this is bbc news with the latest headlines the british—iranian woman, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, imprisoned in iran — has had her ankle tag removed, after her sentence came to an end. however, a new court case against her has been scheduled for next week. it is totally and utterly inhumane because at the centre of this is an innocent woman, her husband and her daughter, and they are just forgetting that, in all these grand power games, there are ordinary people who are paying a most terrible price. the prime minister has defended the government's1% payrise for the nhs, during a visit to a vaccine centre in north london. don't forget that there has been a public sector pay freeze. we're in pretty tough times. we've tried to give the nhs as much as we possibly can.

schools in england are reopening to all pupils tomorrow — borisjohnson describes it as "the first step" in moving closer to normality. on the third day of his historic trip to iraq pope francis visits a church in the northern town of qaraqosh, which was devastated by islamic state militants the royal family as the royalfamily as marking commonwealth day hours before the interview airs in the united states. rangers win theirfirst scottish premier league title in a decade — after celtic fail to beat dundee united. and — is the uk media obsessed with westminster? we'll be finding out in half an hour, in the media show.

the british—iranian woman, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who's been detained in iran forfive years on spying charges, has been released from house arrest. however, she is not free to leave the country, as she has been told to appear in court in a week's time on a different charge. the foreign secretary, dominic raab, has welcomed the removal of mrs zaghari—ratcliffe�*s ankle tag — but has said she must now be allowed back to the uk. our world affairs correspondent caroline hawley has this report. a rare glimpse of the only way this family has been able to come together. their daughter, gabriella, has made a special calendar and has been crossing off the days towards her release. nazanin�*s been counting down to this day for a very long time. back when she was in solitary, the conversation i was having with her in prison for month after month, even when she's come

out, worst case scenario would be, i'll be coming home on march the 7th. that'd be when it's over. today, the ankle tag she's had to wear since she was released from jail a year ago has been taken off, but another court case against her is scheduled for next sunday. she felt quite overjoyed and then the second minute she had a call saying she's got to go back to court and obviously she's very, very nervous about that and doesn't know what to expect. it might be a formality, maybe she will go to court, she will be let off and then that's the end of it, but we just don't know at this point. richard says the family are still trying to assess the latest developments and find out what they mean for when they can all be reunited. more now on the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. she has been released from house arrest, but must attend court in a week's time on a new charge. the former foreign secretary,

jeremy hunt said today's decision was a step in the right direction. he called on the government to help get nazanin home as soon as possible. i had a whatsapp exchange with nazanin yesterdayjust to say, stay strong, and she confirmed to me that the last couple of weeks have been probably the toughest of her entire time, not knowing what was going to happen, but she wasn't actually expecting anything to happen this morning, and then richard told me this morning that she unexpectedly got a call from the tagging office to go into the tagging office, she then had to pay the rent on her ankle tag, unbelievably, and then it was taken off, so, just for the next week, she is a free woman in iran, she can't leave iran, but she can go the book shop, visit her grandmother, so i think she's feeling very cheerful for today at least. you have to be particularly cruel and hard—hearted if, as a government, you continue to deliberately authorise the breaking up of a family,

even after she has completed a jail sentence, and that is why i think it's particularly repugnant that she's not able just to get on a plane and come home today. it's what the whole world wants, and why, oh, why, can't the hardliners in the iranian regime, who also have families and children, just understand that this is one of those moments that calls for a bit of humanity? we can speak now to rebecca ratcliffe — nazanin�*s sister—in—law. imagine your brother must be dealing with so much, for all of you and must be a real mix of emotions again. must be a real mix of emotions aaain. , ., , , , must be a real mix of emotions aaain. , , ., again. yes, as jeremy hunt alluded to the fact she _ again. yes, as jeremy hunt alluded to the fact she has _ again. yes, as jeremy hunt alluded to the fact she has had _ again. yes, as jeremy hunt alluded

