pentagon says it will �*rush' air defence missiles to ukraine as a hospital in kharkiv was damaged in the latest russian attack. british troops could be deployed on the ground in gaza to help deliver aid via a new sea route. with the scottish government on the edge after a week of turmoil, first minister umza yousaf insists he won't resign. south africa celebrates freedom day — thirty years since the end of apartheid and its first democratic elections. a great heaviness lifted from our shoulders. our shackles had been cast off. hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. the ukrainian military says russia has carried out another massive air attack.

the mayor of kharkiv, ukraine's second city, said a missile narrowly missed a hospital with a, thousand people inside. leaving a huge crater in the grounds. blowing out windows and injuring one person. there were also attacks in the dnipro region in central ukraine, and in the western areas of lviv and ivano—franki—vsk. ukrainian officials say equipment was damaged and at least one energy worker injured. russia has repeatedly targeted ukrainian energy infrastructure over recent months. it's attacks such as these that have led to the us providing more aid for ukraine. the united states outlined what will be included in a 6 billion dollar package of military assistance. it's part of a larger 60 billion dollar commitment, which was approved by congress a week ago following 6 months of delays. the package will focus on air defence and includes interceptor missiles, anti—drone systems and artillery ammunition. what's not included are the new patriot air defence batteries,

which ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky says are critical. the us defence secretary, lloyd austin, spoke about the importance of the aid. the outcome in ukraine will determine the trajectory of our times. if putin prevails in ukraine, the security consequences would be grave and global. europe would face a security threat it hasn't seen in our lifetimes. as president biden has noted, russia will not stop in ukraine. if the kremlin gets its way, if putin's war of imperial aggression succeeds, every tyrant on earth will take note. our ukraine correspondentjames waterhouse, is in southern ukraine. even by the standards of this war this was a night of busy skies, where you have the ukrainian authorities saying that russia launched 3a missiles from land, sea and air, and it was a large—scale attack

where you have these power stations reportedly hit in the far westerly parts of ukraine, as well as in the east around the eastern city of dnipro, as well as kharkiv city in the north—east, where we are told a psychiatric hospital was narrowly missed, with 1,000 people inside. president zelensky has used the strikes to renew his pleas for air defence systems. yes, this western aid coming in, but he is saying that western allies have the resources to stop every russian missile from hitting ukrainian targets. he has used that political opportunity. but this wasn't a night of one—way traffic. you have russian authorities in the southern krasnodar region saying they intercepted more than 60 drones launched by ukraine. they say two oil refineries were hit and there are reports that an airbase too. the us at one point warned ukraine about hitting energy sites inside russia overfears of energy price rises and an

escalation in this war. it is clear from last night that kyiv still does not share in those concerns. there've been developments in ceasefire negotiations between israel and hamas, with both sides continuing to review proposals. egyptian mediators have arrived in israel, and local media are reporting there's been "notable progress" in finding common ground. in gaza itself, the hamas—run health agency says at least 50 people have been killed in israeli attacks over the past 2a hours. on saturday, people searched through the rubble of rafah, trying to recover what they could, after two houses were struck in the southern gaza city. the bbc has learnt that british troops could be deployed on the ground in gaza to help deliver aid via a new sea route. aid would be delivered from cyprus on large ships before being transferred onto trucks and smaller landing craft. the floating causeway is expected to be "several hundred metres long"

and anchored firmly into the sand. the united states has decided not to put american boots on the ground. 0ur diplomatic correspondentjames landale has more from jerusalem. some aid is getting into gaza by land. trucks carrying food, water and medical supplies. some aid is being dropped by air, but the united nations says it is nowhere near enough to help the people of gaza who, it says, are facing famine. so there are plans for aid to come by sea. the us army is building floating platforms like this off the coast, where aid will be taken off ships and put into trucks. us military vessels to include the usns benavidez have begun to construct the initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea. that floating causeway is expected to be anchored on the beach somewhere near here, where israeli forces will secure a distribution area. the us says there will be no american boots on the ground.

