today at six, prince andrew settles out of court with the woman who accused him in a civil case of sexual assault. the duke has always denied the allegations made by virginia giuffre, and there's no admission of guilt in the deal. but he accepts she has suffered as a "victim of abuse." a possible court case had threatened to overshadow the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations, and the scandal the prince step bacvk from royal duties. we'll have the very latest from new york where the deal was made. also on the programme... russia claims it's pulling back some troops from the border with ukraine. president putin says he wants more talks, the west remains sceptical. mixed signals, i think at the moment. and all the more reason for us to remain very tough and very

united. in an exclusive bbc interview, novak djokovic says he'd rather not win any more trophies, than be forced to take a covid vaccine. decision—making on my body are more important than any title. or anything else. and, back on the ice. russia's kamila valieva competes at the winter olympics, despite herfailed drugs test. and coming up in sport on the bbc news channel. team gb�*s two—man bobsleigh team crashes as the wait for a british medal goes on at the winter olympics. good evening, welcome to the bbc news at six.

prince andrew and his sex abuse accuser, virginia guiffre, have reached an out—of—court settlement in the civil case filed against him in the united states. the duke of york had previously said he wanted to contest the claims in court with a jury. there is no admission of liability by the duke. he has always maintained his innocence. he also pledged to demonstrate his regret for the association with convicted sex traffickerjeffrey epstein. by supporting the "fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims". our royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. for all the show of public defiance that he was determined to fight the case in court it was always thought by lawyers and others that he would have to settle out of court and that is exactly what andrew has now done. without importantly for him any admission of liability but with the

promise of a substantial donation to virginia giuffre�*s charity in support of victims rights. a statement filed to the civil court in new york says, prince andrew has never intended to malign the character of ms giuffre and accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks. it is known thatjeffrey epstein traffic to countless young girls over many years. prince andrew regrets his association withjeffrey epstein and commends the bravery of ms giuffre and other survivors in standing upfor ms giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others. the statement today contrasts sharply with andrew's newsnight interview when he expressed no sympathy for the victims ofjeffrey epstein and said he had no regrets about his friendship with him. do he had no regrets about his friendship with him.- he had no regrets about his friendship with him. do you regret the friendship? _ friendship with him. do you regret the friendship? now, _ friendship with him. do you regret the friendship? now, still- friendship with him. do you regret the friendship? now, still not - friendship with him. do you regret the friendship? now, still not on i the friendship? now, still not on the friendship? now, still not on the reason _ the friendship? now, still not on the reason being _

the friendship? now, still not on the reason being is— the friendship? now, still not on the reason being is that - the friendship? now, still not on the reason being is that the - the friendship? now, still not on i the reason being is that the people i met_ the reason being is that the people i met on_ the reason being is that the people i met on the opportunities i was given— i met on the opportunities i was given to — i met on the opportunities i was given to learn either by him or because — given to learn either by him or because of him were actually very usefuh _ because of him were actually very useful. ., ., , , , _ ~ useful. legal observers say andrew reall had useful. legal observers say andrew really had little _ useful. legal observers say andrew really had little choice _ useful. legal observers say andrew really had little choice but - useful. legal observers say andrew really had little choice but to - really had little choice but to settle. ., . ., really had little choice but to settle. ., _, , , .,, settle. out-of-court settlements as we know are — settle. out-of-court settlements as we know are most _ settle. out-of-court settlements as we know are most often _ settle. out-of-court settlements as we know are most often used - settle. out-of-court settlements as we know are most often used to - settle. out-of-court settlements as we know are most often used to try| we know are most often used to try and keep things private. he has given her something in this wording, he said he acknowledges that ms giuffre is an established victim of sexual abuse.— giuffre is an established victim of sexual abuse. buckingham palace offered no comment _ sexual abuse. buckingham palace offered no comment but - sexual abuse. buckingham palace offered no comment but one - sexual abuse. buckingham palace | offered no comment but one thing sexual abuse. buckingham palace i offered no comment but one thing is certain, this out—of—court settlement will be a huge relief to the royal family. settlement will be a huge relief to the royalfamily. the prospect of a court case hanging over the queen's platinum jubilee was not one they relished, to put it mildly. i platinum jubilee was not one they relished, to put it mildly.- relished, to put it mildly. i think for the royal— relished, to put it mildly. i think for the royal family _ relished, to put it mildly. i think for the royal family this - relished, to put it mildly. i think for the royal family this was - relished, to put it mildly. i think for the royal family this was the only decision prince andrew could have taken. this will save months of

