we will have the headlines at the top of the hour, as newsday continues after hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk from bratislava, and stephen sakho. slovakia is a front—line state, currently hosting tens of thousands of ukrainian refugees and funnelling weapons to kyiv. now, vladimir putin has warned

that outside interference could be met by lightning retaliation. my guest is slovakia's prime minister, eduard heger. so, how much risk is slovakia prepared to take? prime minister eduard heger, welcome. . ~ prime minister eduard heger, welcome. ., ~ , ., , . welcome. thank you very much for the invitation. _ welcome. thank you very much for the invitation. here - welcome. thank you very much for the invitation. here we - welcome. thank you very much for the invitation. here we are l for the invitation. here we are in bratislava. _ for the invitation. here we are in bratislava. slovakia - for the invitation. here we are in bratislava. slovakia is- for the invitation. here we are in bratislava. slovakia is on i in bratislava. slovakia is on the front lines of this ukraine war. you share a land border. you have taken tens of thousands of refugees. you are funnelling arms into ukraine for the kyiv government. do you feel that, as this war continues week by week, month by month, that the danger for your country increases?

actually, i think it is decreasing, because of the bravery of the ukrainian people. because they have been really showing us such an example of bravery. they are fighting for our values and we as neighbours, we know that, if they would fail, we would be next, we understand it very much. so, we are very thankful for theirfight. we don't much. so, we are very thankful for their fight. we don't look at them just as our neighbours, but they are actually are friends, and they are co—fighters for the values of freedom and democracy. they have to shed their blood, we never had the need for it, but we support them because we understand, that is why we will be supporting them as much we can because we believe in freedom. can because we believe in freedom-— can because we believe in freedom. ~ . ~ ., freedom. when i talk about dancer freedom. when i talk about danger for _ freedom. when i talk about danger for you, _ freedom. when i talk about danger for you, i _ freedom. when i talk about danger for you, i don't - freedom. when i talk about danger for you, i don't just | danger for you, i don't just mean dangerfor you, i don'tjust mean military danger but economic danger. you, right now, face an extraordinary, pressing, economic challenge and it is to do with energy, to

do with your massive dependence on russian gas.— on russian gas. that's very true. on russian gas. that's very true- are — on russian gas. that's very true. are you _ on russian gas. that's very true. are you ready - on russian gas. that's very true. are you ready to - on russian gas. that's very| true. are you ready to stop, riaht true. are you ready to stop, right now. _ true. are you ready to stop, right now, consuming - true. are you ready to stop, l right now, consuming russian oil and gas?— oil and gas? now, we are not read , oil and gas? now, we are not ready, because _ oil and gas? now, we are not ready, because the _ oil and gas? now, we are not ready, because the previous. ready, because the previous governments unfortunately and i think it is the problem of the whole of europe, and it is so, i'm so disappointed that we were neglecting the threat of putin for many years, and now we have a strong wake—up call by him attacking ukraine in a brutal way, by him attacking ukraine in a brutalway, innocent by him attacking ukraine in a brutal way, innocent people, they are soldiers raping young kids, young women. i was in bucha, in kyiv, and what i saw, it was horrible, it was really horrible. it is brutal what they are doing there. you are prime minister. _ they are doing there. you are prime minister. i— they are doing there. you are | prime minister. i understand, you recognise what is

happening, and yet your government is, today, as we speak, financing putin's war machine, 85% of your glass comes from russia. i machine, 85% of your glass comes from russia.- machine, 85% of your glass comes from russia. i am fully aware of _ comes from russia. i am fully aware of it — comes from russia. i am fully aware of it and _ comes from russia. i am fully aware of it and i _ comes from russia. i am fully aware of it and i am _ comes from russia. i am fully aware of it and i am so - comes from russia. i am fully aware of it and i am so sorry i aware of it and i am so sorry for it and that is why the second part of the answer that i want to give you is that we are doing everything possible to disconnect as as soon as possible from the russian gas and russian oil. as i've said, we are now building and it is in the final stage, an interconnector between poland and slovakia. we are in very strong negotiations with poland, they are one of our closest neighbours of course, and friend and ally in this case, because we need an alternative and that is going to be the most likely way that we could bring it through their sea into slovakia but for this moment we are landlocked. that is why we are so strong advocates for unity and solidarity.— advocates for unity and solidari .�* ., solidarity. are you as strong on principle? _ solidarity. are you as strong on principle? because - solidarity. are you as strong on principle? because we i solidarity. are you as strong i on principle? because we have

