this is bbc news with the latest headlines. as fears grow that russia could be about to invade ukraine, us and russian foreign ministers are due to meet for urgent talks. the uk foreign secretary has warned any invasion by russia would be a massive strategic mistake. they claim they want stability, while they work to threaten and destabilise others. we know what lies down that path, and the terrible toll in lives lost. we'll be live in geneva for more on those key talks, and we'll be speaking live to the ukrainian ambassador to the uk. # like a bat out of hell i'll be gone when the morning comes...# meat loaf, the us rock star whose hits included bat out of hell, has died at the age of 7a. he sold more than 100 million albums

across a six decade career. a £1 billion shortfall in state pension payments to tens of thousands of women has been branded a shameful shambles by a committee of mps. adele has postponed her entire las vegas residency, just 2a hours before opening night. the singer posted a tearful apology online, saying covid cases and delivery delays had caused major problems. i'm so sorry. it's been impossible. we've been up against so much and itjust ain't ready. i'm really sorry. i'm sorry. the foreign secretary, liz truss, has warned russia there will be

consequences if it invades ukraine. moscow has sent thousands of troops to the border, but said it does not intend to attack. the uk has sent anti—tank missiles to ukraine for it to use in self—defence and a small team of british troops has been deployed to the region to provide training. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, will meet russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov, in geneva today to try to defuse tensions. mr blinken has warned moscow of grave consequences if any of its forces crossed the border, saying "that will be met with a swift, severe response from the united states" and allies. russia has 100,000 troops at the border, but denies planning to invade. president vladimir putin has issued demands to the west, including that ukraine be stopped from joining nato. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale sent this report. it's notjust the russians who are conducting military exercises. these are pictures released

by ukraine's defence ministry showing their forces training close to crimea which was annexed by russia in 2014, in the kind of incursion ukraine and its allies are trying to deter once again. i've been absolutely clear with president putin, he has no misunderstanding that if any, any assembled russian units move across the ukrainian border, that is an invasion. it will be met with a severe and coordinated economic response. in some of the most intensive american diplomacy for years, the us secretary of state has been touring western capitals, rallying support for ukraine and appealing directly to the people of russia. you deserve to live with security and dignity. but what really risks your security is a pointless war with your neighbours in ukraine. western allies are threatening russia with massive economic sanctions if there's any invasion. behind the scenes, there are differences over what those

penalties should be. in australia, the foreign secretary urged president putin to step back from making an historic mistake. they claim they want stability while they work to threaten and destabilise others. we know what lies down that path. and the terrible toll in lives lost and human suffering it brings. that's why we urge president putin to desist and step back from ukraine before he makes a massive strategic mistake. fresh satellite images appear to show how russia has amassed not just troops near ukraine, but also military equipment. from klimovo to the north to soloti on ukraine's eastern border, and novoozernoye in the south near crimea. the diplomacy now moves to geneva where mr blinken arrived for talks with his russian counterpart. but the discussions at this hotel may be difficult because the gap between both sides is so large. the americans want to talk about avoiding war in ukraine,

but the russians want to talk about their demands, for nato to step back and allow moscow to establish a new sphere of influence across eastern europe. in eastern ukraine, they know what that might mean. pro—russian separatists have been fighting government forces here since 2014, and the scars are all to see. the question now is whether all these exercises might soon become the real thing. james landale, bbc news, geneva. liz truss says the international community must respond together to deal with the threat of confict in ukraine. speaking in australia, the foreign secretary said the uk will continue to stand with ukraine. the kremlin haven't learned the lessons of history. they dream of recreating the soviet union, or a

kind of greater russia, carving up territory based on ethnicity and language. they claim they want stability while they work to threaten and destabilise others. we know what lies down that path and the terrible to in lives lost and human suffering it brings. that is why we urge president putin to desist and step back from ukraine before he makes a massive strategic mistake. we need everyone to step up, together with our allies we will continue to stand with ukraine and urged russia to de—escalate. what happens in eastern europe matters for the world. threats to freedom, democracy and the rule of law are notjust regional, they are global, thatis notjust regional, they are global, that is why we have to respond together. and let's cross to moscow now where our correspondent where

our correspondent carrie davies is. what does moscow believe it might achieve at these talks? in what does moscow believe it might achieve at these talks?— achieve at these talks? in terms of what russia _ achieve at these talks? in terms of what russia says _ achieve at these talks? in terms of what russia says it _ achieve at these talks? in terms of what russia says it wants, - achieve at these talks? in terms of what russia says it wants, it - achieve at these talks? in terms of what russia says it wants, it is - what russia says it wants, it is relatively clear, it said it put forward these treaties back in december to nato and the us spelling out exactly what they decided russia needed from these talks. they say they want a rock—solid guarantee that nato will not expand further east, ukraine will not be allowed to join nato, among other requests, thatis join nato, among other requests, that is really key to russia's position on this. but as james mentioned, that is a massive gap in terms of what nato and the us are willing to offer, they have made clear that is not on the table, there might be other confidence building measures they can introduce to improve the situation better in terms of what russia wants they had made it clear it is not a menu of options, it is a set package of what they require. at the moment it is very difficult to know exactly what

common ground they might find between the two, but the key thing that some people hope shows positivity is these talks talks are is yet has walked away from the table 0ur diplomatic correspondent, james landale, is in geneva. neither side as yet has walked away from the table.— from the table. thank is no great breakthrough. — from the table. thank is no great breakthrough, these _ from the table. thank is no great breakthrough, these talks - from the table. thank is no great breakthrough, these talks are . from the table. thank is no great breakthrough, these talks are is| from the table. thank is no great. breakthrough, these talks are is in geneva. ., «a breakthrough, these talks are is in geneva. . , ., , ., , geneva. the talks start shortly, the expectation — geneva. the talks start shortly, the expectation is _ geneva. the talks start shortly, the expectation is no _ geneva. the talks start shortly, the expectation is no great _ expectation is no great breakthrough, these talks are neither side is flagging up texts, but if you talk to diplomats they will say the fact these talks are taking place actual is positive, after a round of diplomacy in europe lots of people were saying diplomacy in europe had reached a dead end but

