mark lowen, bbc news, kia. - mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.— she joins us now from kyiv. thank you so much for being part of today's programme. not only have you been covering this war from the beginning, you have been living it too, you have been living it too, you have been living it too, you have moved around, you have beenin you have moved around, you have been in car cave, dnipro, lviv and now kyiv, how have things changed during the course of the war? ,., ., ., , the war? good morning. it is actually quite _ the war? good morning. it is actually quite difficult - the war? good morning. it is actually quite difficult still, l actually quite difficult still, the war is still ongoing, and the war is still ongoing, and the places where i had visited, i definitely can say that it's not safe anywhere. for example, i visited lviv, and during those days when i stayed there, there were four missile strikes in lviv. so for example if you want to take some rest from the bombardment but it is intensive in the east of ukraine, it can catch up with yo

mark lowen, bbc news, andriivka.ukraine's economy to shrink by 45% this year as a result of the war with russia. the bank says enormous financial support is needed immediately to keep the government running, and to support the population. it's already provided nearly a billion dollars of assistance and is promising another two billion in the months ahead. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: singing the great and the good from the world of theatre attend the olivier awards at the royal albert hall in london. pol pot, one of the century's greatest mass murderers, is reported to have died of natural causes. he and the khmer rouge movement he led were responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million cambodians. there have been violent protests in indonesia, where playboy has gone on sale for the first time. traditionalist muslim leaders have expressed disgust. the magazine's offices have been attacked and its editorial staff have gone into hiding. it was clear that paula's only contest was with the clock, and

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka.olice officer fatally shooting a black man in the back of the head as he lay face—down on the ground. dude, i'm stopping you. do you have _ dude, i'm stopping you. do you have a — dude, i'm stopping you. do you have a license? do you have a license? — this is bodycam footage from the 11th of april. we are not going to show you the moment of the shooting. it happened following a traffic stop in grand rapids, michigan, and shows patrick lyoya, who was 26, running from a white police officer, the two men were then involved in a brief struggle over a taser deployed by the officer. two of the tapes show the officer kneeling on mr lyoya's back before shooting him. the authorities are investigating the incident. when i saw the video, it was painful to watch and i immediately asked what caused this to happen and what more could have been done to prevent this from occurring? i continue to ask those questions and will be looking for those answers as a result from the investigative process as wel

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. tojohn herbst, a former us ambassador to ukraine and director of the eurasia center at the atlantic council about the latest developments there. putin's huge offensive from february 2a to seize the capital kyiv has failed. russian troops have been defeated. the number of russian deaths may be as high as 15,000 out of a force of 200,000, that is enormous and they have retreated from kyiv, retreated in the north and they are trying to resupply their forces in the east. but, they are still there, still attacking areas in ukraine. we keep hearing president zelensky asking for more supplies, despite the promises that we have heard today and in recent days. what would be enough for him to be able to push russia out completely? we need to supply steadily all the equipment he is asking for. that means javelins to kill tanks, stingers to take out helicopters, high altitude anti —aircraft, to take out planes flying at 30,000 feet. the brits have sent anti—ship missiles to help protect 0desa and

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. in a missile strike says he wants the world to know how they died. at least six other people were killed when their residential tower block was hit in odesa, in southern ukraine, on saturday. from there, caroline davies reports. three—month—old kiera was just learning to laugh. in her short life, most was lived under the cloud of war. in theirflat in odesa, her family thought they were safe. they were wrong. yesterday their building was hit by a russian missile. kiera, her mother, valeria, and her grandmother were all killed. her father only survived because he left to go to the shops. today, among residents rescuing what they could, we found him. translation: i came to collect things that l were important to my wife. she had a collection of sugar sachets from everywhere. everything in the flat becomes garbage and will be thrown away. i want to keep them for my memories. valeria and yuri had been togetherfor nine years. his phone is filled with videos and photographs of them. translat