seen poland and bulgaria categorically state, we will not accede to russia's demands that we, in future, pay for our gas in roubles. and, as a result, as ofjust a day or two ago, russia has stopped all gas supplies to those two countries, would you, he went there with me say that we, and slovakia will not bow to russia's demand that we pay roubles? i russia's demand that we pay roubles? .. ., , russia's demand that we pay roubles? ., , ., ., roubles? i will actually add to it, that the — roubles? i will actually add to it, that the initiative - roubles? i will actually add to it, that the initiative that - roubles? i will actually add to it, that the initiative that he l it, that the initiative that he will play in euros was made by slovakia. where it was that friday when we called all of the countries and said that we need to stay united, and we need to stay united, and we need to stay the payments with euros, so it was us who initiated it and i am so glad and for us, is a landlocked country, so dependent, because you must understand now the pipes from russia go to slovakia then go to western countries. foryears, decades,

countries. for years, decades, we countries. foryears, decades, we were responsible and reliable partner in delivering the gas to the other countries. that is what we need now, if the flow turns, we have got to be at the end and we say, you need to deliver to us enough gas from the other lines, the other streams, and that is why we say for this to happen, we need to be united and we need to show solidarity to each other. i to show solidarity to each other. ., , , , to show solidarity to each other. ., , ,, ,, other. i need to pressure you more on this payment mechanism. it is notjust more on this payment mechanism. it is not just about saying that he will not give russia roubles, there is a financial run around which it seems clear some big european energy companies and indeed nations like hungary are prepared to indulge in, to play�*s —— to play russia's game, they will put money in euros into a russian bank account but at the same time or set up an account in roubles and have the money converted and the roubles will then be sent to gas from. it is a financial fix. are you going to do that financial fix, to

ensure that you keep getting russian gas, for now? $5 i russian gas, for now? as i said, russian gas, for now? as i said. we — russian gas, for now? as i said. we are _ russian gas, for now? as i said, we are the _ russian gas, for now? as i said, we are the advocates russian gas, for now? " i said, we are the advocates for unity and solidarity. i heard what you said. i will explain what you said. i will explain what i mean by that. what you're asking, that is the game of vladimir putin, because he is playing hybrid warfare with europe, economic and also hybrid. he is trying to kill the unity, because he knows, if he splits as a part and he is the winner.— he splits as a part and he is the winner. but i told you, we know that _ the winner. but i told you, we know that some _ the winner. but i told you, we know that some energy i the winner. but i told you, we i know that some energy companies in europe are prepared to play that game. viktor orban, the leader of hungary, an eu member state, is prepared to play that game. it is a very simple question are you going to play that game to? i question are you going to play that game to?— that game to? i said, we are atoin that game to? i said, we are going to _ that game to? i said, we are going to pay _ that game to? i said, we are going to pay in _ that game to? i said, we are going to pay in euros - that game to? i said, we are going to pay in euros and i that game to? i said, we are going to pay in euros and we want to disconnect as as soon as possible. ii want to disconnect as as soon as possible-— want to disconnect as as soon as possible. if you are serious and what _ as possible. if you are serious and what you _ as possible. if you are serious and what you have _ as possible. if you are serious and what you have just - as possible. if you are serious and what you have just told i as possible. if you are serious i and what you have just told me, it is very likely that, within days, you, just like poland and bulgaria, will have your gas

