this is bbc news. i'm lewis vaughanjones with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the us secretary of defence says russia has the military capability to strike ukraine, but tells vladimir putin it's not too late to prevent a conflict. he can choose to de—escalate. he can order his troops away. he can choose dialogue and diplomacy. tens of thousands of russian troops have amassed on the ukrainian border, but ukraine's president calls on the west to avoid creating "panic". translation: you get the impression from the media that we're at war, - that there are soldiers on the streets, that there's mobilisation going on, that people are running away. we don't need that panic. the latest on partygate — the bbc understands the report will be delivered to the prime minister

without waiting for the police inquiry to conclude. hello and welcome. the us defence secretary, lloyd austin, says a conflict with russia is not inevitable and the us military will continue to support diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions over ukraine. speaking at a news conference in washington, mr austin said the russian leader, vladimir putin, now had the capacity to act against ukraine, but the us remained committed to helping the country defend itself. earlier, mr putin told his french counterpart russia had no plans for an offensive. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kyiv. we can cross to her now. another

momentous _ we can cross to her now. another momentous day _ we can cross to her now. another momentous day in _ we can cross to her now. another momentous day in the _ we can cross to her now. another momentous day in the growing i we can cross to her now. another - momentous day in the growing concern of the crisis between russia and ukraine. telephone calls between world leaders and major capitals, growing concern allegations and counter allegations about what's happening on ukraine's borders with russia. concern about what the future will hold, and in the midst of all of these statements, emphasising by russia saying they do not want war, they will not invade ukraine, also statements by those saying if there is military action, they will be prepared. in the midst of all of it, a press conference, extraordinary, by the ukrainian president zelensky, basically saying calm down. expressing concern that all this talk about an escalating crisis was itself helping to fuel the escalation. we're going to look

at all of these a statement. let's start in washington. lloyd austen was also sending these two parallel messages. the river diplomacy was still open, but they were prepared for a conflict if conflict came. let's listen to a bit of what he had to say. it let's listen to a bit of what he had to sa . ., , let's listen to a bit of what he had tosa. , ., ,, ., ., to say. it has progressed at a consistent — to say. it has progressed at a consistent and _ to say. it has progressed at a consistent and steady - to say. it has progressed at a consistent and steady pace i to say. it has progressed at a - consistent and steady pace involving tens of— consistent and steady pace involving tens of thousands of russian troops. it is being _ tens of thousands of russian troops. it is being supported by increased russian _ it is being supported by increased russian needle activity in the northern_ russian needle activity in the northern atlantic and mediterranean sea. northern atlantic and mediterranean see we _ northern atlantic and mediterranean sea. we don't believe that president putin has— sea. we don't believe that president putin has made a final decision to use these — putin has made a final decision to use these forces against ukraine, but he _ use these forces against ukraine, but he clearly now has that capability. and there are multiple options _ capability. and there are multiple options available to him, including the seizure — options available to him, including the seizure of cities and significant territories, but also provocative political acts like the recognition of breakaway

territories. indeed, we see the russian — territories. indeed, we see the russian state media spouting out now about _ russian state media spouting out now about alleged activities in eastern ukraine — about alleged activities in eastern ukraine. this is straight out of the russian _ ukraine. this is straight out of the russian platelet and they're not fooling — russian platelet and they're not fooling us —— playbook. we remain focused _ fooling us —— playbook. we remain focused on — fooling us —— playbook. we remain focused on disinformation, including the potential creation a pretext for further _ the potential creation a pretext for further invasion or strikes. boyd off since speaking from washington. there was a different message from moscow —— lloyd austin. it was the first response after president biden gave a written response to president putin's demand, and it was seen as the most positive statement of russia's willingness to engage diplomatically with the united states. there was a lot of criticism in it too.

