positive. thank you to you both. if the easter weekend was the - positive. thank you to you both. if - the easter weekend was the beginning of the recovery, the summer is going to be even more crucial, especially as firms have so much to grapple with, staffing issues as well as the cost of living squeeze that we are hearing so much about. from the sea to the swimming pool, let's go back to the sandwell aquatic centre for the countdown to the commonwealth games and the rest of the sports news.

good morning. welcome back to the sandwell aquatic centre which has opened its doors for the very first time today. it's100 days to go until the 2022 commonwealth games kicks off in birmingham. we will see medals won in the pool in the opening day of competition on the 29th ofjuly. being here, you are getting a feeling there's a real buzz starting to build in birmingham and the surrounding areas ahead of the games will stop i have just been assessing what it means to the people and the city as a whole to have a multisport event like this coming to the city and the surrounding area. that is a question i put 25 time paralympic champion ellie simmonds this morning and she told me the aquatic will have a huge benefit on the local community. j benefit on the local community. i think this facility is just incredible and having a chance to have a 50 metre pool every single day, having that practice for getting ready for the olympics and paralympics, it is a huge deal so having a facility like this here is just amazing for the legacy of the

birmingham commonwealth games, and for sandwell and birmingham. the games get under way in 100 days and a bit sooner than that is the big game in the premier league tonight. liverpool against manchester united. the game will go a long way towards determining how both sides' seasons will pan out. liverpool are chasing the premier league title, looking to overhaul manchester city on the table, who they trailed by a single point and manchester united are currently scrambling to finish in the top four and also looking to avenge the 5—0 humiliation at old trafford in october when mo salah scored a hat—trick. will he have his scoring boots on when they meet later? the significance of the clash is not lost on either manager, of course. it's a big game. it's a massive game. the two biggest clubs in the world, i would say. maybe in spain, two will say differently but two of the biggest clubs in the world, for sure. massive history. big fights in the past.

big fights since i am here. and this time, it is an incredibly important game again for both teams. sitting back and hoping, keeping fingers crossed that we are not conceding any goals is not enough against a team like liverpool, so we need to have, as i said, the best possible balance of being defensively organised, but still proactive, aggressive and, whenever there is a chance, to create moments ourselves. a very different story for derby. boss wayne rooney says he hopes their former owner mel morris had a bad night's sleep after their relegation to the third tier was confirmed. the club have been plagued by financial difficulties — and couldn't recover after a points deduction. rooney said the club was left in a complete mess and hopes their relegation plays on morris' mind. fulham, meanwhile, can be promoted if they beat preston later. the sinfield dynasty is continuing at leeds rhinos. jack — son of kevin — made his professional debut in the super league

at the age ofjust 17. there were promising signs but he couldn't prevent the rhinos slipping to a 16—14 defeat. northern ireland's mark allen is the latest player through to the second round of the world snooker championship after victory over scott donaldson. later this morning, neil robertson will bid to join them. he leads qualifier ashley hugill 6—3 overnight. world number one ronnie 0'sullivan could be fined for appearing to make a lewd gesture at the world championship, after failing to pot the black during his match against david gilbert on sunday. 0'sullivan has been referred to a disciplinary committee. former world champion amir khan says he has been robbed at gunpoint while out with his wife in east london. the olympic silver medallist was with wife faryal when his watch was stolen, but said "the main thing is we're both safe." and maybe some good news for english cricket after a diffiuclt winter.

over in india, jos buttler�*s stunning form continues as he smashed a century in the indian premier league — his second in this year's competition — as his rajasthan royals side beat the kolkata knight riders. how the test team could do with some free scoring runs like that! if the countdown to the commonwealth games here in our 100 daytime has whet your appetite, here in our 100 daytime has whet yourappetite, it here in our 100 daytime has whet your appetite, it is worth pointing out that a million tickets have already been sold but they have gone back on sale for all of the events to come, 19 sports being staged in birmingham and the surrounding area across 11 days of action. i think it is fair to say the excitement is certainly starting to build. and a great facility, there. thank you forjoining us. russia's invasion of ukraine has had a devastating impact on the country's children with local authorities saying at least 205 have been killed since

the conflict began. the un also estimates that as many as two thirds of all children in the country have been displaced because of the fighting. yogita limaye has been talking to families who have been caught up in the conflict. the worst moment of a parent's life. a father's final conversation with his boy. a community scattered by war, together in grief, to honour the life of a child they loved. this is yelise's grandmother. he was 13. a month ago, he was killed in firing by russian soldiers, as his family tried to leave their village.

remembered as a humble, helpful boy, who didn't like to fight. and who refused to play aggressive sport. one last time, his mother, ina, tended to her son before they took him away. in moments like these, the senselessness of war is so plain to see. translation: | want the world - to know about the crimes of russia. i want every victim to be counted. russian soldiers had allowed us to leave. they even waved us goodbye. then when we were crossing the field, they started firing at us from every direction. i rescued my younger son by crawling through the field with him. he's the reason i carry on.

