welcome to bbc news — i'm david eades our top stories. countdown to a possible invasion — kyiv calls for a meeting with moscow — as a senior diplomat says ukraine may drop its ambitions to join nato if russia backs off. we are flexible trying to find the best best way out. if we have to go through some serious, i don't know, concessions, that is something we might do. concessions, that is something we might do. after a week of disruption, police clear the remaining protesters blocking a key bridge between canada and the united states a return home after a 50 year exile — why these people from islands in the indian ocean are at the centre of a land dispute between britain and mauritius and the wait is over

for the super excited fans at the super bowl — america's biggest sporting event kicks off in los angeles. will they — or won't they? as the warnings and anxieties continue to mount over the chances of russia invading ukraine, diplomatic missions will be coming thick and fast again this week in an effort to find some way to avoid war, starting with germany's new leader olaf scholz visiting kyiv and moscow. just as germany becomes the latest western nation to publicly warn that a russian invasion may be imminent, ukraine's government has called for a meeting with moscow. and the ukrainian ambassador to the uk has suggested his country might consider dropping its long—held ambition tojoin nato.

vadym pristaiko was speaking to the bbcjust a few hours ago. this is what is written in our constitution, and by being ambassador, by saying "might", i'm somehow going against the major document we have? what i'm saying here, that we are flexible trying to find the best way out. if we have to go through some serious, i don't know, concessions, that's something we might do, that's for sure. meanwhile — there's tens of millions of ukrainians now living with the grim threat of war — and particularly communities along the borders, close to where russia has amassed troops. our international correspondent orla guerin has travelled to the south—east of the country — near territory already held by russian—backed separatists to talk to residents of mariupol — as it's feared

that a russian invasion here could create a land corridorfrom russia to the crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. choir sings a hymn in ukraine, there is much to pray for. a nation that could be days from a devastating war if the worst fears in london and washington are realised. at this ukrainian orthodox service in the city of mariupol, they remembered their soldiers on the front line. father roman is a military chaplain. he says it's president putin who should be worried. "i think these are the final convulsions of the russian regime," he told me. "i hope people understand they shouldn't die for this regime." some here have faith that the worst can be averted,

that there is still time. "i think diplomatically, somehow, we will overcome this crisis," irina tells me. "i don't think that all russians support this kind of aggression towards ukraine." russia insists it won't invade. if it does, mariupol is within easy reach. this strategic port city is about 30 miles from the russian border, and kremlin—backed separatists are closer still. so sunday afternoon is now time to get to grips with an ak—47. weapons in young hands. what might the future bring for her? civilians lining up for a few hours�* military training with the national guard. the international warnings are getting more and more ominous. despite this, many here in ukraine still say they don't believe that president putin will invade. some, though, have come here to take up this

basic weapons training. they say they want to be readyjust in case. and that very much includes valentina, who is 78. a granny with a gun. translation: i am a very peaceful person and i can. forgive a lot of things. i can give away everything, but when something is taken against my will, when an invader comes, i will

resist and i will be furious. for now, just a training exercise, but soon it might be real. one commander here says he believes president putin's men are coming, but ukraine will fight them all the way. it will be not an easy warfor them. but you think he will try to invade? maybe, yes. the risks are very high, really. and soon? i think it will be... it may be started in a few days. there is a sense of peril for ukraine and its people, like five—year—old jaroslav. a sense that danger is closing in. orla guerin, bbc news, mariupol. i'm joined now by former us ambassador to ukraine, john herbst. he's now senior director of the atlantic council's eurasia center, and joins us from fairfax in virginia. thank you very much indeed for

joining us. let me ask you this first of all. we hear of ukrainian saying we need to be readyjust in case. here western countries from the us, uk, now 30 germany saying, we think an imminent. where do you sit on that spectrum? i think an imminent. where do you sit on that spectrum?— sit on that spectrum? i am a bit in between _ sit on that spectrum? i am a bit in between but _ sit on that spectrum? i am a bit in between but i'm - sit on that spectrum? i am a bit in between but i'm not. bit in between but i'm not certain that a invasion is imminent. the fact that my government and i know many of the people in senior positions in the government are saying this, that makes me think it cannot be dismissed but i think that the dangers depleted from a variety of reasons of launching a variety please make invasion are substantial and thatis invasion are substantial and that is where he has not pulled the trigger. why pay we have just heard from ukrainian ambassador to the uk saying while ukraine might announces nato ambitions because of the circumstances it finds itself then, i do think that is likely? do you think that would make a difference? i think that