us secretary of state antony blinken and sergei lavrov clearly believe it is worth travelling halfway around the world to meet, so they had something to say to each other. primarily that is exploratory, the americans want to know more about what russia wants and is intent on, the russians want to find out whether it is possible that the americans and others in the west will agree some kind of concessions on the european security front. in other words, on the european security front. in otherwords, both on the european security front. in other words, both sides are willing to talk and the view is that if both sides are willing to talk then potentially that might push off, delay or eventually prevent military action in ukraine. in delay or eventually prevent military action in ukraine.— action in ukraine. in terms of the su ort action in ukraine. in terms of the support offered _ action in ukraine. in terms of the support offered to _ action in ukraine. in terms of the support offered to ukraine - action in ukraine. in terms of the support offered to ukraine as - action in ukraine. in terms of the support offered to ukraine as the world watches and waits to see whether russia decides to take military action, what is the support? fist

military action, what is the shaped?— military action, what is the su ort? �* ., ,., military action, what is the su--ort? �* ., ~ , support? at the moment, some western countries like _ support? at the moment, some western countries like the _ support? at the moment, some western countries like the united _ support? at the moment, some western countries like the united states - support? at the moment, some western countries like the united states and - countries like the united states and the united kingdom are providing military assistance to the ukrainians. the british are providing a small number of anti—tank weapons, about 30 or so british troops here. this will not change the balance of power of forces in this region but it is politically significant. ukraine is asking for more, not all european countries are willing to do that, the germans are traditionally very reluctant to provide military support in crisis situations. it also ukrainians are looking for diplomatic and political support too, they want that western alliance too, they want that western alliance to stay united and hold the line, to deter as much russian action as possible. deter as much russian action as ossible. ., ~ deter as much russian action as ossible. ., ,, , ., deter as much russian action as ossible. ., ,, i. g. , the united states has charged four government officials from belarus with aircraft piracy over the diversion of a passenger plane in order to arrest a journalist.

the ryanair plane was forced to land in minsk, supposedly because of a suspected bomb threat. security officials then arrested the belarusian opposition journalist, roman protasevich. there are russian troops who have been diverted now to belarus as the military build—up continues along the border with ukraine. 100,000 russian troops are currently gathered to the east of ukraine, there is an area on the eastern side of ukraine on the border with russia where there are separatists who are supported by moscow who have been involved in conflict there since 2014. to the south of ukraine is crimea, which was annexed by russia and there are also troops gathered there, and troops gathered to the north, just close to kyiv, and you

can see that countryjust north, just close to kyiv, and you can see that country just to the north of ukraine, that is belarus, there are also troops gathering there. with me now is vadym prystaiko, ukraine's ambassador to the uk. i was detailing the build—up of troops along the border with your country, do you believe military action is inevitable? that country, do you believe military action is inevitable?— country, do you believe military action is inevitable? that is what we see what _ action is inevitable? that is what we see what is _ action is inevitable? that is what we see what is happening, - action is inevitable? that is what we see what is happening, and l action is inevitable? that is what. we see what is happening, and we believe sooner or later putin will have to either withdraw or move ahead. ~ ., ., have to either withdraw or move ahead. ~ . ., ,, have to either withdraw or move ahead. ~ . ., ., ., ahead. what are you hoping for out of these talks. _ ahead. what are you hoping for out of these talks, do _ ahead. what are you hoping for out of these talks, do you _ ahead. what are you hoping for out of these talks, do you believe - ahead. what are you hoping for out | of these talks, do you believe there is a possible diplomatic solution? we still believe there is a slight possibility that the catastrophe can be averted, that is what our american, uk and european colleagues are trying to do, prevent a catastrophic war.— are trying to do, prevent a catastrophic war. are trying to do, prevent a catastrohic war. ~ ., ., , catastrophic war. what would be the di - lomatic catastrophic war. what would be the diplomatic way _ catastrophic war. what would be the diplomatic way through? _

catastrophic war. what would be the diplomatic way through? currently l diplomatic way through? currently there seems to be absolutely no common ground between russia's position of no nato expansion, your country must not become a member of nato, and everybody else refusing to back down? ., ~ , nato, and everybody else refusing to back down? . ~ , , , back down? frankly i believe they have already _ back down? frankly i believe they have already achieved _ back down? frankly i believe they j have already achieved something, they have got the attention of the international community from the war they have been with us. and plus years. by this build—up they have brought everybody�*s attention to this new build—up instead of seeing how we are resolving the crisis in ukraine. ~ ., ., i. how we are resolving the crisis in ukraine. ~ ., ., , ., ., how we are resolving the crisis in ukraine. ~ ., ., ,, ., _ how we are resolving the crisis in ukraine. ~ ., ., ., _ ., ukraine. what do you mean by that? you think there _ ukraine. what do you mean by that? you think there is _ ukraine. what do you mean by that? you think there is a _ ukraine. what do you mean by that? you think there is a proxy _ ukraine. what do you mean by that? you think there is a proxy going - ukraine. what do you mean by that? you think there is a proxy going on l you think there is a proxy going on thatis you think there is a proxy going on that is not the way we are all looking at it? mil that is not the way we are all looking at it?— that is not the way we are all lookin: at it? �* ., ., ., , looking at it? all the negotiations all of these _ looking at it? all the negotiations all of these years _ looking at it? all the negotiations all of these years were _ looking at it? all the negotiations all of these years were about - looking at it? all the negotiations all of these years were about how looking at it? all the negotiations i all of these years were about how to resolve the conflict in ukraine which already existed, suddenly the russians came with additional forces and everybody has switched to resolving this particular one. they can de—escalate, but the war which

is ongoing in ukraine and has already lost 13,500 people is forgotten, at least for the moment. this has gone on since 2014? exactly. this has gone on since 2014? exactl . ,, ., this has gone on since 2014? exactl. ,, ., , this has gone on since 2014? exactl . ,, ., , ., exactly. do you not believe that russia has _ exactly. do you not believe that russia has the _ exactly. do you not believe that russia has the intention - exactly. do you not believe that russia has the intention to - exactly. do you not believe that - russia has the intention to escalate to a wider offensive? i do russia has the intention to escalate to a wider offensive?— to a wider offensive? i do believe, the want to a wider offensive? i do believe, they want to _ to a wider offensive? i do believe, they want to force _ to a wider offensive? i do believe, they want to force us _ to a wider offensive? i do believe, they want to force us more - to a wider offensive? i do believe, they want to force us more into i to a wider offensive? i do believe, they want to force us more into a l they want to force us more into a softer position and this is how they achieve it. in softer position and this is how they achieve it. , ., , ., achieve it. in terms of your position — achieve it. in terms of your position with _ achieve it. in terms of your position with nato - achieve it. in terms of your- position with nato membership, i think we can look at a map that will show... just to look at what is going on around your country, to the north terrace belarus, russian troops are coming back, you have troops are coming back, you have troops gathering... —— to the north, there is belarus. there we go, we have a different map, crimea in the south, all of those countries to the

