the headlines. as russia continues war games on ukraine's border, diplomatic efforts are readable to stop the prime minister and the us president agree tonight that there remains a crucial window for diplomacy. this is a very difficult and dangerous situation, we are on the edge of a precipice, but there's still time for president putin step back. all the remaining coronavirus restrictions in northern ireland including wearing face covering some proof of vaccination in nightclubs will be scrapped from tomorrow. one family's long quest forjustice as the inquiry opens into how hundreds of post office managers were

wrongfully convicted of theft. the aa says the average price of petrol at the pumps across the uk hit a new record at the weekend. more than 140 8p per litre. also the teenage russian skater will continue to compete in the winter olympics, despite failing a drugs test in december. good evening. welcome to bbc news. the prime minister says the evidence is pretty clear that russia plans to invade ukraine, despite russia's denials. the uk hasjoined western nations to make it clear again to

moscow that any military action will result in sanctions that will have serious consequences for the russian economy. tonight boris johnson has spoken on the phone to president biden, with the two leaders agreeing there is still a crucial window for diplomacy. and for russia to step back. around 130,000 russian troops are positioned on ukraine's border. the country's president insists his country's ambition is still to join nato, despite russia plasma composition. russia, for its part, said diplomatic effo rts efforts to resolve crisis should continue and even be stepped up. with more, here is our eastern european correspondent. talks to defuse the crisis have been intensifying, today the german chancellor in town, showing support for kyiv and seeking ways to get russia to pull back its troops.

president volodymyr zelensky said that wouldn't be by ukraine dropping its right tojoin nato. germany's chancellor is heading to russia tomorrow. germany's chancellor is heading to russia tomorrow. translation: i'm making it clear again that ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are non—negotiatable for germany. we expect russia to take clear steps to de—escalate the tensions. but russia is still building up forces, parading its potential near the border. britain believes an invasion could come within days. we are on the edge of a precipice, but there is still time for vladimir putin to step back. we are urging for everybody to engage in dialogue for a conversation to take place and for the russians to avoid what i think everybody, certainly everybody in the uk can see would be a disastrous mistake. in moscow russia's foreign minister was shown urging vladimir putin to keep talking to the west.

it can be hard to make a connection between the politicians warning of war, even the bombing of this city, kyiv and how things feel on the ground. even as the negotiations continue, so does life here, pretty much as normal. although beneath the surface people say they are feeling nervous. what we have to say and do is to be afraid every hour, we don't want to live like that, we want to live... we are patient and ready for anything. we hope that our city will be safe and our families will be safe. - for now, the musicians play on. even the school trips haven't stopped, as ukrainians still continue quite believe

the worst predictions. president putin has long made it clear he considers ukraine and russia as one people, linked by history. his desire to keep ukraine within russia's sphere of influence is threatened in part by ukraine's desire to be part of nato. since the end of the cold war, two expanding the organisation and pushing its boundaries eastward. ukraine has long wanted to join the organisation, many believe russia's military preparations are primarily designed to thwart that. but what is the view in the kremlin? here is our moscow correspondent. western leaders may be warning of an imminent russian military escalation in ukraine, but moscow dismisses all of that is hype, hysteria. if you look at the way the state media here has been covering the ukraine story... you'll see that the picture

presented to the russian public is the polar opposite of how the west sees things. so according to that kremlin picture, russia has no plans for an invasion, instead it is america who is the aggressor, and pouring weapons into ukraine. it is nato that is threatening russia by expanding eastwards. so that doesn't explain why moscow is massing more than 100,000 troops right now near ukraine's border and why it has launched a large—scale military exercises in the region. so what is vladimir putin's aim? that is a difficult question to answer, because no one is quite sure. some in us think this is all about russia trying to force ukraine back into moscow's orbit. some believe the creme and's objective is much wider, to carve out a new sphere of influence for itself in europe, basically to dismantle the post—cold war european security order and to

push nato back. today, with moscow sensing a lack of unity in europe, perhaps feeling that america is too busy with problems at home, a resurgent russia may feel this is the moment to take action. but if there was all out war with ukraine, how would the russian public react? it's hard to see the public ear supporting a large—scale conflict with ukraine. many russians have said to me that they see ukrainians almost like brothers. they are a very deep —— there is very deep cultural historical ties. what is the last thing people wanted but it won't be the public that decide this, it will be the president. so what happens next? that may depend on whether president putin is willing to compromise over ukraine and european security, even if he doesn't get everything he wants. like an an end to nato enlargement eastwards. whether he is willing to

reach a deal or determine to continue with coercive diplomacy. joining me now is a special correspondent for reuters and author. first off, watching the press conference in kyiv today, what did you make of what was said? i think it was pretty clear that all life is now trying to make sure he is standing firm that he is rebutting any criticism perhaps that he has been missing in action on ukraine —— olaf scholz. i think putting in particular was hoping for a much weaker response from germany, banking on angela merkel no longer being there and having a much weaker leader in olaf scholz but we seen him step up in the last week, visited joe biden last week in washington, on his way to moscow now

tomorrow following his visit to ukraine. so clearly, and he has made very clear nothing is off the table as far as sanctions go. fillet very clear nothing is off the table as far as sanctions go. olaf scholz soke a as far as sanctions go. olaf scholz spoke a lot _ as far as sanctions go. olaf scholz spoke a lot about _ as far as sanctions go. olaf scholz spoke a lot about the _ spoke a lot about the financial commitment he had made or the country had made to ukraine. also putting emphasis on the minsk cards. take us through what those are and why germany is banking so much on those —— minsk accords. the why germany is banking so much on those -- minsk accords.— those -- minsk accords. the minsk accords were _ those -- minsk accords. the minsk accords were hammered _ those -- minsk accords. the minsk accords were hammered out - those -- minsk accords. the minsk accords were hammered out at - those -- minsk accords. the minsk accords were hammered out at a l those -- minsk accords. the minsk i accords were hammered out at a very difficult time for ukraine just when it was emerging from this long hybrid war that it was having with russia over the course of 2014—2015. at a time of weakness relief for the ukrainian leadership, which is why it is so difficult right now to get a full agreement on them, because essentially they gave these two rebel held republics in the east of ukraine, could give them essentially