supply is cut off.— bulgaria, will have your gas supply is cut off. that is not the case- — supply is cut off. that is not the case. because - supply is cut off. that is not the case. because you i supply is cut off. that is not the case. because you need supply is cut off. that is not i the case. because you need to know some more details. our plan goes the 24th of may, when the next payment is, and that is why we have still time and there will be a meeting of ministers of energy in france in the coming weeks, and everybody is trying to, we are pushing, let's stay united, let's keep the solidarity because only, we stay together, we can succeed.— we can succeed. your constant emphasis — we can succeed. your constant emphasis is — we can succeed. your constant emphasis is on _ we can succeed. your constant emphasis is on keeping - we can succeed. your constant i emphasis is on keeping european unity. so be clear, what is your message to viktor orban, who has made it clear he is not prepared to see hungary's economy killed and he will do whatever it takes including acceding to russia's demands, albeit by a financial fix, to make sure, that it gets roubles. and germany which says right now it simply cannot afford to stop using russian gas. are you saying that they will have to change? it is

gas. are you saying that they will have to change?- will have to change? it is the same with — will have to change? it is the same with us. _ will have to change? it is the same with us. we _ will have to change? it is the same with us. we are - will have to change? it is the same with us. we are very i same with us. we are very dependent, just like hungary, czech republic, austria, germany, we are very dependent, but we can succeed early and early if we stay united, and we need to have the solidarity because it is also a political aspect but if we give up now, what do we say? we say we give up what do we say? we say we give up on you and we cannot do that. those guys are fighting for us, fighting because they are, without support, when i to volodymyr zelensky, what i see in their eyes, their bravery, it is also because they know that they have the support of the european union, they have the european union, they have the vision of being part of the european union, the vision of a democratic and free country and this is how serious this war is. ,, , , ., ., this is how serious this war is. simple question for you which i is. simple question for you which i am _ is. simple question for you which i am sure _ is. simple question for you which i am sure volodymyr zelensky would like a simple answer to. when it gets to next autumn, next winter, when you

really, really need your gas supplies to be certain, will you still be using and paying for russian gas, yes or no? that answer, i don't have, because we are very dependent, but i spoke to volodymyr zelensky. and he is actually a very smart man. very, very smart. and we all understand we need to disconnect. it is not about a couple of months. it is about a couple of months. it is about a couple of months. it is about a terminal permanent solutions. we all know that. it is about permanent. and that is what we understand. we need to cut off from russian oil and gas permanently. that is what we need to look for. because we know that once we do that, then we cut off the funding of russia was matt moore, and it is —— russia's war, but we need to do this and accomplish this together. if putin divides us thenit together. if putin divides us then it is over, the european

union, it is going to be... such a hit, such a collapse, and we don't want this. europe must become stronger on this and it is a crucial crossroads. i get that message loud and clear. let me turn to the question of arms supplies. is slovakia, right now, prepared to send heavy weapons, including howitzers that are made in slovakia, direct to zelensky. made in slovakia, direct to zelensky-— zelensky. absolutely. as i said, zelensky. absolutely. as i said. our— zelensky. absolutely. as i said, our position - zelensky. absolutely. as i said, our position is i zelensky. absolutely. as i said, our position is very l said, our position is very clear. it goes back to the value. i'm sorry that i repeated again, but i want everybody to understand. we are in a war, it is brutal, killing people, we haven't had that your for over 70 years, people, we haven't had that yourfor over 70 years, we forgot, and now we see the brutality. i don't want any of european citizens to be killed by some dictator who decides that he is going to kill innocent people in the streets. it is ridiculous. 21st—century.

