i'm annita mcveigh at the beautiful antrim castle gardens. we are here all day to look ahead to this thursday's elections to the northern ireland assembly which has been described as the most important election in a generation. the over—the—top outfits are back — celebrities return to the red carpet of new york city's met gala. good morning and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister, borisjohson, will address the ukrainian parliament later — he'll be the first western leader to do so since the russian invasion. he's expected to give details of £300 million in extra military support from the uk for ukraine — which will include electronic warfare equipment and night—vision devices. the liberal democrats have questioned the timing of mrjohnson�*s announcement, two days before the local elections. in other developments, president zelensk has used his nightly address to accuse russia's foreign minister of "blaming the jewish people for nazi crimes". it comes after sergei lavrov claimed adolf hitler had jewish roots, while trying to justify russia's portrayal of ukraine as "nazi" despite the fact that mr zelensky isjewish. in mariupol, the ukrainian defenders of the azovstal steel works say russian troops are using planes, tanks and warship missiles to pound the site. the un and red cross hope to oversee more civilian evacuations from the steel plant today — hundreds are still left inside. more than 100 people have already been rescued and have been arriving in the ukrainian—held city of zaporizhzhia. james reynolds has this report. imagine having to make your home in the depths of a nuclear bunker. hundreds of civilians, including about 20 children, remain deep under the azovstal steelworks in mariupol, alongside ukrainian soldiers. this underworld is their only refuge from russia's siege. on sunday, around 100 civilians managed to get out. they were driven away from the front line. after weeks under assault, there is much to reflect on. often in simple silence. in this same region, a bbc team has made it to the ukrainian town of lysychansk. it's beseiged on three sides by russian forces. this family say they can't afford to flee. nine—year—old masha refuses to be frightened. the sound of the bombs? you're not scared? speaks defiantly. here, ukrainian soldiers recover from their injuries. the united states says that it believes russia may now make a grab for this entire eastern region of ukraine. according to recent reports, we believe russia will try to annex the donetsk people's republic and the luhansk people's republic, in quotes, so—called, to russia. further west, another ukrainian coastal city, 0desa, has been hit by a russian missile. it's the second strike on this city since saturday. a 15—year—old boy was killed in this latest attack. how, asked ukraine's president, was this child a threat to the russian state? james reynolds, bbc news. let's cross live to lviv — and speak to the bbc�*s correspondent there joe inwood. let's first of all address the conditions in mariupol. were there any evacuations yesterday? there were some reports that attacks had recommenced in the early hours of sunday going into monday. there are two categories _ sunday going into monday. there are two categories when _ sunday going into monday. there are two categories when we _ sunday going into monday. there are two categories when we talking - sunday going into monday. there are| two categories when we talking about civilians, the wider population who are able to make it out on their own sporadically on occasion although there has been a big convoy which has been delayed, but the one we are talking about here are the civilians caught up in the as of —— azovstal steelworks. 100 people did manage to come out, but almost as soon as that it happened, the bombardment started again, nobody has got out since. it would be too dangerous to do so, and the only way we will see more people come out of the azovstal steel plant is if the united nations and the red cross carry out another mission to get them out. when a it happen? the red cross and the united nations have been playing their cards close to their chest on this one. they haven't been given a running commentary. certainly while bombardment is carrying on, it would be far too dangerous for more people to come out. jae be far too dangerous for more people to come out-— to come out. joe inwood, we will leave it there _ to come out. joe inwood, we will leave it there for _ to come out. joe inwood, we will leave it there for now, _ to come out. joe inwood, we will leave it there for now, thank - to come out. joe inwood, we will| leave it there for now, thank you. i'm joined now by dr samir puri, a senior fellow in urban security and urban warfare with the international institute for strategic studies. he's also a former ceasefire monitor in east ukraine. thank you for speaking to us here on bbc news first. ijust thank you for speaking to us here on bbc news first. i just want to pick up bbc news first. i just want to pick up on that last point, and a ceasefire monitor. with that background and expertise, how do you assess what is taking place at the moment in ukraine and those talks that are supposedly taking place in the background?— that are supposedly taking place in the background? thank you for having me. the the background? thank you for having me- the rapidity _ the background? thank you for having me. the rapidity with _ the background? thank you for having me. the rapidity with which _ the background? thank you for having me. the rapidity with which russia - me. the rapidity with which russia resumed its bombardment of the area is worrying, because it goes to show that russia feels perhaps that it has to bow to at least some pressure from the un to achieve a humanitarian reprieve for those people trapped in those wretched conditions inside the azovstal steelworks, but they are not going to afford the humanitarian angle any real respect, and it is all about signalling from russia's perspective, which is yes, we have allowed the civilians to leave escorted by the un, but our objective is to conquer mariupol wholesale. 50 objective is to conquer mariupol wholesale-— objective is to conquer mariupol wholesale. , . wholesale. so urban security and h brid wholesale. so urban security and hybrid warfare. _ wholesale. so urban security and hybrid warfare. how— wholesale. so urban security and hybrid warfare. how do - wholesale. so urban security and hybrid warfare. how do you - wholesale. so urban security and hybrid warfare. how do you then | hybrid warfare. how do you then assess the geography in which russia is operating around that steelworks, or attempting to? it is is operating around that steelworks, or attempting to?— or attempting to? it is almost impregnable. _ or attempting to? it is almost impregnable, and _ or attempting to? it is almost impregnable, and there - or attempting to? it is almost impregnable, and there is - or attempting to? it is almost impregnable, and there is a l or attempting to? it is almost - impregnable, and there is a worrying echo with all the siege warfare which actually it is not about russia storming this plant and working its way through the labyrinth of tunnels in which the defenders are extremely well protected, but perhaps awaiting them out, waiting out there supplies, and i would also assume that the russians are attempting to find someone to betray those defenders from the inside, if they are able to get in touch with individuals and try to find a weak spot. and all this comes down to the persistence of defence inside the steelworks by ukraine's army, and it frustrates president putin's desire to be able to say that we have conquered the city, and it is all about city control in this particular war. i5 control in this particular war. is starting to sound a little bit like guerrilla warfare.— starting to sound a little bit like guerrilla warfare. possibly inside the steelworks _ guerrilla warfare. possibly inside the steelworks if _ guerrilla warfare. possibly inside the steelworks if the _ guerrilla warfare. possibly inside the steelworks if the russians i the steelworks if the russians attempt to enter, and something we also have to keep an eye on is that russia is increasingly trying to bring some of the conquered territories in ukraine under its rain. we heard for example talk of introducing the rouble in unoccupied territories —— but in some occupied territories. but whether we see a meaningful insurgency from the ukrainians, we don't know. back in september— ukrainians, we don't know. back in september of— ukrainians, we don't know. back in september of last _ ukrainians, we don't know. back in september of last year, _ ukrainians, we don't know. back in september of last year, we - ukrainians, we don't know. back in september of last year, we, - ukrainians, we don't know. back in september of last year, we, you i september of last year, we, you wrote a piece saying why is russia massing troops on the border with ukraine. do you think you got it right? ukraine. do you think you got it riuht? ~ ., , ukraine. do you think you got it riuht? ~' . , , �* right? like many people, i didn't think that there _ right? like many people, i didn't think that there would _ right? like many people, i didn't think that there would be - right? like many people, i didn't think that there would be such i right? like many people, i didn't think that there would be such a | think that there would be such a sustained attack on ukraine. we thought that they might attempt to take luhansk in donetsk, but they also tried to take kyiv, and they failed. that was too bold move for even russia to achieve. i did not see that one coming. find even russia to achieve. i did not see that one coming.