is probably. he spoke of it as might, not wood. he is a seasoned diplomat, know him well, a former foreign minister of ukraine. they are probably saying this first, of course, to reacts but also how the people of ukraine the act. if the reaction strongly against from the people of ukraine this trial balloon will be no more than that. it trial balloon will be no more than that-— than that. it is a difficult thing to _ than that. it is a difficult thing to float _ than that. it is a difficult thing to float and - than that. it is a difficult thing to float and then l than that. it is a difficult. thing to float and then whip away, isn't it? is thing to float and then whip away, isn't it?— thing to float and then whip away, isn't it? is using mate and he is not, wellies and i and he is not, wellies and a senior position, he is not the foreign minister of ukraine and it is easy enough for the government in kyiv to back away from it again if the people of ukraine say this is unacceptable.- ukraine say this is unacceptable. ukraine say this is unacce table. ., , ~ ukraine say this is unaccetable. ., , ., ., unacceptable. let me ask you, a freshman in _ unacceptable. let me ask you, a freshman in many _ unacceptable. let me ask you, a freshman in many respects - unacceptable. let me ask you, a freshman in many respects as i freshman in many respects as german chancellor but this is his way, to a certain extent. what does he bring to the party at this stage?—

at this stage? well, for good or bad, at this stage? well, for good or had. his — at this stage? well, for good or bad, his politics _ at this stage? well, for good or bad, his politics on - at this stage? well, for good or bad, his politics on this i or bad, his politics on this question are seen as weak. even to this day, he is unable to say that if russia invades ukraine, it is dead. biden said it and he was silent. in germany infamously prevented the transfer of weapons from other nato allies to ukraine for weeks and weeks and weeks. i think going to ukraine and then moscow is a good idea but i'm not sure he will be received friendly fashion ukraine because the ukrainians probably do not see him as supportive against a very aggressive position. i’m supportive against a very aggressive position. i'm 'ust coin: aggressive position. i'm 'ust auoin to aggressive position. i'm 'ust going to ask i aggressive position. i'm 'ust going to ask whether, i aggressive position. i'mjust going to ask whether, you . going to ask whether, you probably have the british defence minister talking about everything munich in the air. for all the talk after that of what he really meant, presumably there is a little better with a finger pointing at germany. better with a finger pointing at germany-— better with a finger pointing at german . , ., ., , at germany. there is no doubt about it. german _

at germany. there is no doubt about it. german intellectuals| about it. german intellectuals have now taken this type of politics to task for good reason but the policy of the german government has not changed. schultz seems to weaken the possessions that merkel had taken in her last days so he needs either to adjust his policies or continue to expect criticism both from nato allies and pats public. we will wait to _ nato allies and pats public. we will wait to see how his visits go in kyiv and moscow. thank you very much indeed. my pleasure- _ you very much indeed. ij�*i pleasure. thank you very much indeed. m pleasure. thank you. thank you. police in canada say they've cleared the remaining protesters blocking a key bridge between canada and the united states, after a week of disruption — and will re—open the crossing after carrying out safety checks. despite a court order to end the demonstration against covid restrictions, trucks and cars had continued to block the ambassador bridge in ontario. jessica murphy reports.

it didn't take that many vehicles to block the busiest land border crossing in canada. but after days of disruption, police have cleared the ambassador bridge. a long stand—off between police and a handful of protesters lasted from saturday morning through the night. many finally chose to pack up and leave amid a police show of force. we want freedom back. and i heard the one cop say, "we're taking the trucks first." so, i mean, that's kind of the beginning of the end at that point, they're taking the trucks out and getting us next. but not all of them. demonstrators had been blocking the ambassador bridge for almost a week — part of widespread anti—vaccine mandate protests across the country that began in ottawa and have since spread more widely. the ambassador bridge is a key trade link between the us and canada. hundreds of millions in trade cross it each day. the blockade there had already begun to affect supply chains.