that is why i said, whatever they request, we will happily help them, gladly.— they request, we will happily help them, gladly. zelensky has been asking _ help them, gladly. zelensky has been asking for _ help them, gladly. zelensky has been asking for warplanes i help them, gladly. zelensky has been asking for warplanes for i been asking for warplanes for many weeks. you have mig29s that the ukrainians know how to fly, you have roughly a dozen, how many have you sent? we are read . how many have you sent? we are ready- we — how many have you sent? we are ready. we would _ how many have you sent? we are ready. we would have _ how many have you sent? we are ready. we would have some i ready. we would have some operation will be needed because we need to have first arras aerospace protected. we are working on this and i think we are getting to a conclusion. at this moment we are in very close communication like you said, howitzers, with the mig-29s said, howitzers, with the mig—29s they have not asked but if they did, we would gladly speak. if they did, we would gladly seak. ., ., speak. you are repairing, ou're speak. you are repairing, you're telling _ speak. you are repairing, you're telling me - speak. you are repairing, you're telling me that i speak. you are repairing, l you're telling me that your people are repairing those captured russian tanks and them back to ukraine for the ukrainians to use? the

agreement _ ukrainians to use? the agreement is - ukrainians to use? the agreement is also i ukrainians to use? iie: agreement is also amazed at the final stages, we do not hide about it. these requests we received when i was in kyiv, actually. so we will be repairing that.- actually. so we will be repairing that. actually. so we will be re-iairin that. ., . , repairing that. you are being 0 en repairing that. you are being open with — repairing that. you are being open with me. _ repairing that. you are being open with me. and - repairing that. you are being open with me. and i - repairing that. you are being open with me. and i am i repairing that. you are being i open with me. and i am thinking of what your own people here in slovakia are going to be thinking about your message to me. , ~ ., , , thinking about your message to me. , ~' ., , but me. they know this message. but the also me. they know this message. but they also know. — me. they know this message. but they also know, as _ me. they know this message. but they also know, as of— me. they know this message. but they also know, as of the - me. they know this message. but they also know, as of the last i they also know, as of the last 48 hours, that vladimir putin is threatening what he calls a lightning fast retaliation against anybody from outside of ukraine interfering in this war. ., , , ukraine interfering in this war. , ., war. he has been threatening ever since _ war. he has been threatening ever since the _ war. he has been threatening ever since the beginning. i ever since the beginning. remember the nuclear weapons? that was his first threat. he said that we are activating the nuclear weapons. immediately it caused discussion here. and we said, guys, come on, whatare we speaking about? are we going to allow vladimir putin to

threaten us at any time he once was a matter either we are bold of your carrots. i don't want to be a carrot. i want to defend our independence. we were under a communist regime. we understand the imperialism. we understand the imperialism. we have strong memories. we do not want to go back to that time. , , ., time. then there is behaving like a responsible _ time. then there is behaving like a responsible leader. i time. then there is behaving | like a responsible leader. you know that sergei lavrov and putin have in recent days talked about the real possibility of nuclear war. i know. you are the neighbour of ukraine. you stand on the front line. you are ready, you are telling your own people, you are ready to face down that threat. ., ~' ., are ready to face down that threat. ., ~ ., ., , , threat. you know what helps me? tells me to _ threat. you know what helps me? tells me to look _ threat. you know what helps me? tells me to look at _ threat. you know what helps me? tells me to look at volodymyr i tells me to look at volodymyr zelensky. because he is the first in line. he faced this question several months ago. and he didn't give up. he went to this fight and we see results. they actually are

gaining success. they are moving forward. they were able to escape —— to rescue kyiv, and of course, now, they face a very difficult fight, but we need to help them. if very difficult fight, but we need to help them. iii very difficult fight, but we need to help them. if i may say so, need to help them. if i may say so. zelensky — need to help them. if i may say so, zelensky had _ need to help them. if i may say so, zelensky had no _ need to help them. if i may say so, zelensky had no choice i so, zelensky had no choice because russia chose to invade. we have a choice. that is the question. in this city today, you have people who are trying to figure out where the nearest bomb shelter is and they are buying iodine tablets because they are frightened of nuclear attack. those are your people. not all of them. but attack. those are your people. not all of them.— not all of them. but this is real fear- _ not all of them. but this is real fear. that _ not all of them. but this is real fear. that is _ not all of them. but this is real fear. that is hybrid i real fear. that is hybrid warfare- _ real fear. that is hybrid warfare. putin - real fear. that is hybrid warfare. putin is i real fear. that is hybrid warfare. putin is trying| real fear. that is hybrid l warfare. putin is trying to make everybody fearful of him and i said, enough is enough, are we either destroying this continent, or not was matter will be be defensive or are we going to say, no, we want to keep our democracy and freedom. let's talk now about strategic aims of the west in this war.