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.d a successful test flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. president putin said the weapon — known as sarmat would make those who seek to threaten russia "think twice". the defence ministry said the missile was fired from a site in russia's northwest and reached a target around three and a half thousand miles away in the country's far east. the pentagon said it had been informed of the test beforehand and described it as "routine". our russia editor, steve rosenberg is in mosow and following developments. think this is about the kremlin dropping a not so subtle hint. basically, russia is saying to the west, look at us, guys, we have this very big, very powerful, very destructive new weapon, keep that in mind. what we know about this weapon? satan to as is known in the west has been in development for some time. so this will not come as a big surprise and in fact the pentagon says that it was warned by moscow about the launch, it conside

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.declared an official suspect in the disappearance of madeleine mccann nearly 15 years ago. she went missing during a family holiday in praia da luz in portugal in may 2007, shortly before her fourth birthday. madeleine's parents, kate and gerry mccann, put up this statement on their website. in it, they say they welcome the development, but that they still "have not given up hope that madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her". 0ur correspondentjon kay reports from the algarve. her face and name are known around the world, but what happened to madeleine remains a mystery. it was on the 3rd may 2007 that she vanished from the mccanns�* holiday apartment in praia da luz — the moment her family's lives changed forever. please give our little girl back. 0vernight, portuguese prosecutors announced that they'd declared a new "arguido", or "formal suspect", within the case. it's understood to be this man, christian brueckner. the 45—year—old is currently in prison in germany f

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.ssians released images of what they say was a successful test flight, of a new intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. president putin said it would make anyone seeking to threaten russia think twice. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg is in moscow. he explained the significance of the launch. think of this as a not—so—subtle hint from the kremlin. basically, russia is saying to the west, look, we have this very big, very powerful, very destructive new weapon — keep that in mind when you're dealing with us. so what do we know about this weapon? well, the sarmat missile, or satan ii as it is known in the west, has been in development for some time, so no big surprise then. plus, the pentagon said today that it had been notified ahead of the launch, it didn't see it as a threat, but the fact remains the fact this launch took place at a time when hostilities are going on in ukraine, that sends a clear message i think to russia's opponents and vladimir puti

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka.an additional $800 million worth of military aid for ukraine. the biden administration has now provided more than $3 billion worth of military aid to ukraine. pentagon officials gave more details about the equipment being sent to ukraine. all of them are designed to help ukraine into the fight they are in now and in the days and weeks to come in east of the country. the united states is now committed more than 2.8 billion dollars since the beginning of the inaudible. joining me now is our north america correspondent, david willis. more military aid from the united states. what is the equipment if they are standing and what is it intending to help them do?— and what is it intending to help them do? and what is it intending to hel them do? ., ., , help them do? the pentagon says that this latest _ help them do? the pentagon says that this latest package _ help them do? the pentagon says that this latest package of- that this latest package of military aid is a sign to help ukraine fight,

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.three—month—old daughter in and three—month—old daughter in a missile strike says he wants the world to know how they died. at least six other people were killed when their residential tower block was hit in 0desa in southern ukraine on saturday. from there, caroline davis reports. three—month—old kiera was just learning to laugh. in her short life, most was lived under the cloud of war. in theirflat in 0desa, her family thought they were safe. they were wrong. yesterday, their building was hit by a russian missile. kiera, her mother, valeria, and her grandmother were all killed. her father only survived because he left to go to the shops. today, among residents rescuing what they could, we found him. translation: i came to collect things that were important - to my wife. she had a collection of sugar sachets from everywhere. everything in the flat becomes garbage and will be thrown away. i want to keep them for my memories. valeria and yuri had been togetherfor nine years. his phone i

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka. south africa, which has been hit by a catastrophe of enormous proportions — they're the words of south african president cyril ramaphosa after he visited some of the most badly—hit flood areas of kwazulu—natal. more than 300 people are known to have died and dozens more remain missing in the heaviest rains to hit the country in more than 60 years. shinga nyoka reports from durban in the aftermath of days of torrential rain, a month's worth of rain fell in a single day in some parts of kwazulu—natal. it's a frantic search for one of their own. an anxious community watches and waits. floods are fairly common here, but rescuers say these are some of the worst they've ever witnessed. they've already retrieved the bodies of three people from a single family, and there's a desperate search for a fourth, a ten—year—old child. a woman thought she was driving her grandchildren away from danger to a place of safety. hervehicle away from danger to a place of safety. her vehicle got swept away in

