�*welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. britain's most senior police officer, cressida dick, is to step down after the mayor of london said he had no confidence in her leadership. difficult diplomacy — a frosty meeting in moscow between britain's foreign secretary and her russian counterpart. translation: will make the conversation we had was like a deaf person talking to someone who is mute. canadian truckers block a second bridge in their protest over covid restrictions, with the economy now counting the cost. and doing a turn on newsday — filipino figure skater michael martinez tells us what it's like to

train in the tropics for the winter olympics. hello and welcome to the programme. brtain�*s most senior police officer, the chief of the london metropolitan police, cressida dick, has resigned. she's leaving the post two years earlier than expected after the mayor of london expressed reservations about her ability to reform the police force. a recent police watchdog report into misconduct found evidence of it described as "disgraceful misogyny and discrimination", including racist, anti—semitic and homophobic behaviour. june kelly reports she made history when she became the first female commissioner

of the country's largest force. but tonight, cressida dick's long policing career was brought to a sudden end. following contact with the mayor of london today, it is quite clear that he no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership of the metropolitan police service for me to continue as commissioner. he has left me no choice but to step aside. the mayor, sadiq khan, had already put out his statement. it's clear that the only way to start to deliver on the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the metropolitan police. what would be a decisive day on the job for cressida dick began at the bbc, and a radio phone in. responding to a grilling about her performance, she pledged her determination to carry on.

i have absolutely no intention of going. 2a hours earlier, the mayor of london, sadiq khan, had issued an ultimatum. my expectation is the next time i see her i want to see what her response is. but their working relationship is over. the finale to a torrid 12 months from the met. it was almost a year ago that one of their own officers, wayne couzens, used his police powers to kidnap sarah everard of a london street and then rape and murder her. with a killer policeman under arrest, as women gathered for a vigil in memory of sarah, these were the images which went viral. more bad headlines for the met. the reputation of the netl was much more important than the people she was meant to serve. - by not admitting that there are deep systemic issues, i they are not going to be able to solve them. _ while pressure has been

building on cressida dick, a few months ago politicians gave her more time, with priti patel extended her contract. now the behaviour at number 10 has led to the partygate investigation, but even in this, the met has gathered more criticism for being flat—footed in its response. and then, in recent days, shocking messages sent by some officers at charing cross police station lifted the lid on racist and sexist attitudes which were redolent in policing in the 1970s. in a separate scandal, two officers regarding a murder scene where two sisters had been killed also sent abusive messages. those officers ended up in prison. after five years at the helm, cressida dick will soon be leaving scotland yard for the last time. the murder of sarah everard and many other awful cases recently have, i know, damaged confidence in

this fantastic police service. there is much to do, and i know that the met has turned its full attention to rebuilding trust and confidence, and to raising our standards. tonight, the home secretary paid tribute to dame cressida. she began thejob is a popular pioneer, but her tenure has ended with her losing the faith of both the politicians and the public. president biden has warned us citizens to leave ukraine now. in a tv interview with nbc news he says "things could go crazy quickly" in ukraine. it comes after yet anothe rday of frantic diplomatic activitiy — in a moment we'll here about a particularly frosty meeting in moscow between the british foreign secretary liz truss and her russian counterpart sergei lavrov. at the same time as that

meeting was underway. borisjohnson has been at nato headquarters — meeting withjens stoltenberg — nato's secretary general. there were blunt assessments — from both. yellow match a package of support to strengthen further our collective security sending troops, planes and ships to protect nato from north to south. �* , ., , ., , south. but the states are very hiuh. in south. but the states are very high- in this— south. but the states are very high. in this very _ south. but the states are very high. in this very dangerous i high. in this very dangerous moment. and at stake or the rules to protect every nation, every nation, big and small. the mech this is a dangerous moment. the number of russian forces is going up, the time forces is going up, the time for possible attack, nato is not a threat to russia but we

