welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... myanmar in civil war, according to the united nations. a year after the military takeover, the un says the situation is becoming as serious as it is in syria. as russian forces show no sign of pulling back from ukraine's border, president putin accuses the us of trying to "drag russia into war". translation: their most important goali is to contain russia. in this sense, ukraine itself is just a tool to achieve this goal. the year of the tiger begins, but covid restrictions mean hundreds of millions of people can't go home to celebrate the lunar new year.

and a very specialjoey — the first southern koala born in europe as part of a major conservation drive. live from our studio in singapore. this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's 8am in singapore, and 6.30am in myanmar — where peaceful protests have turned into what the un has now described as a civil war. the un has also told the bbc that the situation in myanmar is becoming as serious as syria. it says more than $800 million is needed to tackle the humanitarian crisis, as 12 months of violence has forced 400,000 people to leave their homes, and led to more than

1,500 civilian deaths. one year ago on the 1st of february, the military seized control of the country. its leader, aung san suu kyi, was jailed after claims of widespread fraud following the 2020 election — though the election commission said there was no evidence of this. strikes and protests ensued, but the military put them down with live fire, water cannons, and rubber bullets. the country descended into civil war, with armed resistance and mass killings. to mark the year anniversary of the coup, a silent strike has taken place in towns and cities across the country as people stay at home in protest. 0ur south east asia correspondent jonathan head reports. they were colourful, peaceful and hopeful. mass protests in response to a shocking and unpopular coup. gunfire but within a month, protesters were being gunned down every day.

thousands of ordinary burmese people concluded they had no choice but to take up arms. today, myanmar is in the grip of escalating armed conflict, with volunteer people's defence forces attacking military targets all over the country. the army inflicting savage reprisals. the situation in myanmar, if we are not able to do something more strongly about it, it will echo so much the syria situation. we think we are on the verge of a national civil war because we do have, on one hand, repression, and with the response of the people who don't want to be killed. i met george, not his real name, a salesman who gave up hisjob to learn how to fight with an ethnic insurgent army at the border with thailand. i have to tell them, please accept us to get the training, and we will also try our best

to recruit more people. what about weapons? do you get weapons? no, not at all, because we can't afford that. you have to pay for your own guns? yes. i have to pay for my own guns, so we have to link with some people on the black market. what do you think about the soldiers? they are burmese people like you. of course, they have their own family, too. they might have a newborn baby. but soldiers are soldiers. and you are prepared to kill them? if necessary. not willingly. if necessary. but the constant fighting, month after month, is uprooting whole communities in myanmar. these families have fled for safety to the river that marks the border with thailand. the united nations is warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. to fight or flee — the stark

choices still confronting those who oppose the coup, and yet huge numbers still determined not to let the military crush their democratic hopes, leaving myanmar trapped in a brutal stalemate in which there is no clear way out. jonathan head, bbc news, on the thai—myanmar border. we'll have more on myanmar a bit later in the programme, when we'll be looking at why the military has become so powerful. do stay tuned for that. president putin says the us is ignoring russia's security concerns over ukraine. in his first public comment on the situation since december, he said washington had failed to address russia's key demand that nato should not expand further eastwards. meanwhile ukraine's president has warned that any russian invasion of his country would lead to a full—scale war in europe. he's been hosting britain's prime minister, borisjohnson, for talks in kyiv —

from where our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. for borisjohnson today, a change of subject, a change of place. he arrived in ukraine to make a show of support for a country facing the threat of invasion — a country where political survival has an existential meaning. first stop, the presidential palace. he told volodymyr zelensky that britain would always stand up for ukraine's freedom. he promised an £88 million in aid, and he had a clear warning for moscow — if a single russian toecap crossed the border, they would be met by devastating economic sanctions and a resolute ukrainian army. they will put up a very, very fierce and bloody resistance. and i think that parents, mothers in russia should reflect on that fact, and i hope very much that president putin steps back from the path of conflict.