to the fact she has had the - again. yes, as jeremy hunt alluded to the fact she has had the ankle i to the fact she has had the ankle tag taken off was an unexpected phone call from her this morning, it has produced a smile on herface and love letters to her smiling in the card to see friends and prisoners she has been in prison with and had run tonight with my current grandmother tonight but it is not the ticket home and tell passport back. ., ' . ., , , the ticket home and tell passport back. ., , . ., , , ., back. how difficult has it been for the family to _ back. how difficult has it been for the family to give _ back. how difficult has it been for the family to give the _ back. how difficult has it been for the family to give the support - back. how difficult has it been forl the family to give the support they want notjust the family to give the support they want not just to the family to give the support they want notjust to nazanin but also richard and to your niece? it want notjust to nazanin but also richard and to your niece?- richard and to your niece? it has been hard. _ richard and to your niece? it has been hard, covid _ richard and to your niece? it has been hard, covid hasn't - richard and to your niece? it has been hard, covid hasn't really i been hard, covid hasn't really helped being therefore gabriella and the baby would have liked. richard has a certain amount of strength but he has down days and it is ourjob

to pick him up because he is keeping nazanin strong. we are doing what we can when we can and backing them 100%. do can when we can and backing them 100%. , ., 4' can when we can and backing them 100%. _, ~ ., can when we can and backing them 100%. , ., ~ ., , can when we can and backing them 100%. ,., ~ ., , ., 10096. do you think it would help for the running — 10096. do you think it would help for the running on _ 10096. do you think it would help for the running on authorities _ 10096. do you think it would help for the running on authorities to - 10096. do you think it would help for the running on authorities to have i 10096. do you think it would help for the running on authorities to have a| the running on authorities to have a sense that just for the family but on a humanitarian level what you are all going through and have been going through forfive all going through and have been going through for five years since this terrible nightmare began, it must come at a big cost for all of you. it must come at a big cost for all of ou. , ., ' . , must come at a big cost for all of ou. , ., ' . , . ., ., you. it is, it affects richard and nazanin and — you. it is, it affects richard and nazanin and gabriella - you. it is, it affects richard and nazanin and gabriella much - you. it is, it affects richard and l nazanin and gabriella much more you. it is, it affects richard and - nazanin and gabriella much more but at is the wider family that as affected and the ad going through hell for the last five years. i expect the iranian authorities are quite aware of the impact but the hardline people are doing it for

diplomatic leverage so the consequence as they will keep doing it until they get what they want. i don't how they can keep doing it and destroying the lives of a mother and child. it destroying the lives of a mother and child. , ., ., ~ ., ., child. it is hard to know how you should deal— child. it is hard to know how you should deal with _ child. it is hard to know how you should deal with each _ child. it is hard to know how you should deal with each stage - child. it is hard to know how you should deal with each stage as l child. it is hard to know how you j should deal with each stage as it comes, the physical release of her from confinement, she is able to travel around the city at least which is an improvement on what she has had to put up with for the last year and then before that and present which must have been so awful for her, present which must have been so awfulfor her, she got present which must have been so awful for her, she got through present which must have been so awfulfor her, she got through it. now a week of uncertainty, you do not really know what this means. this week is going to feel very long. it this week is going to feel very lonu. , ., ., , this week is going to feel very lonu. , ., .,, ., long. it is going to be hell. today is relatively _ long. it is going to be hell. today is relatively a _ long. it is going to be hell. today is relatively a good _ long. it is going to be hell. today is relatively a good day, - long. it is going to be hell. today is relatively a good day, we - long. it is going to be hell. today is relatively a good day, we have | is relatively a good day, we have seen nazanin smile, get out of the flat and any car for the first time in years. but close to sunday there

will be sleepless night ahead wondering what sunday brings, she is backin wondering what sunday brings, she is back in front of the judge that gave her a five year sentence before and there are more charges and a sentence ahead of her. the worry for us and a family and for nazanin as thatis us and a family and for nazanin as that is what is heading her way. [30 that is what is heading her way. do ou that is what is heading her way. do you have any idea what these other charges are? i noticed any press statement this case goes back to 2017, it is never been pursued, there is absolutely no evidence for this, whatever the ambiguity over her status and the first post, this other case is just as they think a sham. other case is 'ust as they think a sham. ., ., . .,, , sham. no other evidence has been brou:ht sham. no other evidence has been brought forward. _ sham. no other evidence has been brought forward. the _ sham. no other evidence has been brought forward. the only - sham. no other evidence has been brought forward. the only other i brought forward. the only other evidence was in 2017 after the prime minister said what he did and part of that was the prime minister was mike speech. it has not be any other

