live from london. this is bbc news. sudan's army launches a major attack on khartoum — as it attempts to retake areas held by the rival rsf militia. the uk transport secretary says rail strikes on eurovision day are appalling because they show a lack of support for ukraine. pope francis celebrates mass on the third and final day of his visit in hungary with thousands of worshippers gathered on the streets of budapest. and with a just a week to go until the coronation — the british public will be asked to swear allegiance to king charles.

hello, i'm lucy gray. sudan's army has deployed tanks and heavy artillery for a large scale offensive in the capital, khartoum. there are reports of heavy fighting in the city. the army says it's attacking from all directions, despite a ceasefire being in place. it's part of an effort to recapture areas held by the rival, rapid support forces. the army has urged people to remain indoors and to stay away from windows. south sudan says it's still trying to convene peace talks between representatives of the two sides. the uk's last evacuation flight has left sudan. the foreign office says nearly 1900 people have been flown out since tuesday. meanwhile, the united states has completed its first evacuation of citizens from the country. countries like saudi arabia are getting people out tojeddah via port sudan on the red sea. our correspondent andrew harding

filed this report from jeddah. the dock site here in port sudan. and you can see here 52, we believe, 52 evacuees from yemen, from oman, from pakistan. they're heading out shortly to a saudi arabian warship, which is more just off the coast. we've been talking to many of these people. they look exhausted. they look uncertain about what's to come. they are, of course, enormously relieved now to be safe. it's been a difficultjourney for many of them and a long wait here in port sudan, where so many thousands of people have been drawn because of the promise of a trip to safety across the red sea. but a lot of these people are saying we've left ourjobs, we've left our property behind, and we have no idea if we will ever be able to come back and reclaim that life. live now to kholood khair, founder and director of the khartoum based think tank confluence advisory.

i understand you havejust made it out of sudan. i actually boarded one of these saudi ships heading forjeddah, a 20 hour trip. saudi ships heading forjeddah, a 20 hourtrip. but saudi ships heading forjeddah, a 20 hour trip. but then i got a phone call from the british evacuation based in port sedan, a flight had been confirmed for that afternoon so i got off the ship much the amusement of many people there and made it to the meeting point. it would have made for a less arduous journey. would have made for a less arduous “ourne . ~ , ., ., ., ., journey. when you are in khartoum itself before _ journey. when you are in khartoum itself before you _ journey. when you are in khartoum itself before you left? _ journey. when you are in khartoum itself before you left? i _ journey. when you are in khartoum itself before you left? i was, - journey. when you are in khartoum itself before you left? i was, yes, l itself before you left? i was, yes, khartoum has _ itself before you left? i was, yes, khartoum has seen _ itself before you left? i was, yes, khartoum has seen drastic - khartoum has seen drastic deterioration in these past few weeks of fighting, the humanitarian

situation is unfathomable from the outside but very dire and a lot more attention needs to be put on that. is it food shortages, water, what is the exact situation? it is is it food shortages, water, what is the exact situation?— the exact situation? it is all of it, primarily — the exact situation? it is all of it, primarily the _ the exact situation? it is all of it, primarily the fact _ the exact situation? it is all of it, primarily the fact the - the exact situation? it is all of it, primarily the fact the city l the exact situation? it is all of. it, primarily the fact the city are still under siege, we have had five orso still under siege, we have had five or so ceasefires in two weeks, none have held, neither general wants to cede ground, wanting to secure a military victory. in the meantime, no food, water, electricity, most hospitals are out of commission, fuel shortages, those who want to leave cannot, for those who stay no services and no help on the way seemingly other than mutual aid done through communities. just seemingly other than mutual aid done through communities.— through communities. just explain, we were hearing _ through communities. just explain, we were hearing from _ through communities. just explain, we were hearing from our - we were hearing from our corresponding saying the rsf are better in terms of their street

fighting ability and preparedness, but a mixed picture around the country, everyone's situation and the fighting being so spread but the fighting being so spread mt khartoum has the most strategic sites, port sudan as well. but in the meantime most concentrated in khartoum, darfur. the rsf is out matching the armed forces. but in general we are in a stalemate for several days now. this will need both sides to rely more and more on their international and regional backers. white where does the third might get its money from? several sources, engaged in very lucrative

