welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm mariko oi. the headlines: prince andrew reaches an out of court settlement with virginia giuffre, without any admission of liability. russia claims some troops have withdrawn from the border with ukraine, but have they? president biden says allied action will be swift if moscow orders an invasion. if russia attacks ukraine they will be met with overwhelming international condemnation. the world will not forget that russia chose meet death and destruction. novak djokovic tells the bbc he's prepared to put his career on the line over the covid—19 vaccine.

and the american author and satirist, pj o'rourke has died at the age of 7a. live from our studio in singapore. this is bbc news. it's newsday. hello and thanks forjoining us. prince andrew and virginia giuffre, the woman who'd accused him of sexual assault, have reached an out—of—court settlement, in a civil case. he'd previously said he wanted to contest the claims in front of a jury. there is no admission of liability by the duke, who's always maintained his innocence, but in the agreement, he accepts ms giuffre, has suffered as a "victim of abuse." he's also pledged to "demonstrate his regret for his association, with the convicted sex traffickerjeffrey epstein," by supporting the "fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims".

the duke of york is to make a substantial donation to ms giuffre�*s charity, supporting victims�* rights. with more on the settlement, here's our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. 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's exactly what andrew has now done. without, importantly for him, any admission of liability, over virginia giuffre�*s central assertion against andrew of sexual assault, but with the promise of a substantial donation to ms giuffre�*s charity in support of victims�* rights. a statement filed to the civil court in new york said...

the statement contrasts sharply with andrew's newsnight interview when he expressed no sympathy for epstein�*s victims and said he had no regrets about his friendship with epstein. do you regret the whole friendship with epstein? now, still not, and the reason being is that the people i met and the opportunities that i was given to learn, either by him or because of him, were actually very useful. for andrew, it was vital in the settlement not to accept any liability. for virginia giuffre, to have had her ordeal at the hands ofjeffrey epstein to be fully recognised. overall it's very

positive for her. it's also positive for him, but he's the real loser in all this because of the terrible public relations below he's suffered as a result of all of this. buckingham palace has offered no comment but one thing is certain, this out—of—court settlement will be a huge relief to the royal family. the prospect of a court case hanging over the queen's platinum jubilee was not one they relished, to put it mildly. i think for the royal family this was really the only decision prince andrew could have taken. this will save months of embarrassing revelations coming out and spoiling the queen's platinum jubilee year. quite what andrew's future is now is unclear. in the court statement he says he will work to support the fight against the evils of sex trafficking. nicholas witchell, bbc news. earlier, i spoke to shayna jacobs who reports on federal courts and law enforcement for the washington post —

and i asked her if this settlement had been expected. the settlements for a lot of people watching this was almost inevitable just because of what we heard previously about the amount of sheer embarrassment and humiliation that hearing this manner out in court probably would've brought andrew into the entire royal family, and as intensely curious as most people watching this are, we really don't have the details of what the settlement says, and that's by design honestly because a lot of these cases do and and settlements and the incentive for a defendant to settle is often the fact that damaging information will be concealed from public review.— information will be concealed from public review. aside from the reputational _ from public review. aside from the reputational damage -

from public review. aside from the reputational damage and l from public review. aside from | the reputational damage and so on, legally speaking, is the case now over?— case now over? the case is essentially _ case now over? the case is essentially over, _ case now over? the case is essentially over, yes, - case now over? the case is essentially over, yes, both| case now over? the case is i essentially over, yes, both of the parties submitted basically a stipulated agreement today that says that she is withdrawing her lawsuit, her claim, and some point it will be officially closed on the docket and a closed manner, unless of course somebody allegedly violates the term of what advair terms, unless somebody violates or allegedly violates anything contained in the actual settlement agreement. i the actual settlement agreement. the actual settlement a . reement. , . ., agreement. i understand that ou said agreement. i understand that you said there _ agreement. i understand that you said there is _ agreement. i understand that you said there is not - agreement. i understand that you said there is not much . you said there is not much detail on the settlements, but do you expect that there may be a confidential —— confidentiality —— confidentiality —— confidentiality aspect to the agreement?— agreement? that is a very likely explanation - agreement? that is a very likely explanation for - agreement? that is a very likely explanation for why | agreement? that is a very - likely explanation for why more wasn't revealed today and for why both sides are not speaking to, you know, what they got out