— even russia to achieve. i did not see that one coming. and let's look at the next — see that one coming. and let's look at the next one, _ see that one coming. and let's look at the next one, the _ see that one coming. and let's look at the next one, the annexation. i at the next one, the annexation. would that take a formal declaration of war from president putin for that to happen? of war from president putin for that to ha en? ~ of war from president putin for that to hauen? ~ ., of war from president putin for that to happen?— to happen? when looking at how president putin _ to happen? when looking at how president putin dealt _ to happen? when looking at how president putin dealt with i to happen? when looking at how president putin dealt with the i to happen? when looking at how i president putin dealt with the annex of crimea in 2014, he did it by having a referendum and then passing it into law in russia. something along those lines would properly happen. whether russia declares a state of war more formally probably depends whether it needs to draw further upon its own manpower resources to replenish its already battered army, and if it wants to dig in for the long haul to see this as a fight from a russian perspective for maybe years to come, taking more and more of ukraine. [30 taking more and more of ukraine. do you think it is fair to say that the western people who have been watching this have been surprised at how the russian troops have not been as successful, the hits haven't come as successful, the hits haven't come as quickly, they have seemed somewhat disorganised, they have run out of kit. when you say it depends on how quickly they draw on that manpower, do you think those resources are there in the first place? resources are there in the first lace? , ., , place? everyone is astonished, outsiders and _ place? everyone is astonished, outsiders and probably - place? everyone is astonished, outsiders and probably even i place? everyone is astonished, i outsiders and probably even russians themselves as to how relatively poorly their military has performed. the combined arms operations, integrating their ground and air assets to achieve military offences that rapidly take territory, i think the russians in donbas now seem to be progressing somewhat more gingerly. in terms of their stocks, they have a vast number of armed vehicles and tanks yet to bring into battle, but some of these are very old, and the next point of concern for russian armed forces as they have conscript soldiers and contract soldiers. do they bring in more conscript soldiers, veterans, start press ganging people, who knows? if they really want to follow through they really want to follow through the ambition of taking much more of ukraine, which they don't appear to be able to do right now. qm. ukraine, which they don't appear to be able to do right now.— be able to do right now. 0k, dr samir puri. _ be able to do right now. 0k, dr samir puri, senior— be able to do right now. 0k, dr samir puri, senior fellow i be able to do right now. 0k, dr samir puri, senior fellow in i be able to do right now. 0k, dr l samir puri, senior fellow in urban samir puri, seniorfellow in urban security and urban warfare with the international institute for strategic studies, thank you. the oil giant bp has made an underlying profit in the first quarter of the year of nearly £5 billion, the highest in over a decade, following soaring oil and gas prices. but the company made an overall loss of more than £16 billion in that period, after writing off its assets in russia. 0pposition parties have renewed their call for a windfall tax on energy firms. let's speak to our chief political correspondent adam fleming. adam, you have been monitoring reaction to this. just looking at that call for the windfall tax, bp when they made this announcement were very quick to say, but we are expecting to pay this much in tax and we have already paid that much. do you think they are rattled? this is one of those _ do you think they are rattled? ti 3 is one of those moments where an event has happened in the run—up to a set of elections across the uk on thursday that illustrates one of the campaign is being run by the opposition parties, in this case for a windfall tax on the energy companies, the oil and gas producers, who are making these huge profits, and so the opposition parties are milking it for all its worth. here is the leader of the liberal democrats, sir ed davey. well, it confirms what the liberal democrats have said all along, that there _ democrats have said all along, that there needs to be a windfall tax on there needs to be a windfall tax on the super— there needs to be a windfall tax on the super profits of these companies. millions of families and pensioners— companies. millions of families and pensioners across the country are struggling — pensioners across the country are struggling to pay their heating bills, — struggling to pay their heating bills, their energy bills, their motoring _ bills, their energy bills, their motoring costs, and we need them to have a _ motoring costs, and we need them to have a tax— motoring costs, and we need them to have a tax cut. the liberal democrats are arguing for a vat tax cut worth _ democrats are arguing for a vat tax cut worth £600 to the average family. — cut worth £600 to the average family, and one way to fund that is fora _ family, and one way to fund that is for a windfall tax on the oil and -as for a windfall tax on the oil and gas companies. it seems a fair tax system _ gas companies. it seems a fair tax system and — gas companies. it seems a fair tax system and i don't understand why the conservatives are unwilling to have _ the conservatives are unwilling to have fairness and to help people who are struggling. and labour basically have the same policy as the liberal democrats. here is their leader, sir keir starmer. with so many people struggling to pay their— with so many people struggling to pay their energy— with so many people struggling to pay their energy bills, _ with so many people struggling to pay their energy bills, we - with so many people struggling to pay their energy bills, we should i pay their energy bills, we should have _ pay their energy bills, we should have a _ pay their energy bills, we should have a windfall— pay their energy bills, we should have a windfall tax _ pay their energy bills, we should have a windfall tax on _ pay their energy bills, we should have a windfall tax on north i pay their energy bills, we should have a windfall tax on north sea| pay their energy bills, we should i have a windfall tax on north sea oil companies — have a windfall tax on north sea oil companies in — have a windfall tax on north sea oil companies in the _ have a windfall tax on north sea oil companies in the north _ have a windfall tax on north sea oil companies in the north sea, - have a windfall tax on north sea oil companies in the north sea, have i have a windfall tax on north sea oilj companies in the north sea, have a windfall_ companies in the north sea, have a windfall tax — companies in the north sea, have a windfall tax on _ companies in the north sea, have a windfall tax on their— companies in the north sea, have a windfall tax on their huge _ companies in the north sea, have a windfall tax on their huge profits i windfall tax on their huge profits to help _ windfall tax on their huge profits to help people _ windfall tax on their huge profits to help people with _ windfall tax on their huge profits to help people with their- windfall tax on their huge profits to help people with their energy| to help people with their energy bills, _ to help people with their energy bills, up— to help people with their energy bills, up to _ to help people with their energy bills, up to £600 _ to help people with their energy bills, up to £600 for— to help people with their energy bills, up to £600 for those i to help people with their energy bills, up to £600 