live in east jerusalem. the united nations and the us have expressed concern about israel's plans for a military operation in rafah. the city, at the south—western edge of gaza, has seen the arrival of hundreds of thousands of palestinians taking refuge from the fighting elsewhere in the strip. the israeli military had previously urged civilians to go there — but now, prime minister benjamin netanyahu says he has approved plans for an assault on hamas militants believed to be based there. the un issued this warning. i think the consequences of a ground operation in rafah under the current circumstances would be catastrophic for the people of gaza, for the palestinians. it would be catastrophic for the humanitarian situation. it would be catastrophic or around. the us is one of israel's most important supporters — but it seems that the israeli government has not shared details of the planned assault on rafah with officials in washington. here's us national security council spokesman, john kirby. we haven't seen it, we certainly would welcome the opportunity to see it. as we've said, we cannot support a major offensive in rafah that doesn't also include a credible, achievable, executable plan to take care for the safety and security of the more than a million gazans are seeking refuge in rafah. to move in right now in a major way without a proper accounting for all those people would come as we've said, be a disaster. the idea of a ground offensive in rafah is something israel has been repeatedly saying for weeks now. benjamin netanyahu has been saying it in all his statements and press conferences. it was approved as the israeli security cabinet meeting yesterday. but that doesn't mean it is imminent, because that point will probably come when you start to see leaflets actually dropped over rafah urging people to move, that will be when we know that some kind of offensive is only a couple of weeks away. and all of this is against the backdrop of desperately needed aid start arriving in gaza of the quantity that is required. we have seen the first eight arrive by sea in the last 2a hours or so, temporaryjetty has been built in the north of gaza and around 200 tonnes of supplies from a barge has been unloaded. of course, now it needs to be distributed securely and safely and fairly to the around 300,000 or so people who are still in the north of gaza. but of course, it has been made repeatedly clear notjust by humanitarian groups by world leaders as well that bringing in aid by sea, or the airdrops is no substitute to actually bring in aid by land, that's the tried and tested route on the other way to get aid in at the scale which is now required in gaza. lets speak notw to richard makepeace — a trustee for the medical aid for palestinians, who work with palestinian communities to deliver medical aid and healthcare services. as we were saying, the first aid has come in by sea. just talk us through some of the issues that your particular organisation is facing when it comes to distributing that to people who are so desperate on the ground. to people who are so desperate on the ground-— the ground. obviously it is externally _ the ground. obviously it is externally difficult, - the ground. obviously it is externally difficult, given l the ground. obviously it is i externally difficult, given the general insecurity in this conflict, humanitarian agencies have come under attack, convoys have come under attack, convoys have come under attack, convoys have come under attack, and there needs to be a proper plan of how to get the aid to those who need it most. precisely as you said. find to those who need it most. precisely as you said-— as you said. and 'ust talk us through, h as you said. and 'ust talk us through, «h as you said. and 'ust talk us through, if you _ as you said. and just talk us through, if you would, - as you said. and just talk us through, if you would, the l as you said. and just talk us - through, if you would, the issues with getting aid in, because we talk about trucks coming in by road, we know the number of trucks coming in has been drastically reduced since the war began on october the 7th. whose responsibility is it to make sure that palestinians in gaza have the basics for life?— the basics for life? well, it's the responsibility — the basics for life? well, it's the responsibility of _ the basics for life? well, it's the responsibility of the _ the basics for life? well, it's the responsibility of the israeli - responsibility of the israeli authorities, because they control the situation at the moment and under humanitarian law, they are obliged to protect civilians. what is happening, though, is that convoys, even those run by the un, are being blocked on a regular basis, some convoys have been attacked, there are not proper arrangements being made clock, convoys set off and i stopped at checkpoints, but are taken off and detained even though they have been notified as humanitarian workers. and in the worst of circumstances of course, there have actually been attacks on ngo and other humanitarian facilities. i attacks on ngo and other humanitarian facilities. i wanted to talk a little as _ humanitarian facilities. i wanted to talk a little as well _ humanitarian facilities. i wanted to talk a little as well about _ humanitarian facilities. i wanted to talk a little as well about what - talk a little as well about what israel says is a planned ground offensive in rafah, which it says is essential if it is going to fully remove all of hamas run gaza. but of course, it is set to take place in an area where more than half of gaza's population is now sheltering. try to describe if you would what the situation is like in rafah for people like them.— the situation is like in rafah for --eole like them. ., . ., people like them. people are crammed toaether, people like them. people are crammed together. there — people like them. people are crammed together, there are _ people like them. people are crammed together, there are a _ people like them. people are crammed together, there are a million _ people like them. people are crammed together, there are a million more - together, there are a million more than would normally be living in that space. many are having to live in tents or out in the open air. there is no proper hygiene facilities, sanitation. food is not as plentiful as one would like it to be, nor our medical facilities, given the damage done to hospitals. so people are traumatised and both physically and mentally in a very weak state. the idea that they can simply be told to move yet again, many of these people have had their homes destroyed and have moved three orfour homes destroyed and have moved three or four times homes destroyed and have moved three orfour times in homes destroyed and have moved three or four times in the homes destroyed and have moved three orfour times in the past homes destroyed and have moved three or four times in the past to a so—called safe zone, it's frankly appalling. we have seen what safe zones are like, they get bombed just like everywhere else. the zones are like, they get bombed 'ust like everywhere elsei like everywhere else. the race i assume a _ like everywhere else. the race i assume a possibility _ like everywhere else. the race i assume a possibility as - like everywhere else. the race i assume a possibility as well - like everywhere else. the race i | assume a possibility as well that like everywhere else. the race i - assume a possibility as well that as you say, people who have already