today at 1pm, we're live in ukraine, as vladimir putin claims his invasion was to protect russia during a major address in moscow. he was speaking during the victory day parade in moscow, marking the defeat of nazi germany, and he sought to justify the war, claiming nato and the west had been preparing to invade russian lands. translation: nato began active military development of - the territories adjacent to ours. this was an absolutely unacceptable threat, systematically created for us, and right on our borders. the uk says president putin made "fairy—tale claims" to justify the invasion while ukraine's president says

russia is imitating the tactics of nazi germany by deporting ukrainians and targeting civilians. we'll also have a special report this lunchtime from eastern ukraine, where the fighting in this war is most intense. the picture here in the donbas is that the kremlin�*s offensive has largely stalled. they've taken hardly any significant towns, and the ukrainians are making them pay a heavy price for every scrap of land. and the other main stories this lunchtime: after sinn fein win the most seats in the northern ireland assembly, talks start about how to get the nation's devolved government up and running again. the boss of scottishpower urges ministers to do more to help with rising energy bills. and the water warriors fighting their own battles to find outjust how polluted by sewage our rivers really are. and coming up on the bbc news

channel: manchester city take control of the premier league title race, but pep guardiola complains that everyone seems to be on liverpool's side. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. we're in kyiv as vladimir putin tells a huge military parade in moscow's red square that russian troops in eastern ukraine are "defending the motherland". he said the invasion of this country, what he calls a "special military operation", was necessary, and had been provoked by the west. but he didn't make any major announcement related to the war or suggest when, or how, it might end. the victory day parade, featuring thousands of troops,

tanks and nuclear missiles, commemorates the anniversary of the defeat of nazi germany in 1945, and is a reminder of russia's military might. our correspondentjenny hill has sent us this report from moscow. isolated, sanctioned, condemned, but vladimir putin seems sure of russia's support, relaxed and smiling as he greeted veterans of conflicts passed even as he wages war in ukraine. victory day is one of the most cherished holidays in the russian calendar. it is sombre. 27 million soviets died in the second world war. but it is a celebration too,

a victory over nazi germany and the eyes of the world were on red square. vladimir putin, unable to declare a victory of his own in ukraine, railed against the west. he had been forced to act against his neighbour, he said, out of self—defence. translation: preparations were openly under way - for another punitive operation in donbas, an invasion of our historic lands including crimea. nato began active military development of the territories adjacent to ours. this was an absolutely unacceptable threat, systematically created for us and right on our borders. fewer troops, less military hardware than usual on display, resources presumably tied up in ukraine. this was, as always, a display of might intended for the outside world.

a less than subtle hint at russia's nuclear arsenal. but today was about rallying russians too. vladimir putin has repeatedly tried to justify his war by telling them that nazis in ukraine threaten their country's piece, using russia's painful past to legitimise his present. and there was a rare acknowledgement of the price paid. the kremlin admits that 1300 soldiers have died in ukraine. the real number is thought to be much higher. but grieving families are told their sons and husbands have died heroes, defending the motherland. vladimir putin's war has not gone well, but even as russia reflects on the cost of conflict, he seems determined to fight on. jenny hill, bbc news, moscow. well, ukraine's president zelensky has released his own video message, commemorating the victory over nazi germany, saying his country will win its war with russia.

he accused moscow of imitating the tactics of the nazis by deporting hundreds of thousands of ukrainians, and using aerial bombardments to flatten cities. meanwhile, the uk defence secretary, ben wallace, says vladimir putin continues to make "fairy—tale claims" to justify his invasion. our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse, has more details. no rallies in kyiv this victory day, in fact nothing major is happening for the first time since ukraine declared independence. figs for the first time since ukraine declared independence. as the ironclad house _ declared independence. as the ironclad house of— declared independence. as the ironclad house of soviet - declared independence. as the ironclad house of soviet and i declared independence. as the - ironclad house of soviet and yummy meat in mortal combat... that country was — meat in mortal combat... that country was part _ meat in mortal combat. .. that country was part of— meat in mortal combat... that country was part of the - meat in mortal combat... that country was part of the soviet union in the second world war. millions died under german occupation but they ultimately shared that victory but to date there isn't much to celebrate and russia is accused of hijacking its meaning. translation:

soon there will be two rectory days in ukraine and someone will not even have one left. we won them and we will win here too. the parade will see the victory day of ukraine. congratulations on the victory day over nazism. congratulations on the victory day over nazism-— over nazism. this memorial celebrates _ over nazism. this memorial celebrates hero _ over nazism. this memorial celebrates hero cities - over nazism. this memorial celebrates hero cities like . over nazism. this memorial- celebrates hero cities like kharkiv, marking everything it has gone through in this invasion and continues to go through. nikolai up in the south, the russians are still trying to take it but it's holding out and this memorial march big battles in the second world war, like in crimea. an old soviet tank once used to liberate the city. today's conflict has left hand and confused. translation: taste

today's conflict has left hand and confused. translation: we have brotherly relations _ confused. translation: we have brotherly relations with _ confused. translation: we have brotherly relations with russia. . confused. translation: we have i brotherly relations with russia. why is it shooting and bombing us? translation:— is it shooting and bombing us? translation: . ., , ., ., , translation: rectory date for me is that holiday of — translation: rectory date for me is that holiday of our _ translation: rectory date for me is that holiday of our parents _ translation: rectory date for me is that holiday of our parents and - that holiday of our parents and ancestors, because they fought for their land. for me victory day will be the date when ukraine wins, and ukraine when win. glory to ukraine. a word missing from putin's speech was mario paul, a mostly destroyed city where the last pockets of ukrainian resistance continues to be shelved. the uk has accused russia of ripping up its past and its future. ., , . . future. putin and his inner circle are mirroring — future. putin and his inner circle are mirroring fascism _ future. putin and his inner circle are mirroring fascism and - future. putin and his inner circle. are mirroring fascism and tyranny from _ are mirroring fascism and tyranny from years— are mirroring fascism and tyranny from years ago, repeating the errors of the _ from years ago, repeating the errors of the last— from years ago, repeating the errors of the last century's totalitarian regimes — of the last century's totalitarian reuimes. ~ ., �* , regimes. ukraine couldn't be further awa from regimes. ukraine couldn't be further away from the _ regimes. ukraine couldn't be further away from the liberation _ regimes. ukraine couldn't be further away from the liberation russia - regimes. ukraine couldn't be further

away from the liberation russia is i away from the liberation russia is trying to portray but what also feels distant is peace. let's speak tojenny hill in moscow. these claims from president putin that russia would be invaded if they hadn't invaded ukraine first — how much resonance does this rhetoric have as the war grinds on? this is not a new narrative but it is a powerful one and it's one that i think many russians continue to accept, that despite vladimir putin having invaded ukraine, they believe he was acting in their defence, that russia is the victim and notjust of ukrainian aggression but of a belligerent west. the eyes of the world were on red square today and in particular on vladimir putin. he

didn't, as many predicted, and none is a mobilisation of reservists across russia to replenish his depleted fighting force in ukraine but i think anyone looking at him and listening carefully to what he said would conclude that despite the international condemnation is, the sanctions, the military setbacks in ukraine, he is determined to stick to his cause for now. he has just been meeting with the father of a dead fighter in ukraine, a dead russian fighter, and he said to him that russia would welcome an opportunity to find a peaceful outcome to this conflict but no such opportunity had been presented, that is the narrative at work, and finally he said it's all going according to plan in ukraine and it will succeed. find according to plan in ukraine and it will succeed.— according to plan in ukraine and it will succeed. and he does still look re will succeed. and he does still look pretty secure _ will succeed. and he does still look pretty secure in _ will succeed. and he does still look pretty secure in his _ will succeed. and he does still look pretty secure in his job in _ will succeed. and he does still look pretty secure in his job in moscow. | pretty secure in hisjob in moscow. gerry hell, thank you. —— jenny