left of ukraine, i think it is 14 countries from poland to moldova, including the two countries right on the border with russia, estonia and latvia, they had joined nato since 1997. do you understand russia points concerns around the nato expansion? irate points concerns around the nato mansion?— expansion? we understand their concerns, but _ expansion? we understand their concerns, but our— expansion? we understand their concerns, but our primary - expansion? we understand their concerns, but our primary goal l expansion? we understand their| concerns, but our primary goal of the concerns of our own people. i know russia is not happy but i am sorry, we tried many different times, we tried treaties, we physically gave them weapons, we gave them their rockets back and it did not work. they promised to defend us if anything happened, instead they came fighting with us. do you believe ukraine can ever become a member of nato? fine do you believe ukraine can ever become a member of nato? one day. i understand how _ become a member of nato? one day. i understand how difficult _ become a member of nato? one day. i understand how difficult the _

understand how difficult the discussions are, ukraine is big, it is the biggest one in europe, it is too close to russia, it used to be the soviet union. i understand the concerns but i also don't see why the baltic states can be part of nato but ukraine cannot be. when you sa one nato but ukraine cannot be. when you say one day. — nato but ukraine cannot be. when you say one day. the _ nato but ukraine cannot be. when you say one day, the near— nato but ukraine cannot be. when you say one day, the near future, - nato but ukraine cannot be. when you say one day, the near future, the - say one day, the nearfuture, the distant future, in your lifetime? there was a declaration that ukraine will become a member of nato but there was no data on it. but currently — there was no data on it. but currently it _ there was no data on it. but currently it looks _ there was no data on it. but currently it looks impossible and the situation that ukraine is in is a position of limbo. do you feel as a position of limbo. do you feel as a country the warm embrace of nato? in 1991, who could believe that the soviet union would collapse, and it happens quite easily. this is the same when we are considering the prospect of nato, we are trying our best, getting closer and closer, trying to work together, we are the closest partners with nato, fighting

with five soldiers in many operations. i would like it to be sooner, we are suffering right now —— we are fighting with the soldiers in many operations. in -- we are fighting with the soldiers in many operations.— in many operations. in the event of russian troops _ in many operations. in the event of russian troops entering _ in many operations. in the event of russian troops entering ukraine, . russian troops entering ukraine, what sort of support which you hopeful? what have you offered currently? we hopeful? what have you offered currentl ? ~ ., hopeful? what have you offered currentl ? ~ . ., , , currently? we have finally been offered weapons, _ currently? we have finally been offered weapons, which - currently? we have finally been offered weapons, which we - currently? we have finally been| offered weapons, which we were begging forfor all offered weapons, which we were begging for for all these years. that is from the uk, the united states, but it's what happens after the uk came on board. the us is opposing russia, understandable, but when the uk came that has opened up the doors for other nations to pledge they will help ukraine with military assistance.— military assistance. thank you for “oininr military assistance. thank you for joining us. _ military assistance. thank you for joining us. vadym _ military assistance. thank you for joining us, vadym prystaiko. - the us singer meat loaf, whose album bat out of hell became

one of the biggest selling albums of all time, has died. he was 74. a statement said the singer, whose real name was michael lee aday, died overnight. the statement said: "our hearts are broken to announce "that the incomparable meat loaf passed away tonight with his wife "deborah by his side." lizo mzimba looks back at his life. # the sirens are screaming, and the fires are howling # way down in the valley tonight... the thundering rock opera sound. # there ain't no coup de ville # hiding at the bottom of a crackerjack box... the grandiose lyrics. # noone's gonna know it, noone's gonna know it # noone's gonna know where you've been! the consummate showmanship. there was no one quite like meat loaf. his first album, bat out of hell, became one of the biggest selling albums of all time. he was born marvin lee aday in dallas, texas, the only child of a schoolteacher mother and a policeman father who was quick with his fists. he was an alcoholic, and he would always beat me up

as a kid, threw me through a plate glass window, threw me through a door. his size made him a natural for the high school football team but his first love was drama. when his mother died, he escaped his bullying father and moved to los angeles. there was a chance audition for the musical hair, an album for motown. # whatever happened to saturday night? and the rocky horror picture show, first on broadway, then on screen. a meeting with composer jim steinman proved to be a turning point. steinman's wagnerian over—the—top style and meat loaf�*s three octave range was a marriage made in musical heaven. it took time but this performance on the bbc�*s 0ld grey whistle test pushed the album to number one in the uk. but the demands of fame and the constant touring proved too much. the singer's voice failed

and he had a breakdown. and there were arguments with steinman, who felt he wasn't getting a fair share of the limelight. meat loaf�*s popularity in the uk did take his second album, dead ringer for love, to number one but it was a pale imitation of bat. there were court cases, he suffered two years of depression, his house was repossessed and then found himself playing tiny bars and clubs. # i would do anything for love... then, in 1990, he and steinman healed their rift. the result, bat out of hell ii. 16 years after the original, the magic still worked. the first rule is, i'm not supposed to talk about it. he also made something of a name as an actor in the film fight club. look at my face, bud. but his legacy will always be bat out of hell, one of the most extraordinary and certainly

one of the most successful rock albums ever made. meat loaf, who has died at the age of 74. we will be sticking to our music correspondence mark savage in around ten minutes. —— we will be speaking to. there is growing pressure on the prime minister, although it is slightly yesterday with some mps who were reported to have put in letters of no confidence to the 1922 committee against the prime minister. there are reports that some of them have been removed but it is hard to assess, we do not know exactly how many letters have gone into that committee. i think seven mps have gone public to say they have put letters in and we will be

speaking to one, so roger gale, a little later. he put in his letter of no confidence in borisjohnson about one year ago and he has renewed it since then. 0ur political correspondentjonathan blakejoins correspondentjonathan blake joins me. how correspondentjonathan blakejoins me. how would you assess the state of play? me. how would you assess the state of -la ? �* ., , me. how would you assess the state ofla ? ,, of play? boris johnson is probably relieved to have _ of play? boris johnson is probably relieved to have made _ of play? boris johnson is probably relieved to have made it - of play? boris johnson is probably relieved to have made it to - of play? boris johnson is probably relieved to have made it to the i of play? boris johnson is probably. relieved to have made it to the end of the week. it is the end of a very torrid few days for borisjohnson, he continues to be under huge pressure but that immediate threat, if you like, to his position, which earlier in the week looked like it could materialise when particularly some of the newer conservative mps gathered to discuss admitting letters of no confidence in him which could trigger a vote on his position and did not really get enough of a head of steam, certainly, to reach that tipping point you mentioned just now of 54

