We have put together a round-up of all the latest news, weather and travel information for Saturday, March 5, that will get you caught up and ready for the day.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed a temporary ceasefire to allow humanitarian corridors out of the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha. This allows civilians to evacuate the cities.
It's the first ceasefire of any kind since Russia invaded Ukraine ten days ago, reports Reuters.
The evacuation is due to begin at 11:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Saturday. The mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, has put out an emotional statement after the announcement of a humanitarian corridor from his city.
"Mariupol is not streets and houses", he says. "It is its residents."
He adds: "Under the conditions of constant, ruthless shelling from the occupiers, there is no other choice but to give residents...the opportunity to safely leave Mariupol."
Meanwhile, there have been fewer Russian air and artillery strikes over the past 24 hours than in previous days, the UK Ministry of Defence has said.
Despite this, it warns Russian forces are probably advancing on the southern port city of Mykolayiv. It's highly likely that four cities (Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Mariupol and Sumy) are encircled by Russian forces, the defence ministry says.
Wales news headlines
Welsh Government's plans for living with coronavirus
The Welsh Government yesterday announced plans of how Wales will begin to 'live with covid' as date set for all legal restrictions to be scrapped.
Wales' response to coronavirus in the future will vary depending on whether the country is assessed as being in two different states - Covid Stable or Covid Urgent.
The Welsh Government plan, called Together for a Safer Future: Wales' Long-term Covid-19 Transition from Pandemic to Endemic, sets out a gradual transition away from emergency measures. It states it is "based on evidence" and "with the protection of everyone, especially the most vulnerable, at its heart".
It was outlined on Friday (March 4), as First Minister Mark Drakeford announces all legal coronavirus measures should be lifted by Monday, March 28.
All restrictions have already been lifted in England, with major chances in Scotland from March 21.
For the next three weeks Wales will remain at alert level zero, but then the most likely scenario is that the country will move to Covid Stable - with an expectation of waves of infection not large enough to put unsustainable pressure on the NHS. Read more here.
Welsh presenting legend Dai Jones Llanilar has died
Welsh broadcasting legend Dai Jones ‘Llanilar’ has died at the age of 78.
Jones was a TV favourite on S4C and hosted popular farming show Cefn Gwlad for more than 35 years, as well as other Welsh language shows including Noson Lwen, Rasus, and Sion a Sian. He decided to retire in 2020 due to ill health, and is survived by his wife Olwen and his son John.
Despite being one of the faces of Welsh television for a generation, Jones was actually born in London in 1943. He moved with his family, made up of Welsh farmers, to Ceredigion at the age of three and started working on the family farm as a teenager.
As well as being renowned as a TV presenter, Jones was also an accomplished singer, winning the blue ribband prize at the National Eisteddfod in 1970. He won a BAFTA Cymru award in 2004 for his contribution to Welsh broadcasting, and was awarded an MBE in 2000 for services to entertainment in Wales.
“It would be no exaggeration to say we lost a national treasure today,” said BBC Wales director Rhuanedd Richards following news of his death on Friday.
“His contribution to broadcasting in Wales, not only on the radio waves but through his popular programs on S4C, was tremendous. But it's as an integral part of BBC Radio Cymru’s offering over many years he will be remembered most and his companionship on Sunday evenings was a boost and support to many. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this time.”
S4C said that Jones “stands at the top in the pantheon of Welsh broadcasting legends”.
Today's forecast
Wales will be largely dry with lots of sunshine today, according to the Met Office.
Today:
Bright spells at first, with a small chance of a shower in the west. Becoming increasingly sunny. A gentle to moderate north to northeasterly breeze making it feel rather chilly. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Tonight:
Cloud building this evening, especially in the south and east, with patchy drizzle developing overnight. Some clearer spells remaining further north and west, allowing a local frost to form here. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
Here is how the roads and rail are affected at 9am:
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M48 Eastbound closed due to bridge maintenance work between J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow) and J1 A403 (Aust). From 6:00 until 18:00 on 5th March.
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Advance Warning - M4 Eastbound exit slip road closed due to resurfacing work during the night at J37 A4229 ( Pyle / Porthcawl).
Between 20:00 and 6:00 Mondays to Sundays from 20:00 on the 5th to 6:00 on 7th March.