so the uk is considering whether british forces should drive the trucks along the causeway that may look something like this. but that would mean british forces being put in harm's way on the beaches of gaza, so—called wet boots on the ground, potentially at risk from hamas fighters. the trouble with these sorts of operations is you always enter spaces that are unpredictable. you go to places you wouldn't want to go and things happen. so you have to be prepared for the worst case, so you've got to secure the area. british forces could be deployed from this uk air base in cyprus, but, as of now, it is just an option. there has been no decision and it is yet to pass the prime minister's desk. the mod refused to comment. james landale with that report. chris parry is a former senior officer in the royal navy and nato, he was an amphibious commander, meaning he was in charge of sea—to—land operations. he explained how this might work. what we have to imagine

is the coastline at gaza doesn't have any port facilities, and so, if anybody can remember what d—day was like we had piers pontoons that lead from deep water into the shallow zone and also the shore. what this is called by the americans is called joint logistics over the shore, jlots. it is essentially a floating pier and it enables you to put heavy trucks and other loads ashore from ships that can only go into deep water. during the construction of this pontoon pier people are going to stay in rfa cardigan bay, which is a 15,000 tonne auxiliary ship that works for the royal navy. i think we have heard already that a third party is going to be driving these trucks, and i suspect the interface would best be served by an arab country rather than any british troops going ashore. i suspect we are going to be limited

to doing what is offshore and the truck driving and all the other things are best placed amongst those who are understand the local culture and can deal with it. let's speak to retired us army lieutenant general, mark shwartz. thank you for coming on the programme. sunshine might good to be with you. programme. sunshine might good to be with ou. ~ ., ., .,~ ., , with you. what do you make of this whole operation _ with you. what do you make of this whole operation to _ with you. what do you make of this whole operation to get _ with you. what do you make of this whole operation to get the - with you. what do you make of this whole operation to get the aid - with you. what do you make of this whole operation to get the aid in i whole operation to get the aid in this way? i whole operation to get the aid in this wa ? ~ ., this way? i think the level of coalition coordination - this way? i think the level of coalition coordination to - this way? i think the level of coalition coordination to thisj this way? i think the level of - coalition coordination to this point has been superb, obviously, the uk, france and the us, to build this floating pier to have another major avenue of aid coming into the country, excuse me, into the gaza strip, is great. the challenge is going to be, as chris pointed out, getting it from the pier to the point of need. i agree, ideally, you will see whether it is palestinians are jordan or

will see whether it is palestinians arejordan or egypt providing those transport drivers to help enable the aid to the point of need. lets transport drivers to help enable the aid to the point of need.— aid to the point of need. lets look at the wider _ aid to the point of need. lets look at the wider military _ aid to the point of need. lets look at the wider military state - aid to the point of need. lets look at the wider military state of - aid to the point of need. lets lookj at the wider military state of play, specifically, at rafah, what is your assessment of where we are? i think last week with _ assessment of where we are? i think last week with the _ assessment of where we are? i think last week with the activation - assessment of where we are? i think last week with the activation of - assessment of where we are? i think last week with the activation of two i last week with the activation of two reserve brigades that i believe the intent of those brigades are going to be backfilling two of the more, i would say, capable due to brigades that are in gaza to free them up to start rafah operations. i don't know if it's days, but i suspect certainly weeks, as you mention, the fact that there has been concerted dialogue on negotiations as recently as yesterday. and with the egyptian delegation and israel, we have seen that before, but that's positive, and that will potentially delay if any type of agreement is made. clearly, both conventional and

special operations forces within israeli defence forces are preparing and doing theirfinal planning and preparation for an eventual invasion of rafah. ~ . , , ., of rafah. what is your understanding about the need _ of rafah. what is your understanding about the need to _ of rafah. what is your understanding about the need to do _ of rafah. what is your understanding about the need to do this? _ of rafah. what is your understanding about the need to do this? is - of rafah. what is your understanding about the need to do this? is there l about the need to do this? is there intelligence that the final resting command of hamas is definitely there? i command of hamas is definitely there? ~ , , , command of hamas is definitely there? ~' , , . there? i think the consensus that we have seen been _ there? i think the consensus that we have seen been reported _ there? i think the consensus that we have seen been reported is - there? i think the consensus that we have seen been reported is that - have seen been reported is that there is certainly a pretty significant number of militants, i think the estimate i've seen at least reported in the press is anywhere from four or five mac battalions, certainly, whatever is remaining of the senior leadership, the senior leadership of the hamas militant wing are believed to be hiding among the population there as well. i certainly understand the operational necessity to go in, you know, i am glad to see, finally, seeing these temporary camps being stood up in and around rafah and had

newness as well to try and move as many of the population out of rafah is feasible. before operations commence. no! thank you very much for coming on the programme. in an attempt to save his political career, scotland's first minister, humza yousaf, has invited the leaders of other parties to talks in an attempt to find �*common ground'. he reportedly wrote to the leaders on friday night. mr yousaf is insisting he will not resign despite the tumultuous week. here's a quick recap of what's happened. the crisis began when humza yousaf, who leads the scottish national party, ended its governing coalition with the scottish greens. both parties are pro scottish independence. there'd been trouble in the coalition about the decision to scrap climate targets, and gender policy issues. theoretically, mr yousaf could lead a minority government but he faces a confidence vote in his leadership, and all the main scottish parties say they will vote against him.

