this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. nato has condemned russia for what it called its "dangerous and irresponsible" rhetoric — a day after president putin said moscow would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in belarus. ukraine said the move would make belarus a nuclear hostage, destabilise it and strip it of its sovereignty. kyiv is also calling on the united nations for an urgent meeting of the security council. the secretary of the ukrainian national defence council said on twitter that the move was a step towards the �*internal destabilisation�* of belarus.

and he said the kremlin had taken the country as a nuclear hostage. ukraine says the deployment violates nonproliferation commitments, something mr putin has denied. translation: we have already transferred - to belarus our well—known, very effective complex iskander. it can be a delivery vehicle as well. on april 3, we will start training the crews. onjuly 1, we will finish the construction of the special repository to store the tactical nuclear weapon in belarus. i'm joined from kyiv by our correspondent, hugo bachega. just talk us through what happened. i think what we've seen since the beginning of the conflict is that president putin and senior russian officials have frequently talked about nuclear weapons and even the possibility of nuclear weapons being

used in this conflict and they know that every time the nuclear issue comes up, those remarks spark concerns in some countries, reactions in some nations, there is exactly what we're seeing today and perhaps this the intended objective with this announcement. we had a statement from nato, calling this russian remarks irresponsible, it says it was following the situation but that it hadn't seen any kind of change in russia's nuclear posture. there's been some strong reaction here in kyiv, the foreign ministry said russia was using nuclear weapons as a tool of threat and intimidation and called for an emergency session of the united nations security council. earlier, we had some reaction from washington, the us has been a key ally of ukrainians in this war and perhaps there was a attempt to downplay concerns about the possibility of nuclear weapons being

used and a senior us official said there were no indications that russia could be planning to use tactical nuclear weapons here in this conflict and i think what some experts had been saying is that this could be part of a well—known russian strategy here to play with western fears of a nuclear escalation in this conflict. find escalation in this conflict. and president _ escalation in this conflict. and president putin _ escalation in this conflict. and president putin on _ escalation in this conflict. and president putin on state television on saturday said that the liberation leader was long raised the issue of stationing tactical nuclear weapons in belarus. have we heard from him at all? ~ . �* ., in belarus. have we heard from him at all? ~ . �* . ~ at all? we haven't and i think that's why — at all? we haven't and i think that's why there _ at all? we haven't and i think that's why there wasn't - at all? we haven't and i think that's why there wasn't a - at all? we haven't and i think that's why there wasn't a lot l at all? we haven't and i think. that's why there wasn't a lot to surprise here when this announcement was made. in russia and belarus have been talking about the transfer of nuclear weapons for quite some time. what present putin said is that a construction of a facility will be finished byjuly the ist but he did

not so when those weapons to be sent to belarus. there are no traders at least for now on the ground but obviously concerned that this could suggest an escalation by the russian leader. . ~' , ., , suggest an escalation by the russian leader. ., ~ , ., , . suggest an escalation by the russian leader. . ~ , ., , . ., leader. thank you very much, hugo pacheco, corresponded _ leader. thank you very much, hugo pacheco, corresponded in - leader. thank you very much, hugo pacheco, corresponded in kyiv. - coastguards in tunisia say 29 people are now known to have drowned when two boats carrying the vessels were heading to italy — as part of a surge in crossings that's seen several other boats sink, and dozens more reach the italian island of lampedusa. four other boats have gone down in the region in the last three days amid an unprecedented series of departures from north africa. the first protest has taken place in hong kong since china imposed sweeping restrictions on the rights and freedoms of people living in the territory. the small rally was closely monitored by the police. demonstrators had to wear numbered tags and were banned from wearing masks. they took to the streets to campaign

against a land reclamation project that will be used to build rubbish collection facilities. president biden has declared a major emergency in the state of mississippi, where a tornado has left hundreds homeless. this is the moment on friday when the wind barrelled through a school in the area, captured by cctv cameras inside. and these are the latest drone pictures after the tornado struck — carving a path of destruction 170 miles long. at least 25 people were killed in mississippi and one person in alabama. dozens have been injured. our north america correspondent sophie long reports from mississippi.