letters needing to be submitted, and it certainly seems the majority view among tory backbenchers is to wait for the sue gray reported to parties in downing street and other government buildings during the pandemic, see what it comes up with, and to use that, if they believe it is worth it at that point, to then submit letters and perhaps trigger a process after that, but what we have heard about in the meantime his behaviour which some mps have raised concerns about on behalf of the government whips who are trying to quell this rebellion, trying to keep mps in line. yesterday the senior backbencher william wragg spoke about intimidation and possible blackmail, the prime minister said there is no evidence but he would look into concerns, others raising an eyebrow to ask whether things were being overstated, the art of persuasion and perhaps certain

heavy—handed tactics, as some might see them, have long been part of the westminster political cut and thrust. but talk of this goes on and we hear about a meeting yesterday among some of the newer conservative mps to compare notes, share experiences of the whips' behaviour with a few to possibly making some of the public in the next few days or weeks, there is talk of a recording which might be released. whether any of that will materialise in the whirlwind of activity we had seenin in the whirlwind of activity we had seen in the last few days will be overtaken by events, we will have to see. the commons public accounts committee has described a one billion pound shortfall in state pension payments as a "shameful shambles". more than 130,000 pensioners — mostly women — were underpaid pensions owing to errors dating back nearly 40 years. 0utdated computer systems and manual processing of pensions have been blamed for the failures which first came to light two years ago. the department for work and pensions says it's resolving cases as quickly as possible.

we can get more details now from our business correspondent, sarah corker. today's report by the public accounts committee shows mistakes going back as far as 1985. thousands of women have been underpaid the state pension for decades and the public accounts committee found the stakes going back as far as 1985. it's been described by mps as a shameful shambles. more than 130,000 pensioners, mostly women, have been underpaid. those affected are widows, divorcees and women able to claim through their husbands pension contributions. some people are still unaware they're missing out. they are huge sums of money, in some cases, life changing amounts. what went wrong?

complex rules, outdated computer systems and manual processing have all been blamed. mps say these mistakes at the department for work and pensions just were not detected early enough and they are worried that some errors are still being made. it was former pensions minister steve were who first revealed the scale of these issues. it is clear to me mistakes are still being _ it is clear to me mistakes are still being made today, i hear from people who are _ being made today, i hear from people who are told everything is fine, then_ who are told everything is fine, then it — who are told everything is fine, then it is — who are told everything is fine, then it is clearly not. we need to fix not _ then it is clearly not. we need to fix notjust— then it is clearly not. we need to fix notjust a pass but the then it is clearly not. we need to fix not just a pass but the future. these _ fix not just a pass but the future. these issues have gone on for a very lon- these issues have gone on for a very longtime _ these issues have gone on for a very long time and the department checks cases but— long time and the department checks cases but did not take this one seriously— cases but did not take this one seriously enough. it is small change to the _ seriously enough. it is small change to the department budget can be life changing _ to the department budget can be life changing amounts for individuals. the average amount of money owed is around nine thousand pounds, but others have missed out on six

figure sums. most will be fully repaid but some will only get the amount of backdated for three months. jan tiernan from fife has been fighting for years to try to get the money she believes is entitled to. the fact that they _ she believes is entitled to. the fact that they kept saying it was your fault, you should have told us, no, i— your fault, you should have told us, no, i never— your fault, you should have told us, no, i never received any information telling _ no, i never received any information telling me _ no, i never received any information telling me to fill in forms, over the different letters they gave me several _ the different letters they gave me several different reasons why this was never — several different reasons why this was never done. firstly it was my fault _ was never done. firstly it was my fault for— was never done. firstly it was my fault for not — was never done. firstly it was my fault for not filling in the form, then— fault for not filling in the form, then a — fault for not filling in the form, then a letter said it was my husband's fault for not checking a box, _ husband's fault for not checking a box, the — husband's fault for not checking a box, the excuses were numerous and i 'ust box, the excuses were numerous and i just kapt— box, the excuses were numerous and i just kept answering them back and saying. _ just kept answering them back and saying. no, — just kept answering them back and

saying, no, this is not the. for --eole saying, no, this is not the. for people like _ saying, no, this is not the. for people like janet _ saying, no, this is not the. fr?" people like janet has been a real battle to try to get the errors corrected. we know five civil servants are trying to trace all those affected but the process could take until the end of 2023 to complete, the dwp has said it is trying to resolve all these cases as quickly as possible, but for some people it will be too late because around 40,000 women have already died without getting the money they are old, and there is no plan to trace theirfamilies. —— are old, and there is no plan to trace their families. —— without getting the money they are owed. this is costing the taxpayer, staffing costs to correct the mistakes are estimated to reach around £24 million and experienced staff are being moved away from day—to—day activities to try to fix these problems, that is causing

problems, backlogs and processing, new applications, it is causing a major issue here and there are some major issue here and there are some major questions for the dwp. why weren't these errors noticed? they went on for decades. why weren't they sorted out when it was raised? lots of questions to answer but i think this process of contacting all these women will take many years. sarah, you mentioned there is no plan to trace those whose loved ones died having been owed money. would people be able to find out for themselves in that situation and try to chase the money? would anybody directly affected be able to find out themselves? this directly affected be able to find out themselves?— directly affected be able to find out themselves? this is one of the problems. — out themselves? this is one of the problems. the _ out themselves? this is one of the problems, the pension _ out themselves? this is one of the problems, the pension rules- out themselves? this is one of the problems, the pension rules and i out themselves? this is one of the i problems, the pension rules and the system is also complicated that only a small number of specialists fully

understand the system. what we are seeing is women who think they have not been paid the full amount had phoned the department for work and pensions, they feel they have been fobbed off, told they are on the right amount but they have persisted, as you heard, people like jan have really been pushing this and eventually they have been told tjy and eventually they have been told by was a problem, we will pay you back. forsome by was a problem, we will pay you back. for some people it is only because of the perseverance they have been contacted at all. one man i spoke to said he found the department for work and pensions five times, he was worried his mother was not getting the right amount. it took him many months, he eventually got a call back, the operator said, you might want to sit down, your mother is actually owed £107,000 plus £9,000 of interest. she was underpaid for 20 years, she

is 96, in a care home, she has dementia, she knows nothing about this and it is a phenomenal sum of money she has missed out on. this is a huge exercise that the department for work and pensions is now putting into place and the concern is they say they will trace all those affected but some people have contacted me saying they are worried they may not be traced and barrett's no easy answer to this, they have put a specialist team on theirs to try to go through all these cases dating back to 1985.— try to go through all these cases dating back to 1985. thank you very much, dating back to 1985. thank you very much. sarah- _ dating back to 1985. thank you very much, sarah. get— dating back to 1985. thank you very much, sarah. get in— dating back to 1985. thank you very much, sarah. get in touch - dating back to 1985. thank you very much, sarah. get in touch if - dating back to 1985. thank you very much, sarah. get in touch if you . much, sarah. get in touch if you think you have been affected by this. also if meat loaf was a soundtrack for your life, tell us your thoughts on the day he has passed away at 74. also coming up, i will speak to one of the tory mps who has put in a letter of no confidence in borisjohnson. now the weather with matt.

