Russian strikes kill at least 25, Ukraine says

6 hours ago Share Save Henri Astier BBC News Share Save

Getty Images The strikes on Dobropillya in Donetsk region destroyed several residential blocks

At least 25 people have died in Ukraine in the latest wave of Russian strikes, Ukrainian officials say, as the conflict shows no sign of easing. One attack on Donetsk Region killed at least 11 people and wounded 40, including six children, local officials said on Saturday. Homes and infrastructure were hit in other regions, including Kharkiv and Odesa. Russian attacks have intensified in recent days, as the US paused military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv. It followed last week's Oval Office clash between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. After the latest Russian strikes, Polish PM Donald Tusk said: "This is what happens when someone appeases barbarians."

"More bombs, more aggression, more victims," he added in a social media post. The deadliest strikes occurred late on Friday in the Donetsk Region town of Dobropillya. At least 11 people were killed when two ballistic missiles hit eight residential buildings and a shopping centre, officials said. After emergency services arrived, Russia launched another strike "deliberately targeting the rescuers", Zelensky said in a Telegram post. "Such strikes show that Russia's goals are unchanged," he added.

Watch: Flames rise from Dobropillia building hit in Russian strike

Other attacks in the region killed nine people and wounded 13 on Friday and Saturday, local officials said. Drones struck a company in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv Region, killing three people and injuring seven early on Saturday, regional head Oleh Synyehubov reported. Another drone attack on Friday hit civilian and energy infrastructure in Odesa, the regional head said. "This is the seventh attack on the region's energy system in three weeks," the DTEK energy company said.

Meanwhile Ukraine has continued to target Russia, whose defence ministry said its forces had intercepted 31 Ukrainian drones overnight. On Friday, Trump said he was finding it "more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine" than Russia in attempts to broker peace between the two nations. The US is "doing very well with Russia", and "it may be easier dealing with" Moscow than Kyiv, he told reporters. Hours earlier, Trump had said he was "strongly considering" large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire with Ukraine was reached. In addition to halting military and intelligence help, the US suspended Ukraine's access to some satellite imagery, space technology company Maxar said on Friday. The move came exactly a week after the extraordinary exchange at the White House, in which Trump berated Zelensky for being "disrespectful" to the US. The Trump administration's overtures to Putin have left many in Europe concerned that the continent will not be able to rely on US support for its security. On Thursday EU leaders met in Brussels to approve plans to spend more on defence and renew the bloc's support for Ukraine. Next week Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due to hold talks with Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire with Russia. Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, and now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

What US, Russia and Europe are thinking ahead of fresh Ukraine talks

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Reuters

It's been another turbulent week in global politics. The world digested the extraordinary exchange between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader visited European allies, who have sprung into action to beef up their defences. Russian bombs hit Ukraine. But what are these major players thinking ahead of fresh US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia next week? Five BBC correspondents have analysed the week's events.

US: Rare criticism of Moscow, as Trump opponents insist he is aligned with Russia

Tom Bateman, State Department correspondent, Washington DC

After Donald Trump and JD Vance's humiliating attack on Zelensky, the US president on Monday suspended military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Over time, this will have a fundamental impact on Ukraine's ability to defend itself - and Trump's Democratic opponents say it's now beyond question that he is aligned with Russia. The administration has been plain that it sees the move as pressure on Zelensky to sign the president's minerals deal and cede to a quick ceasefire. Trump's envoy Gen Keith Kellogg characterised the withdrawal of US military support as "like hitting a mule in the face with a [plank of wood]... You got their attention and it's very significant... and it's then up to them to do [what the president wants]." After all the arm-twisting, the week ends with a more conciliatory tone from some of Trump's top foreign policy team who will meet with the Ukrainians next week in Saudi Arabia. There was a rare moment of criticism for Moscow by Trump on Friday as he threatened sanctions, even though it is already heavily sanctioned, to try to deter its intensifying bombardment of Ukraine. But other than that this is an administration that has repeatedly reprimanded its supposed ally but refrained from any such criticism of its adversary. On Thursday I asked the US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce for her reaction to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ruling out the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine. He had called it a "hostile aim" by the West over which there was "no room for compromise". Ms Bruce declined to respond, saying it wasn't for her to comment on the remarks of foreign leaders or ministers, even though she had just repeated Trump's label of Zelensky as "not ready for peace".

Russia: Leaders enjoy spectacle of Western rift as deadly attacks on Ukraine continue

Vitaliy Shevchenko, BBC Monitoring Russia editor

Reuters

Until Trump's sanctions threat, this was another week when all the pressure seemed to be on Kyiv, giving Russia little reason to tame its appetite. The suspension of American military aid and intelligence is one of the worst setbacks for Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, and a huge boost to Russia's chances. The deadly attacks across Ukraine which have followed suggest that Moscow is happy to continue with business as usual in the war. It still insists that the original objectives of the "special military operation" must be achieved and more Ukrainian land captured. It has also rejected efforts by Ukraine supporters to relieve this pressure on Kyiv, through a truce or a peacekeeping force. French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks this week that Trump's America may no longer be "on our side" are music to Russian President Vladimir Putin's ears, too. It's a situation in which Putin can sit back and enjoy the spectacle of cracks appearing in the Western alliance. It's a situation that he's been working to achieve for years, if not decades. And he has achieved it not because of shots fired on the battlefield, but because of a breathtaking U-turn by Ukraine's biggest ally. Next Tuesday, Ukrainian and US representatives are sitting down for talks in Saudi Arabia. Russia will be watching closely, but feeling confident.

