so yes, a huge, huge event for the region. really special. i mean, as paraswimming's onlyjust kind of coming - on to the commonwealth games, i think it will be really special - to a paraswimmer with the medals. so, yeah, it will be incredible, and hopefully if i get one, - to add it to my collection as well, it will be, yeah, so memorable. l we have had no events, let alone in this country, so — i think we've had a couple of national championships since then, but it's not been the same where people can come into the stands and, you know, cheer us on, so it will be amazing. obviously we have the temporary seating here, it looks like we can fit a lot of people in here, so i'm sure the atmosphere is going to be amazing, and i think we are just looking forward to a good summer of sport. it will be the most expensive sports event _ it will be the most expensive sports event in _ it will be the most expensive sports event in the uk since london 2012. it is hoped — event in the uk since london 2012. it is hoped it will generate the same — it is hoped it will generate the same kind of buzz that that did but it is competing with a lot of major sports _ it is competing with a lot of major sports events this year, the commonwealth games under pressure to

engage _ commonwealth games under pressure to engage a _ commonwealth games under pressure to engage a young, diverse audience, but the _ engage a young, diverse audience, but the organisers have big, bold plans— but the organisers have big, bold plans for— but the organisers have big, bold plans for it — but the organisers have big, bold plans for it this year and, with the countdown, — plans for it this year and, with the countdown, 100 days to go, the momentum will only build from here. thanks— momentum will only build from here. thanks very— momentum will only build from here. thanks very much, laura scott, thank you. time for a look at the weather. here's chris fawkes. today we have had some pretty rare wave cloud spotted over derbyshire. these are caused by the wind flowing more quickly on the top of the clouds than on the bottom. they look like waves breaking on a beach. today broadly speaking is a day of sunshine and showers. the tail end of weather fronts affecting northern ireland in particular. that is bringing some heavy rain particularly across western counties. so it will stay wet through the afternoon. some of that rain skirting into western scotland. never mind, it is a day of sunny spells and showers. some areas more prone to seeing downpours than others today. for example, across the south midlands and central and

england with the winds converging together that gives you a higher chance of big downpours across this area. we also have a convergence caused by the sea breeze kind of hitting the prevailing winds as well so when or two heavy showers there, as well. east anglia and the south—east should stay dry with spells of sunshine, and where the sun is out it will not do too bad at all with a bit of strength in that a full sun. overnight, showers paid and under clearing skies, it will be cold enough for a little bit of frost in some areas. tomorrow, a similar day, a day of sunny spells and showers, then over the next few days, the rest of the week, this area of high pressure dominates further north, with some tight isobars across the uk and we will notice the wind is beginning to pick up. we are starting to put on more of an easterly breeze on wednesday, a sunny but chilly start, most of those shadows will be across wales and western england. warm for most of the pies between 14—18 celsius

and as the winds pick up further on thursday we'll start to see temperatures dropping away back the weather should be dry at this stage though, for thursday, eastern coastal areas, though, for thursday, eastern coastalareas, round though, for thursday, eastern coastal areas, round about ia celsius, the highest temperatures away from the chilly north sea at around 17 celsius. friday, the winds increasing further and across north sea coast, temperatures being pegged back to around 12 celsius also, feeling cooler in the wind. again high temperatures further west, but even here, you will notice things starting to cool off. the weekend isn't entirely a done deal. you may start to see some rain moving in from either the south of the east. we will be keeping a close eye on developments there, but that is how things are looking, jane. developments there, but that is how things are looking, jane._ things are looking, jane. thank you, chris. that's all from the bbc news at one — so it's goodbye from me —

and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s good afternoon. it's 1.30pm and here's your latest sports news. manchester united have confirmed that cristiano ronaldo will not feature in tonight's premier league clash with liverpool following the death of his baby son. ronaldo and partner georgina rodriguez announced the sad news on social media last night, saying it is the "greatest pain that any parents can feel". in a statement, the club has said that, "family is more important than everything and ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time". it's understood there will be a minute's applause staged by the fans for ronaldo and his family at anfield this evening, during what is a hugely significant game for both sides. while liveprool look to return to the top of the table,

united are still hoping to make the top four and looking to avenge that 5—0 humiliation at old trafford back in october when mo salah scored a hattrick. the significance of the clash isn't lost on either manager. 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.

