live from london, this is bbc news. ukraine's president visits rome — he's already met the prime minister and president, and later he'll have an audience with the pope. turkey's election candidates take part in the last few hours of campaigning, before the country goes to the polls. and merry across the mersey — excitement builds in liverpool ahead of the final of the eurovision song contest. hello. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky is in rome, where he's meeting italy's leaders ahead of an audience with pope francis.

this was the moment he arrived at the prime minister's residence in rome, where he was greeted by italian president sergio mattarella. shortly after this, he met italian prime minister giorgia meloni. she's been one of ukraine's more vocal backers, although polls suggest that italian people overall are opposed to sending ukraine more weapons. as are some of her coalition partners. live now to the bbc�*s sofia bettiza in rome. out, members of the rmt union are back on picket lines. another 24—hour strike at their long—running dispute, with live now to the bbc�*s sofia bettiza in rome.

president zelensky has had a meeting with his counterparts. this private meeting lasted for 25 minutes and some of these things discussed were economic functions against russia, the kidnapping against ukrainian children, and they need to set up... after the meeting, president zelensky said i want to thank italy each italian one by one for to show italy's continued support for ukraine. quite a few symbolic moves there and also, those

important discussions with the president but beyond that presidents are lenski will be hoping for some concrete military support. —— zelensky. it's not so clear—cut even though prime minister meloni supports him. you are right. italy is a country that historically has had strong ties with moscow and actually since russia invaded ukraine, italy has become a haven for pro kremlin disinformation and propaganda. zelensky has pleaded formal weapons from the west time and time again and, in fact, in the ukafew and time again and, in fact, in the uk a few days ago, it was agreed that missiles would be sent to the ukraine. italy is also sending

weapons and money to support the capital but there are people in italy's coalition government. silvio berlusconi, the leader of the centre—right party says he's a long—time friend of vladimir putin, russian�*s president. it's a delicate diplomatic situation for meloni to deal with. thank you very much for joining us there. 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. our 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.

one 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. so the uk stepped in to host on their behalf — and with just hours to go,

the final preparations are under way in liverpool. our media and arts correspondent david sillito has been soaking up the atmosphere. liverpool has become a carnival... ..of eurovision. everywhere you look, there's a reminder ofjust what has arrived. the city is awash with glitter. and, well, there's only one word for it — rammed. just look at the queue for the eurovision village. and this isjust the buildup. the main event is going to be even busier. and among it all today was one very excited fan, josh. wow. wow, wow, wow. are we going in there, then? oh, my gosh! when tickets went on sale in march... oh, my god, ithink i'm going to cry! ..we were with him when he thought he had managed to get into the final. yeah, i got a vip package!

we, actually — oh, my god, i'm going to have a heart attack. and then was crushed when it didn't go through. tickets for the grand final have now sold out. that's what says. he sighs what can you do? but perseverance pays off. something might happen, you never know. he and his mum finally did get tickets. that was a bad day for you, wasn't it? yes, i was devastated, but i'm now going to the final. twice, twice. twice? yeah, i'm going to the vip in the morning, hospitality, the evening. perseverance! this is what dreams are made of. the performers have also been out and about. here, finland. did you have to be convinced to wear this? no. no, no, no. i love it, first time when i see that, i went "give me that!" because when i put it on, i feel so superhero. so the fans are here in force,

and the blue and yellow of ukraine is everywhere. and there will be a lot of attention on how the country is represented in tonight's show. eurovision�*s "no politics" rule means there'll be no video address from volodymyr zelensky, but rehearsals are being watched closely to see how far a contest staged in the uk can reflect ukraine. david sillito, bbc news, liverpool. of course 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.

what's going on there? it's notjust the city centre in liverpool that's the city centre in liverpool that's the harbour, but it's broadening out into the city. this dj set playing and there's a disco planned for later. this preparation forfood going on, ukrainian food and you can see the dancers in their absolutely beautiful costumes and outfits. it's a celebration of things in all terms of ukrainian, including art and culture. the numbers have increased 100 fold in the past year because before the invasion of ukraine there were ten families here and now there are around 1000 people. let's talk to someone who is come over from ukraine. where did you come from? i