hill, but in moscow, thank you. well, what about the area of this country where the fighting is most intense, out in the east? after the failure of russian forces to take the capital kyiv, the kremlin diverted troops to achieve what it called, "the liberation of the donbas", the former industrial heartland that hits the border with russia. that hugs the border with russia. but their efforts to seize the region have all but stalled, with reports of heavy russian losses. the bbc�*s andrew harding has sent us this report from eastern ukraine. a quiet village in the donbas is saying farewell to ivan naduti. killed by a scrap of russian shrapnel. the 30—year—old builder volunteered to fight the day after putin's invasion. his wife begged him not to go. now his father is lost in grief. but something else is stirring in

this village and across this region. a burning sense of defiance. "he was defending freedom for every one of us," says a village elder, his lip trembling. "glory to our heroes." a lonely ukrainian warplane thunders overhead. the front lines are just a town away to the north. and a defiant blitz spirit is growing here too, as the bombs fall at random in places like kramatorsk. seizing this corner of eastern ukraine, with its close ties to russia, was supposed to be an easier task for the kremlin's blundering army. but the blundering goes on. "my shop is hardly a strategic target," says lilia, with contempt. and all this is stiffening

the resolve of ukrainian soldiers. we met this tank unit, holding their ground at a spot where russia has been trying to break through. they badly need better equipment, but they have other strengths. we are unity. we fight for our independence from russia. russians soldiers fight for money. they don't much await it as much as we. they were not motivated as way. the russians have been pounding these front line positions for weeks now, but the big picture here in the donbas is that the kremlin's offensive has largely stalled. they have taken hardly any significant towns, and the ukrainians are making them pay a heavy price for every scrap of land. further out, in no—man's land, ukrainian volunteers collect the abandoned bodies of russian soldiers. too many to count, according to alexei.

"i can't see how the russian army can keep going, it is losing so many men," he says. "i don't understand this madness." back at the village, ivan's father is still inconsolable. but his widow brings their five—year—old son to the graveside. "he was a stubborn man and a good man," she tells us, sounding resolute now, as the struggle for the donbas grinds on. andrew harding, bbc news, in eastern ukraine. that is the latest from the front line. well, there was a huge build—up to vladimir putin's speech today, but it's notable for what he didn't say. no official declaration of war with ukraine, no mass mobilisation of troops. no tick list of achievements,

because there are precious few, and perhaps, most significantly, no timeline for victory, no sense when his troops will be coming home. that's it, from me and the team here in kyiv. now back to you reeta in the studio, for the rest of the day's news. clive, many thanks, my colleague clive, many thanks, my colleague clive myrie in kyiv. sir keir starmer is not avoiding answering questions over claims he broke lockdown rules, the shadow health secretary wes streeting has said. the labour leader who drank beer and ate curry in an mp's office before a visit during a by—election last year has cancelled an appearance he was due to make today. wes streeting told the bbc that sir keir starmer was a man of decency and honesty, and was not dodging scrutiny. the conservatives have accused sir keir starmer of double standards. talks are taking place in belfast between the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis and the stormont assembly's five main parties, following elections last week which saw sinn fein

winning the most seats in a historic first. it means the party is entitled to the role of first minister — but that depends on the second largest party, the democratic unionists nominating a deputy. the dup wants the uk government to address concerns about post—brexit trading arrangements before it will nominate ministers. here's our correspondent danjohnson. they may be in the building the new assembly members won't be exercising power in the immediate future. sinn fein's position as largest party is a symbolic achievement, but they need the democratic unionists on board to be able to govern. the dup leaderjeffrey donaldson was the in four meetings with the secretary of state for northern ireland in belfast this lunchtime. he is refusing to return to power sharing because of objections to the post—brexit trade rules. the northern ireland protocol. which means politics here looks likely to stay paralysed for now. we