the scottish premiership is to introduce var as clubs overwhelmingly voted to implement the technology next season. it is understood, out of a2 clubs, only one was opposed. the vote means it will be installed at every premiership ground over the coming months, with a full launch expected following the conclusion of the world cup in december. meanwhile, hibs have sacked manager shaun maloneyjust four months after he took charge. it comes just a few days after they were beaten by their bitter edinburgh rivals hearts for the second weekend in a row, this time in the scottish cup semifinals. maloney was only appointed in december with hibs down in seventh in the table and without a league win since february. tournament favourite neil robertson is comfortably through to the second round of the world snooker championship after beating debutant ashley hughgill. the australian trailed 3—1, but hit back in devastating fashion as a run of eight frames in a row helped him to a comfortable 10—5 victory.

he faces jack lisowski or matthew stevens in the next round. the afternoon session continues at 2.30pm this afternoon. dillian whyte has decided to skip today's open workout ahead of his highly—anticipated world heavyweight title fight with tyson fury on saturday. this was set to be the first time fury and whyte had been in the same room since the all—british wbc title fight was announced. whyte also missed he unveiling press conference in march. former tennis world number one ashleigh barty has fuelled speculation she may attempt a top—level career in a third sport by signing up to for a golf exhibition. the aussie announced her shock retirement from tennis in march aged just 25. she is a keen amateur golfer with a reported handicap of four. she will play in the icon series injuly, alongside manchester city boss pep guardiola and olympic champion swimmer michael phelps. barty had previously turned her hand

to professional cricket, playing in the women's big bash league in 2015. i'll have more for you in the next hour. let's get ore now on ukraine and the new russian offensive focussing on the east of the country. earlier today my colleague joanna gosling spoke with phillips o'brien, who previously ran the scottish centre of war studies and is now a professor of strategic studies at the university of st andrews. she asked him about the impact of fighting on ukranians in the donbas region. i mean, it's a fascinating region, because it has been the heart of what had previously been talked about as russian speaking ukraine, and it was the industrial heartland as

well, so a territory of some economic and cultural value. identity in ukraine, that there is no sign now that the ukrainians, even the russian speaking ukrainians in the donbas wish to be part of putin's russia. it's just changed the situation, so it is one historically you would say russia would have had some interest in, but ite doesn't seem to be any indication now that donbas wishes to be russian, and if the russians take it, the great problem they will have is holding it, because they will be taking a territory that wishes to be and is ukrainian. and does it mean then, that all the focus will go to that region and the rest of ukraine is effectively left? if i could slightly quibble with the way the earlier reported, think about what we are saying, the russians are trying to attack over a 300 mile front, with not that many forces,

they might not have them to take the donbas. we talk about heavy large russian force, pentagon estimates last night were that russia has 76 battalion tactical groups in ukraine, so that is around 70,000 plus forces. if you take away the troops attacking mariupol they may i know it likes to be one we talk be have 60,000 forces, a little over 60,000 for all of ukraine to attack over 300 miles. maybe they can take more territory and break through, but if the ukrainian resistance stays as smart as well supported as it is, the russians are really at present in a very difficult situation, they can take but it is very hard to hold, and that is why the stress should be on getting ukraine what it needs, to really beat this force off. it is not as large as i think we think it is. and, when you talk about beating the force off, there has been

obviously conflict in this region, for eight years. yes. are you talking about completely repelling the russians from that area, would that be possible, what sort of support would ukraine need, what are you thinking? well, what it is, is, sort of get the russian army that is there and cause such attritional battle losses, that it becomes a combat ineffective force and that ultimately the war reaches negotiated settlement, or the russians have to make a very difficult choice about whether they want to build up a new army and continue for a long war, that is ultimately going to be russia's choice, what ukraine wants to do now, which is exactly what it did round kyiv, is to waste russian forces to such a degree they become difficult to maintain operations, and with the russian army at this size, that is a distinct possibility, if ukraine is given the kind of help it is asking for.