came from the capital of ukraine. what has it been like because i know you've got some members of your family still there. who is still back home? my family still there. who is still back home?— family still there. who is still backhome? g , back home? my parents are still in ukraine. unfortunately, _ back home? my parents are still in ukraine. unfortunately, they - back home? my parents are still in ukraine. unfortunately, they can't| ukraine. unfortunately, they can't leave my country but all the time i have to be on the phone with them. it's not good, but, unfortunately, it's a lie. . , , it's not good, but, unfortunately, it's a lie. ., , , . it's a lie. has it been difficult seeinu it's a lie. has it been difficult seeing images _ it's a lie. has it been difficult seeing images of _ it's a lie. has it been difficult seeing images of your - it's a lie. has it been difficult - seeing images of your hometown. it's true seeing images of your hometown. it�*s true but at the same time, when i look through news from ukraine, i'm always worried because you never know so this news, usually horrible. so, yet, it's not good. if know so this news, usually horrible. so, yet, it's not good. iii know so this news, usually horrible. so, yet, it's not good.— so, yet, it's not good. if! bring ou so, yet, it's not good. if! bring you around _ so, yet, it's not good. if! bring you around this _ so, yet, it's not good. if! bring you around this way _ so, yet, it's not good. if! bring you around this way so - so, yet, it's not good. if! bring you around this way so we - so, yet, it's not good. if! bring you around this way so we can l so, yet, it's not good. if i bring i you around this way so we can see some of the dancing going on in the background, what does it mean to you

to see the celebration of ukrainian culture in livable? it’s to see the celebration of ukrainian culture in livable?— culture in livable? it's amazing because, culture in livable? it's amazing because. you _ culture in livable? it's amazing because, you know, _ culture in livable? it's amazing because, you know, in - culture in livable? it's amazing because, you know, in these i culture in livable? it's amazing i because, you know, in these hard times, to see this in liverpool, to see how ukraine is represented in liverpool, so it's really amazing. we are very pleased to see it at a time when when russia wants to kill everything ukrainian so it's very important for us. so thank you for all the support. thank you so much. bring you round to see some of these preparations for the cooking that is taking place. we going to look out for someone who is wearing a glitter disco ball hat. it should be quite

easy to find her. this in preparation for ukrainian food going on. hello, there. how are you? fine thank you- — on. hello, there. how are you? fine thank you- we _ on. hello, there. how are you? fine thank you. we have _ on. hello, there. how are you? f ia: thank you. we have been making dumplings. ukrainian dumplings, i believe and i have been making them all afternoon. haifa believe and i have been making them all afternoon-— all afternoon. how important is it that liverpool _ all afternoon. how important is it that liverpool does _ all afternoon. how important is it that liverpool does this _ all afternoon. how important is it that liverpool does this hosting l all afternoon. how important is it| that liverpool does this hosting on behalf of ukraine and celebrates the culture and makes ukrainians feel welcome? i culture and makes ukrainians feel welcome? ., �* , culture and makes ukrainians feel welcome? ~ �* , ., culture and makes ukrainians feel welcome? ~ �*, ., ., welcome? i think it's important for an one to welcome? i think it's important for anyone to feel— welcome? i think it's important for anyone to feel welcome _ welcome? i think it's important for anyone to feel welcome within - welcome? i think it's important for anyone to feel welcome within thisj anyone to feel welcome within this city and i think everyone should be allowed in this city. it's been a wonderful week for the ukrainian community to get together with our scales community.— scales community. thank you for s-ueakin scales community. thank you for speaking to _ scales community. thank you for speaking to us- _ scales community. thank you for speaking to us. this _ scales community. thank you for speaking to us. this is _ scales community. thank you for speaking to us. this is exactly i scales community. thank you for i speaking to us. this is exactly what it's about. the focus is on liverpool, as the host. but it's not been forgotten that it is liverpool

hosting on behalf of ukraine and this is just hosting on behalf of ukraine and this isjust one hosting on behalf of ukraine and this is just one example of the many ways that ukrainian culture is being celebrated at eurovision. what a beautiful example. we will let you enjoy the music, dance and food, as well. it may be happening in liverpool but ukraine is at the heart of this year's eurovision song contest. 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. meanwhile rail passengers across england are experiencing another day of disruption, as members of the rmt union stage a strike in a long—running dispute about pay and conditions. today's action is affecting services by 1a different train operators. the transport secretary, mark harper, accused the union of "cynically" targeting those trying to get to the eurovision song contest. but the head of the rmt, mick lynch, says it's the government's own laws that are to blame.