mark the coldest night of the winter so far in wales, minus six, a very frosty start in the south and east, a lot cloudier to the north and west, that cloud spilling in, so more cloud for western areas, a bit more cloud for western areas, a bit more sunshine and eastern areas after yesterday's cloud and showers. a bit ofa a bit of a breeze blowing in the north of scotland today, outbreaks of rain for northern and western isles, as well as the north highlands, keeping temperatures around 7—8 degrees. with more cloud elsewhere, not a sharp frost tomorrow, the frost more hit and miss, so i cloudier start to the weekend. some rain in the highlands, most places staying dry with sunny spells, the best of which across eastern areas, but even here there

will be more cloud than we have seen, temperatures lifting up a couple of degrees above the average for the stage in mid—january. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: as fears grow that russia could be about to invade ukraine, us and russian foreign ministers are due to meet for urgent talks. the uk foreign secretary has warned any invasion by russia would be a massive strategic mistake. they claim they want stability while they work to threaten and destabilise others. we know what lies down that path and the terrible toll in lives lost. meat loaf, the us rock star whose hits include bat out of hell and i'd do anything for love, has died at the age of 74. he sold more than 100 million albums across a six decade career. a £1 billion shortfall in state pension payments

to tens of thousands of women has been branded "a shameful shambles" by a committee of mps. adele has postponed her entire las vegas residency, just 24 hours before opening night. the singer posted a tearful apology online, saying covid cases and delivery delays had caused major problems. i'm so sorry. it's been impossible. we've been up against so much, and itjust ain't ready. i'm really sorry. i'm sorry. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's mike. good morning. let's start in melbourne, where it's a busy evening at the australian open. 0n court at the moment is the women's defending champion and the world number one. 0n the margaret court arena, naomi 0saka is currently taking on the american amanda anisimova.

0saka took the first set 6—4 but is now down being drawn into a battle in the second. she is currently trailing 5—3. let's move over to the rod laver arena, because home favourite and top seed ash barty is being made to fight against the italian camilla giorgi, but in the last few minutes she has wrapped up the opening set 6—2. earlier, two—time champion victoria azarenka brushed aside elina svitolina to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2016. the belarusian, who was champion in melbourne in 2012 and 2013, won in straight sets, and she was proud to have done it with her son leo watching. being a parent is not easy. he's full of personality. i don't know where he gets it from, obviously!

but i always feel privileged that i'm able to have him here. you know, these kind of moments are really priceless for me, so for me to be able to share that with my son is pretty incredible. leo, how did mummy play today? awesome. thank you for that! in the men's event, there was thrilling five—set battle between seventh seed matteo berretini 18 year old carlos alcaraz from spain. and the youngest man in the draw, 18—year—old carlos alcaraz from spain. berrettini had a two—set lead before alcaraz fought back to take it to a thrilling fifth set. but berrettini won the deciding tie—break to reach the fourth round. liverpool have reached their first wembley final for six years, where they will face chelsea in the league cup next month. jurgen klopp's side beat arsenal 2—0 in the second leg of their semifinal to progress, withjota scoring both goals on the night. katie gornall was watching. walking out at the emirates with wembley in their sights.

after a goalless draw in last week's first leg, this semifinal was finally poised. at first, arsenal looked the more threatening. it's lacazette! butjurgen klopp needn't worry. diogojota was about to put liverpool in charge. he never lets liverpool down! the run was mesmerising, the finish less so. jota continued to torment arsenal in the second half, but 17—year—old kaide gordon wasn't quite on the same wavelength. it didn't matter. jota's movement for his second was so fast, even the assistant couldn't keep up. he gave offside. the technology corrected him — goal. no salah, no mane — no problem for liverpool. it would get worse for arsenal when thomas partey — hours after returning from the africa cup of nations, again departed early, and there was no way back. liverpool remain on course for a record—breaking ninth league cup, although the headlines belong to one man. katie gornall, bbc news.

did everything to put out a competitive team, and we had our moments in the game, certainly in the first half when we had chances, when we hit the bar, we have to score. the same in the second half, but when that happens, the first time they got over our halfway line, they scored a goal with a bit of luck. there was almost a big shock in the scottish cup, with part—timers cove rangers taking premiership side hibernian all the way to extra time. it took until the 112th minute for kevin nisbet, to finally find a winner to put out the league one side. hibs will find out who they play next tomorrow. that's all the sport for now. naomi 0saka has been taken to a

deciding set, i will be back later. more now on one of our top stories, and a damaging conversation which was apparently secretly recorded between conservative mps and the chief whip could soon be published by those who want to oust borisjohnson. that's the claim in the times this morning. it comes after the government was accused of blackmail and intimidation. with me now is sir roger gale, mp for north thanet. he has already indicated publicly that he has submitted a formal letter to the chairman of the 1922 committee calling for a leadership election. i , thank you very much forjoining us. have you had any tricky conversations as a result i haven't had a tricky conversation with my whips for about 15 years, i think i am probably beyond the pale. it is a

well-known — am probably beyond the pale. it is a well- known fact _ am probably beyond the pale. it is a well-known fact that _ am probably beyond the pale. it is a well-known fact that whips - am probably beyond the pale. it is a well-known fact that whips on - am probably beyond the pale. it 3 a. well— known fact that whips on both well—known fact that whips on both sides of the house use whatever powers of persuasion they can to make sure that people do what they government wants them to do. there is nothing new in this, it is rather mild now than when i first came into the house. ., , the house. one of the things that has been cited, _ the house. one of the things that has been cited, and _ the house. one of the things that has been cited, and this - the house. one of the things that has been cited, and this was - the house. one of the things thatj has been cited, and this was from the mp who has now defected to join labour, was that he was told i wouldn't be any support for funding of a school in his constituency. there has also been, apparently, according to some mps, things about them, unfounded allegations leaked to the media. it has been described as blackmail. when you talk about tricky conversations, though those the sorts of things you have encountered before?- the sorts of things you have encountered before? well, in the ast, encountered before? well, in the past. pressure — encountered before? well, in the past, pressure has _ encountered before? well, in the past, pressure has been - encountered before? well, in the past, pressure has been brought| encountered before? well, in the l past, pressure has been brought to bear, shall we say? but look, the