he is among 200 children known to have been killed in ukraine, so far. the impact of war on the lives of ukraine's children is evident in the spaces they once occupied. two—thirds have been forced to leave their homes. this school in bucha near kyiv was used as a base by russian soldiers. hundreds of schools and colleges in ukraine have been damaged. many more are empty because people have fled. when you walk through classrooms like this one, there are so many questions that come to mind. what must this place have looked like on any given weekday before life was suddenly interrupted? who were the children that sat here? did they survive?

did their families survive? we followed the story of one student from bucha. ilya now lives in one room of a rundown government building in kyiv, with his whole family. they managed to escape the fighting through a humanitarian corridor that had been opened in march. "it was so hard to get through the nights — we were afraid a shell would hit us at any moment", he said. "even here, i can't escape feeling war is still all around us. i dream about my family being killed, or taken hostage by the russians. i wake up in cold sweat." these children have seen burning buildings, destroyed tanks, and corpses on their way to safety. valentina told us about the difficult conversations they've

been forced to have. translation: i had to make them understand that they lived one life | before, where they had everything. i've had to explain to them now that the time has come for them to grow up. children like yelise didn't have the chance to grow up. and it's farfrom over forfamilies in ukraine. every day, thousands of young lives are at risk. yogita limaye, bbc news. i look at some of the day's of the main news now. the manchester united footballer cristiano ronaldo has announced the death of his baby boy. in a statement posted on social media, the footballer and his partner georgina rodriguez, who were expecting twins, said it was the "greatest pain that any parents can feel".

they said the birth of their baby daughter gave them "the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness". a new study suggests that excess weight significantly increases a woman's risk of developing womb cancer. researchers at the university of bristol analysed genetic samples from 120,000 women in seven countries, including the uk. they found that the risk of developing womb cancer rose by 88% for every five extra units of bmi — or body mass index. a normal bmi is up to 25. above 30 is classed as obese. civil servants are being ordered back to the office after covid home—working. the minister for government efficiency, jacob rees—mogg, has written to all secretaries of state — saying they must send a "clear message" that it's time to end the work from home culture. according to official figures, the department for education had the lowest number of staff back in the office in the first week of april — at 25%.

in the united states, a federaljudge in florida has voided a national mask mandate, covering planes and other public transport, ruling that the covid—19 mitigation measure exceeds the authority of federal health officials. the mask mandate was recently extended by the cdc until may 3rd. here's our north america correspondent peter bowes. this mandate has been enforced since just afterjoe biden took office, february of last year. it has been extended several times, most recentlyjust a couple of weeks ago, extended for about two weeks, over concerns about the rise of the 0micron variant and the fact that around the united states, the number of new infections is rising, not huge numbers, but raising concern amongst health officials that this mandate, as it applies to public transport, should at least be extended for a while, to protect people and to prevent the further spread of the virus. but thejudge in florida does not agree with that.

in fact, this is a judge who was appointed by the former president donald trump, and she has decided that health officials in effect overstepped their legal authority, their legal powers, by introducing this mandate in the first place, so it comes to an end. now, the white house says it is disappointed. the official advice from health officials is that people should in fact continue to wear face coverings when using public transport, but significantly, the administration saying now that this mandate will not be enforced. after 70 years of service, this year is a milestone in the queen's long reign — her platinumjubilee. to mark the occasion, our reporterjohn maguire has been speaking to some of the people who've had the opportunity to meet her majesty over the decades, including our very own carol kirkwood. allow me to introduce yvonne, jacquie, ann, and carol.

ten years ago, during the diamond jubilee, carol was invited to speak at the sandringham women's institute, and in attendance would be its president — her majesty the queen. i can't believe it's been ten years since that day. where has the time gone?! i don't know, carol. we're absolutely delighted to see you again, it really is lovely — and in the platinum jubilee year, as well. i mean, it's fantastic that you could get here. queen mary set up the wi here more than 100 years ago. since then, the sandringham branch has boasted a royal presidential lineage. she actually became a member in her own right in 1943, and princess margaret came along, as well — and queen mary. i mean, they all used to come, when you read back in the minutes. and so we were pleasantly surprised when she agreed to take it on. carol was asked to speak about her life and career for a strict 20 minutes — during which she told her audience they could ask questions

whenever they liked. and i did not expect the queen to be asking me questions, and one of them was about wearing green on television, and why she couldn't do it. and, of course, it's because if you're standing in front of a green screen and you're wearing green, all you'll see is your head and your hands. it's a very good way of making yourself look very thin! laughter. i'm doing it tomorrow, actually! during her talk, carol wanted to relay a funny story about the dangers faced by colleagues in the early days of television weather presenting. she checked with the palace beforehand, and it was a story that saw eyebrows raise, jaws drop — but one in the audience was very much amused. and it was about a weatherman from many years ago, in the days when they used magnetic boards to display the weather, and it had the symbols and it also had individual letters for ice and forfog. so as he was doing this live