of it or didn't get out of it. in all likelihood, there is a nondisclosure agreement signed by both sides and their attorneys, and in all likelihood, there won't be anything officially released about it from now on. president biden has urged russia to step back from the brink of war, saying it hasn't been verfied, that moscow has begun withdrawing troops from ukraine's border. he warns that a russian invasion still "remains distinctly possible," but that the "united states and its nato allies are prepared for whatever happens, and russia would pay a steep economic price." earlier president putin said he didn't want war in europe, but that the west still needs to address his concerns about russian security, and nato's eastward expansion. borisjohnson says there are signs of a "diplomatic opening" to resolve the crisis. well over 100,000 russian troops remain on ukraine's borders. 0ur correspondent, steve rosenberg, has the very latest from 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 an invasion. in moscow, more socially distanced diplomacy. germany's chancellor with his work cut out to get 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 them, on european security, medium and short range missiles and military transparency. 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, loving the fact that world leaders have been lining up to come here to talk to him. because that puts mr putin exactly where he wants 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 ukrains border, and the number of troops that moscow has actually pulled back is not clear. the intelligence we have seen today is 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. president biden said a russian invasion it remained a distinct possibility. if russia attacks ukraine, it will be met with overwhelming international condemnation. the world will not forget that russia chose needless death and destruction. 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. it is a problem of image makers from the west. for them, russia is a threat for sure because they know for sure that we are equal in terms of nuclear weapons and missiles. they understand that clearly. we are the only country in the world with the same possibilities as america. for now, ukraine and the west

are waiting for more evidence that russia is pulling back, that moscow is committed to resolving this crisis peacefully. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. amid the international warnings of an imminent russian invasion, there's no obvious sign of panic in eastern ukraine, where many are already war weary. an on—going conflict between russian—backed separatists and the ukrainian government has claimed more than 14,000 lives in the east, since 2014. our international correspondent, orla guerin reports from the strategic port city of mariupol, just 30 miles from ukraine's border, with russia. history looms large over mariupol. the soviet past carved in stone. moscow hankers for the dominance it lost. but ukraine has moved on and says there is no going back. at the supermarket tills today, business as usual.

no empty shelves, no panic buying, not what you might expect given all the talk of invasion. tatiana has seen a lot in her 7a years. she doesn't buy it. "the invasion isjust in our heads," she told me. "nobody is going to invade, not everyone is a fool. "nobody will attack their brothers." perhaps, but their slavic brothers remain within striking distance, just 30 miles up this road. it's now a dead zone because pro—moscow rebels have been at war with ukrainian troops for the past eight years. up ahead is territory controlled by russian backed separatists and then the border

with russia itself, where the road is almost empty today, no sign of trouble on the horizon, but russia's pressure on ukraine is a long—term project, and here in the east, plenty of damage has already been done. and year by year, it is handed on. this is the baptism of a four—month—old baby into the ukrainian orthodox church. his family lost everything in 2015 — when pro—moscow separatists took their city. they are internally displaced like one and half million others. now they live in mariupol in this rundown building. three generations crammed into two rooms. mhatve's grandmother, elena, tells me they had a good life before the war with a home of their own.

then shelling forced them to flee. "we left our house and jobs" she says, "and we moved." now she fears that may happen again. nearby, another indelible mark left by war. a mural of a little girl orphaned in 2015, her mother died shielding herfrom shelling. orla guerin, bbc news. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme. attributes to the celebrated journalist author and satirist, pj o'rourke who's died. nine years and 15,000 deaths after going into afghanistan,

the last soviet troops were finally coming home — the withdrawal completed in good order, but the army defeated in the task it had been sent to perform. malcolm has been murdered. that has a terrible effect for the morale of the people. i'm terrified of the repercussions in the streets. one wonders who is next. as the airlift got under way, there was no let—up in the eruption itself. lava streams from a vent low in the crater flow down to the sea on the east of the island, away from the town for the time being. it could start flowing again at any time. the russians heralded - their new—generation space station with a spectacular night launch. _ they've called it mir — l

the russian for "peace". this is newsday on the bbc. i'm mariko oi in singapore. our headlines... prince andrew has reached an out of court financial settlement with virginia giuffre, without admitting liability. russia claims some troops have withdrawn from the ukrainian border, but have they? president biden says allied action will be swift if there's an invasion. 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's the most controversial too. have you received any vaccination against covid? i have not. why? i understand that, and support fully, the freedom to choose whether you want to get vaccinated or not and 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. on december 16th, djokovic tested positive for covid, but only found out, he says, after mixing with young tennis

players the following day. when he arrived in australia on january 5th, he was held at the border. onjanuary 6th, his visa was cancelled and he was detained. four days later onjanuary 10th, a judge overturned that decision releasing him to compete. but four days after that, onjanuary14th, australia's immigration minister again cancelled his visa on grounds of public safety. djokovic appealed, but lost, and left australia on january 16th. i was never against vaccination. me, as an elite professional athlete, i've always carefully reviewed, assessed everything that comes in from the supplements, food, the water that i drink, or sports drinks, anything really that comes into my body as a fuel. the world number one insists that he did obey the rules in trying to enter australia and distanced himself from the anti—vax movement.

as things stand, if this means that you miss the french open, is that a price you'd be willing to pay? yes, that is the price that i'm willing to pay. and if it means that you miss wimbledon this year, again that's a price you're willing to pay? yes. ultimately, are you prepared to forego 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. why, novak? why? because the principles of decision—making on my body are more important than any title or anything else. i'm trying to be in tune with my body as much as i possibly can. djokovic insists he is keeping an open mind, but, for now, shows no sign of changing it.