a veto over ukraine's nato accession, so they are really difficult to actually stick to it and it's difficult to get the ukrainian leadership to agree to, because it was agreed at a moment of weakness for them. how because it was agreed at a moment of weakness for them.— weakness for them. how optimistic are ou mr weakness for them. how optimistic are you mr putin _ weakness for them. how optimistic are you mr putin will _ weakness for them. how optimistic are you mr putin will in _ weakness for them. how optimistic are you mr putin will in fact - weakness for them. how optimistic are you mr putin will in fact step i are you mr putin will in fact step back and what concessions would he expect? i back and what concessions would he exect? ~ , ., , , expect? i think he is obviously t in: to expect? i think he is obviously trying to get — expect? i think he is obviously trying to get as _ expect? i think he is obviously trying to get as many - expect? i think he is obviously i trying to get as many concessions expect? i think he is obviously - trying to get as many concessions as he can reach. steve rosenberg was quite right in his report. some think it is only about pulling ukraine back into moscow's orbit, but it is also very clearly about putting's desire to get nato to roll back its expansion since 1997, and i think putin is angling for as much as possible. he has spied a moment of weakness in the west, or at least

he thought he had. he saw biden presiding over a deeply divided america and he saw the abiding initiation withdrawal from afghanistan, so i think he thought there was a moment, but really he has been presented by a much more united front from the west than he was expecting and there has been quite strong unity on clear sanctions against russia, should he go ahead with war. so we should not only worry about russian population's reaction if body bags start coming back from any invasion of ukraine, but they would also be pretty upset by the economic fallout from western sanctions. that pretty upset by the economic fallout from western sanctions.— from western sanctions. that has been going _ from western sanctions. that has been going on — from western sanctions. that has been going on for— from western sanctions. that has been going on for weeks - been going on for weeks and weeks now. what has been gained in terms of momentum for president putin? i think he is kind of enjoying it but kind of worried at the same time because i think he has probably been enjoying the endless dancing he has seen from the west, this kind of parade of leaders who have come to

him in hopes that a diplomatic solution can be reached. i think he's enjoying the attention, because it used to be during the obama administration for instance, when russia was called nothing more than a regional power, and it was seen as a weak player on the world stage, and that was precisely the situation that he didn't want. he wanted attention, he wanted russia to be viewed as a great power, and here he has almost got his way because he has almost got his way because he has all the leaders queueing up to meet him, but it's purely through this coercive diplomacy, purely because of this massive military build—up on the border of ukraine. he is trying to get this way not through diplomacy but through military means.— through diplomacy but through milita means. ., ., military means. thank you for your time. military means. thank you for your time- joining _ military means. thank you for your time. joining me _ military means. thank you for your time. joining me now— military means. thank you for your time. joining me now is— military means. thank you for your time. joining me now is the - military means. thank you for yourj time. joining me now is the former nato deputy general secretary. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i'd love to get your assessment of where

we are in this situation. let love to get your assessment of where we are in this situation.— we are in this situation. let me ick u- where that was left off, she is quite right about all the attention putin is getting but is also dominating the news cycle and russia had release up to the back pages of the newspaper, was not often heard a bit of western tv and obviously over the last few weeks he has very much dominated the cycle. so he is pleased a very happy to see others starting to his tune at the moment and i think that is part of where we are. the key question now is is he ready to start moving any more positive direction and i wanted to know to important meetings in moscow today, one between putin and lavrov, and then with the defence minister. lavrov said yes and then the defence minister, how are all the military

exercises going? well, we are finishing up some of them now, may be ready to move once and with others. i think there's an interesting nuance now gripping in that perhaps vladimir putin is ready to redouble the efforts of diplomacy and perhaps de—emphasise the military side. loath? and perhaps de-emphasise the military side.— and perhaps de-emphasise the milita side. ~ , ., ~' military side. why do you think he chances military side. why do you think he changes his _ military side. why do you think he changes his narrative _ military side. why do you think he changes his narrative on - changes his narrative on thathappened? what changed? if you thins thathappened? what changed? if you things have happened. _ thathappened? what changed? if m. things have happened. first of all, i really agree with your previous two speakers who emphasised the degree of high—level diplomacy that's been going on. i think it's been very effective and am glad that chancellor olaf scholz was in kyiv today and is going off to moscow tomorrow, it's important that it keeps up this rhythm of high—level diplomacy, delivering the tough message that the west is united, nato is united, there will be tough sanctions, the eu ready to put in place unprecedentedly tough sanctions that will have a profound effect on the russian economy. so these are important messages and i think they began to have an

