we will start in saudi arabia where the syrian president is due to address the arab league summit shortly. it is his first appearance at the gathering of more than 12 years after syria was thrown out of the block in response to its suppression of pro democracy protests. basher al assad was formally welcomed back by the saudi cramping is who said he hoped his presence would help notjust the stability of syria but the wider region. president zelensky also made an unannounced visit. he urged arabic leaders not to ignore the reality of what was happening in ukraine. anyone how defence has had to learn from invaders, and anyone can defends children of his nation from enslavement, the search query is on the part ofjustice. and i m proud to represent such warriors and the entire ukrainian people. ukraine has never chosen i would choose did not go to other lengths. we do not engage in annexations and plunder of other nations resources, but we will never submit to any foreigners were
excitement is building in windsor ahead of the coronation concert which starts in less than two hours time let s go live now to lucy hockings. hello excitement really building here ahead of the coronation concert i think it starts in less than two hours time. the crowds have been queuing in the afternoon sunshine. the warmest day of the year so far at windsor. it has been a lovely atmosphere. everyone queuing politely. they are dressed up in their finery with some people with crowns and in full evening regalia as well. a lot of union jacks as well. 20,000 people gathered here expecting to watch artists including lionel richie, katy perry, and take that as well. we are gearing up for a fantastic evening here at windsor. you have been numerous street parties that have been held. 50,000 under the collective title of the coronation big lunch. and people were lucky enough, some of them to have some official guests appear. members of the royal family. i was at the one here in w
on behalf of ukraine last year s winners. the pop band tvorchi is presenting this year s ukrainian entry entitled heart of steel. now on bbc news amol rajan interviews richard branson. hi. yes. hello. my goodness. wow. the shy schoolboy who became a global celebrity. sir richard branson is a very british bundle of contradictions. the dyslexic who set up a student magazine, the record label founder who didn t listen to music, the 60s hippie who became a multi billionaire. today he s got his own island and his brand has dozens of companies to its name, from virgin atlantic to galactic. but after five decades in business, reinventing whole industries, sir richard branson has been tested as never before, both financially and emotionally. the pandemic left the 72 year old fighting to save his empire and his reputation. he s faced questions over how he s used women to promote his brand. and sceptics have asked why someone who campaigns on climate change is sending rockets into
by italian president sergio mattarella. shortly after this he met the italian prime minister giorgia meloni, who said her country would back ukraine for as long as necessary. she called russia s invastion brutal and unjust. let s cross to the newsroom now and talk to our europe regional editor paul moss. very busy day for president and clearly some significant political strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support in - strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support in italy - strategy there on his behalf. he has been shoring up support in italy and in many ways this was very much a loving of a visit when giorgia meloni saw this zelensky, they probably embraced each other and as you suggested, she was fulsome in her support and said italy would be a solid ally of ukraine, crucia
president, volodymyr zelensky. speaking in rome, ms meloni said her country would back ukraine for as long as was necessary, calling russia s invastion brutal and unjust. later on, president zelensky will meet the pope in the vatican, before visiting germany. let s cross to the newsroom now and talk to our europe regional editor correspondent paul moss. hi, paul. president zelensky is initially and what is he trying to achieve there? initially and what is he trying to achieve there? he s done a tour of lots of european achieve there? he s done a tour of lots of european countries - achieve there? he s done a tour of lots of european countries this - achieve there? he s done a tour of| lots of european countries this year to try and shore up support from politicians and the public. he needs their political support and also very keen to keep that aid flowing which is so necessary for ukraine s resistance of russia s invasion. italy is a special case and we have heard from