Ukraine: After bruising week, Zelensky gears up for fresh US talks

Myroslava Petsa, BBC Ukraine and Daniel Wittenberg, BBC World Service

Reuters

It's been a bruising, emotional, and relentless week for the embattled Ukrainian president, as he fought to keep Western military support intact while reiterating his commitment to peace. The fallout from his spectacular Oval Office clash with Trump was compounded in Kyiv after the US suspended military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. "There's a scent of betrayal in the air," one source close to the Ukrainian government said. "The whole country feels it – including the president and his team." Zelensky refused Trump's demand for an "explicit public apology", instead penning a letter to the US president and calling their White House showdown "regrettable". To counter the damage, Zelensky was on the road again, seeking to shore up European support in Brussels. But while he secured public displays of solidarity, he didn't get the firm military commitments he was hoping for. Meanwhile, Zelensky urged EU leaders to support a limited truce at sea and in the air – an idea backed by French President Emmanuel Macron. Ukrainian and US delegations will hold talks in Saudi Arabia next week, but the path to peace remains uncertain. Despite the setbacks, a source close to the president's team insisted he remains defiant: "Three years ago, he could have been killed, but he decided to stay in Kyiv. The more pressure he's under, the tougher he gets."

Europe: Could France extend nuclear umbrella as US support falls away?

Paul Kirby, Europe digital editor

Reuters

Body found in Valentine's Day murder suspect hunt

Lisa Smith was found dead outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt on 14 February

A body has been found in the search for a suspect after a woman was killed in a shooting on Valentine's Day.

Edvard Stockings is suspected of shooting his wife, Lisa Smith, in the car park of the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, on 14 February.

Police said they believed Mr Stockings then drove to the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, near Dartford, and entered the Thames.

Officers have now said a body was found in the river near Rainham, Essex, at roughly 15:45 GMT on Friday. The body has not been formally identified but the man's family have been informed.

Starmer praised for statesman role abroad but can he show 'same mojo' at home?

9 hours ago Share Save Laura Kuenssberg • @bbclaurak Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg Share Save

BBC

"Trump may be the best thing to happen to Starmer," says a diplomat, suggesting the brash property tycoon busy upending the world order might be just what the strait-laced prime minister - who's been dragging in the polls - needs. One of Labour's business backers calls it "the PM's finest hour" - a Remainer leader putting Britain at the heart of international action as Trump rattles the Western world's cage. Sir Keir Starmer has certainly been incredibly visible – in the White House, leading a European summit at Lancaster House last weekend, hugging Zelensky, plotting a peacekeeping path with Macron. It's hard for the Conservatives and other opponents to compete with the prime minister's international moves dominating the news. Moments of crisis like the one we're living through are often when the public tunes into politics and looks to their leaders. With a shaky global situation, does No 10 look more solid than before? Some of his colleagues are certain. One government source tells me all the international activity is "almost Blair-esque", or even a moment like Thatcher and the Falklands which enabled the 80s Conservative prime minister to burnish her reputation and win successive election victories. Another minister suggests other leaders "get their knickers in a twist" publicly reacting to Trump's unpredictable comments and actions - "but Keir has spent his whole career dealing with extreme circumstances. What he is able to do is get people to focus on the things that really matter." But impressive-looking diplomacy doesn't mean the UK is getting what it wants – missiles are still falling, overnight again in Donetsk and Kharkhiv. Donald Trump's commitment to guaranteeing Ukraine's security, even NATO's future, is shaky too.

Reuters Sir Keir Starmer engaged in phone conversations with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a heated exchange between the two leaders

So let's take a calm look. Polling suggests there has been a nudge upwards for Sir Keir's personal ratings and for Labour, after a dreadful start in office and a steep, fast drop in the polls. His government would not be the first to be swept away by the intensity and glamour of global diplomacy which, however difficult or worthy, doesn't necessarily translate into significant brownie points at home. Perhaps in these wild times, we're seeing the prime minister carve out a role as "reassurer in chief". In political circles it's long been common to find criticisms of Sir Keir Starmer for, frankly, being a bit dull, and not willing to play the minute-by-minute political game. But with Trump in the White House stoking drama the PM's colleagues believe his steadiness has become an asset. And he's shown willingness to take action – increasing defence spending, albeit after months of pressure, getting European leaders together and drawing up military plans for after a peace deal. A senior government source says: "The global crisis means people looking at us again, and the government has been making an argument that people are responding to: that we have got their backs." But aligning yourself with an American president doesn't always work out. Tony Blair's chinos weren't the only thing that became uncomfortable about his relationship with George W Bush.

Reuters Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a four-point plan to collaborate with Ukraine, aiming to end the conflict and bolster the nation's defence against Russian aggression.

So while there's evidence the public are looking at Sir Keir a touch more favourably since his White House trip, as one union leader warns, "for it to count he has to show the same mojo at home". Take the row over sentencing this week. Or forthcoming arguments over cutting welfare, which ministers have been falling over themselves to soften the ground for. But overshadowing everything, priority number one: the grisly state of the economy and getting it to grow. In around a fortnight Rachel Reeves will be on her feet in Parliament, probably announcing cuts to public spending running to billions. Government sources point to some better statistics on wages, and cuts to interest rates, but Reeves is under enormous pressure to explain how the economy is going to escape the doldrums it has been stuck in for ages. All the Kodak moments, and grip and grins with international leaders in the world won't change that. The PM "can walk and talk at the same" time, one ally says. But there are, they acknowledge, "only so many hours in the day". Helping Ukraine against Putin's Russia has a clear moral story the prime minister finds easy to tell, and compelling to try to shape. In contrast, "how do you bring prosperity to the regions? That's a real puzzle."