you are not directly in the fight yourselves what you're doing more and more, to quote the british foreign secretary, ramping up arms supplies to ukraine. the americans and the british are using the sort of language which suggests that the endgame of this war has to be every russian soldier leaving every inch of ukraine's territory, including that area of the donbas occupied in 2014 and crimea, which was annexed in 2014. is that your vision of the endgame to? i in 2014. is that your vision of the endgame to?— in 2014. is that your vision of the endgame to? i will say yes and i the endgame to? i will say yes and i will _ the endgame to? i will say yes and i will tell— the endgame to? i will say yes and i will tell you _ the endgame to? i will say yes and i will tell you why - the endgame to? i will say yes and i will tell you why because j and i will tell you why because this is the vision of the ukrainians and i support it. it is their decision, whatever they say. it is their country. who am i to tell them what they should have in the country? that is their vision and i support them because they are a democratic and free country. we are a community of peace. that is what i want _ are a community of peace. that is what i want to _ are a community of peace. that is what i want to underline. what about putin and his future? the defence secretary

of the united states lloyd austin said "russia must now be weakened to a point where it cannot do things like invade ukraine in future." it might have been a slip of the tongue, butjoe biden indicated that he believed that putin could have no future in russia.— no future in russia. again it is the decision _ no future in russia. again it is the decision of _ no future in russia. again it is the decision of the i no future in russia. again it. is the decision of the russian people. that was joe is the decision of the russian people. that wasjoe biden saying that. i understand, i knew what he said but if we are a democratic country and if we all know the values of democratic countries then the citizens of a country should decide of their leadership and thatis decide of their leadership and that is what we do in democratic countries and that is my decision but, of course, you have to stop putin to do his aggression that is why we do economic sanctions, why we support the military of ukraine because we want their victory, for them to keep their freedom and democratic regime, because thatis and democratic regime, because that is the best... mi; and democratic regime, because that is the best. . ._ that is the best... my point i soppose _ that is the best... my point i soppose is — that is the best... my point i

suppose is this _ that is the best... my point i suppose is this like - that is the best... my point i l suppose is this like emmanuel macron for example have said we have to talk to putin. europe, he says, cannot be safe and at peace if we do not talk to russia. 0n the other hand and your government is involved in this, there are those using the rhetoric that there is no point talking to putin, your defence minister has said that putin is equal to hitler, so you did not negotiate presumably with a guy that you regard as equal to hitler. which is it for you, prime minister? brute hitler. which is it for you, prime minister?— hitler. which is it for you, prime minister? ~ ., , prime minister? we need to use all of the means. _ prime minister? we need to use all of the means. it _ prime minister? we need to use all of the means. it cannot i prime minister? we need to use all of the means. it cannot be i all of the means. it cannot be only about talking. we know that. that is why you are helping with humanitarian help, thatis helping with humanitarian help, that is why we say to the refugees, please feel at home whilst you need to stay here, so we need to use all of the means in order to bring back our peace, and also in ukraine and that is the main principle. we have to stay with the core values. i we have to stay with the core values. ., ., ., ., , , values. i do want to address how much — values. i do want to address how much pressure - values. i do want to address how much pressure this i values. i do want to address how much pressure this is i how much pressure this is putting on your own country.

