live from london... ..this is bbc news. ukraine's president zelensky is visiting rome where he'll have an audience with the pope and meet the italian president and prime minister. turkey's election candidates take part in the last few hours of campaigning, before the country goes to the polls. and the fans are out in liverpool as excitement builds over the eurovision song contest final. hello. i'm nancy kacungira. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky has arrived in rome where he is meeting italy's president and prime minister

ahead of an audience with pope francis. trumpets play this was the moment he arrived at the prime minister's residence in rome. later he'll be meeting the italian prime minister giorgia meloni, and also travel to the vatican. a huge security operation has been launched, with over 1,000 police deployed and a no—fly zone over rome. president zelensky is then due to travel to germany, and in the past few hours we've heard that germany has pledged nearly $3 billion of military to ukraine. that's the biggest aid package from italy yet. that's the biggest aid package from germany yet. but back to italy first. let's cross to the newsroom now and talk to our europe regional editor correspondent paul moss.

why has zelensky travel to rome? he's trying to shore up political support and military aid for his country but it's an interesting case. 0n the one hand the prime minister, meloni, has been very vocal with their support of ukraine. but on the other hand you have to look at who else is in italy's ruling coalition. first of all you have the party called the league stop in case there's any doubt about where they stand... i’m stop in case there's any doubt about where they stand. . ._ where they stand... i'm so sorry to cut in paul- — where they stand. .. i'm so sorry to cut in paul- i _ where they stand... i'm so sorry to cut in paul. ijust _ where they stand... i'm so sorry to cut in paul. i just want _ where they stand... i'm so sorry to cut in paul. i just want to _ where they stand... i'm so sorry to cut in paul. i just want to let - where they stand... i'm so sorry to cut in paul. i just want to let our i cut in paul. ijust want to let our audience know what they are looking at. these are live pictures of president zelensky and prime minister meloni walking out of the residents there. it's a very

ceremonial affair. we can hear the music playing as well. so this is president zelensky who we saw arrived a few hours ago. we've also seen him with the president. so he's now with president meloni. so do continue, you were telling us why this visit matters so much? you've got the party led by berlusconi. he has said he had 20

bottles of vodka from vladimir putin as a birthday present and they'd exchanged sweet letters. but in italy there's also support for russia. many italians are against sending aid to ukraine. and they won't say what has been sent. presumably the prime minister does not wish to alienate her voters by saying what they have done. i will imagine that president zelensky will be trying to win over some supporters from the italian people and his own political class. mr zelensky�*s also taking time out to meet the pope. a very interesting visit. some say the pope has had a nuanced and balanced view but others say he's not said enough to support ukraine.

0n the one hand the pope has condemned russia for committing war crimes within the ukraine but he's never personally criticised putin. to say the least, zelensky does not see things in the same way, how he decides to try to influence the pope. if he's going to twist his arm then he will need to bend his. the pope says he has a secret mission to bring peace to ukraine but won't give any details. i imagine that could be frustrating to president zelensky. perhaps they will talk about what this mission consists of but the pipe is playing his cards close to his papal chest at the moment. we know that president zelensky will be going to germany.

we've heard about a $3 billion military aid package that germany is giving to ukraine. h0??? military aid package that germany is giving to ukraine.— giving to ukraine. how important is that? it's the _ giving to ukraine. how important is that? it's the biggest _ giving to ukraine. how important is that? it's the biggest military - giving to ukraine. how important is that? it's the biggest military aid . that? it's the biggest military aid package we have seen from germany. let's remember that germany was a leisurely quiet —— initially quite reluctant to give weapons. to give weapons. the fact that they are giving this aid is in a sense another way that germany is saying they are on the side of ukraine. i have here a list, 30 leopard one tanks, 15 anti—aircraft tanks, 200 reconnaissance drones and more

anti—missiles assistance. a lot of hardware. it's politically clear, germany is saying supporting ukraine militarily. let's remember that ukraine are saying they still want more hardware, more fighterjets, which most countries are reluctant to hand over. thank you, paul. mr zelensky�*s visit to italy comes as russia has carried out a new wave of air strikes on kyiv and other cities overnight. the authorities say the military intercepted all drones directed at the capital. but in the southern city of mykolaiv, three people were injured in attacks. and in the western city of khmelnytsky, critical infrastructure as well as residential and government buildings were hit. the latest russian strikes come as ukrainian forces say they have made progress near the eastern city of bakhmut. 0ur correspondent hugo