this was the russian foreign minister speaking earlier. translation: if it depends on russia, there will be no _ if it depends on russia, there will be no war. — if it depends on russia, there will be no war. itut— if it depends on russia, there will be no war, but we _ if it depends on russia, there will be no war, but we will— if it depends on russia, there will be no war, but we will not let - if it depends on russia, there will. be no war, but we will not let them and their— be no war, but we will not let them and their -- — be no war, but we will not let them and their —— undermined _ be no war, but we will not let them and their —— undermined and - be no war, but we will not let them | and their —— undermined and ignore russian _ and their —— undermined and ignore russian interest. _ and their —— undermined and ignore russian interest. i— and their —— undermined and ignore russian interest. i cannot— and their —— undermined and ignore russian interest. i cannot say- and their —— undermined and ignore russian interest. i cannot say for. russian interest. i cannot say for sure _ russian interest. i cannot say for sure if— russian interest. i cannot say for sure if negotiations _ russian interest. i cannot say for sure if negotiations are - russian interest. i cannot say for sure if negotiations are over- russian interest. i cannot say fori sure if negotiations are over now. the us— sure if negotiations are over now. the us and — sure if negotiations are over now. the us and nato _ sure if negotiations are over now. the us and nato have _ sure if negotiations are over now. the us and nato have been - sure if negotiations are over now. i the us and nato have been stabbing our proposal— the us and nato have been stabbing our proposal for— the us and nato have been stabbing our proposal for more _ the us and nato have been stabbing our proposal for more than - the us and nato have been stabbing our proposal for more than a - the us and nato have been stabbingj our proposal for more than a month, and only— our proposal for more than a month, and only the — our proposal for more than a month, and only the day— our proposal for more than a month, and only the day before _ our proposal for more than a month, and only the day before yesterday i and only the day before yesterday did we _ and only the day before yesterday did we receive _ and only the day before yesterday did we receive answers _ and only the day before yesterday did we receive answers in- did we receive answers in western—style. _ did we receive answers in western—style. this- did we receive answers in western—style. this is. did we receive answers in. western—style. this is better did we receive answers in- western—style. this is better than nothing. _ western—style. this is better than nothing. trut— western—style. this is better than nothing, but the _ western—style. this is better than nothing, but the main _ western—style. this is better than nothing, but the main thing - western—style. this is better than nothing, but the main thing for. western—style. this is better than nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal— nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal with _ nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal with the _ nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal with the basic— nothing, but the main thing for us is to deal with the basic conceptsl is to deal with the basic concepts of european _ is to deal with the basic concepts of european security. _ in the middle of the sex of the leading war of words, ukrainians, is not new —— mac the middle of this. in 2014. they're getting on with their lives. it is for this reason that president zelensky was so concerned today, emphasising that

all of this talk of an intensifying crisis was having an impact on ukrainian economy. but still, ukrainian economy. but still, ukrainian forces, he said, were preparing for an escalation of this crisis. a correspondent has been out with ukrainian forces of. somewhere in a frozen field in western ukraine, they're preparing for war with the help of the british military. ukrainian soldiers are trying out their latest weapon. it's a shoulder held anti—tank missile that's been provided by the uk. this is an exercise. but here, they know... ..they may have to use their weapons against real russian tanks in the not too distant future. it's very big deal when our partners, ourfriends, from other countries are doing everything possible to improve our defence capabilities. do you need more? do you want more? uh, you know, it's hard

to say what we need more if we are facing the war. er, for this moment, we have at least something that we make sure that we are capable to defend our countries. the brits have had a small military presence here since 2015. how many of you are there? so, the training team is ranging between eight to nine individuals... a couple of dozen officers in a training capacity. the ukrainians have been fighting russian—backed separatists in the east for nearly eight years now. but by supplying these anti—tank missiles, the uk is sending a strong signal — both about its commitment to ukraine and about how it assesses the current russian threat. part of this is about training the ukrainian military, of course, and about the ukrainian military being ready for any eventuality. but a big part of this also, and the reason that we've been invited

to film all of this, is because this is about sending a public message. is russia really about to launch a full—scale invasion of ukraine? the view in london and washington at the moment seems to be — yes, it's likely, but in kyiv, they're playing it down. translation: you get the impression from the media that we're at war, - that there are soldiers - on the streets, that there's mobilisation going on, - that people are running away. we don't need that panic. there's a lot of posturing going on at the moment. the russian troop build—up on the border, the western response increasingly alarmed and alarming. this is perilous geopolitical terrain, and ukraine is trying to chart a course through it. there may yet be what they call an "off ramp", a way of diffusing the crisis. but there's a danger — that talk of all—out war becomes a self—fulfilling prophecy.