illicit gold smithing trade. lots of support from the uae and saudi arabia in supporting its war in yemen and providing effectively mercenaries for that work. also is strategic business interests in the region. innumerable funds stashed over the region, particularly in the bike, i believe. it has access to that, without the access frankly this war could be shortened but we do not see the countries that have leveraged over the milk willing to enact any. —— leveraged over them willing to enact any. i5 enact any. -- leveraged over them willing to enact any.— willing to enact any. is the particular— willing to enact any. is the particular support - willing to enact any. is the particular support in - willing to enact any. is the particular support in the i willing to enact any. is the - particular support in the public for either side, particular support in the public for eitherside, it particular support in the public for either side, it is a power struggle between two people. you'll like i think the sudanese public have been unequivocal that they do not to seek a military solution to these

problems. to the perennial problems of sudan and have rejected militarism as a political project, therefore neither general can really tap into a groundswell of support. however, the rsf, particularly in khartoum, are seen as more of a criminal enterprise than a military enterprise and if push came to shove we are likely to see more support for the sudan armed forces. that is complicated because the armed forces has been infiltrated for decades now... serious human rights abuses and repression against the people of sudan. possible peace talks? we have heard south sudan is trying to start the process, but we heard on the bbc yesterday from the leader of the rsf saying he is not ready to negotiate until the violence has completely

finished. i until the violence has completely finished. ~ ., , , , finished. i think that is probably uuite finished. i think that is probably quite refreshingly _ finished. i think that is probably quite refreshingly accurate, - finished. i think that is probably quite refreshingly accurate, i. finished. i think that is probably quite refreshingly accurate, i do not think either of these generals are serious about negotiations until they have exhausted their military plans. saudi arabia and israel have offered to mediate between the two but neither will commit seriously today negotiations. because they are well versed in gestural politics they might commit to preliminary talks but we will not see violence abate, they wore will be fought on the ground, online and on the television and also at the negotiation table, increasing the number of fronts effectively for the conflict. i number of fronts effectively for the conflict. ., , , . ., number of fronts effectively for the conflict. . ,, . ., ., ~ ., conflict. i appreciate talking to ou, conflict. i appreciate talking to you. thank _ conflict. i appreciate talking to you. thank you. _ conflict. i appreciate talking to you, thank you, kholood - conflict. i appreciate talking to | you, thank you, kholood khair. pope francis is celebrating an open air mass on the third and final day of his visit to hungary.

he arrived at kossuth lajos square, which is the symbolic centre of budapest— in his popemobil. he spent much of saturday focusing on refugees during his first trip to hungary since becoming pope a decade ago. the trip has brought into focus the tough anti—migrant stance of the country's prime minister viktor 0rban, in contrast with the vatican's view on the issue. still going with that mass, 100,000 people we think turned out. in the uk, the transport secretary mark harper has criticised the decision of rail unions to hold strikes on the day of eurovision song contest. speaking on sunday with laura kuenssberg he said it was especially appalling due to the role that ukraine's railways had played in resisting vladimir putin. the uk is hosting eurovision on behalf of ukraine who won the contest last year. for the very latest on this — let's bring in our political correspondent david wallace lockhart

in the newsroom. 0bviously obviously a lot of strikes looming here, whether it is nurse's, potential teaching strikes, but the transport secretary mark harper because of his job role particularly focused on strikes coming up on the railways by the rmt union, some big events affected by that, notjust the fa cup final, but big football eventin the fa cup final, but big football event in the calendar, but here the eurovision song contest which the uk is hosting on the health of ukraine this year. the transport secretary arguing it is cynical to be targeting this event with rail strikes. reasonable pay offer was put by rmt to the _ reasonable pay offer was put by rmt to the members, 90% turnout, 70 perg-mac— to the members, 90% turnout, 70 per6—mac percent voted in favour. ——

76% voted _ per6—mac percent voted in favour. —— 76% voted in — per6—mac percent voted in favour. —— 76% voted in favour. the rail delivery— 76% voted in favour. the rail delivery group, it has been put to the rmt_ delivery group, it has been put to the rmt executive. for the third time _ the rmt executive. for the third time the — the rmt executive. for the third time the rmt executive will not put it to their— time the rmt executive will not put it to their members and instead have called _ it to their members and instead have called strikes which are cynically targeting the eurovision song contest. _ targeting the eurovision song contest, as you said. the reason why that is— contest, as you said. the reason why that is so_ contest, as you said. the reason why that is so appalling, it is not our song _ that is so appalling, it is not our song contest, we are hosting for ukraine — song contest, we are hosting for ukraine i— song contest, we are hosting for ukraine. i have met the head of ukrainian — ukraine. i have met the head of ukrainian railways, vladimir putin is targeting ukrainian railways, 100,000 — is targeting ukrainian railways, 100,000 staff killed. we should be in solidarity with them not targeting an event. strikes could play into the upcoming local elections looming this week in the uk. another issue that could play quite big on them is housing. a few months ago, certain house—building targets watered down by the uk government, saying more