there is also expected to be a confidence vote in his government. there's the possibility that a former snp member ash regan, who defected to another nationalist party, could save mr yousaf. but that's highly uncertain. the big picture in all of this is that the position of the scottish national party is weakening with uk elections due. and that also has implications for the likelihood of scottish independence. four vietnamese nationals have been arrested by the national crime agency as part of an operation by british and french authorities against people—smuggling. it's alleged they were part of a group which targeted the vietnamese community by advertising small boat crossings on facebook, charging thousands of pounds to make the journey . another 12 people, said to be linked to the same network, were arrested in paris. now it's time for a look at today's sport. hello from the bbc sport centre.

let's start with another busy saturday in the premier league, with liverpool hoping to get their title ambitions back on track after that midweek loss to everton. they're at west ham and they have just gone 2—2 here's a check on all of today's matches. fulham host in—form crystal palace. sheffield united will be relegated if they lose to newcastle, and could go down if they draw and other results go against them. they are 10 points off nottingham forest in 17th with four games left. luton have a crucial one at wolves, a win would take them out of the bottom three. two later matches as well. among the other matches, manchester united will hope to boost their bid for european football next season when they take on burnley at old trafford. despite reaching the fa cup final next month rio ferdinand has been underwhelmed by his former club's season so far if you go back to last season and the way the season finished last

year, i was so optimistic, and i was looking forward to the new season. erik ten hag is the man. but there could be many reasons, injury, loss of form and whatnot. but itjust hasn't gone that well this year. there have been huge amounts of injuries but we need to see the team finish in a lot better state than what it is now, i think, for the merger to go. he is the guy for next year. there's a huge night ahead, in the women's champions league at a sold out stamford bridge. chelsea hold a 1—0 lead over barcelona going into the second leg of their semi—final. emma hayes knows that despite having the advantage, it's still a big task ahead of them. barcelona can hurt you in so many different ways that, for us as a team, we have to be so, so mindful that you can't switch off for one single session. this is a game that is played in the head, first and foremost, and, you know, we know that we have to be perfect

to be able to progress. and in the last half an hour or so, judd trump has become the latest player to make it into the quarter finals of the world snooker championship. the 2019 champion trump resumed 11—5 up against tom ford. and duly wrapped up the match 13 frames to 7. in this mornings other second round match, stephen maguire leads shaun murphy by seven frames to four. next up for trump is the winner of the match between welshman jakjones and china's sijiahui who reached the semi—finals last year. they resume shortly withjones 9—7 up. you can follow all the action from the world snooker on the bbc sport website and app. in rugby union, it all comes down to today, to decide the women's six nations. england play france in bordeaux at teatime. it's winner takes all. the red roses have not lost in the competition for 28 games, but their last defeat was away against france in 2018. the girls are really looking

forward to just putting the performance out on the pitch, and the players that have not played in a hostile environment like this, it's for the senior players to put their arm around, checking on them, and, you know, just remember to enjoy the moment however the moment is, because you don't know when it's your last. ireland take on scotland with third place and a spot in the world cup at stake. but first up wales are hosting italy, the visitors won 22—20. the welsh are bottom of the table, and need at least a bonus—point win over italy to avoid what would be a first wooden spoon. and that's all the sport for now. after another night of russian bombardment cost damage to energy

infrastructure. he bombardment cost damage to energy infrastructure.— infrastructure. he called for decisive action _ infrastructure. he called for decisive action saying - infrastructure. he called for decisive action saying the l infrastructure. he called for- decisive action saying the world could shoot down every mess out if only weapons were sent. let's speak to victoria vdovychenko. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme. lovely to meet you, aood the programme. lovely to meet you, good afternoon _ the programme. lovely to meet you, good afternoon to _ the programme. lovely to meet you, good afternoon to the _ the programme. lovely to meet you, good afternoon to the audience. - the programme. lovely to meet you, | good afternoon to the audience. what do ou good afternoon to the audience. what do you make — good afternoon to the audience. what do you make of _ good afternoon to the audience. what do you make of the _ good afternoon to the audience. what do you make of the weapons that are being sent to ukraine?— being sent to ukraine? the most imortant being sent to ukraine? the most important is _ being sent to ukraine? the most important is the _ being sent to ukraine? the most important is the time _ being sent to ukraine? the most important is the time space - being sent to ukraine? the most important is the time space and l being sent to ukraine? the most - important is the time space and that is very important also, are allies understand that the shortage of the weapons on the ground, in the field, on the ukrainian battlefield in particular, therefore, it was very timely, specifically the aid that was announced a couple of days ago, and the us aid that was today and yesterday by lloyd austin. the most important is that our partners and

