turns much more to change. it turns much more u nsettled to change. it turns much more unsettled as we head into next week and the captions will drop back again. monday and tuesday, near normal temperatures for the time of the year, then it gets cooler, windier and wetter. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... a quarter of the uk population is under extra lockdown rules — with new measures in force across parts of northern england and wales from today. it comes as 1,700 students in manchester are told to stay in their halls of residence for two weeks after a spike in coronavirus cases. tributes are paid to a popular and talented police officer killed at a custody centre in south london. sergeant matt ratina was shot, as a suspect in handcuffs was being checked in. now on this week's bbc news global questions, the growing street protests

in belarus threaten not only president lukashenko, the country's authoritarian leader, but also russia's vladimir putin. russia sees belarus as a crucial buffer state against nato and the west, and putin fears that this kind of ‘people power‘ could be a threat to his leadership. hello and welcome to this edition of global questions. what will happen in belarus? president lukashenko has been sworn in for a sixth term in office and a secret organisation. there have been weeks of street protests against him following his disputed election victory in august. —— secret inauguration. so far he has the support of russia's president putin but it is not clear how long that will last. that is global questions, the belarus

crisis, trouble in putting's backyard. —— putin's backyard. got to respect iam now i am now in the studio and is always to. here is a leading opposition figure who stood as the main candidate against alexander lu kashenko who stood as the main candidate against alexander lukashenko in the election and her supporters believe that she was the real winner of that poll. she joined us that she was the real winner of that poll. shejoined us for neighbouring lithuania where she has just gone into political exile. and nigel is written‘s ambassador to belarus until 2009. he is a leading

authority on foreign policy, especially of post—soviet realities, and is now at the institute of international strategic studies in london. you join us from all over the world and a solitary round of applause from me to welcome you. remember, you too canjoin applause from me to welcome you. remember, you too can join the conversation and it is hashtag bbc global questions. that is go to our first question from minx, the capital of belarus, and your question? the question i would like to address to both panellist is how could the situation unfolding in the streets of belarus have been avoided? first of all, i have to say that right after the elections in maybe three or four days after the elections, the coordination of the council was organised just to start

dialogue between television people and the authorities. we wanted this dialogue just to prevent belarus from demonstrations. from violence oi'i from demonstrations. from violence on the side of authorities. —— between bela russian on the side of authorities. —— between belarussian people and authorities. we wanted authorities tojust start to authorities. we wanted authorities to just start to talk to belarussian people. i think we did a lot to avoid demonstrations, but authorities, they didn't... accept this body is legal. in their ire our people are not legal in this body wasn't legal and they started to jail members of this coordination council and started to kick their members out of the country. nigel, how would you answer that question? was this something that was going to happen inevitably, this repurchase we have been seeing against

lukashenko? if the authorities have allowed everyone who wish to run in the elections to do so, this would not have been necessary. if the election results had been counted in a free and fair and honest way, then the people of belarus would have had the people of belarus would have had the outcome for which they are protesting now so the protests are entirely a consequence of the failure of alexander lukashenko's regime to give the people of belarus what everyone else in europe has, which is the right to decide how they are governed. on social media we have had this question asked looking at the wider regional perspective and say what is known about the political agenda of the russian state. how strategic is belarus to russia? nigel, could you a nswer belarus to russia? nigel, could you answer that one? the kremlin wants

to control space. this is a big part of its foreign policy generally. it seems belarus is a country it is tried in recent years to bring under its control and i think it worries that a three belarus may wish to have a good relationship with russia but does not want to be controlled by russia so it sees a threat to its projects of domination. the second worry, i think, projects of domination. the second worry, ithink, potentially projects of domination. the second worry, i think, potentially for russia is that belarus would set a threatening example to putin himself, so lukashenko has been in power for 26 years. when putin seeks we election in four years time, as everyone expects him to, he will have been in power for 24 years, just two years laughs. —— two years less. so i think it would be an unwelcome precedent for him to see ina neighbouring

unwelcome precedent for him to see in a neighbouring country and other eastern slavic population being able to peacefully remove a long—standing authoritarian figure. how far do you think lukashenko could rely on vladimir putin? to think putin could dig him? i hate to say that ella bruce, my country is neutral, it is independent and it is a sovereign country and i'm sure with our people we can solve all our crises and problems by ourselves. we don't need any interference from neighbouring countries. this i have to say that belarus, my country is neutral. but i don't want belarus to be an object of any geopolitical game so we don't wa nt to of any geopolitical game so we don't want to refuse to speculate on russian geopolitical interests. we are not opposed. we want to solve