translation: there would be a tragedy if an escalation - against our country starts. and that's why i'm saying openly that this wouldn't be a war between ukraine and russia _ this would be a full—scale war in europe. the uk's been one of ukraine's of most vocal supporters, sending them 2,000 anti—tank weapons and british troops to train ukrainian forces how to use them. but this is what's facing them just over the border — the continued build—up of more than 100,000 russian troops that moscow insists are training and pose no threat. president putin, meeting today his hungarian counterpart, insisted his country's security interests were not being addressed by the united states. "their most important goal is to control russia, that's the thing. in this sense, ukraine itself is just a tool to achieve

this goal," he said. the russian president is expected to speak to borisjohnson tomorrow — a planned call on monday was postponed because of the row over lockdown parties in downing street. why should the international community take your diplomacy seriously when you're so preoccupied at home? when you put talking to mps ahead of talking to the president putin? it's absolutely vital that the uk government should step up now and bring together our friends and partners in the west. russia has a gun to ukraine's head, mrjohnson said, and is using it to try to redraw the security map of europe. it was a critical moment. all sides saying that this is no longer about ukraine — it is about wider issues. you've got mr putin saying that the west are using ukraine as a tool to threaten his security. you've got mrjohnson saying that mr putin has a gun against ukraine's head to redraw the map

of european security. and you've got the president of ukraine saying, "well, look, if there's any fighting, this soon becomes a fully—fledged european war." the stakes could not be higher. james landale there. there's more background on this story on our website, including this analysis on whether or not russia indeed planning to invade ukraine. go to bbc.com/news, or download the bbc news app. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. the pharmaceutical company johnson &johnson and three major us drug distributors have ageed to pay about $600 million to settle lawsuits by native american communities devastated by the opioid crisis. the companies have not admitted wrongdoing, but the settlement will speed up the process of distributing funds. tonga is imposing a covid

lockdown after the pacific island nation, which had been virus—free, recorded two cases. the prime minister said the measures would be reviewed every two days. the two men who tested positive had been working in the capital's port, where humanitarian aid has been pouring in after last month's devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami. ethiopian airlines has flown a boeing 737 max plane for the first time since a fatal crash almost three years ago led to an international grounding of the aircraft. the airline had previously said it would be the last carrier to use the jets again. it said the decision to resume had come after intense re—certification by regulators in the eu, us and china. chinese and french oil giants have signed a $10 billion deal to build a 1,500—kilometre pipeline from land—locked uganda to the indian ocean. the pipeline will deliver crude from lake albert on uganda's border with the democratic republic of congo to the tanzanian coast.

it's estimated the lake lies on top of 6.5 billion barrels of oil. environmentalists are trying to block the project. it's the morning after the lunar new year — but celebrations have been muted for many. covid—19 has dampened the travel plans of hundreds of millions of people for a third straight year. pre—pandemic, the celebration would see as many as three billion trips made across china, and was the world's largest annual migration of people. chinese officials — still pursuing a zero—covid strategy — have enforced strict measures with days to go before the 2022 winter olympics begin. howard zhang is head of bbc chinese, and he explained the challenges people are facing. i guess for people within the chinese border, you know, there is still more

of a chance. you can make it home. for people outside the border, it's next to impossible — if you have family inside china and are trying to either fly in or take whichever way in, it would be very difficult. howard, in terms of the policies that the chinese government has put in place just within the country, the zero—covid strategy that it is still pursuing, and also some of the comments we've heard from officials telling people to not move around ahead of the 2022 winter olympics, because they are trying to keep cases down — how is that affecting sentiment around this very important festival for the chinese communities? i guess, you know, many people are definitely disappointed, and i know people who either live in hong kong or singapore, or sometimes in the us and canada, and the uk who want to go back home to see their

parents, grandparents, and certainly cannot. and you know, either there's no way you can get on a flight, or get a visa to go back. but even people within china at this moment — their local community leaders, or local officials are basically telling them — i think last week, there was even an online sensation, a local hubei province official telling their countryfolks who were working in foreign coastal cities, "do not maliciously come back" — and that really caused a stir in china because people said, "what you mean �*maliciously?”' but later on, those people understood. because those local officials have a duty to make sure

they maintain zero—covid. so for them to keep theirjob, the best thing to do is to discourage their own countrymen from coming back to the village or to the county. and that is really discouraging lots and lots of people from travelling. this year, i think so far from the official statistics, we're seeing a 40—60% drop compared to pre—covid travel. but the numbers during lockdown, this is higher at the moment. if you are celebrating the lunar new year, everyone here at bbc news wishes you a happy and prosperous one. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: far from home and very special, introducing the first southern koala born in europe.

