this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: how to avert an 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. after a week of disruption, police clear the remaining protesters at a key crossing between canada and the us. exiled for 50 years — the people at the centre of a land dispute with britain finally return home to the chagos islands.

and the los angeles rams score a last gasp touchdown to win the super bowl — one of the world's biggest sporting events. 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. germany's new leader olaf scholz is visiting both kyiv and moscow. and ukraine's government has called for a meeting with moscow. it comes as the ukrainian ambassador to the uk has suggested his country might consider dropping its long—held ambition to join nato. courtney bembridge reports.

anti—aircraft missiles arriving in kyiv and lithuania. ukraine has received planeloads of aid in recent weeks to help shore up its defences after russia amassed more than 100,000 troops on the borders. moscow wants assurances that nato will never admit ukraine, which has long wanted to join the western military alliance. ukraine's ambitions are even written into its constitution, to defuse the situation. what i'm saying, 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. analysts say the move is unlikely to make a difference. i don't think that would work because ultimately what this crisis is about

as the kremlin, vladimir putin wanting to control ukraine. wanting ukraine under russia's sphere of influence and, right now, the only way a thing for him to do that all the way that putin sees him to do that is to military intervention that is why united states is so worried that an invasion is imminent. and there is a last—ditch diplomatic effort to de—escalate the crisis from germany. the chancellor is in kyiv on monday before flying to moscow on tuesday to meet vladimir putin. he had this warning for russia. any military aggression against ukraine which endangers its . territorial sovereignty will i result in hard reactions and sanctions that we have carefully prepared - and we can put into effect immediately can together with our allies in europe and - nato. while diplomacy continues the us is sending troops and equipment to south—east western poland with a warning that russian military action could come any day.

i've been speaking to former us ambassador to ukraine, john herbst, about where he stood on the chances of an invasion. i am a bit in between, but i'm not certain that an invasion is imminent. the fact that my government and i know many of the people in senior positions in government are saying that, that makes me think it can't be dismissed, i think that the dangers to putin for a variety of reasons of launching a major invasion are substantial. and that is why i think he is trigger. do you think, because we have just heard from the ukrainian ambassador to the uk, saying, well, ukraine might renounce its nato ambitions because of the circumstances find itself then. do you think that this might be? that might make a difference? i think it is probably a trial balloon.

he spoke of it as "might" not "would". he is a seasoned diplomat, i know him well, former foreign minister of ukraine, and i think they are saying this first of course to see how moscow reacts about secondly the people of ukraine if the reactions from the gains from the people he trained the travelling will be no more than that. it is a difficult thing to float then whip away, isn't it? he's using "might" and he is in a senior position, he is not the foreign ukraine. and it is easy enough for the government in kyiv to back away from the gain of the people in ukraine say this is unacceptable. let me ask you about the german chancellor who is a freshman in many respects as german chancellor now. this is his week, to a certain extent, what does he bring to the party at this stage? for good or bad, his politics on the end of this day, he is

unable to say that if russia invades ukraine large... and biden said last week and he was silent. and of course germany infamously prevented the transfer of wealth and some allies to ukraine for weeks and weeks and weeks. i think going to ukraine and moscow is a good idea but i'm not sure it will be received in a friendly fashion. the ukrainians probably do not see him are supportive against a very aggressive kremlin. but his position strengthened the bit lately. you probably had the british defence minister talking about it with of munich in the air. for all the talk after that of what he really meant, presumably there is a little bit of a faith of a finger pointing at germany. there no doubt about it and as you know german intellectuals are now taking this type of

politics to task for very good reason for the policy the german government has not changed and he has weakened the positions merkel took in her last days so needs to just his politics or expect criticism both from nato allies and his own public. i'd make the views of the former us ambassador to ukraine. 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. crossing after carrying 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 did not take that many vehicles to block the busiest land border crossing in canada. demonstrators have been