moved several times, who have very few possessions left, they might just decide not to move again, even if they're told to, they mightjust want to remain in the place that they have managed to find a tent and a small piece of ground gething —— i'm guessing moving all these people is not going to be a simple operation at all. is not going to be a simple 0 eration at all. ~ ,,., , ., operation at all. absolutely not. it would be a — operation at all. absolutely not. it would be a very — operation at all. absolutely not. it would be a very dangerous - operation at all. absolutely not. it. would be a very dangerous operation. people are weak, children are weak, there are babies, and as you say, i think people might simply be fatalistic and say they would rather stay together as a family and died together rather than dying on the road trying to get somewhere where they will probably be attacked again. and of course in the north, the situation is even worse, with the situation is even worse, with the onset of what really can only be called famine of the latest figures from unicef suggest that a third of children are severely malnourished and between 5% and 10% even in the central area in khan younis are suffering from severe wasting. richard, thank you forjoining us. as the humanitarian situation remains dire, there is continuing pressure to achieve some kind of ceasefire so more aid can get an answer that the more than 100 hostages were still being held in gaza can be released for the winner and israeli negotiating team is going to be going to the qatari capital doha to continue the talks that have been going on there, to respond to a new hamas proposal which came out about 48 hours ago, which came out about 48 hours ago, which israel initially said had unrealistic demands but they are going to be speaking about it, so the lines of communication are so open. we will continue to follow that line of the story and others. so much more to come from here in eastjerusalem, but for now, back to london. a second day of voting is taking place in russia's presidential election. here are live pictures of polling station in moscow. vladimir putin is expected to win a further six years in power, as his only serious opponents are either dead, in prison or in exile. the authorities have called on security officers to be vigilant, after vandalism at some polling stations on friday. our russia editor steve rosenberg has more. apologies, we will bring in a —— will bring in vitaly shevchenko. thanks for being with us. tell us a bit about the voting. it is in some ways a foregone conclusion that putin will win so why did they go to the trouble to have an election like this? it the trouble to have an election like this? , ., ._ the trouble to have an election like this? , . ., , this? it is a way of legitimising vladimir putin's _ this? it is a way of legitimising vladimir putin's continued - this? it is a way of legitimising | vladimir putin's continued rule. this? it is a way of legitimising i vladimir putin's continued rule. it is ritual, it is given that, realistically speaking he is the one and only candidate, towering above everybody else. it is a situation that he has engineered over more than two decades of being in charge of russia. because the most credible, vocal and popular of his critics are injail, exiled or are dead. this election, there are many unusual things about it. for the first time ever, it is taking place over three days, and russian opposition being in disarray, there is probably one way available to russians who don't like vladimir putin and his policy, the one available way of protesting and that is setting fire to ballot boxes and pouring ink inside of those ballot boxes. but whether or not it is going to change anything basic about a different matter, given how much in control vladimir putin is of the electoral system, of the judiciary, that's why we can say with certainty that's why we can say with certainty that he is certain to win another six years in the kremlin. you mentioned — six years in the kremlin. you mentioned some _ six years in the kremlin. you mentioned some of - six years in the kremlin. you mentioned some of those protests, which happened in the last day, are we expecting more? the which happened in the last day, are we expecting more?— which happened in the last day, are we expecting more? the widow of the late russian — we expecting more? the widow of the late russian opposition _ we expecting more? the widow of the late russian opposition leader- late russian opposition leader alexei navalny has called for an event, i wouldn't say it was a protest, an event to be held at police stations across russia at noon local time tomorrow, the third and final day of voting. she has urged opposition activists, or those who support the opposition in russia, just to come to polling stations and be there, they don't have to rally, shout political slogans or even vote. the point of the exercise is that they need to see each other, they need to show to russians and people outside of russians and people outside of russia that opponents of vladimir putin's policies still exist, even if they don't necessarily have ways of changing the political situation within russia. it of changing the political situation within russia.— within russia. it seems there are some people _ within russia. it seems there are some people within _ within russia. it seems there are some people within russia - within russia. it seems there are some people within russia who l some people within russia who support putin for whatever reason. presumably, the polls are not necessarily reliable? tells with the latest polls say about his popularity. i5 latest polls say about his popularity-— latest polls say about his “oulari . , ., ., ., ., popularity. is to gauge that in an environment _ popularity. is to gauge that in an environment -- _ popularity. is to gauge that in an environment -- is _ popularity. is to gauge that in an environment -- is difficult - popularity. is to gauge that in an environment -- is difficult to - popularity. is to gauge that in an i environment -- is difficult to gauge environment —— is difficult to gauge that in an environment where if you say anything that goes against the party line, you can be fined, jailed or worse. party line, you can be fined, jailed orworse. so party line, you can be fined, jailed or worse. so even though the majority of opinion polls say that between 70% and 80% of russians support vladimir putin, there is only some way in which they can be trusted, given the general atmosphere of repression and fear. but if we look at what sort of media russians trust, it appears that state—controlled television is still the most important source of news for most russians, which suggests that they are prepared to accept what the kremlin tells them. hfiitair; what the kremlin tells them. vitaly shevchenko. _ what the kremlin tells them. vitaly shevchenko, thank _ what the kremlin tells them. vitaly shevchenko, thank you _ what the kremlin tells them. vitaly shevchenko, thank you very - what the kremlin tells them. vitaly shevchenko, thank you very much. the next first minister of wales will be announced this morning. mark drakeford said in december that he would step down after five years in the job. the economy minister, vaughan gething, and the education ministerjeremy miles have been competing to succeed him. here's our wales correspondent, hywel griffith. after a race where there was little to separate the two candidates, today we will find out which one of these two men will go on to make history. if i these two men will go on to make histo . , _, , history. if i win this contest, i will be the — history. if i win this contest, i will be the first _ history. if i win this contest, i will be the first black - history. if i win this contest, i will be the first black leader. history. if i win this contest, i| will be the first black leader of any nation in europe. in will be the first black leader of any nation in europe.