chief whip, the government chief whip is a perfectly decent man, i get along perfectly well with him. 0bviously, he has a job to do, he knows my view of what has been happening in downing street, and i have taken a very robust line, and i don't have any problem with the whips taking a robust line, although with me they have always been very courteous. if threats of a kind that threatens somebody�*s constituents have been made, that is a red line that has been crossed. i find have been made, that is a red line that has been crossed. ifind it very hard to believe that a whip would say we are going to cut the funding from a school, because anybody knows that they have not got that power. they can't do that anyway, so that would be a completely meaningless threat. saying to somebody, you were just in line for a promotion, not the pity you are going to get a different job, that is a different matter, that power they do have. iloathed

job, that is a different matter, that power they do have. what about alle . ations that power they do have. what about allegations of — that power they do have. what about allegations of briefing _ that power they do have. what about allegations of briefing the _ that power they do have. what about allegations of briefing the media? i allegations of briefing the media? again, ifind that allegations of briefing the media? again, i find that slightly hard to believe. i know that one or two of my colleagues who have also been calling for a new leader say that they feel that stories have been placed that perhaps might have come from the whips' office. there has always been an element of coercion, it is a rough, toughjob being a whip, as it is being a member of parliament. i think ourjob is to be robust in what we believe, do what we believe, say what we believe, and not be influenced by outside sources, from any quarter, be it the whips or anybody else. $5 i whips or anybody else. as i mentioned, _ whips or anybody else. as i mentioned, there - whips or anybody else. as i mentioned, there is - whips or anybody else. as i mentioned, there is a - whips or anybody else. as i mentioned, there is a suggestion that a conversation was recorded between a whip and some mps, and it may be put out there. would you wanted to be put out there in order to get some clarity about what is

being said? because you have said there are areas which you would regard as crossing a red line. yes. regard as crossing a red line. yes, absolutely. _ regard as crossing a red line. yes, absolutely. if _ regard as crossing a red line. yes, absolutely, if that _ regard as crossing a red line. fie: absolutely, if that allegation were proved, that would be serious, that would be tantamount to a breach of parliamentary privilege, and that is very serious indeed, the speaker would take a very deemed —— a very dim view. there is a line you do not cross, it is understood, there are rules to the way this business is played, and we all have to abide by those views. the fundamental is common courtesy. find those views. the fundamental is common courtesy.— those views. the fundamental is common courtesy. and so, in your experience. _ common courtesy. and so, in your experience. you — common courtesy. and so, in your experience, you haven't _ common courtesy. and so, in your experience, you haven't come - common courtesy. and so, in your. experience, you haven't come across anything that you think has crossed anything that you think has crossed a red line, albeit from the way you are talking, you are saying, you know, you expect to be robust and you expect others to be robust back? that's absolutely true, the conversations i have had with my own whip, each department has an allocated whip, my own whip is

eternally courteous, he understands what i think, i understand what he thinks, he has got a job to do, and i will do myjob in a way that i believe it needs to be done in the interests of my constituents and my country. interests of my constituents and my count . �* ., interests of my constituents and my count .�* ., , interests of my constituents and my count .�* ., ., country. and on boris johnson and how things — country. and on boris johnson and how things stand _ country. and on boris johnson and how things stand now, _ country. and on boris johnson and how things stand now, steve - country. and on boris johnson and | how things stand now, steve baker has said it looks in his opinion like checkmate currently for the prime minister, but he doesn't roll—out him surviving. how do you seeit? roll—out him surviving. how do you see it? i roll-out him surviving. how do you see it? .. ., roll-out him surviving. how do you see it? ., , ., , roll-out him surviving. how do you seeit? see it? i cannot see any way in which this _ see it? i cannot see any way in which this prime _ see it? i cannot see any way in which this prime minister- see it? i cannot see any way in which this prime minister can . which this prime minister can survive as leader of the conservative party, or as the prime minister, given what has emerged over the last few weeks. and not only the last few weeks but over the last couple of years, actually, in my case. it seems to me inconceivable that sue gray is going to come out with any lifeline that is going to rescue the prime minister, and i would expect that there will therefore, and i don't particularly want this, this is not campaigning against borisjohnson,

campaigning against boris johnson, but campaigning against borisjohnson, but i suspect there will be a leadership election at some point in the relatively near future. so leadership election at some point in the relatively near future.— the relatively near future. so roger gale, the relatively near future. so roger gale. thank — the relatively near future. so roger gale. thank you _ the relatively near future. so roger gale, thank you for _ the relatively near future. so roger gale, thank you forjoining - the relatively near future. so roger gale, thank you forjoining us. - let's return to that breaking news now that the us singer meat loaf, who was also known as michael lee aday, has died aged 74 with his wife by his side. a statement on his official facebook page said, "our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable meat loaf passed away tonight with his wife deborah by his side." my colleague stephen sackur spoke with meat loaf back in 2016, and he detailed some of the injuries he had experienced during the six decades of his career. i've had 18 concussions, i've fallen three stories off a balcony. i've been on planes that the landing gears didn't come down. i'm a cat with 49 lives. and you've got a bad back, which is restricting your movement right now. yeah, which i can't work,

which is driving me crazy. well, i'm telling you, you've got a plan to tour europe, you said you weren't going to tour so much any more, but you've got this plan to tour europe with the new album — how can you do it, having batted your body to a degree which you have? well, i'll get my back fixed, and when i do, i had a knee replacement that never healed, so i have three months of therapy already to go for that. do you really want to tour, with all of the pressures and stresses that come with that? i don't want to travel and i don't want to pack. but i want to do the shows. but that means you've got to travel and you've got to pack. yeah, i don't want to do those two, so two out of three ain't bad! i think i've heard that before! mark savage, our entertainment correspondent, joins me now. as we were seeing there, a character, but an extraordinary talent as well.— character, but an extraordinary talent as well. absolutely, he is one of those — talent as well. absolutely, he is one of those people _ talent as well. absolutely, he is one of those people who -