for those who| to help people with their energy i bills, up to £600 for those who need it most _ bills, up to £600 for those who need it most so _ bills, up to £600 for those who need it most so i — bills, up to £600 for those who need it most. so i think— bills, up to £600 for those who need it most. so i think this _ bills, up to £600 for those who need it most. so i think this is _ bills, up to £600 for those who need it most. so i think this is further- it most. so i think this is further evidence — it most. so i think this is further evidence that _ it most. so i think this is further evidence that that _ it most. so i think this is further evidence that that approach i it most. so i think this is further evidence that that approach by. it most. so i think this is further. evidence that that approach by the labour— evidence that that approach by the labour party— evidence that that approach by the labour party is _ evidence that that approach by the labour party is the _ evidence that that approach by the labour party is the right _ evidence that that approach by the labour party is the right approachl labour party is the right approach for so _ labour party is the right approach for so many— labour party is the right approach for so many people _ labour party is the right approach for so many people who - labour party is the right approach for so many people who are - for so many people who are struggling _ for so many people who are struggling with _ for so many people who are struggling with their- for so many people who are struggling with their bills, i for so many people who are i struggling with their bills, and for so many people who are - struggling with their bills, and not 'ust struggling with their bills, and not just struggling _ struggling with their bills, and not just struggling with _ struggling with their bills, and not just struggling with their - struggling with their bills, and not just struggling with their bills. in i just struggling with their bills. in the last— just struggling with their bills. in the last few_ just struggling with their bills. in the last few weeks _ just struggling with their bills. in the last few weeks they- just struggling with their bills. in the last few weeks they will- just struggling with their bills. in| the last few weeks they will have -ot the last few weeks they will have got their— the last few weeks they will have got their paysiip _ the last few weeks they will have got their payslip which _ the last few weeks they will have got their payslip which shows i the last few weeks they will have l got their payslip which shows them that in_ got their payslip which shows them that in the — got their payslip which shows them that in the middle _ got their payslip which shows them that in the middle of— got their payslip which shows them that in the middle of a _ got their payslip which shows them that in the middle of a cost- got their payslip which shows them that in the middle of a cost of- that in the middle of a cost of living — that in the middle of a cost of living crisis. _ that in the middle of a cost of living crisis, if— that in the middle of a cost of living crisis, if you _ that in the middle of a cost of living crisis, if you can- that in the middle of a cost of| living crisis, if you can believe it, living crisis, if you can believe it. the — living crisis, if you can believe it, the government _ living crisis, if you can believe it, the government has - living crisis, if you can believel it, the government has chosen living crisis, if you can believe i it, the government has chosen to increase — it, the government has chosen to increase their— it, the government has chosen to increase their tax. _ it, the government has chosen to increase their tax. so _ it, the government has chosen to increase their tax. so if— it, the government has chosen to increase their tax. so if anything, j increase their tax. so if anything, it reinforces — increase their tax. so if anything, it reinforces the _ increase their tax. so if anything, it reinforces the case _ increase their tax. so if anything, it reinforces the case we've - increase their tax. so if anything, it reinforces the case we've beenl it reinforces the case we've been making _ it reinforces the case we've been making about _ it reinforces the case we've been making about a _ it reinforces the case we've been making about a windfall- it reinforces the case we've been making about a windfall tax. i and despite an interview with the chancellor rishi sunak last week where he suggested the government might be a little bit more open to a windfall tax than they have been in the past, this morning ministers are sticking very much on the line that taxing the companies extra means that they may invest less, and the country needs to invest a lot as we move towards net zero by 2050. at least that is the case, that the prime minister was trying to make when he was being interviewed on good morning britain 0n itv a long time ago —— a short time ago. i good morning britain on itv a long time ago -- a short time ago. i know that peeple — time ago -- a short time ago. i know that people think— time ago -- a short time ago. i know that people think that _ time ago -- a short time ago. i know that people think that we _ time ago -- a short time ago. i know that people think that we need i time ago -- a short time ago. i knowl that people think that we need money now _ these families need money now. you have said that a number of times, prime minister, i have to take issue with you. you are saying that you are doing everything you can, but you could do more. let are doing everything you can, but you could do more.— are doing everything you can, but you could do more. let me go back to our you could do more. let me go back to your suggestions _ you could do more. let me go back to your suggestions. if _ you could do more. let me go back to your suggestions. if you _ you could do more. let me go back to your suggestions. if you put _ you could do more. let me go back to your suggestions. if you put a - your suggestions. if you put a windfaii— your suggestions. if you put a windfall tax on the energy companies, what that means is that you discourage them from making the investments that we want to see, that well— investments that we want to see, that well in the end keep energy prices _ that well in the end keep energy prices lower for everybody. and that reference susanna reid was making that in the government not doing everything it could was a reference to an earlier exchange they had where the prime minister said, acknowledged that the help that the government is offering people with their energy bills so far is not going to be enough, a kind of admission potentially that it could be seen as a bit of a failure, and also a massive hint that there is going to be more support coming further down the line. quite a tricky interview for the prime minister there on good morning britain, although i wonder if one of the things that might cut through is that at the end when susanna said that lorraine kelly would be picking up on her programme which came straight afterwards, and the prime minister said, who is lorraine? and that would be national treasure lorraine kelly! let's talk now to the energy economist nick butler, who is the former group vice president for strategy and policy development at bp. he was also a senior policy adviser to the former labour prime minister gordon brown. lots of hats you are wearing for us this morning. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. as that figure was announced today from bp, what went through your head?— through your head? well, i think there are two — through your head? well, i think there are two parts _ through your head? well, i think there are two parts to _ through your head? well, i think there are two parts to the i through your head? well, i think| there are two parts to the results that you quoted earlier which are contradictory and very interesting. first of all, the write—off of russian assets, i think bp were right to they were one of the first to pull out, but they pay a price, and that write—off is what shapes the results this morning. 0n the other side, a good performance by the company, but now they are into these treacherous waters of people threatening a windfall tax. i don't want to get into the political knock—about on that. i think it's a matter for the government, but if they do impose a tax, that will mean that there are things that bp can't do, and they have set out this morning what they're going to do. they're going to invest more in the north sea and they are going to invest a lot more in renewables in the uk. if you take1 billion, 2 billion, 3 billion, whatever that ed davey wants, that investment will be reduced accordingly. find davey wants, that investment will be reduced accordingly.