leeway for councils when it came to meeting them. the opposition labour party has been critical, pledging to reinstate mandatory house—building targets if they get into government here in the uk. shabana mahmood. we have to stop having a system where _ we have to stop having a system where developments don't happen, were effectively people can block housing — were effectively people can block housing in the area. we will get housing — housing in the area. we will get housing help, whether you consider that being _ housing help, whether you consider that being forced or not, we will -et that being forced or not, we will get houses in our country with a wider— get houses in our country with a wider package of reforms around the planning _ wider package of reforms around the planning system to make sure that that the _ planning system to make sure that that the system tilts the progress banished — that the system tilts the progress banished my process in favour of getting _ banished my process in favour of getting homes built. to make sure local people are part of the design for the _

local people are part of the design for the area is, local people are part of the design forthe area is, assuming local people are part of the design for the area is, assuming always the housing _ for the area is, assuming always the housing it _ for the area is, assuming always the housing it has to be met. the question— housing it has to be met. the question is not whether we are going to build _ question is not whether we are going to build homes, it is where those homes _ to build homes, it is where those homes are — to build homes, it is where those homes are and make sure they are in the places— homes are and make sure they are in the places people want and need them _ the co—leader of the green party in england and wales was also speaking about rent controls, aidan ramsay, pressed on the fact there has been a rent freeze in scotland where the scottish greens are part of the government, arguing it was different talking about a rent freeze, which so some rents rise... thank you, david wallace lockhart. the archbishop of canterbury — who's the head of the church of england, will ask millions of british subjects around the world to swear allegiance to king charles during his coronation next saturday. the public pledge —

dubbed "a chorus of millions" — is one of several striking changes to the ancient ceremony. female clergy will play a prominent role for the first time, and the king himself will pray out loud. here's our religion editor, aleem maqbool. laying her hand upon the bible, she reaffirms her oath. we now know there is as much in the coronation service that will not change, notjust from 1953, but from centuries of coronations before it. so help me god. this is the bible queen elizabeth kissed during her coronation service. and this, the brand—new one on which the king will swear his oath. those oaths go unchanged, but before them, the archbishop of canterbury will explain the church wants to ensure people of all faiths and beliefs live freely. there is nothing that offends against christian worship, but we are very clear that our society today is very

different from 1953 and that means there needs to be a clear recognition of all the elements of society. while those new details from lambeth palace show there will be hymns sung in welsh, irish gaelic and scottish gaelic, but also for the first time they will be significant there will be significant involvement from people of non—christian backgrounds both during the service and also with faith leaders greeting the king at the end of it. these elements are no surprise for a king who has long been known for his engagement with people of other faiths. he has formed a long association with holocaust survivors and this year met with martin stern, a man who survived the nazi concentration camps and came to britain as a 12—year—old.

to be received by the head of state, of this fantastic country, it is beyond words. it means a terrific lot. we were treated as rubbish, you know, fit to be burnt, ground up and disposed of in landfill. and here i was having tea with the king and the queen. though there will be many who criticise how exclusive the monarchy is, that service here in westminster abbey will still be by far the most inclusive there has ever been. aleem maqbool, bbc news. as we heard, the pledge of allegiance, or homage of the people to give its official title, marks a break with tradition. previously only lords at the coronation service had to recite a form of words. this is the text of the pledge of allegiance. it reads: i swear that i will pay true allegiance to your majesty and your heirs and successors according to law, so help me god. other countries like the united states require a patriotic verse to be recited by governing officials —

and in most schools — on a daily basis. and although the coronation is a rare event and the homage entirely optional, it is something new here in britain. live now jack royston. he's the chief royal correspondent for newsweek. he's also host of the royal report podcast. what do you make of this? this wasn't in the last coronation in 1953, what do you make of its inclusion on this one? flit 1953, what do you make of its inclusion on this one? of course, it wasn't, obviously _ inclusion on this one? of course, it wasn't, obviously social— inclusion on this one? of course, it wasn't, obviously social media - wasn't, obviously social media didn't exist. i can't help wondering whether that is what they are thinking, people are going to do it, good chance they will film themselves doing it and post to instagram or tick—tock or whatever they use. i wonder whether they might have the door here for anti—monarchy campaigners to have a new tool for raising their campaign at the coronation, obviously a big day for them as well they have been