a family whose son was knocked down by a driver who was under the influence of drugs are speaking out about what happened to highlight the dangers of drug driving. eight—year—old noah was out on a bike ride with his dad when he was hit by a car going 60mph. he suffered serious injuries including a bleed on the brain before making a full recovery. a warning — you may find parts of fiona trott�*s report distressing. pick a line, good lad. you go first. a father teaching his son how to be safe on the road. this is a bike lane. where? this red one here. then, a moment that changes their lives for ever. noah, noah! noah herring has been hit by a car at 60 mph.

noah, sit down, don't move! don't move, noah. this is the video his family want you to watch. please, ambulance, please! he's in a lot of pain, he's in a really bad way. a car has crashed into us. noah, just stay with me, noah. i'm going to the cinema. today, the eight—year—old is back in the park they were cycling to that morning. it's something his dad never thought he would see. what do you think about drugs and people who take drugs when they are driving? that it's naughty. and it's not good. because people might die from it, because they might crash into other people. you were really brave, you know, noah, when that happened to you. do you think you are brave? yes. james is putting on a brave face.

he is still coming to terms with what happened. just a big explosion. and then... a couple of seconds went by. i couldn't see noah. and that is when i went over to him and i saw him and i thought that was going to be the last time i was going to see my son. and i wasn't ready for that. he was broken and i couldn't fix him. something just inside kicked in and ijust did everything i could for him. i am arresting you on suspicion of driving whilst over— the prescribed drug limit. harry summersgill had taken cocaine, ketamine and cannabis when he hit noah. he was jailed for three years. he had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs twice before. but, in the weeks it takes for drug test results to come back, motorists

like him can continue driving. james says that needs to change. magistrates, they willjust get a piece of paper telling what the person has done and hasn't done. whereas police see this day in, day out. i think if the police had more power to do something about it on the spot, revoke that licence or suspend that licence, i think that is the fastest way to do things. in the meantime, the government has launched a consultation on whether high—risk offenders should take a rehabilitation course before they can get their licence back. i definitely think it is a step in the right direction. drug—driving ruins lives. for me, i believe the more information, help and support out there, the more chance we have to stop drug—drivers. this is the victim impact statement i read out in court. "this is not a simple accident.

the biggest question i ask myself is, how can i protect my son from someone like you? i live by the fact that noah is still with us, by some miracle. i hope your punishment will affect your life as you have affected mine. you may not have taken my life that day, but you have taken my spirit." how do you feel when you read it out now, do you feel you have been able to move on from that? yeah, i definitely feel... people around me have helped me through the situation. yeah. look up to the sky. got your brakes covered? good lad. as a family, what does the future hold for you guys? a lot more bike riding, hopefully. cycling is a massive part of my life and, hopefully, it will be a big part of noah's. noah is my hero. no kid should go through what he went through,

but he went through it. and he's had a lot of support and he's supported us and he's back to being a happy little child again. fiona trott, bbc news, teesside. a new study suggests that being overweight 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. they say the levels of two hormones, insulin and testosterone, both influenced by weight gain, increased the likelihood of a diagnosis.