convincing evidence for her current sentence and none brought forward for the next charge so as yet it is just on hold. for the next charge so as yet it is just on hold-— for the next charge so as yet it is 'ust on hold. �* i. . ., ., just on hold. are you clear what the other charges? _ just on hold. are you clear what the other charges? i _ just on hold. are you clear what the other charges? i think _ just on hold. are you clear what the other charges? i think it _ just on hold. are you clear what the other charges? i think it is - just on hold. are you clear what the other charges? i think it is a - other charges? i think it is a sliuht other charges? i think it is a slight rewording _ other charges? i think it is a slight rewording of- other charges? i think it is a slight rewording of what - other charges? i think it is a j slight rewording of what she other charges? i think it is a - slight rewording of what she has been charged with already. that may been charged with already. that may be one of the — been charged with already. that may be one of the reasons _ been charged with already. that may be one of the reasons people - been charged with already. that may be one of the reasons people can - be one of the reasons people can have some hope this may be a procedural box ticking and closing the file but you know better than to count your chickens. we the file but you know better than to count your chickens.— count your chickens. we 'ust don't know at the — count your chickens. we 'ust don't know at the moment, _ count your chickens. we just don't know at the moment, and - count your chickens. we just don't| know at the moment, and remains count your chickens. we just don't i know at the moment, and remains to be seen. ~ ., , know at the moment, and remains to be seen. ~ . , i. know at the moment, and remains to beseen.~ . , ,, ., be seen. what is your best hope for the future? — be seen. what is your best hope for the future? sunday _ be seen. what is your best hope for the future? sunday she _ be seen. what is your best hope for the future? sunday she gets - be seen. what is your best hope for the future? sunday she gets her- the future? sunday she gets her --assort the future? sunday she gets her passport back — the future? sunday she gets her passport back and _ the future? sunday she gets her passport back and gets - the future? sunday she gets her passport back and gets on - the future? sunday she gets her passport back and gets on the l the future? sunday she gets her- passport back and gets on the plane on the front on sunday eight happens eminently in the next couple of weeks but we have been taught that as a bit of cynicism and our family now because of what has happened over the last five years, not to hold out too much hope. thank you

for speaking _ hold out too much hope. thank you for speaking to _ hold out too much hope. thank you for speaking to us. _ hold out too much hope. thank you for speaking to us. i _ hold out too much hope. thank you for speaking to us. i know- hold out too much hope. thank you for speaking to us. i know people l for speaking to us. i know people watching what to pass on their wishes to richard and the rest of the family, thank you for speaking in what must be a difficult day. schools are preparing to reopen tomorrow — the first step in the government's roadmap for lifting the coronavirus lockdown. the education secretary has said longer days and shorter holidays are among the measures the government is considering to help pupils in england catch up on lost learning. here's our education correspondent, sean dilley. for many parents, relief as schools in england prepare to welcome all pupils back to the classroom after nearly two months of home learning. it marks an important first step in lifting the country's lockdown restrictions but the government says safety will be its top priority, with english secondary school students asked to wear face masks throughout the day. what we are asking them to do is about notjust keeping them safe but also their friends and teachers safe and the whole school community

safe but also their families, and the broader community as well. we recognise we are asking people to go a little bit above and beyond but it is just one of the many measures that we have put in place to reduce infection, reduce transmission, reduce the chances of people getting covid. students in england will also be tested for the virus three times in the first two weeks and offered twice—weekly lateral flow tests after that. parents, carers and school staff will also be offered twice—weekly tests but all testing is voluntary and school leaders have warned that getting consent to test pupils has been difficult. the head teachers union, the afcl, says some parents may be nervous about misinformation but public health england says that testing is safe and vital to reducing transmission. the risk of false positives is extremely low, less than one in a thousand and we would expect that that would be the same risk with pcr tests. no test is perfect and a test that reveals less than one in a thousand false positives is a very good test.