this is rolling fork, a small, close community in mississippi. there is little left. they've lost loved ones, their homes, everything. we get storms like bad rain or, you know, probably high winds or something. but we never experience nothing like this where it can wipe out a whole town. you know, schools, children, you know, parents, loved ones. it wiped out everything. these girls said they came back to look for their belongings. they didn't find much. this is what remains of people's homes here in rolling fork. you can see washing machines, signs of a life that took place here before the tornado struck in the middle of the night. many people were sleeping. you can imagine just how terrifying that must have been. it meant many didn't hear the alerts. oh, man.

dearjesus, please help them. ran in the bathroom, closed the door and jumped in the tub. _ francisco said the only warning he had was the noise of the wind, a sound that will haunt him forever. it was terrifying. and it was like something that i i never want to go through again. i never want to experience that again in my life, - but i made it through it. but it was scary. he survived by sheltering in his bathroom, the only bit of the house that's still partially standing. there is some long term resentment here. mississippi is the poorest state in america, and some feel forgotten by leaders in the nation's capital. excuse my language. damn, you forgot about us? just because we already last in everything? you forgot about us. that's not right. that is very heart wrenching. other than we lost everything and we feel that we don't have support from the superior people also. president biden described what happened here as heartbreaking

and said he and the first lady are praying for those who had lost loved ones. but people here are asking for more than prayers and emergency relief. they want long term support. sophie long, bbc news, rolling fork, mississippi. the sale of laughing gas to the public is to be banned as part of a wider government crackdown on anti—social behaviour to be announced tomorrow. the gas — nitrous oxide — has legitimate uses in medicine and dentistry as an anaesthetic, but when taken as a psychoactive drug the government says it's use is contributing to anti—social behaviour. here's our political correspondent helen catt. it's the sort of behaviour that blights lives and cost millions to clean up, says the government. graffiti and vandalism among the targets of a new strategy being launched tomorrow. and it has now confirmed it now has nitrous oxide or laughing gas in its site, the second most used drug

among 16 to 24—year—olds, the tiny silver canisters which carry it often scattered across public spaces. if you walk through any urban park, you will see these little silver canisters which are the evidence of people regarding blick spaces as arenas for drug—taking. that is unacceptable. people should feel that those spaces are being looked after in a way which means that they are safe for children. ministers have not yet made clear what the detail of the ban would be. it is already illegal to produce or supply the gas for its psychoactive effects. the independent counsel on the use of drugs advised not banning it outright. labour said it would back a crackdown. i think we want to see it banned as well because i think it does cause a huge amount littering and disruption and anti—social behaviour challenges as well. but labour is accusing ministers of stealing its ideas for another part of its anti—social behaviour plan. the introduction of something

the government is calling immediatejustice. it will see people who commit vandalism, for example, have to start repairing the damage they have done within 48—hour of being told to do so. if the damage has already been fixed, they will be given alternative tasks like picking up litter or removing graffiti. and they would have to where high viz to show that justice is being done. communities would also get a say in the punishments. it will begin in ten areas in england and wales. anti—social behaviour is showing up in government and opposition pulling as a concern for voters and one which they feel is being ignored. with elections on the way, it is an issue which may now become a lot more visible. the office for budget responsibility has warned the uk is part of the bigger creature living standards we have faced on record. richard

hughes, the chairman of the opr told the bbc that living standards wouldn't recover to pre—pandemic levels for another five or six years. he said brexit meant the country's economic output was about 4% lower than it would have been had the uk remained in the eu. speaking on the same programme, the cabinet minister michael gove said the country had become poorer because of the pandemic and the war in ukraine. earlier, i spoke to our business corresponded. i started by asking her if mr gove had acknowledged that brexit was to blame for this. for that, he said _ brexit was to blame for this. fr?" that, he said one can always do better but he did and says that the government was doing everything it could to tackle the cost of living crisis including introducing a windfall tax on oil and gas firms which the government is using to help pay for a scheme to lower