other border protests continue. under pressure from to address the crisis, prime minister spoke on friday.- the crisis, prime minister spoke on friday. present biden and i spoke on friday. present biden and i both _ spoke on friday. present biden and i both agree _ spoke on friday. present biden and i both agree that _ spoke on friday. present biden and i both agree that for i spoke on friday. present biden and i both agree that for the i and i both agree that for the security people on the economy, these blockades cannot continue.— these blockades cannot continue. ., , , continue. protesters are still here in the _ continue. protesters are still here in the city _ continue. protesters are still here in the city centre. i continue. protesters are still here in the city centre. a i here in the city centre. a demonstration that has gone on for over two weeks. police say they have plans to resolve the issue. it is of the national capital but there waiting for reinforcements. impatient with police response is directly told the it was time to go home but with almost 500 trucks blocking the streets of downtown ottawa and protesters dug and elsewhere, the success of windsor may prove challenging to replicate. voters in switzerland have backed a new law banning tobacco advertising anywhere young people might see it. in a referendum 56% supported the ban. the decision brings

switzerland, which has been slow to adopt tobacco prevention policies, into line with the rest of europe. imogen foulkes reports from bern. for years, switzerland has lagged behind its european neighbours when it comes to tobacco prevention. 27% of adults smoke — most start when they are teenagers. advertising on billboards, shops, and in the cinemas is allowed, but today, swiss voters said yes to a total ban. translation: i voted in favour of banning tobacco advertising on minors. the only argument for the opponents was that the swiss economy might collapse, but it seems more important to me to protect children from tobacco. we constantly hear of people ending up in hospitals, having huge health issues

or dying — and yet advertising is still here because of the money, as always. the world's biggest tobacco companies are based in switzerland. days before the vote, it was revealed that they had been financing the "no" campaign, warning that a ban on tobacco promotion could open the door to restrictions on advertising or other things. sugar, alcohol, even switzerland's beloved sausages. voters weren't impressed. tobacco—related illness claims almost 10,000 swisss lives a year. time, today's result suggest, to put health before profit. imogen foulkes, bbc news. the olympic fate of skater of kamila valieva will become clearer in the coming hours following a lengthy hearing into herfailed drugs test. she's due to take part in the individuals women's event on tuesday but the court of arbitration for sport will announce later whether to suspend her following that failed test in december. the decision by cas will also

determine whetehr the gold medal she's already won — in the team event — will stand stay with us on bbc news, still to come: the three trillion dollar man. and one of many people in the north of england receiving a massive compensation payout for storm damage — only to discover they may not have become overnight tycoons after all. nine years and 15,000 deaths after going into afghanistan, the last soviet troops were finally coming home — the withdrawal completed in good order, but the army defeated in the task it had been sent to perform. malcolm has been murdered. that has a terrible effect for the morale of the people. i'm terrified of the repercussions in the streets. one wonders who is next. as the airlift got under way,

there was no let up in the eruption itself. lava streams from a vent lower in the crater flowed down to the sea on the east of the island, away from the town for the time being. it could start flowing again at any time. the russians heralded their new generation space station with a spectacular night launch. they've called it mir, the russian for peace. this is bbc news, the latest headlines. ukraine calls for a meeting with russia — as a senior diplomat says kyiv may drop its ambitions to join nato if moscow backs off. after a week of disruption, police clear protesters — including anti—vaxers — at a key crossing between canada and the us.

the remote chagos islands, in the indian ocean, have been under british control for 50 years — but now mauritius is trying to claim them back. it has sent a boat to the islands and raised the mauritian flag. the united nations says britain must hand it back — but the uk refuses to do so while america uses one of the islands for a military base. when britain took over the chagos islands, it expelled the local population of around 2,000 people. now, some of those who've been in exile for decades have returned, along with a group of scientists on a research trip . our africa correspondent andrew harding joined them. farfrom anywhere, a hidden archipelago. these isolated islands have been strictly off—limits for half a century. boat horn blasts.

but today, rare access — and a remarkable homecoming. these chagos islanders were forced to leave by britain in the early 1970s. as their feet touch home sand, the emotions surge. this woman was just 21 and pregnant when the british killed her dog and ordered her to leave. "i'm happy to be allowed home," she said, "but sad that i can't stay." this is a short visit, and there is work to be done. it feels to me like somebody who comes home after a long break and wants to tidy up — is that how you feel? of course, you know, as i said, there's not a better place than where you were born, where you lived. and now, the group heads inland — the empty decades have turned their thriving village into a lost world.