the commonwealth games are 100 days away and, although they are based in birmingham, they also use locations in coventry, warwickshire and staffordshire too. it's meant one of the greatest challenges west midlands police have faced, with security planning, using drones and dogs taking place for the last five years. joanne writtle has been taking a look at some of the work going on. this is the biggest operation west midlands police have everfaced. at points will have over 3,000 officers on the ground. police from across the country will be drafted in during the games to help coordinate this mammoth event. drones are part of the security operation, but there will be a strict ban for private operators. there is an emerging threat from drones. it has played out most recently at football grounds where drones have appeared over sporting events. that will not happen and cannot happen during the games, just because of the threat and risk

that surrounds that activity. the key message during games time is, both across the west midlands region, particularly within birmingham, there is a no—fly zone. drones are not welcome in the skies of birmingham and we have got assets that will ensure that drones will not fly during the games. in 2018, west midlands chief constable dave thompson went to the commonwealth games in australia on a fact—finding mission about security. everybody's come here to have a great time, haven't they? but we also live in a world where we know there are global threats that we face so it's really important when we host the games in birmingham people want to come, want to enjoy it, have a fantastic time, feel secure but not feel security is too intrusive. 100 police and staff and dogs have been planning for the games in birmingham since 2017. today, dogs are on a practice round. minnie is amongst 55 police dogs being deployed to the games,

sweeping venues like this are ahead of events. the arena here will be home to rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. a0 of the dogs will be from elsewhere in the country and officers say this four—legged squad play a crucial role in security searches. spectators will largely be unaware of the major security operation behind—the—scenes, but for police and canines, the work will be constant. a promising motocross rider from selby is battling to maintain her racing ambitions, after bikes were stolen from her family home. lexi is just 11—years—old and is being tipped for a big future in motocross, which is enjoying a surge in popularity amongst female competitors. paul ogden reports. a spectacular way to start the easter school holidays, especially if you are already a dirt—biking fanatic, like lexi.

this week, near knottingley, lexi and friends enjoyed full throttle practice circuits with a bonus, a masterclass from doncaster�*s decorated professional lauren—may collingwood, exclusively for girls that moto. when i were young, women's world championships wasn't really even a thing. you never really saw women race motocross, so my aim was if girls can see me do it now, maybe i'd inspire the younger generation to come and start, or ride a bit more, and that's what i'm hoping to do. so maybe they have seen me at the level i'm racing and thought, "do you know what? i want a bit of that." it's such a family—orientated sport. the people you meet are amazing. the ambition, the dedication that the riders have to the sport is unreal. it's dangerous but if you do it right then it's just really fun and, yeah, i enjoy it a lot. the best thing is all the people you meet. the worst is probably the crashes and how expensive it is.

by the way, who cleans your bikes? my grandad does. sometimes i help but not very often. lexi's motocross ambitions have hit an obstacle after this burglary, caught on security cameras, during which her two most cherished but uninsured bikes were stolen. while a police investigation continues to try and catch the thieves, her friends and family are doing what they can for now. we've borrowed two bikes in two meetings, but i can't keep doing that because they ride and when they ride their bikes, we haven't got a bike. but obviously like i've said to you, i'm six grand in debt with the bikes that i've got already, i can't do with borrowing even more money. hopefully we either get her bikes back or in some way we sort her another bike out, because she is not one of them riders where i'd want her to quit, because obviously a lot of kids would get disheartened by what has happened and i know obviously lexi was.

when i sort out a british championship for myself, hopefully we can get the rest of them involved as well. and if lexi and family can source a new bike for her, she'll have her sights set on becoming the new female british motocross champion one day. growing daffodils for their medicinal properties could be an opportunity for the nation's farming industry, according to a prominent pharmacist in wales. sir rogerjones said more of the plants are needed to satisfy demand from the pharmaceutical industry. the firm he chairs has used them to treat alzheimer's disease, and is now expanding to produce an over the counter supplement. steffan messenger reports. a sea of daffodils at fedw lydan farm. they have been growing wales' national flower here high up in the black mountains of powys for more than a decade. it is really cheering to look at the bright smiling daffodils