gabriel gatehouse, bbc news, western ukraine. a lot of posturing and signalling, coming from different directions. president biden speaking of a distinct possibility, that president putin will invade ukraine next month. from russia, a very different signal, saying they don't want war. here on the ground in ukraine, ukrainians preparing for the possibility for an escalation of this crisis, but very much trying to get on with their daily lives. all the while, this concern that even if there isn't a full—scale invasion being planned, all of this talk and movement could mean a very accidental and consequential tumbling towards an even greater war. ., . ~ tumbling towards an even greater war. ., ., ~ , ., tumbling towards an even greater war. ., . ~ , ., tumbling towards an even greater war. ., ., " , ., ,., ., , war. you talked us through so many anules of war. you talked us through so many angles of the _ war. you talked us through so many angles of the story _ war. you talked us through so many angles of the story there. _ war. you talked us through so many angles of the story there. just -

angles of the story there. just before i let you go, i want to touch briefly on the ukrainian president zelensky, sending out that message of effectively downplaying events there, which may come to many observers as a surprise. you would've thought gone i had more international support, just talk us through what is going on. fitten international support, just talk us through what is going on. often you would see in — through what is going on. often you would see in circumstances - through what is going on. often you would see in circumstances like - through what is going on. often you would see in circumstances like the| would see in circumstances like the with a leader with supportive allies to talk of the situation on the ground, orat to talk of the situation on the ground, or at least emphasised how critical it is in order to be sure that allies will be there at the hour of need. but i think president zelensky�*s remarks are this the new crisis for him, orfor zelensky�*s remarks are this the new crisis for him, or for anyone zelensky�*s remarks are this the new crisis for him, orfor anyone in ukraine. they've been living with this since 2014 —— this isn't. they aren't worried about the next russian invasion because there's already been won in 2014, they dealt with the consequences ever since.

perhaps the world has turned at the other way, and you wouldn't be surprised that there may be some bitterness about that, and suddenly, there a laser focus on what's happening on ukraine's border and worries about what comes next what comes next may be more of the same for president zelensky, and he did not dismiss the idea that there could be more conflict with russia, there could be a possible other russian invasion, but he said it's not certain and while you wait, better not to exaggerate what's happening. better not to exaggerate what's ha eninu. . better not to exaggerate what's haueninu. . . better not to exaggerate what's hauuenin, ., . ., �*, happening. thanks so much, that's l se happening. thanks so much, that's lyse doucet- _ the bbc understands the senior civil servant investigating lockdown parties at number ten downing street will not wait for a police inquiry into the events to conclude before publishing her own report. it's thought sue gray's findings will be handed to the prime minister in the coming hours or days. however, no exact

timescale has been given. the metropolitan police has also issued a statement saying it has received material from the cabinet office to support its own investigation. it comes after days of confusion over when the report would be released. commander catherine roper, who is heading up the police inquiry said the mp5 has today received the material it requested from the cabinet office to support its investigation. with a background to the story, here's a report from our political correspondent, iain watson. which rules could have been broken behind the famous black door during lockdown? a report by the senior civil servant sue gray was expected

to provide some answers this week. that was until cressida dick, the country's top police officer, said this. the met is now investigating a number of events that took place at downing street and whitehall. the metropolitan police had said then it had no objections to sue gray's report being published, but today, the police seemed to object to some potentially crucial parts of its content being made public, saying in a statement... in other words, they don't want to see too much made public about the more serious allegations until they have carried out their own work. it's very important that nothing is done that