influence on putting's thinking. perhaps he is also hearing from his business community that this is not the way it will be healthy for russia to proceed for its future economic status. so i think there are those kinds of things going on, but he is also hearing a new willingness to negotiate on things that he had long wanted like new constraints on intermediate—range mussels in europe. the us has picked up mussels in europe. the us has picked up on some of his proposals —— intermediate range missiles. it is “p intermediate range missiles. it is up to him to say yes to negotiations.— up to him to say yes to ne . otiations. �* ., , up to him to say yes to neuotiations. �* ., , , negotiations. and there has been what has been _ negotiations. and there has been what has been described - negotiations. and there has been what has been described as - negotiations. and there has been what has been described as a - negotiations. and there has been | what has been described as a false flag operation — i've heard you speaking about putting's bag of tricks. what is in there? unfortunately he is a professional kgb man and he is surrounded by professional security services and they have long been masters at this information, misinformation, and all kinds of, as we called them, dirty tricks. that is the kind of false flag operations the uk warmed up two

weekends ago, essentially developing pretexts for russia to invade —— the uk warned of. and building up military forces, the ukrainians ready to respond to the be any attack by the russians on their territory. the russians are flipping the narrative and saying it is ukraine who is ready to attack. so they will be looking for perhaps a way to promote ukrainian military action in any way that could send their troops marching in. they are very good at this kind of thing, and for that reason i'm glad both washington and london, but some other european powers are getting these stories out there about what some of these dirty tricks may be, making it clear that there is no impunity for moscow at the moment. thank you very much for your analysis. former nato deputy general secretary. and we'll find out how this story and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this

evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are rachel cunliffe, senior associate editor at the new statesman and lucy fisher, deputy political editor at the telegraph. as russia continues war games on ukraine's border, diplomatic efforts are redoubled. the prime minister and the us president agree tonight that there remains a "crucial window for diplomacy". all the remaining coronavirus restrictions in northern ireland including the wearing of face coverings and proof of vaccination in nightclubs will be scrapped from tomorrow. one family's long quest forjustice as the inquiry opens into how hundreds of post office managers were wrongfully convicted for theft.

it's time to catch up with this sports news. day ten of the winter olympics in beijing is done and dusted, team gb still to win a medal. it is 30 years since great britain returned from a winter games empty—handed and the ambition this time around was three to seven podium finishes, but not all hope is lost with some promising contender still to compete. here is our sports correspondent. team gb�*s kirsty mare. ten days, zero medals. britain have hardly soared so far at these games, but could kirsty mira finally give them a lift of? ijust 17, but could kirsty mira finally give them a lift of? ijust17, she is them a lift of? ijust17, she is the youngest athlete in the team but cruised through to the soap style final in sixth place and hopes even better is to come —— kirsty muir. solid one for christie one from aberdeen. i solid one for christie one from aberdeen-— solid one for christie one from

aberdeen. ~ , aberdeen. i feel like i definitely had a few mistakes _ aberdeen. i feel like i definitely had a few mistakes in _ aberdeen. i feel like i definitely had a few mistakes in the - aberdeen. i feel like i definitely had a few mistakes in the first i aberdeen. i feel like i definitely . had a few mistakes in the first run, which _ had a few mistakes in the first run, which i'm _ had a few mistakes in the first run, which i'm hoping to clean up tomorrow, and then not as score my second, _ tomorrow, and then not as score my second, but— tomorrow, and then not as score my second, but honestly so happy. just can wait_ second, but honestly so happy. just can wait for— second, but honestly so happy. just can wait for it. her second, but honestly so happy. just can wait for it.— can wait for it. her team-mate also aualified can wait for it. her team-mate also qualified after— can wait for it. her team-mate also qualified after what _ can wait for it. her team-mate also qualified after what has _ can wait for it. her team-mate also qualified after what has been - can wait for it. her team-mate also qualified after what has been a - qualified after what has been a desperate games so far for britain, just maybe. and so team gb will have two skiers in the final here tomorrow, and with kirsty muir in particular, they will have high hopes of that elusive first medal. aha, hopes of that elusive first medal. tied match to the very last on. hopes of that elusive first medal. a tied match to the very last on. any| tied match to the very last on. any other chances? _ tied match to the very last on. any other chances? the men's colours are in sight of the semifinals after dramatically edging out switzerland. there are worries for the women, though, after they lost to canada. aha, though, after they lost to canada. win for canada. though, after they lost to canada. a win for canada. in _ though, after they lost to canada. a win for canada. in the _ though, after they lost to canada. a win for canada. in the ice _ though, after they lost to canada. a win for canada. in the ice dance, . win for canada. in the ice dance, britain skated _ win for canada. in the ice dance, britain skated to _ win for canada. in the ice dance, britain skated to the _ win for canada. in the ice dance, britain skated to the lion king i britain skated to the lion king soundtrack and secured a creditable top ten finish. i soundtrack and secured a creditable top ten finish-— top ten finish. i reckon she's been sho -|n~ top ten finish. i reckon she's been shopping in _ top ten finish. i reckon she's been shopping in beijing. _

top ten finish. i reckon she's been shopping in beijing. the _ top ten finish. i reckon she's been shopping in beijing. the day's - shopping in bei'ing. the day's stran . est shopping in beijing. the day's strangest sight, _ shopping in beijing. the day's strangest sight, a _ shopping in beijing. the day's strangest sight, a french - strangest sight, a french snowboarder in the big air event dressed as a tiger. despite being injured, she wanted a finaljump before retiring, and although she finished last, at least she went out with a role. —— a roar. one game in the championship tonight, as west brom host it's steve bruce's first home game as west brom boss — they're ninth in the table, four points from play—offsblackburn are third but without a win or goal in three games. and in the scottish cup fifth round, league 1 side peterhead — who are the last lower league side in the competition — are hosting premiership club dundee. 0-0. quarter—final draw to follow full—time four premier league players who play for argentina have been given two match international bans following the abandoned world cup qualifier against brazil last september.