household energy bills. michael gove's overall view on this is a twin shocks, the pandemic and the war in ukraine which pushed up the price of energy and food. let's listen to what he had to say. it price of energy and food. let's listen to what he had to say. if we hadn't had — listen to what he had to say. if we hadn't had the _ listen to what he had to say. if we hadn't had the war, _ listen to what he had to say. if we hadn't had the war, the _ listen to what he had to say. if we hadn't had the war, the impact that it has_ hadn't had the war, the impact that it has had _ hadn't had the war, the impact that it has had on fossil fuel prices and on other_ it has had on fossil fuel prices and on other suppliers including food, if we _ on other suppliers including food, if we hadn't had the covert pandemic, then we would have been in a position— pandemic, then we would have been in a position where our growth rate would _ a position where our growth rate would be — a position where our growth rate would be selectively higher. told me for the wider — would be selectively higher. told me for the wider context _ would be selectively higher. told me for the wider context of _ would be selectively higher. told me for the wider context of these - for the wider context of these comments. for the wider context of these commente— for the wider context of these comments. ., , ., ., comments. earlier in the programme, richard hughes _ comments. earlier in the programme, richard hughes described _ comments. earlier in the programme, richard hughes described how- comments. earlier in the programme, richard hughes described how the - comments. earlier in the programme, richard hughes described how the uk| richard hughes described how the uk was in the middle of the biggest squeeze in living standards on record and he said the living standards were not expected to recover to pre—pandemic levels for another five or six years. the time for the uk is that we are a net importer of food and energy and as we werejust importer of food and energy and as we were just talking about, those prices have been soaring. the

outcome of all of that, had leaves of poorer, worse off as a country, that's what he said. he was also asked how much longer the economy would happen if we had remained in eu, he said that in the long run brexit reduces output by around 4% compared than if we had remained in the eu. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's betty glover. good afternoon. phil foden has been rolled out of the match after having surgery to remove his appendix this morning. he is down to a squad of 20 and has made three changes to the side to beat italy. james madison is making his first start for england, ben chilwell and jordan henderson coming in. it is ukraine's first match of their qualifying campaign. england

will be favourites, england are ranked fifth in the world, ukraine 26. you've got to add ukraine will be paying with a sense of national pride, in the country and the invasion by russia. former players at the whole country will be rushing in at sporting events like this, that can be rushing in at sporting events like this, that can reignite hopein events like this, that can reignite hope in a sense of national pride and one that is at stake, sometimes that might be all the incentive the ukrainian players need to give it a go and test a lead, especially of gareth southgate does play without starting 11 as well. they're hosting finland at windsor park in their second qualifier, having won 2—0 away to san marino midweek. they have they have had recovery to come back and beat the 1992.

manchester city have beaten chelsea in the wsl 2—0 win this afternoon. city look the lead through this brilliant effort from filippa angeldahl. they then added a second on the half hour mark through lauren hemp and that's how it stayed. city are now level on points with united at the top, but are second on goal difference. city bus gareth taylor is getting too carried away.— too carried away. gives you real confidence _ too carried away. gives you real confidence and _ too carried away. gives you real confidence and momentum - too carried away. gives you real confidence and momentum to l too carried away. gives you real| confidence and momentum to go too carried away. gives you real- confidence and momentum to go on and achieve big things. chelsea are still on the front seat, they know how to when and is a good day fast but we've got a big game coming up next week as well.— next week as well. there have been to other games _ next week as well. there have been to other games in _ next week as well. there have been to other games in the _ next week as well. there have been to other games in the women's - next week as well. there have been l to other games in the women's super league. aston villa, leicester

beating them. england's se one had played a starring role. after being hits, two deliveries including how england team—mate. she then also picked up her third wicket as mum i made a dream start to the final. the women's six nations continues today. with italy taking on france in parma. and that's all the sport for now. the funeral of one of the last black raf veterans of the second world war is being moved to a bigger venue — because so many people