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka. towns and cities in western ukraine, women are speaking out about the rape and torture they were subjected to by putin's soldiers. on wednesday, nobel laureate and human rights activist, nadia murad, who was kidnapped, tortured and raped by islamic state in 2017, launched new global guidelines detailing how to collect evidence from survivors and witnesses of conflict rape and had this appeal. if women who have suffered such immense loss and incredible pain can find the strength to not only rebuild our lives but help our families, not only rebuild our lives but help ourfamilies, communities help our families, communities and help ourfamilies, communities and entire countries, surely the rest of the world can find the rest of the world can find the strength to take meaningful steps two and sexual violence in countries. lauren wolfe is a journalist and professor who has reported on conflict rape all over the world for more than a decade and she joins me from seattle. i wanted to begin by

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.untry, civilians have been urged to leave the area immediately, because russian forces are increasing their shelling and may be planning a mass assault. two missiles hit a train station in the city of kramatorsk on friday, killing more than 50 people, who were trying to escape fighting in the area. at least four of the dead are children. our defence correspondent, jonathan beale, has sent us this report. they were supposed to be taking a train to safety but instead they were leaving kramatorsk by ambulance. most of the severely injured in yesterday's missile attack had already been taken west to larger hospitals. these, the walking wounded. still needing surgery to remove the pieces of shrapnel from their bodies, and still clearly traumatised. translation: | heard a lot | of explosions and i fell down. when i got up a lot- of people were already dead. there was only me who stood up from the floor. _ it's a wonder. i god saved me. i have a penetrating chest injury from i one side and my

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka.frica, which has been hit by a catastrophe of enormous proportions — they're the words of south african president cyril ramaphosa, after he visited some of the most badly—hit flood areas of kwazulu—natal. more than 300 people are known to have died and dozens more remain missing in the heaviest rains to hit the country in more than 60 years. shinga nyoka reports from durban. the aftermath of days of torrential rain. a month's worth of rain fell in some parts of kwazulu—natal. floods and mudslides destroyed key infrastructure. communities are in disbelief. some were lucky to escape with their lives, but the flood walkers took everything else. i've got nowhere to go now. i've got no house, i've got no nothing. these are my family's now, my neighbours. we try to give them a place to sleep last night. we never sleep last night. the situation is very, very bad. floods are fairly common here, but rescuers say these are some of the worst they've ever witnessed. they have already retrieved the

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.ecial representative for ukraine later in this bulletin, so do stay with us for that. nigeria's president, muhammadu buhari, has described the deadly explosion at an illegal oil refinery as a national disaster. officials say at least 110 people died in the blast in imo state late on friday. mr buhari has ordered the security forces to step up operations to close down illegal refineries in the south—east of the country. with me is our news reporter azadeh moshiri, who's been following the developments. emergency workers work through the scene or bodies have been found and that is why president buhari are saying that this is now a country in shock and trauma at the event and when you see the pictures you can see how devastating the fire was, why so many perished. some bodies were _ was, why so many perished. some bodies were found _ was, why so many perished. some bodies were found in _ was, why so many perished. some bodies were found in bushes - was, why so many perished. some bodies w

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka. appalling situation in mariupol, a city subjected to a medieval siege for several weeks now. incessantly bombed and shelled by russian forces, it's hard to imagine what will be left for a victor to claim. but, following russia's failure to take the capital here, mariupol would be a handy prize, linking russia by land to illegally annexed crimea. that would be a badly needed winfoeradimir putin that he can sell to russians, no matter the appalling conditions in the city right now, no matter how many people die. that's it from me and the team here in kyiv. now back to you, reeta, in the studio in london. our top story this evening. prices rise at their fastest rate in 30 years as the uk inflation rate hits 7%, driven by high increases in petrol and diesel costs. coming up, the manager of northern ireland's women's football team, kenny shiels, apologises for his comments that female players are more emotional. in sportsday, liverpool looking to finish the job against benfica and take a p