bachega is in kyiv. russia carried out another wave of air strikes on ukrainian cities overnight. and at the ukrainian military says that 21 drones were fired by russia. iranian made drones that russia has been using to attack towns and cities. one of the targets was the region in the west of the country where civilian infrastructure was hit. this is a transport hub in the west of ukraine. the authorities say at least 11 people were injured in that part of the country. 0ne city was also hit and at least three people were injured, the city of mykolaiv. ukraine says it has made some gains around the city of bakhmut, a key target for russian forces in the east of the country. yesterday, the russian defence ministry seemed to acknowledge that ukrainian forces have made some

gains around bakhmut. and it also said that russian forces had abandoned some positions. there was some criticism from the head of the wagner group, yevgeny prigozhin, whose group has been leading the russian efforts to seize bakhmut. he said that what had happened near bakhmut was actually a rout. hugo bachega with the latest there from kyiv. because of the russian invasion, ukraine has been unable to host the eurovision song contest despite winning the competition last year. the uk is holding the contest on ukraine's behalf. let's go live to liverpool now and my colleague maryam moshiri who is watching all the action for us. a warm welcome from liverpool.

after months of build up, the city is preparing to host the final of the eurovision song contest tonight. more than 160,000 people across the continent are expected to watch. among the favourites to win — sweden. eurovision legend loreen first won the competition in 2012. now she's back for a second shot at the title. but hot on her heels is finland's kaarija with his incredibly catchy song cha cha cha. well, earlier in the week our team here had the chance to speak with each of them and we were a bit cheeky — asking them what it might be like if they win tonight. and how does it feel knowing you could make history as the first female artist to win eurovision twice? oh, i haven't thought about that. you must have thought about it even a little bit. like, you know, honestly, like the only thing that exists in my life. and it's for a reason. the only thing that i can

that i think about... ..is the performance and also the people. because i'm a people's person and this is my passion. i create and i want to connect through creativity with people. and, you know, the moment you start thinking about winning and losing or becoming whatever, you know, it distorts the energy. let's say on saturday night, they call finland's name. you're the winner of eurovision. what are you going to feel? how would you feel if that happened to you? how is your life going to change? of course. my life is already to change. but if i win, i don't know what happened. i think so. nobody know what happened next... in that moment? yeah, i think so.

i'm so happy. a little bit. maybe, cry, maybe. and i want to tell you, i would cry as well. it's going to be a very emotional moment if that happens. and i'm so happy my family, my family and my best friends are here. the first i want to go watching my friends and family and to say i love you and thank you. you are here. all that eurovision things i have to go holiday. well, come and speak to us on the bbc afterwards, whatever happens. 0kay. it's been a pleasure to talk to you. thank you so much. here in liverpool eurovision excitement has completely ta ken over the city. adam jowett is a liverpudlian eurovision superfan and joins me now... how many years have you been a super fan? i how many years have you been a super fan? ., . how many years have you been a super fan? . . . ., , backin back in 2024. you can get a fan

package — back in 2024. you can get a fan package and stuff like that so i was very fortunate to get tickets. can ou tell very fortunate to get tickets. can you tell me _ very fortunate to get tickets. can you tell me a _ very fortunate to get tickets. can you tell me a little _ very fortunate to get tickets. (1531 you tell me a little bit about liverpool in the way it has embraced eurovision. ., ,., ., , liverpool in the way it has embraced eurovision. ., ., , ., eurovision. how important is that been to you? _ eurovision. how important is that been to you? it's _ eurovision. how important is that been to you? it's been _ eurovision. how important is that been to you? it's been so - eurovision. how important is that| been to you? it's been so amazing eurovision. how important is that - been to you? it's been so amazing to see. been to you? it's been so amazing to see i_ been to you? it's been so amazing to see i never— been to you? it's been so amazing to see. i neverthought been to you? it's been so amazing to see. i never thought it would come to liverpool — see. i never thought it would come to liverpool but the fact that eurovision is actually happening here _ eurovision is actually happening here is— eurovision is actually happening here is amazing. the city has transformed. eurovision is everywhere. you can't avoid it. it's everywhere — everywhere. you can't avoid it. it's everywhere. as far as i can tell, ukraine — everywhere. as far as i can tell, ukraine is— everywhere. as far as i can tell, ukraine is at the heart of it as weii~ — ukraine is at the heart of it as well. liverpool has promised, delivered _ well. liverpool has promised, delivered on their promise to host the contest on behalf of the ukraine _ the contest on behalf of the ukraine. ~ ., ~ ., , , ., ukraine. we got 26 finalists and we have the list _ ukraine. we got 26 finalists and we have the list we _ ukraine. we got 26 finalists and we have the list we can _ ukraine. we got 26 finalists and we have the list we can show _ ukraine. we got 26 finalists and we have the list we can show to - ukraine. we got 26 finalists and we l have the list we can show to viewers but as we try to do this but we can