the fixture was sensationally stopped by brazilian health officials walking onto the pitch after just five minutes of play, covid rules at the time stated that any person who had been in uk within 14 days of arriving in brazil had to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. tottenham's cristian romero and giovani lo celso — whojoined villarreal on loan injanuary — and aston villa pair emiliano martinez and emiliano buendia were accused of giving false information on their covid—19 declarations when entering brazil for the game. formula 1's governing body failed to make any proposals following its inquiry into the dramatic events at last year's abu dhabi grand prix. the title deciding race ended in controversy, with questions on whether the rules were correctly followed when max verstappen beat lewis hamilton to the championship on the final lap. the fia said today that its analysis is still ongoing, with an announcement on changes to race management expected later this week. and former great britain rugby league player and coach johnny whiteley has died at the age of 91. whiteley was part of test series wins over australia with the lions as both player and coach, and was part

of three world cup squads between 1954 and 1960. he also won the championship and played in challenge cup finals with hull for whom he scored 156 tries in 417 games, and coached both hull fc and hull kr. that's all the sport for now. we'll have more for you on the bbc news channel later on. all remaining covid restrictions in northern ireland are to be lifted tomorrow. the health minister confirmed the remaining restrictions, which include the wearing of face coverings and covid certification for nightclubs will be revoked and replaced with guidance for the public. our ireland correspondent chris page is in belfast for us. this comes following guidance or advice from the chief medical officer in northern ireland. what was the evidence? the officer in northern ireland. what was the evidence?— officer in northern ireland. what was the evidence? the key factor here really _ was the evidence? the key factor

here really was _ was the evidence? the key factor here really was although - was the evidence? the key factor| here really was although numbers was the evidence? the key factor i here really was although numbers of people testing positive for the virus certainly does remain high, there are also about 440 patients in hospital with covid at the moment, the important thing is that there is not significant pressure on hospital intensive care units. that really was the decisive factor in the decision that was made today by the health minister. his scientific advisors including the chief medical officer said they did not expect those numbers of people in i to increase. therefore the chief medical officer has decided it is time for him to go ahead and lift all the remaining corporate rejection from tomorrow —— the health minister. —— the remaining covid restrictions. whether they have been vaccinated or had a negative test etc. no more limits on

the amount of people who can get together in private homes. that had been 30 but that restriction is being scrapped. also no legal requirement for people to wear face coverings any more, at the moment they had been mandatory in most indoor public places like shops, but as of tomorrow you won't have to work face coverings, but robin swann and others in the northern ireland political leadership saying this does not mean the pandemic is over, but people should continue to take sensible measures and all the reels that are being scrapped in legal terms for tomorrow are going to remain in government guidance from tomorrow also. remain in government guidance from tomorrow also-— tomorrow also. some concern in the build-u tomorrow also. some concern in the build-op to — tomorrow also. some concern in the build-op to this. _ tomorrow also. some concern in the build-up to this, certainly _ tomorrow also. some concern in the build-up to this, certainly last - build—up to this, certainly last week of the potential legal complications of replacing the regulations with guidance. could you tell is a bit more about that? yes. tell is a bit more about that? yes, there had been _ tell is a bit more about that? yes, there had been in _ tell is a bit more about that? yes, there had been in doubt— tell is a bit more about that? yes, there had been in doubt as - tell is a bit more about that? yes there had been in doubt as to whether the health minister robin swann could go ahead and lift the

restrictions on his own. northern ireland is in something of a political crisis at the moment because ten days ago the first minister in the power—sharing devolved government resigned his post in protest at the brexit trade arrangements for northern ireland, and that many deputy first minister was automatically out of herjob too, so the other ministers are in post but not able to hold a full meeting of the stormont executive and it had been assumed previously that the stormont executive would meet as a whole and decide as a whole whether to lift restrictions, so robin swann as health minister has taken some legal advice, spoke to other ministers from the four other parties in the executive, he is a member of the ulster unionist party, and the other four parties have backed him saying they agree that it have backed him saying they agree thatitis have backed him saying they agree that it is the right time to lift these restrictions, that is what robin swann has done and extent of the powers available to his department by six months to reimpose rejections if needs be, but warning that actually we did go there is need to reimpose rejections, which

set a new variant emerge, he did not think you would be able to do that without the presence of people executive. that political uncertainty remains regarding managing northern ireland moving out of the covid pandemic. one immediate knock on effect of tensions over ukraine is the rising cost of oil which today has seen prices at uk petrol pumps reach a record high. energy costs have been soaring already and if the situation in ukraine deteriorates, oil and gas supplies from russia to europe may be interrupted pushing up wholesale prices further. our transport correspondent katy austin has more. resurgence in demand as economies around the world be open was one of the fa ct fact is already pushing up oil prices, and concerns around the potential for conflict in ukraine have helped drive them further. the price of a barrel of oil reached a

seven—year high before following up a bit through the course of the day and in the past there were a barrel of oil cost between 94 and $95. this all eventually feed through to how much drivers here in the uk pay for theirfuel at the pump, and already motoring groups say the average cost of a litre of petrol has exceeded 140 8p, are £1 48, which is a record, and they say diesel has also hit a record high of 1501p diesel has also hit a record high of 150 1p for a litre or e1 51. the aa says this is all adding to the cost of living crisis, and the rac predicts further rises to come as retailers pass on those wholesale increases. it does come at a time for households and businesses are already facing cost pressures, with inflation higher, hikes in energy bills and tax rises to come as well. for its part, the petrol retailers

association which represents independent forecourts says its members are doing what they can to keep prices as competitive as possible. b. keep prices as competitive as ossible. �* ., ., ., keep prices as competitive as ossible. ., ., ., , , . possible. a long-awaited public in . ui possible. a long-awaited public inquiry into _ possible. a long-awaited public inquiry into the _ possible. a long-awaited public inquiry into the most _ possible. a long-awaited publicl inquiry into the most widespread miscarriage of justice miscarriage ofjustice and legal history started today. more than 700 post office branch managers were wrongly convicted and thousands lost their businesses, when faulty accounting software called �*horizon', made it look as if money had gone missing from their tills. the inquiry will look at what the post office knew, about faults in the it system and why innocent staff were prosecuted. after 20 years, still no one has been held to account. our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith has more. it's a big day for the sethi family. of course, we are a bit nervous, but we are very happy that we have got an opportunity to put our case for the first time. they are hoping forjustice at last.