- any nation in europe. in his campaign _ any nation in europe. in his campaign video, _ any nation in europe. in his campaign video, vaughan l any nation in europe. in his - campaign video, vaughan gething tackled the issue of race head—on. he has spoken about facing taunts as a teenager and struggling against the stereotypes as he entered student politics.— student politics. they are a detriment _ student politics. they are a detriment to _ student politics. they are a detriment to access, - student politics. they are a detriment to access, they i student politics. they are a i detriment to access, they do student politics. they are a - detriment to access, they do put people off. ihis detriment to access, they do put people off-— detriment to access, they do put --eoleoff. , ._ , g , people off. his rivaljeremy myles sa s his people off. his rivaljeremy myles says his political _ people off. his rivaljeremy myles says his political awakening - people off. his rivaljeremy myles says his political awakening also l says his political awakening also came in the 1980s, growing up doing —— during the miners strike and studying law. if he wins he will become the first gay first minister of wales. but the campaign hasn't been without controversy. jeremy myles was unhappy about unite really him ineligible for the support. vaughan gething had a £200,000 donation from a man convicted for environmental issues. whoever follows in the footsteps of mark drakeford may struggle to get the same level of public recognition as he built up during the pandemic. have you heard ofjeremy myles? ida. have you heard ofjeremy myles? no. vau:han have you heard ofjeremy myles? no. vaughan gething? number. _ have you heard ofjeremy myles? no. vaughan gething? number. i- have you heard ofjeremy myles? no. vaughan gething? number. i have - vaughan gething? number. i have heard of mark _ vaughan gething? number. i have heard of mark drakeford. - vaughan gething? number. i have heard of mark drakeford. vaughan j heard of mark drakeford. vaughan gethin: ? heard of mark drakeford. vaughan gething? yeah. _ heard of mark drakeford. vaughan gething? yeah. the _ heard of mark drakeford. vaughan gething? yeah. the environment. gething? yeah. the environment secretary. gething? yeah. the environment secreta . ~ . gething? yeah. the environment secreta .~ ., ., gething? yeah. the environment secreta . ~ ., ., ~ ., secretary. what do you think of him? i don't secretary. what do you think of him? i don't know- — secretary. what do you think of him? i don't know. the _ secretary. what do you think of him? i don't know. the result _ secretary. what do you think of him? i don't know. the result should - secretary. what do you think of him? i don't know. the result should be i i don't know. the result should be followed next week by a vote in the senate back to formally endorse the next first minister. arguably that is when the hard work really begins. a court in hong kong has sentenced a group of people in connection with the storming of the city's legislative council building in 2019. that took place at the height of anti—government protests. most of the defendants were found guilty of rioting. the longestjail term handed down is six years and ten months. two other people were jailed for 57 and 74 months respectively. and two journalists were given relatively small fines — the equivalent of less than 200 us dollars — for illegally entering the legislative council chamber. the united nations is warning of life—threatening malnutrition in haiti's capital, port—au—prince — as violence and political unrest continue to spread. a transitional council to restore stability is being put in place — but according to the un, the security situation remains tense and volatile. the authorities have been unable to control armed gangs, and haiti has not yet appointed a replacement for the prime minister, ariel henry, who resigned after trying to organise an international peacekeeping force. our south america and caribbean correspondent will grant has more. after a complicated few days at the border, we are now among the first internationaljournalists border, we are now among the first international journalists to border, we are now among the first internationaljournalists to make into haiti since the current wave of violence began. we have come, driven to the coastal city of cap haitian. haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and this current crisis is creating so much more humanitarian need or what was already an extremely complex picture. some statistics let out just how difficult and how grim that picture is. 360,000 people are internally displaced in haiti at present. some 3000 women due to give birth may receive absolutely no maternity care whatsoever with so many hospitals closed, particularly in port—au—prince. the development wing of the us government has promised millions more in aid and in truth, some is now trickling in. some aid is now making it into the country. but it is nowhere near sufficient to cope with the scale of this emergency. in the political realm, the transitional council has been agreed. however, the gangs that control port—au—prince do not recognise the council and have threatened its members and very, very stark language. so, haiti remains stuck in a complex and dangerous situation, and the civilian population caught between the politicians and the gangs. airport officials in oregon in the us say they found that a fuselage panel was missing from a plane, after it landed. the aircraft, a boeing 737—800, had flown without incident from san francisco to medford, and had landed as scheduled — it seems neither the pilot nor the passengers were aware of what was happening. with the details from washington — here's will vernon. it's not clear exactly when this damage occurred. after the plane landed at the airport, the ground crew discovered this external panel was actually missing. a search was initiated and that airport, medford airport in oregon, was briefly closed while they ensured there was no debris on the runways. a photograph posted on a local news website showed a large hole in the side of the plane, the fuselage, near the landing gear. you could see hydraulics and parts in that hole. we received a statement from united airlines, they told us to an investigation would be carried out to determine what caused this. but this is the latest in a bizarre series of incidents involving bits falling off boeing planes here in the united states. last week, a boeing 777 taking off from san francisco was forced to make an emergency landing in los angeles after a fell off the shortly after take—off. it plummeted down and actually crushed an empty vehicle. —— a tyre fell off. and back in january a boeing 737 —— five boeing 737 suffered a midair emergency after an unused cabin door blew out, broke off and plunged down to the ground below and was later found in a science teacher's garden! luckily nobody was killed in any of these incidents and america's federal aviation authority are investigating all three