preparing for for many years. they may well hijack it with an alternative message. may well hijack it with an alternative messaue. ., , , alternative message. vulnerability there, and the _ alternative message. vulnerability there, and the question _ alternative message. vulnerability there, and the question is, - alternative message. vulnerabilityl there, and the question is, millions of people around the world, at a time when there are places in the commonwealth were talking about breaking away, would you expect millions of people to be shouting at the television in terms of shouting their allegiance or maybe just shouting at the telly? in their allegiance or maybe “ust shouting at the telly?�* shouting at the telly? in the commonwealth _ shouting at the telly? in the commonwealth realms, - shouting at the telly? in the - commonwealth realms, countries like jamaica which has given a very strong indication there is going to be an independence referendum, yes, you are right, i would imagine in those countries they are much more likely to be shouting at the tv. the word allegiance is a strong word for a lot of people, i think particularly in those countries that were part of the empire many years ago and have been on a long journey towards becoming nations that stand

on their own two feet. and are much more independent from britain. honestly i think there will be quite a lot of people in britain to see that issue the same way and would not particularly view the relationship with monarchy as one in which they pledge allegiance. for the royalists, i'm sure they will absolutely do this. you may remember after the queen died there were crowds gathered outside the gates of buckingham palace who spontaneously burst into singing god save the king. those are the people that are going to be doing this pledge of allegiance. taste going to be doing this pledge of alleaiance. ~ ., going to be doing this pledge of alleaiance. ~ . ,., going to be doing this pledge of alleaiance. . ., . , allegiance. we at the poll recently for panorama _ allegiance. we at the poll recently for panorama from _ allegiance. we at the poll recently for panorama from you _ allegiance. we at the poll recently for panorama from you guff, - allegiance. we at the poll recently l for panorama from you guff, looking at support for the monarchy, people over 65 the most likely to say they supported the monarchy. 78%. 18—24 —year—olds, just 32% backing the monarchy, the younger generation

they need to be targeting, isn't it? one of the real issues for that young generation is britain's history with colonialism, if you view that subject, the pledge of allegiance feels quite old school to that 18-24 allegiance feels quite old school to that 18—24 age bracket. and absolutely not the kind of thing that will bring them back round to the monarchy. no doubt the kind of thing that might is having a long weekend, hopefully a bit of nice weather and they can go and actually have some fun.— weather and they can go and actually have some fun. people are preparing, caettin have some fun. people are preparing, getting excited. _ have some fun. people are preparing, getting excited, ordering _ have some fun. people are preparing, getting excited, ordering their - getting excited, ordering their street party paraphernalia, the bunting is on the poster whatever. it is going to be a massive weekend for the uk, isn't it? it is going to be a massive weekend forthe uk, isn't it?— for the uk, isn't it? yes, it will be. obviously _ for the uk, isn't it? yes, it will be. obviously in _ for the uk, isn't it? yes, it will be. obviously in the _ for the uk, isn't it? yes, it will be. obviously in the middle - for the uk, isn't it? yes, it will be. obviously in the middle of| for the uk, isn't it? yes, it will. be. obviously in the middle of the be. obviously in the middle of the cost of living crisis, actually for people to go out, have some fun, enjoy some sunshine, on the back of

coronavirus, i think people do want to have fun. they want to enjoy themselves and this weekend. whether you are a royalist or not, i think people probably will have quite a nice time on coronation weekend. thank you, jack royston from newsweek. officials in india say 11 people have died after a gas leak in india northern state of punjab, in an industrial area of ludhiana. four people are still in hospital. the source of the leak, as well as the kind of gas are not known yet. poor safety standards and insufficient checks make gas leaks common in india. the israeli parliament is due to reopen for its summer session later — but there's little sign the break has calmed the uproar over government plans to change how the judicial system works. this protest took place in tel aviv on saturday, attended by an estimated 150,000 people. the marks 17 consecutive weeks of protest against the plans.