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.french presidential election is on its final stretch before sunday's vote. opinion polls suggest emmanuel macron still has the upper hand, but his challenger far—right leader marine le pen, could perform better than she did when the pair went head to head in 2017. our paris correspondent, lucy williamson, reports. it's a bit late for tips on how to learn to punch on his opponent. after five divisive years in power, what emmanuel macron needs is to persuade voters who'd quite like to punch him to give him their vote instead. florentine and chloe are both teachers here in the suburbs of paris. they voted for mr macron last time. now, they've come to give him a hard time. le pen isjust...huge disaster, but macron is still a disaster, i think, for school and for public services in france. he's killing that, step—by—step. florentine says she'll abstain on sunday rather than vote for macron again. i'm still hesitating. i think if i do it, i might really get sickjust after. he's a good talker

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka.o come: climate change or government neglect — we get an environmentalists perspective on what lies behind the high deathtoll of south africa's devastating floods. pol pot, one of the century's greatest mass murderers, is reported to have died of natural causes. he, and the khmer rouge movement he led, were responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million cambodians. there have been violent protests in indonesia, where playboy has gone on sale for the first time. traditionalist muslim leaders have expressed disgust. the magazine's offices have been attacked and its editorial staff have gone into hiding. it was clear that paula's only contest was with the clock, and as for her sporting legacy, paula radcliffe's competitors will be chasing her new world—best time for years to come. quite quietly, _ but quicker and quicker, she seemed just to slide away under the surface i and disappear. this is bbc world news, the latest headlines: the war at sea — a russian flagship forced to evac

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. our diplomatic correspondent paul adams is here.r of this well over 50 days so far of this conflict. what might success look like for either ukrainians or vladimir putin? i like for either ukrainians or vladimir putin?— like for either ukrainians or vladimir putin? ~ ., , , ., vladimir putin? i think for russia, clearly success _ vladimir putin? i think for russia, clearly success has _ vladimir putin? i think for russia, clearly success has been - vladimir putin? i think for russia, | clearly success has been redefined almost every day. the invasion was premised on a quick assault on the capital, removal of the zelinsky government and the installation of a puppet regime. that didn't work, so focus shifted to the donbas, extending areas held by pro—russian separatist and east and securing the land corridorfrom separatist and east and securing the land corridor from the separatist and east and securing the land corridorfrom the donbas to crimea, which russia annexed in 2014. that is why mariupol is so important. you still get glimpse

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.sian government has said that if ukrainian soldiers still fighting in mariupol lay down their weapons in the next seven hours, that their safety would be guaranteed. for a closer look at the situation, i'm joined now by our news reporter azadah moshiri. good to see you. we have had this ultimatum from russia. what more do we know about it? yellow it's been such a concern and focus are russia, heavily bombarded throughout the war, mariupol, so much shelling that it is not an exaggeration to say the city is in ruins at. now russia has said the remaining ukrainian soldiers there have ours to lay down their arms and, if they do, they will be given all the projections that the geneva convention offers prisoners of war and their lives will be spared. in terms of the battle there, russia is claiming it has cleared out most of the ukrainian soldiers except about 2500, holed up in a large steel plant outside the outskirts of mariupol, and that the exit is currently blocked by russian soldiers.

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.st, a former us ambassador to ukraine and now senior director of the atlantic council s eurasia center. thank you for talking to us. we heard defiant words from president zelensky in his easter message saying that ukraine will emerge victorious in this war butjust how possible is for ukraine now, a clear military victory? i possible is for ukraine now, a clear military victory?- clear military victory? i would say there _ clear military victory? i would say there is — clear military victory? i would say there is a _ clear military victory? i would say there is a very _ clear military victory? i would say there is a very good - clear military victory? i would l say there is a very good chance that ukraine will emerge victorious. the most important reason is ukraine has a greater role to win. they understand that if they lose they will be under putin's boot and the russian media has made clear they consider the ukrainians to be worthy of destruction. the president of russia has issued na