hampers an investigation, but equally, it's fundamentally important that sue gray's report is issued as soon as practical. sue gray's task is to set out the facts about events such as the bring your own booze in the downing street garden, and the apparently raucous leaving dos on the eve of prince philip's funeral. intervention by police seems to have taken sue gray's team at whitehall by surprise, and that's because i'm told she was already willing to make minimal changes to her report to address police concerns. but i'm also told that she is far less keen to make only minimal mentions of some of the more controversial events in case she is accused of a whitehall whitewash. but sources have told the bbc sue gray has also faced wrangling over the wording of a report from inside the civil service, causing delay, and the labour leader says that any further delays could be damaging. what i want to see is sue gray's. report in full and the investigation

finished as quickly as possible because we're in a situation . where the whole of - government is paralysed. and another party leader, ed davey of the lib dems, went as far as to suggest it looked like a stitch up with the metropolitan police leadership and number ten. downing street denied it had been in contact with the police. and the report's contents really matter to conservative mps, as some of them will try to oust borisjohnson if they don't like what they see. and just look at what the former occupant of number ten said in a letter obtained by her local paper. theresa may stated... some say that the events have descended into farce at the heart of government. but for those directly affected by the tragedy of the pandemic, it's no laughing matter. for the people who are here at the wall every week painting hearts, it's infuriating, it's distressing and it's really disappointing.

the heart of the matter now is whether the sue gray report can be delivered without delay or delusion. iain watson, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent, helen catt, has the latest from westminster. the bbc understands that there is an expectation that sue gray's support will be published soon, but beyond that, we don't know how quickly that might be, just that she is not going to wait for the outcome of any police investigation. but the big question, of course, is what is going to be published? is it going to be the full report or is it going to be redacted? at this stage, we simply don't know. we know, as you said, the met police have issued another statement today, saying that all they had requested was the minimal reference to be made in the cabinet office report, and they had said that they haven't delayed it, the timing of their release is a matter for the cabinet office inquiry team. she has got terms of reference that she is working within for this inquiry. so, when it was set up, the point of it was to find out about these gatherings,

the nature of them, the attendance, the setting, and the purpose. so, that was her remit, if you like. it is how much of that we get to see when it is handed over. and as you heard in iain's report, it has been suggested that sue gray is very keen not to be seen to be removing any of those details. and we did get a bit more detail as well in the metropolitan police statement about what may happen through their investigations. so, it said the offences under investigation, where proven, would normally result in the issue of a fixed penalty notice, and there investigative actions would be proportionate to the nature and their investigative actions would be proportionate to the nature of those offences. it says that the individuals who are identified as having potentially broken the rules will be contacted in writing and invited to explain their actions. and, after that process, if there's sufficient evidence, then, without a reasonable excuse, then officers will decide if enforcement action is appropriate. so, we know what the police is going to do. we know that sue gray still intends to deliver this report, but as i said, the big question at the moment, is exactly

thanks to helen for the latest there. stay with us on news. still to come... all the sport including the latest from the australian open. this is the moment that millions and iran have been waiting for. in iran have been waiting for. after his long years in exile, the first hesitant steps on iranian soil. the next south africa's white government has offered its black opponents concessions on unparalleled in history of apartheid. the leader is to be set free unconditionally. three, two, one. a countdown to a critical moment. the world's most powerful rocket ignited all 27 - of it engines at once, - and apart from its power, it's this recycling of the racket, - slashing the cost of the launch that

makes this a break there - in the business of space travel. two americans have become the first humans to walk in space without any lifeline to their spaceship. one of them called it a piece of cake. thousands of people have given alan macarthur a spectacular homecoming after she smashed the world record for a sailing solo around the world non—stop. welcome back. this is bbc news. the headlines. the us secretary of defense says russia has the military capability to strike ukraine but tells vladimir putin it's not too late to prevent a conflict. the bbc understands the senior civil servant investigating lockdown parties in number ten downing street will not wait for a police inquiry into the events to conclude, before publishing its own report. the united nations world food programme says more than 80% of people in the ethiopian region of tigray haven't got enough to eat. it says no un food convoy has