of them separately and while there appears to be no direct link between them, nevertheless, boeing is coming under increased scrutiny here in the us over its safety. last month was a report released for the us government, commissioned before any of these latest incidents, but that found serious concerns over boeing's safety management systems. in response to that report, boeing said that they have taken important steps to foster a culture of safety and that it would review the findings of that it would review the findings of that report. as war continues to devastate sudan, the un's humanitarian chief says that up to five million people are at risk of catastrophic hunger in the near future. in a letter to the security council, martin griffiths warned that 18 million sudanese were already facing acute food insecurity due to the damage in agriculture, infrastructure and steep price hikes. mr griffiths appealed to the warring factions of the conflict — the sudanese army and paramilitary rapid support forces — to urgently allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to avert famine conditions, pariticularly in the western region of darfur. we can speak now to our corresponded who is in ethiopia. so tell us about that warning from the un. it is severe indeed. _ that warning from the un. it is severe indeed. it _ that warning from the un. it is severe indeed. it is _ that warning from the un. it 3 severe indeed. it is coming amid a backdrop of similar wordings from various un agencies as well as from humanitarian agencies concerning sudan. this crisis is now approaching its one year mark. millions of people are being impacted. nearly 8 million people are estimated to have fled their homes, some of them are in neighbouring countries, others are internally displaced. nearly half the population is currently dependent on aid. the fighting and the violence continues in this one is coming that up to 5 million people could be facing very severe malnutrition. find people could be facing very severe malnutrition.— people could be facing very severe malnutrition. and tell us about the war, the series _ malnutrition. and tell us about the war, the series army _ malnutrition. and tell us about the war, the series army and _ malnutrition. and tell us about the war, the series army and the - malnutrition. and tell us about the war, the series army and the rsf, | war, the series army and the rsf, tell us what is happening between those two sides. == tell us what is happening between those two sides.— those two sides. -- the sudanese arm . those two sides. -- the sudanese army- when _ those two sides. -- the sudanese army. when the _ those two sides. -- the sudanese army. when the war— those two sides. -- the sudanese army. when the war began - those two sides. -- the sudanese army. when the war began last i those two sides. -- the sudanese i army. when the war began last year, the regular sudanese army and the rabbits are for forces, which is to be allies in previous years —— the rapid support forces, they were fighting for control of sudan, there have been repeated attends to broker peace which are not put any ceasefire to the country. even now there have been calls for a ceasefire because of the holy event on —— of ramadan. so they are battling on various fronts around the main city khartoum as well as the main city khartoum as well as the western darfur region and because of the country is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. find facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.— crises in the world. and 'ust on the humanitarian * crises in the world. and 'ust on the humanitarian side, h crises in the world. and just on the humanitarian side, there _ crises in the world. and just on the humanitarian side, there was - crises in the world. and just on the humanitarian side, there was a - humanitarian side, there was a suggestion that more aid would be coming in through the border, what's happening with that? well. coming in through the border, what's happening with that?— happening with that? well, aid has been coming _ happening with that? well, aid has been coming into _ happening with that? well, aid has been coming into the _ happening with that? well, aid has been coming into the western - happening with that? well, aid has been coming into the western part| happening with that? well, aid has l been coming into the western part of sudan from neighbouring chad, which is also having its own problems, but the un as well as other aid agencies have been complaining that it's not been enough. more is required and since many of the large portion of the sudanese people are inaccessible because of violence, the humanitarian situation is worsening. thank you very much for bringing us up thank you very much for bringing us up to date stop stay with us on bbc news, plenty more to come. hello. there was plenty of sunshine to start the day, although it was frosty with some isolated freezing fog as well. but all is to change because we've got rain already getting into western areas that will linger overnight and into the start of sunday before we see a little sunshine come back. but some showers as well. this is yesterday's area of low pressure. a brief ridge of high pressure brought the cold weather through the night, allowed temperatures to fall to freezing, but already the cloud sweeping in off the atlantic. low pressure with it will mean the winds will pick up as well through the day ahead. so lifting the mist and the fog and the frost, and the sunshine should hang out across northern eastern scotland. plenty of it to start across eastern areas. but even here, it will tend to fade later on as the thicker cloud sweeps in. probably the wettest weather for northern ireland and across ireland, some spots elsewhere through western and central parts of england, wales too. and despite all the cloud and the freshening wind, temperatures won't be as high as they were yesterday because it's been such a chilly start. so these sort of temperatures around about average for the time of year, but actually they'll continue to rise through the evening as the cloud trundles further north and east. it does look as if we will see some rain for the last day of the six nations in both cardiff and dublin. perhaps some heavier rain here, but probably staying dry in leon for france's game against england this evening. but this evening, across the united kingdom, we're going to have more cloud around. as i say, temperatures continue to rise in the north and east. heavier rain arrives as well. more pulses of rain push in across southern and western areas, getting into central and eastern parts through the night. so with all the cloud and the rain, it will be a much milder night tonight. so as we start on sunday morning, it could be quite drab underneath this weather front, which still lingers across eastern scotland, much of england and perhaps parts of wales as well, with more to come later for northern ireland and western scotland. but what a dreary start, lots of misty low cloud because that's mild air on a relatively chilly sea. so it'll take a time for the brightness and sunshine to emerge, perhaps into the afternoon before that rain finally clears the east coast to reveal some sunshine. but come rain or shine tomorrow, it will be mild. temperatures will be well above average again, 14 to 16, perhaps 17 in some of the sunniest spots. and the milder weather should linger with us into next week. however, as you can see from the chart, it remains unsettled. there's more