— reduced accordingly. and bp, this is a hue, reduced accordingly. and bp, this is a huge. huge _ reduced accordingly. and bp, this is a huge, huge organisation. - reduced accordingly. and bp, this is a huge, huge organisation. the i a huge, huge organisation. the figures are eye watering. are you saying they wouldn't be happy to take a one—off hit of a windfall tax? it is a one—off tax. take a one-off hit of a windfall tax? it is a one-off tax.- take a one-off hit of a windfall tax? it is a one-off tax. they obey the law. tax? it is a one-off tax. they obey the iaw- it — tax? it is a one-off tax. they obey the iaw- it is _ tax? it is a one-off tax. they obey the law. it is not _ tax? it is a one-off tax. they obey the law. it is not about _ tax? it is a one-off tax. they obey the law. it is not about being i the law. it is not about being happy. it is about the choice of what you do with the money that you've got. if it is taken away, it is taken away, but that means they will have less resources to do all the other things. what they're doing in the north sea, for instance, is developing some fields which are now more economic because the prices are higher. they are not huge, but they will be big enough to offset some of the oil and gas that we're not going to import from russia. that is one choice. then they're investing in renewables, wind, hydrogen, all sorts of things in the uk and elsewhere, and i think energy security depends on investment over time, these things are not instant, and companies like bp have to make those investments in the uk and worldwide if the prices are going to settle down to reasonable levels again. settle down to reasonable levels aaain. ~ . settle down to reasonable levels aiain,~ ., ., settle down to reasonable levels auain.~ ., ., , , ., again. what about the suggestion that they could _ again. what about the suggestion that they could be _ again. what about the suggestion that they could be buying - again. what about the suggestion that they could be buying back i again. what about the suggestion i that they could be buying back some of their shares? is that something that could be possible instead of the investments?— that could be possible instead of the investments? they are buying back some — the investments? they are buying back some of _ the investments? they are buying back some of their _ the investments? they are buying back some of their shares, - the investments? they are buying | back some of their shares, because people invest their money. everybody�*s pension fund is very likely to have a holding in bp. this is not men in black cats taking the money away. this is ordinary people's pensions and other investments. so bp have to respect their shareholders, and that is what they are doing by paying a dividend and buying back some of the shares. it is all a balance. if they don't reward the shareholders, people won't invest and the company won't be able to invest themselves in the projects that bring energy security over time. flan projects that bring energy security over time. . , ., projects that bring energy security over time. ., i. , projects that bring energy security over time. ., , ., , ., , over time. can you see how this would look _ over time. can you see how this would look to _ over time. can you see how this would look to the _ over time. can you see how this would look to the public - over time. can you see how this would look to the public who, . over time. can you see how this i would look to the public who, you know, put the puck fact that you have got a profit to one side. they can barely afford to meet the end of the month. , ., , , �* ., the month. yes, and because bp and shall tomorrow _ the month. yes, and because bp and shall tomorrow or _ the month. yes, and because bp and shall tomorrow or whenever - the month. yes, and because bp and shall tomorrow or whenever they i shall tomorrow or whenever they announce their results, they will pay more. the tax system is progressive, the more profits you make, the more you pay in tax, so that does go into the exchequer and i hope it is spent wisely to help people who are suffering. but if you take more and more away from companies like this, they willjust not be able to invest as much as we need them to. find not be able to invest as much as we need them to-_ need them to. and how much investment... _ need them to. and how much investment... it _ need them to. and how much investment... it is _ need them to. and how much investment... it is a - need them to. and how much investment... it is a choice i need them to. and how much | investment... it is a choice for rishi sunak. _ investment... it is a choice for rishi sunak. and _ investment... it is a choice for rishi sunak. and how - investment... it is a choice for rishi sunak. and how much i investment... it is a choice for - rishi sunak. and how much investment have they put into renewables? what is their activity so far in that field? and they onlyjust now starting to look into it because they have to?— starting to look into it because they have to? starting to look into it because the have to? ., , ., , they have to? know, they have been doin: it they have to? know, they have been doing it over— they have to? know, they have been doing it over the _ they have to? know, they have been doing it over the last _ they have to? know, they have been doing it over the last two _ they have to? know, they have been doing it over the last two decades i doing it over the last two decades and have really accelerated that under the new chief executive. if you look at the figures they have announced today, they are going to invest in the uk alone more in renewables than in oil and gas. they are doing both, but the shift is under way. are doing both, but the shift is underway. but are doing both, but the shift is under way. but it is not instant. the uk economy still needs, 80% of our energy needs are met by oil and gas, and bp is one of the people who have to meet them, both from the north sea, from renewables and investment around the world. just going back to what has taken place in russia. how much of a hit was that, writing of that asset? 25 billion i that, writing of that asset? 2l}; billion i think that, writing of that asset? zlj billion i think was the figure they quoted. it was the right decision, i think it's better to do that than to be like some of the other companies like total, the french company who are staying there and propping up mr putin's regime by doing so, i think bp made the right decision, so did shell and others, but yes, it is a hit, but bp is strong enough to cope with it. ok. nick butler, thank you very much indeed. you're watching bbc news. let's turn our attention further afield. the us supreme court could be about to overturn the nationwide legal right to abortion, according to an unprecedented leak of a court document. a draft opinion byjustice samuel alito argues the 1973 roe v wade decision, which legalised abortion across the us, was wrong. if the top us court strikes down the ruling, it could instantly make abortion illegal in 22 us states. the law is in the court's sights because it is weighing up a challenge to mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks. neither the supreme court nor the white house have commented on the leak. richard galpin reports. chanting. both anti— and pro—abortion activists took to the street in washington after the indication that the landmark roe v wade ruling of 1973 which legalised abortion may be overtired. anti—abortion activists chanting, roe versus wade has got to go. while those supporting abortion rights shouted, abortion is health care. all of this the result of a leaked initial draft suggesting the us supreme court had voted to overturn roe v wade. this has not yet been confirmed. for almost half a century, abortion has been a divisive issue in the united states. last year, a poll by the peer research centre found 59% of us adults believed it should be legal in all or most cases. while 39% thought it should be illegal or in most all cases. they are not going to get away with this, let me say, i don't know what i have to do, but they are not going to do this to dc and they are not going to do this to america. there are more of us that there are of them and we are going to fight. i'm very passionate about being pro—life and i'm just here as an observer to see what the attitude is like, and witness history. because this is a huge deal, supreme court documents were leaked, and it's a big deal to see roe v wade potentially overturned. if verified, the leaking of the document will be unprecedented in the court's modern history. neither the supreme court nor the white house wish to comment on the leak on monday night. richard galpin, bbc news. the army says it's carrying out an investigation after the sun newspaper reported that an intruder spent the night in a barracks with royal guardsmen close to windsor castle. the security breach reportedly occured a week ago, when the queen was at sandringham for easter. the parents of madeleine mccann have said it's essential they learn the truth about what happened to their daughter, exactly 15 years after she disappeared from a holiday apartment in the portuguese resort of praia da luz. kate and gerry mccann said that knowledge and certainty would give them strength, but regardless of the outcome of the case, a truly horrific crime had been committed. 