Getty Images

In the next few days, starting with the PM's right-hand man Pat McFadden in the studio tomorrow, you will see the government try to kick up the pace of what is happening at home. First up - perhaps not a box-office hit - they'll be looking at making the Whitehall machine work better, including making it easier to get rid of civil servants. Ministers tell me Downing Street is being run more effectively than before Christmas and has a clearer sense of direction, after early embarrassment over being far less prepared than promised. Sir Keir chairs regular meetings with individual cabinet ministers in charge of the government's "missions". I'm told he "cross-examines" them and their officials - and if their answers aren't up to snuff, they get called in for another meeting. "He is a very nice man, but he is a hard man too," one of them confides. As well as slimming down parts of the civil service, there'll be more on the government's plans to cut billions off the welfare bill. Labour will argue it's for good reason, to help people stuck on benefits - while critics will say it's a way for the government to save money off the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in the country. On Thursday, the prime minister is expected to make his own speech in an attempt to weave it all together into a grand narrative about safety abroad and at home. One government source said the last few weeks had galvanised Sir Keir's thinking on this: when things are uncertain on the international stage, "everything feels a bit wobbly" and domestic security is amplified: you look around and feel your job isn't secure, your street isn't safe. This thinking has been a long time coming. "Security" was a word and concept used by Reeves and Sir Keir in opposition - but recently he's been making a more ideological argument than those close to him are used to hearing.

Getty Images

As well as making the case that what happens around the world is inextricably linked to what happens at home, he holds that the old international consensus among Western leaders has failed for millions of voters. That argument was crystallised into a long memo he sent to his cabinet ministers and political team in the middle of February. In it he wrote: "The government's challenge was to shape this new era. Not to defend institutions that are broken or old ideas that have failed, but to be the voice of working people who more than anything want security in their lives, and a country that is on the up again." He wrote that politicians were wrong to think markets had solutions for almost everything. "We were cowed by the market - we came to act as if it always knew best and the state should sit it out." He also said governments had failed on immigration, failed to understand the public's concerns and also - to tell the truth. "We ended up treating all immigration as an untrammelled good. Somehow, politics ended up being too scared to say what is obvious - that some people are genuine refugees and some aren't; that people coming here to work can be a positive, but that an island nation needs to control its borders." Some extracts from the letter have been revealed before. But what is notable, reading the whole document, is the prime minister closes his letter to colleagues with a call to provide "security" for the country, alongside renewing public services. He writes: "Now is our moment to be bigger and bolder - to put pedal on metal on wholescale reform and change our politics and our country. Security and renewal are our twin tasks - we must now deliver them." You'll hear more of that argument from ministers in the coming days - we had a glimpse of it in the studio last Sunday morning too.

The profound uncertainty Donald Trump's arrival in the White House has given the prime minister a moment to step into the spotlight on the world stage. And his government is now much more overtly weaving an argument that working to establish security round the world is fundamentally connected to sorting out security at home. There is a reason why, fresh from all the diplomatic handshakes, Sir Keir was back in the more familiar hi-vis and hard hat announcing defence jobs in Belfast. No 10 wants you to see and believe that crisis abroad can mean opportunity at home. This spasm in global security has given a prime minister sometimes accused of being a blank page a clearer story to tell. But in the end, for any prime minister, it is what happens on home turf, not foreign adventures that matter the most. A sceptical public will take a lot of convincing to believe government can improve their situation – make it easier to manage the bills, buy a house, or for their kids to find a decent job. As as a senior figure in the Labour movement concludes, "he likes the statesman role but the bottom line is, change in people's lives will be the decider."

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Man holding Palestinian flag climbs Big Ben tower

1 hour ago Share Save Tom Symonds & Jess Warren BBC News Share Save

PA Media The man climbed Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, on Saturday morning

A man who climbed up Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower carrying a Palestinian flag has yet to come down, despite emergency services negotiating with him for many hours. The barefoot man made his way onto a ledge several metres up the tower at the Palace of Westminster on Saturday morning. The Met Police said officers were called to the tower at 07:24 GMT. The incident has led to the closure of Westminster Bridge and the cancellation of Parliament tours. The intruder filmed his climb and said that he was protesting against "police repression and state violence".

PA Media Emergency services are at the Palace of Westminster where a man has climbed the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben

PA Media A man with a Palestine flag speaks into a phone as he stands on the Elizabeth Tower

At least nine emergency service vehicles lined Bridge Street in central London as crowds looked on from beyond a police cordon. Three emergency personnel were lifted several metres up on a fire brigade aerial ladder platform at around 10:00 GMT, with one person using a megaphone to speak to the man on the ledge. Negotiations then continued throughout the day and into the night, with no sign of the man coming down as Big Ben chimed at 21:00 GMT.

PA Media Crews were called to the tower at 07:24 GMT on Saturday

The incident began when the man got into the grounds of Parliament, walked up some steps, quickly climbed onto a railing, and up the side of Elizabeth Tower. At one point he took his shoes off to enable him to climb higher to a ledge. He injured his feet, and patches of blood could be seen on the stonework of the tower. The man was spotted within minutes by police on the ground, who asked if he was able to get down safely. He responded: "I'm safe" and told emergency workers he would come down when he was ready. Photographs throughout the day showed him sitting on the ledge with the flag and wrapped a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf around the decorative stonework on the tower.

PA Media Crowds gathered behind police cordons to watch the incident unfold on Elizabeth Tower

"Shouts of "Free Palestine" and "You Are A Hero" could be heard from a small group of supporters who were pinned behind the police cordon at Victoria Embankment. They appeared to be showing support for the man who had scaled Elizabeth Tower. Officers imposed a condition on protest activity near Parliament Square to prevent serious disruption, the Met said. It meant the pro-Palestinian protesters were ordered to move from Bridge Street to nearby Richmond Terrace.