i want accountability, so i want someone to say, yes, something happened, we know it was wrong, these are the people that should be facing justice, like my father said. after 20 years of running post office branches, new software being rolled out across the country started showing mysterious holes in their accounts. the post office blamed them, like thousands of other sub—postmasters, closing the branch. the sethis lost their business and their livelihood. in the 40 or 50 years we have run the post office, what have we got to show? nothing. and we couldn't even get our children married. we couldn't look after them. we couldn't do anything for them. i feel a failure myself. but today, for the first time, someone in authority is listening to what happened to them. it's the job of this public inquiry to find out here in the post office made the decisions that ruined their lives. the people who did this, they should be investigated. not a single person has been brought

to a charge, still today. they have gone scot—free, and their answer would be, sorry, they have left the organisation or they have retired. yes, but they are the people who did it, and this is not one person, this goes right to the top. and baljit's story is just the tip of the iceberg. more than 700 people were convicted because of those faults in the it system. thousands of families right across the uk are still suffering the consequences of the actions the post office decided to take. the indignity of having to have a shower in front of a prison warden. noel thomas was charged with false accounting by the post office and spent his 60th birthday behind bars. were you able to - contact your family? no. and during that time, i was allowed only out for my food.

tracy felstead was sent to prison at 19 and is still coming to terms with that pain. i don't want to be that person who is scared of noises, who... you know, it broke my marriage down. it's taken its toll. no amount of money will ever change what happened. the post office have again apologised, but today, the tables have begun to turn. those who were once blamed are now asking for post office bosses to be held to account. let's catch up with the weather. good evening, stormy weather awaits us this week with two storms impact in the uk bringing disruption and damage, the initial one, storm dudley, likely to hit on wednesday and asked to thursday, should see parts of scotland, northern ireland, northern england, packing a punch with winds up to 90 mph. this

evening, winds will ease and we will have a brief window of dry and clear weather, narrowing a frost initially before more rain suits in. are reasonably bright start in southern and eastern areas but for many, a wet start followed by sunny spells and showers. the rain may drag its heels and be so to clear a southern and south—western parts of england and south—western parts of england and the north of scotland but temperatures on par with it today. more rain on wednesday and then those in or winds, potentially 90 mass per hour in exposed areas, dudley will bring more rain as well, more online. hello, this is bbc news with lukwesa burak. the headlines: as russia continues war games on ukraine's border, diplomatic efforts are redoubled. the prime minister and the us president agree tonight

that there remains a crucial window for diplomacy. this that there remains a crucial window for diplomacy-— for diplomacy. this is a very, very dangerous. _ for diplomacy. this is a very, very dangerous, difficult _ for diplomacy. this is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation. - for diplomacy. this is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation. we j dangerous, difficult situation. we are on the edge of a precipice, but there is still time for president putin to step back. bill there is still time for president putin to step back.— putin to step back. all the remaining _ putin to step back. all the remaining coronavirus - putin to step back. all the - remaining coronavirus restrictions in northern ireland, including the wearing of face coverings and proof of vaccination in nightclubs, will be scrapped from tomorrow. one family's long quest forjustice as the inquiry opens into how hundreds of post office managers were wrongfully convicted for theft. also today, the aa says the average price of petrol at the pumps across the uk hit a new record at the weekend, more than 140 8p per litre. and the teenage russian skater will continue to compete in the winter olympics despite failing a drugs test in december.

let's return to our top story and the diplomatic efforts to avoid conflict between russia and ukraine. tonight, borisjohnson has spoken on the telephone to the us president, joe biden, with the two leaders agreeing there is still a crucial window for diplomacy for russia to step back. but a downing street spokesman said the leaders emphasised that any further incursion into ukraine would result incursion into ukraine would result in a protracted crisis for russia, with far—reaching damage for both russia and the world. sources have said that at the end of the call, the prime minister said the uk wanted to do everything it could to help. and the us president is said to have replied, we are not going anywhere without you. let's speak to anywhere without you. let's speak to a lecture at the university of glasgow and a research fellow in european studies. good evening to

you. european studies. good evening to 0“. , ., ., european studies. good evening to ou. ,., ., first european studies. good evening to yon— first off. - european studies. good evening to you._ first off, howl you. good evening. first off, how otimistic you. good evening. first off, how optimistic are _ you. good evening. first off, how optimistic are you _ you. good evening. first off, how optimistic are you that _ you. good evening. first off, how optimistic are you that mr - you. good evening. first off, how optimistic are you that mr putin l optimistic are you that mr putin will indeed step back from the brink? will indeed step back from the bfink? will indeed step back from the brink? , . ., , brink? there is certainly some interesting — brink? there is certainly some interesting kremlin _ brink? there is certainly some i interesting kremlin negotiation is continuing, for example today there was a meeting between vladimir putin and lavrov and they both agreed negotiation should continue, so there is certainly a lot of interest in it kremlin talk continuing and possibly there might be some chance for this, possibly there might be some chance forthis, but possibly there might be some chance for this, but as of now we are still watching these military exercises in the race and russian minister of defence just today is meeting with president putin and said some of the exercises are expected to complete very soon and so parts of those russian troops stationed on the border with ukraine and in belarus are expected to be withdrawn, but