12 days ago, prosecutors in portugal said they'd formally identified a german man as a suspect. the time has just gone 9:26am here on bbc news. the met gala returned to new york, and this year's theme was the gilded age. the annual fundraiser for new york's metropolitan museum of art is known for its over—the—top celebrity outfits. here are some of them, in this report by the bbc�*s azadeh moshiri. known as the oscars of the east, it seems fitting the theme this year is the golden era of the gilded age. while some took the term gilded to heart... i was going for androgyny. this is very gilded age, the age of golden. 0thers looked to hollywood greats who sparkled in the very same gown worn by marilyn monroe six decades ago when she serenaded jfk with happy birthday. the glitzy event is filled with stars of all kinds, actors, models, singers and... elon musk. why would you want to talk to me? he seems confused, too. as usual, some had a special twist on that theme. hard to remember edith wharton mentioning any baseball caps. but others stayed true to the gowns and corsets of the area. and it is all for charity. it raises millions of dollars for the met�*s institute with tickets costing $35,000 and tables going up to 300,000. the theme of logic and excess seems fitting. muslims across the country have been celebrating eid, the end of the holy month of ramadan. 2,000 people gathered at ewood park, the home of blackburn rovers for eid prayers on the pitch, making them the first football club in the uk to do this. i hope you canjoin us later. a quick reminder — we'll be taking your questions on menopause, for your questions answered, live today at 11:30, where we'll have expert guests to answer the questions you send in, whether that's to understand what menopause is or the symptoms to look out for. you can get in touch on twitter using #bbcyourquestions, or you can email us. now it's time for a look at the weather. and she is live! hello, carol! as opposed to what? laughter it is a cloudy start to the day, but we have a little patchy rain around and some drizzle as well. through the day, the cloud will break in some areas, wales and southern england for example, but we could see some heavy showers develop and some could be thundery. a little brightness at times across parts of northern ireland and also western scotland, but you can already see the next weather front waiting in the next weather front waiting in the wings, and that is going to be bringing in some rain. this whole band is pushing towards the north sea, and with all this cloud around, it is going to be a mild night, so i'll start to the day tomorrow but still that rain continuing to journey eastwards. we have another front following on behind it, and thatis front following on behind it, and that is going to be producing some hefty showers. some of them will also be thundery across eastern parts of england and past events in scotland. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: borisjohnson is to address ukraine's parliament via video link, announcing a further £300 million worth of military aid. russia's bombardment continues in eastern ukraine — there's a hope more civilians will be allowed to leave a steelworks in mariupol today. underlying profits for energy giant bp have more than doubled for the first three months of this year after oil and gas prices rise, prompting renewed calls from opposition parties for a windfall tax. we will not go back! protesters gather outside the us supreme court — after a leaked document suggests it may be about to overturn the nationwide legal right to abortion. sport now, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. "one of a kind" — that's how stephen hendry described ronnie 0'sullivan after he beat judd trump 18—13 at the crucible to match his seven world titles. the rocket said he'd share the record with him for a year, becasue he's coming back for more. joe lynskey reports. cheering. in any sport, it's rare for one man to be this good for so long. ronnie 0'sullivan is snooker�*s winning machine. and yet still human. still, after 21 years, it means this much. his first world title was in 2001. there's been changing styles and opponents, but through it all he's box office. now 0'sullivan has won it seven times, a joint record with stephen hendry, who back in the '90s was dominant, but this is ronnie's time. he's taken the snooker to new heights, and i'm actually surprised it's taken him so long to get to seven. that's how good he is. this year, 0'sullivan has been relentless. in this final, he faced judd trump, who's an entertainer too, and had fought back from seven frames down to just three, but it was always too much. 0'sullivan was trump's boyhood idol, and though there's 14 years between them, one man is still dominant. at 46, 0'sullivan is now the oldest world champion. that's probably my greatest result i've ever had, to be honest with you, against someone likejudd. i don't know if it's a good idea, but we'll probably go again next year... you won't see the likes of it again, you simply won't. you won't see anybody like him again. i mean, he's the best player i've ever seen in my life. it's on another level to everyone who has played this game. the longevity that he is shown has been incredible, because it didn't happen for me, didn't happen for stephen hendry, so i think it's remarkable, what he has achieved. 0'sullivan first played in the crucible 30 years ago, and he is still the hottest ticket. still going for more records and redefining what is possible in your 40s. joe lynskey, bbc news. a tale of two ronnies last night — cristiano ronaldo scoring as manchester united beat brentford, and he was told at 37 he can still be a big part of the club's future. he scored a penalty in a 3—0 win over brentford. and with a lot of upheaval expected at united over the summer, the current manager said, why shouldn't ronaldo remain? there were protests ahead of the match and some banners during aimed at the owners — a nod to a disappointing season and the feeling amongst fans. stark contrast to the mood as fulham secured the championship title in style. 7—0 they beat luton, and how about this for a goals tally, alexander mitrovic with his 43rd in 45 games. that breaks the record for goals scored in a single season. promotion to the premier league is nothing new for fulham, this, though, theirfirst league title in 21 years. now, ellis cross certainly had a bank holiday to remember. the club runner who paid the £37 entry fee to race in the vitality 10k yesterday and ended up beating sir mo farah. it was the four—time 0lympic champion's first race since missing out on qualifying for the tokyo games last year. cross beat him to the line by four seconds and says he's now likely to target major events at half marathon and full marathon distances. he is still coming to terms with the shock victory. to be honest, i had not set to make targets on that race. i woke up in the morning, ijust wanted to go out and have a hard effort. i didn't wear my watch or target a time, ijust wanted to try and work hard. for me, if i could get anywhere near the top five, that would have been an immense performance for myself, but to win it, i did not expect that. it is crazy to be even just sitting here today. he gets £2000 for winning that race, he says he will treat himself to a new pair of running shorts. back to you, lukwesa. post office workers at 114 branches which are directly owned by the company are going on strike in a dispute over pay. the crown post offices will close for 24 hours, and there will be no cash deliveries or collections from more than 11,000 sub—post offices around the uk. the communication workers union says a 2% pay offer is not enough to keep up with rapid increases in the cost of living. joining me now is andy furey from the communication workers union. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. so let's start with that figure, 2% isn't enough, what were you hoping for?— figure, 296 isn't enough, what were you hoping for?