PA Media Emergency service workers were lifted on a fire brigade aerial ladder platform to talk to the man

Bridge Street, which is at the north end of Westminster Bridge, was earlier closed to allow the emergency services to deal with the incident, along with Westminster Bridge. It is understood one exit of Westminster Tube station was also closed, but there was no disruption to Tube services, and passengers could use other exits. Tours of the Parliamentary Estate were also cancelled as emergency services responded to the incident. The parliamentary spokesperson said: "Parliament takes security extremely seriously, however, we do not comment on the specifics of our security measures or mitigations". Separately, dozens of protesters began a march near the Houses of Parliament after a planned rally near the BBC's headquarters was blocked by police.

Reuters Tourists looked on in one of the busiest parts of London on a sunny Saturday afternoon

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade (LFB) said crews from Lambeth, Chelsea, Soho and Islington fire stations were responding to the incident alongside the police. The London Ambulance sent an ambulance crew, an incident response officer, and members of its hazardous area response team (HART) to the scene.

Reuters Fire, ambulance and police crews were all deployed to the Palace of Westminster

Warmest day of the year so far as UK to be hotter than Ibiza

4 hours ago Share Save Hafsa Khalil BBC News Share Save

PA Media

Saturday was the warmest day of the year so far across the UK, with temperatures topping 19.1C in Bridgefoot, England. This weekend will see "fine and sunny" skies for much of the UK, with some spots expected to be warmer than popular European holiday destinations. And the warm conditions will continue into Sunday, where temperatures in parts of central England could reach up to 20C. But the Met Office warned that temperatures will drop next week, with cloud and rain expected to come in from the north.

Saturday was also the warmest day of the year for each nation. Scotland recorded a high of 18.3C in Threave, while Northern Ireland hit 17C in Castlederg. Wales saw its joint warmest day of the year, matching Thursday's recording of 18.2, with Saturday's temperature in Porthmadog. "It'll be more of the same and for the majority of the country it will be a similar day to Saturday," Mr Snell said, explaining that it will be "a warm weekend, particularly for the time of year". Holiday hotspots such as Marbella in Spain or Italy's Amalfi Coast - which are known for their sunny climates - could record lower temperatures than in the warmest parts of the UK. Marbella on Spain's south coast, has a forecasted high of 15C this weekend, Ibiza is forecasted 17C, and Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast, could reach a high of 18C.

BBC Weather Watcher / MrBlueSky Felixstowe was glorious in Friday's sunshine

Thursday was previously the warmest day of the year so far in England, Wales and Scotland with 19C recorded in Santon Downham in Suffolk and 18.2C in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. The Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh reached 16.8C which is the highest on record for it this early in the year. But temperatures in the UK are expected to drop next week, in what Mr Snell described as "a bit of a shock to the system". "We're expecting to see some cloud and rain coming in from the north and it will generally be much cooler."

BBC Weather Watcher/Ruthy A spring lamb enjoying the sunshine in Nantmel, Wales

In the meantime, make the most of the warmth this weekend and check the forecast for your local area on the BBC Weather website and app.

Share your memories of lockdown as UK to mark Covid day of reflection

5 hours ago Share Save George Sandeman BBC News Share Save

EPA A procession is being held at the national Covid-19 memorial wall to mark the day of reflection on Sunday

Towns and cities across the UK are holding a day of reflection on Sunday with 2025 marking five years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Health trusts and councils are among the groups organising events being held in hospitals, parks and town halls. There will also be a procession along the Covid-19 memorial wall in London, which runs beside the River Thames, that ends with a ceremony outside Lambeth Palace. By late October 2023, there had been at least 232,000 deaths in the UK related to the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organisation.

The day of reflection was announced in December by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who said the events would be organised locally so people could mark the occasion in the way they felt most appropriate. "The pandemic impacted us all in different ways, with many sadly losing loved ones and others making great sacrifices in their lives," she said. "This Covid-19 Day of Reflection will allow people the space and time to reflect and I would encourage everyone to take part in a way that feels right for them." The memorial wall was created in 2021 when a man, whose father died after contracting Covid-19, painted a red heart on the South Bank. There are now more than 200,000 hearts painted on the wall, covering a stretch of a third of a mile (500m). Many have names and dates written inside. The memorial is maintained by a group of volunteers who rely on public donations. They want it to be recognised as a permanent installation by the government so it can be legally protected.

PA Media The government tried to reduce the spread of Covid-19 by implementing lockdown measures from 2020 onwards

King's Commonwealth message of unity in 'uncertain times'

51 minutes ago Share Save Sean Coughlan Royal correspondent Share Save

PA Media King Charles visited the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales this week

King Charles is to call for unity and building bridges in what he describes as "these uncertain times" of international tension, in a message to mark Commonwealth Day next week. In the annual message to mark the day on Monday, the King will emphasise the value of nations coming together in a "spirit of support, and crucially, friendship". The King has become involved in the diplomatic negotiations involving the UK, the US and Ukraine - with the monarch warmly welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader's disastrous meeting with US President Donald Trump and with a state visit planned for Trump. A Commonwealth country, Canada, also faces its own tensions with Trump's administration, as he has called for Canada to become the US 51st state.

Commonwealth Day is traditionally marked with a service at Westminster Abbey and this year the King and Queen will attend alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales. In his written message, which will be published in full on Monday, the King will say: "In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth's remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship." It is a message that he has made before - that the diversity of peoples and cultures is a strength and not a weakness. But it is a message now against a backdrop of global tensions, as the US pushes for an end to the war that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As well as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian President Zelensky, the King this week held a meeting with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, a Commonwealth leader who has faced pressure from the US. King Charles is Canada's head of state and ahead of the meeting Trudeau said: "Nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation." The King used the Commonwealth, with its 56-member nations, as an example of co-operation between countries. "The Commonwealth's ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today," says the King's message. The service at Westminster Abbey on Monday will emphasise the multicultural diversity of the Commonwealth, with the royal guests being met by a pipe band from a Hindu eco-temple in north-west London. There will be music from an African arts group, the Masai Cultural Arts team. And singer Joan Armatrading will perform a version of her song, Love and Affection. An innovation for this year's Commonwealth Day has been that the King has prepared his own personal playlist of favourite music tracks, by artists including Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue and Raye.