again we do not really know if this is going to happen in reality. if what a lot of the western leaders are saying is correct and we are on the brink of a russian invasion, aside from the words of support from ukraine's allies, is it ukraine itself, on its own in terms of military engagement? ukraine is certainly much _ military engagement? ukraine is certainly much more _ military engagement? ukraine is certainly much more prepared i military engagement? ukraine is - certainly much more prepared towards military conflict now than it used to be back in 2014. it has significantly reformed its armed forces and its military is way more prepared and better armed than it used to be. it also has a really huge mobilisation potential and we have seen waves of volunteers joining ukrainian security services, territorial defence battalions, so there is certainly high potential for ukraine to mobilise significant forces within a really short period of time. definitely in terms of its

military potential, ukrainian military potential, ukrainian military is on a much higher state thanit military is on a much higher state than it used to be eight years ago. how much support does mr putin have at home at the kremlin and within russia itself? do they believe his nationalistic narrative?— nationalistic narrative? there are certain segments _ nationalistic narrative? there are certain segments of— nationalistic narrative? there are certain segments of russian - certain segments of russian population that are certainly supporting mr putin and he certainly has absolute support amongst the elites in the kremlin, but not all of the russian population absolutely believe in the necessity of this and certainly a lot of voices, even amongst the russian elites, amongst certain cultural elites, that the current escalation is not really welcome, so there are certain

significant layers of russian population which would be engaged to this escalation. just population which would be engaged to this escalation.— this escalation. just watching the ress this escalation. just watching the press conference _ this escalation. just watching the press conference today _ this escalation. just watching the press conference today that - this escalation. just watching the | press conference today that there was a lot of analysis about the role angela merkel played when she was chancellor in providing a more nuanced understanding and the role of middleman between russia and the west. who do you think has now taken on that role? itruieiiii west. who do you think has now taken on that role?— on that role? well it seems that french prayer — on that role? well it seems that french prayer emmanuel - on that role? well it seems that| french prayer emmanuel macron on that role? well it seems that - french prayer emmanuel macron has been trying to have this wrong. —— french president. —— have this role. we should expect the french president will be assuming a very similar role, possibly the talks between macron and putin have led to certain results, but we are not aware at the moment, but we can clearly see the french president is trying to occupy this role at the moment. ., ., , , ., ., .,

moment. how does the situation from 2014, ou moment. how does the situation from 2014, you have _ moment. how does the situation from 2014, you have talked _ moment. how does the situation from 2014, you have talked about _ moment. how does the situation from 2014, you have talked about the - 2014, you have talked about the military strength ukraine now has, but how does it differ and why did president putin choose this moment to act? me president putin choose this moment to act? ~ ., ., , ., to act? we have to remember that the current escalation _ to act? we have to remember that the current escalation on _ to act? we have to remember that the current escalation on the _ to act? we have to remember that the current escalation on the border - to act? we have to remember that the current escalation on the border is - current escalation on the border is not unprecedented. last september, russia conducted very similar military deals with belarus, it actually had much more troops than it has currently, up to 200,000 russian troops participating in those military drills. also, very significant number of military hardware involved, and similar exercises also took place in september 2017, so from a russian perspective, this military build—up on the ukrainian border is is not unprecedented. they have conducted very similar and even larger exercises before. so it definitely this is part of the russian

narrative that they are not doing anything new and they have previously conducted even larger scale military exercises also in belarus and on the ukrainian border, which has been repeated by it kremlin and russian mass media on a number of times.— kremlin and russian mass media on a number of times. thank you very much indeed. a man hunt is under way for a dangerous sex offender who's serving a life sentence and has gone on the run from an open prison in lincolnshire. 56—year—old paul robson was reported missing from north sea camp prison near boston yesterday morning. police say they are extremely concerned for the public�*s safety and urging people not to approach him. now questions are being asked about why robson was being held in an open prison. caroline bilton reports. he is being described as dangerous and a menace to women. paul robson was serving a life sentence here at

the north sea camp open prison, a minimal securityjail used to house prisoners who are risk assessed and deemed suitable to such open conditions. and yet, lincolnshire police admitted today that robson is a dangerous sex offender. he is a particular danger to women and young children and they say someone who could cause someone who could cause real harm to anyone he came across. robson was into the 22nd year of his jail term. north sea camp is used to house prisoners coming to the end of their sentences. few people abscond from open conditions, and so although this is a serious case, we should take it seriously and i hope that that person is found very quickly, in general, it is a really beneficial experience for the majority of prisoners who go through open conditions. our advice to members of the public as they— our advice to members of the public as they should not try to apprehend

him or— as they should not try to apprehend him or approach him. as paul poses a risk to— him or approach him. as paul poses a risk to members of the public was not what — risk to members of the public was not what they should do if they see him is _ not what they should do if they see him is a _ not what they should do if they see him is a call— not what they should do if they see him is a call the police and report what _ him is a call the police and report what they— him is a call the police and report what they see and make sure they stay in _ what they see and make sure they stay in a _ what they see and make sure they stay in a position where they are not too — stay in a position where they are not too close to him.— stay in a position where they are not too close to him. questions are bein: not too close to him. questions are being asked — not too close to him. questions are being asked of _ not too close to him. questions are being asked of why _ not too close to him. questions are being asked of why such _ not too close to him. questions are being asked of why such a - not too close to him. questions are l being asked of why such a dangerous man was being held in an open prison of this nature. robson has now been on the run for over 24 hours, the police admit he could now be anywhere in the country. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has confirmed he's received death threats following boris johnson's false claim that he personally failed to prosecute the paedophilejimmy savile. sir keir had to be shielded by the police, from an angry mob, outside parliament last week and says the prime minister's slur has "fed into right—wing conspiracy theories." police are investigating the online death threats. the government is proposing