— you hoping for? well, the 296 is on to of a you hoping for? well, the 296 is on top of a pay _ you hoping for? well, the 296 is on top of a pay freeze _ you hoping for? well, the 296 is on top of a pay freeze in _ you hoping for? well, the 296 is on top of a pay freeze in 2021, - you hoping for? well, the 296 is on top of a pay freeze in 2021, and i top of a pay freeze in 2021, and other key worker members deserve significantly better. the post office have made healthy profits for 0ffice have made healthy profits for the last two years. office have made healthy profits for the last two years.— the last two years. what is the post office telling _ the last two years. what is the post office telling you _ the last two years. what is the post office telling you as _ the last two years. what is the post office telling you as to _ the last two years. what is the post office telling you as to why - the last two years. what is the post office telling you as to why they i office telling you as to why they will not agree? the office telling you as to why they will not agree?— office telling you as to why they will not agree? the blame lies at their door. _ will not agree? the blame lies at their door, we _ will not agree? the blame lies at their door, we declared - will not agree? the blame lies at their door, we declared a - will not agree? the blame lies at their door, we declared a 9796 i will not agree? the blame lies at| their door, we declared a 9796 yes their door, we declared a 97% yes vote back in march, and we have been trying to get to negotiations for five weeks, and yet they have not come to the bargaining table. we want a pay deal for our key worker members who worked through out the pandemic, kept post offices open, and we want to get a pay deal for this year as well. clearly, 2% over two years, with rising inflation, is not good enough for these key workers. 50 not good enough for these key workers. . , not good enough for these key workers. ., , , ., not good enough for these key workers. , ., ., ., workers. so it was 296 on day one of -a ment, workers. so it was 296 on day one of payment. for _ workers. so it was 296 on day one of payment. for pro — workers. so it was 296 on day one of payment, for pro rata _ workers. so it was 296 on day one of payment, for pro rata part-timers i workers. so it was 296 on day one of| payment, for pro rata part-timers of payment, for pro rata part—timers of £250, is that right? it payment, for pro rata part-timers of £250, is that right?— £250, is that right? it was about a -a freeze £250, is that right? it was about a pay freeze from — £250, is that right? it was about a pay freeze from april _ £250, is that right? it was about a pay freeze from april 2021, - £250, is that right? it was about a pay freeze from april 2021, the i £250, is that right? it was about a | pay freeze from april 2021, the last pay freeze from april 2021, the last pay rise our members received was in april 2020, so over two years since a pay rise, and the rp! for february was up 9% this year. so clearly, the temple need to do significantly better, and that is why our members delivered a 97.3% yes vote. —— the post office need to do significantly better. 50 post office need to do significantly better. . post office need to do significantly better, ., , post office need to do significantly better. ., , . better. so what is the post office sa in: in better. so what is the post office saying in terms _ better. so what is the post office saying in terms of— better. so what is the post office saying in terms of their - better. so what is the post office saying in terms of their reason . better. so what is the post office | saying in terms of their reason for this? what is the reason?- saying in terms of their reason for this? what is the reason? well, they are bein: this? what is the reason? well, they are being hypocritical, _ this? what is the reason? well, they are being hypocritical, the _ this? what is the reason? well, they are being hypocritical, the post i are being hypocritical, the post office, they say they are following office, they say they are following government policy for austerity measures for public sector workers, but public sector workers pay policy does not apply to postage workers. it is evidently their decision, and it is a powerplay, they are trying to impose their will on our members, and our members are not having it. so let's go back to the government policy on public sector pay, for those who do not know, what does the policy say and how should it apply to your members?— to your members? well, if it did a- -l , to your members? well, if it did apply. there _ to your members? well, if it did apply. there was _ to your members? well, if it did apply, there was workers - to your members? well, if it did apply, there was workers who i to your members? well, if it did i apply, there was workers who earn under £24,000 a year, full—time workers, would be entitled to a £250 pay rise for last year. that hasn't happened, the post office are denying that pay increase. so look, this is very simple. the post office are imposing a pay freeze for 2021 and have offered a meagre 2% for this year, over two years that is not good enough, especially when they are making healthy profits. do you know how much that is? they l you know how much that is? they haven't actually _ you know how much that is? the: haven't actually published their reported accounts for 2020—21, so the reported accounts ending the sist the reported accounts ending the 31st of march last year, 13 months later have not been published. it does beg the question, what have they got to hide? this is all about they got to hide? this is all about the horizon scandal, they are trying to save money that they have squandered on legal fees, to save money that they have squandered on legalfees, bearing in mind they spent hundreds of millions of pounds trying to defend the indefensible in court cases against deposed martyrs that were clearly innocent. 50 deposed martyrs that were clearly innocent. " ., deposed martyrs that were clearly innocent. ., , innocent. so 114 crown post offices closed for a _ innocent. so 114 crown post offices closed for a 24-hour _ innocent. so 114 crown post offices closed for a 24-hour period, i innocent. so 114 crown post offices closed for a 24-hour period, whatl closed for a 24—hour period, what next, further strikes? fiur closed for a 24-hour period, what next, further strikes?— next, further strikes? our callers for the post _ next, further strikes? our callers for the post office _ next, further strikes? our callers for the post office to _ next, further strikes? our callers for the post office to get - next, further strikes? our callers for the post office to get around | for the post office to get around the bargaining table, let's thrash out a deal that will not require any strikes. but if they remain in a bunker with their head in the sand, we will call further strikes, and consideration will be given to that later this week.— consideration will be given to that later this week. ., ,, , ., , . later this week. thank you very much indeed, that — later this week. thank you very much indeed, that is _ later this week. thank you very much indeed, that is the _ later this week. thank you very much indeed, that is the communication i indeed, that is the communication workers union, thank you very much. we are going to take a look at what is taking place regarding gym owners during lockdown. the bbc understands that more than 20 gym owners who were accused of breaching coronavirus rules have had their fines overturned in court. the london—based law firm nicholls & nicholls says it has successfully defended all but two of 25 such cases in the past 18 months, citing widespread failures in the enforcement of the legislation. jon ironmonger reports. 