oui’ are not opposed. we want to solve our problems by ourselves. we are a lwa ys our problems by ourselves. we are always asking to represent the serenity of our country. thank you. as the ambassador said, putin is propping up lukashenko. and recommend you want to come back quickly and what you have heard our panellist say? yeah, it is a very complicated geopolitical game but it is very necessary for us to decide out owfi is very necessary for us to decide our own destiny and i would also say that putin's interference in belarus politics and culture isjust tremendous. it also can be related to homophobic laws that russia introduce themselves, even though in belarus we have no such law but everybody relates to it, like we are living in the russian cultural and media sphere and it is really huge pressure. thank you very much

indeed. speaking of russia, let us go now to a russian from saint petersburg living in london currently. thank you. my question to the panellist today is why do they think the leaders behave in such a belligerent manner towards their own citizens, and does this tactic work in the long term? and the uprising of the people and peaceful protests succeed and can the opposition beat lukashenko when he has control of the security forces? that is a very critical point raised by by michelle. can the street when? festival i want to say that a real leader of any country will never use force against its own people. if you are using police, riot police against your own nation, you are not against your own nation, you are not a leader, you arejust an usurper.

so the protests in my country will not fade out because our people know that we don't want to live with this so that we don't want to live with this so called president any more. we will not be able to forget and forgive all the violence he committed towards our people. if, of course, we would prefer if riot police would take our nation's, the majority side, and we are working on this, because it's what they're doing, it's a crime and they have to defend belarussians were not to beat them. nigel? two points i think. firstly we have seen situations like this elsewhere in europe over the past 30 years. ultimately, the people have always won. it is not always been quick or easy but they have prevailed against repressive

countries. the second point, svetlana, just to take up one of your points, i think it is absolutely vital and important that you will, more than once, have appeal to those who are currently supported power, and you have said to them, if you come and leave this repressive regime and join the people then we will forgive you. and we will remember what you are doing fiow we will remember what you are doing now rather than what you have done in the past. and i think that hope lies there. we need people that are currently repressing the population to realise that the higher loyalty lies with the country are not the regime. how far do you think the surprise inauguration of president lukashenko and surprise inauguration of president lu kashenko and the surprise inauguration of president lukashenko and the fact that it wasn't broadcast on state tv is a reflection of his weakness? is the street winning? i know that i think

at the moment this inauguration was made in secret is the point of his wea kness made in secret is the point of his weakness because he understands that the majority of people doesn't support him and, you know, he behaved as if he is afraid of his people, but if he is sure that he has won this election he wouldn't be afraid of his nation. but, anyway, this inauguration doesn't mean anything because mr lukashenko was illegitimate in the eyes of belarussian people illegitimate in the eyes of bela russian people and illegitimate in the eyes of belarussian people and he didn't become legitimate because of his inauguration, absolutely not. thank you very much indeed. quick response from you if you want to?|j you very much indeed. quick response from you if you want to? i think the point svetlana from you if you want to? i think the point svetla na raised from you if you want to? i think the point svetlana raised about really does not using force towards its own people is really crucial and i would like to say that my self, my family and the russian people hope for the best for you and the belarussian people in the future. thank you very

much indeed and the opposition in belarus have always said that the russian people are their friend so thank you very much indeed there misha. i next question is from vidal who is in london but originally from nigeria. what you wish to our panellists? are there any identifiable foreign strings behind the potus in belarus as president lukashenko has continued to alleged? —— the protests in belarus. this question was always very surprising to me because when my husband started his activity president lukashenko started his activity president lu kashenko blamed started his activity president lukashenko blamed him as if he was conducted from russia so now he is blaming me and my election campaign that europe is conducting all these demonstrations and protests but

there is no proof, no proof about russia and no proof about give up, andi russia and no proof about give up, and i have to say that if mr lukashenko and i have to say that if mr lu kashenko wants to and i have to say that if mr lukashenko wants to see the reason of demonstrations, want to see the reason of protests, he just had to look into the mirror. i shouldjust say that your husband of courses the prominent opposition blog at guy who is currently injail in prominent opposition blog at guy who is currently in jail in belarus and you had to flee to neighbouring lithuania when you received many threats against you and your two children, which of course you said was a terrible thing to have happened. —— prominent opposition blogger sergei. 0k, happened. —— prominent opposition blogger sergei. ok, let's go to you on that question nigel. any identifiable foreign strings behind the street protests in belarus? there are none whatsoever. this is an entirely home—grown domestic,

peaceful, mass demand for change. it is always and has only ever been about belarus so these claims that there are hidden forces from abroad behind it are a total myth. vidal, has not answered your question or do you still harbour suspicions? we also know that often times when things like this happen and there are cries from justice for people who live under very dictatorial regimes. the west is often blamed so it is good to set the record straight. ok, so they've set the record straight for you so one satisfy panellist there. thank you very much vidal. let us now go to lithuania and indeed where svetlana is anti—darius. lithuania and indeed where svetlana is anti-darius. thank you very much for taking the time. the crisis in belarus has been going on for over a