are prepared for the worst. leaders of the baltic states have been calling on nato allies to increase military support in eastern europe. in recent weeks, russia has massed well over a hundred thousand troops, along with tanks and artillery, on the border with ukraine, but denies planning to invade. here's steve rosenberg in moscow on the diplomatic manoerves there. for liz truss, the day began by the kremlin at the tomb of the unknown soldier, a sign of respect for russia before the difficult diplomacy. she's only been foreign secretary five months. sergey lavrov has been in the job 18 years. a big difference. and there were major differences of opinion. mr lavrov called western politicians "indoctrinated", the british diplomats "unprepared", and on the subject of ukraine...

translation: the conversation we had was like a deaf person i talking to someone who's mute. we were listening to one another, but not hearing each other. i certainly wasn't mute i in our discussions earlier. i put forward the uk's point of view on the current - situation and the fact thatl as well as seeking to deter russia from an invasion - into ukraine, we are also very resolute in pursuing| the diplomatic path. what we saw here today was diplomacy without any of the diplomatic niceties. no hint of compromise. instead, a very public clash between britain and russia over ukraine and over the whole question of european security. it's moscow's military activity near ukraine that's causing concern in the west, like joint drills involving russia and belarus.

but mr lavrov insisted russia has no plans for an invasion. it does stretch credulity that there are no plansl when there are 100,000 troops lined up on the _ ukrainian border. so we need to see those words from sergey lavrov translated i into action of de—escalating and moving those troops i away from the border. it feels a little bit as if it's france and not the uk which is a leading diplomatic efforts. and we had president macron in moscow this week. is it the case that the uk is sort of playing catch—up here or playing second fiddle? it's very important that - france, the united kingdom, germany, the united states and all of our allies - are involved in this effort. this is not about alternatives — this is about all— working together. but russian state tv has been working against liz truss,

calling her "clueless", "incompetent". i think when people resort to personal attacks, - it's when they have no good political argument to make. this was the first visit by a british foreign secretary to moscow for more than four years. is that called soft power? but after a day of very public disagreements, uk—russian relations feel as frosty as ever. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. earlier, i spoke to daniel fried former us assistant secretary of state for european and asian affairs. i asked him just how serious a situation it was now that biden has asked american citizens to leave ukraine. vladimir putin could launch a full—scale war against ukraine. it would look like scenes from world war ii. it doesn't mean that vladimir putin will do this, it means he can, he might, he's threatening in the

biden administration is properly warning americans. it would rather warn them and have nothing happen, then failed to warn them and have them caught in a full—scale invasion. now, putin may not invade. this may be his attempt at coercive diplomacy to intimidate the ukrainians by the threat of war. but we cannot rule out a full—scale war. signs are not great. i5 full-scale war. signs are not areat. , ., ., , ., ., ., great. is a former diplomat to the administration, _ great. is a former diplomat to the administration, what - great. is a former diplomat to the administration, what kind| the administration, what kind of advice would you give presidentjoe biden at the moment? i president joe biden at the moment?— president joe biden at the moment? , ., j moment? i believe that they're doinu 0k moment? i believe that they're doing ok with _ moment? i believe that they're doing ok with this _ moment? i believe that they're doing ok with this problem. . doing ok with this problem. they were slow to recognise it, a few stumbles out of the gate but the biden administration is done the right thing. it work with europe, the uk, rally the transatlantic community to respond to vladimir putin's