talent as well. absolutely, he is one of those people who provel talent as well. absolutely, he is i one of those people who prove the cliche, one—of—a—kind, larger—than—life, he had the most incredible voice, todd rundgren, who produced the bat 0ut incredible voice, todd rundgren, who produced the bat out of hell album, said if bruce springsteen can go over the top, meat loaf can go five stories higher. the best place to listen to him is driving your car in the middle of the night down a dirty highway singing at the top of your voice. i highway singing at the top of your voice. , , ., , voice. i suddenly realised when we heard the news _ voice. i suddenly realised when we heard the news that _ voice. i suddenly realised when we heard the news that he _ voice. i suddenly realised when we heard the news that he had - voice. i suddenly realised when we heard the news that he had died, . voice. i suddenly realised when we heard the news that he had died, i j heard the news that he had died, i had never heard his real name before, marvin lee aday, and i know it is a question that has been asked many times, when did he become called meat loaf? it many times, when did he become called meat loaf?— called meat loaf? it was a cruel nickname _ called meat loaf? it was a cruel nickname that _ called meat loaf? it was a cruel nickname that he _ called meat loaf? it was a cruel nickname that he was _ called meat loaf? it was a cruel nickname that he was given - called meat loaf? it was a cruel nickname that he was given by l called meat loaf? it was a cruel. nickname that he was given by his high school sports coach, but he kind of embraced it and stuck with it, and his first band was called the meat loaf soul revue, and he adopted it as a professional name when he went to broadway, later starring in the film of the rocky horror show, and then he made one of

the best albums of all—time in bat 0ut the best albums of all—time in bat out of hell. the best albums of all-time in bat out of hell-— the best albums of all-time in bat out of hell. ., ., ., , .,, out of hell. how fortuitous was the meetin: , out of hell. how fortuitous was the meeting. was _ out of hell. how fortuitous was the meeting, was that _ out of hell. how fortuitous was the meeting, was that when _ out of hell. how fortuitous was the meeting, was that when he - out of hell. how fortuitous was the meeting, was that when he was - meeting, was that when he was created? i meeting, was that when he was created? ~ meeting, was that when he was created? ,, ., created? i thinkjim steinman it needed a voice _ created? i thinkjim steinman it needed a voice like _ created? i thinkjim steinman it needed a voice like meat - created? i thinkjim steinman it needed a voice like meat loaf's| created? i thinkjim steinman it i needed a voice like meat loaf's to make his huge operatic songs work, and the story goes, when they were in the studio, it took them four years, and the session musicians thought it was a big joke, like a big practicaljoke, some way of writing of money because the record company did not want to pay any tax. four record labels rejected it because they could not wrap their heads around it, because it didn't sound like anything else, and it still doesn't. but when he came out and played it live, that is when it came to life, a performance on the old grey whistle test really lit the 0ld grey whistle test really lit the spark, they repeated the following

week, and millions of albums were sold. fora week, and millions of albums were sold. for a long time, neither of them so any money from that record. later i will be speaking to the female vocalist on i'd do anything for love, she didn't get anything out of that. she for love, she didn't get anything out of that-— for love, she didn't get anything out of that. she is not even in the video! it out of that. she is not even in the video! it is _ out of that. she is not even in the video! it is amazing _ out of that. she is not even in the video! it is amazing how - out of that. she is not even in the video! it is amazing how these . video! it is amazing how these thins video! it is amazing how these things happen _ video! it is amazing how these things happen and _ video! it is amazing how these things happen and they - video! it is amazing how these . things happen and they become video! it is amazing how these - things happen and they become such a part of our lives, but sad news today that he has died at 74. thank you. the first minister of wales says his government is confident it's safe to lift restrictions on outdoors sporting events and outdoor hospitality from today. restrictions introduced after christmas meant fans were effectively banned from games. pubs and restaurants will also be able to operate outdoors without the rule of six or social distancing. first minister mark drakeford has been speaking to the bbc about the decision to lift restrictions now. he was also asked about recent events in westminster and suggested the uk government is more focused on being in the news at the moment than actually keeping an eye over the covid situation in england. i don't think there's any doubt at all the uk government has long abandoned any sense

that it is following the science. it is a government desperately mired in difficulties of its own making and is forever on the lookout for a headline that will distract people's attention from the awful mess that it finds itself in. rhian nowell—phillips is a wales rugby fan from caerphilly and is the creator of the rugby chat and banter facebook forum. welcome, thank you. how excited are you to be able to get back into stadiums?— stadiums? oh, it is absolutely brilliant news. _ stadiums? oh, it is absolutely brilliant news. last _ stadiums? oh, it is absolutely brilliant news. last year - stadiums? oh, it is absolutely brilliant news. last year it - stadiums? oh, it is absolutelyj brilliant news. last year it was stadiums? oh, it is absolutely i brilliant news. last year it was all played behind locked doors, we thought we would be the only nation playing again behind locked doors this year, but it is really great news, and it will make such a difference to that welsh team, i'm sure. ., , difference to that welsh team, i'm sure. . , ., sure. yeah, tell us about the impact that it will have _ sure. yeah, tell us about the impact that it will have had, _ sure. yeah, tell us about the impact that it will have had, playing - that it will have had, playing behind locked doors. last

that it will have had, playing behind locked doors. last year, we went through _ behind locked doors. last year, we went through with _ behind locked doors. last year, we went through with some _ behind locked doors. last year, we went through with some fans, - behind locked doors. last year, we went through with some fans, but| behind locked doors. last year, we | went through with some fans, but it is not the same, and i think the players, you know, it is like playing in a fortress when all the fans are there singing. i think it adds an extra man to the welsh team for the home games. 50 adds an extra man to the welsh team for the home games.— adds an extra man to the welsh team for the home games. so when are you auoin , for the home games. so when are you going. what — for the home games. so when are you going. what are _ for the home games. so when are you going. what are you — for the home games. so when are you going, what are you going _ for the home games. so when are you going, what are you going to - for the home games. so when are you going, what are you going to see? - going, what are you going to see? well, at the moment, it was really difficult to plan, because up until very recently there were no home games, so we know that the welsh rugby union are now releasing tickets that have not been sold, so we will have to have a look and see which ones i'd like to go to. it will really depend on what happens with the match in ireland. we have got the blues at home this year, france, scotland and italy, and

france, scotland and italy, and france will be a huge game, but scotland have got their tails up, so it is going to be a really interesting series, i think. i interesting series, ithink. i imagine you always anyway, covid being an exceptional period, but spend a lot of your time in stadiums and going to as many games as you can. but do you think now, having been deprived of it for that period of time, you will want to go as much as you possibly can, and is it a thrill that you want to lose now? i don't think you lose it. the problem is, because of covid and because of the things we have had to do to keep a part in social distance, with half your brain you are saying, it is great, let's get into a stadium, and the other half is saying, well, hang on, you have got people in close proximity, and one of the things about covid, it leaves you a bit aware of being in crowded areas. so there is still that sort of risk

factor, but yeah, absolutely, cannot beat the welsh national anthem and the welsh team on the pitch. thank ou for the welsh team on the pitch. thank you forjoining _ the welsh team on the pitch. thank you forjoining us. _ adele has postponed her 24—show residency at the caesar's palace hotel in las vegas, a day before it was due to begin. in a tearful message, posted on social media, the singer blamed delivery delays and said half of her crew have covid. she said she felt embarrassed and promised to reschedule the concerts. i'm so sorry but, erm... ..my show ain't ready. we've tried absolutely everything that we can to put it together in time, and for it to be good enough for you, but we've been absolutely destroyed by delivery delays and covid. half my crew, half my team are down with covid, they still are. and it's been impossible to finish the show. and i can't give you what i have right now. and i'm gutted.