this is the moment that millions in iran have been waiting for. after his long years in exile, the first hesitant steps of ayatollah khomeini on iranian soil. south africa's white government has offered its black opponents concessions unparalleled in the history of apartheid. and the anc leader, nelson mandela, is to be set free unconditionally. three, two, one. the countdown to the critical moment — the world's most powerful rocket ignited all 27 of its engines at once. and, apart of its power, it's this recycling of the rocket slashing the cost of the launch that makes this a breakthrough 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 the yachtswoman ellen macarthur a spectacular homecoming in the cornish port of falmouth, after she smashed the world

record for sailing solo around the world non—stop. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore. 0ur headlines... in singapore. peaceful protests in myanmar following last year's coup have turned into what the united nations has described as a civil war. russia's president putin has accused the west of ignoring his demands over security, and warned against nato allowing ukraine to join the organisation. more on myanmar now for you — as you've seen in our report at the start of the programme, the junta, known as the tatmadaw, has launched brutal attacks on civilians which the un says could amount to war crimes. but how did the tatmadaw, which ruled myanmarfor 18 years, become so powerful? 0ur reporter nick marsh has the background. it's said that most countries have an army —

but some armies have a country. and myanmar�*s tatmadaw has been the defining force in the country's modern history. but who are they, and what's made them capable of the sort of brutality that we've seen? the tatmadaw played an important role in myanmar�*s independence. they're the founders of the nation — or so they like to see themselves. to the current coup leader, the protesters are traitors — notjust to the country, but for what it means to be burmese. they are the guardians of the nation, the preservers of unity. and he often warns that without the tatmadaw, the nation could fall apart. myanmar is made up of more than 100 different ethnic groups, so it's been the site of dozens of mini civil wars, if you like, all across the country ever since independence —

that's seven decades of bloodshed, of campaign after campaign, and it's left tatmadaw soldiers battle hardened from the very top to the bottom. and it's left them accustomed crucially to killing within its own borders. the tatmadaw has been developed and shaped into this ruthless fighting machine that willjust follow orders robotically. but public opinion has never mattered much to the tatmadaw. they don't interact with the rest of society, they're quite insulated. and it's a giant echo chamber. the bottom line is, i don't think they care very much about what the world thinks. but one thing that they do care about is to project the same image they've always done — a fighting force that's secretive, superior, and accountable only to itself.

as we told you a little earlier on in the programme — the british prime minister borisjohnson has been visiting ukraine, but he's still facing political challenges in the uk. the fallout from monday's release of the initial findings into lockdown parties in downing street rumbles on. the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, says conservative mps still "overwhelmingly" support borisjohnson, despite a senior civil servant concluding there'd been a "failure of leadership." but another conservative mp said he has submitted a letter of no confidence in the prime minister. here's our political correspondent, chris mason. after a mauling from mps in public and pleading with his backbenchers in private yesterday, fleeing abroad — even to a potential war zone — must have felt like a relief for the prime minister today. but 1,500 miles and a few hours later, the questions he faces at home had

followed him to ukraine. he didn't want to say much about them... my focus is entirely on delivering on the priorities of the british people, and they include ensuring that we are secure in our relations with our friends and allies and that our friends and allies are secure. back here in westminster, conversation is still reflecting on the report that said there was rule—breaking at the top of government. not only did the prime minister and others break the rules, but they've taken the country for fools by insulting our intelligence in the cover—up that's gone on since. borisjohnson�*s promised a shake—up in how downing street works... are you sticking - around, chief whip? ..which means questions for the man in charge of persuading conservative mps to back the prime minister... are you making a run for it? ..and ones with the prime minister's chief of staff, too. down the road in parliament, one of mrjohnson�*s most

loyal allies insisted... we're moving on with delivering with the british people. we're implementing the manifesto in which he got an intensely personal mandate in 2019. but others have had enough... people want honesty! yeah, iagree. this conservative backbencher congratulated by a passer—by for talking candidly about his grandma's funeral. i didn't hug my siblings, i didn't hug my parents. i gave a eulogy, and then afterwards i didn't go into her house for a cup of tea. does the prime minister think i'm a fool? i feel this is tarnishing us all, and the longer it goes on, the more damage it does the conservative party as a whole. that means finding another leader? it may well do. i've had hundreds of people in my inbox overnight, and they don't feel that they can vote for this government as it stands. the prime minister has survived for now, but there are two big questions — for how long and can he recover? even some of borisjohnson�*s

biggest supporters acknowledge privately he has been damaged by this, perhaps irreversibly changing some people's perceptions of him. and this is farfrom over. with a police investigation ongoing, there is still the prospect the prime minister could be found to have broken the law. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. the manchester united footballer mason greenwood has been further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill. the 20—year—old premier league star was initially arrested on sunday afternoon on suspicion of the rape and assault of a young woman. dan roan is at old trafford. manchester united striker mason greenwood is now set to spend a third night in police custody. he was originally arrested on sunday on suspicion of rape and assault. and he has been questioned ever since. that was after a woman posted

allegations on social media. and in a statement tonight, greater manchester police said that the suspect continues to be questioned after magistrates authorised an extension until tomorrow. following inquiries so far, they said, he has since been further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill. greenwood has worked his way up here at the club from the academy. he made his debut in 2019, and he's become a key member of the first—team squad. he is yet to respond to these allegations. and finally, a story for the koala lovers out there. i have to admit, i am one of those. the first southern koala ever born in europe, has entered the world at longleat safari park, in wiltshire in the uk. the birth is part of a conservation drive, to learn more about the animals, which are under threat. they normally live of course, in australia. jonah fisher has that story.