embarrassing revelations coming out and spoiling the platinum jubilee year. and spoiling the platinum jubilee ear. w . and spoiling the platinum jubilee ear. n . ~ �* , , year. quite what andrew's future is now is unclear. _ year. quite what andrew's future is now is unclear. in _ year. quite what andrew's future is now is unclear. in a _ year. quite what andrew's future is now is unclear. in a statement - year. quite what andrew's future is | now is unclear. in a statement today he said he will work to support the fight against the evils of sex trafficking. nicholas witchell, bbc news. we can go to new york and get the latest from our correspondent nada tawfik. all the indications were that the duke and ms giuffre wanted to settle this in court?— this in court? yes, legal experts from the start _ this in court? yes, legal experts from the start had _ this in court? yes, legal experts from the start had expected - this in court? yes, legal experts| from the start had expected that this would ultimately be settled because of the potential for even greater financial and reputational damage to prince andrew. and this was the key time for his lawyers to try to do that. after it failed to get his case dismissed and before the invasive period of depositions where each side are questioned under oath. settlements are all about both sides getting as much as they can.

backin sides getting as much as they can. back injanuary ms giuffre's lawyer david boies said it was important that this be settled in a way that vindicated her and clearly that they think this is the closest they could get to that. prince andrew did not admit any wrongdoing in doing so could have opened him up to potential legal jeopardy. could have opened him up to potential legaljeopardy. but he does again state that he never intended to malign her character and accepts that she has suffered as a victim of abuse and from unfair public attacks. he also pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with his friend and convicted sex offenderjeffrey epstein. so the settlement clearly reflects a change in tone and spares the duke of york the humiliation of a very public trial. nada tawfik, many thanks. and our royal correspondent nicholas witchell is here. where does the settlement leave the duke and indeed the royalfamily? i

duke and indeed the royal family? i think two things that we can say with certainty, first what a huge relief this will be to the royal family for all the obvious reasons in this year of the platinum jubilee. the other thing i think is as certain as we can assume it to be is that andrew had been under immense pressure from within the family to settle this. they mediation of a public court hearing was just mediation of a public court hearing wasjust unimaginable. i think mediation of a public court hearing was just unimaginable. i think other members of the family must�*ve been dismayed and dumbfounded even by the way that andrew and his advisers have handled all of this. so now after the manoeuvring comes a settlement, very careful wording and no admission of liability. that is absolutely fundamental and important but we remember that but there is this essential donation to ms giuffre's charity, no mention of how much it is no repeat of course of his newsnight line that he could not recall ever having met virginia giuffre. instead there is

recognition that she suffered as an established victim of abuse. so yes, what of andrew and his future, could there be a way back to a public role? i have to say it is hard right now to see one. he has been shown to have had such poorjudgment and such poor choice of friends in the brutal fact is would anyone actually want him? would any charity or regiments and so on want to be associated with him after all this for all that there is no admission of liability. perhaps the answer is as he stares at the end of the statement to pledge to support the fight against the evils of sex trafficking and its victims and perhaps that offers the best and perhaps even the only route back for him. best and perhaps even the only route back for him-— russia says it's pulling back some of its troops from near the border with ukraine, after its recent military buildup that raised fears of an invasion. the defence ministry says large—scale drills will continue, but some units are returning

to their bases, though there's no independent confirmation of the withdrawal. president putin says the west still hasn't addressed his concerns about russian security, and nato's eastward expansion, but he is prepared to continue dialogue. borisjohnson says there are signs of a "diplomatic opening" to resolve the crisis. more than 100,000 russian troops remain on ukraine's borders. let's get the latest from steve rosenberg, in moscow. russia's army on the move. and apparently heading away from ukraine's border. moscow announced it is pulling back some of its troops. is it a signal that the kremlin is ready to de—escalate? russia says it is proof it is not preparing for invasion. in moscow more socially distance diplomacy. this time germany has my chance like