let's speak now to mark mulligan, managing director and analyst at midia research, which provides entertainment and audiences data—driven insights. welcome, thank you for yourjoining us. an enormous disappointment for the fans who were expecting to go imminently, particularly those who had already travelled and spent money on it. in terms of the las vegas residency, though, overall, how important is that for a singer in a world where there have not been concerts and streaming a sort of the big way to make money for the biggest artists?— big way to make money for the biggest artists? yeah, hi, thanks for havin: biggest artists? yeah, hi, thanks for having me. _ biggest artists? yeah, hi, thanks for having me. i— biggest artists? yeah, hi, thanks for having me. i think _ biggest artists? yeah, hi, thanks for having me. i think the - biggest artists? yeah, hi, thanks i for having me. i think the pandemic has absolutely shown that live music is no longer the bankable asset that artists have relied upon for decades. you know, most successful

artists make the majority of their income from live music, and all of the disruption that has happened over the last couple of years, we are finally coming out of it, and then you are still getting disruptions like this happening. most artists are certainly anxious about what the next couple of years might hold, the way in which they engage with theirfans might hold, the way in which they engage with their fans most. brute might hold, the way in which they engage with their fans most. we 'ust heard his saying fl engage with their fans most. we 'ust heard his saying so i engage with their fans most. we 'ust heard his saying so sorry i engage with their fans most. we 'ust heard his saying so sorry again, i engage with their fans most. we just heard his saying so sorry again, she l heard his saying so sorry again, she has put out this tearful apology to the fans, we don't know when it is going to get back on track, and there are so many variables out there. ~ , ,., , there are so many variables out there. ~ , , .,, , there are so many variables out there. ~ , , , there. absolutely, hopefully this will happen _ there. absolutely, hopefully this will happen soon, _ there. absolutely, hopefully this will happen soon, it _ there. absolutely, hopefully this will happen soon, it is _ there. absolutely, hopefully this| will happen soon, it is something that you clear up soon, but there will be a backlog. how do you get the people who missed the first ones et cetera? anyone doing live music events over the next two months and years may have to factor in the fact that things like this can happen

now. ., ,., ., that things like this can happen now. ., ., ., ., , ., , now. how important are the las vegas residency is? — now. how important are the las vegas residency is? it — now. how important are the las vegas residency is? it is _ now. how important are the las vegas residency is? it is seen _ now. how important are the las vegas residency is? it is seen as _ now. how important are the las vegas residency is? it is seen as a _ residency is? it is seen as a surprise that an artist like adele, at her age, was doing this. yeah, elvis presley _ at her age, was doing this. yeah, elvis presley was _ at her age, was doing this. yeah, elvis presley was the _ at her age, was doing this. yeah, elvis presley was the one - at her age, was doing this. yeah, elvis presley was the one who i at her age, was doing this. yeah, i elvis presley was the one who really kick—started this, really seen as elvis towards the end of his career. in actual fact, elvis towards the end of his career. in actualfact, he elvis towards the end of his career. in actual fact, he was only in his 30s, and an artist in their 30s, back in the 1950s, did look really old, but now an artist in their 30s are often in their prime, and lots of people, katy perry, bruno mars, calvin harris are doing or about to do las vegas residency is. i think this isjust a new do las vegas residency is. i think this is just a new extension of the fact that the live music business really caters more and more for older, more affluent customers. well, she stands to make 500,000 every night when she does finally get to do it, big money.- get to do it, big money. yeah, regardless _ get to do it, big money. yeah, regardless of _

get to do it, big money. yeah, regardless of how _ get to do it, big money. yeah, regardless of how much - get to do it, big money. yeah, | regardless of how much money get to do it, big money. yeah, - regardless of how much money she makes from it, i think there is an important thing to bear in mind, which is touring the world is not an easy thing to do, and it is probably way easier to do a bunch of lads in their 20s versus a young mother in his 30s, so in a lot of ways, a residency in four weeks in one place might be intense, but it is a better way to balance real life with the life of being an artist.— way to balance real life with the life of being an artist. thank you forjoining _ life of being an artist. thank you forjoining us. — life of being an artist. thank you forjoining us, mark— life of being an artist. thank you forjoining us, mark milligan. i now it's time for a look at the weather. good morning to you. minus five at the moment in dorset, it is 8 degrees in 0rkney, one of those days of contrast. it depends on whether you have got sunshine or cloud. more cloud across central england that is showing here, drifting south, sunny conditions on the far south coast, an improvement in eastern areas, but still feeling a little bit on the

cool side, still feeling a little bit on the coolside, not still feeling a little bit on the cool side, not as cold as the wind eases down. in the north and west of scotland, the breeze will be blown, strengthening into tonight, with outbreaks of rain, mainly for the southern highlands northwards, the vast majority stays dry. away from the north and west, still the chance of a touch of frost, but nowhere nearas of a touch of frost, but nowhere near as cold as recent nights with too much cloud in place. the cloud over the weekend will be thin enough to allow some sunshine through, the best breaks in southern and eastern areas, the far north of scotland is not faring badly, but they can cloud in the highlands, a chance of rain here and across the western isles, 10-11 here and across the western isles, 10—11 degrees here, well above the mid—january average. cooler further south, and we stick with the milder theme after some morning frost and fog over the weekend, staying largely dry into next week too.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines. in the uk and across the world. as fears grow that russia could be about to invade ukraine, us and russian foreign ministers are due to meet for urgent talks. the uk foreign secretary has warned any invasion by russia would be a massive strategic mistake. they claim they want stability, while they work to threaten and destabilise others. we know what lies down that path, and the terrible toll in lives lost. ukraine's ambassador to the uk says he hopes diplomatic talks can avert what he says could be a catastrophic

wall. brute