rain in the forecast. this is bbc news. the headlines... vandalism arrests as voters spoil their ballots on day two first trip into gaza and as it supplies, a new israeli offensive in rafah saying a catastrophe. vandalism arrests as voters spoil their ballots on day two of russia's presidential election. vladimir putin is almost certain to win — his only serious rivals being dead, in prison or in exile. and two labour hopefuls go head—to—head in a bid to become wales' new first minister. it's after mark drakeford announced he would step down from the role in december. and gridlock warnings as a busy stretch of the london orbital m25 motorway grinds to a halt over the weekend. it's the first closure of its kind since it opened in 1986. let's return to one of our top stories, a second day of voting is taking place in russia's presidential election. vladimir putin is expected to win a further six years in power, as his only serious opponents are either dead, in prison or in exile. russia's democracy is the best in the world — the kremlin says. at polling station 38 in moscow, we found a choice of candidates and plenty of voters. democracy in action, right? not quite. realistically, only one man can win this. vladimir putin! the man who has been on russia's political stage for the last quarter of a century. vladimir putin faces no serious challenger. his fiercest rivals are in exile or in prison. not that this woman, whose son is fighting in ukraine, wants any change at the top. "of course i voted for putin," she says "i trust him." but not everybody who came was voting. this one of a string of attacks on polling stations across russia. they are unprecedented. after chaotic scenes here... ..an arsonist is detained. and green ink poured into a ballot box. the authorities called the attackers "scum". some voters were greeted with a show. well, that's one way to bang the drum for russian elections. there's voting, too, in parts of ukraine, which are under russian occupation — what russia calls its "new territories". the ukrainian government called the elections illegal. polls close on sunday night. expect a putin landslide. unpredictability is very much a feature of life now in russia. but that doesn't apply to elections. the political system here is built around one man — vladimir putin — and the kremlin tightly controls that system, including elections. so mr putin's real action is not in doubt. and neither is the message the kremlin will be sending after this. that vladimir putin has the full support of his people. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. let's speak to michal baranowski who is the managing director of german marshall fund east and director of the warsaw office. thank you for being with us. we heard from dmitry peskov, put an's spokesperson, that the process is costly and bureaucratic and it is obvious putin will be re—elected. why does russia hold an election like this if it's an obvious conclusion? i5 like this if it's an obvious conclusion?— like this if it's an obvious conclusion? ,. ., ., , conclusion? is certainly an obvious conclusion — conclusion? is certainly an obvious conclusion and _ conclusion? is certainly an obvious conclusion and re-election - conclusion? is certainly an obvious conclusion and re-election as - conclusion? is certainly an obvious conclusion and re-election as an i conclusion and re—election as an exaggeration. it's a sham election, we know who will win, all opponents are either dead, in excel or imprisoned. the he does this is to gain legitimacy, to gain approval from the public population with as high a voter turn out as he can get. but it is certainly not an election. high a voter turn out as he can get. but it is certainl not but it is certainly not an election. and people were banned from standing. what options do they have in the selection? bier? standing. what options do they have in the selection?— in the selection? very few. one 0 tion in the selection? very few. one option people — in the selection? very few. one option people have _ in the selection? very few. one option people have exercised i in the selection? very few. one option people have exercised is| option people have exercised is doing the funeral of alexei navalny, the opposition leader killed, who died but clearly was under conditions of brutality in a siberian prison. this is when people could express their protest of chanting away with putin, one of the very few places they could have expressed any voice because this is a brutal dictatorship.— a brutal dictatorship. resource and voters on friday _ a brutal dictatorship. resource and voters on friday protesting - a brutal dictatorship. resource and voters on friday protesting pouring diet into ballot boxes. do you expect more such protests? i do. this is again. _ expect more such protests? i do. this is again, these _ expect more such protests? i do. this is again, these people - expect more such protests? i do. this is again, these people will. expect more such protests? i if this is again, these people will go to prison and be persecuted. this is a brutal regime. but there is as little as we can see but to some civil disobedience. i hope that russians will stand up in that sort of act but they are very brave acts and will be unfortunately met with brutality that this regime has shown again by killing alexei navalny in a siberian prison. last again by killing alexei navalny in a siberian prison.— siberian prison. last month there was a oll siberian prison. last month there was a poll by _ siberian prison. last month there was a poll by an _ siberian prison. last month there was a poll by an independent - siberian prison. last month there i was a poll by an independent centre saying 75% of respondents saying the country is moving in the right direction. so there is some support for putin what he does. how do explain that? what options are there for those who want to change the situation russia? the for those who want to change the situation russia?— for those who want to change the situation russia? the polls have for a while been _ situation russia? the polls have for a while been showing _ situation russia? the polls have for a while been showing levels - situation russia? the polls have for a while been showing levels of- a while been showing levels of support for putin but we need to understand the context. the context is full informational dominance of propaganda by the kremlin regime. people don't understand what is going on in their country including having no idea of the losses we in the west no, about 350,000 russians died in the war in ukraine, that more russians have died in recent attacks the city of avdiivka than in afghanistan and iraq. it's hard to shrug off this propaganda. ih afghanistan and iraq. it's hard to shrug off this propaganda. in this election is being _ shrug off this propaganda. in this election is being held _ shrug off this propaganda. in this election is being held over - shrug off this propaganda. in this election is being held over three| election is being held over three days. how do you think the turnout will be given it is slightly different to previous elections how they are doing it? the different to previous elections how they are doing it?