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.poke to the hollywood actor liev schreiber, who is currently in lviv after launching an ngo initiative to help those in need. he told me what inspired him to get involved. i think like a lot of people back home, i've been watching the news in ukraine and feeling a degree of helplessness. i don't think there is any doubt that there is a huge groundswell of support in the us for ukraine and the rest of the world as well. but it seems like people just don't know what to do. not everyone can justjump on a plane and come to lviv. some friends of mine who have some experience in humanitarian relief... they identify, verify and fast track financial support to people who are working on the ground in ukraine, to support them. and anybody who donates in the us or even elsewhere, you help to get that money to people who are working on the ground? yes, part of ourjob and part of our mission here is to identify groups, prioritise the ukrainian ones, we are getting the help where it is needed most.

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.correspondent catherine byaruhanga in 0desa. as you can see, we are on a rooftop overlooking the city of 0desa and we cannot hear much. the only thing you can hear are the birds flying past. there has been an order from the regional authorities asking people to stay home and they say there is a threat of a missile strike on the city. over the past three days we have been here, we have had about three explosions taking place in and around the city, so there is a lot of tension. what we're hearing from residents in different parts of 0desa we cannot get to at the moment, people are obeying this curfew. this is a curfew that will last for much of the day. sunday is a significant date in 0desa, it is when russian forces liberated the city when it was occupied by nazi germany. it is a significant day in the city's history, but also one in which people are full of fear. 0desa is on the black sea, and there are concerns of an attack on 0desa from the sea. britain is now giving ukraine anti—sh

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.f people have gathered in the sri lankan capital, colombo, to protest against the country's deepening economic crisis. the demonstrators are calling for the president, gotabaya rajapaksa, to step down. so far, the president and his brother, the prime minister, mahinda rajapaksa, have refused to resign. our correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan was among the protesters. thousands have gathered here in the sri lankan capital colombo for a day of mass protest. there is a real strength of feeling here, lots of anger, almost all of it directed at sri lanka's government, in particular the country's president gotabaya rajapaksa. throughout the afternoon, protesters have been shouting, chanting, calling for him to step down. so far, the president and his brother, the prime minister, mahinda rajapaksa, are refusing to resign. they say that they will continue in government and get sri lanka through this crisis. but people here are not convinced, and that crisis is continuing to impact millions of p

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.ed pictures of what it claims to have been a successful test flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile, which president putin said would make russia's enemies think twice. 0ur russia editor, steve rosenberg, is in moscow. what's the significance of this? thought that this is about the —— i think this is about the kremlin dropping a not so subtle hint. saying to the west, look at us, guys, we have this very powerful, very destructive weapon, keep that in mind. now, the sarmat missile has beenin in mind. now, the sarmat missile has been in development for years, so this won't come as a big surprise, and in fact the pentagon says that it was warned by moscow about the launch, it considers eight routine, not a threat. but the launch now, at a time of hostilities in ukraine, they sent a clear message to russia's opponents, and in fact the kremlin leader did not hide that fact, because after congratulating his military chiefs on the test launch, vladimir putin said that the missile

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.ns released images of what they say was a successful test flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. president putin said it would make anyone seeking to threaten russia think twice. 0ur russia editor, steve rosenberg, is in moscow. can we talk about the timing and the significance of this latest russian display? significance of this latest russian disla ? , ~' significance of this latest russian disla ? , ~ ., , significance of this latest russian disla ? , a, , , significance of this latest russian disla ? , «a, , significance of this latest russian disla ? , ~ ., , ,., ., display? yes, think of this is a not so subtle hint _ display? yes, think of this is a not so subtle hint from _ display? yes, think of this is a not so subtle hint from the _ display? yes, think of this is a not so subtle hint from the kremlin, l so subtle hint from the kremlin, basically russia is saying to the west, look, we have this very big, very powerful, very d