wanted to attend. flight sergeant peter brown was part of the so—called "pilots of the caribbean" and died alone at his west london flat last year. his funeral was due to take place on wednesday — in a chapel which fits 140 people — but a new location is needed after a successful appeal for mourners. simon jones has more. flight sergeant peter brown is now set to get the send—off he deserves. he travelled thousands of miles from jamaica to join the raf and 1943 training as a wireless operator and an air gunner. he served as a crew member on lancaster bombers, one of a50 young black men from the caribbean, africa and parts of the uk to fly with the raf during the second world war, described as among the brightest and the best. last december he died alone in his flat in west london. he had no known relatives, a campaign was launched

to find people who knew him to attend his funeral. now westminster council has tweeted: his life and military career were due to be remembered in a chapel that could hold 140 people this wednesday. now a new date and much bigger venue are being arranged. his neighbours remember him fondly. each and every person knows him, knows peter brown. so he was a good guy. he flew lancaster bombers as a radio operator which must've taken, i mean, when you hear about the casualty rate from the raf crews, that took some courage. couldn't have done it myself.

westminster council says it is working closely with the ministry of defence to ensure that mr brown is given a fitting service. simon jones, bbc news. stay at home, save lives. it's three years ago since we all heard that message, and we entered the first covid lockdown. most of us have now resumed our normal lives, but there are many still living with the consequences — as jamie coulson reports. from this evening, i must give the british people a very simple instruction — you must stay at home. people stripping the shelves of basic foods. you just need to stop it. we see a lot of death. we see a lot of patients who can't see their relatives. _ so we have to be their

relatives for them. - it was an invisible enemy that threatened all our lives. a new virus that began its spread into every home, hospital, and high street, in a few short weeks changed the way we all lived our lives — in some cases forever. looking at this picture, it was a scary and distressing time because i didn't know if i was going to live or die. in december 2020 kelli went into hospital in leeds with covid—19. the 53—year—old spent a total of 31 days in hospital, 11 of which were in intensive care. we first filmed kelli on a covid ward before she was discharged home. since then her recovery has been slow, despite support from a long covid clinic. she still has daily struggles, emotional and physical, from the ordeal. it is a fraction of the ways to live, the way i am living. it has made me disabled.

i can only walk so far. i can't do much. i want to do it. my body won't let me. infection from the virus was indiscriminate, but it was the elderly and vulnerable who faced the greatest risks. in england alone, more than 186,000 deaths have been recorded where covid—19 is listed as one of the causes. it was the development of vaccines and effective treatments that helped turn the tide. good morning. professor dinesh saralaya is a respiratory consultant at bradford teaching hospitals, and part of the team that bore the brunt of successive covid ways. he led a research team that played a vital roll in delivering three vaccines and seven treatment trials. we must be proud of our work and we are in a better position now thanks to all the research that went on. we saved lives every day.

if we didn't have treatments or vaccines, we would see people still dying from covid—19. now the number is small. many people talk about the pandemic as if it is in the past. what is your view? covid is not in the past. it is still amongst us. we are not completely out of it. we're still seeing patients with covid—19. the illness is much more minor than we first saw three ago. the virus is circulating, but a highly vaccinated population in the three years since the first lockdown, the virus has exacted a terrible toll in terms of the lives it is taken and those it is damaged. and while the threat of covid has been weakened, the virus has not yet gone away. jamie coulson, bbc news.

i spoke with political expert olga dryndova, who's the editor in chief of "belarus—analeezen" at the university of bremen about how belarusians feel about this development. we don't have that much information on on the opinion polls in belarus, since they are quite dangerous for people now to do the information that we have. nevertheless tells us that the majority of the absolute majority of belarusian people want belarus to stay neutral. also, the absolute majority actually does not want any russian nuclear weapons on the belarusian territory and also don't want the belarusian army to take part in this war against ukraine. well, this is only one side.