see is going to be kicked off by austria and is going to end with the uk. tell me this. all those countries, why does all the matter so much? 1, , ., countries, why does all the matter so much? ., , ., , countries, why does all the matter somuch? ., , .,, , , so much? based on previous results, the general — so much? based on previous results, the general trend _ so much? based on previous results, the general trend is _ so much? based on previous results, the general trend is that _ so much? based on previous results, the general trend is that countries i the general trend is that countries that perform later in the second half tend — that perform later in the second half tend to do better because voters — half tend to do better because voters remember them better, they're more likely— voters remember them better, they're more likely to pick up the phone for them _ more likely to pick up the phone for them the — more likely to pick up the phone for them. the uk is performing last so that should — them. the uk is performing last so that should bode well for us but you can't many— that should bode well for us but you can't many predict what will happen from any— can't many predict what will happen from any position because a country can do— from any position because a country can do well— from any position because a country can do well or not do well, so it's very— can do well or not do well, so it's very open — can do well or not do well, so it's very open-— can do well or not do well, so it's ve oen. ., ., ., ., very open. who is your favourite to win? i very open. who is your favourite to win? i think _ very open. who is your favourite to win? i think finland _ very open. who is your favourite to win? i think finland is _ very open. who is your favourite to win? i think finland is going - very open. who is your favourite to win? i think finland is going to - win? i think finland is going to win. it's memorable, - win? i think finland is going to win. it's memorable, catchy i win? i think finland is going to l win. it's memorable, catchy and win? i think finland is going to - win. it's memorable, catchy and fun. i win. it's memorable, catchy and fun. i love _ win. it's memorable, catchy and fun. i love that _ win. it's memorable, catchy and fun. i love that song. thank you, adam. as adam has mentioned, ukraine should have been hosting this

contest because it won last year. but instead it's liverpool who has that honour and the city has made sure to celebrate all things ukrainian. the bbc�*s luxmy gopal who is at the ukraine community centre in liverpool. you've seen some of the activities right in the centre of liverpool but eurovision has a broader reach than that and here at the ukrainian community centre there are lots of activities going on. we got a dj playing music, community choir that is gearing up to start singing and we've got some dance somewhere who are going to be doing ukrainian dancing. this is being supported by culture liverpool with some national lottery funding as well. the idea is to celebrate all things ukrainian. they going to speak to doctor martin roberts who is part of the

association of ukrainians liverpool branch. could you tell us about the huge change the ukrainian families here. we started with ten families one year ago but now we have more than 1000 people here.— than 1000 people here. there has been a huge _ than 1000 people here. there has been a huge influx _ than 1000 people here. there has been a huge influx of _ than 1000 people here. there has been a huge influx of people - than 1000 people here. there has been a huge influx of people and. been a huge influx of people and when seen a big interest in helping ukrainians from our community and ukrainians from our community and ukrainians already here. we wanted to organise something formal to help everybody. late to organise something formal to help eve bod . ~ ., ., ., , everybody. we can turnaround to see some of the — everybody. we can turnaround to see some of the dancing. _ everybody. we can turnaround to see some of the dancing. the _ everybody. we can turnaround to see some of the dancing. the dancing, i everybody. we can turnaround to see j some of the dancing. the dancing, as well, in the background. why is it important to showcase ukrainian culture in this way?— culture in this way? obviously, everything _ culture in this way? obviously, everything that's _ culture in this way? obviously, everything that's happened - culture in this way? obviously, | everything that's happened has happened for a reason.