— they are doing it? the kremlin is aimin: they are doing it? the kremlin is aiming for— they are doing it? the kremlin is aiming for as _ they are doing it? the kremlin is aiming for as high _ they are doing it? the kremlin is aiming for as high a _ they are doing it? the kremlin is aiming for as high a turnout - they are doing it? the kremlin is aiming for as high a turnout as i aiming for as high a turnout as possible. this is the only measurement that is worthwhile and there are zero independent observers in russia so it will be hard to even verify whether that turnout is legitimate and real. but i would expect it to be a high turnout because people are scared and forced to vote especially in the four occupied regions of ukraine and crimea. annexed illegally by russia. this is under fear. crimea. annexed illegally by russia. this is underfear. this is very reminiscent of the votes in so—called election during the soviet union times. so-called election during the soviet union times-— union times. given what you are sa in: , union times. given what you are saying. why _ union times. given what you are saying. why do _ union times. given what you are saying, why do candidates - union times. given what you are | saying, why do candidates bother union times. given what you are - saying, why do candidates bother to stand in an election if it's controlled as much as you say it is? the only candidate that matters is vladimir putin. any other possible... the other so—called candidates are part of... they have no chance ever been allowed to provide a level of legitimacy. the viewers needs to not compare what is going on in russia to what we see in our democratic countries and elections. we see this as an announcement of putin that sees himself as aids are —— as a tsar. there is no election and no choice in this process we are seeing over the last few days in russia.- the last few days in russia. thank ou for the last few days in russia. thank you for taking _ the last few days in russia. thank you for taking the _ the last few days in russia. thank you for taking the time _ the last few days in russia. thank you for taking the time to - the last few days in russia. thank you for taking the time to talk- the last few days in russia. thank you for taking the time to talk to l you for taking the time to talk to us. some live pictures coming in from moscow, the election that started on friday and polling stations will stay open until march 17. there has also been online voting. this is st petersburg, quite quiet at the moment. three days for people to go to the polls. motorists are being warned of gridlock on roads around the m25 in surrey this weekend — because of the first planned daytime closure of the motorway since it opened in 1986. the stretch between junctions 10 and 11 will be closed until 6 o'clock on monday morning so engineers can demolish a bridge. our reporter frances read has more. it is that love to hate bits of the country's motorways, one of the busiest and most congested. the m25 circles london and connects its four main airports including the uk's largest, heathrow. forthose who main airports including the uk's largest, heathrow. for those who use it daily, it can be a bit of a nightmare. this weekend, the first closure in its history as a five mile stretch from junction ten to 11 is rebuilt and there will be a diversion through surrey although we are being told not to use it if possible. i are being told not to use it if ossible. .. are being told not to use it if possible-— are being told not to use it if ossible. ~ . ., possible. i think the closure of the m25 is drivers _ possible. i think the closure of the m25 is drivers don't _ possible. i think the closure of the m25 is drivers don't abide - possible. i think the closure of the m25 is drivers don't abide by - m25 is drivers don't abide by warnings. it has the potential to be absolute chaos and gridlock. it is not looking good. it is a five mile stretch of the m25 but if that is closed, the effects could be immense. closed, the effects could be immense-— closed, the effects could be immense. , ., , closed, the effects could be immense. , ., immense. there be many collisions on this stretch of — immense. there be many collisions on this stretch of they _ immense. there be many collisions on this stretch of they often _ immense. there be many collisions on this stretch of they often caused - immense. there be many collisions on this stretch of they often caused by i this stretch of they often caused by vehicles changing lanes on the volume of traffic. the work is supposed to remedy that but temporary diversions are significant. cobham vets in surrey is one of the businesses en route. we had a few clients i have now left because getting backwards and forwards are so difficult for them that they decided to move to practices closer to them. there is no way to get in or out of here, it'll be gridlocked because the diversion is coming past theirfront door. diversion is coming past their front door. ., , ., _ diversion is coming past their front door. .,, ., _ ., door. people living nearby were also advised to go _ door. people living nearby were also advised to go to _ door. people living nearby were also advised to go to the _ door. people living nearby were also advised to go to the shops _ door. people living nearby were also advised to go to the shops last - door. people living nearby were also advised to go to the shops last week rather than today and are worried about contingency plans. ilirhihat rather than today and are worried about contingency plans.- rather than today and are worried about contingency plans. what if the work doesn't — about contingency plans. what if the work doesn't all _ about contingency plans. what if the work doesn't all get _ about contingency plans. what if the work doesn't all get done? - about contingency plans. what if the work doesn't all get done? what - work doesn't all get done? what happens — work doesn't all get done? what happens on monday morning when people _ happens on monday morning when people must go to school and work? that is— people must go to school and work? that is a _ people must go to school and work? that is a real— people must go to school and work? that is a real concern, that there is no _ that is a real concern, that there is no plan— that is a real concern, that there is no plan b~ _ that is a real concern, that there is no plan b. they are also worried about— is no plan b. they are also worried about the — is no plan b. they are also worried about the fact they may need to go to hospital or work. how will they .et to hospital or work. how will they get there? — to hospital or work. how will they get there? we are expecting a gridlock — get there? we are expecting a uridlock. ., . , ., get there? we are expecting a hridlock. , ., ., , gridlock. concerns that lorry drivers coming _ gridlock. concerns that lorry drivers coming in _ gridlock. concerns that lorry drivers coming in from - gridlock. concerns that lorry l drivers coming in from europe gridlock. concerns that lorry - drivers coming in from europe might not have gotten the message. this is a well worn route for those coming in from the channel ports. several closures between now and the end of the year are planned. national highways has advised drivers to take the train instead and to plan journeys well in advance. but the advice for this weekend, avoid. leading doctors are warning that blood sugar monitors being promoted across social media are unnecessary for people who don't have diabetes, and in the most extreme cases could put some at risk of eating disorders. the devices are part of a trend for personalised nutrition, spearheaded by companies like zoe — our health and disinformation reporter rachel schraer has been getting the details. blood glucose monitors like