National news headlines
Prime Minister warns of nuclear disaster risk
Boris Johnson has warned of the “risk” of nuclear disaster in Europe following the Russian shelling of a Ukrainian power plant. The PM said the world is “turning its back” on Vladimir Putin.
In an interview with foreign newspapers, the Prime Minister described the moment he was woken in the middle of the night to the news of the attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear site, the likes of which he said were “clearly a matter of our common European health and safety”. He said it must be made clear to the Kremlin that “a civilian nuclear disaster in Ukraine, another Chernobyl, is a disaster for Russia as well as for everybody”.
In a call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday evening, the Prime Minister described the crisis in Ukraine as “the worst war on our continent for a long time”. And in a video message on Twitter, he reiterated that “however long it takes, however arduous, Putin must fail”.
Mr Johnson argued that “the world is turning its back on Putin and his regime”, with “nation after nation” taking a stand. He said: “The vice is tightening its grip, and it will continue to tighten."
PM shares a message in Ukrainian: What’s happening in your homeland is an abomination
Prime Minister Boris Johnson shared a video message in Ukrainian on Friday night
Also on Friday, the Government announced it was bringing forward amendments to the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill, to ensure it can “respond even more swiftly and effectively to the current crisis in the way we sanction individuals”.
The Prime Minister said the UK was “bolstering” its package of sanctions against the Kremlin with “new powers in our arsenal to go further and faster”. He said the changes would “ramp up the pressure on those criminal elites trying to launder money on UK soil”, ensuring they have “nowhere to hide”.
But Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made clear in a late night address on Friday that he felt the West needed to do more to defend Ukraine, criticising Nato for its refusal to impose a no-fly zone. He said: "All the people who die from this day forward will also die because of you, because of your weakness, because of your lack of unity. The alliance has given the green light to the bombing of Ukrainian cities and villages by refusing to create a no-fly zone.”
Sky News journalist shot and wounded in ambush near Ukrainian capital
British journalist Stuart Ramsay has been shot and wounded in a violent ambush near Kyiv. The chief correspondent at Sky News was hit by a bullet in the lower back as shooting rained down on a car carrying his crew towards the Ukrainian capital on Monday (February 28).
Camera operator Richie Mockler, meanwhile, was also hit with two rounds to his body armour before the team managed to escape and take cover. They were later rescued by Ukrainian police. It is understood that the whole crew, including Sky News’ Dominque van Heerden and Martin Vowles and local producer Andrii Lytvynenko, are now safe.
The news channel shared shocking footage of the incident on Friday evening, which showed the team under heavy fire, with glass smashing around them. It is thought that the attack was carried out by a saboteur Russian reconnaissance squad.
A written account of the incident by Mr Ramsey can be found here.
Sport headlines
Former cricketer Shane Warne dead at 52 after suspected heart attack
Legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne has died. The greatest leg-spinner of all-time suffered a suspected heart attack in Thailand. He was 52.
A brief statement has been issued by Warne's management, which read: “Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived. The family requests a privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course."
Just hours before his death, Warne had tweeted a tribute to Rod Marsh, who died earlier the same day, eight days after suffering a heart attack: "Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate."
Warne is the greatest leg-spinner of all time, having taken 708 Test match wickets, a figure only surpassed by Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan.
He also took 293 One-Day International wickets and made more than 300 appearances for Australia across all formats.
Warne helped Australia win the Cricket World Cup in 1999 and has taken more wickets than any other bowler in Ashes cricket, with 195. Since retiring, he had enjoyed a career as a much-loved commentator.
Ulster 48-12 Cardiff: Welsh region leak seven tries as they are routed in Belfast
Cardiff were routed in Belfast as they conceded seven tries during a shocking performance on Friday night.
Despite having 13 full internationals in their starting line-up, Dai Young’s team were very much second best in this United Rugby Championship clash at the Kingspan Stadium.
Their play was littered with errors in terms of their basic skills, while they were found badly wanting in defence, particularly in the second-half after turning around 22-0 down.
To make matters worse, they also lost outside-half Jarrod Evans to injury after the break. He came off holding his left wrist, although the post-match news was that he actually failed a HIA.
Cardiff will now have a lot to think about as they head out to South Africa for rearranged back-to-back matches. Full analysis of the match by rugby correspondent Simon Thomas here.
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