trying to persuade vladimir putin to reduce tensions even further. the kremlin is ready to talk. translation: there are some things we are ready to discuss. it was us who suggested on european security, medium and short range missiles and transparency and we are ready to continue ourjoint work. the kremlin has not got what it really wants, ukraine barred from joining nato. but east and west are now talking about european security and it seems that those discussions will continue. so some positive signs of diplomacy and deescalation. but it is still unclear how this crisis will end. one thing is certain, vladimir putin is loving the attention and loving the fact that while readers have been lining up to come here to talk to him. because that puts him exactly where he wants to be. slap bang centre of the

geopolitical stage. to be. slap bang centre of the geopoliticalstage. but to be. slap bang centre of the geopolitical stage. but the muscle flexing has not stopped. completely. some russian military drills are continuing near the ukrainian border and the number of troops that moscow has actually pulled back is not clear. . ., , clear. the intelligence we have seen toda still clear. the intelligence we have seen today still not _ clear. the intelligence we have seen today still not encouraging. - clear. the intelligence we have seen today still not encouraging. we - clear. the intelligence we have seenj today still not encouraging. we have more battalion tactical groups being brought closer to the border with ukraine according to the intelligence that we are seeing. so mixed signals i think at the moment. what does it all mean for the international reputation of russia? the image of russia right now in the west is of a country which is ready to use force. west is of a country which is ready to use force-— west is of a country which is ready to use force. it is a problem of the imaue to use force. it is a problem of the image makers from _ to use force. it is a problem of the image makers from the _ to use force. it is a problem of the image makers from the west. - to use force. it is a problem of the image makers from the west. for| to use force. it is a problem of the - image makers from the west. for them russia is of the fact because they know for sure that we have nuclear weapons and missiles. they understand that clearly. we are the only country in the world with the

same possibilities as america. promising signs but ukraine and the west are still unsure. it is russia really pulling back and committed to a peaceful resolution of the crisis? steve rosenberg, bbc news. our diplomatic correspondent, james landale is here... what are we left with after this supposed pull—back of troops? let’s supposed pull-back of troops? let's be optimistic. _ supposed pull— back of troops? let�*s be optimistic, perhaps a little bit more space has been opened up today for diplomacy. president putin has done something that he never or rarely does, hold a press conference with a foreign leader. he said he is willing to talk to the best about things like transparency of military exercises and arms control. his foreign minister talks about the need for pragmatic dialogue so if you are back into the claimed group with daut you could say russia potential is trying to defuse things. but nato and western powers

say there is no evidence as yet of any de—escalation. we still have 130,000 russian troops pointed directly at ukraine and as for diplomacy mr putin made it clear that he is demanding things that nato cannot give. withdrawing all troops from eastern europe are moving their missiles and vetoing ukrainian membership forever. so i think the threat remains as well as but perhaps today you could say there is little diminuendo in the tension. and in a letter to mps tonight liz truss the foreign secretary said an invasion could be imminent, wejudge it to be highly likely but there remains the possibility that this could be a stalemate that continues for period. james, thank you. novak djokovic says he'd rather miss out on future tennis trophies, than be forced to take a covid vaccine. speaking exclusively to the bbc, the men's world number one insisted he wasn't part of any anti—vax movement, but believed the right to choose was more important than any tennis tournament.

he was deported from australia last month, for being a threat to public safety. he's been speaking to the bbc�*s amol rajan. he is widely held to be the greatest player of his time, in an era already blessed with legends. but now he is the most controversial, too. good to see you. take a seat. thank you so much. but home in belgrade he reflected on the side that last month he had flown to australia for this to an open and unvaccinated he had a medical exemption having had covid in december. but australia cancelled his visit twice, the second time on the grounds that he had sparked anti—vaccination protest. have you received any vaccination against covid? i have not. why? i understand and support fully

the freedom to choose whether you want to get vaccinated or not. i have not spoken about this before and i have not disclosed my medical record and my vaccination status, because i had the right to keep that private and discreet. but as i see there is a lot of wrong conclusions and assumptions out there, i think it's important to speak up about that and justify certain things. i was never against vaccination. me, as an elite professional athlete have always carefully reviewed, assessed everything that comes in from the supplements, food, water that i drink, or sports drinks — anything, really, that comes into my body as a fuel. what do you say directly to anti—vaccination campaigners around the world who proudly declare novak djokovic is one of us? i say that everyone has the right

