good afternoon. at least nine people are now confirmed to have died, after a huge explosion at a petrol station in county donegal in ireland. a search operation is continuing as some people are still thought to be missing — eight people were also taken to hospital. the explosion happened

at an applegreen service station in the village of creeslough yesterday afternoon. from there, our ireland correspondent chris page reports. a rescue effort has now become a recovery operation. a sad sign that the emergency services don't expect to find anyone else alive. blown out walls, a crumpled roof and rubble showed this was a lethal explosion. it triggered a wave of devastation. people hurried to what was left of the petrol station, who see who may have been caught up in the incident. there were several flats above the garage shop, which largely collapsed. farmers brought tractors and diggers to start removing the debris. a coastguard helicopter helped airlift the injured to

hospital. at times they asked for silence, so they could hear if anyone was calling out. creeslough is a small village, never would the community have imagined facing such horror. today at church there was a sense of disbelief. i horror. today at church there was a sense of disbelief.— sense of disbelief. i was in the house and _ sense of disbelief. i was in the house and my _ sense of disbelief. i was in the house and my house _ sense of disbelief. i was in the house and my house is - sense of disbelief. i was in the house and my house is only i sense of disbelief. i was in the | house and my house is only 150 sense of disbelief. i was in the - house and my house is only 150 yards and i heard an explosion about half three. i knew it was something, the bang sounded like a bomb going off. you know? i knew there was something tragic happened. the you know? i knew there was something tragic happened-— tragic happened. the leader of the irish government _ tragic happened. the leader of the irish government said _ tragic happened. the leader of the irish government said it _ tragic happened. the leader of the irish government said it was - tragic happened. the leader of the irish government said it was the l irish government said it was the darkest of days for the country. i think the entire nation is shocked at what _ think the entire nation is shocked at what has happened. it is an unspeakable tragedy. it is difficult to comprehend as people go about their daily— to comprehend as people go about their daily lives something like this could happen. the their daily lives something like this could happen.— their daily lives something like this could happen. the singer brian

mcfadden is _ this could happen. the singer brian mcfadden is from _ this could happen. the singer brian mcfadden is from creeslough - this could happen. the singer brian mcfadden is from creeslough and l this could happen. the singer brian i mcfadden is from creeslough and said his heart was broken by the news. the cause of explosion is being investigated. it is thought it may have been a gas leak. nine deaths are confirmed so far, but people here expect that already tragic figure to rise. and chris is live for us now in creeslough. chris, the search operation is continuing, is there any hope of finding more survivors? sadly, the emergency services are saying the reality is they don't believe they're going to find anyone else alive at this stage. there are dozens of people from the village here at the police cordon continuing to watch the search operation, hoping for some word, but the indications are that now this is a search for bodies. this is a rural community, in county donegal, a place popular with tourists and regarded as peaceful. people here

can't take in that some people went to their local shop on a friday afternoon and lost their lives so suddenly. afternoon and lost their lives so suddenl . . ~ afternoon and lost their lives so suddenl. ., ,, the only road bridge linking russia with the crimean peninsula has collapsed following an explosion. russia annexed crimea from ukraine in 2014. the territory occupied by russia in this war, seen here in red in the east of the country, created a corridor of russian control. the explosion is a huge defeat for russia in what has been a humilating week for the kremlin as our russia editor, steve rosenberg, reports. the images are dramatic and they are worrying for moscow. this is the bridge the kremlin built, linking russia to annexed crimea. it was supposed to have been heavily protected. an explosion at dawn sparked a majorfire protected. an explosion at dawn sparked a major fire and serious damage. at least three people were killed. russian officials claim a lorry was blown up and the flames

spread to fuel tanks on a train. parts of road collapsed into the water. both car and rail traffic has been suspended across the bridge. russian investigators announced they were opening a criminal case. and the kremlin has set up a government commission to look into the incident. the 12 mile longbridge is not only strategically important to the kremlin, a crucial supply route. it is also a symbol of the russian annexation of crimea. vladimir putin opened it in 2018. by building it, he was trying to show that as far as he was trying to show that as far as he is concerned, russia and crimea are joined forever. he is concerned, russia and crimea arejoined forever. in he is concerned, russia and crimea are joined forever. in crimea, pro—kremlin officials blamed the blast on ukrainian vandals. kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the explosion. whatever happened here,

it is more bad news for moscow. russia's so—called special military operation in ukraine has not been going to plan. it has been losing land it occupied and now this. it increases the pressure on the kremlin and it is unclear how vladimir putin will respond. rail workers across the country have walked out today in another day of strike action. it's part of an ongoing row over jobs, pay and conditions. our business correspondent marc ashdown is at euston station for us now. marc another day of disruption? as the strike days accumulate, does the union feel they're beginning to have an impact? it is the union feel they're beginning to have an impact?— have an impact? it is a second consecutive _ have an impact? it is a second consecutive saturday - have an impact? it is a second consecutive saturday with - have an impact? it is a second consecutive saturday with a i have an impact? it is a secondl consecutive saturday with a rail strike _ consecutive saturday with a rail strike across england, scotland and

wales _ strike across england, scotland and wales. there are not many areas that won't _ wales. there are not many areas that won't be _ wales. there are not many areas that won't be affected. to give you an idea of— won't be affected. to give you an idea of the — won't be affected. to give you an idea of the impact, just one in five trains— idea of the impact, just one in five trains will— idea of the impact, just one in five trains will be running today. it is a hugely— trains will be running today. it is a hugely reduced time table. about half the _ a hugely reduced time table. about half the network will be closed. the trains _ half the network will be closed. the trains that — half the network will be closed. the trains that are running have started later and _ trains that are running have started later and they will finish much eariier— later and they will finish much earlier about 6.30 this evening. now around _ earlier about 6.30 this evening. now around 40 _ earlier about 6.30 this evening. now around 40 thousand rmt members are taking _ around 40 thousand rmt members are taking part. _ around 40 thousand rmt members are taking part, another union are involved — taking part, another union are involved in— taking part, another union are involved in smaller numbers as well. this will_ involved in smaller numbers as well. this will affect 15 rail companies and network rail and that is crucial, _ and network rail and that is crucial, they run the tracks and the signals, _ crucial, they run the tracks and the signals, the — crucial, they run the tracks and the signals, the plumbing of the whole system _ signals, the plumbing of the whole system and the impact is much greater~ — system and the impact is much greater. talks are ongoing here. it is part— greater. talks are ongoing here. it is part of— greater. talks are ongoing here. it is part of a — greater. talks are ongoing here. it is part of a long running series of disputes— is part of a long running series of disputes overjobs, pay and conditions. network rail the company say after—

conditions. network rail the company say after the pandemic the revenues have been_ say after the pandemic the revenues have been hit and they can't afford a big _ have been hit and they can't afford a big pay— have been hit and they can't afford a big pay rise without changes to the working practices. the unions say their— the working practices. the unions say their members are facing a rising _ say their members are facing a rising cost—of—living and they want a fair— rising cost—of—living and they want a fair pay— rising cost—of—living and they want a fair pay deal. the talks have been happening — a fair pay deal. the talks have been happening this week and i have been speaking _ happening this week and i have been speaking to both sides in the last couple _ speaking to both sides in the last couple of— speaking to both sides in the last couple of days and both say they want _ couple of days and both say they want a _ couple of days and both say they want a negotiated resolution to this _ want a negotiated resolution to this but — want a negotiated resolution to this. but it is difficult to see it. the new— this. but it is difficult to see it. the new transport secretary has met the unions _ the new transport secretary has met the unions and will meet the company _ the unions and will meet the company. she said confident a deal can he _ company. she said confident a deal can be found. the union are about to reba _ can be found. the union are about to reba re—ballot members for more strikes _ reba re—ballot members for more strikes into— reba re—ballot members for more strikes into next year. reba re-ballot members for more strikes into next year.— funeral services are being held for dozens of victims of a knife and gun attack on a nursery school in northern thailand. 24 children and 12 adults were murdered by a former policeman on thursday. 0ur south east asia correspondent,

jonathan head, sent this report. all these young faces. as they were in life. as their families would like to remember them. one wall of temple has been turned into a shrine into what is now a lost generation. with loved toys. stuffed animals. and for this boy a school uniform he had onlyjust begun wearing. this couple are saying goodbye to their own child, a three—year—old. they rush back here on news of the attack from another province where they were working. from another province where they were working-— from another province where they were workinu. �* ,, �* ., , ., were working. translation: he was a cheerful boy- — were working. translation: he was a cheerful boy- you _ were working. translation: he was a cheerful boy. you have _ were working. translation: he was a cheerful boy. you have been _ were working. translation: he was a cheerful boy. you have been holding i cheerful boy. you have been holding this blanket — cheerful boy. you have been holding this blanket since _ cheerful boy. you have been holding this blanket since we _ cheerful boy. you have been holding this blanket since we first _ cheerful boy. you have been holding this blanket since we first saw- cheerful boy. you have been holding this blanket since we first saw you, | this blanket since we first saw you, tell us about the blanket. this this blanket since we first saw you, tell us about the blanket.— tell us about the blanket. this is the blanket _ tell us about the blanket. this is the blanket he _ tell us about the blanket. this is the blanket he loved. _ tell us about the blanket. this is the blanket he loved. it - tell us about the blanket. this is the blanket he loved. it always l tell us about the blanket. this is i the blanket he loved. it always had to be a red blanket. he loved the

smell of it. to be a red blanket. he loved the smell of it— smell of it. floral tributes have come from _ smell of it. floral tributes have come from all _ smell of it. floral tributes have come from all over— smell of it. floral tributes have come from all over the - smell of it. floral tributes have | come from all over the country. arranging them properly is one of manyjobs taken on by volunteers in the village. then the start of funeral which is expected to last forfour funeral which is expected to last for four days. funeral which is expected to last forfour days. this is a holy water pouring ceremony, for which people queued on their knees inside and under a fierce tropical sun outside. funerals in thailand are always a community affair and it seems that all the residents of this village have come to be part of this one. it is a way of sharing the grief of course, of consoling the parents, but also acknowledging these dreadful killings have affected everyone. then it was the turn of this young couple who left their village in search ofjobs to provide a better life for their son. those

hopes have been dashed by an attack no one could have foreseen and which no one could have foreseen and which no one could have foreseen and which no one can understand. let's take a look at some of today's other news. the scottish national party conference has begun in aberdeen, in person for the first time since the pandemic. the party's deputy leader keith brown used his opening speech to criticise the prime minister liz truss, telling delegates she was a "symptom of the dysfunction at westminster". 0ne energy supplier is predicting households could earn around £100 over the winter through a scheme to reduce peak—time energy use. 0ctopus energy said it expects to pay an average of £4 each time a customer responds to a request to cut back. national grid will announce the full details of the scheme later this month. the government has said all poultry in norfolk, suffolk and parts of essex must be kept indoors from wednesday in order to further prevent the spread of bird flu. 161 cases have been detected in the past year.

and in sport england's women showed why they're the favourites to win the rugby union world cup with a 84—19 win over fiji on the opening day of the tournament in new zealand. fiji started well, but in the second half england put in 10 tries, to score a record 14 in total. you can see more on all of today's stories on the bbc news channel. the next news on bbc one is at 5.20. bye for now. hello. you're watching the bbc news channel with annita mcveigh. time for sport now and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. good afternoon. england showed why they're the favourites to win the rugby union world cup. with an 84 points to 19 thrashing of fiji this morning —

on the opening day of the tournament in new zealand. they ran in 14 tries, for a record breaking victory that extends their winning run to 26 tests. jo currie was watching. the year—long covert delay means these players have had a long wait for this moment. england cosmic red roses are expected to bloom at this world cup. fitting that they get their campaign under way in eden. for emerging vg, their first—ever appearance in the tournament. unbeaten in 25 games, this england side knows how to score big tries. they also know how to score simple ones. mcdonald opening the scoring. and the world number one 7 7 size felt fizzle of fiji a �*that �* that they too can turn reminder that they too can turn it on; kicked on, crossing the on. england kicked on, crossing the line again, but fiji showed their speed and showed that they were speed once and showed that they were in a world—class class. then the

floodgates opened for england as they ran in ten second—half tries. as fiji and england as fiji filtered and tired, england were too quick, too strong, were simply too quick, too strong, too good. mcdonald strung as she 77 up her 77 77 up herfourth 77 77 upherfourthof 77 77 up herfourth of thggame, off 77 off a” win 77 the {next up, they face familiar roses. next up, they face familiar foes france next weekend. could england's lionneses be the team to beat at next year's world cup — after they beat the usa 2—1 at wembley. in front of over 76,000, they got off to the perfect start, lauren hemp opening the scoring. the world champions were leveljust before the half hour, sophia smith capitalising on some poor england defending. england were then awarded a penalty, which georgia stanway scored to put them 2—1 up. usa had a goal ruled out by var but that's how it finished.

i think we are in a very good place. it is so close. there are so many good countries. it is really tight too. you don't know ahead if you are going to win a game. we have done really well and we are in a very good place but we have to keep doing that and we have to keep working really hard and getting our plans and executing our plans. max verstappen is well positioned to win his second formula one world title — after taking pole position at the japanese grand prix. hejust pipped ferrari's charles leclerc, who'll start tomorrow's race from second. carlos sainz took third, lewis hamilton 6th, george russell 8th. verstappen can become champion tomorrow if he wins the race and takes the point for fastest lap. england t20 captain jos buttler says he's excited to play cricket again — after nearly two months out with a calf injury. he's set to lead the side against australia — in three t20 internationals, starting on sunday before their world cup campaign begins against afghanistan in perth in two weeks. to bea to be a captain in a world cup is a

very proud moment, especially to get the opportunity to lead your country in a world cup is obviously a great moment so i very much look forward to that and i think above all else i want to really enjoy it and i want to not try to put any sort of undue pressure on myself are the team and just encourage everyone to really enjoy the opportunity to play a world cup. australia is a fantastic place to tour. it is going to be a great tournament and i just want everyone to play good cricket and to really enjoy it. in golf, england'sjodi ewart shadoff has a four—shot lead at the half way stage of the lpga mediheal championship in california. she backed up an opening—round 64, with a three—under 69 yesterday — to move to 11 under, giving her a commanding lead over her closest challenger paula reetoe as she looks to win a maiden lpga tour title. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website, including build to another big premier league weekend. manchester city in action at 3 against southampton.

and celtic — stjohnstone is currently 1—0 in the scottish premiership, hoping to put some distance between themselves at the top, to second placed rangers who play later. gavin, thank you. more now on ukraine, where the rail bridge connecting occupied crimea to russia has been severely damaged by a fire, and the road bridge next to it has collapsed. images widely shared on social media show a train on the kerch rail bridge engulfed in flames. the cause of the damage is unclear. the 19 kilometre, 12 mile bridge runs across the kerch strait and was opened by president putin four years after moscow illegally annexed crimea. earlier i spoke to justin crump — a defence and security expert, and the british army veteran, who's also a ceo of the risk intelligence firm sybelline. it looks extreme unlikely to have been an accident, especially as per the russian narrative. there are very few images of what appears to

have been the incident itself, but it doesn't look as if it started on the road bridge side, the northern side of the bridge. the fireball seems to have ignited the train that was waiting that damaged the railway bridge. so it seems to have happened in that sequence. the story that the train caught fire and then that damage the roadbed doesn't really hold water so one thing i can say with certainty is that doesn't appear be true. and therefore it is certainly some form of human action and ukraine has more or less, with a nod and wink, suggested it could be them. and that certainly fits the most likely narrative. it is a very obvious target for ukraine. various theories being sent around. again, it is very hard to ascertain what is true. i thing what is most important is what does the attack mean for the future, given that it was almost certainly an audacious ukrainian operation of some kind. itruihat certainly an audacious ukrainian operation of some kind.- certainly an audacious ukrainian operation of some kind. what is the strate . ic operation of some kind. what is the strategic sniff _ operation of some kind. what is the strategic sniff against _ operation of some kind. what is the strategic sniff against first - operation of some kind. what is the strategic sniff against first of - operation of some kind. what is the strategic sniff against first of all - strategic sniff against first of all of this rail and road link being out of this rail and road link being out of action? .., , of action? dan covered it very well.

the key strategic _ of action? dan covered it very well. the key strategic thing _ of action? dan covered it very well. the key strategic thing if _ of action? dan covered it very well. the key strategic thing if goods - of action? dan covered it very well. the key strategic thing if goods is l the key strategic thing if goods is the association of this bridge with president putin himself, built by one of his cronies. a flagship kind of connection to bring crimea back to russia from his point of view. that is very significant in itself, that they have lost that and it has been struck even if it is not totally out of use, does appear to be partially still in use and they might be able to replace the railway part of it. it restricts supplies to crimea. supplies already in place and crimea —— rations already in place in crimea for two many people —— make 2 million people now. people try to flee crimea, that will be worse now. they still have a lan connection to crimea. they have captured that territory in the south. that is not as good, though, clearly as having the bridge. they can still use ships but it is all going to restrict supply. and that is going to certainly cause a lot of uncertainty in the russian side. and i think most importantly keep the russian military now getting about how can it stop more attacks like this, where does it need to put its troops now, how does it recalibrate

supply lines. it is going to keep them still off—balance as they already are because of the ukrainian offence. sirjeffrey donaldson has addressed his first democratic unionist party conference as party leader in belfast today. in his speech, the dup leader said that the latest assembly election in may, which saw sinn fein emerge for the first time as the largest party, was a "wake—up call to unionists across northern ireland". for more, let's speak to our correspondent in belfast, charlotte gallagher. looking at other things that sir jeffrey donaldson has been saying in the speech, it sounds like he's trying to bowled a coalition if you like of from different backgrounds but who he can get, he hopes, to unite around the idea of support for northern ireland staying within the union. indeed. he was really trying to reach out in his speech, notjust to reach out in his speech, notjust to dup members and supporters, but people who perhaps have never voted for the dup before, but believe

northern ireland's place is with the uk. they don't want it to become part of a united ireland. so that was one of the key themes of his speech. there was a warning to unionism as well that he touched on there, saying that unionism had become splintered and that had allowed sinn fein to become the largest party and there was also a warning to the uk government in westminster, saying if the protocol, the northern ireland protocol, which is much loathed by the dup, remains, they will not return to stormont so they will not return to stormont so they will not return to stormont so they will be no power—sharing agreement at stormont. at the moment, that building lies dormant, essentially. the elections in may saw sinn fein emerge as the largest party, but no work has really been done there since then. because the dup have refused to return to power—sharing. there is a date looming over politicians in northern ireland, the 28th of october. if by that point the dup aren't back at stormont, then essentially new

elections have to be cold, which is really the last thing that anyone wants in northern ireland, when the cost of living, health care, public transport, they are concerning people here. but that will happen if they are not back in stormont and really today we got no sense from sirjeffrey donaldson that the party was ready to go back until he said actions were taken on the protocol. he is not happy with words and promises, he wants real action to be taken. essentially, the protocol to be axed or significantly altered. thank you very much. the scottish national party has accused the uk government of "chaos and confusion" when it opened its conference in aberdeen this morning. the party's deputy leader, keith brown, told delegates that their homes, pensions and incomes aren't safe "under westminster control". he also said that independence is the only way for scotland to — as he put it — "get rid of the tories for good". 0ur political correspondent

david wallace lockhart is there for us in aberdeen. interesting, reflecting on the dup conference today alongside the snp conference. very different sorts of conversations going on about the respective places in the union. what you think the snp is hoping to achieve from its this year? well, like every year, the snp conference, m this is the first time they have been able to physically get together since the pandemic, one aim of the conferences to boost the morale of the party faithful, of the activists, but then everyone who goes on that stage to speak nose thatis goes on that stage to speak nose that is the potential of what they say to go wider than the delegates here and we heard earlier on from keith brown, the snp �*s deputy leader, really pointing the finger of blame for a recent economic problems at the door of liz truss and the uk government. and his argument is, essentially, even if

there are some questions about scottish independence, even if you have some uncertainty about what would happen, that pales in comparison to the uncertainty of remaining in the uk now. liz truss is adamant her economic plans will lead to economic growth, across the united kingdom, buti lead to economic growth, across the united kingdom, but i think there has not been any sign of that yet and the snp certainly is trying to capitalise on that. what was also interesting from keith brown was how much of his speech he spent talking about the labour party. now, we are seeing pulls at the moment, uk wide, which suggests labour�*s opening up quite a big lead, but his message was essentially that if you want real change, it will not come with labour at westminster, it can only come with independence. so keir starmer has written for the daily record newspaper today in scotland, saying that a labour government in the uk would lead to notjust improvements in the uk but across all the nations, including scotland. so really interesting to see the snp perhaps turn some of their attention, some of their firepower to the labour party, where it looks

like labour is making some games at the moment. we have got the next sort of set piece entering the conference this afternoon from the snp's westminster leader ian blackford. i am sure we will hear a similar message from him. he spends a lot of his time at westminster, but he does want all of his mps to be out of there because he will be banging the drum for an independence referendum next year. that is the snp's aim, but quite uncertain if that will ever become a reality in that will ever become a reality in that timescale. david, thank you very much. it's been revealed that liverpool will host the eurovision song contest next year, beating its rival glasgow. britain is holding the competition in may after organisers decided the winning country from this year, ukraine, was unable to host in current cicumstances. i've been talking to eurovision superfans adam robinson, from glasgow, and meg davies from liverpool. it was an amazing moment, as a fan from liverpool, to have my city

hosting next year's event. a bit of a surprise. i did think it would go to glasgow, given they had been a favourite all the way through. but definitely a really welcome surprise for us here. definitely a really welcome surprise for us here-— for us here. adam, did you think that glasgow _ for us here. adam, did you think that glasgow was _ for us here. adam, did you think that glasgow was going - for us here. adam, did you think that glasgow was going to - for us here. adam, did you think that glasgow was going to do . for us here. adam, did you thinkj that glasgow was going to do it? there is a kind of... with liverpool being twinned by a desk, there is certainly some people who felt there was an inevitability that liverpool would win. ~ , .,, ., was an inevitability that liverpool would win. ~ , ., , would win. well, glasgow has been the favourite _ would win. well, glasgow has been the favourite throughout _ would win. well, glasgow has been the favourite throughout and - would win. well, glasgow has been the favourite throughout and i - would win. well, glasgow has beenl the favourite throughout and i would have loved, loved it to be glasgow, but huge _ have loved, loved it to be glasgow, but huge congratulations to liverpool for getting it and it is such— liverpool for getting it and it is such a — liverpool for getting it and it is such a huge honour to represent on behalf— such a huge honour to represent on behalf of— such a huge honour to represent on behalf of ukraine. 0f such a huge honour to represent on behalf of ukraine. of course, it shouldn't— behalf of ukraine. of course, it shouldn't be either city, it should be a shouldn't be either city, it should he a crane — shouldn't be either city, it should be a crane that is getting to host it, be a crane that is getting to host it. so— be a crane that is getting to host it. so i_ be a crane that is getting to host it, so i definitely know liverpool will do _ it, so i definitely know liverpool will do an — it, so i definitely know liverpool will do an amazing job but i did think— will do an amazing job but i did think it — will do an amazing job but i did think it was going to be glasgow and there _ think it was going to be glasgow and there has— think it was going to be glasgow and there has been so much praise from there has been so much praise from the eurovision community and just people _ the eurovision community and just people from all around the world of glasgow _

people from all around the world of glasgow. so i'm a bit gutted, but of course _ glasgow. so i'm a bit gutted, but of course in _ glasgow. so i'm a bit gutted, but of course i'm definitely going to enjoy it in liverpool. find course i'm definitely going to en'oy it in liverpool.�* it in liverpool. and ibec that you will aet it in liverpool. and ibec that you will get right _ it in liverpool. and ibec that you will get right behind _ it in liverpool. and ibec that you will get right behind the - it in liverpool. and ibec that you will get right behind the ripple i will get right behind the ripple now. ' :: :: , will get right behind the ripple nowtxm '::::f will get right behind the ripple 'now:::m '::::f will get right behind the ripple 'no:::m '::::f now. 100%, 10096. the uk has come second now. 10096, 10096. the uk has come second more — now. 10096, 10096. the uk has come second more times _ now. 10096, 10096. the uk has come second more times than _ now. 10096, 10096. the uk has come second more times than it _ now. 10096, 10096. the uk has come second more times than it has - second more times than it has actually— second more times than it has actually won, so it is good tradition— actually won, so it is good tradition for glasgow to come second — tradition for glasgow to come second. but liverpool seems to be doing _ second. but liverpool seems to be doing an _ second. but liverpool seems to be doing an absolutely amazing job of pushing _ doing an absolutely amazing job of pushing that it is ukraine's competition and their plan for what they have _ competition and their plan for what they have got and they are going to be they have got and they are going to he doing _ they have got and they are going to be doing during the eurovision period. — be doing during the eurovision period. it _ be doing during the eurovision period, it sounds amazing. and there is going _ period, it sounds amazing. and there is going to _ period, it sounds amazing. and there is going to be more information coming — is going to be more information coming out sol is going to be more information coming out so i definitely want to be down — coming out so i definitely want to be down there and be part of it. bringing — be down there and be part of it. bringing some glasgow to liverpool. and, bringing some glasgow to liverpool. and. meg. _ bringing some glasgow to liverpool. and, meg, let's talk a bringing some glasgow to liverpool. and, meg, let's talka bit bringing some glasgow to liverpool. and, meg, let's talk a bit more about how important it is for liverpool to do this job, to host this contest, on behalf of ukraine. and what you think people can expect in the run—up to contest next year?

absolutely. we have said it is not our win and it is not our show. we are doing this on behalf of ukraine. and that is a really special opportunity for us to really capture what eurovision is all about because it is about uniting people from all over europe so it is a really special chance for liverpool to do that. there will be a lot happening in the city in the run—up to the contest. they have already set out plans to collaborate with ukraine artists and fashion designers and musicians. there are stocks of bringing an orchestra from the city of kharkiv in ukraine to come over to liverpool. there are other musicians and talk of collaborations with our city, 0desa. it is going to be months in the making, this process, eastern right until the contest. so it is really going to be a big celebration of ukraine and their really rich culture as well. eurovision super fans.

time to look at the weather now with nick. it is looking fine across much of the uk to start the weekend. tomorrow will be a different story if you are in scotland and northern ireland. quite breezy here with some showers, mainly running into western scotland and an area of thicker cloud for north for the northern ireland later. the on shower in north—west england and north wales. they will fade away and many places will have broken cloud and sunny spells. 14—17 the temperatures. into tonight and we will see the breeze picking up in western areas. thicker cloud may produce some drizzle in some spots. it is clear and the wind is light in east anglia and the south—east. some spots in the morning in the countryside close to freezing. a cold start. sunshine will follow here during the day. for northern ireland and scotland, very different story, rain, stronger winds, gales. some of the rain

reaching towards cumbria, anglesey as the afternoon goes on. the of that, it will brighten up in north—west scotland in the afternoon. stays blustery year. this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a massive fire breaches the strategically important road and rail bridge connecting occupied crimea to russia. ukrainian officials say they've found two mass burial sites in the recently liberated town of lyman — one with around 200 graves. police say nine people have been killed in an explosion at a petrol station in county donegal, in the republic of ireland. funerals are being held in thailand for the children and teachers killed in a massacre at a nursery school. now on bbc news, unspun world withjohn simpson.