0k, what our plan is, is to fine the manager £1,000 and each of the members using the gym £200... by the time england had entered its second lockdown, many gym owners had had enough. i do not consent to any fines. michelle dwyer was arrested for keeping her gym in harlow open and later paid a fine. but for those who contested the charges, it's a different story. the bbc has heard that at least 23 gym owners accused of breaching covid rules have gone on to win in court. i think the biggest issue here is about the enforcement of the legislation itself. it hasn't been dealt with in the correct fashion and the law hasn't been followed. we highlight these issues to the local authority specifically, but also the crown prosecution service, and they're still insistent on proceeding. it's quite clearly a breach... case in point — gainz fitness and strength in bedford, which was raided in november 2020. alex lowndes was charged and went to trial, but last month the case collapsed because the council failed to gather enough evidence. the local authority, it was a bloodlust in the end. they should have looked at it six months in and gone, "this is a waste of time." but they kept going and they kept going, using resources, time, everything else, and it just got out of control. i hate to think what what their final bill on this must have been. covid cases and hospital admissions had been rising sharply at the time of the alleged offence. they're all getting fined... but gym owners feel the benefits of exercise were being ignored. you know. — it was an airborne disease. you're more prone to it if you're unhealthy, overweight et cetera. there's a lot of people that depend on gyms for their mental health. a spokesperson for bedford borough council said... the apparent problem is that fixed penalty notices were being issued and pursued even when there was an exception or a reasonable excuse argument. for instance, if i'm fined walking past a gym in my gym gear — however unlikely — i may be able to claim that i'm training to become a professional athlete, and that would make me exempt in some situations. we've been in scenarios where costs have just added and added, and we've written to the local authority saying, "why are you doing this? this is completely unnecessary." a spokesperson for the crown prosecution service said... part of that test is for prosecutions to be in the public interest, something the downing street parties could make harder to justify. john ironmonger, bbc news. deforestation is having a dramatic impact on our environment. trees absorb carbon dioxide, one of the main causes of climate change. many ambitious international tree—planting schemes have been announced over the years, supported by international funds, but often there are precious few forests to show for it. navin singh khadka reports. what we should see here now are six—year—old trees. sadly, there was very high mortality, 90% or higher. we should be seeing forests, a green carpet. this failed mangrove is part of the philippines�* national greening programme — a bid to plant 1.5 million hectares of forest and mangroves to help fight climate change. an official audit found that 88% of the programme failed. but mangroves can grow well when planted with care. what we have here is a successful mangrove plantation, and they are successful because of a number of factors. first of all, it's the correct species, matched with the correct site. however, the species is not the favored species for government programmes like the national greening programme, because the seedlings are difficult to find in the wild. science was sacrificed for convenience in the planting. the local authority which planted the failed mangrove says it got better results with its species in other locations. many big forest planting and restoration programmes have been launched in recent years, mainly to tackle climate change. but failure rates often go unreported. i have investigated more than ten projects that have not worked, and experts say this is very common. india has signed up to the bonn challenge, a global forest restoration project. uttar pradesh state has planted tens of millions of trees in the last five years, but many have died, leaving only scrubland like this. the state's head of forestry says most plantations are a success. mozambique is part of the afr 100 forest landscape restoration initiative. critics allege that plantations here have replaced native forests. developers deny this. but the planted trees may also be harvested after only a few years. 0ften, it's unknown how successful these big forest programmes are, and whether forests on paper exist in reality. last year, we took all the different commitments and amalgamated them into this one billion hectare figure. we have the majority of these commitments still as promises and not as action. but that's what we are now needing to change. there is a lot of greenwashing around, and we have to actively uncover that. the un food and agriculture 0rganisation is launching a framework to monitor the success of these programmes, but it will have to be done by the countries themselves, and they may or may not comply. navin singh khadka, bbc news. there are just two days to go until voters across the uk go to the polls. voters in england, wales, and scotland will pick who they want to run services that affect everyday life in their local area. those in northern ireland will choose its government. ahead of the vote, we will be profiling some of the key contests in the uk's four nations. today my colleague annita mcveigh joins us from the town of antrim in county antrim in northern ireland. it looks beautiful behind you! isn't it gorgeous here? yes, thanks, lukwesa, this is andrew castle gardens, isn't it gorgeous here? yes, thanks, lukwesa, this is andrew castle gardens, where isn't it gorgeous here? yes, thanks, lukwesa, this is andrew castle gardens, where we isn't it gorgeous here? yes, thanks, lukwesa, this is andrew castle gardens, where we are isn't it gorgeous here? yes, thanks, lukwesa, this is andrew castle gardens, where we are spending isn't it gorgeous here? yes, thanks, lukwesa, this is andrew castle gardens, where we are spending the day looking ahead to the elections. —— the antrim castle gardens. staff there were busy over the weekend, hosting a garden festival of flowers, and while visitors might have been focusing on plants rather than politics, in the remaining two days before this bout, the political parties will be maximising every minute of campaigning time left to try to persuade voters to choose them. very few really big stories around this election, one of them is the possibility that sinn fein, the nationalist party that wants to see a united ireland, could emerge as the biggest party out of these elections. polls always come with health warnings, but this is in the irish news today, which suggests that sinn fein would emerge as the biggest party and very interestingly, they suggest the dup and the cross community alliance party might emerge neck and neck in terms of first preference vote share. more on how the electoral system works later. at the other big story is the protocol, the northern ireland protocol, the post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. the dup, which at the last election emerged as the biggest party, is opposed to it, it says it undermines northern ireland's constitutional position within the united kingdom, and it wants to be rid of it. it says it won't go back into a power—sharing government if its concerns around the protocol are not addressed. but for ordinary voters, is that the top priority? 0r voters, is that the top priority? or are they more concerned about the cost of living crisis, health, education, things that voters right around the uk are concerned about? that is one of the big questions we will be looking at today. in a moment, i will be talking to bbc northern ireland political correspondent jane northern ireland political correspondentjane mccormick, but correspondent jane mccormick, but first correspondentjane mccormick, but first chris page has been to a place where boaters from all backgrounds come together, the sports pitch. politics in northern ireland can often seem as if it's one side against the other and winner takes all. but events like this are breaking down barriers between communities, bringing together unionists and nationalists, protestants and catholics. the other team scored and the other team's cheering them. that's what it's about. limestone united from belfast are playing hammerstown fc from dublin in the first—ever star of the sea cup. it's been organised by raymond mccord, whose son was murdered by the loyalist group the uvf. the competition is named after the cross community club which raymond played for when the conflict broke out. this is the star of the sea team from 1969. there was never any talk of which one was protestant and which one was catholic. all footballers, that's what it should be. among them was bobby sands, whojoined the ira. two of the lads in the team joined the uvf. paramilitary violence has much reduced since the 1990s. but the power—sharing devolved government at stormont has often been shaky. unfortunately we have people still in this, like they live in 1969. if one side is doing well, the other side wants to pull stormont down. as soon as they're away, they're away. limestone united has footballers from both sides of the old divide. they want a future with more interplay. it's better to see people who are protestants and catholics come together instead of fighting each other. i'd like to see more people come together and just put an end to all that and be respectful. teamwork comes naturally to successful sportspeople, but what would they like northern ireland to be? from my own point of view, i'm a mum, and i'm still playing sport to the highest level that i can and i would just like to see that continue and for more people to come out and join the sport and for the facility to be there to do that. i would like to see legislation, policies and decisions that benefit everyone and no matter what you believe in. and sports stars of the