to cap the costs faced to cap the costs faced by leaseholders, who own flats with flammable cladding, and other fire safety defects. ministers say no leaseholder will have to pay more than 15,000 pounds in london and £10,000 in the rest of the uk for costs related to the cladding crisis. any money already paid out since the grenfell fire will count towards the cap. campaigners have welcomed the move, but say they still shouldn't be paying a penny for problems they didn't cause. the duchess of cornwall is self—isolating, after testing positive for covid—19. in a statement, clarence house said, "we continue to follow government guidelines". the duchesses' husband, the prince of wales, cancelled an event after testing positive for the virus on thursday. the world anti—doping agency, says it's disappointed says it's disappointed by the decision

to allow a 15—year—old russian figure skater who failed a drugs test to continue competing at the winter olympics. kamila valieva's positive result in december, only came to light last week, after she'd helped russia win the team skating event in beijing. the court of arbitration for sport has ruled that because of vali her age, and the timing of the test result announcement, she should be treated as an exceptional case. laura scott has the latest from beijing. cleared to skate, but not cleared of scandal. kamila valieva returned to the ice under the scrutiny of the world, after the court of arbitration for sport ruled the 15—year—old should be able to continue competing in beijing, despite testing positive for a banned substance. no provisional suspension should be imposed on the skater. in particular, the panel considered that preventing the athlete to compete at the olympic games would cause her irreparable harm. the panel said a series of exceptional circumstances

were behind its decision, including that valieva is only 15 and the fact that her positive drugs test results came back midway through these games, 44 days after the sample was taken, meaning she had little time to mount a defence. the world anti—doping agency said it was disappointed by the decision, because its rules don't allow exceptions to be made to mandatory provisional suspensions, including for minors. meanwhile, the us olympic and paralympic committees said this appears to be another chapter in the systematic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by russia. it is damaging. it's very damaging, but at the same time, you want to think that now maybe, yet again, we're at this point where something will be done, in order to make sure that nothing like this can happen again. the international olympic committee announced that there won't be a medal ceremony in the figure skating team event, which was won by the russian olympic committee, including valieva.

and there are other ramifications, too. should miss valieva finish amongst the top three competitors - in the women's single skating competition, no flower- ceremony and no medall ceremony will take place during the olympic winter games, beijing 2022. - a week since making olympic history on the ice, valieva is hoping to wow the world again with her skills. but she does so in the most controversial circumstances. laura scott, bbc news, beijing. commentator: clean as a whistle. is 01’ or the remaining coronavirus restrictions in northern ireland, including the wearing of face coverings and proof of vaccination

in nightclubs will be scrapped from tomorrow. one family's long quest forjustice tomorrow. one family's long quest for justice as the tomorrow. one family's long quest forjustice as the inquiry opens into hell hundreds of post office managers were wrongfully convicted for theft. managers were wrongfully convicted fortheft. —— managers were wrongfully convicted for theft. —— into how hundreds of post office managers. the mother of caroline flack has criticised the metropolitan police for their decision to charge her daughter with assault which she believes contributed to her suicide two years ago. the bbc understands the police watchdog has now ordered the met to investigate their decision to push for the prosecution of the presenter. mrs flack claims the police treated her daughter differently because of her celebrity status. tomorrow marks the second anniversary of her death. our special correspondent lucy manning reports. the wait is finally over! caroline flack. we watched her on screen. but those who really knew her

wanted answers about her death. two months before the tv presenter killed herself, she had been charged with assaulting her boyfriend. two years on, her mother still doesn't have the answers about the way the police treated her. do you think she was treated differently, because of who she was? totally. i just think it was because of who she was, yeah. it was because she was a celebrity? yeah. prosecutors originally said caroline should just be cautioned, but the met pushed for the presenter to be charged. the coroner later said she took her own life because she was facing prosecution and feared the publicity. but it's now two years and i have still not got an answer. and how does that leave you and the family? it leaves us really...

really sad and really angry, because you know, you want to know why they charged her. she couldn't get over that. she couldn't see a way out. and that was, it was down to that. her mother put these questions to the met. she was so dismayed with their response she complained to the police watchdog. it found the met�*s response was not reasonable and proportionate, telling mrs flack, "i do not consider your complaint has been fully addressed." it's ordered the met to do a proper investigation. what did you think about the fact that the police watchdog have forced the met to investigate your queries properly? i think it's disgusting, but i think it's typical of the met, as we see it now. there is no trust at all. no trust at all.

the met has said it is rare to give a caution in a case of domestic abuse. the force told us the police watchdog found it had answered seven areas of mrs flack's complaints, but it had been directed to reinvestigate why it had appealed the decision to caution miss flack. our thoughts and sympathies remain with caroline's family, it said. but mrs flack, feels her daughter, who had self—harmed that night and had mental health issues, was badly let down. she was fun. she just had these really dark times. as i say, usually she could get out of it, specially on telly. she loved herjob. i'm doing it for caroline, because there was so much negative press around and it won't bring her back, i know it won't bring her back, but i've got to do it for her. that but i've got to do it for her. was caroline flack's m

speaking that was caroline flack's mother speaking to our correspondent there. bbc panorama has obtained footage showing cows being hit and kicked on a large dairy farm in wales. it was filmed by an undercover worker who was sent there by the campaigning animal welfare charity animal equality. the farm concerned says any workers found to have abused cows will be disciplined. panorama reporter daniel foggo looks at the increasing pressures being put on cows to meet high milk demands. you may find some parts of his report disturbing. milk may be as popular as ever, but making money from it isn't easy. margins are tight, and cows are under increasing pressure to be more productive. amid growing welfare concerns, the campaigning charity animal equality sent an investigator to work undercover on a large dairy farm in wales last year. they have shared their footage with panorama.