our business correspondent, marc ashdown reports. singing fans are flocking from all over the world to liverpool but rail strikes are making travel plans complicated. it's easier to go out rather than come to liverpool. i it's easier to go out rather than come to liverpool.— it's easier to go out rather than come to liverpool. i was going to go b train come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but — come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no _ come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no one _ come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no one seems _ come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no one seems to - come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no one seems to be - by train but no one seems to be going _ by train but no one seems to be going anywhere. the by train but no one seems to be going anywhere-— by train but no one seems to be going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked _ going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked out, _ going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked out, union _ going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked out, union members are back on picket lines. 19 rail companies are expected to be affected and there's yet more frustration for passengers. the rail delivery group represents the train companies represent workers. union leaders say situation is complicated but insist they haven't deliberately targeted big events. if but insist they haven't deliberately targeted big events. ii gee but insist they haven't deliberately targeted big events.— targeted big events. if we didn't take strike _ targeted big events. if we didn't take strike action _ targeted big events. if we didn't take strike action today - targeted big events. if we didn't take strike action today then - targeted big events. if we didn't take strike action today then we j take strike action today then we wouldn't — take strike action today then we wouldn't be allowed to take any more due to _ wouldn't be allowed to take any more due to the _ wouldn't be allowed to take any more

due to the mandate. we've not targeted — due to the mandate. we've not targeted when billy, liverpool are any of _ targeted when billy, liverpool are any of the — targeted when billy, liverpool are any of the activities that anyone else is_ any of the activities that anyone else is getting to. the any of the activities that anyone else is getting to.— any of the activities that anyone else is getting to. the rmt is out for 24-hour _ else is getting to. the rmt is out for 24-hour today _ else is getting to. the rmt is out for 24-hour today coinciding - else is getting to. the rmt is out for 24-hour today coinciding with | for 24—hour today coinciding with the eurovision grand final. there are two more strike date set for may 31 in june the are two more strike date set for may 31 injune the 3rd, the day of the fa cup final at wembley. the rmt has also written to the transport secretary asking for a summit of rail companies to solve what is described as a toxic dispute. there is assistance the pay offer is fair and legal but operators say it's and legal but operators say its final offer. thousands of people in bangladesh are moving to higher ground ahead of the arrival of cyclone mocha. the storm is predicted to make landfall on sunday near the bangladesh—myanmar border. it's expected to bring winds of up

to 200 kilometres an hour and a storm surge of at least 2 metres in coastal areas. in central somalia, thousands have been forced to abandon their homes after the shabelle river burst its banks. the united nations says it is a �*perfect storm' of overlapping crises for the country. the presidential candidates in turkey are gearing up for their last day of campaigning ahead of sunday's crucial election. president recep tayyip erdogan will hold a rally in istanbul, where he built his popular support as mayor more than 20 years ago. in the evening, he is expected to pray at the hagia sophia which he controversially converted into a mosque to please religious conservatives. his secular challenger, kemal kilicdaroglu, will also be touring istanbul with the current mayor. the seventy—four—year—old, has been appealing to the young — promising to restore democracy

and improve relations with the west. will also be touring istanbul with the current mayor. the seventy—four—year—old, has been appealing to the young — promising to restore democracy and improve relations with the west. 0ur correspondent anna foster is in adana in the south of turkey, with the latest on the campaigns. both candidates are trying to galvanise supporters to come out and vote them tomorrow. this is a close contest. what people here in turkey have another is to very different candidates in different futures for this country. on the one hand, the current president who has run this countries president or prime ministerfor many years. countries president or prime minister for many years. he talks about the strength of turkey, infrastructure and being a really strong country on the geopolitical stage. but he has seen problems here with the economy which has been struggling desperately in the last few years, soaring inflation which has made life enormously difficult

the people of this country. people here in the south of turkey saw a slow and what they deem to be an inadequate response to earthquakes. he may pay for this at the polls. the challenger, kilicdaroglu, who represents a disparate group of opposition parties who have come together with one goal in mind to try and unseat the current president. at this stage, the race is incredibly tight. when the results come out on sunday night, one of these men need to get more than 50% of the vote in order to run turkey the next period of time. if it is closer than that then they will come back for a run—off into weeks' time and that's why they are putting energy and effort into these last few hours to try and secure final result in the next three days. anna foster reporting from turkey. now, despite his unceremonious departure from office last year, former british prime minister boris johnson still has plenty of support

in conservative circles. some of his supporters are in attendance today, at a political conference in bournemouth. the conservative democratic 0rganisation was set up in the aftermath of mrjohnson's removalfrom office — and pledges a return to tory grassroots values. the former secretary of state for business, with more on this, here's our political correspondent tony bonsignore. in the early stages, jacob rees—mogg mentioned the first really big speaker we've had, we've got priti patel his the former home secretary who will be speaking in a few hours' time. the name borisjohnson has come up repeatedly even in the first hour of this conference. it was set “p hour of this conference. it was set up in response to borisjohnson being deposed. that anger in particular that when there was that