allies understand that sometimes we know that the production of the military support is something that takes time and the procurement, but the most important, we are taking everything possible, we are saving democracy and security for our people and for europeans. for us, it is basically, it's very important that the so—called unannounced aid ijy that the so—called unannounced aid by all of the departments, germany, ukraine, united states and of course we are talking about the congressman senate, extra military aid that was announced a couple of days ago, something that will be timely to deliver to ukraine. can something that will be timely to deliver to ukraine.— something that will be timely to deliver to ukraine. can you talk us throu:h, deliver to ukraine. can you talk us through. we _ deliver to ukraine. can you talk us through, we had _ deliver to ukraine. can you talk us through, we had more _ deliver to ukraine. can you talk us - through, we had more bombardments from russia overnight. energy infrastructure continues to be hit. what is your understanding of what the russian tactics are now? what are they trying to achieve at the

moment? ~ ., , are they trying to achieve at the moment? ~.,, ,., ., , , ., moment? most importantly, they are t in: to moment? most importantly, they are trying to achieve _ moment? most importantly, they are trying to achieve civilians _ moment? most importantly, they are trying to achieve civilians being - trying to achieve civilians being harmed, the critical infrastructure, specifically, the energy infrastructure, to cause alarm in the civilians, so that ukrainian cities and villages and communities will become dangerous to live there. it is not something that the ukrainians are thinking about. yes, definitely, we have an energy infrastructure and something that we will recover, also thanks to british support in the sense, and their allies and partners. the most important, it is not the reason why the ukrainians are so resilient, definitely the message that you receive in the british media and western media, something that ukrainians should or code panic which is not the case.— ukrainians should or code panic which is not the case. thank you very much _ which is not the case. thank you very much for— which is not the case. thank you very much for coming _ which is not the case. thank you very much for coming on - which is not the case. thank you very much for coming on the - very much for coming on the programme.

itv news has said the presenter rageh 0maar is receiving medical care, after he became unwell live on—air. he was presenting the news at ten programme on friday when he appeared to struggle to read the bulletin. let's get more from our correspondent charlotte gallagher in the newsroom. what happened ? what happened? rageh 0maar was ”resentin what happened? rageh 0maar was presenting the _ what happened? rageh 0maar was presenting the flagship _ what happened? rageh 0maar was presenting the flagship bulletin - what happened? rageh 0maar was presenting the flagship bulletin on | presenting the flagship bulletin on itv, the ten o'clock news, and he was visibly unwell, he seemed to be struggling to read the autocue and during the programme, viewers were contacting actively on social media to ask if everything was ok. rageh 0maar neish the programme, but that programme has been taken of catch—up services and also not being repeated like it was meant to be repeated. there was other say issue, itv has said he did fall unwell while presenting the programme and is receiving medical care and they acknowledge that many viewers were concerned about his health, and they say that he expresses his thanks to

the many people that have wished him well. he is one of the uk's best—known and best respected journalist. he has reported from iraq, afghanistan, he was at the bbc, aljazeera, he is the foreign affairs editorfor itv bbc, aljazeera, he is the foreign affairs editor for itv and present regularly. he has received thousands of messages from concerned people on social media and messages of support from his colleagues as thank social media and messages of support from his colleagues a- from his colleagues as thank you very much- _ a british man has been attacked by a shark on tobago. he is in intensive care after his left hand and left thigh were severed by a bull shark. seven beaches were closed to allow the customer to investigate. several countries in east africa are experienced severe flooding and landslides, at least 150 people were killed in tanzania and 70 in kenya.

nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in burundi. the region has seen heavier rainfall than usual in recent weeks exacerbated by the weather pattern. a federal appeals court in chicago has upheld a 20 year sentence for disgracing on child pornography and enticement charges. they rejected his appeal just after one year after the former singer with sentence. his lawyer had argued the charges fell outside the statute of limitations. south africa is marking thirty years since the end of apartheid and the country's first democratic elections. president cyril ramaphosa, who is leading the main ceremony in pretoria, has said freedom day will unite the country in celebrating its democraticjourney. just to remind people, on this day in 1994 nelson mandela cast his ballot in south africa's first all—race elections at a high school near durban.south africa is preparing for elections next month, while experiencing failing infrastructure and high levels of crime and unemployment.