in the ruins of the old church, the mood turns to anger. i'm very angry at the uk government. who didn't respect the fundamental rights of my people. do you feel you've been denied your life here? yes, of course! britain still claims sovereignty over all these ruins, citing security concerns about a nearby american military base. but international law now says britain must let the islanders return permanently, and must not cling onto a piece of its old empire. the international court ofjustice has ruled they have a right to come back — and that failure to allow them to come back is a continuing wrong.

actually, i think not allowing people to return to their homes is recognised as a crime against humanity, and it needs to be sorted out. and so, officials from mauritius now prepare their flagpole, boldly staking claim to the chagos archipelago. we are asking britain to wake up to the reality of the situation, that their position is untenable. it is extraordinary to think that these exquisite islands have been cut off from the outside world for half a century. and this visit by the mauritian government has challenged and maybe changed that. it is very difficult now to imagine britain clinging onto its hidden archipelago for that much longer. as for the islanders, they plan to come back here soon — and perhaps for good. andrew harding, bbc news.

now, imagine opening your post and finding a cheque for more than two trillion pounds — the equivalent of almost three trillion dollars. well, that's exactly what happened to dozens of people in the north of england. but they may not have become overnight tycoons after all — as megan paterson explains. 2,324,252,008,001. gareth hughes was expecting compensation for four days without power. but not that much. hundreds of thousands of people in northern england lost connection during storm arwen — many still wait for compensation. a technical errorfrom northern powergrid has given some customers brief thoughts of a luxury lifestyle. we were just on our way out when i picked the post up, so i opened it, laughed, showed my wife, she laughed at it as well.

it's such a big value, to be honest. it's something that i can't even really imagine. it would be nice to be able to invest in some of my interests. i'm a featherstone rovers fan, i'm sure they'd appreciate a few pounds towards building the squad to super league. gareth, who's an accountant, shared his surprise windfall on twitter, asking the company, "can you really afford this?" in a statement, northern powergrid told us gareth is among 7a people who have been affected by this error. they've apologised for the mistake. they say they hope to send out the correct compensation cheques tomorrow, and they thanked customers for being honest about the problem. gareth is reassured his compensation is on the way, but knows it will be substantially less generous than the original cheque. megan paterson, bbc news, hebden bridge. the eyes of the sporting world are currently fixated on the sofi stadium in los angeles — and the 56th super bowl. it's between the cincinatti bengals and the los angeles rams(read on) the half time

show included the site of eminen taking the knee as well as performances from dr dre, snoop dogg. currently the cinicinatti bengals are leading this is quite an exciting match but it— this is quite an exciting match but it does feel as if once again— but it does feel as if once again the half—time show perhaps is going to steal the headlines, not at least eminem? seriously. — headlines, not at least eminem? seriously. i— headlines, not at least eminem? seriously, i think it was a celebration of ballet, hip—hop culture and all of that coming together in the city of angels. it was perfect.— it was perfect. excels at an amazing — it was perfect. excels at an amazing show _ it was perfect. excels at an amazing show and - it was perfect. excels at an amazing show and you've l it was perfect. excels at an l amazing show and you've got the great rap and hip—hop artists of all time, probably. but i can't get over the fact that eminem was told, we are told, by the nfl, you will not be

taking the knee, thank you but of course he did. it is a political statement in the middle of the super bowl. that is bound to have, we have a a picture but here now. that will have ramifications, won't it? i think it was a powerful moment especially been the sole white person on the stage joining this group of amazing black artists it really showed he is in solidarity with those on stage. a celebration of black culture and to have them do something like that i think was an important moment.- something like that i think was an important moment. cannot be more than. _ an important moment. cannot be more than, and _ an important moment. cannot be more than, and if _ an important moment. cannot be more than, and if i _ an important moment. cannot be more than, and if i did _ an important moment. cannot be more than, and if i did not i more than, and if i did not wanta more than, and if i did not want a divisive culture war moment, would you see this more as a unifying moment, then? absolutely. that is what america needs no more than ever and i think it was powerful to see somebody like eminem do that while on stage while his black fellow rap artists and hip—hop artist song and such an amazing time. i hip-hop artist song and such an amazing time.— amazing time. i was quite keen on the final— amazing time. i was quite keen on the final distiller. _ amazing time. i was quite keen on the final distiller. some i on the final distiller. some of my colleagues are far more excited about the half—time