means politics here looks likely to stay paralysed for now.— means politics here looks likely to stay paralysed for now. we will not be nominating _ stay paralysed for now. we will not be nominating ministers— stay paralysed for now. we will not be nominating ministers to - stay paralysed for now. we will not be nominating ministers to the - be nominating ministers to the executive, that is our position. we look to what the government are now going to say. but more fundamentally important to what the government are now going to do. action is what is required, and the sooner it happens the better for all of us.— the better for all of us. cross community — the better for all of us. cross community alliance - the better for all of us. cross community alliance party - the better for all of us. cross - community alliance party increased its support at this election, and is calling for devolved government to resume. i calling for devolved government to resume. ~' calling for devolved government to resume. ~ , ., resume. i think the dup need to reflect on _ resume. i think the dup need to reflect on their _ resume. i think the dup need to reflect on their mishandling - resume. i think the dup need to reflect on their mishandling of i reflect on their mishandling of brexil. — reflect on their mishandling of brexit, on the fact that they had huge _ brexit, on the fact that they had huge influence at westminster and overplayed their hand. it would be foolhardy — overplayed their hand. it would be foolhardy for them to overplay their hand with _ foolhardy for them to overplay their hand with devolution because that is a gamble _ hand with devolution because that is a gamble that northern ireland can't afford _ a gamble that northern ireland can't afford to— a gamble that northern ireland can't afford to take. the a gamble that northern ireland can't afford to take-— afford to take. the protocol re . uires afford to take. the protocol requires checks _ afford to take. the protocol requires checks on - afford to take. the protocol requires checks on goods . afford to take. the protocol - requires checks on goods coming afford to take. the protocol _ requires checks on goods coming from britain into northern ireland. unionists say it is damaging businesses here, and weakening northern ireland's status in the united kingdom. the british government says it will again attempt to change the rules. 50 government says it will again attempt to change the rules. so we are t in: attempt to change the rules. so we are trying to _ attempt to change the rules. so we are trying to negotiate _ attempt to change the rules. so we are trying to negotiate with -

attempt to change the rules. so we are trying to negotiate with the - attempt to change the rules. so wej are trying to negotiate with the eu, that is— are trying to negotiate with the eu, that is our— are trying to negotiate with the eu, that is our original— are trying to negotiate with the eu, that is our original plan. _ are trying to negotiate with the eu, that is our original plan. we - are trying to negotiate with the eu, that is our original plan. we had - that is our original plan. we had been _ that is our original plan. we had been very— that is our original plan. we had been very clear, _ that is our original plan. we had been very clear, though, - that is our original plan. we had been very clear, though, that i been very clear, though, that nothing — been very clear, though, that nothing is _ been very clear, though, that nothing is off— been very clear, though, that nothing is off the _ been very clear, though, that nothing is off the table, - been very clear, though, that i nothing is off the table, including triggering — nothing is off the table, including triggering article _ nothing is off the table, including triggering article 16, _ nothing is off the table, including triggering article 16, but - nothing is off the table, including triggering article 16, but first i nothing is off the table, including triggering article 16, but first of. triggering article 16, but first of all we _ triggering article 16, but first of all we want _ triggering article 16, but first of all we want to _ triggering article 16, but first of all we want to try _ triggering article 16, but first of all we want to try and - triggering article 16, but first of| all we want to try and negotiate with the — all we want to try and negotiate with the eu _ all we want to try and negotiate with the eu and _ all we want to try and negotiate with the eu and resolve - all we want to try and negotiate with the eu and resolve this i all we want to try and negotiate i with the eu and resolve this matter for the _ with the eu and resolve this matter for the people _ with the eu and resolve this matter for the people of— with the eu and resolve this matter for the people of northern - with the eu and resolve this matter for the people of northern ireland i for the people of northern ireland and get _ for the people of northern ireland and get that— for the people of northern ireland and get that executive _ for the people of northern ireland and get that executive up - for the people of northern ireland and get that executive up and i and get that executive up and running — and get that executive up and running again _ and get that executive up and running again. find— and get that executive up and running again.— running again. and there are day-to-day _ running again. and there are day-to-day issues _ running again. and there are day-to-day issues that i running again. and there are day-to-day issues that need j running again. and there are i day-to-day issues that need to be day—to—day issues that need to be addressed here, decision making has already been disrupted for the last few months. they need to get back up there and sort it out and i get up there and sort it out and i get up there and sort it out and i get up there and saw the whole thing out and get money back into people's pockets, that's the most important thing. pockets, that's the most important thin. , , . ~ pockets, that's the most important thin. , . ~ ., thing. gut instinct, mr donaldson isn't auoin thing. gut instinct, mr donaldson isn't going to _ thing. gut instinct, mr donaldson isn't going to play _ thing. gut instinct, mr donaldson isn't going to play ball, i - thing. gut instinct, mr donaldson isn't going to play ball, i think. i isn't going to play ball, i think. it isn't going to play ball, i think. it doesn't — isn't going to play ball, i think. it doesn't necessarily follow to say we are _ it doesn't necessarily follow to say we are not— it doesn't necessarily follow to say we are not going into the executive until the _ we are not going into the executive until the protocol is sorted out. it until the protocol is sorted out. is hard to until the protocol is sorted out. it is hard to tell but i can't see the unionists— is hard to tell but i can't see the unionists getting _ is hard to tell but i can't see the unionists getting into _ is hard to tell but i can't see the unionists getting into power- is hard to tell but i can't see thel unionists getting into power with sinn fein— unionists getting into power with sinn fein being _ unionists getting into power with sinn fein being the _ unionists getting into power with sinn fein being the largest- unionists getting into power with| sinn fein being the largest party. the election— sinn fein being the largest party. the election may—

sinn fein being the largest party. the election may have _ sinn fein being the largest party. the election may have deliveredl sinn fein being the largest party. i the election may have delivered an historic result, but governing northern ireland is always a difficult balance. it looks like old disagreements will prevent much progress for now. danjohnson, bbc news, belfast. we can speak to dan who is at stormont for us now. some very difficult issues to be resolved. how long have they got to do it? if there is no agreement in the next six months we could potentially be looking at another election. it is the northern ireland protocol that's been the main sticking point and there is a huge question about whether the uk government can get the sort of changes to that that would be acceptable to the european union, but would also address the concerns of the democratic unionists so that power—sharing can resume here, so that decision—making can actually take place, because all the talk over the weekend was of sinn fein's historic victory, of the possibility of that moving us towards a referendum on a united ireland but they can't do anything until they agree to share power with

the democratic unionists. the first meeting of the stormont assembly here is due to take place on friday. that is friday 13th.— that is friday 13th. thanks very much, that is friday 13th. thanks very much. dan _ that is friday 13th. thanks very much, dan johnson _ that is friday 13th. thanks very much, dan johnson reporting l that is friday 13th. thanks very i much, dan johnson reporting there. the boss of scottish power has urged the government to do more to help with rising energy bills. the company's chief executive, keith anderson, told the bbc that another expected increase in the energy price cap could see average bills rise to between £2,500 and £3,000 a year. our business editor simonjack is here. what is keith anderson proposing? he is proposing to give 10 million households £1000 each off their energy bills. that enormous amount of money, £10 billion, would be paid back by adding about £30 — £40 on every single person's bill over the next ten years. that's a lot further than the current plan which is £150 council tax rebate which we have already seen from april and a £200 off bills come october, but he says

it is the only thing that will really address the true scale and depth of the cost of living crisis if bills hit nearly £3000. here he is. 40% of the population will be in fuel poverty, 10% of their disposable income is going on their -as disposable income is going on their gas and _ disposable income is going on their gas and electricity bill. that shows you 10 _ gas and electricity bill. that shows you 10 million households, that is notjust— you 10 million households, that is notjust people on benefits, orjust people _ notjust people on benefits, orjust people requiring government support. that is— people requiring government support. that is average income, average families— that is average income, average families who will be suffering real issues _ families who will be suffering real issues with debt and real issues with the — issues with debt and real issues with the ability to heat their home by october. a with the ability to heat their home by october-— with the ability to heat their home b october. �* ,. ~ , ., by october. a scheme like this would hel the by october. a scheme like this would help the energy _ by october. a scheme like this would help the energy companies _ by october. a scheme like this would help the energy companies too, i help the energy companies too, though? it help the energy companies too, thou~h? , , , ., help the energy companies too, thou~h? ,, , ., though? it is self-serving to some extent, a scheme _ though? it is self-serving to some extent, a scheme like _ though? it is self-serving to some extent, a scheme like this - though? it is self-serving to some extent, a scheme like this would l extent, a scheme like this would ensure that they get their bills paid, which they are very worried that they won't get paid come october. they make two points about this, they say only a plan like this will attack the root cause of the problem which is energy bills, things like mod deferrals and 5p off

fuel duty are a bit peripheral, you have to attack the issue. —— mot. there is only so long, particularly foreign owned companies, edf, scottishpower and e.0n, owned by spanish company can only so long they will see money being tipped into the uk retail market before they think this is a money pit we don't want to be in any more and they say it essential to maintain a stable and sustainable market come this winter. ,, ., . ., . ~ stable and sustainable market come this winter. ,, ., ., ~ stable and sustainable market come this winter. ,, ., . ., . ~ ., ~ , ., this winter. simon jack, thank you. the time is — this winter. simon jack, thank you. the time is 1:22pm. _ our top story this lunchtime. at a major address in moscow vladimir putin claims his invasion was to protect russia and nato and the west, had been preparing, to invade russian lands. the deal to buy convenience store mccoll�*s, morrisons could be set to clinch control. coming up on the bbc news channel: welcome to miami, as max verstappen comes out on top at the inaugural grand prix on the us east coast.

but why are mercedes still feeling the heat? raw sewage was discharged into england's rivers nearly 375,000 times by water companies last year, according to the environment agency. the government has announced plans to overhaul the sewer system to tackle the problem and has promised a 40% reduction in discharges by 2040. but in west sussex some volunteers, frustrated by the high levels of pollution, have been taking samples from the waterways near their homes to find outjust how much sewage and other chemicals are in the water. zoe conway has been to find out more. chichester harbour, an area of outstanding natural beauty. people here may love being on the water, but many worry about what could be in it.

i find it upsetting when we're out and we see condoms, toilet paper and excrement floating in the sea. this community is taking matters into their own hands. they call themselves citizen scientists. they're collecting water samples to be analysed for pharmaceuticals and pesticides. why notjust leave this to the environment agency? they keep on saying that, you know, they're going to do something about it and year after year passes and it still seems to be the same problems. but it's notjust the harbours people are concerned about. nearby is the river lavant. this is a chalk stream, considered to be one of the rarest and most precious rivers in england. yet for more than six months last year untreated sewage was discharged into this river from the local treatment works. citizen scientist rob bailey has been watching the works discharging for days on end. the heart drops, doesn't it,

when one sees things - like that sort of thing? and one starts to realise the negative impact it'sl having on the environment. the environment agency says the treatment works is being overwhelmed by ground water, which is rainfall that made its way underground. it's getting into broken pipes, it's mixing with the sewage, and then it's discharging untreated into the river. so that is a film of bacteria. so they're feeding of the faeces that's coming out of that sewage treatment plant. but there's loads of other chemicals coming out of there. and the other thing that's obvious just a little way further upstream, you can see a lot of greenery on the riverbed, but then downstream of the sewage treatment plant is just devoid of any plant life. southern water says, "we know that we need to do more to deliver the environmental improvements our customers expect and we're spending £2 billion across our network to make these changes as quickly as possible."

