prepare to watch the show s final episode. the opening ceremony of the 22nd commonwealth games takes place in birmingham tonight. prince charles will represent the queen and 30,000 people will be inside the alexander stadium, with millions more watching around the world. the show will include performances from local music and dance groups, emphasising the city s diversity. more than 5,000 athletes are set to compete over a packed 11 days. they will be representing 72 nations and territories. the queen s baton will also be a key part of that ceremony, after being carried for 294 days through commonwealth countries. athletes will compete in 19 sports and 280 medal events, which will include for the first time women s t20 cricket, 3 on 3 basketball and 3 on 3 wheelchair basketball. also for the first time, there are more medals for women than for men, and para events are all part of the main games. 0ur sports reporterjoe lynsky explains what s in store. they have waited four yea
that was aired thomas speaking to laura james. western military sources say a campaign by ukraine is gathering pace to retake the russian controlled city of kherson. a key bridge into the city has been hit by ukrainian forces. the city was the first in the war to fall to moscow s troops. uk defence officials say kherson is now virtually cut off from other occupied territories . 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adams joins us from kyiv thank you forjoining us. could you explain the strategic significance of this? it explain the strategic significance of this? ., explain the strategic significance of this? . ,., ., , explain the strategic significance ofthis? . ., , ., of this? it marks potentially at the bearinnin of this? it marks potentially at the beginning of of this? it marks potentially at the beginning of a of this? it marks potentially at the beginning of a significant - of this? it marks potentially at the beginning of a significant reversall beginning of a significant rev