show. how good was it? the excited about the half-time show. how good was it? the] thou . h show. how good was it? the] though and — show. how good was it? the] though and secure _ show. how good was it? the] though and secure moment i show. how good was it? the] though and secure moment isj show. how good was it? ii? i though and secure moment is one of my favourites so this is one of my favourites so this is one of the top super bowl half—time shows a really long time. mas shows a really long time. was the highlight? — shows a really long time. was the highlight? that _ shows a really long time. was the highlight? that ending i shows a really long time. was l the highlight? that ending were felt like the — the highlight? that ending were felt like the avengers _ the highlight? that ending were felt like the avengers came i felt like the avengers came together to perform, i think that was the highlight of the half—time show. and coming in upside down, that was insane. i am glad you enjoyed it as many millions of others did as well and i should say, also, as we say, thank you to you for your comments. imagine still going on and we are in the fourth quarter so the last quarter, cincinnati 20, la 16. there will be quite an upset if it that way. very close. a nailbiter, you might say, in the super bowl as it draws to a close. just if you want to get in touch on twitter, it is good

to hear from you. hello there. after what was a very soggy sunday for most parts of the uk, the weather has plenty more to throw at us through the coming week — not only heavy rain, but some very mild weather for the middle of the week, and then, some stormy weather later. and that could well cause some damage and disruption. on balance, monday is one of the quieter days, but that's not to say it'll be completely dry by any means — we've got cloud and showery rain sinking south—eastwards across england and wales, some brighter spells, as well. for northern ireland and scotland, it's a sunshine—and—showers day, some of the showers wintry over high ground in scotland. the winds slowly easing a little as the day wears on, temperatures north—to—south 6—10 celsius. now, as we go through monday night, we see a quieter interlude, but it doesn't last all that long.

outbreaks of rain will return from the west into northern ireland, scotland, western england and wales. some snow developing for a time over high ground in scotland. and those are your overnight temperatures, ranging from freezing in the north to around 6 in the south. and then, into tuesday, this weather system will continue its journey eastwards, and some of the outbreaks of rain are expected to hang around for a good part of the day across some southern parts of england and wales. it will tend to clear to a mix of sunshine and showers as we get into the afternoon, and temperatures north—to—south around 5—ii celsius. and then, as we get into the middle of the week, well, things really step up a gear — and it's all because of the jet stream, the winds high up in the atmosphere. the jet stream is likely to be blowing at up to 200 mph or more in the core of the jet, and that willjust provide the energy to spin up deep areas of low pressure — this the first of those moving to the north of the uk on wednesday. this will bring some outbreaks of pretty heavy rain splashing in from the northwest, the winds strengthening all the while. but those winds coming up from the southwest, so it is going to feel really mild for northern ireland, england and wales, particularly, temperatures 12—15, maybe 17 celsius in east anglia — pretty

extraordinary for this time of year. but it is the strength of the winds that gives most cause for concern. as this low moves to the north of the uk, we see this squeeze in the isobars, there will be gales or severe gales potentially in the most exposed places. we could have gusts of wind up to 90 mph. already a met office warning for the northern half of the uk, the risk of damage and disruption through wednesday night and thursday.

this is bbc news, the headlines. ukraine has demanded a meeting with russia within the next forty—eight hours to explain the build—up of moscow's forces on its border. and the ukrainian ambassador to the uk has suggested his country might consider dropping its long—held ambition tojoin nato. russia denies it's planning an invasion. police in canada say they've cleared the remaining protesters blocking a key bridge between canada and the united states, after a week of disruption. despite a court order to end the demonstration against covid restrictions, trucks and cars had continued to block the ambassador bridge in ontario. people in switzerland have supported a ban on virtually all tobacco advertising. 56% backed the move in a referendum despite opposition from the swiss government and parliament. the charity, action on smoking and health, says switzerland's tobacco rules were lax compared with the rest of europe. ashleyjohn—baptiste is a bbc reporter who grew up