threats at the same time offer a diplomatic off ramp to vladimir putin. i don't know if you'll take it. the best case may an ugly continuation of threats and pressure. but the biden administration has handled this pretty well, i think. they didn't want this crisis, they could've had a better relationship with russia, but the prudent did the task and working with the key allies. and we are where we should be, but it's not a great place. should be, but it's not a great lace. ~ . , should be, but it's not a great lace, . ., , ., ' should be, but it's not a great lace. ~ ., , ., , should be, but it's not a great lace. . ., , ., , ., place. what is the off ramp for vladimir putin? _ place. what is the off ramp for vladimir putin? how— place. what is the off ramp for vladimir putin? how does - place. what is the off ramp for vladimir putin? how does he l vladimir putin? how does he backed down from the de—escalation situation without losing face? i de-escalation situation without losing face?— losing face? i doubt he will back down _ losing face? i doubt he will back down in _ losing face? i doubt he will back down in a _ losing face? i doubt he will back down in a way - losing face? i doubt he will back down in a way that . losing face? i doubt he will| back down in a way that will look like backing down. he is not going to pull back the forces and say now we will give peace a chance. the best likely solution, the best realistic case is probably that of more

tension, even increase provocation as we see in the black sea today. but the russians halting movement in large areas of the black sea. more intimidation, but no invasion. that is the best case. the west has to prepare itself for both the dirksen areas of a full—scale war in the nasty scenario though not quite as awful of continued pressure and intimidation designed to achieve prudent�*s aim to crush ukrainian independence and sovereignty but without the the full—scale war. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. the former conservative prime minister, sirjohn major, has accused the current pm borisjohnson and his officials, of breaking lockdown rules and dreaming up "brazen

excuses" to "defend the indefensible". in a speech, sirjohn insisted deliberate lies to parliament should always be "fatal" to political careers all abandoned wells in morocco will be surveyed following the tragic death of a young boy earlier this week. rayan's plight at the bottom of a narrow thirty—two metre deep borehole gripped millions in morocco and beyond. a water ministry official said the survey was designed to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. he said those who dug wells that flouted regulations would be required to pay to make them safe. the french virologist, luc montagnier, who was awarded the nobel prize for medicine for jointly discovering the virus that causes aids, has died. he and a colleague identified the human immunodeficiency virus in 1983 and their work helped lead to researchers developing tests for hiv and then modern treatments such as anti—retroviral drugs.

now to developments in canada, where the border crossing between the province of manitoba and the united states has become the latest to be blocked, by anti vaccine mandate protesters. police say the crossing has been blockaded using both vehicles and farm equipment. this follows the blocking of the ambassador bridge that connects canada with michigan — america's car production hub. as a result, ford and toyota have halted some production. the governor of michigan has called for the bridge to be re—opened. canada's capital 0ttowa has been the centre of protests by truckers for several days. they're angry at the government's covid 19 restrictions. 0ur correspondent samira hussain sent this update from ottawa. if there is any sense that this is going to resolve sometime soon, that doesn't seem to exist. from a lot of the people i've

spoken to share over the past several days, the resolve to stay here for the long term it's really quite strong. of challenge, how do you actually get this crowd to disperse in a peaceful kind of manner while making sure everyone is back safe. this protest may have started in ottawa almost two weeks ago, it has spread to other parts of the country and most crucially, to canadian land borders with the united states, some of those land borders are responsible for more than 20% of trade between the two countries. and that is why you're hearing from a lot of american politicians and canadian politicians urging from the blockades, more specifically near the border to be opened up. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme.

india's row over the hijab in schools and colleges continues there's mr mandela, mr nelson mandela, a free man taking his first steps into a new south africa. iran's spiritual leader, ayatollah khamenei, has said he's passed a death sentence on salman rushdie, the british author of a book which many muslims say is blasphemous. the people of haiti have flocked to church to give thanks for the ousting of their former president, ba by doc duvalier. because of his considerable value as a stallion, - shergar was kept in a special secure box in the stud - farm's central block. shergar was driven away. in a horse box the thieves had brought with them. there stepped down from the plane a figure in mourning — elizabeth ii, queen of this realm and all her other realms and territories,

head of the commonwealth, defender of the faith. still to come a bit later in the programme: but first. the commissioner of london's metropolitan police, cressida dick, is to step down after the mayor of london said he had no confidence in her leadership. president biden tells us citizens to leave ukraine now, warning "things could go crazy quickly" let's turn to india now — where there will be a partial opening of educational institutions in the indian state of karnataka from monday. they've been closed amid rising tensions over students