the other side is what these people who do not want it actually can do in belarus, since we are dealing with with a huge wave of repressions after protest 2020 that is lasting for over two years already. and most of the people who have been active in belarus have been already eitherjailed or had to leave the country. so the recent wave of repressions that we are observing might be connected also to the recent attempt at drone of a drone attack on russian military surveillance aircraft organised by the so—called belarusian partisans, the activists who are acting against the belarusian state. so people in belarus are just scared of the repressions coming from lukashenka and i don't think we will have any visible reaction on the streets, unfortunately. and we are hearing that people claiming that belarus is losing its sovereignty. what's your response to that?

well, that's unfortunately also not the first time that we're hearing that. and also the fact that now lukashenko has agreed to station nuclear technical weapons on the territory of belarus is unfortunately the continuation of this tendency. so i would say that the regime of lukashenko has become dramatically dependent on the russian leadership after the protest 2020, after the western reaction and sanctions that came after that as reaction on that and also after belarus becoming a de facto aggressor, unfortunately, last year in this war. so the dependence of the belarusian leadership is huge, which means that it endangers the sovereignty of the country. so we can say that legally scene belarus is not occupied by russia, but political is seen. the dependence is huge and we don't even know whether lukashenko will have control or with the weapons, nuclear weapons

on the belarusian territory once they are stationed there. it's very dangerous for the country. there's lots more on our top stories on the bbc news website and you can reach me on twitter. time now for the weather. hello. things are turning briefly colder over the next few days. and with that cold air already embedded across scotland, the showers that have been falling through today have been giving a dusting of snow. furthersouth, it's been a different story. we've had a band of rain moving its way eastwards behind it, some spells of sunshine developing, but still some rain to clear away from south east england through this afternoon. and behind it, a legacy of cloud. many will see some bright or sunny spells. still those wintry showers piling into the northern isles, northern scotland, northeast england, perhapsjust clipping parts of east anglia as well. and certainly a colderfeeling day compared to yesterday, particularly for north sea coasts. with a biting northeasterly wind mainly dry tonight, as many of the wintry

showers start to fade. increasingly clear skies as well. but we could see some cloud across parts of wales and south west england, maybe one or two light showers. and here temperatures at or above freezing, but for many, temperatures will be below freezing. and where we've seen the wintry showers, that could lead to some icy stretches as well. so it's a cold, frosty but mainly dry start to the new week before things turn wet and windy, but also very mild through wednesday and thursday. high pressure is the dominant feature as we start the new week. it's the only day of the week that we see this set up. notice our next atlantic system waiting to nudge in for much of monday. it's mainly dry, good spells of sunshine. any wintry showers for northern and eastern coast starting to fade. but we could see some rain, sleet and snow pushing into the northern isles later in the day and also some cloud developing across parts of wales and south west england. here, temperatures in double figures as we head further north, we're looking at highs at best of 6 to 9 celsius. and this atlantic front starts to move its way eastward through monday night and into tuesday, bringing a spell of rain. the wind starting to pick up. and as it bumps into the cold air

across parts of scotland, over the higher ground, we could see some snow here through tuesday morning. and then that band of rain extends its way eastwards through the day. some of that will be heavy, turning drier and brighter across northern ireland through the afternoon. temperatures up slightly compared to monday. but given the cloud and the rain, still a cool feeling day and then the south—westerly winds start to strengthen further as we head through wednesday and also into thursday. more atlantic fronts pushing across, bringing spells of heavy rain. so to sum up the week ahead, it's a cold, frosty, but mainly sunny start to the new week, but things will turn increasingly wet and windy and also much milder.

this is bbc news. the headlines: nato condemns russia for its dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric a day after president putin said that moscow would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in belarus. nato says it remains vigilant the hasn't seen changes in russia's nuclear posture that would lead it to adjust its own. president biden has ordered the federal aid be sent to

mississippi as emergency services work to help hundreds of people who have been left homeless by a