to choose to act or say whatever they feel is appropriate for them. and i have never said that i am part of that movement. based on all the information that i got, i decided not to take the vaccine as of today. i keep my mind open, because we are all trying to find collectively a best possible solution to end covid. on arrival in australia last month he was taken to a detention centre after his visa was cancelled. i want to understand you better and i can imagine your experience was far from pleasant. it imagine your experience was far from leasant. ., , ., , ., ,., , pleasant. it was not pleasant but i do not want _ pleasant. it was not pleasant but i do not want to _ pleasant. it was not pleasant but i do not want to sit _ pleasant. it was not pleasant but i do not want to sit complaining - pleasant. it was not pleasant but i i do not want to sit complaining about conditions in a detention centre because i stayed for seven days,

around seven days and some people have stayed there for years. did you feel powerless? i did feel powerless. when i arrived i was not allowed to use my phone for three or four hours and it was the middle of the night. the visa was reinstated and then revoked again so i was free forfour and then revoked again so i was free for four days and i was training but it was locked a regular kind of training. not training days that i would normally have prior to a grand slam competition. i had helicopters flying above every single training session i had. cameras all over the place. and also my colleagues and that hurt me a lot because i felt that hurt me a lot because i felt that energy and those looks from my colleagues. what would you say to the ordinary australian listening to you now and says, based on what they see in the news, this guy thinks he's above the law, he thinks that he doesn't have to abide by the same

rules as everybody else? i understand that there has been lots of, say, frustrations from australian people towards me and towards the entire situation and the way it was dealt with. i would like to say that i always follow the rules. as things stand, if this means that you miss the french open, is that a price you would be willing to pay? yes, that is the price that i am willing to pay. and if it means you miss wimbledon this year, again, that is a price you are willing to pay? yes. ultimately, are you prepared to forgo the chance to be the greatest player that ever picked up a racket, statistically, because you feel so strongly about this jab? yes. i do. amol rajan, bbc news, belgrade. as we've heard, novak djokovic says he's �*keeping his mind open�* on the possibility

of being vaccinated. our medical editor, fergus walsh, now looks at what we already know, about the covid vaccines available. novak djokovic says he doesn't have enough information about the vaccine and how it might affect his body, but there is already a mountain of evidence available. regulated very difficult technologies. they were developed in record time but went through all the usual trial stages involving tens of thousands of volunteers. the scientists involved and regulators are adamant that no corners were cut all safety. since then more than 10 billion doses have been administered and just over six in ten of the world bowl population had at least one covid jab. like all medicines and vaccines can have side effects. some of the very rare runs were only

picked up at the millions had been jabbed. but your risk of some of those very rare complications like blood clots or heart problems or far higher after covid than from the jabs. higher after covid than from the 'abs. , ., u , ., higher after covid than from the 'abs. , , ., , , jabs. these vaccines have been used widely around _ jabs. these vaccines have been used widely around the _ jabs. these vaccines have been used widely around the world _ jabs. these vaccines have been used widely around the world at _ jabs. these vaccines have been used widely around the world at large - jabs. these vaccines have been used widely around the world at large of l widely around the world at large of the people so we have a lot of information we didn't have a year ago about their safety. we are seeing that rare and severe side effects are extremely unusual and we have consistently seen these vaccines prevent serious disease caused by covid people that receive them. ., ., u , ., ., , them. over to vaccines already likely saved — them. over to vaccines already likely saved millions _ them. over to vaccines already likely saved millions of - them. over to vaccines already likely saved millions of lives i them. over to vaccines already l likely saved millions of lives they appear to protect against long covid. and it is immunisation which is enabling sports fans to get back into packed stadiums to see their heroes. mr into packed stadiums to see their heroes. ~ , . , heroes. mr d'okovic thinks it is ok for sort heroes. mr djokovic thinks it is ok for sport spectators _ heroes. mr djokovic thinks it is ok for sport spectators and _ heroes. mr djokovic thinks it is ok for sport spectators and all - heroes. mr djokovic thinks it is ok for sport spectators and all the - for sport spectators and all the vows _ for sport spectators and all the vows to— for sport spectators and all the vows to get the vaccine that allows him to _ vows to get the vaccine that allows him to get— vows to get the vaccine that allows him to get back to play the sport in