Poor performing civil servants to be incentivised to leave jobs in new plans

A union has accused the government of delivering a "soundbite, not a credible plan for change", describing the plans as "retreading of failed narratives".

The plans are part of wider reforms expected to be set out next week and will go alongside what officials call the prime minister's "intervention" on Thursday.

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said they will "fundamentally reshape" the service as its state is currently not "match-fit" for what the country needs.

Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave their jobs under new government plans, while top staff will have their pay linked to their performance.

In a system designed to give employers the tools to deal with bad performance, McFadden, who will appear on Laura Kuenssberg's Sunday show, is expected to promise a new "mutually agreed exits" process, that will see civil servants performing below their requirements, incentivised to leave their jobs.

Meanwhile, under-performing senior civil servants will be put on development plans, with the possibility of being sacked if there is no improvement within six months.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is also expected to say that the most senior officials will have their pay linked to performance outcomes.

"The state is not match-fit to rise to the moment our country faces," McFadden explained, adding that the government's "plan for the civil service is one where every official is high performing and focused on delivery".

"To do this we must ensure that we go further to ensure those brilliant people who can deliver are incentivised and rewarded, and those who can't are able to move on.

"The changes announced today will result in a more focused and productive civil service and more efficient delivery of the change working people need."

McFadden is also expected to pledge to make more public services digitised and employ more staff in relevant roles.

But Dave Penman, general secretary of the civil servants union FDA, said: "If the government is serious about transforming public services they must set out what the substance of reform looks like, not just the retreading of failed ideas and narratives."

He added that meaningful reform "must put substance before headlines", and that if McFadden wanted civil servants to focus on delivery - while government departments simultaneously cut resources - "ministers need to set realistic priorities".

"[The] government should get on with the difficult job of setting those priorities rather than announcing a new performance management process for civil servants every other month," Mr Penman explained.

PM pens heartfelt message to daughter on International Women's Day

The government said it is "accelerating action to change women's lives" on this day as part of its Plan for Change.

Other ministers have marked the day with pledges to tackle the gender pay gap and give women a better start in life, as Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman starts her new role as the UK's special envoy for women and girls.

"To my daughter, you are my pride and joy", the prime minister wrote in an Instagram post, adding that he does his job for her generation.

Sir Keir Starmer said he wants a future "defined by hope", not prejudice in a touching message to his daughter on International Women's Day.

Sir Keir's message to his daughter, said: "It's for you, and your generation, that I do this job.

"To make sure your skills and talents determine how far you go, not your gender.

"To make your future is defined by hope, security and opportunities, not prejudice and limits.

"On International Women's Day, we celebrate the achievements of women before you, and look forward to the achievements possible in an equal world."

Meanwhile, Baroness Harman - who has advocated for women and girls throughout her career - called her appointment as the UK's special envoy for women and girls, a "great honour".

She served as Peckham's MP for more than 40 years, and held a number of ministerial roles including the women and equalities brief in the New Labour governments of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

"Over the last decades we have made tremendous strides towards ending women's inequality," Baroness Harman said, adding that the job is "far from done".

"The UK will, in coalition with women around the world, play a key role in standing up for the rights of all women and girls at a critical time."

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was "delighted" to appoint her, adding that "action on equality for women and girls is vital to delivering the global economic growth we need and, a safer, more secure world."

But her appointment has also drawn criticism. ActionAid UK's co-chief Hannah Bond, said that without new funding, her appointment was "papering over the cracks" of a struggling aid sector.

Ms Bond said that while the appointment is a "welcome step", especially with Baroness Harman's "strong track record... without funding to back it up, it risks being more symbol than substance."

The response comes after Sir Keir cut foreign aid spending to fund defence commitments he said were necessary to protect the UK amid uncertainty over the future of the Ukraine war and its implications for European security.

European leaders back 'realistic' Arab plan for Gaza

More than 90% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, says the UN

In a statement, they said the proposal promised "swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions" for the people of Gaza.

On Saturday the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Britain welcomed the plan, which calls for Gaza to be rebuilt over five years, as "realistic".

The plan, drawn up by Egypt and endorsed by Arab leaders, has been rejected by Israel and by US President Donald Trump , who presented his own vision to turn the Gaza Strip into a "Middle East Riviera".

Leading European nations have said they support an Arab-backed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza that would cost $53 billion (£41 billion) and avoid displacing Palestinians from the territory.

The plan calls for Gaza to be governed temporarily by a committee of independent experts and for international peacekeepers to be deployed to the territory.

The committee would be responsible for overseeing humanitarian aid and temporarily managing Gaza's affairs under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority.

The proposal is an alternative to Trump's idea for the US to take over Gaza and resettle its population.

It was welcomed by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas after it was presented by Egypt at an emergency Arab League summit on Tuesday.

But both the White House and Israeli foreign ministry said it failed to address realities in Gaza.

"Residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance," Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for Trump's National Security Council, said late on Tuesday.

"President Trump stands by his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas," the statement added.

The statement issued by the four European countries on Saturday said they were "committed to working with the Arab initiative" and they appreciated the "important signal" the Arab states had sent by developing it.

The statement said Hamas "must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more" and that the four countries "support the central role for the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda".

The proposal was drawn up amid growing concern that Gaza's fragile ceasefire deal could collapse after the six-week first phase expired on 1 March.