on television, he got to tonight, when we were expecting some fog, and he noticed the f had slipped off and he said, "sorry about the f in fog." laughter. and two of the ladies gasped and i thought, "what have i said? !" but then the queen was laughing so much, it was ok — in fact, she was laughing so much she dropped her glasses case on the floor. the queen is widely renowned for putting people at their ease, and it's just as well. the very first time i had to take the meeting, i had 15 minutes' notice. and i'd met the queen several times, but even so i was absolutely a nervous wreck! forjacquie, a baptism of fire — asked tojudge pictures of horses in a competition, she failed to spot a crucial detail. one of the embroideries - was a picture of the queen's horse in the queen's colours, but i didn't — obviously| didn't know anything _ about horse racing at the time, and didn't choose that one as first, but... . laughter. and you have to remember who you're

talking to after a while... yes, yeah. ..because she'll chat to you as if you're almost her next—door neighbour, you know? and you think, "gosh, this is the queen of england!" and that's a view shared by ian shearman, an artist from gloucestershire whose sculpture of the renowned horse breeder peter burrell was unveiled by the queen in newmarket in 1996. i don't know what you expect, but she isn't anything like that. she's...like you're talking to your grandmother, or you're talking to somebody in the street. she's very easy to... yes, to be around. she's remarkable, a most impressive character. one of the most memorable moments came due to a wardrobe malfunction, when they realised their eight—year—old son tom was still wearing his favourite slippers. well, i'd forgotten to put any other shoes in, - and he was standing in line, - not bothered by his thunderbird slippers, and the queen came down the line, looked at him, _ shook his hand.

she always notices everything, apparently, about people — - has this thing ofjust noticing, and putting people at ease. . and she leant towards him and she said, "i watch - thunderbirds, too." and that was it! he shook her hand. and he said to me the other day, |it's one of his fondest memoriesj and he'll never forget it. nice lady. a simple act of kindness and humour that made a special day very special. an audience with her majesty the queen — no matter how brief — lives long in the memory. john maguire, bbc news. just time to bring you some of the tweets you have been sending in response to the question, if the prime minister apologises for the fine over the party in downing street, is that enough for you? this one says, it is now absolutely clear the law was broken, we need a new

government with a clean slate to glow forward otherwise the stage will always hang in the air over this current government. —— to go forward. this is from ray while i was fighting for my life among thousands of others, he was parting at number 10, thousands of others, he was parting at number10, no, he and his minions should go now but he is the labour party's secret weapon and the ballot box next month will convince the rest of his body to rid themselves of the liability, as rachel is the prime minister. this from may, an apology is not enough, people sacrificed so much and the rules were everywhere, a pm who does not follow the rules implemented by the government tarnishes the office of pm and our trust in the government. now it's time for a look at the weather, and here is carol live. lovely to see when that report. thank you, and it was such a pleasure to meet her majesty, what a lovely lady she is, i could not agree more with that statement. the weather today is too bad either. some areas of cloud, some sunshine and a few showers and as we go through the rest of the week, still

a lot of dry weather, some isolated showers but turning cooler along the east coast as we drag in more of an easterly breeze and an easterly wind. at the moment, whetherfront across western scotland and northern ireland introducing showery rain, has been raining for much of the morning on and off and you can see one or two showers across south wales and south—west england, not far from the channel islands and we have seen of the morning on and off and you can see one or two showers across south wales and south—west england, not far from the channel islands and we have seen a few across eastern england. today, a bit more a bit more cloud bubbling up and get a few more showers develop. in between, some sunshine. some of them could be heavy and also country. temperatures 10—16 degrees but not as windy across the north west as yesterday. if you have an allergy to tree pollen, levels are high today across east anglia and also the south—east. into the evening and overnight, many of the showers will fade and we will hang on to a fair bit of cloud. under clear skies in scotland and northern

ireland, that mist and fog forming and in the countryside we could see temperatures falter freezing orjust temperatures falter freezing or just below temperatures falter freezing orjust below so there may well be the odd spot of frost first thing in the morning. a chilly night more or less across the board as well. as we head into wednesday, this easterly breeze will be developing, that we start off with some clout in the east, drifting towards the west through the day with a few showers in the west and a weather front trying to come in across northern ireland will introduce a bit more cloud into the west. degrees but don't forget with the onshore breeze in the east, it will feel a bit cooler. —— temperatures 9—18 . the fronts trying to get into the west think south with this area of low pressure but look at the wind direction coming from the east, it is a chilly direction and quite a brisk wind as we head through the next few days. on thursday itself, an easterly breeze, a lot of dry weather, you might catch the odd shower but nothing more than that so down in the south—west, parts of wales,

temperatures up to about 17 degrees. 0n temperatures up to about 17 degrees. on friday, more of a brisk breeze across the whole of the uk. again, blowing in all of this cloud. the west will see the highest temperatures but still, we will see some sunshine and we are looking at temperatures between nine and 17.

this is bbc news —— these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. ukraine says russia's large—scale offensive on the donbas has begun — but president zelensky remains defiant. no matter how many of the russian troops are driven there, we will be fighting, we will defend ourselves. russia says artillery and missile forces struck more than a thousand targets in ukraine overnight, downing a ukrainian mig fighterjet. uk prime minister borisjohnson faces mps today for the first time since he was fined for attending a birthday party during lockdown. so borisjohnson's expected to apologise today. is that enough for you? 0rare you still making up your minds? we'd like to hear from you, do get in touch at @annitabbc using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions