welcome to bbc news. i'm monika plaha. ourtop welcome to bbc news. i'm monika plaha. our top stories — like a state of emergency in mississippi after a violent tornado kills at least 25 people. tornado kills at least 25 --eole. �* , tornado kills at least 25 maple-— tornado kills at least 25 neale, m ., tornado kills at least 25 ”eole. �*, ., ., people. as soon as we would go from one vehicle _ people. as soon as we would go from one vehicle to _ people. as soon as we would go from one vehicle to the - people. as soon as we would go from one vehicle to the next - from one vehicle to the next vehicle orfrom building to building, we could hear screams and we could hear cries for help. and we could hear cries for hel. . _ , help. vladimir putin says russia has _ help. vladimir putin says russia has agreed - help. vladimir putin says russia has agreed to - help. vladimir putin says | russia has agreed to keep tactical nuclear weapons in neighbouring belarus. thousands of israelis take to the streets for the 12th straight week, protesting benjamin netanyahu's protesting benjamin neta nyahu's proposed protesting benjamin netanyahu's proposed changes to the law. the uk government is set to announce the use of ferries as part of a series of alternatives to hotel accommodation for migrants as early as next week. from the

suburbs of paris to the river thames, meet oarsmen taking part in the university boat race. welcome, first, the governor of mississippi has declared a state of emergency after tornadoes ripped through the us state. at least 25 people were killed. the authorities say the storm of the trail of damage for more than 150 kilometres. president biden has called the storm's heartbreaking and vowed federal support. storm's heartbreaking and vowed federalsupport. one storm's heartbreaking and vowed federal support. one of the worst affected towns is rolling fork where a —— entire neighbourhoods were flattened to rubble. david willis has the story. this is all that remains of the

mississippi town of rolling fork. heavy vehicles were picked up and tossed around like toys after the twister touched down, all but wiping this tightknit community of the map. this tightknit community of the ma -. ~ �* ., , this tightknit community of the ma. ~ �* ., , this tightknit community of the ma. ~ �* ., ., map. we've got news coming on as we speak. the _ map. we've got news coming on as we speak. the storm - map. we've got news coming on as we speak. the storm struck. as we speak. the storm struck at night. _ as we speak. the storm struck at night. the _ as we speak. the storm struck at night, the warning - as we speak. the storm struck at night, the warning is - as we speak. the storm struck at night, the warning is too . at night, the warning is too late for the residents of rolling fork and nearby silver city. rolling fork and nearby silver ci . ., rolling fork and nearby silver ci . . , ., rolling fork and nearby silver ci . . , , , city. oh, man. dearjesus, lease city. oh, man. dearjesus, please help _ city. oh, man. dearjesus, please help them. - city. oh, man. dearjesus, please help them. about l city. oh, man. dearjesus,| please help them. about 20 city. oh, man. dearjesus, - please help them. about 20 past eight we have the tornado sirens going off, warning the people to take cover. it happened so fast. right now, we've — happened so fast. right now, we've got multiple homes damaged in the silver city area and also — damaged in the silver city area and also in other counties. some _ and also in other counties. some survivors likened the sound and ferocity of the storm to an incoming freight train. got to get ourselves into the middle part of the house and we did and we got in there and obviously it was coming right behind us because as soon as we got in there, we heard a big room. , ., room. even those used to tracking —

room. even those used to tracking such _ room. even those used to tracking such malevolentl room. even those used to - tracking such malevolent forces of nature say the impact took them by surprise —— big boom. all the ingredients were in place for a large—scale tornado up, moving at speeds of 60 mph and we were actually chasing stalls for 11—5 hours during the day, none were going traumatic and write up front that it was like us which was flipped from off on mocro to a massive search is under way for survivors. search is under way for survivors-_ search is under way for survivors. , �* survivors. president biden describing _ survivors. president biden describing the _ survivors. president biden describing the images - survivors. president biden describing the images as i describing the images as heartbreaking —— tornadic.. he said he and the first lady were praying for all who had lost loved ones. david villas, bbc news, washington. ido i do for willis. sophie long is in mississippi now. the i do for willis. sophie long is in mississippi now.— in mississippi now. the four eo - le in mississippi now. the four peeple who _ in mississippi now. the four people who were _ in mississippi now. the four people who were missing i in mississippi now. the four. people who were missing has in mississippi now. the four - people who were missing has now been accounted for. we are currently south of rolling fork which was a small town which was almost completely obliterated last night and at least 13 people have died there and we're just about to start

following the path of devastation, but by the tornado last night. as you drive through mississippi, it becomes evident it was notjust through mississippi, it becomes evident it was not just the weather factors that created the violent tornado that resulted in such loss of life. firstly, it took place at night, a nocturnal tornado which are almost more deadly than those during the day. people are sleeping and don't necessarily hear alerts or have the opportunity to move to better forms of shelter. also, it struck in a very vulnerable area, socially vulnerable area. when you drive through this part of mississippi is one of the poorest parts of the poorest state in america. you see many people are living in mobile homes or manufactured homes that simply are not strong enough to withstand tornadoes of that strength. it was on the ground of course over an hour and some tornadoes passing 5—10 minutes but this was on the ground for over an hour, smashing through more than 100 miles. so, when you have homes like that, not only does it make storms more

difficult to whether, it makes them more difficult to recover from, of course. shelters have been set up for people who have lost their homes in several areas. four people missing have now been accounted for. but i think the damage that was caused injust think the damage that was caused in just over think the damage that was caused injust over one hour in one night is going to be felt in communities here for many years to come. in communities here for many years to come-— in communities here for many years to come. sophie, briefly, other search _ years to come. sophie, briefly, other search and _ years to come. sophie, briefly, other search and rescue - years to come. sophie, briefly, other search and rescue teams| other search and rescue teams are still out and about? the? are still out and about? they are still out and about? they are certainly _ are still out and about? they are certainly still— are still out and about? they are certainly still in - are certainly still in operation ongoing and you will be aware that a state of emergency has been declared by the governor of mississippi who is urging people to realise that the store may have passed, you can see there is little sign of it where i am at the moment, but some people are still like a fort some areas are still dangerous. debris is being cleared up but latest we haveis being cleared up but latest we have is the four people who were missing have been accounted for but the death toll has increased.- accounted for but the death toll has increased. sophie long s - eakin . toll has increased. sophie long speaking to _ toll has increased. sophie long speaking to samantha - simmons earlier. i'm joined

simmons earlier. i'mjoined by major mark hubbell who was a divisional commander for the salvation army in mississippi. he oversees relief efforts from their headquarters. we are seeing some really awful pictures there, homes shuttered and lives lost. talk us through some of the work you're doing on the ground to help people and what are you saying? mil on the ground to help people and what are you saying? all of us expect _ and what are you saying? all of us expect to — and what are you saying? all of us expect to experience - and what are you saying? all of us expect to experience some i us expect to experience some hardship and challenges at some point in life but none of us would expect anything like this as these dear folks in these rural areas experienced late friday night. so immediately, early saturday morning, our teams sprang into action. we deployed our leadership personnel for disaster response as well as four units that are essentially our mobile kitchen feeding units which have the

capacity to serve about inaudible mac meals and one of our main focuses is for the loss of power in the area. no place to even take meals. one of our focus is to provide nourishment, hot nourishment, nutritious, hot meals to folks who are inaudible and also hydration is so very important for us to provide for the inaudible. mark, we are seeing pictures of really bad destruction at the moment so what challenges have you been facing, trying to help those people in need and how are you actually get into them? well, it is an extremely challenging situation. not only a historic storm but made more pickled in serving those who were affected, again, the damage is widespread over rural

communities —— but made more difficult. as made earlier on your programme, we see people are struggling with poverty in the mississippi delta and throughout the state as well. so there are already tremendous challenges there. and then of course access. we've been able to access those areas pretty readily, you know, a lot of debris removal still taking place and that will continue for some time so that our units that we have a quite mobile. we have some larger kitchen units that are more stationary inaudible as well as some small you tv vehicles as well they can go into the neighbourhood we're deploying of those resources at this time —— utvs. thank you very much for your time here on bbc news. mark how well, divisional commanderfrom well, divisional commander from the salvation well, divisional commanderfrom the salvation army. apologies

for any of the technology breakup during that interview. russian president vladimir putin has announced plans to station tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its neighbour belarus. he indicated a few months ago that some belarusian military planes were being re—equipped to potentially carry nuclear missiles. translation: we have already transferred to belarus are very well known complex iskander it can be a delivery vehicle as well. on april three we will start training the cruise. on july one we will finish construction of the special repository to store the tactical nuclear weapon in belarus. asa as a significant development and for how it is seen in belarus, we spoke earlier to anneka libby cokerfrom belarus, we spoke earlier to anneka libby coker from the atlantic council. it isa it is a significant development but i think what russia wants to do is blackmail the west. they want to scare the west. i

think it's another sign that belarus is becoming this really loyal, controlled ally because what priddin said is that they don't really give these weapons to belarus, they will have to deploy the weapons but they will be controlled by russia —— putin. by doing this of course, putin. by doing this of course, putin is threatening the west but he is showing who is in control of belarus. hannant libby coker. _ let's get some of the day's other hundreds of people other news. hundreds of people evacuated following the first wildfire of the season in spain are facing another night away from the village. the fire has affected more than 4000 hectares of forest, forcing 1700 villages from their homes. while wildfires are common in the region, this is the earliest in the year that one has cropped up after a dry winter. venezuela's attorney general has confirmed 21 people have been arrested for alleged corruption at the state—owned oil company. he said they were

involved in illegal oil sales and money—laundering. ten of them were government officials who would also face treason charges. on monday, the country's oil minister resigned after several people close to him detained. former uk prime minister liz truss has been facing criticism following reports that she has drawn up a list of resignation honours. ms truss, who spent only 49 days in office, is thought to have put forward four people. the israeli defence minister has called on prime minister benjamin netanyahu to halt controversial plans for an overhaul of the justice system, the proposed laws have divided the proposed laws have divided the country and resulted in weeks of protest. at least one minister in mr netanyahu's coalition government has called for yoav gallant to be sacked. tens of thousands of israelis took to the streets of tel aviv on saturday as protest against

government plans to overhaul the justice system entered the 12th week. we the justice system entered the 12th week-— the justice system entered the 12th week. we all have to fight for our rights _ 12th week. we all have to fight for our rights because - 12th week. we all have to fight for our rights because of- 12th week. we all have to fight for our rights because of the i for our rights because of the plans of benjamin netanyahu that want to turn this nation into a dictatorship.- that want to turn this nation into a dictatorship. what we're doinu into a dictatorship. what we're doing here _ into a dictatorship. what we're doing here tonight _ into a dictatorship. what we're doing here tonight is _ doing here tonight is protesting against the once again. _ protesting against the once again, all of the power to itself— again, all of the power to itself and take all the rights from — itself and take all the rights from our— itself and take all the rights from our citizens. and this is why— from our citizens. and this is why we — from our citizens. and this is why we are _ from our citizens. and this is why we are here, fighting for our democracy.— why we are here, fighting for our democracy. israel's prime minister benjamin _ our democracy. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu| minister benjamin netanyahu says the reforms. the courts overreaching their powers. and that the public voted for them at the last election. proposed changes include enabling parliament to overrule decisions made by the supreme court. but critics of the plans and say they risk undermining thejudiciary is and say they risk undermining the judiciary is independent and can be used for political ends. now israel's defence minister has broken ranks and is calling for the plans to be paused. translation: triage

is calling for the plans to be paused. translation: now i declare loudly _ paused. translation: now i declare loudly and _ paused. translation: nowl declare loudly and publicly - paused. translation: nowl declare loudly and publicly for the sake of israel's security, for the sake of our sons and daughters, the legislative process should be stopped in order to enable the nation of israel to celebrate passover and independence day together and independence day together and to mourn together on memorial day and holocaust day. these are “é"m'a' “aand “a'ma't ,, "a" , ~ ,, 7 day. these are our remembrance day. these are our holy days for us.— holy days for us. next week, lawmakers — holy days for us. next week, lawmakers are _ holy days for us. next week, lawmakers are due _ holy days for us. next week, lawmakers are due to - holy days for us. next week, lawmakers are due to vote . holy days for us. next week, | lawmakers are due to vote on essential parts of the government's proposals which would change the wayjudges are appointed. meanwhile, protest organisers are vowing to intensify demonstrations. sheuey intensify demonstrations. shelley phelps, bbc news. donald trump has opened his campaign to win back the us presidency by railing against the dark forces he says are lined up against him. at a rally in the us state of texas, mr trump claimed multiple legal investigations into his conduct and finances were straight out of a stalinist russia horror show. district attorney of new york

out the auspices and direction of the department of injustice in washington, dc was investigating me for something thatis investigating me for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanour, not an affair, not an error, not anything. they have nothing and yet, it went on and on and on and continues to. joining me from washington, dc is political analyst calvin dark. thank you very much for joining us here on bbc news. the choice of the venue and the timing is contentious, isn't it, so what can you tell us about the rally so far and why you think mrtrump about the rally so far and why you think mr trump decided to haveit you think mr trump decided to have it there and then? yes, good to be here. i think that there were two main reasons why former president trump chose waco texas. we are now in the 30th anniversary

period of the stand—off of the branch, it has become a rallying cry for anti—government extremists so for president trump to have his speech there in waco, texas during the 30th anniversary period, he was definitely sending a message to those folks to potentially rile them up, the entire government extremists. he also probably did it because it was a smart campaign move. this was his first rally and you want to go to friendly territory and not only texas but waco in particular, he bragged at the beginning of his speech that he had almost 100% during the last ” wisoithinki ” ”isolithinkhe: so i think he went election, so i think he went there because they knew they could get a friendly crowd and they knew that they would get they knew that they would get the numbers to make it appear that he has so much support for his first rally.— his first rally. you mentioned there that — his first rally. you mentioned there that waco _ his first rally. you mentioned there that waco is _ his first rally. you mentioned there that waco is marking . his first rally. you mentioned | there that waco is marking 30 years since the armed stand—off, just briefly remind us of the background and if you think there are any dangers

that this being the backdrop of the rally could perhaps rile up the rally could perhaps rile up the supporters in the wrong way. i the supporters in the wrong wa . ~' , the supporters in the wrong wa . ~ , ,, . way. i think in his speech toda , way. i think in his speech today, president - way. i think in his speech today, president trump l way. i think in his speech - today, president trump played on a lot of the fears because when we think about the stand—off that happened 30 years ago, it was interpreted by many on the extreme right as government overreach and the government overreach and the government was interfering in people's lives and we have to remember the oklahoma city bomb ring that happened after was donein ring that happened after was done in that name. this has continued to be a rallying cry for anti—government extremists and if you look at what president trump said tonight, things like �*we don't when in things like if we don't when in 2024, we won't have a country, it will be over, world war three, take our country back. these are things that he knows our whistles to this crowd and he is trying to rile them up which is unfortunate because we saw on january the sixth that

that railing this base up caused violence and death. thank you very much for your caused violence and death. than here very much for your caused violence and death. than here on bbcjch for your caused violence and death. than here on bbc news, your caused violence and death. than here on bbc news, that time here on bbc news, that was calvin darko who is a political analyst. at least five people are dead and several still missing after an explosion at a chocolate factory in pennsylvania. the blast occurred on friday at the facility, the cause is currently unknown. authorities say they are investigating and the search for more possible survivors is ongoing. recovery efforts from — survivors is ongoing. recovery efforts from the _ survivors is ongoing. recovery efforts from the recent - efforts from the recent building explosion are still under way and progress is being made. during the overnight recovery effort one person was located alive and rescue workers continue to search for any other possible survivors. the discovery of life overnight provides hope that others still may be found in. the rescue workers are continuing the effort to search the area

thoroughly utilising specialist equipment and techniques to locate signs of life. search and rescue efforts are under way after one of the deadliest tornadoes to have ever had the southern us state of mississippi. at least 25 people have died. and vladimir putin has said russia will station nuclear weapons in larousse, the us department of defence said it was monitoring the situation but did not currently see any reason to adjust its nuclear posture. the british government is preparing to announce the use of fairies to accommodate migrants who have crossed the channel on small boats. the announcement could come as soon as next week. our political correspondent iain watson has the details. correspondent iain watson has the details-— correspondent iain watson has the details. ., ., , the details. some of the people who are going — the details. some of the people who are going to _ the details. some of the people who are going to become - the details. some of the people who are going to become hair . who are going to become hair and small boats will now be housed on another form and small boats will now be housed on anotherform of vessel, on ferries but in addition to that, the government possibly by the end of next week too are going to confirm the use of two literary bases to giles migrants as well

— to house migrants. there are around 50,000 people who have come to the uk, the military bases between them will accommodate between 3000— 4000 people so you can see this will not be a solution in itself to getting rid of inaudible . security forces in france remain — . security forces in france remain on _ . security forces in france remain on high _ . security forces in france remain on high alert - . security forces in france remain on high alert afterj remain on high alert after registration to raise the state pension age caused massive protests. the dispute and outbreaks of violence forced the authorities to postpone a plan state visit by the british monarch king charles. meanwhile there have been separate demonstrations in western france linked to water usage by large—scale agricultural producers. our paris correspondence sent us this date. the big, big action that took base here, the day of action was thursday and that's where over 1 action was thursday and that's where over1 million people

took to the streets all over france. this weekend has been much quieter than that but we have seen, as you mentioned, this demonstration in western france, a demonstration about a separate issue, the use of water, but there were some scenes where we saw protest is growing molotov, tails and stones at police, several police cars were set on fire, police cars were set on fire, police used tear gas and we are told by the authorities that at least one policeman and one protester were gravely injured. and what was interesting as well to see any make that protest in western france was that some of the demonstrators there were making links between their cause and then this figure because of upset and anger about president macron's pension reforms. one man said we are making a link, it is the same fight, ourfight

we are making a link, it is the same fight, our fight for water and ourfight for work. so and our fight for work. so there and ourfight for work. so there is a sense here of a very angry country, there have been small—scale local demonstrations throughout france today and of course another day of national mourning action, the 10th day of national mourning action against president macron's pension reforms has been planned for tuesday. the grammy nominated composer nick lloyd webber has died at the age of three top in a statement on twitter his father said: he had previously said nick had been hospitalised after the living with gastric cancer for 18 month. now, from the suburbs of paris to cambridge university, the boat race has been quite the

journey for this 21—year—old. on sunday he will become one of the very small number of non—white oarsmen to take part in the historic contest on the river thames. in the historic contest on the riverthames. he in the historic contest on the river thames. he has been seeking to our sports reporter. it is quite something i would say. it is very challenging. there is a lot of pressure, obviously. i have never been that stressed out about rowing in my entire life. his that stressed out about rowing in my entire life.— in my entire life. his mum wanted him _ in my entire life. his mum wanted him to _ in my entire life. his mum wanted him to do - in my entire life. his mum wanted him to do an - in my entire life. his mum i wanted him to do an outdoor sport, little did she know how far that sport would take him. from the suburbs of paris to the wild and lonely great use, for one of rowing's biggest endeavours, the boat race. when ou tell endeavours, the boat race. when you tell people — endeavours, the boat race. when you tell people in _ endeavours, the boat race. when you tell people in france, - you tell people in france, people who don't do rowing, it's a bit like, it is hard for

them to imagine because something that seems very old school and very uk—based. and seems like almost a glitch in the matrix that a french guy could do this thing. while the boat race has always had an international flavour — it attracts many rowers from around the world — it doesn't have a great reputation when it comes to diversity. in fact, noam is that rare exception this year. across the board, when you look at rowing clubs in this country, just 6% of its members come from diverse backgrounds. people in the uk mostly learn to row in schools, and for your school to have enough money, let's say, to have good rowing equipment and so on, you need to be in a private school. and it's only a certain demographic which goes into private schools, which is why maybe you have a bit less diversity here in rowing, at least. but that's really not the case in france. people are just rowing in rowing clubs. and so, for example, you will have people who row for their school,