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.lier, i was speaking to nina khrushcheva, who's a professor of international affairs at the new school in new york. she is also the great—granddaughter of nikita khrushchev, the leader of the soviet union during the cuban missile crisis. i asked her what if anything will make president putin stop. president putin is still president putin, i think, but i don't really think that volodymyr zelensky�*s pleas will really work for putin at all because the russians, the russian side, already said that the ukrainian side has been withdrawing from negotiations, changing its position, so the fact that zelensky now says that there will be no negotiations if soldiers in mariupol won't get killed, probably for putin it is not a surprise. it is possible that mariupol will fall and it is possible by may 9th, i am sure you know, there is a victory day, world war ii victory day on may 9, so there are rumours back and forth that putin would like to stop the war, at least declare some sort of victory by

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.ared an official suspect in the disappearance of madeleine mccann, nearly 15 years ago. she went missing during a family holiday in praia da luz in portugal in may 2007, shortly before her fourth birthday. our correspondent, jon kay, is in the algarve for us this evening. yes, it was here at the prosecutor's office that a very brief statement was issued saying that a man in a germanjail had been was issued saying that a man in a german jail had been told that he is now an arguido, an official suspect in the madeleine mccann disappearance case. we know the authorities here in portugal have been working closely with the police in germany and with the police in the uk and the timing of this development seems interesting. her face and name are known around the world, but what happened to madeleine remains a mystery. it was on the 3rd may 2007 that she vanished from the mccanns' holiday apartment in praia da luz — the moment her family's lives changed forever. please give our little girl ba

mark lowen, bbc news, borodyanka.ay since russia invaded this country. a period of time that has seen a breathtaking level of cruelty and depravity. it has been truly depressing to end so many introductions to reports from our correspondents with the words "you may find these pictures distressing." and what has moscow got to show for its invasion so far? nothing. that is why the battle for mariupol is so crucial for vladimir putin at this stage in the conflict. he needs a win. the siege there is a symbol of continued dogged ukrainian resistance, and persistent russian failure. no matter the appalling conditions in the city or the level of destruction or how many people die, it will go on until russia can declare victory. but what will be left for the victor to claim? that's it from me and the team here in kyiv. now back to you, reeta, in the studio in london. many thanks. clive myrie in kyiv. a minister has resigned from borisjohnson�*s government over the breaking of covid regulations in downing street. lord wolfson,

mark lowen reports.ending ukrainian soil in the heart of the capital, from the trenches of keev, a 131st battalion stopped the russians from breaking through, and they are still here if the enemy returns. they sent us this weapon. anti—tank weapons from britain? yes, yes. and when was the last time you use this weapon here? inaudible we can't disclose our exact location, with the threat still present. how many kilometres? of the trenches?- how many kilometres? of the trenches? ~ ., , of the trenches? ten kilometres 20 kilometres, _ of the trenches? ten kilometres 20 kilometres, 30 _ of the trenches? ten kilometres 20 kilometres, 30 kilometres, l of the trenches? ten kilometres 20 kilometres, 30 kilometres, i | 20 kilometres, 30 kilometres, i don't know. and still, they deepen the defence, fearful that if the russians take eastern ukraine, they could come back for a second try here. until two months ago, keev families would picnic in these forests. now, they have new dwellers. super? the russians were thr

mark lowen, bbc news.e's economy to shrink by 45% this year as a result of the war with russia. the bank says enormous financial support is needed immediately to keep the government running, and to support the population. it's already provided nearly a billion dollars of assistance and is promising another two billion in the months ahead. now let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. doctors in sri lanka have said the island's hospitals are nearly out of life—saving medicines as an economic crisis continues. they said they feared more people would die because of the shortages than from coronavirus during the whole pandemic. doctors say hospitals no longer had access to imported medical equipment and vital drugs. all 18 million residents of the southern chinese city of guangzhou are to be tested for covid after the discovery of a handful of cases. officials have asked people not to start panic buying. in shanghai, which reported nearly 211,000 new daily infections on saturday, there are repo

from there, our correspondent, mark lowen, reports. they haven't confirmed it or denied it either way. russian revenge, and early—morning strike by ea rly—morning strike by long—range early—morning strike by long—range missiles, a message from moscow that russian troops may have retreated from the capital, but they can still hit hard. it came after ukraine said it struck and sank the russian warship the moskva, although russia claims it was caused by a fire. it's pride of the black sea now buried beneath it. the industrial complex head is behind this wall. you can still see the smoke there in the distance from the explosion. ukraine shows every intention in this war of continuing and stepping up war of continuing and stepping up its fight back. and the fear here in kyiv is that russian retaliatory strikes may come. a hint of normality was coming back, with shops reopening and people emerging from shelters, but now a reminder the threat is still present, even from afar. tatiana hoped her customers would soon return, but she and her neig