to make sense of it, i wanted to meet the man who filmed it. he asked us to disguise his identity. what was the basic routine at the farm? well, i was a general worker, assisted with milking and other tasks that are required on the farm. he told me he had witnessed other workers mistreating cows on many occasions. i have seen cows being kicked while they are down. i have seen a cow hit with a shovel in herface. we showed the footage to an expert in animal welfare. they are kicking that cow pretty hard at the moment. it's abuse, it is inhumane. this should not be occurring. we also showed the welsh farm footage to a barrister who has handled many animal abuse prosecutions. shall we stop that there? yes. that is hitting eight how with a

shovel. —— a cow. yes. quite clearly, that would constitute an offence. we wrote to the owner of the welsh farm. his lawyers told us... they also said... there are 12,000 dairy farmers in the uk. the industry says it has the highest animal welfare standards in the world. panorama also saw footage of newborn calves being separated from their mothers. this industrywide practice is done to maximise the milk available for human consumption. this is the biggest issue that dairy farms globally are focusing on. most farms will separate calves from cows within the first 24—48 hours. it's a very complex issue. as an industry, we recognise that this is something difficult for consumers to grapple with. milk is far too cheap.

sometimes, i look at the cows and think it is an insult to see it being sold at the rate it is. even just one extra penny on a litre will enable a farmer to upgrade or take advantage of new technology that is out there to make sure that the cows are getting the best care that they can. the question is, would consumers be willing to pay for more expensive milk? and you can see more of "a cow's life: the true cost of milk" on bbc one tonight at 7.30 or at 10.35 in wales. the film director and producer, ivan reitman, best known for the comedy ghostbusters has died. he was 75. and �*90s, including animal house, twins and kindergarden cop. born in what is now slovakia, reitman grew up in canada, where he trained in film—making. lizo mizimba looks back at his life.

# if there's something' strange in the neighbourhood. director ivan reitman knew exactly what audience wanted. when teenagers became cinema's most lucrative audience in the 1970s and 1980s. his first big success was producing the raucous animal house at in 1977, the raucous animal house at in 1977, the movie about an hour to control fraternity incorporated some of his own experiences of college and helped begin taste for gross out comedy. he turned to directing. his working relationship with bill murray, which reached its peak with ghostbusters, began with reitman directing him in films like meatballs and stripes. where the hell have you been, soldier? training, sir! what kind of training, son?

army training, sir! he also developed a strong partnership with arnold schwarzenegger. reitman cast him injunior, kindergarten cop, and theirfirst film together, twins. my name isjulius, and i'm your twin brother. 0h, obviously! the moment i sat down, i thought i was looking into a mirror! have you missed us? and last year, he produced ghostbusters sequel, afterlife. he was a film—maker who changed the course of cinema forever. it is time for the weather. it isa it is a week to be battening down the hatches, because we have two named storms which will impact the

united kingdom. the first one, dudley, on wednesday and thursday and then storm eunice on friday. are ready amber warning attached to dudley for the met office and it is because of these powerful winds, the jet stream strong, driving and developing those areas of low pressure to become storms. ahead of that, relatively quiet this evening as they winds ease and the rain clears, but we do have a more rain and hills noted, later in the night. sweeping and of the atlantic. initially frost and a little bit of ice because we have that temporary chill, but a wet spell of weather once again to start tomorrow morning, still snow on the hills stopped millie bright in eastern areas temporarily but once rain arrives it will be slow to clear, dragging its heels across northern england and southern scotland. a little bit wintry over the hills as we are still five year, temperatures average for the time of year. already the next area of rain is waiting in the winds to come through tuesday night and into wednesday as well. we have more rain to come too.

we could have chilly weather in the north during the night on tuesday, but milder air is arriving tied in with storm dudley, said temperatures on thursday will be well above where they should be. more rain after what we have had recently, very mild indeed and then winds start to wind themselves up. it looks as if it's tom dudley will provide the most powerful winds across the northern half of the uk, is northern ireland scotland and northern england but most areas will feel the effects. —— storm dudley will provide the most powerful winds. storm dudley will provide the most powerfulwinds. more storm dudley will provide the most powerful winds. more damaging further north. the orange areas where we are expecting the most significant impact, that is where the amber warning is, and we will keep you up—to—date and the detailed warnings are on our website. it is still with us into thursday morning's rash and then gradually the winds ease a little, the weather comes, but not for long, because again at the next low pressure and storm is winding itself up for

friday. this time affecting the parts of england and wales, as well as into scotland, northern ireland, with potentially blizzard conditions and a significant snow to the north as well. as ever, we will keep you posted.

hello, i'm nuala mcgovern. you're watching context on bbc news. the evidence is clear, a warning from the british prime minister that russia plans to invade ukraine and it could be imminent. in ukraine, the president calls on the nation to stand together as the invasion could come as soon as wednesday. the crisis in ukraine has put even more pressure on petrol prices — which are now at their highest ever levels in the uk. the 15—year—old russian sensation of the winter olympics is controversially allowed to continue competing despite failing a drugs test. tonight with the context, ron christie —

republican strategist and rachel shabi — journalist and author