front_ him to get back to play the sport in front of— him to get back to play the sport in front of them under millions again, it is ok _ front of them under millions again, it is ok to— front of them under millions again, it is ok to him to have them take the vaccine — it is ok to him to have them take the vaccine but it is not a get for them _ the vaccine but it is not a get for them i— the vaccine but it is not a get for them. i think it should reflect on is an— them. i think it should reflect on is an elite athlete novak djokovic is an elite athlete novak djokovic is an elite athlete novak djokovic is a very— is an elite athlete novak djokovic is a very low risk from covid, but it is— is a very low risk from covid, but it is not— is a very low risk from covid, but it is not zero _ is a very low risk from covid, but it is not zero. he says he has called — it is not zero. he says he has called covid price already and that will give _ called covid price already and that will give him some protection, but the best— will give him some protection, but the best safeguard is to be triple jahhed _ the best safeguard is to be triple jabbed rather than taking your chances — jabbed rather than taking your chances from the virus. fergus was reporting there. you can see amol rajan's full interview with novak djokovic in a special programme tonight at 8:30 on bbc one, or via catch up on iplayer and bbc sounds. it is 21 minutes past six. our top story this evening. prince andrew has reached an out of court settlement with the woman who accused him, in a civil case, of sexual assault. coming up... the ongoing search for endurance — the lost ship of antarctic explorer sir ernest shackleton. on the hour, stay on the bbc news

channel with all the latest report, results, interviews and features from the bbc sport centre. a review of health services for miscarriages in england, is investigating the lack of support for the partners of women losing a pregnancy. feelings of helplessness, being ignored and isolation can often be felt. tulip mazumdar has been to essex, to speak to one group of men, who are offering each other mutual support. i felt completely alone, and i was the only one in the world going through this. people acted as if because my baby didn't arrive, she didn't die and we didn't actually lose the baby, but we very much did. the best thing that people did after we lost our sons reuben and henry was acknowledging. that it existed. these men share more

than just a love of football. they have all lost babies. some died early on in pregnancy. others within days of being born. during and after a loss, the focus is quite rightly on the woman. support for women across the uk is patchy, but support for men is practically nonexistent. matt and his wife, lauren, have suffered four miscarriages, including two late losses. it absolutely crushed me, i'd go and do some shopping and i'd cry in the car on the way to the shops, or i'd go and cry in the shower or, you know, i'd cry sitting on the toilet because that was the only time i could get could get to be alone. i don't think people think that miscarriage affects men as much as it does. miscarriages can range from a loss with bleeding over many weeks to women losing a lot of blood very quickly and becoming extremely unwell. during a late miscarriage, mums may give birth to their tiny babies with their partners watching on.

with regards to the team, as much as, you know, we don't all kind of sit around and discuss our losses, it's just that absolute knowledge that everyone has experienced what you're going through. there's no pressure to grieve, us playing football and us doing the training is us grieving. what are partners, particularly men up against when it comes to dealing with this kind of loss? this toxic masculinity. "big boys don't cry, man up." you know... it's a stereotype of being strong for your partner, isn't it? yeah. you're listening to the dads still standing podcast and we're about miscarriage, about stillbirth, about baby loss... after meeting at the football club, matt and liam came up with the idea of a podcast aimed at grieving dads. hearing us tell each other everything allows other dads to feel like they can tell people what they're going through. it is rough and it is awful.

but actually, that thing you're really scared about is going to be all right. tulip mazumdur, bbc news, writtle in essex. all remaining covid restrictions in northern ireland have been lifted, and replaced by guidance on behaviour. ministers at stormont say the spread of the omicron variant isn't putting significant pressure on hospitals. but there is a warning that covid has not gone away. where does it become the first uk nation to the uk'sjoint committee on vaccination and immunisation. for some, the lost ship of antarctic explorer sir ernest shackleton is the greatest of all undiscovered wrecks. endurance sank in 1915, and all 28 crew survived. now a major scientific expedition is trying to find the wreckage, in the weddell sea off antarctica. the search ship, endurance 22, left cape town ten days ago,

and after a tricky voyage on rough seas, is now in position. well, the historian dan snow is on board the ship, and joins us live. good evening. i am on board all endurance _ good evening. i am on board all endurance 22. _ good evening. i am on board all endurance 22. we _ good evening. i am on board all endurance 22. we are _ good evening. i am on board all endurance 22. we are in - good evening. i am on board all endurance 22. we are in the - good evening. i am on board all- endurance 22. we are in the weddell sea got wejust endurance 22. we are in the weddell sea got we just got here, what shackleton did, we are looking for a way through the sea ice, what, very slowly, even this has caused damage to the hole. we are buzzing around because the iceberg, the eyes is looking into it, we are looking into it i should say. endurance lies about the day journey ahead of it i should say. endurance lies about the dayjourney ahead of us. underwater drones will complete searching. if we cut the boy from the back of the ship we will take helicopters to an ice cap, drill

through the eyes and then deploy those don't. and we are hoping that we are able to find endurance and connect with that extraordinary story of shackleton and his crew. boys wanted to say this but don't know reporting for the bbc on the weddell sea. know reporting for the bbc on the weddell sea-— know reporting for the bbc on the weddell sea. . ,, , ., ,, ., ., weddell sea. thank you. dan snow on board endurance _ weddell sea. thank you. dan snow on board endurance 22. _ the 15—year old russian figure skater kameela valieva has been in action at the winter olympics in beijing, for the first time since being cleared to compete despite a failed drugs test. it comes as her team argue the positive result, was due to contamination with her grandfather's heart medication. her performance was enough to put her in the lead in the individual women's skating event, as our sports correspondent andy swiss reports. so now it's time for the girl at the centre of the storm. | back on the ice and under the spotlight, the eyes of the world once again on kamila valieva. cleared to compete despite failing a drugs test, how would the 15—year—old cope?

well after an early stumble, the crowd held its breath. and not to be on that take off. but she regained her poise and soon her remarkable talent was plain to see. a stunning performance and a final flourish before it seemed the emotions of the last week overflowed. well, there's no denying the talent, the artistry. i but as the tears rolled, the questions mounted. earlier it emerged she'd claimed her positive test was caused by contamination with her grandfather's medicine. and although her score put her top at the halfway point, her mere presence continues to divide these games. it's an enormous lead. forteam gb, meanwhile, it was a day when more hopes came crashing down. 0h! a bruising start to the slopestyle final for 17—year—old kirsty muir, and although she soon found herfeet... huge! she couldn't quite find her best.

in the end, she had to settle for eighth. one place above her team—mate katie summerhayes. storms the 12! well, amid all the thrills and spills, it wasn't to be for kirsty muir and for katie summerhayes here. and what that means, of course, is that britain's long wait for their first medal of these games goes on. this is a beautiful, clean run... and soon another hope tumbled in the most dramatic fashion. oh, no. it's crashed. britain's two—man bobsleigh coming to an icy end. thankfully, no harm done. but what's this? the men's curling team into the semis and in sight of a medal. after 11 desperate days, could team gb finally have something to celebrate? andy swiss, bbc news, beijing. time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. it will be dudley, is set to arrive

later tomorrow. ahead of that we have more rain in the forecast. rain is coming into wetter areas at the moment which will push north and east overnight, not muttering for the running in. some snow no overhead part of scotland. here on the other side. away from here it should be a mild and largely dry start to wednesday again we will see the cloud increasing and we will see some rain coming in, particularly to northern ireland. the southern half of scotland, northern part of being and weathering will be happier. there is overhead of that wet weather it will be extremely mild for the time of year. deborah did reaching 17. but the winners are going to strengthen through wednesday is still dudley arrives. whilst it gets windy widely it is in this area where we have this amber wind warning from the met office. this is where we are more likely to have some damage and disruption of the winds are picking up sooner. will be sought to ease quicker as well because storm dudley in northern scotland it is not lying about. it will take some dodging

winds in continental europe on thursday. we are left with