these have been used by people with diabetes for years. now, zoe is trying to bring them to people without the condition and you will find their trademark yellow logo everywhere, on social media, on bus stops and even branded yoga drinks in your local supermarket. but the health technology company is just one of several selling the promise of personalised diet advice, clearly tailored to your individual body. zoe says this can help you lose weight and get healthy about dieticians and doctors have told the bbc they are concerned but dieticians and doctors have told the bbc they are concerned these types of programmes have elements that are not based on strong evidence. they could even be harmfulfor some people. so, how does market leader zoe�*s programme work? customers are given a gadget called a continuous glucose monitor to track what their blood sugar is doing. they're asked to wear it for two weeks and log everything they're eating. people doing the zoe programme are also asked to eat a special cookie high in fat and sugar and then do a blood test to see how much of the fat and sugar ends up in their blood. and they send a stool sample to zoe to test the bacteria in their gut. blood sugar monitoring isn't the only thing zoe focuses on but it's probably the thing that is gained the most attention. they are recommended for many people with diabetes but what about for people without the condition? i've spoken to doctor partha kar, the nhs's national diabetes adviser. there is huge evidence that use those continuous glucose monitors in people do have have diabetes — type one diabetes, type two diabetes. the evidence base beyond that for people without diabetes is extremely sketchy, if not poor. you really run into the risk of creating a degree of eating disorder, so to speak — which we do see in some people — so i think it is important to bear that in mind and that is a worry. eating disorders are complex mental health conditions and there is no evidence there is a widespread reaction to the programme. zoe says that coaches are trained to support people through issues like food anxiety and they take their customers' well being seriously. they say coaches can refer people onto other services if they it's necessary. they also told us that... i've spoken to zoe�*s chief scientist sarah berry. we're building a good picture. yes, we don't have of the evidence but i think it would actually be irresponsible to wait 40 years until we see these hard clinical evidences, especially given the food landscape we now live in where there is an excess of the types of food that we know cause these big increases in circulated blood glucose and these big dips. diet specialists have told the bbc that the zoe programme contains plenty of sensible advice, like eating more whole foods and plants, but it's hard to separate out the effective meal plans, online support and coaching from their bolder claims that zoe tests can predict your health and personalise your diets. these are less evidence—based, researchers say, and make it harder to know which bits of the programme should be recommended to the general population. rachel schraer, bbc news. let's bring some breaking news from pakistan, we're hearing reports that militants have attacked a military post in northwestern pakistan on saturday morning using a vehicle laden with explosives, killing five security force members, the country's military said. the incident was carried out by six attackers, the military�*s media wing said in a statement, without naming the militant group responsible for the attack. that is an attack in pakistan which has killed five members of the military, an attack on the border. at the moment there is no responsibility for the attack confirmed. we will bring you more on that story as we get it. the school run can often be frustrating and even dangerous — for both drivers who are dropping off their children, as well as for families who walk or cycle. one initiative adopted is the school streets scheme. it stops cars from using the road outside a school during drop—off and pick—up times. but the measures can provoke a mixed response, as our reporter fiona irving has been finding out in medway in kent. for some in medway today, the school run has just become significantly safer. for others, itjust got a lot more stressful. i have to park three streets away because this is blocked, this is blocked. i can't come through the road, it is one—way. they will be late. it is chaos at school time was not a turnaround in a school zone. children running around. i think it is a fantastic idea. only issue because i live at the end of the road as the congestion - at the end of the road. everybody will be parking _ outside my house and i would be able to get out of my driveway. this isn't sanctioning for the sake of it. this is we want our schools need safer streets, which means better air quality and better traffic, better safety. so from my perspective this is a start on the fact that more schools want to participate, for me, says this is moving in the right direction. there are exemptions for residents and blue badge holders, but for two hours a day during drop—off and pick—up times, the number plate recognition cameras will monitor the entrances to the forbidden streets. for medway head teachers in the scheme, the morning saw a much improved school drop—off. it will mean that parents will need to give more time to collection and drop off. and i hope it doesn't add too much stress. but i also hope is that actually that final walk into school, through the school gate, is much more pleasant. rather than having to dodge traffic. absolutely brilliant. hardly any cars compared to what we normally have. normally they are reversing, running us over all the kids, and there is none of that. and how many more will walk to school? much better for them. a good start of the day. those that get caught will face a £70 fine, but there will be no fines to start with for the grandparents on the school run who hadn't heard about the change. i don't think the way it zig—zags you i would challenge it if i get a fine. have a good day. today medwayjoined a growing global movement that aims to make children safer. the viral moment a grandmother was hoisted into air by a security shutter has been captured in a painting on the front of the shop where it happened. cctv footage of anne hughes getting trapped has been watched by millions around the world, and ann was the guest of honour when the artwork was unveiled. our reporter matt murray has more. since being caught on cctv hanging from a shutter, anne hughes has avoided the cameras until today, she made a brief appearance to see a mural immortalising the moment she was stuck on the shutter. westlife's hit you raise me up was played by the shop for the unveiling of the artwork. it's not as if i've done anything heroic or anything like that. you know, so much fuss being made about me being stupid, really. and is the cleaner at the best one store in tonteg and was waiting to start her shift when she was caught on the shutter and on cctv. the video of anne has now been seen by tens of millions of people across the world. on the bbc news instagram account alone, it's been viewed 48 million times. it must be nearly half the population of the uk is now seeing you hanging off the shutter. how do you feel? proud. laughter. proud. it's not every day i hang off a shutter, so it's a good job the camera caught it. and i could feel my coat going up and i tried to unhook myself from the shutter, but i