but also to realise that what we are doing here will make such a difference to many thousands of people. that is because kevin harvests a chemical from these flowers called galantamine, an approved treatment for alzheimer's disease. there is enough in these fields to help 9,000 patients per year. but now, the business is trying to expand, joining forces with a canadian firm to manufacture a brain health supplement for sale in pharmacies. it means they will eventually need many more daffodils and are keen to work with other farms across the welsh uplands. as this scales up, we will see daffodils across the tops of many of the upland areas of wales. we are focusing on grower clusters, if we can. the company's chairman is one of wales' most eminent pharmacists. he sees a big opportunity here for welsh agriculture at a time of upheaval for the industry, as the subsidy payments farmers rely on our undergoing a major review.

we have found a way of growing the daffodils and extracting galantamine from them. it is a very cost efficient way. and this means there is more money in the pot to share with farmers who want to grow daffodils with us. what makes this an appealing prospect for welsh farmers is the conditions here high up on the hillside have been shown to be idealfor growing daffodils for this particular pharmaceutical purpose and they also don't have to set fields aside. sheep can still graze here. it is just that for a few weeks a year, they are doing so in stunning surroundings. but the organisation which helps farmers diversify has wise advice. i think every farmer needs to look at the location on the farm, - their assets, the team they have got available, as far as staff, _ family members, you have to look at the financial aspect of it - and this is where - farming connect can help. it is hoped the new brain health pill made with welsh daffs could be available by next spring,

leading eventually perhaps to more splashes of yellow like this across the hills of wales. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. as we go through the next few days, there's going to be an east—west split in terms of temperatures, with the east pulling in an easterly breeze, so here, it will be cooler than in the west. but there will be plenty of dry weather after today, with just the odd isolated showers. you will notice i keep saying after today because we are looking at quite a few showers today, and we have got this weak weather front moving across north—west scotland, getting into northern ireland, also bringing some showers with it. at times, there will be large areas of cloud across parts of england and also wales. showers developing further

through the afternoon. some could be heavy and thundery. but in between them, we should see some sunshine and we will still have our weather front drifting a little bit further south across western scotland and northern ireland. here, it is not going to be as windy as it was yesterday. as we head on through the evening and overnight, there will still be areas of cloud but many of the showers will fade. under clear skies in scotland and northern ireland, we will see some patchy mist and fog form. and here too, in sheltered glens and rural areas, it could well turn out to be cold enough just for a touch of frost. but we're also looking at some sunny skies first thing the morning. with the breeze coming in along the east coast, the cloud that starts off in the east drifting over towards the west through the day, with a few showers. thicker cloud coming into the west of northern ireland, and these are our temperatures. 9—18 degrees but always feeling cooler along the north sea coastline in the breeze. as we move on into thursday, the fronts coming into northern ireland, or trying to, don't succeed. they are connected to this area of low pressure which pushes away. note the wind direction.

it is coming in from the east and quite a brisk wind as we head on through the latter part of the week. so during the course of thursday, we still have this onshore breeze so it is still going to feel cool along the north sea coastline. quite a brisk breeze inland. thursday looking largely dry. once again, areas of cloud floating around but some sunshine, with temperatures nine to about 17 degrees. into friday, a very similar story in that it is going to be largely dry. we still have this brisk breeze, particularly along the north sea coastline, but you can see it right the way across the land, and areas of cloud with some sunshine. the highest temperatures tending to be out towards the south—west. cardiff looking at about 17 degrees. then, as we head to the latter part of their weekend, we are looking at a few showers in the south but still quite a bit of cloud around at times.

this is bbc news. the headlines: moscow says it has struck more than 1000 military targets in eastern ukraine — and releases these images of its fighter jets over the country. borisjohnson is expected to apologise to mp5 this afternoon — at his first appearance in the commons since being fined for breaking lockdown laws. new research from the international monetary fund warns that the war in ukraine will "severely set back" the global economic recovery from the covid pandemic.