being stopped from wearing the islamic headdress — the hijab — in classrooms. there have been rival protests and violence over the ruling. the bbc�*s divya arya has more this woman wears at home what brought so much tension at college. she's the most recent emblem of india's politics of the hijab. i just saw a crowd of youngsters who were wearing shawls. i was just passing. but then, they all started attacking me. and they were telling me, go back, you are not allowed to the class by wearing burqa. and they were coming and they are also telling me to remove this and go back. it telling me to remove this and no back. . , telling me to remove this and no back. ., , ., ., ., go back. it was one front in an escalating _ go back. it was one front in an escalating row. _ go back. it was one front in an escalating row. over- go back. it was one front in an escalating row. over whetherl escalating row. 0ver whether people can wear this in classrooms in the southern state. where demand where islamic headdresses were met with protesters wearing shawls,

a symbol of hinduism and the respective slogans came to the four. i was angered and scared and then i shouted so... something women say they been doing in the past wearing hijabs. women started wearing the hi'ab hijabs. women started wearing the hijab in _ hijabs. women started wearing the hijab in school, _ hijabs. women started wearing the hijab in school, we - the hijab in school, we complained that we have a right to decide — complained that we have a right to decide on the uniform and according _ to decide on the uniform and according to the state education act of 1995, the institution has the right to prescribe the uniform and students must follow it. cited judgements _ students must follow it. cited judgements by _ students must follow it. cited judgements by quarter. - students must follow it. (1 tar. judgements by quarter. now they have to decide on the dispute. this college is one of many in the state for students war this

to protest women's believed where head scarves. all schools and colleges have been shut this week while they wait for the court to come to a decision. critics say the state administration has done little to engage the students in dialogue. instead, allowing opinions to polarise. polarisation that is led to at times, violent protests across the country. that is about more than outward appearances. particularly for india's 200 million muslims. who, while great in number, are a minority. there are authorities of prevented gatherings of more than four people. but that does not stop off in a hostile debate from flourishing online. please, do not update the status as hindu versus muslims.

not only for us, not for the non—muslims and muslim girls, everyone should stand for the right. everyone should stand for the riuht. ., ., right. online and in real life, riahts right. online and in real life, rights and — right. online and in real life, rights and beliefs _ right. online and in real life, rights and beliefs are - right. online and in real life, rights and beliefs are in - right. online and in real life, rights and beliefs are in a . rights and beliefs are in a painful confrontation. the international olympic committee has refused to provide details on the �*legal issue' which has delayed the presentation of the team figure—skating medals. unconfirmed reports in the russian media claim that fifteen—year—old kamila valieva — who became the first female skater to perform a quadruplejump at the olympics — has tested positive for a banned substance. staying with the olympics — and it's not unusual to see athletes from colder climates excelling — with a familiar list of countries dominating the medal table. but what about athletes who come from warmer climes — where winter sports are a rare pursuit? this year sees debutants from saudi arabia and haiti. so what's it like to compete in winter sports in countries that barely even have a winter?

i'm joined now by michael martinez in los angeles. he was the first ever southeast asian skater to qualify for a winter games — competing for the philippines. he took part in sochi in 2014 and south korea in 2018. i think many in our audience must be thinking the same thing as i am, how do you get into skating when you grow up in the philippines?— philippines? thank you so much for this opportunity. _ philippines? thank you so much for this opportunity. yes, - philippines? thank you so much for this opportunity. yes, i - for this opportunity. yes, i definitely started in the philippines and austin is going around the mall and i saw the skating rink there and obviously, i got interested in surprised, why is there rink here? when i first saw it, i