couldn't. and up i went. and i thought i was facing death because i thought i was going to come down smack my head again, you know, on the pavement. but i was so glad that ahmed came out and rescued me. i really i'm so grateful for that. the moment has been immortalised by graffiti artist tea two sugars. there's a moment where she's just lifted off the floor and she's trying to struggle with the trolley. but we caught her mid—air holding the trolley and her scarf dangling and everything like that. so, yeah, that was... that was the moment that i had to capture. brilliant. it's beautiful. well done, well done. anne has taken it all in good humour and is relieved to have her own fob now to operate the shutter and avoid any future accidents. matt murray, bbc news. sir lenny henry has fronted comic relief for the final time, nearly four decades after he co—founded the charity. last night's show raised more than £40 million towards helping to tackle poverty in the uk and around the world. as he signed off, the comedian thanked the public for their generosity over the years. our culture reporter, noor nanji was watching. £1 , 602,539,154. sir lenny henry revealing the total amount raised by comic relief over the past 39 years that he's been at the helm — and that's before including what was raised last night. i'm actually speechless. thank you all so much. long may it continue. and i thank you with every ventricle of my heart. never give up caring. emcee: sir lenny henry! the night began with tributes to the comedy legend. tonight being the last time lenny will host the show, i ladies and gentlemen. all: aw. it's been an amazing tour of duty. i've got to say, you are 100% totally and utterly — am my right here when i say — he's irreplaceable. cheering and applause. # i can't get enough of your love i can't get enough of your love # the public also had their say as they voted this their favourite lenny moment. # i'm just len. # chatting on the phone with james corden. # what will take for me to leave these shows? # retire the nose, face destiny? sorry about that and, just to be clear, i had that planned way before gosling did it at the oscars. laughter. well, i'm backstage at comic relief — you can hear the show behind me. there's a lot of excitement but this year, a sense of sadness as well that it is sir lenny henry's very last time hosting the show. and through it all, the central message wasn't lost — raising funds to support thousands of small charities in the uk and around the world. sir lenny will continue his work behind the camera as life president of comic relief. all chant: lenny! noor nanji, bbc news. now, with spring almost here, millions of tourists will travel to japan to admire cherry blossoms in full bloom. but global warming has brought the date earlier and earlier — with no sign of stopping. sofia bettiza reports. cherry blossoms are a symbol of spring and the most famous spectacle in the world is undoubtedly in japan. normally, undoubtedly injapan. normally, peak seasonis undoubtedly injapan. normally, peak season is at the end of march, beginning of april. but this year, they have started blooming sooner than ever before. as you can see, people are in the streets of tokyo admiring the flowers and taking lots of pictures. this is a really big eventin of pictures. this is a really big event in the country. the cherry blossoms only appear for 11 days and because of that, an estimated 63 million people travel to and within japan every year. it's big business. it adds about $2.7 billion to the japanese economy every year. unfortunately, the reason why the flowers are blooming so early is worrying according to experts. japan has seen record—breaking high temperatures in february and in march. the world is getting warmer because of climate change and the climate crisis is having an impact on cherry blossoms not only injapan but in other parts of the world too. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. there was plenty of sunshine to start the day, although it was frosty with some isolated freezing fog as well. but all is to change because we've got rain already getting into western areas that will linger overnight and into the start of sunday before we see a little sunshine come back. but some showers as well. this is yesterday's area of low pressure. a brief ridge of high pressure brought the cold weather through the night, allowed temperatures to fall to freezing, but already the cloud sweeping in off the atlantic. low pressure with it will mean the winds will pick up as well through the day ahead. so lifting the mist and the fog and the frost, and the sunshine should hang out across northern eastern scotland. plenty of it to start across eastern areas. but even here, it will tend to fade later on as the thicker cloud sweeps probably the wettest weather for northern ireland and across ireland, some spots elsewhere through western and central parts of england, wales too. and despite all the cloud and the freshening wind, temperatures won't be as high as they were yesterday because it's been such a chilly start. so these sort of temperatures around about average for the time of year, but actually they'll continue to rise through the evening as the cloud trundles further north and east. it does look as if we will see some rain for the last day of the six nations in both cardiff and dublin. perhaps some heavier rain here, but probably staying dry in leon for france's game against england this evening. but this evening, across the united kingdom, we're going to have more cloud around. as i say, temperatures continue to rise in the north and east. heavier rain arrives as well. more pulses of rain push in across southern and western areas, getting into central and eastern parts through the night. so with all the cloud and the rain, it will be a much milder night tonight. so as we start on sunday morning, it could be quite drab underneath this weather front, which still lingers across eastern scotland, much of england and perhaps parts of wales as well, with more to come later for northern ireland and western scotland. but what a dreary start, lots of misty low cloud because that's mild air on a relatively chilly sea. so it'll take a time for the brightness and sunshine to emerge, perhaps into the afternoon before that rain finally clears the east coast to reveal some sunshine. but come rain or shine tomorrow, it will be mild. temperatures will be well above average again, 14 to 16, perhaps 17 in some of the sunniest spots. and the milder weather should linger with us into next week. however, as you can see from the chart, it remains unsettled. there's more rain in the forecast. live from london, this is bbc news. a big day for politics in wales, two labour hopefuls go head—to—head in a bid to become the new first minister. and severe gridlock warnings as a busy stretch of the london orbital m25 motorway grinds to a halt over the weekend. it's the first closure of its kind since it opened in 1986. the next first minister of wales is about to be announced. the economy minister vaughan gething and education ministerjeremy miles are competing to succeed mark drakeford. vaughan gething would become wales' first black first minister while mr myles would be the country was my first gay leader but the winning candidate will not become first minister until the procedure for replacing mr drakeford takes place next week. the next first minister of wales is about to be announced, so we have the economy minister vaughan gething and the education ministerjeremy