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.wn in shanghai is affecting its 25 million inhabitants and their pets. but first... the conservative party chairman, 0liver dowden, says a change of leader would "not be in the national interest" after a week in which borisjohnson has again been criticised in the row over lockdown parties. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, says the continuing controversy is preventing parliament discussing issues like the cost—of—living crisis. 0ur political correspondent, damian grammaticas, has the latest. he has broken the law while in office, been fined for it. and this week in india, even as borisjohnson said he wanted to focus on other things — trade deals, ukraine — he couldn't escape questions about partygate. labour's leader wants to talk about an emergency budget to tackle the cost—of—living crisis. but today, he was unapologetic it about keeping a focus on law—breaking in downing street. i do want to concentrate on the cost of living, but if you and everyone else thinks i am not standard

mark lowen has this report from kyiv. how are you?or niceties when you're a leader at war. volodymyr zelensky welcomed borisjohnson to kyiv as ukraine battling russian aggression pleads for more western help. you are strong. the strength of the underdog. ukraine's president battling for his country's survival, welcoming and pleading with the outside world to help fight russian aggression. the unannounced talks came as britain pledged 120 armoured vehicles and new anti—ship missile systems. the two men were keen to suggest ukraine is on the front foot — a walkabout in kyiv inconceivable a fortnight ago. borisjohnson, basking in praise for his support from the public and the president. translation: we have to exert pressure in the form _ of sanctions, and i'm grateful to the united kingdom that continues and intensifies the sanctions and also provides significant support to ukraine by reinforcing our defence capacities. the other democratic western countries should follow the example of the united kingdom. from borisjohnson arriving as

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. our correspondent anna foster is in kyiv.used in the east of ukraine, have ukrainian forces got what they need to try and repel them? that is a very good question, at the moment the answer would appear to be no, we have heard in mariupol they are outnumbered by russian soldiers, by russian artillery and russian heavy military weapons, and they don't really have in the east the quantity, the scale that they need and you heard president zelensky really pushing home there, the message to the international community, that they are depleted, they have used a lot of what they had at the start of this conflict and they really need to recharge, but they want more, they want heavier weapon, sophisticated defence systems and when international countries promise this aid, which many have, it takes a long time to actually get it to the front line, it needs to be collected in country, it needs to be transported, and then, the way to do that in this country, at the moment, with the eastern flank covered is to bring it in from the west, so

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. the time isi.2ipm. our top story this lunchtime.s�* time, despite continuing questions about his leadership. and the machine that could reshape our view of the universe, after three years, wakes up. coming up on the bbc news channel: action from the world snooker championship as world number one ronnie o�*sullivan aims to move closer to his seventh title at the crucible. the final stage of campaigning is under way in france�*s presidential election. on sunday millions of voters will decide between the incumbent, emmanuel macron, and his rival, marine le pen. but many people are still thought to be undecided. our france correspondent hugh schofield reports. marine le pen was out looking for votes in northern france this morning. this is familiar territory. she is the local mp and can be assured of a friendly reception. but her message is that, while smiles are fine, what she needs on sunday is slips of paper in the ballot box. translation: if the people vote, if they go out and vote, _ then they will get the change they hope for. and