let's speak to our correspondentjenny hill, who is in johannesburg. how big a part does what happened 30 years ago play in people's lies today? years ago play in people's lies toda ? , , years ago play in people's lies toda ? , ., years ago play in people's lies toda ? , , ., ., lives today? this is a moment -- lives toda ? today? this is a moment -- lives today? the _ today? this is a moment -- lives today? the commemorate - today? this is a moment -- lives today? the commemorate the i today? this is a moment -- lives - today? the commemorate the heroes of the stru: ale today? the commemorate the heroes of the struggle against _ today? the commemorate the heroes of the struggle against apartheid _ today? the commemorate the heroes of the struggle against apartheid and - the struggle against apartheid and many recall too mejoy the struggle against apartheid and many recall too me joy and the hope which accompanied the election of nelson mandela and his anc party. they have been in power ever since, a lot has changed in this country since then. the current president laid the commemorations today in pretoria. he said 30 years ago, the veil of freedom ran across our great country. he also went on to say the weight of centuries of operation was cast off on that day. this is a big

moment for south africa. an entire generation has now grown up and post apartheid. the president knows there are a lot of challenges facing his country. he acknowledged as much in his very stirring speech. he also knows he and his party are likely to face a pretty bruising election in a month. many voters are fed up with failing infrastructure, electricity, power outages, water supply is often interrupted too. there are huge problems with unemployment, the youth unemployment rate is more than 60%, record levels of violent are also affecting people and making them very angry. most opinion polls reveal as though that will be reflected. 0n election day. as it appears some voters are turning away from the anc were some predictions suggesting that it could lose its majority for the very first time.

thank you very much for that. the olympic flame for this year's games has begun its journey to france. a short while ago, the torch, onboard the belem set sail from the port of piraeus in greece. its arrival in marseille next month will signal the start of a torch relay across france, and french territories, which will end at the 0lympics' opening ceremony on the 26th of july. plenty more on the website, and remember to download the app. i will be back with the headlines in a couple of minutes. stay with us for that. forthe couple of minutes. stay with us for that. for the moment, this is bbc news. bye.

hello there. there's certainly going to be winners and losers with the weather story for the rest of the day. the best of the sunshine so far has been in the far north and west, but most of us under this influence of low pressure, and this weather front ahead of the main low, well, that has brought some outbreaks of rain. it's weakening all the time as it drift its way steadily northwards, a band of cloud and drizzle. so the best of the sunshine certainly has been in north—west scotland, just take a look at the western isles early on this morning. for scotland, for northern ireland and northern england as we go through the afternoon, it's a case of sunny spells and scattered showers, but we keep that cloud and drizzle across the midlands and into north wales. slowly brightening up south of the m4 corridor, but that in turn could trigger off one or two sharp, thundery downpours. temperatures today generally across the country a little below par for the time of year, so still that disappointing feel 9—11; degrees. but it will turn a little milder at the weekend continues. but it will also turn wetter through the evening and overnight as we see more rain spilling its way

up from the channel and spreading across eastern england. here we'll see temperatures holding up, but to the far north and west under those clearing skies, low enough once again for a touch of frost. but it's this low pressure that will bring some wet and increasingly windy weather, but it's also bringing some milder weather with it as well as the wind direction changes to more of a southerly or south—easterly. so a spell of heavy rain which will linger across north—east england and eastern scotland. west will be best through the afternoon. it'll be windy with the cloud and rain, and as a consequence, the temperatures really disappointing once again, 7—10 degrees, highest values of 13, possibly 1a. now, as we move into monday, not a bad start, and with that wind direction still coming from the south, some sunshine and some warmth. yes, it will turn cloudier and wetter from the west as we go through the day, but in that sunshine we could see temperatures peaking at 16, and it should feel quite pleasant, particularly in

comparison to of late. warmer still as we go to the middle part of the week. this area of low pressure will bring outbreaks of rain at times, but we're tapping into a south—easterly wind direction, and that will continue to drive in some warmer air, so temperatures just a little above where they should be for this time of year, but don't expect anything too dry, settled or sunny.

this is be seen as the headlines. ukraine says russia has carried out another air attack narrowly missing another air attack narrowly missing a hospital. us says it will rush patriot air defence missiles and ammunition to ukraine as part of its military aid package. scotland's first minister seeks to save his political career inviting leaders of other parties to talks and hoping to change their plans to oust him. he won't resign despite a weaker political turmoil. and wildlife in antarctica is being exposed to temporary damaging levels of sunlight due to holes in the ozone layer caused in part due to australian bushfires. trailer theft, matches madonna's record of 12 number—one albums in the uk, the most by a female artist, the tortured poets had america's first

ever best week.