younger primary pupils in northern ireland are also returning tomorrow and in scotland and wales younger primary school pupils returned last month, with phased returns for more pupils from the 15th of march. for schoolchildren in england, the government says it is exploring all options to make up for lost learning including longer school days and shorter holidays but for now they say they simply want to prioritise getting them back into school. people aged 56 to 59 in england are now being invited to book their coronavirus vaccination. letters sent to hundreds of thousands of people in their late 50s began arriving this weekend, with more expected to be delivered tomorrow. the move comes as susan hopkins — who is in charge of public health england's covid strategy — warns we need to prepare for a hard winter. our health reporter, jim reed, has the details. and a warning, there are flashing images at the start of his report. at 56 years old, the prime minister himself will be part of the next stage of the vaccine roll—out. i'm going to get mine

in a couple of weeks. from this week, all those in england in their late 50s will be able to book an appointment for theirfirstjab. i'm focusing on rolling out the vaccine, making sure that we get it into as many arms as possible and using that extraordinary vaccine roll—out programme to deliver a cautious but we hope irreversible road map to freedom. that's what i'm focusing on. there are 1.7 million people in the latest vaccine group in england. in total, 21.8 million people across the uk have now been given theirfirst dose. that's two fifths of all adults. we would remind everybody it's an evergreen offer, so if you haven't said yes the first time, you've still got an opportunity to get your vaccine and get yourself protected. public health officials say the vaccine roll—out should help protect the most vulnerable, allowing us to live with the virus and slowly reopen society.

but speaking this morning, one senior government adviser warned we need to plan now to prevent any problems later in the year. i think we have to prepare for a hard winter, not only with coronavirus, but we've had a year of almost no respiratory viruses of any other type, and that means potentially the population immunity to that is less, and so we could see surges in flu, we could see surges in other respiratory viruses and other respiratory pathogens. overall, scientists and politicians are optimistic the vaccine roll—out is now starting to show real results. the message, though, is still to stick to the rules until more of the population can be better protected from this virus. jim reed, bbc news. borisjohnson's defended the recommended one per cent pay rise for nhs workers in england, saying the government's tried to give staff as much as it can.

unions have described the offer as an "insult" and, alongside opposition parties, called for a bigger increase. well for more on this we're joined by our political correspondent, jessica parker is the government on the defensive over this? certainly the ad being asked a lot of questions and therefore being full stent or something of a defence but no sign yet they are going to —— forced into a defence but no sign yet they are going to move. the rows broke out on thursday and yesterday nhs dividers pointed to the long—term funding settlement enshrined in law which they say had assumed a higher increase this year ofjust over 2%. the government said longer term funding settlement was enshrined in law, specific increases were not and do something labour shadow health

secretaryjohn ashworth was keen to raise this morning. this document is the nhs long—term spending plan. well, i can't read it from here! no, i know you can't. but it promised... it promised a 2.1% increase for nhs staff. not only was it promised, it was budgeted for and it was legislated upon. so... this is the law of the land. tory mps voted for 2.1%. that's the document. you can ask gavin williamson about it, if you like, i'll give it to you, there. that's really interesting. that is the basis... you say 2.1%. the rcn says i2.5%. there's a big, big gap. now, let me finish. so, the government budgeted 2.1% and they passed that in legislation, because the spending plans for the nhs came to the house of commons and it went through the house of commons. every tory mp voted for 2.1% injanuary, last year. so it's law? that should be the basis on which negotiations and discussions are now entered into with the trade unions. john ashworth saying it should be the basis, labour when they have been asked what do you think the rise should be, what would you say