unfortunately, it's not a pleasant one that's why trying to raise awareness to the whole world that we are here and we are still suffering but also to say thank you to all help that has been given by different countries and communities. what does it mean to have eurovision hosted on your behalf here in liverpool?— hosted on your behalf here in liverool? �* , ., . , , liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of _ liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of kindness _ liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of kindness since - liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of kindness since we - liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of kindness since we are | and act of kindness since we are here for a reason and again, we cannot hold it in our country for obvious reasons. so, we are very grateful to liverpool who done an amazing, amazing job. they've hailed planning events, a festival that is been going on for about one month. social projects that have been happening as well. late social projects that have been happening as well.— social projects that have been happening as well. we will speak briefl to happening as well. we will speak briefly to italia, _ happening as well. we will speak briefly to italia, the _ happening as well. we will speak. briefly to italia, the choreographer here. when did you move to the uk

underwearfrom? i’ge here. when did you move to the uk underwear from?— underwear from? i've been here -- and where — underwear from? i've been here -- and where are _ underwear from? i've been here -- and where are you _ underwear from? i've been here -- and where are you from? _ underwear from? i've been here -- and where are you from? how - underwear from? i've been here -- and where are you from? how hard j underwear from? i've been here -- - and where are you from? how hard was it to leave your — and where are you from? how hard was it to leave your home? _ and where are you from? how hard was it to leave your home? because - and where are you from? how hard was it to leave your home? because i - and where are you from? how hard was it to leave your home? because i am i it to leave your home? because i am here alone. — it to leave your home? because i am here alone. l'm _ it to leave your home? because i am here alone. m on — it to leave your home? because i am here alone, i'm on my _ it to leave your home? because i am here alone, i'm on my own _ it to leave your home? because i am here alone, i'm on my own but- it to leave your home? because i am here alone, i'm on my own but this | here alone, i'm on my own but this country are so open to ukrainians and very supportive of ukrainian people and i and grateful for my new family here at the ukrainian community centre. it family here at the ukrainian community centre.- family here at the ukrainian community centre. it was lovely s-ueakin community centre. it was lovely speaking to _ community centre. it was lovely speaking to you- _ community centre. it was lovely speaking to you. many - community centre. it was lovely speaking to you. many more - speaking to you. many more activities going on here. notjust the final going on but the ukrainian community here. can the final going on but the ukrainian community here.— the final going on but the ukrainian community here. can natalya teach ou a few community here. can natalya teach you a few moves. _ community here. can natalya teach you a few moves, do _ community here. can natalya teach you a few moves, do you _ community here. can natalya teach you a few moves, do you reckon? l community here. can natalya teach you a few moves, do you reckon? i | you a few moves, do you reckon? i don't think any amount of teaching

will help me. i think i'm beyond help! so lots to celebrate today — but not everyone is finding it easy to get to where the party is. train strikes are continuing across the country. a short time ago i spoke to our news correspondent yetunde yusuf about how the rail strike was affecting eurovision and other people travelling around the uk. well, there are some trains running today up to liverpool for those trying to get to the eurovision final but rail countries are saying there will be little or no services running today. 14 train companies are affected so there are some people are being advised to check theirjourneys before they travel. some people have had to take coaches, for example. some people might be wondering why today of all days, why, on the day

of the eurovision song contest final, well, the transport secretary, mark harper says today's strikes are cynically targeting the final taking place tonight but mick lynch says otherwise. they've said they have not targeted any specific activities people get up to and there's the national league play—off final at wembley. he said today was the last saturday they could strike because of a six—month mandate. i'm asking people on the picket line why they are striking today and it's all about pay and conditions. people want more pay for what they do. there's been a 5% pay offer made to the people here today and that would be backdated to 2022 but they say it will simply not be viable because there were conditions attached onto it which meant having to call the strikes often

they did not want to. to call the strikes off and they did not want to. as you know next week we could hear about more strikes being announced so this could continue on for some time. i don't know if you spoken to any passengers but yesterday we caught up with a couple who had taken a plane from london to dublin and then another plane from dublin to liverpooljust to get to eurovision. are you hearing of any stories about people trying to make a desperate attempt to get to liverpool without using the train? i mean people have had incredibly difficult journeys. people here today seem to be getting around fine at the moment but we have heard stories of people finding it incredibly difficult, having to get coaches but it seems people are more prepared today because they don't want to miss the final tonight. thank you very much indeed for that update from euston station.