authorities in colombia have reissued their warning that people living close to a volcano that may erupt should evacuate. the nevado del ruiz volcano has been on orange alert since march 30, meaning a large eruption is expected in the coming days or weeks. the united states has accused china of provocative and unsafe conduct in the south china sea, and has asked beijing to stop. the statement came days after a chinese ship tried to block a philippine boat in disputed waters in the spratly archipelago. a ukrainian intelligence official says about 40,000 tonnes of oil products were destroyed by a fire in russian—occupied crimea. this was the blaze on saturday in the port city of sevastopol — a russian official has said the fire was cause by a drone attack. sevastopol is on the crimean peninsula which was annexed by russia in 2014 — and home to moscow's black sea naval fleet. ukraine doesn't normally claim responsibility for attacks

behind russian lines. however, the ukrainian intelligence official called the incident �*god's punishment�* for a missile strike launched by russia on friday. this year's eurovision song contest is just two weeks away and will be followed particularly keenly by members of the lgbtq+ community inside ukraine — including soldiers who've been fighting on the front line against russia. jack lamport has been talking to some of them. these soldiers have been putting their lives on the line, defending their country against russia. but away from the gruelling pressures of war, for some, there's much—needed light relief around the corner. we are looking forward to see ukraine perform in eurovision this year. alexander and antonina have been together for nine years. they were theater directors in kyiv, but signed up as soldiers soon they were theatre directors in kyiv,

but signed up as soldiers soon after russia invaded. i hope that our commander and our fellow soldiers from our platoon will watch with us. we are going to try to spread eurovision spirit among our platoon. although in the army, they have experienced some name—calling, the soldiers have found that being out is easier than they expected. we were pleasantly surprised. pavlo and vladislav, another couple, joined the army two years ago. you're soldiers risking your lives on the front line, defending your country. why does eurovision matter to you? translation: it's a message to the whole world that - despite the war, we can still show our creativity. and it's also a message to russia — no matter how the war is going, we still have a fighting spirit and it doesn't break us and we will never fall to our knees. feeling like home... sophia, who's living with a host family in london,

has been coordinating aid for lgbt soldiers. now, she's come to liverpool to help launch a number of events in the city ahead of eurovision. is ukraine going to win again? ukraine has already won, because even during the war, ukraine can send their participants and their, like, singers to participate in eurovision. they include a parade and a space here at liverpool's lush that's staying open throughout the song contest. this exhibition is showcasing video and photography of lgbt people during the war in ukraine, and it gives us a snapshot of what life's been like. so although ukraine can't host, its people in all their diversity... fanfare. ..are very much at the heart of what's unfolding in liverpool. jack lamport, bbc news.

plenty more on our website. get me on twitter. stay with us here on bbc news. pa rt part two of the weekend has been quite cloudy and wet to start with a cross more northern and western parts of the country, further east you see the best of the sunshine once again. through the afternoon, the rain fragment into sunny spells and showers for many of us, staying quite cloudy and west across scotland, best of the sunshine towards eastern england, close to the high pressure, a week though and weather front the high pressure, a week though and weatherfront bringing the high pressure, a week though and weather front bringing cloud and rain, all into the milder air mass away from the very far north of scotland one feel things out there. the sunshine should break through the cloud across northern ireland, england and wales, line of heavy

showers continuing for southern scotland, north—west england, west midlands, wales, down to south—west england, best of the sunshine from the humber down towards east anglia and the south east, 18—19 here but for most the mid to high teens i think for many. through this evening and overnight, showers pushing eastwards, affecting eastern england for a time, elsewhere apart from the odd shower tonight mostly dry, variable cloud, some clear spells and temperatures of 6—8 or nine quite typical. into bank holiday monday, starting with rain or showers across eastern areas, clears away, sunny spells developed, that can set of scattered showers, northerly wind digs and across the northern half of scotland, here turning chillier with a mixture of sunny spells and blustery showers, single figure values in the north, mid to high teens elsewhere. monday into tuesday and also wednesday, the weak area of high pressure builds and across the country for a time,

settling things down, feeling off most of the showers. moving through the afternoon as temperatures rise, cloud developing, could set up a light shower here and there. most places will be dry, with more cloud into the afternoon slightly fresher air mass, low to mid—teens, temperature across the board. the area of high pressure we think begins to break down as we push towards the end of next week and allows low pressure and weather fronts to push up from the south, bringing increasing chance of thick cloud, showers or longer spells of rain towards the end of the week. you will notice, it does stay on the fairly warm side, temperatures mid to high teens, see later.

now on bbc news, panorama: will king charles change the monarchy? king charles iii is preparing for the most significant day of his life — his coronation. my life will, of course, change, as i take up my new responsibilities. god save the king! he's facing big challenges. there are questions about the monarchy�*s wealth and privilege. there is so much wealth that they hold which is untouched and untaxed and is unaccounted for. the cost of the monarchy is tiny compared to what it produces for this country. storm clouds are gathering in some

commonwealth countries over slavery. justice will require a formal apology.