reached the area since mid—december and 100 trucks a day are needed to prevent starvation. government forces have been fighting tigrayan rebels in northern ethiopia for more than a year. it's appealed to the warring parties to allow aid in. tomson phiri, a spokesperson for the world food programme in geneva explains how continuing conflict is exacerbating hunger in the region. this is what15 months of war buys you. food insecurity in tigray has plummeted since the start of this crisis. now, you are talking about 2 million people of the population of tigray severely food insecure. the numbers are quite stark. you are talking about 2 million people in tigray. almost the entire population of tigray needs help. approximately 83% of the population, which is about 4.6 million people are food insecure and are struggling to find enough food to eat. the situation is even worse

when you look at malnutrition rates. we have over 30% of children under the age of five, half the women who are pregnant and nursing who were found to be malnourished in tigray. in neighbouring regions, the situation is no better. you have more than i4%. and in another region, you have up to 28% of children under the age of five. that is way, way above the emergency threshold of 15% who are all malnourished. the situation is quite bad. speaking to people there on the ground, people have not been able to harvest, people do not know where their food is coming from. some people who didn't need assistance in the past are having to rely on assistance today because they have no other means, they have no one to turn to. and in the period that we are looking at, in november when we did this study, we realised, actually, that food assistance was the difference for most of these people. we need guarantees from all parties

to the conflict and formally agreed transport carrying into the tigray region instantly. so that they are able to supply and reach millions of people who are in need of life—saving assistance. we need support from politicians, from the federal authorities, as well as the regional authorities in ethiopia. thanks to thompson for that. 0lly has all the sport. hi. did we can of tennis coming up. rafael nadal is still on record for a title. he's reached the australian open final for past italy's 0pen final for past italy's champion. 0pen champion daniil medvedev, who was also taken to four sets against stefanos tsitsipas. nadal will have huge support on sunday as he looks to make history but after his recent battles with injuries , just reaching with injuries, just reaching

the final is a bonus for the spaniard. i , for ,for me, , for me, it's a president is to be here, and taking with the spirit he has, because i can't win against the —— it's my personal dna. rafa -- it's my personal dna. rafa was the same after _ -- it's my personal dna. rafa was the same after the _ -- it's my personal dna. rafa was the same after the new— -- it's my personal dna. rafa was the same after the new year. - -- it's my personal dna. rafa was the same after the new year. the | the same after the new year. the problems— the same after the new year. the problems like four years ago, when he started — problems like four years ago, when he started winning everything. so, it's a _ he started winning everything. so, it's a great— he started winning everything. so, it's a great rivalry, and i'm happy to have _ it's a great rivalry, and i'm happy to have the — it's a great rivalry, and i'm happy to have the chance to try to stop one more — to have the chance to try to stop one more time somebody from making history. _ one more time somebody from making history. but— one more time somebody from making history, but again, just need to show— history, but again, just need to show my— history, but again, just need to show my best tennis. tyson fury will defend his wbc world heavyweight title against fellow brit and mandatory challenger dillian whyte. fury had been trying to negotiate a unification fight with 0lexander usyk who holds all the other world heavyweight titles, but anthonyjoshua has a rematch with the ukrainian and wouldn't step aside,

so fury will take on whyte. a date and venue for the fight is still to be confirmed, but is likely to be in the uk in april. an unbeaten century from the england captain heather knighthas given her side half a chance in the one—off heather knight has given her side half a chance in the one—off women's ashes test in canberra. katherine brunt took five wickets before australia declared on 337—9. knight will resume on 127 on day three but england are 8 wickets down, still trailing by 102. australia will retain ashes if they win the match, lose or draw then the multi—format series is still alive with three one—dayers to play. golf's dubai desert classic is at the half—way stage. south africa'sjustin harding is out in front on 11 under par. adding a 68 to his 65 on the opening day. there's a strong british contingent in the chasing pack, england”s tyrell hatton just two shots back and northern ireland's rory mcilroy, a two time winner in dubai, is one of five players on seven under, lee westwood, paul casey and tommy fleetwood are a shot further back.