month and a half now with no end in sight. how should the nest, if at all, the span to the situation and do you see anyone taking the leading role in the latter? despite how should the west, if at all, respond to the situation. svetlana, can you a nswer to the situation. svetlana, can you answer that about what role the west should take? first of all i have to say thank you to all of the countries that are involved in our situation that it is very important to us that if we do not matter for our authorities and leaders and people multiple european countries who respect human rights. first of all i ask every country to be vocal. we hear all the voices and all the supports that other countries show, so, secondly, i call for not necessarily recognising mr lukashenko as president of belarus

and the third one is very important also, it is individual targeted sanctions against those who are involved directly or indirectly into violations after the elections in august 2020. nigel, let mejust add a little bit there on this because people watching this might say is belarus something that is only of concern to europe, to the west, or is it something that has global significance as well? perhaps just incorporate that into your answer to darius as well about how the west can respond. what we have been seeing in belarus isa what we have been seeing in belarus is a peaceful demand for change that will bring about human international rights in belarus and we have seen the shocking violation of those rights. these are european standards, global standards and fa ct. standards, global standards and fact. it is right for notjust the worst that fairly well to be

concerned about this. it is a legitimate concern. i am very glad to hear your clear statements, svetlana, to hear your clear statements, svetla na, about to hear your clear statements, svetlana, about how you think other countries should respond. i think the important point is that other countries should not assume what is right. it is important for them to listen to you and other leaders for change. sanctions that we have a role, it seems to me holding those who have violated rights to account is very important as well. and helping investigations and human rights violations and it seems to me providing some sort of support for those whose economic livelihoods have been lost as a result of these demonstrations, people are being fired for going on demonstrations, people are suffering a loss of livelihood from going on strike. it seems to me a role for the international community to play that

as well. darius, quick response? thank you for the answers. i am really proud and happy to say lithuania is one of the most vocal on the matter. but we really need major powers tojoin in on the matter. but we really need major powers to join in and on the matter. but we really need major powers tojoin in and i really hope that we will find most politicians will show chew leadership in europe. thank you, darius. let's go to dimitri who is in sweden. you are actually originally from belarus. he has clearly got a vested interest in what is going on there. what is your question? thank you for inviting me here. mrs president—elect, mr ambassador, it isa president—elect, mr ambassador, it is a big privilege to be asking this question. my question is, one of the distinctive features of this wave of belarussian pro—democracy movement is it toa belarussian pro—democracy movement is it to a great extent that they make the women movement, and under

the post—election protests. my question is how do you explain this phenomenon? and also maybe mr ambassador can explain where our the feminist in this case? women are demonstrating, women are making solidarity chains, subjected to terrible repressions, where are the women solidarity chains in the rest? welcome a challenge there. svetlana, if you can let us know key opposition figure such as yourself, of course, all women. i have to say that i'm really proud of all the belarus and people who are in the demonstrations now. but i am extremely proud of women because iama am extremely proud of women because i am a woman as well and i remember that it was really difficult decision for me to move on because

it was a tough time. i understand who i was fighting against and i am sure that our women understand it as well. now they don't have any other choice just to well. now they don't have any other choicejust to go well. now they don't have any other choice just to go out because they note that they are fighting for the future of their children. they don't wa nt future of their children. they don't want our children to be the slaves at the system. to be the slaves of this regime. we have seen that man during these demonstrations have been imprisoned in great quantities and women found strength in sales and women found strength in sales and stand in front of majesty defend our strongmen, just to be behind the small shoulders. —— stand in front of and defend. 0ur ripely started to grab women as well —— riot police.

they grab bag pregnant women and a women with special needs. we do not know where this redline, that riot police will overstep. as if they are blind, as if they don't understand what they are doing to the women. i am really proud there are some people that, they are wonderful. thank you very much. nigel, you find yourself in a position of being an unlikely spokesperson for western feminist and dmitry‘s point about the need for support from them. yes, when the history of these events is written, it will show how extraordinary the role that women have played from the start has been. and very effectively also and the creativity that comes with that has been impressive. i've course, women and belarus are fighting for the human rights of everyone in the

country, not only women, but dmitry, i think you have an important point there. it would be helpful, ithink, if women's movements in other countries as well stepped up, perhaps more visibly, and gave the sort of solidarity to what is going on in belarus that you have suggested they should. i think that would be an important development. thank you very much. 0ur would be an important development. thank you very much. our final question, which is from sweden, and you are originally from belarus. your question, please. yes, there is huge support throughout the country for you, svetlana. huge support throughout the country for you, svetla na. it huge support throughout the country foryou, svetlana. it is huge support throughout the country for you, svetlana. it is clear. you are the legitimate representative for a large proportion of people in belarus. at the same time, chile mainly people are very afraid to lose their pension and benefits they receive from lukashenko's regime and it stops them very much. the stress not knowing what the future paolo