Israel has blocked aid from entering the territory to pressure Hamas to accept a new US proposal for a temporary extension of the truce, during which more hostages held in Gaza would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has insisted the second phase should begin as agreed, leading to an end of the war and a full Israeli troop withdrawal.

Almost all of Gaza's 2.3 million people have had to leave their homes since the start of hostilities. Israel began military operations after Hamas's October 2023 attack which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 more taken hostage.

Gaza has suffered vast destruction with a huge humanitarian impact. More than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military action, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and much infrastructure across the strip has been levelled by air strikes.

Sidemen match raises £4m for charities including Children in Need

Over 8 million people tuned in from around the world to watch the livestream , according to a statement from the organisers.

The Sidemen - a seven-strong group that includes content creators, musicians and boxer KSI - have more than 146 million YouTube subscribers between them.

The YouTube Allstars beat Sidemen FC in a "tense" penalty shootout, following a 9-9 draw at full-time.

The sell-out Sidemen FC charity match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday raised £4,733,004 for charities including BBC Children in Need.

All 90,000 tickets for the game sold out in three hours, the statement added.

The Sidemen said that they raised almost double the amount raised in their previous charity match, at West Ham's London Stadium, which raised £2m in 2023.

Other charities that will benefit, are Bright Side, which fundraises for organisations supporting equal opportunities, and educational charity M7 Education.

Captaining the two sides, were The Sidemen's Miniminter for Sidemen FC, and IShowSpeed for YouTube Allstars.

YouTube phenomenon Mr Beast also featured for the All Stars.

At half-time, both teams were drawing 4-4, and surprise half time performances came from rapper AJ Tracey and The Sidemen's own KSI who performed his track Thick Of It.

After a high-scoring 9-9 draw, the YouTube All Stars sealed the win on penalties.

The seven members of The Sidemen went from making gaming content in their bedrooms to running a multi-million pound internet empire.

Its members are: Olajide 'JJ' Olatunji (KSI), Simon Minter (Miniminter), Joshua Bradley (Zerkaa), Tobit 'Tobi' Brown (TBJZL), Ethan Payne (Behzinga), Vikram Singh Barn (Vikkstar123), and Harry Lewis (W2S).

Their YouTube channels have over 6 billion views globally, representatives said.

Pope Francis responding well to treatment, Vatican says

Pope Francis, who has been battling pneumonia and bronchitis for more than three weeks, has shown a "good response" to treatment, the Vatican has said.

"The clinical condition of the Holy Father in recent days has remained stable and, consequently, indicates a good response to the treatment," the Vatican said.

"There is therefore a gradual, slight improvement", it added.

The 88-year-old prayed on Saturday morning in the chapel of the papal suite at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated.

Fifty minutes gone at Murrayfield and it was freewheelin' time. Five Scottish tries in the bag, a 27-point lead on the board and Finn Russell directing his players around the pitch with the authority of the world's greatest traffic cop.

Easy. Scotland were all width and class, pace and execution. They were a joy. Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham, Tom Jordan - even big Duhan van der Merwe was coming off his wing and getting involved in the show.

An exhibition of what is best about this team. Devastating.

They made bits of Wales, who were vulnerable to the wide game and who were caught out when Scotland ran up their guts.

Their composure was so shot that they gave their hosts a free seven-points when Ben Thomas lost the plot in the lead-up to Scotland's fourth try. They had a man in the bin and all hope in a skip.

But, hold on. This feeling of certainty and Scotland sit as well together as a hornets' nest and a big stick. When you watch Scotland through the decades that precise feeling of comfort in a game is when you really should start to feel uncomfortable.

'I risked drowning to flee conscription by Congolese rebels'

4 days ago Share Save Nomsa Maseko BBC News, Rugombo Share Save

BBC Jordan Bita says he kept away from main roads, trekking through bush, to avoid the advancing rebels

Jordan Bita preferred to risk his life swimming across a roaring river than stay at home and be conscripted by rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The 25-year-old clung on to a black bin bag with some possessions as he used the strong currents to navigate his way across the Rusizi river, which forms the border between DR Congo and Burundi. This was the last stage in a desperate journey to escape to safety in Burundi as the conflict in eastern DR Congo escalates, with M23 rebels capturing the cities of Goma and Bukavu in the last five weeks. "I managed to flee safely… because I was crossing through the forest and moving along the bushes instead of the main road," he told the BBC after climbing up the bank on the Burundian side and wiping the water from his face. "This is because M23 fighters are everywhere and they are forcing us to join them to fight against the government," he said. Burundian troops are monitoring the riverbank in Cibitoke province in the north-west where Congolese families are crossing. They are among nearly 70,000 people who have sought refuge here over the last month as the M23 rebels - backed by Rwanda, Burundi's neighbours to the north - continue to advance south in DR Congo. At the end of January they took the major hub of Goma in DR Congo's North Kivu province and in mid-February Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, fell.

Those crossing the Rusizi sometimes make multiple trips to bring goods over the border

Mr Bita's luggage was thoroughly checked on the orders of Burundian troops - no weapons are allowed in. Afterwards, he picked up his bag and carried it on his head, making his way up a steep hill to the nearest refugee camp about 12km (seven miles) away in the town of Rugombo. He is bringing with him desperately needed food - maize meal, peanuts and beans - for his family who are already at a makeshift camp set up in the town's football stadium. Another man, Amani Sebakungu, looked exhausted and was trying to catch his breath as he emerged from the Rusizi: "In the river you just have to take heart and say if I die or survive so be it. God willed I crossed safely." As the BBC team was interviewing Mr Sebakungu, the Burundian military ordered us all to vacate the area as M23 rebels had been spotted marching towards the river on the other side. Later, looking over from a nearby hill, we could see the rebels in military fatigues walking in single file and stopping the people on the Congolese side from making the crossing. The dangers those fleeing face are real.