i certainly hit the ball as good as i certainly hit the ball as good as i have _ i certainly hit the ball as good as i have is— i certainly hit the ball as good as i have is a — i certainly hit the ball as good as i have is a time, _ i certainly hit the ball as good as i have is a time, but— i certainly hit the ball as good as i have is a time, but 66- i certainly hit the ball as good as i have is a time, but 66 this - i have is a time, but 66 this afternoon _ i have is a time, but 66 this afternoon is a _ i have is a time, but 66 this afternoon is a good - i have is a time, but 66 this afternoon is a good score. i i have is a time, but 66 this i afternoon is a good score. sets i have is a time, but 66 this - afternoon is a good score. sets me ”p afternoon is a good score. sets me up for— afternoon is a good score. sets me up for a _ afternoon is a good score. sets me up for a nice — afternoon is a good score. sets me up for a nice weekend. _ 0n the pga tour, the third round of the farmers insurance 0pen is underway in california, jon rahm and justin thomas share the lead on 14 under. the top women players are in florida, still out on the course at lpga tournament in boca rio new zealand's lydia ko is the clubhouse leader on 11 under, but danielle kang isjust behind on nine under. fairly big gap to the rest of the field, although england's jodie ewart—shadoff is still out there, tied for third at seven under. that's all the sport for now. thanks. let's leave you with pictures of an incredible frost formation on a rock resembling a fish eye that has been spotted by an unsuspecting photographer in england. leigh pugh was hoping to get a picture of the sunrise in the derbyshire peak district when he got the feeling he was being watched. the 51—year—old said it was too

cloudy to capture the sunrise butjust as he was heading off he noticed something a bit fishy. this is bbc news. hello. the north of the country is in for a stormy weekend, both on saturday and later on sunday, but the overall message for most of us is not necessarily a stormy one. we'll call it quite windy with a mixture of sunshine and showers. right now, just to the west of us, we have storm malik forming, and this storm will be approaching scotland through the course of friday night and into the early hours of saturday. the worst of the weather will occur during the day on saturday. but all the while, across england and wales through the evening and night, the weather's actually relatively quiet and dry. here's the storm forming just to the west of the hebrides early hours of saturday morning. it's also pushing in very mild air from the southern climes, so that means that on saturday morning, temperatures in some western areas will be around 10

degrees, so a really mild start to the day. now, here's the weather map for saturday, and noticed these pressure lines, these isobars. that's that very strong wind current flowing out of the northwest, and let's have a look at the warnings from the met office because they have been updated recently. now an amberwarning in force for eastern parts of scotland, so for the populated areas here and aberdeenshire, perth into edinburgh as well, yellow warnings of wind elsewhere. but the highest gusts will actually be in exposed places of northwestern scotland, we think. 18 mph, possibly more. very windy across northern england, less windy in the south, but actually, a lot of sunshine on offer on saturday. however, the south on saturday, the southern counties, could end up being cloudy for most of the day. so, the storm, malik, pulls away into the baltic, and this next one comes in, so we are for two rounds of severe gales. early on saturday or sunday, this sunday, the weather's

looking absolutely fine. certainly some sunshine across many parts of england, but later on sunday, rain sweeps into northern ireland, scotland, some mountain snow as well, and this is, again, a developing storm. so, severe gales in the western isles, 18 mph likely, gales felt across northern england, possibly into the midlands and even into parts of east anglia. a really blustery sunday night into monday, and monday morning, we could have travel disruption across some northern parts of the uk. next week, it does look as though it's going to remain pretty unsettled. take care.

this is bbc world news, the headlines. the us defence secretary said the us military will continue to support diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions over ukraine. earlier mr putin told his french counterpart, russia had no plans for an offensive. the bbc understands the senior civil servant investigating lockdown parties at number 10 downing street will not wait for a police inquiry to conclude. it's thought sue gray's report will be handed to the prime minister in the coming hours or days, fresh doubts have emerged over the timing of the positive covid test novak djokovic used to enter australia to try to compete in the australian open. it was submitted to exempt him from rules barring unvaccinated people. more than 300 scientists and public health experts have called on the british government to help developing countries make their own covid vaccines. they want the uk to support the waiving of intellectual property rights on jabs.

at ten o'clock, clive myrie will be