last year southern water was fined £90 million for the judge called a shocking and wholesale disregard the environment. the environment agency says, "agriculture is a major contributing factor to pollution in chichester harbour." they say, "we're currently reviewing our enforcement approach to the situation at the lavant wastewater treatment works," and, they say, "we're working with southern water to reduce the impact to the river lavant." the water is such an important part of people's lives here. they're determined to protect it. they�* re impatient for change. zoe conway, bbc news, west sussex. morrisons now looks set to clinch a last—ditch deal to buy the convenience store chain mccoll�*s. the supermarket has been in a two—way battle with the petrol retailer eg group, for control of the business which employs around 16,000 staff. our business correspondent

theo leggett is here. how is it that morrisons has overtaken eg group? it isa it is a good question, we have seen a weekend of bids and counter bids, interesting for business people, but what has happened is the bids on the table now seem to be pretty much equivalent to one another. so basically, as we understand, they both offer to protect 16,000 jobs, they are both promising to keep 1100 stores open, to pay off mccoll�*s about £170 million of debts, and protect the interests of the members of the pension scheme. so all of thatis of the pension scheme. so all of that is pretty much equivalent now, it is what the creditors were looking for and what mccoll�*s were looking for and what mccoll�*s were looking for. so the advantage morrisons now has is that it is already closely associated with mccoll�*s. they have a joint venture together where morrisons operates several hundred stores under the morrisons daily brand and it is a major wholesale supplier of mccoll�*s. so unwinding all of that if a different bid were to succeed would be a little bit unwieldy, it

would be a little bit unwieldy, it would halt the day—to—day running of the business a bit, it would be disruptive, whereas keeping morrisons on board and allowing that bid to go ahead, all other things being equal, the smooth transition seems to be what may well win it for morrisons now.— morrisons now. theo, many thanks. theo leggett _ morrisons now. theo, many thanks. theo leggett reporting. _ a new survey by the charity the food foundation says there's been a sharp rise in the number of people who are struggling to afford to eat every day. it suggests one in seven people now live in a household where someone doesn't have enough money for food. the government says it's supporting the hardest hit by boosting the minimum wage. the duke and duchess of cambridge and other senior royals will tour the uk over the bank holidayjubilee weekend. prince william and catherine will visit wales as the nation marks the queen's 70—year reign with a series of events. the earl and countess of wessex will go to northern ireland, and the princess royal will visit scotland.

a six—year—old fossil hunter, who was looking for shells on a suffolk beach, has found a tooth from one of the world's largest prehistoric sharks. sammy shelton was on holiday in bawdsey when he stumbled on the tooth. megalodons are thought to have gone extinct by roughly 3.5 million years ago. professor of evolutionary biology and megalodon expert, ben garrod, says only a handful are uncovered on uk shores each year, and very few fossil hunters get to cross it off their list. there's a part of me that's been looking for a megalodon tooth since i was six, so i haven't found one yet. i'm very, very pleased that he's found one. but actually, it does showcase just how lovely it is for young people to be able to get into science and become enthused by the natural world around them. whether it's bird—watching now, or looking for fossil teeth of the largest shark that ever lived, it's really lovely to see that kids are

getting out there and really enjoying the natural world and engaging with science. we have our very own megalodon expert in the studio and he also has the weather, tomasz schafernaker. i don't know about expert but anyone that knows me well knows i'm obsessed with sharks and very jealous or envious of that find, i should say. too cold to go into the water for most of us all the temperatures are set to rise over the coming week. overall the picture looks unsettled and it is today in the north with the rain, this is this week's rainfall across the uk. you will notice bright colours in the western isles of scotland and western mainland scotland, quite a lot of rain to come with the weather systems piling on from the atlantic. it is a rather large area of low pressure to the north—west of our neighbourhood. here are the weather fronts, cloud and rain, breeze across northern ireland, scotland, the rain will reach the lake district, the irish sea coasts,

wales as well later on in the afternoon. but further east