you have 70,000 ukrainians who have stayed in your country, 350,000 have been through your country. there is reporting that your schools, some schools are full beyond capacity. kindergartens cannot cope. 0n social media we see some slovak people saying enough already, we cannot deal with these refugees, nobody is helping us. this could lead to instability in your country. are you ready for that? , ., . in your country. are you ready for that?— for that? first of all i want to thank— for that? first of all i want to thank our _ for that? first of all i want to thank our citizens. i for that? first of all i want} to thank our citizens. they proved great solidarity. they will come all of these people the great ones, they invited them into their homes and support them, feed them, and they have been all wonderful. the kindergartens, that is a challenge, we are doing a lot of measures to extend the capacity, creating temporary kindergartens etc, so we're increasing that so can cope with the demand of the slovak

children and also the ukrainians, schools we are ok, labour we are ukrainians, schools we are ok, labourwe are ok ukrainians, schools we are ok, labour we are ok because we have a lot of vacant places, so i will say that they are a blessing to slovakia because they help us to fill those empty places, so the biggest challenge is the kindergartens, thatis challenge is the kindergartens, that is where we are. my challenge is the kindergartens, that is where we are.— that is where we are. my point is that slovakia, _ that is where we are. my point is that slovakia, right - that is where we are. my point is that slovakia, right now, - is that slovakia, right now, appears united behind your government's stand on ukraine but the is still an anti—us, sceptical element. but the is still an anti-us, sceptical element.- sceptical element. that is because _ sceptical element. that is because of— sceptical element. that is because of russian - sceptical element. that is - because of russian propaganda. i looked at opinion polls before the invasion began which suggested that there was a clear preponderance of people in this country who blame nato rather than putin, for his intentions.— intentions. that was the influence _ intentions. that was the influence of _ intentions. that was the influence of decades - intentions. that was the influence of decades in l influence of decades in slovakia by the government is tolerated russian propaganda. this war is such a wake—up call for slovakia but for the whole region. mi; for slovakia but for the whole reuion. y for slovakia but for the whole reuion. g , .,

region. my point is that you are vulnerable, _ region. my point is that you are vulnerable, still. - region. my point is that you are vulnerable, still. here | region. my point is that you | are vulnerable, still. here is what cyber advisors, a defence minister in bratislava said, he said that in slovakia, there is a wide network of this information websites, so—called influences, which the kremlin regime has quietly and strategically cultivated here in slovakia. it is a network, it is intricate, well organised and coordinated, and our population in slovakia is not prepared for the potential of russia's psychological military operations. is russia's psychological military operations-— operations. is that true? of course. _ operations. is that true? of course. we _ operations. is that true? of course, we as _ operations. is that true? of course, we as a _ operations. is that true? of course, we as a neighbour, | operations. is that true? of - course, we as a neighbour, one example i will show you, how we can see how important it is for a country like ours to be in an alliance. when we were in nato, we don't have f—16 fighter jets, we have those obsolete mig-29s, jets, we have those obsolete mig—29s, we have not procured other equipment but as this war started, immediately, germany, netherlands, czech republic,

slovenia and also other countries said we will provide soldiers, we will help you to protect your eastern border, they provided equipment, patriots came immediately otherwise we would have to procure it, it would take years. procure it, it would take ears. ~ ., , , �*, years. where does this end 's i have heard _ years. where does this end 's i have heard that _ years. where does this end 's i have heard that you _ years. where does this end 's i have heard that you will - years. where does this end 's i have heard that you will host i have heard that you will host up have heard that you will host up to 1000 us soldiers on your territory. a lot of slovaks do not want that.— not want that. that was the situation — not want that. that was the situation in _ not want that. that was the situation in january, - not want that. that was the situation in january, when l situation injanuary, when there was this strong propaganda around our opposition party wake—up call came when putin ukraine because you know what he was saying �*s our opposition leaders, three days before the war, said r u crazy? this government tells our own citizens that putin will invade ukraine, are you crazy? and in three days he did it. end of game. a lot of people woke up. there are still