Most of those fleeing are women and children - near Uvria officials are stopping men from leaving as they want them to defend the city

Over the last two weeks, at least 20 people have been swept away as they attempted to swim the 300m (984ft) across the river, which at certain points is 10m deep. It is thought many other drownings have gone unreported. Clarice Kacindi lost her three-year-old child while crossing the Rusizi 10 days ago. "One of my children was lying on the raft in front of me while I held three others beside me. We had many other people in the raft and when we reached the middle of the river the raft broke into two and my child was swept away," she told the BBC at Rugombo's football stadium. "M23 are making our lives very difficult. They must stop this war. Even if I wanted to go back home, I'll be forced to start from scratch. They've stolen everything we left behind," she said. Hundreds of white tents have been put up for shelter in the stadium as the paperwork of those seeking asylum is processed. As many as 25 people share a tent, with many others sleeping under the stars. Food is rationed to only one meal a day. Further south, the main border post between DR Congo and Burundi at Gatumba is also busy. It is usually an hour's drive between the nearby Congolese city of Uvira and Burundi's main city of Bujumbura with the road humming with traders and vehicles. Now it is only one-way traffic with refugees flowing into Burundi - mainly women and children. Burundian security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the BBC that men were not being allowed over the border and were being told to remain in Uvira to defend the city from the M23.

Burundi has more than 10,000 troops deployed in DR Congo helping the military there fight the M23. Many of their soldiers are now based in Uvira, which has a population of more than 300,000. It is located on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika and is now on high alert as M23 rebels are marching south from Bukavu and are reportedly 70km away. Burundi has been a natural ally of DR Congo over years because of its enmity with Rwanda. Relations between Rwanda and Burundi have long been hostile, with both accusing each other of trying to overthrow their respective governments. The countries share a similar language and ethnic make-up - with Tutsi and Hutu communities often vying for power - and both have suffered terrible ethnic-based massacres. But unlike Rwanda, which is headed by a Tutsi president, the majority Hutus are in power in Burundi. Burundi's government fears that if the M23 cements its presence in South Kivu by taking Uvira it will strengthen a Burundian rebel group called Red Tabara. Based in South Kivu, it is mainly made up of Tutsis - and has attacked Burundi in the past.

Rugombo football stadium has been set up as a temporary area to house those arriving from DR Congo

"It is terrible for Burundi. This is the first time in more than 20 years for the country to receive this large number of refugees," Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, an official from the UN refugee agency, told the BBC. "We need to support this country in receiving the refugees to improve the conditions of those that are still making their way to Burundi so that there are no clashes between the refugees and host communities." Eighty-seven-year-old Magega Mwarui can attest to the years of unrest in the region, often triggered by ethnic rivalries. "I have fled to Burundi so many times. We cross this river carrying the little belongings we have left," the Congolese woman, who has lost her sight, told BBC in Rugombo. "Since I was young, before I turned blind… There've been times where I almost drowned while fleeing conflict," she said. Charlotte Odile, who is now living at a camp just outside Rugombo set up for those who have been officially registered as refugees, told us she came to Burundi with her four children after her husband was shot dead by M23 rebels in South-Kivu. "I'm hoping to find a home for my children and peace," she said. Additional reporting by the BBC's Robert Kiptoo.

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UK 'hardest hit by Covid fallout' and next Bond 'shouldn't be American'

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The Observer reflects on the fallout from the Covid pandemic, as the UK marks five years since the pandemic started with a day of reflection on Sunday. The paper has carried out its own analysis which it says shows Britain performed worse than most other developed nations in its response to the pandemic. The UK spent more money than most other countries on economic help yet saw larger drops in life expectancy and more people too sick to work, the paper says.

For a second day, the Telegraph leads with its investigation into the man who ran a Russian spy ring in Britain, Jan Marsalek. The paper says fugitive Marsalek - who faces no charges in the UK - wanted to create a private army to control migration into Europe. Elsewhere, Reform UK's Nigel Farage has written in the paper warning against infighting within the party, and defending his decision to suspend one of its five MPs. The Telegraph front page also pictures James Bond star Pierce Brosnan who tells the paper the next 007 should not be an American.

The Sunday Mirror looks ahead to a vote in the Commons this week, on Labour's plans to ban persistent anti-social behaviour offenders from town centres. The government wants to bring in new "Respect Orders" which Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hopes will restore trust in the police, the paper reports.

The Mail on Sunday reports on the case of a Palestinian asylum seeker who crossed the Channel this week and was picked up by the UK Border Force. The paper says he is is a "militant" who has shared videos on his social media calling for Jewish people to be killed.

The Sunday Express's front page is also on asylum seekers - but it focuses on the cost of support schemes offered in the UK. It has carried out its own investigation which finds the government and local councils spent a total of £6.6bn over the past five years on schemes for refugees, which sometimes include trips to the zoo, tennis lessons and sandwich deliveries.

The Daily Star reports that Britons are "going goggle-eyed for telescopes". They're buying more than ever before because of the soaring interest in space, the paper says.

The Sunday People reports on figures showing 40 women have been fired from prison jobs in the last four years for having sex with inmates. The figures come just days after 26-year-old Katie Evans - who is pictured on the front page next to the headline - was jailed for having a relationship with a male inmate at HMP Doncaster. Also pictured on the front page is actress Blake Lively, who attended a film premiere this weekend.

According to a Sunday Times investigation, defence firms supplying weapons to the British military are being "attacked and sabotaged" by pro-Palestinian activists. It says the group Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for more than 350 "direct actions" since 2020 - including damage to banks, estate agencies, universities and local government buildings. This weekend the group vandalised one of Trump's Scottish golf courses, the paper says. The group tells the Times that the goal of its direct actions is to "rid Britain of Israeli weapons factories".