i have got a little bit of news for you. james, a keeper at longleat safari park, is on a zoom with chris... oh, well, let's hear it! ..a koala expert in southern australia. so, i'd like to introduce you to — obviously, you know violet, one of your lovely adelaide koalas, but she also has a joey. oh, that's fantastic news, james! well done. congratulations, you're an uncle! absolutely brilliant. yeah, it's a little overwhelming. it's been quite a journey to get here. three—and—a—half years ago, violet was a koala pioneer, travelling from chris' park in australia to start england's only koala colony at longleat. when it was first born, violet's joey was the size of a jelly bean, and spent all of its time in its mother's pouch. now, six months on, the park and the koala are going public, and the joey is also starting to snack on more thanjust milk. so what the little joey is eating is called pap.

it's recycled koala poo from violet, which means that it's gone through her, which takes the toxin levels out of the leaf, meaning that it's safe for the joey, but gets it used to the leaves that it will eat in its future life. so there are two subspecies of koala — the northern koala, and what violet is, which is a southern koala, which is a bit bigger and hairier than its northern cousins. oh, look — it'sjust popping out there. they're probably the fussiest animal that we have. keeping the koalas happy so far from home is a major undertaking. if they don't like it, they will let you know very, very quickly. they only eat eucalyptus, some of which is grown specially for them in the grounds at longleat. growling with a new baby koala on site, this male is trying to persuade his partner to try for another. growling you don't have to be an expert in koala body language to recognise

a polite "no"! jonah fisher, bbc news. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello there. it was another windy day for many on tuesday, but the winds will be a notch down for the day ahead, as will the amounts of sunshine — actually, it's been the sunniestjanuary on record for england. and we did have a fair deal of sunshine during tuesday. but through the overnight period, we've introduced a weather front, and that weather front will mean a cloudier day for many and, in fact, it's giving us some patchy rain and drizzle, as well. now it's this weather front that i'm talking about — the rain most significant in the north, but i think it's just because it's introduced that milder air, we'll notice that difference. still a cold start in the far northeast of scotland and the northern isles. but, as i say, it's the change in wind direction — we've lost the north westerly, we're picking up this south—westerly air coming off the atlantic, it will be with us for a couple of days now — and so therefore,

there will be more cloud around, and some patchy rain and drizzle. the cloud sitting on the hills and the coasts in northern and western areas, giving some hill fog. but inland, there's a good chance of some brightness developing for parts of wales, the midlands, southern england, perhaps east of the pennines. it won't be as windy, but there'll still be a fair breeze blowing through the day, as you can see, a steady brisk breeze, but it's milder — temperatures of 11—12 celsius above where they should be for this time of year — except in the north of scotland, where we stay in the chilly air. and we continue to feed in that rain and that drizzle, and then, as we go through the night, something perhaps a little bit more significant across scotland, as you can see. and temperatures also held up because of all that cloud, and still that breeze at 7's and 8's. now, as we go through thursday, we do have that more significant weather front moving in. so again, ahead of it still quite unsettled, showery outbreaks of rain, some brightness — but this is looking more significant, isn't it? and behind it, it could turn to snow, some cold airdigging back in.

but for many, the day bringing stronger winds in the north, but a lot of drier weather, cloudierweather, milder weather further south, there's that mild air. but it's transient because they say it's with us through today and tomorrow, and then, behind it on friday, we sweep in with that northwesterly wind once again coming up from the arctic. so perhaps some snow on the trailing edge of this weather front, particularly over the hills, and then, plenty of wintry showers, rain, hail, sleet, yes, snow mostly over the hills following, but a much colder—feeling day by the time we get to friday. as ever, there's more on the website.

this is bbc news. we'll have all the main headlines as newsday continues, straight after hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur. of all the front lines in the so—called culture wars, none has stirred up more vitriol and bad blood than the argument over sex, gender and identity. how should society regard people who transition away from the biological sexual category they're born into? and what represents the truth of who we are — biology, or self—identity?

well, my guest is kathleen stock, a british academic,