tried it right away and fell in love with the sport right away. so, yeah. love with the sport right away. so. yeah-— so, yeah. when you started in the philippines _ so, yeah. when you started in the philippines yet _ so, yeah. when you started in the philippines yet this - the philippines yet this ambition of becoming an ice skaterfrom a young ambition of becoming an ice skater from a young age, presumably for stumbles the reaction, notjust from that from people in the sporting industry? a. from people in the sporting industry?— from people in the sporting indust 7�* ., ., , industry? a lot of people were not as supportive _ industry? a lot of people were not as supportive because - industry? a lot of people were | not as supportive because when i was starting, they were saying that all, it might be impossible for you to be able to reach the olympics and stuff? but eventually, when i was starting to more and more and compete more, they're seeing the progress and other views on me were changing and very positive and 0k, you're gonna make it.— very positive and 0k, you're conna make it. , gonna make it. ever seeing some the images _ gonna make it. ever seeing some the images of _ gonna make it. ever seeing some the images of that _ gonna make it. ever seeing some the images of that achievement, | the images of that achievement, the images of that achievement, the achievements that you had

throughout the sporting career, your 0lympic career. congratulations on that. to stalk us through how difficult it was to reach those heights given the fact that you come from a place that doesn't have much experience in this sport. it is difficult for me to honestly just to train and it is difficult for me to honestlyjust to train and to a the hardest stuff in figure skating because first of all, the sport is not as popular in the sport is not as popular in the philippines before and second of all, at the travel outside of the country to train and it gets pretty expensive to really train and to get the coachesin really train and to get the coaches in the living expenses and everything. so that's pretty difficult.— and everything. so that's pretty difficult. yes indeed. i am so sorry. _ pretty difficult. yes indeed. i am so sorry, we _ pretty difficult. yes indeed. i am so sorry, we have - pretty difficult. yes indeed. i am so sorry, we have to - pretty difficult. yes indeed. i l am so sorry, we have to leave it there but there are so many other things i have to ask you. but all of the best. thank you forjoining us on the show.

that's all for now — stay with bbc world news. hello again. this time yesterday, we were looking at some hill snow in scotland causing a few issues on some of the higher scottish routes and some strong winds gusting 70 mph in the western isles. we had a covering of snow left over over the hills, and that was all courtesy of this area of cloud, an area of low pressure that's currently working across the north sea to bring some fairly windy weather to the netherlands through friday. out in the atlantic, meanwhile, we have the next weather system waiting to come in for the start of the weekend, but between that and that, we get that. it's an area of high pressure that's actually going to bring some fine weather our way for friday. 0ver recent hours, as that area of high pressure's been edging in closer, the number of showers

we've seen has dwindled. still a few left over across northwestern areas, and with the combination of clear skies and light winds allowing a widespread frost, could be a few icy patches around. lowest temperatures in aberdeenshire getting down to about —10 celsius. so, a freezing cold start to the day on friday, but some beautiful winter sunshine for most of you for most of the day. again, a few isolated showers coming and going across the northwest, and through the day, we're going to see the weather turn cloudier in northern ireland. temperatures — we're looking at highs close to the seasonal average for the time of year — perhaps six in glasgow, nine for cardiff and for london. there will be some rain developing friday night, and into saturday, that rain will be affecting parts of england and wales. doesn't reach the southeast of england and east anglia, where it will stay bright and breezy. there will be some fairly strong winds for many of us, but for scotland and northern ireland, frequent frequent showers and some bright spells between the showers. temperatures a little bit

higher, 8—10 degrees making it a mild day but perhaps not feeling so, given the strength of the winds. in talking of winds, the city of low pressure and on sunday is also set to bring more wet and windy weather our way. the wind may be a bit further northwards but not reaching northern scotland, where there will be some showers around, otherwise the rain will be quite heavy in the winds will be a your day, gales across other parts of england and wales into the english channel, cost around 50 or 60 miles an hour. strong enough to bring a few tree branches and some localised disruption on sunday from this system. next week looks pretty unsettled as well, often wet and windy, but it does turn very mild for a time. that's your weather.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour as newsday continues,