but they use the facilities... so rowing club facilities, which makes the sport definitely noticeably more diverse. british rowing say they're increasing the number of outreach programmes in under—represented communities and want to change the make—up of gb rowing. noam doesn't want to be a trailblazer, but is hopeful he can encourage more people into the sport. if someone feels like rowing is not for them because people who row are different from them, right? and if that person sees that i'm doing the boat race, let's say, or anyone else, and they think, "oh, maybe, maybe i could try, maybe i could give it a shot in my local club or in my school or whatever," well, yeah, definitely, i would say, in that case, i'm happy. and if you were to win, what will the reaction be like in france? it will be pretty special. so they're getting a big screen

to put in the rowing club, so that people can watch. so, like, all of the kids, some of the kids and the older people are going to watch this race live on the 26th. my parents are going to be there. many friends are going to be watching online as well. so i think if i win, yes, that would be... that would be very, very special. now, millions around the world have been switching off their lights to mark earth hour and it's notjust houses, monuments including that coliseum shut off their lights at 8pm local time to mark the event. the appeal was launched by the world wildlife fund in 2007 to raise awareness of climate change and proposes that a large number of people around the world can reduce carbon emissions by turning off unnecessary lights and electronic devices for one hour. and just a reminder of our top story. search and rescue efforts are continuing in mississippi after tornadoes had the us state killing at least 25 people. the storm

devastated several rural towns. you are watching bbc news, thank you very much forjoining me. looks like things are turning colder brieflyjust—in—time for british summertime. it will be turning colder across northern areas today and we will start to notice the difference in the south once we lose the early morning rain, all courtesy of the theory of low pressure, pushing into the neck continent as it pulls away, northerly winds will set and initially across the north of the uk and then spread outwards and you notice the blue colours spreading to pretty much all areas by the end of sunday. but we start this morning on a rather wet note across southern areas, that rain takes it time to clear away from east anglia and the south—east, could leave and the south—east, could leave a better hang back up cloud for the north. some good spells of

sunshine around but it will be cold in the northerly wind with some showers which will have a wintry element to them particularly in north and east of scotland so temperatures here, low single digits and single figures for much of england and wales as well, away from the southwest. as we move through sunday night, cold air spread southwards, sky is clear, it is going to be a very cold night, widespread frost i think away from the far south—west of england and south wales, so ice and frost could be an issue. into monday, we are in between weather systems, this will arrive as we head into tuesday but a ridge of high pressure will bring a lot of fine and dry conditions on monday too much of the uk, it will start cold and frosty mind you, watch out for any ice across northern areas and it should stay sunny into the afternoon as well stop tending to build a southern and western areas later on, temperatures areas later on, temperatures are lifting to 11 degrees but after that cold start in the strong late march sunshine, damages will reach highs of 7— nine celsius. on tuesday it

starts to turn cloudier, windier, weather, rain pushes in, certainly across the hills and across the north of england and across the north of england and scotland but temperatures will be on the rise you will notice, southern and western areas, we are back into the low teens and beyond tuesday, it looks like low pressure dominates the scene, sitting up today with of us ushering in some very mild air from the south—west there will be strong winds and rain too. i think one of the mildest days will be thursday, we could be up to 16 or 17 degrees across southern and eastern areas but it will be mild and unsettled right across the board.

this is bbc news. the headlines: search and rescue efforts are under way after one of the deadliest tornadoes to have ever hit the us state of mississippi. at least 25 people have died with more thought to have been trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. the governor has declared a state of emergency. vladimir putin has said russia will station nuclear weapons in belarus — the first time it has deployed such arms outside its territory in almost 30 years. the us department of defense said it was monitoring the situation but did not currently see any reason to adjust its nuclear posture. the uk government is preparing to announce further alternatives to hotel accommodation for migrants as early as next week. those behind the policy say it will be a big break

from hotels and a shift to more basic accomodation in an effort