di. how the opposition respond to bring them over? svetla na, how would bring them over? svetlana, how would you answer that? people who rely on the state to earn a living might want to go out and join the opposition and the protesters. i know during my election campaign, i always declared that it is not lukashenko to place pensions, it is not lukashenko who pays salaries to our people. we are ourselves paid all this money to all the people. and just be sure that the future president of the republic of belarus will be taken care about all the people, especially children, workers, just about everyone because every future president will take

ca re of every future president will take care of belarus. please do not be afraid. it will not be worse. we will be building our country together with all the people and your opinion will be listened to by the future president of our country. nigel. i think you make an important point, svetlana. nigel. i think you make an important point, svetla na. a nigel. i think you make an important point, svetlana. a free and democratic belarus that can choose the way in which it is governed will be by definition be governed in the interests of all the people. so it will be free and also more prosperous as well. i think from every point of view, the letter, moral and economic, the gains stand on the side of change, ultimately. svetla na, several of on the side of change, ultimately. svetlana, several of our questions have 30 was president elect. is that how you see yourself?”

have 30 was president elect. is that how you see yourself? i would say that i'm a national leader at the moment, may be a national symbol of freedom because it doesn't matter how people call me, it matters that they know i am among them, i am with them, i'm ready to fight for our future come up for free and safe future come up for free and safe future together with all the people who want to build this country together. tibetan lama and nigel, thank you. thank you very much indeed and also to our questioners who have joined us indeed and also to our questioners who havejoined us from indeed and also to our questioners who have joined us from all over the world. —— svetla na who have joined us from all over the world. —— svetlana and nigel. remember, we are the programme that brings you the trend lines behind the headlines and i think we have had some very useful ink sites from one of the key players in the belarus crisis and also some very good analysis and don't forget you can be part of a programme and you can be part of a programme and you can submita can be part of a programme and you can submit a question to a panel for the next programme and please just

e—mail global questions at bbc.co.uk but now for me, goodbye. hello there. there's still a chill in the air today. it is not quite as windy as it was yesterday that it is still a northerly wind of course. we have got high pressure trying to go into western parts of the 0k have got high pressure trying to go into western parts of the ok button in the lower pressure to the east giving is that northerly airflow in that area of low pressure but a month's weather vane into an author yesterday. the little bit of rain event at the moment and because of all the rain that we have had we have got these flooding scenes in norwich. further west it is a very different story, much drier, more sunshine around, wins and a strong and it feels more pleasant as well. you can seal the contrast over the

last few hours along with the satellite picture together with the rain coming up so that cloud particularly across east anglia and the south—east. some of that patchy rain heading towards the midlands and there will be a bit more cloud for south west england. enjoying the sunshine, bit more patchy cloud for scotla nd sunshine, bit more patchy cloud for scotland and the odd light show but those are fading away and we may make 15 degrees in glasgow and cardiff, swansea and plymouth as well as yeovil. head further east no one is much cooler, 12 or 13. we have got the rain, cloud and is a much stronger winds still gusting 40 or even 50 mph this afternoon. those wins do gradually ease the night. they quickly we will see the back of that rain in south eastern areas and it should become dry overnight. still a lot of cloud in the eastern side of england, clear skies elsewhere and it is going to be colder. again there could be a touch of frost in central scotland and southern parts of northern ireland. where we keep the cloud builders temperatures in eastern england could still be double figures. temperatures won't rise a great deal tomorrow, mind you, stays pretty

cloudy out there, little bit of rain threatening to go into the far south—east wales were a dry day. elsewhere it will be dry and quite sunny, feel fairly pleasant after that goal start, wins not as strong tomorrow. stronger winds are east anglia and south—east of england. 0ne feel as chilly as it does today, 16 degrees in london but it is across south wales that we are likely to find images of 18 celsius. not too bad in the sunshine. as we head into monday we lose that northerly winds so it won't feel as chilly. we will see atlantic winds coming in and it means the weather front is moving in from the atlantic and it is western areas that we will see some generally lighter and patchy rain. temperatures near the normal on monday and tuesday but then wednesday onwards the temperatures start to drop back again, still feeling chilly, much more unsettled so some wet windy weather on that way particularly through wednesday, thursday, and into friday.

this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak with the latest headlines at two. a quarter of the uk population is under extra lockdown rules — with new measures in force across parts of northern england and wales from today. it comes as 1,700 students in manchester are told to stay in their halls of residence for two weeks after a spike in coronavirus cases. tributes are paid to a popular and talented police officer killed at a custody centre in south london. sergeant matt ratana was shot, as a suspect in handcuffs was being booked in. us media say donald trump will nominate conservative federaljudge, amy coney barrett to the supreme court.