past say peace shouldn't be taken for granted. when trevor england played for the lions, his homeland was shattered by sectarian strife. if we're going to get relationships right in the future, we have to look at the leadership that we're getting and where it's taking us, and challenge that leadership if it's taking us down that destructive path that we saw in the past. and look for that more constructive leadership that shows a better way of doing things. political trophies are up for grabs on the 5th of may. but for many people, partnership is the biggest prize. chris page, bbc news, belfast. and bbc northern ireland's jane mccormick is with us, let's begin with the protocol issue, remind us what it is and why it is such a big talking point. th what it is and why it is such a big talking point-— what it is and why it is such a big talking point. in a nutshell, it was this arrangement _ talking point. in a nutshell, it was this arrangement as _ talking point. in a nutshell, it was this arrangement as part - talking point. in a nutshell, it was this arrangement as part of i talking point. in a nutshell, it was this arrangement as part of brexit between the uk and the eu to keep an open border on the island of ireland, because northern ireland, part of the uk, was leaving the eu, the republic of ireland is still in the republic of ireland is still in the eu, and there are strict rules about food products and medicines needing cheques, and so they had to go somewhere, and rather than on the irish border, back in 29 it was bowed out no less, along with the eu, who agreed that these goods would take place coming into northern ireland first. —— back in 2019 it was borisjohnson no less. that is what has caused a real political row here locally, because unionists say you have separated us from the rest of the uk, we are following eu rules, which was totally against the point of brexit. they talk about it damaging trade as well, more red tape, and the dup, of course, essentially pulling their first minister out of government in february, bringing this to a head, if you like, and saying to boris johnson, if you can't resolve the protocol, we will not be going back in, change it all scrap it. other unionist parties feel the same, but on the other side of the divide, and this of course is sinn fein, the sdlp, alliance macro and the greens, they say, in the absence of anything else, it has to stay. 50 they say, in the absence of anything else, it has to stay.— else, it has to stay. 50 this is really significant _ else, it has to stay. 50 this is really significant in _ else, it has to stay. 50 this is really significant in terms - else, it has to stay. 50 this is really significant in terms of. else, it has to stay. 50 this is - really significant in terms of what happens next for government in northern ireland, and it will be interesting to hear through the day about what people's priorities are, but let's talk about sinn fein, potentially emerging as the biggest party, that would be a first for northern ireland, so how significant would that be? it northern ireland, so how significant would that be?— northern ireland, so how significant would that be? it would be a seismic moment, would that be? it would be a seismic moment. there _ would that be? it would be a seismic moment, there is _ would that be? it would be a seismic moment, there is no _ would that be? it would be a seismic moment, there is no doubt - would that be? it would be a seismic moment, there is no doubt about. moment, there is no doubt about that, because for so long northern ireland had this unionist dominated parliament, and personally, for michelle o'neill, who would be entitled to be first minister, it would be a big moment for her. practically, it wouldn't change much, because it is a joint office with the first and deputy first minister, but symbolically it is the message it would send, and remember, backin message it would send, and remember, back in 2017, the dup ended upjust one seat ahead of sinn fein, and i say if there is a victory for sinn fein on thursday, the sinn fein will push for a border poll, the dup say thatis push for a border poll, the dup say that is divisive, and sinn fein are saying this is all about the cost of living crisis, we want to be back in government on day one but we need a willing partner in the dup to do that. . ~ , ., willing partner in the dup to do that. . ~' , ., , willing partner in the dup to do that. . ~ ,, , . ., that. thank you very much for settin: that. thank you very much for setting out — that. thank you very much for setting out those _ that. thank you very much for setting out those big - that. thank you very much for setting out those big themes | that. thank you very much for - setting out those big themes which we will be exploring through out the day here at antrim castle gardens. some important bits of information. there is a full list of the candidates in each of the constituencies in northern ireland. for full details, go to the bbc news website. there is lots of useful information on how the elections work. just go to bbc.co.uk/politics. and tonight on bbc news you can watch the last head—to—head debate here in northern ireland before the polls open. jim fitzpatrick is the host as a studio audience in belfast put their questions about the key issues directly to the leaders of northern ireland's main parties. that's vote 22 ni: the leaders' debate, tonight at 9pm here on the bbc news channel. an awful lot of interesting things to talk about through the day, we will talk to a range of voices from different backgrounds around northern ireland, so i hope you can catch some of that with us at antrim castle gardens, and we are hoping the weather stays with us so we can show you some more of the beautiful setting, so let's go to carol kirkwood for the latest weather. it is quite cloudy across many parts of the uk, as you can see from the satellite picture. one or two holes across the south in the north—east, where we are seeing a bit of sunshine, but cloud taken for some patchy rain and some drizzle here and there, but the cloud should break up, a little bit of sunshine at times in northern ireland and across wales and southern england as well as north—east scotland. as the son comes out and warms up, it could spark a few showers, potentially thundery across wales. temperatures today, 8—16 , and pollen levels are high across wales and southern england. we are talking especially tree pollen at the moment. through this evening and overnight, we hang on to a lot of cloud and showers, but by then i knew where the front coming in across northern ireland and scotland, england and wales, pushing eastwards. —— but by then a new weather front. in pushing eastwards. —— but by then a new weatherfront. in hot pushing eastwards. —— but by then a new weather front. in hot pursuit, we will have another one sinking south, bumping into an area of high pressure, so it will be fairly weak. we say goodbye to the first band of rain, here comes the second, fairly showery, and by the end of the afternoon most showers confined to the south east, but some across eastern scotland, and some of the showers could prove to be heavy and thundery as well. in between, some sunshine, and in the west there will also be some sunshine. if anything, tomorrow will be warmer than today, 10-18 tomorrow will be warmer than today, 10—18 degrees. wednesday into thursday sees the high pressure build further, weather fronts toppling over the top of it will introduce rain at times, but the air coming from the azores, so all of us will have higher temperatures, the highest in the south. a lot of dry weather for england and wales to start with, losing mist and fog quickly, cloud developing through the day, weather fronts toppling over that area of high pressure bringing rain at times, and temperatures, 17 in aberdeen, 20 in birmingham, possibly 22 as we push down towards the south east. into friday, again, a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine, cloud at times, but the front sinking south will introduce some rain, behind that some brightness, but behind the last weather front things turning pressure from the north. you hang on to the warmth of the further south you do travel. this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. uk prime minister borisjohnson is to address ukraine's parliament via videolink — announcing a further £300 million worth of military aid. russia's bombardment continues in eastern ukraine — there's a hope more civilians will be allowed to leave a steelworks in mariupol today. underlying profits for energy giant bp have more than doubled for the first three months of this year after oil and gas prices rise — prompting renewed calls for a windfall tax. we will not go back! protesters gather outside the us 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