second election last year that members were given a say as they were when liz truss was elected but partly because they worry about the direction of the party under its current leader, the prime minister rishi sunak. we've heard from the businessmen who helped found this organisation and jacob rees—mogg talking about the disappointment on brexit, the direction of the party and the disconnect, as he sees it, between the membership, the grassroots of the conservative party and the leadership in central office. but what is really interesting is the elephant in the room is borisjohnson. there is mention that should he come back which is what some people in the party want, jacob rees—mogg mogg has said, look, let's not change leader now then we risk looking absurd. so perhaps this is all about what

happens after the next election because there is no sign that rishi sunak is going to change because any time soon. ~ ., ., , , time soon. what of this tell us about the _ time soon. what of this tell us about the state _ time soon. what of this tell us about the state of _ time soon. what of this tell us about the state of the - time soon. what of this tell us about the state of the tory - time soon. what of this tell us l about the state of the tory party because obviously there were some very disappointing results at the local elections recently. you would think this is a time that the party would be trying to pull together and not create different factions. the factions already _ not create different factions. the factions already exist, nancy. there's a battle going on over the future direction of the conservative party. this organisation, the democratic organisation doesn't represent all tories, maybe not even the majority. it mayjust be a small minority of the party. this conference coming up next week, the national conservative conference where many of these issues will be discussed. if got some minister saying these people are reckless and

making it difficult for the tories to win the election. i think it's partly about whether these tories think there's a possibility of winning the next general election, next year. a rare rolex watch which was bought for £70 in the 60s is expected to fetch around £45,000 at auction next week. the watch, which was once owned by a military rescue diver, has sparked worldwide interest, mainly because of its back story, as mike liggins explains. simon barnett was a real life all—action hero. he was diver or frog man on rescue helicopters in the royal navy. archival fo0tage: they're always finding more uses for helicopters. the latest extends their rescue service in combination with naval drop man who are taught to jump into the sea from a height frog men who are taught to jump into the sea from a height of 30 feet. “119611, he bought a rolex submariner for £70 but not as a fashion item. in those days a rolex submariner

was a tool, not the fashion accessory it has become now. and he used that essentially to time his dive, he had to know how long he had been underwater and that was the only means by which he could do it. simon barnett was involved in a number of daring rescue missions and in 1967 he almost lost his own life when trying to rescue the pilot of a crashed navy helicopter in the mediterranean. all the aviation fuel from the helicopter had leaked into the sea, around the helicopter, and dad was trying to get to the service, and was obviously gasping and he was breathing this fuel in but he managed to get to the surface. how i don't know and people told me they just do not know how we got out in those circumstances. just do not know how he got out in those circumstances. simon passed away in 2019. he never talked about his military career and pete only found his old photographs and logbooks when clearing out his house. the rolex watch led to an appearance on the antiques road show. i would have no hesitation in putting it between £50,000 and £60,000. oh, really? your father was a very,

very lucky man to have used that all his life and you are so lucky to have got it as well. that estimate was a bit high but tw gaze, in diss, who are now selling the watch, think it could be worth somewhere in the region of £30,000 to £45,000. so this watch, what is so exciting and which brings it to life so much is that it is so very well documented, incredibly, both visibly and in terms of record of the serviceman's history throughout his life. virtually every day has been accountable. virtually every day has been accounted for. that must be if not unique, quite, quite rare. after he died, it was on my wrist all the time. i did the gardening in it. he did everything and then it got value £50,000, £60,000, itjust - it is a horrible thing to say but it kind of ruined it for me.

peter is opening his dad's watch goes to a good home. it is a lovely thing but more importantly, a lovely thing with a great story behind it. mike liggins, bbc news. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. a decent start to the weekend. it's been a grey, chilly start for many central and eastern parts of the country, this cloud is burning back to the coast and in many places we will see 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 winds. 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. back into the midlands and we will see some changes in the north—west. a weather front pushing into scotland, and northern ireland. clearer skies where temperatures will fall 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 and eastwards and we could see some showers breaking out 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. the weekend and out into the week. 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, 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. he's already met with the country's prime minister and president. later, he'll have an audience with the pope. the italian government's given strong backing to ukraine since coming to power. turkey's election candidates are taking part in the last day of campaigning before the country goes to the polls. president erdogan's 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 industrial acton is part of a long—running dispute about pay and conditions in the industry. and the excitement is building in liverpool as last—minute preparations are made for the final of the

eurovision song contest. the uk's entry will be the last of the 26 acts to perform.