blocking the ambassador bridge for almost a week, part of widespread protests across the country over covid restrictions. but with a vital trade food in jeopardy this blockade was hard to ignore. you make the financial impact, you know, to now, nearly $3 billion in the international community. that is huge. after an injunction was granted to clear the bridge and the state of ontario declared an emergency, the police moved in. a more than 2a hours stand—off but early on sunday officers marched forward with tactical vehicles in tow and maize protesters without it was time to go home. i protesters without it was time to go home-— to go home. i was hoping it wasn't going _ to go home. i was hoping it wasn't going to _ to go home. i was hoping it wasn't going to end - to go home. i was hoping it wasn't going to end like - to go home. i was hoping it. wasn't going to end like this. i was — wasn't going to end like this. i was hoping the police would allow— i was hoping the police would allow us _ i was hoping the police would allow us to continue to peacefully protest. the bridge is really— peacefully protest. the bridge is really important but lives are important.— are important. police eventually _ are important. police | eventually confronted are important. police - eventually confronted the few holdouts and made arrests. the protesters _ holdouts and made arrests. the protesters were _ holdouts and made arrests. the protesters were gathered to get a message _ protesters were gathered to get a message out _ protesters were gathered to get a message out. i— protesters were gathered to get a message out. i believe - protesters were gathered to get a message out. i believe they. a message out. i believe they -ot a message out. i believe they got that— a message out. i believe they got that message _ a message out. i believe they got that message out - a message out. i believe they got that message out and - a message out. i believe theyl got that message out and they were _ got that message out and they were able _ got that message out and they were able to _ got that message out and they were able to do _ got that message out and they were able to do it— got that message out and they

were able to do it peacefully. i were able to do it peacefully. the ambassador _ were able to do it peacefully. the ambassador bridge - were able to do it peacefully. the ambassador bridge mayl were able to do it peacefully. . the ambassador bridge may be cleared but other border protests continue. under pressure from us to address the crisis, the prime minister spoke on friday. you might present biden and i both agree that for the security of people and the economy, these blockades cannot continue. are not, protesters are still here in the city centre. demonstration that has gone on over two weeks. police say there are plans to resolve the issue which has paralysed parts of the national capital but they are waiting for necessary reinforcements. impatient with the police response, some residents directly told the protesters it was time to go home. but with almost 500 trucks blocking the streets of downtown ottawa and protesters dug elsewhere, the success in windsor may prove challenging to replicate. favourites, los angeles rams have won this year's superbowl — just beating the cincinnati bengals(gfx)the rams were coincidentally playing at their home stadium and looked to be losing

the game before a late touchdown turned the tables in favour of the rams, with just 90 seconds remaining. our correspondent sophie long has more from sofi stadium before kick off many people here said the stars were aligned and it had to be. this was the first time the la bands were playing in the super bowl in their home stadium here. it is the first time the super bowl has been at the stadium and they got their hollywood ending. the cincinnati bengals, the cinderella of the super bowl for so long, may made it to the bar but they're leaving tonight empty—handed. now, many of those people will be disappointed with the result, they were not disappointed with they were not disappointed with the half—time show. in a matter of minutes, the pitch was cleared and transformed into a stage, two story stage. doctor dre and snoop dog kicked off the show. a surprise performance by 50 cents, maryj blige, the queen of hip—hop, kendrick lamar and finished off course by eminem. it was a

showcase of hip—hop with many of those performers with great links to the city. the sight of eminen taking the knee has led to a lot of discussion on social media tomas mier is a staff writer at rolling stone magazine, he explained to me earlier what made this year's half—time seriously, i think it was a celebration of la, hip—hop culture and all of that coming together in the city of angels. it was perfect. sounds like an 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 picture of it 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. can it be 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 artists sung and such an amazing time. i was quite keen on the final. some of my colleagues are far more excited about the half—time show. how good was it? j—lo and shakira moment is one of my favourites so this is one of the top super bowl half—time shows a really long time. was there a highlight? that ending were 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. the international olympic committee has said clean athletes must continue to have faith in the system whatever the outcome of a hearing into the russian skater kamila valieva the court of arbitration for sport is due to decide whether she can compete in tuesday's individual figure skating event despite failing a drugs test in december. the positive test for the 15—year—old was revealed after she'd helkped russia to team gold in the same discipline last week. the ioc have also said they will respect the cas decision whatever it

is stay with us on bbc world news, still to come: we have a special report from mariupol in eastern ukraine — a vital port on the frontline if russia attacks. 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 l space station with - a spectacular night launch. they've called it mir, i the russian for peace. this is bbc world 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. and the los angeles rams have won the super bowl, in la, beating the cincinatti bengals.

let's return to ukraine because 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.

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.now, some chagos islanders who've been in exile for decades have returned. our africa correspondent andrew harding was there to see their arrival. 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. demonstrators protesting against covid—19 vaccine rules in new zealand have begun singing and dancing

to the music ofjames blunt — which was originally being played by the authorities in an attempt to disperse them. police have been playing songs including "baby shark", blunt�*s "you're beautiful" and "let it go" from disney's frozen, in an effort to end the protests, which have been going on for a week. 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. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @bbcdavideades 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—11 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 48 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. and the los angeles rams score a last—gasp touchdown to win the super bowl — one of the world's biggest sporting events. playing at their home stadium, they beat the cincinatti bengals 23 points to 20. an estimated audience of 100 million people worldwide watched the match. now on bbc news, hardtalk.