to the pay review body had been slightly marked and to be drawn on a specific figure and it was interesting watching the shadow health secretary being asked repeatedly about whether he would support potential strike action seemed reluctant to be drawing on that too much, said he had supported it in the past but was insisted at the moment it was hypothetical and nhs staff nurses do not want to strike. from the government perspective we have been hearing from ministers recently that the economy is in a difficult situation, money is tight, there's a wider public sector pay which they carved nhs staff out of by this i% and writing to existing multi—year deals which they say people are benefiting from but we had from the prime minister today and he was asked was the government on the defensive heading for a u—turn? i'm massively grateful to all nhs staff and social care workers, who have been heroic throughout the pandemic. what we have done is try to give

them as much as we can at the present time. the independent pay review body will obviously look at what we have proposed and come back. don't forget that there has been a public sector pay freeze, we are in pretty tough times. we have tried to give the nhs as much as we possibly can, and that means in addition to the £140 billion annual money, we have another £62 billion we've found to help support the nhs throughout the crisis. but my gratitude is overwhelming. you cannot put a price on gratitude but political as the government potentially helped by the timetable? possibly because we do not expect to hear back from this page of your body that will look at what the government has proposed until later this spring so anyway they have some breathing room. a lot depends on

public opinion, i cannot sit here and say i can read that but i have spoken to a few conservative mps about what extent the getting traffic in their inbox, in terms of complaints, one told me they had seen a significant push back but others are saying the reaction had been relatively moderate. the royal couege been relatively moderate. the royal college of nursing which set up the strike fund reacted to mad mike's words after he spoke earlier —— reacted to borisjohnson's words and said that the prime minister should put his money where his mouth is. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's good afternoon. it's a great afternoon if you're a rangers fan — after ten years they are the champions of scotland again after celtic failed to win. it's steven gerrard's first piece of silverware as a manager and the earliest a championship has been decided in scotland in 118 years. celtic had plenty of chances this afteroon to get the goal they needed

at dundee united to keep the title race going, but it finished 0—0. and it means they'll have to give their fierce rivals a champions guard of honour when both sides meet in the old firm derby in two weeks. in the english premier league, it finished goalless between west brom and newcastle in the early game, a result which does little to ease either sides relegation worries. but what a scoreline for fulham at anfield — where liverpool could be about to lose a sixth consecutive home game, mario lemina with the goaljust before half time. two more games to come — including the manchester derby. city are 12 points clear at the top, united are third — but pep guardiola isn't underestimating the threat this afternoon. i know how difficult united is, we experienced that last year, a very seasonis experienced that last year, a very season is better than the previous season. it is a team with quality,

not losing a game away for a year so they got a good result but we also know the opportunity we have tried to increase the distance. we just have to be the best possible manchester united and try to improve on last— manchester united and try to improve on last season, that means moving up the table. _ on last season, that means moving up the table, getting more points, hopefully challenge or go to a final and win_ hopefully challenge or go to a final and win a — hopefully challenge or go to a final and win a trophy. what other teams do we _ and win a trophy. what other teams do we cannot control, we just have to keep _ do we cannot control, we just have to keep at — do we cannot control, we just have to keep at it— do we cannot control, we just have to keep at it ourselves, challenge ourselves — in the women's super league, manchester united have put their run of back—to—back defeats behind them to strengthen their grip on third spot with a 3—0 win over aston villa. second placed manchester are taking on everton, the leaders chelsea at at west ham. in cricket, england's women have continued their run of fine form, completing a clean sweep over new zealand in the t20 series,

to add to their one—day triumph last month. after setting the home side a victory target of 129, they bowled them out forjust 96. mady villiers took a career best 3—10 and nat sciver wrapped up a 32—run win in wellington. it's brilliant to be able to come out here and play as a group again. we haven't played odis for a year before we did over here so it's brilliant to get over here before the world cup next year and to set us up for the season ahead as well. we've, yeah, a couple of series and the hundred as well, so, yeah, we've got a big 12 months coming up. next to the european athletics indoor championships where britain's andrew pozzi is into the men's 60 metres hurdles final this afternoon. he won his semi—final with ease and he was second—fastest across the three heats. the final is at 11:00pm and you can watch it live on bbc two. there's also coverage on the bbc

sport website and app. and the women's final at 4.15 will feature two britons. cindy sember equalled her personal best to make it through, finishing second in her semi. and her big sister, tiffany porter, was also second in hers — she was marginally slower than sember and she ran in a mask. it's how she trains so she's used to it. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website.