people woke up. there are still people under the influence of the propaganda. we have to cope with it and work with it, but as i said,...— with it and work with it, but as i said,... the united states and great _ as i said,... the united states and great britain, _ as i said,... the united states and great britain, politicians l and great britain, politicians there are now saying that they believe that this war, which is currently in ukraine but who knows where it is going to end, will last for years, possibly as long as a decade. is slovakia, a front—line state in all of this, is it ready for that �*s mentally or economically or militarily, mentally? i economically or militarily, mentally?— mentally? i am ready. economically, - mentally? i am ready. economically, we - mentally? i am ready. economically, we are| mentally? i am ready. - economically, we are going to so many difficulties. we have just now proved five crucial reforms because of the recovery plan over the last year, and militarily, we received a lot of equipment from our allies, but we have to procure, we have to put much more money into defence. yes, we must be ready

to do it, of course we are not ready physically yet, but like i said, it starts with the decision, because we do not have another choice. if you want to keep democracy and freedom, but i want to understand, everybody, we are in a war. it is the crossroads of our destiny. and i want to live in a better world. i want to live in a world where europe will be a strong, global player, and we need not to see any dictator attacking any country and seeing war in this world and especially this region. world and especially this reuion. ~ , ., region. prime minister eduard heuer, region. prime minister eduard heger. we _ region. prime minister eduard heger, we have _ region. prime minister eduard heger, we have to _ region. prime minister eduard heger, we have to end - region. prime minister eduard heger, we have to end it - region. prime minister eduard i heger, we have to end it there, thank you for being on hardtalk._ thank you for being on hardtalk. ., ~ , c, , thank you for being on hardtalk. ., ~ y a

hello. the weather's been very mixed in the last couple of days. generally, a lot of cloud abouts, occasional outbreaks of rain and the outlook for the next two or three days is more or less the same. again, plenty of cloud, just a few sunny spells and scattered showers. but the really thick cloud of the outbreaks of rain that we had in the last day and a half has now moved to the south. it's in the english channel. it's just hugging the south coast through the early hours. so bits and pieces of rain from the tip of cornwall, devon, perhaps the isle of wight. elsewhere across the country, it's a cloudy early start with mist and murk in places, perhaps a bit of drizzle here and there and not cold, between six and ten degrees. so here's bank holiday monday, starting off pretty cloudy in most areas. there will be some sunshine developing, certainly

across western parts of scotland, northern ireland, around the irish sea, inland there'll be sunny spells too, but also inland, showers will start to develop almost anywhere, i think through the course of the morning into the afternoon. temperatures only ten in scotland, maybe 17 in the south of the uk. now here's the weather map for tuesday. a weather front tries to push into the north—west of the uk. here it is just to the north—west of our neighbourhood. but i think, generally speaking, we are talking about light winds, a lot of cloud, showers perhaps brewing, particularly around wales and the south of england. driest of the weather will be on the east coast there, but cold. only ten in newcastle, nine degrees in aberdeen. so that was tuesday. this is wednesday again, more of the same. there's very little wind in the atmosphere to push things around. so we keep that cloud. but showers are expected to form once again, particularly across central and more especially southern parts of england, but temperatures recovering to 17 in london and around 15 in the lowlands of scotland. now, towards the end

of the week, we are anticipating a change. the azores high is expected to build in. and with that also comes a warmer atmosphere. a warmer current is going to spread across the country. so that means temperatures are expected to rise. so here's the summary on the outlook. here's bank holiday monday, often cloudy for many of us, with just a few sunny spells. and then towards the end of the week, we're expecting those temperatures to rise. bye.

welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines: an operation is under way to evacuate ukrainian civilians, trapped for weeks in a steelworks in mariupol — around a hundred have left so far. translation: when michelle started landing there, i thought my heart would stop and i would not survive. == thought my heart would stop and i would not survive.— i would not survive. -- when the shells- — the us house speaker, nancy pelosi assures president zelenskyy during a visit to kyiv, that american support will continue until ukraine wins the war. more mass protests in sri lanka, as the government struggles over the crippling cost of living.