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.target for russia. it's come under attack several times so far, forcing many people to flee the city. catherine byaruhanga is in 0desa for us. let's talk about the exodus of people first of all. are people who want to get away from their able to do so? ,., ., ., ., ., want to get away from their able to do so? ., a want to get away from their able to doso? ., a ,, ., do so? good afternoon. as i speak to ou do so? good afternoon. as i speak to you overlooking _ do so? good afternoon. as i speak to you overlooking this _ do so? good afternoon. as i speak to you overlooking this usually - do so? good afternoon. as i speak to you overlooking this usually busy - you overlooking this usually busy and historic city on the southern tip of ukraine, now what we're seeing on the streets today is there nobody walking around, we see some cars passing by every now and again, but the regional military administration has told residents to stay in their homes for 33 hours starting from yesterday evenin

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.on politician vladimir kara—murza says he has been jailed. he was convicted of spreading false information about russia's military campaign in ukraine — under laws which were introduced after the invasion began. mr kara—murza has been added to a list of what the kremlin describes as �*foreign agents�* — and could face up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced injune. to france now — where the two candidates contesting this sunday's presidential run—off vote have spend their final day on the campaign trail. the incumbent, emmanuel macron, went for a walkabout in figeac, in the south west of france. opinion polls suggest he is on course for a victory, although with a much smaller margin than five years ago. then, he beat his opponent marine le pen with almost two thirds of the vote. she is his opponent again — with polls suggesting the far—right candidate trails by around io%. she spent the day in berck, a town on the english channel. we can go live to reeta chakrabarti in paris. is

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.u today the prime minister of new zealand has been stressing the importance of reinforcing the international world order in the face of russian aggression. and the use of sanctions as a deterrence. speaking to me in an exclusive broadcast interview on a trip to singapore — she also touched on developments in this region — expressing her disappointment that the solomon islands has cemented a security deal with china, fuelling fears beijing could set up a military base on the island. one of the reasons we've expressed this disappointment at the fact that we have seen now this agreement emerge in support of both the solomons and china has been because through the declaration, declaration that a specific island foreign members we signed up to x explicitly sets an expectation we look to provide our own security needs is a region. you can see we have done that. the psalms especially both new zealand and australia have heeded the call of the solomons for support during recent disruption. we b

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv.g round of a presidential race that opinion polls have suggested could be very close. french president emanuel macron and his wifejust french president emanuel macron and his wife just leaving the house on their way to vote. this is just outside their home in the north of france. we saw earlier marine le pen casting her vote, and they are the two challengers on whom all the focus is now, because there are 12 candidates in all in this first round of the voting, but both of them out in front, and with a very small margin apparently between them, according to the polling. so them, according to the polling. so the next round, in two weeks' time, will to be between the top two candidates. and it is anticipated that they are currently out in front as france goes to the polls. and of course, french president emanuel macron has been focusing on the situation in ukraine and commentators are saying that his focus away from domestic events has enabled marine le pen to cement her support by focusi

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. others are covered in tomorrow�*s front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are susie boniface, who�*s a columnist for the daily mirror, and ali miraj, a columnist at the article. a man has been declared an official suspect, in the disappearance of madeleine mccann, nearly 15 years ago. she went missing during a family holiday in praia da luz in portugal, in may 2007, shortly before her 11th birthday. madeleine mccann�*s parents kate and gerry said they "welcome the news" adding: "even thought the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her." our correspondent, jon kay, is in the algarve. her face and name are known around the world, but what happened to madeleine remains a mystery. it was on the third may 2007 that she vanished from the mccanns�* holiday apartment in praia da luz — the moment her family�*s lives changed forever. please give our little girl back. overnig

mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. public appearance this morning. 0ur correspondentjenny hill gave us this update from moscow. yes, i must say that the pictures coming out of the kremlin this morning are in stark contrast to those that we're seeing coming out of ukraine. mr putin has been sat in a white and gold chair in a grand hall in the kremlin, where he's been meeting very carefully selected members of the public, including a couple of extremely patriotic children. this is an event which he has hosted before, it's called land of opportunities, and it's a chance, really, for mr putin to present his version of russia, and this is a world in which everything is fine, a world in which western sanctions aren't really a problem, he's had business representatives telling him that any shortfall in western goods and services can in effect be replaced with better russian ones. it's a world in which there is no war, mr putin, of course, insists that his is simply a special military operation in ukraine to defend the interes