swiss voters looked set to approve a far—right proposal to ban face coverings such as the burqa and the niqab, according to early projections. that's based on partial results from today's national referendum. the vote has been viewed as a test of attitudes toward muslims, with local politicians, media and campaigners having dubbed it the burqa ban. oprah winfrey's controversial interview with the duke and duchess of sussex — airs in the us later tonight. just hours before the interview, the queen will address a uk television audience to share her annual commonwealth day message. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, has more. it is a sharp divergence within the royalfamily, and over the next 211 hours, it will be sharply demonstrated by two very different broadcasts. in the early hours of tomorrow, uk time, the duke and duchess of sussex will unburden themselves on us television. it will be a broadcast, when, as the preview clips have shown, meghan will explain why she needed to escape from life within the royal establishment. as an adult who lived a really independent life,

to then go into this construct that is, um... different than i think what people imagine it to be, it's really liberating. hours before the sussex broadcast, from westminster abbey in london, the queen and other principal members of the royal family will focus on the covid pandemic. in pre—recorded messages to mark commonwealth day, they'll reflect on the pandemic�*s impact around the world. amidst such heartbreaking suffering, however, the extraordinary determination, courage and creativity with which people have responded has been an inspiration to us all. the duke and duchess of cambridge will pay tribute to health care workers. catherine and i have spoken to a lot of health care workers in the uk, i and around the world, over the last year and we hear your worries - and your concerns and thank you for your time _

chatting to us about it. thank you, you know, for sharing for us and asking for help for us. so, thank you very much. there will also be a pre—recorded message to the commonwealth from the queen. her theme — the importance of working together. nicholas witchell, bbc news. when was the last time you went to a concert? in the netherlands, despite a daily average of 11,500 new infections last week, more than a thousand fans have crammed into a dance music event. it's part of an experiment to see whether these large—scale public gatherings can take place without turning into super—spreader events. anna holligan's report does contain some flashing lights. 1,300 fans inside one concert venue within a country still living under lockdown. everyone who managed to get hold of a ticket had to show a negative covid—19 test taken within 48 hours of arriving and have their

temperatures taken at the door. and inside, the guests are split into six separate bubbles. their movements and contact with others are measured electronically. each group has to follow a different set of rules so the results can be compared. some have to wear a facemask at all times. others never. some can visit the bar or grab a bite to eat whenever they fancy, others only before the interval. some have to stay two metres away from each other. for those in the most relaxed bubble, the pre pandemic social distancing rules apply. the researchers are working with the local health boards and have the dutch government's support. five days after this concert everyone here will be tested for covid—19. we have taken responsibility

but we are human beings, we need to let go and socialise is very important to keep our mental health. so hopefully we can show governments around the world we can make this happen. if there's no notable increase in the infection rate among those who've been here, it will be considered a success. and this model could be exported to kick start similar events all over the world. anna holligan, bbc news in the hague. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomaz schafernaker. in the short—term the weather will be relatively quiet. some breaks in the cloud this afternoon in parts of the country with sunshine in the midlands and south of the uk, but it is turning in the north—west of the uk with weather fronts pushing cloud, outbreaks of rain, overcast with occasional rain overnight in scotland and northern ireland.

probably some of that rain reaching the lake district and northern england by the early hours. a touch of frost bursting on monday, wales, a touch of frost first thing on monday, wales, south of the uk and this is where the best of the weather will be on monday. sunshine from mid wales southwards. but broadly speaking, across the northern two thirds, cloudy at times and there will be rain. temperatures will recover up to ten, unsettled midweek. hello this is bbc news. the headlines: the british—iranian woman, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, imprisoned in iran has had her ankle tag removed, after her sentence came to an end. however, a new court case against her has been

scheduled for next week. it is totally and utterly inhumane because at the centre of this