the former british prime minister borisjohnson still has much support in conservative circles. in the uk, several high—profile conservative mps will be among the attendees — at a political conference in bournemouth. the conservative democratic 0rganisation was set up in the aftermath of borisjohnson's removalfrom office. the conservative democratic 0rganisation conference in bournemouth is the first such event for the campaigning group, which was set up in the aftermath of mrjohnson's removalfrom office energy and industrial strategy jacob rees mogg has just finished speaking — a big supporter of mrjohnson. with more on this we can speak to our political correspondent tony bonsignore. what are some of the highlights? jacob rees—mogg, the first really big speaker we have had, well—known speaker we've had, priti patel,

she's been speaking. the name boris johnson has come up again even within the first hour of this conference. this was setup after borisjohnson was deposed, anger in particular that when there was the second election last year that the members when given a say as they were when liz truss was elected but partly because they worry about the direction of the party and current prime minister. we've heard that from the businessmen who helped found the organisation and jacob rees—mogg. they are talking about the disappointment about what's been happening on brexit and the direction of the party. and the disconnect as he sees it between the membership, the grassroots, people on the ground in the conservative party and the leadership in central

office. the elephant in the room here is borisjohnson. he there's been mention that should he come back that some people in the party —— make some people in the party one tim two, jacob rees—mogg has said, look, let's not change leadership now. there's no sign that the current prime minister is going to change direction now. can you tell us the state of the tory party because of those disappointing election results, should they be pulling together not creating different factions? the factions already exist and there is a battle going on over the future direction of the conservative party. this organisation, the conservative democratic organisation does not

represent all tories, perhaps not even the majority. it mayjust be a small minority of the party. there is another conference coming up, the national conservative conference, where they will be talking about many similar issues with slight differences but i can give you another example. tobias ellwood, former senior minister, saying that these people are reckless and disloyal and they are discounting and making it less likely the tories might when the election so i think it's partly about whether those tories still think there's a possibility of winning the general election next year. very interesting developments. thank you for discussing that with us, tony. king charles has marked his coronation with a photograph of himself and his two heirs. the picture of charles, alongside the prince of wales and prince george, was taken in buckingham palace's throne room on the day he was crowned.

the king is seen wearing the imperial state crown and coronation robes, and is carrying an orb and sceptre. a second picture shows the king with queen camilla, and members of herfamily. you can find all our stories on our website. thank you for staying with us. hello. a decent start to the weekend. it's been a grey, chilly start for central and eastern parts of the country, this cloud is burning back to the coast and in many places wheels sea blue skies. the cloud should burn up back to the coast and allow plenty of sunshine to develop. you can see from the map a lot of sunshine to the afternoon. breeze and cloud across the far north—west, temperatures responding with light wins. 20 celsius, cool along the

north sea coast. it looks like that cloud will return westwards, pushing back into the midlands and will see some changes in the north—west. a weather front pushing into scotland, and northern ireland. clear skies with temperatures wilful but where there's cloud, no lower than 6—10 c. there's a change for part two of the weekend, grey chilly across eastern england and we should see that melt away with plenty of sunshine. rain pushing south and east woods and we could see some showers breaking out across the midlands into east england. 0nce across the midlands into east england. once the sunshine comes through, it's a warm day. much cooler for the north and west, around the mid—teens. this is because it's a cold front, spreading southwards and eastwards, delivering chilly air to the uk as we head into the weekend. most places dry, monday, breezy hour, chilly with

some breaks of sunshine. it should be largely dry. it's going to feel cooler across—the—board. highs, cooler across—the—boa rd. highs, 14-15 c. cooler across—the—board. highs, 14—15 c. cooler around the coast especially scotland. that cold air hangs around into tuesday and wednesday, especially in the north and east of the country but because its high—pressure dominating, for most places it should tend to stay dry throughout much of next week with just a chance of a shower here and there, take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: ukraine's president zelensky is visiting rome, where he'll have an audience with the pope and meet italian political leaders. the prime minister, giorgia meloni, has been one of kyiv�*s more vocal backers. turkey's election candidates are taking part in the last few hours of campaigning, before the country goes to the polls. president erdogan is fighting for his political survival against opponents promising what they're calling "a return to democracy". rail passengers across england are facing further disruption as members of the rmt union walk out on strike. the latest indutrial acton is part of a long—running dispute about pay and conditions. the excitement is building in liverpool as last minute

preparations are made for the eurovision song contest final.