And the Sun reports that Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher is facing a new legal battle with the mother of his child, over child support payments. It says a claim has been lodged in New York, and follows a previous settled legal claim.

"The first of three finals," is how Arne Slot described Liverpool's 3-1 comeback win over Southampton to go 16 points clear in the Premier League.

The Reds now face a Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain and the Carabao Cup final with Newcastle before they are in league action again.

Liverpool's dream of achieving the Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup was ended last month by Plymouth - but they remain firmly in the hunt for three trophies.

"It's a sign of a good team that you can win in different ways," Slot told BBC Match of the Day after the match.

"It was a poor performance first half - not only because of the way we played but also because of the energy we brought."

He added in his post-match news conference: "This was the most important game of the week. The first of three finals. I hope in the next finals we play a bit better than the first one."

Mohamed Salah netted two penalties at Anfield, with Darwin Nunez scoring the other as they came back from 1-0 down.

A mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson had allowed Will Smallbone to give the Premier League's bottom side a half-time lead.

Slot's side have had to fight for two wins in a week as he bids for a trophy-laden first season since replacing club icon Jurgen Klopp.

"I don't think we played good today," said Salah, who has 32 goals in all competitions.

Salah has been involved in 44 Premier League goals this season (27 goals, 17 assists), the joint-most by a player in a 38-game season.

"If you want to win the Champions League or Premier League you have to win these games like that," he added.

On Tuesday the Reds host Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last 16 second leg, leading 1-0 from their smash and grab at the Parc des Princes.

"The only good thing in the first 45 minutes was that they saved their energy [for PSG] and didn't run at all," quipped Slot.

"It was maybe the first time this season I saw this tempo.

"We have to go one step up in terms of intensity against PSG. Compared to the game today we have to go three, four, five, six, seven times up in terms of intensity if we want to have any chance of reaching the next round."

Next Sunday they meet Newcastle at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final - with a chance to win a first trophy under their Dutch manager.

"The last two games have been very tough - it is not about me, it's about the whole team," Harvey Elliott, a half-time substitute on Saturday and goalscorer in Paris, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We need to keep winning games - it's as simple as that.

"It's about taking it game by game and making sure we apply ourselves in the best possible way."

In the end, it was the most ill-fitting of send-offs.

As a video tribute to Ireland's retiring trio of legends appeared on the big screens at the Aviva Stadium after a 42-27 Six Nations defeat by France, the majority of a crowd that had felt decidedly blue-tinged throughout had already departed into the Dublin streets.

Many of them were likely left trying to process what they had witnessed across the previous 40 minutes.

Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy may have 374 caps' worth of Ireland experience, but even that most seasoned group of stalwarts would struggle to recall any recent spell where Ireland were so thoroughly bested.

Simon Easterby's side came in with the 2025 Triple Crown already secured, chasing both a Grand Slam and the first ever hat-trick of outright titles in the competition.

When, with 37 minutes remaining of the game, they had overturned their third half-time deficit of the championship thanks to Dan Sheehan's converted score, that potential history still stretched ahead of them.

Yet across the scintillating spell that followed, France scored 34 straight points to gain the upper hand in the game, the Six Nations title race and, perhaps, the competition's defining rivalry of the past four seasons.

Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu claimed men's 60m gold at the European Athletics Indoor Championships to land his first individual international title, as team-mate Andrew Robertson won bronze.

Azu, 23, ran a personal best of 6.49 seconds to cross the line ahead of Sweden's Henrik Larsson in 6.52, with Robertson third in 6.55 in Saturday night's final.

Having qualified fastest from the morning heats, Azu made a further statement by setting a European-leading time and then personal best 6.52 secs in the semi-finals.

But he saved his best for the medal race, which took place just two and a half hours later, to clinch GB's first gold in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.

"Honestly, I didn't think I won it. I thought Henrik was five metres in front of me. When you're in a line you can't really tell what is going on. I was pushing every bit of me to the line," Azu, who has returned his training to the UK following the birth of his son, told BBC Sport.

"I know I'm in the right place and this confirmed to me that I've made the right decisions. This is just the start of the journey for us as a team. We are coming to take it all and I'm excited to be on this journey now."

Azu becomes the ninth British man to win the title - and first since Richard Kilty won back-to-back titles in 2017.

Podium finishes for Azu and Robertson follow the bronze medals won by 1500m runner Revee Walcott-Nolan and the mixed 4x400m relay quartet.

It is a first individual international medal for 34-year-old Robertson, who received a late call-up to the squad and finished fourth in 2021.

"This time last week I was having a cheesecake, I was having a great time with my family in Scarborough," Robertson joked.

"I got the call on Wednesday to be a reserve but I was always prepared [to compete] because it has been my goal for a long time. Aged 34, to come away with my second-fastest time ever, I can't ask for any more."

Interim head coach Matt Sherratt says Wales can not fixate on breaking their record 16-game losing sequence after a 35-29 Six Nations defeat by Scotland.

The loss in Edinburgh was also a 10th consecutive Six Nations failure during a winless run that began in October 2023.

Wales launched a spirited Murrayfield comeback to claim two losing bonus points after Scotland had taken their foot of the pedal when leading 35-8 after an hour.

The stark reality now is Wales have now joined Italy as another tier-one team to have lost 16 successive internationals in the professional era.

England visit Cardiff next Saturday with Wales bidding to avoid losing all their matches for a second Six Nations tournament in a row.

"There's no point hanging on to the past at all," said Sherratt.

"It [the losing run] is not something I'm going to talk about, it's there in the background.

"Everyone knows that, but if you start taking the pitch with desperation and anxiety and worrying where the next win comes from, it's just going to chew you up.

"What I can promise the players next week is I'll do my best to make them a better team. So I'll be positive and we'll have a plan for England."