amol rajan, bbc news, belgrade. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines.... at least ten people have died and 1a are missing after a spanish fishing boat sank off the east —— at least ten people have died and 11 are missing after a spanish fishing boat sank off the east coast of canada. three crew members have been rescued, and efforts to find more survivors are continuing. spain's prime minister pedro sanchez said he was following the rescue operation "with concern". the former president of hundras has surrendered to police after a request by the united states for him to be extradited to america. huan orlando hernandez was fitted with a protective vest as he surrendered to police. hernandez is accused by us prosecutors of being involved in a drug—trafficking network. the police chief in the canadian capital, ottawa, has resigned over his handling of protests against covid vaccine mandates. peter sloly has faced growing criticism from residents angry that parts of the city have

been brought to a standstill for nearly three weeks. some have described seeing police fist— bump demonstrators and allow fuel and other supplies to reach their encampments. the family of a woman who was shot dead on a film set in the us are suing the actor, alec baldwin, and the movie's other producers for wrongful death. last october, baldwin was pointing a gun at halyna hutchins when it went off; he says he never pulled the trigger. a criminal investigation into the cinematographer�*s killing is continuing. the us writer and satirist pj o'rourke has died at the age of 7a. best known for books including "republican party reptile" and "eat the rich", he took the �*gonzo' journalism of 1960s counterculture and refashioned it into a distinctive brand of conservative and libertarian commentary. a specific cause of his death

has not been revealed but his publisher said mr o'rourke had been ill in recent months. david willis is in los angeles. he has all the latest. david, tributes have been paid. they have indeed. _ tributes have been paid. they have indeed. journalists - tributes have been paid. tie: have indeed. journalists and writers have taken to social media to commemorate the life of pj or roque —— o'rourke, editor in chief of the centre—right publication here at the dispatch called pj o'rourke a unique talent but alsojust a really o'rourke a unique talent but also just a really good dude, may he rest in peace. pj o'rourke was one of the most prolific, one of the most widely quoted authors in american life. the author of more than 20 bucks, a couple of which went to number one in the new york times bestseller list. they ranged across a diverse

number of subjects from politics, economics to automobiles. one quote i particularly like like and pj overworked's writing style to a cross between the hedonism of hunter s thompson and the patrician mockery of tom wolfe, and mark was mocking something that pj o'rourke love to do, principally as far as those on the left were concerned, but his acerbic wit and earned him supporters of both sides of the political divide here.— political divide here. david tell me about _ political divide here. david tell me about his - political divide here. david tell me about his journey. | political divide here. david | tell me about his journey. i believe he was a hippie before he became a very well—known author, as he said. he became a very well-known author, as he said.— author, as he said. that's riuht. author, as he said. that's right- he _ author, as he said. that's right. he started - author, as he said. that's right. he started his- author, as he said. that's l right. he started his writing career on underground publications here before finding work at national lampoon in the 1970s, which was iconic publication as far as humour was concerned around about that time in american

history. he was editor in chief of national lampoon and went on to write for a number of different magazines here including rolling stone and the atlantic monthly. he was funny, incisive, irreverent and credited, as he say with refashioning that gonzo journalism in the 1960s as perpetrated particularly by writers such as hunter s thompson and turning it into a distinctive brand of conservative commentary. what about more _ conservative commentary. what about more recently, _ conservative commentary. what about more recently, though? did they have any kind of place in the republican party, especially after ending up supporting hillary clinton over donald trump.— supporting hillary clinton over donald trump. that's right. he famously said _ donald trump. that's right. he famously said of _ donald trump. that's right. he famously said of hillary - famously said of hillary clinton back in 2016 she is wrong about absolutely everything, but she's wrong within normal parameters, which was taken more as a swipe at clinton's opponent, donald trump, then at her herself.

throughout his entire career, self—importance was a key target for pj overworked. he viewed it with a combination of weathering distain and a very powerful line and put downs. i might add he never lost track of his midwestern roots. indeed come at the time of his death, he is thought to have been writing a book about the united states viewed from the perspective of his hometown toledo. ~ , ., ., toledo. david willis and not los angeles. _ thank you so much for that update. you have been watching newsday. a reminder of our top story. britain's prince andrew will no longer face a civil court case in the united states for sexual assault, after coming to a financial settlement with his accuser. the prince had previously said he wanted to contest virginia guiffre's claims before a jury. court documents show no admission of liability by the prince. but he will make a donation to a charity set up by ms guiffre

for victims' rights. that is it for this edition of newsday. thank you so much for watching. hello there. it's going to be a stormy few days ahead. the first of two named storms arrives during wednesday, that is a storm dudley. and ahead of dudley we have seen this stream of cloud pushing in on those stronger winds from the atlantic bringing yet more rain across from the west. by the time we get to wednesday morning, most of that wetter weather is out of the way. still some wetness there across northern scotland, but away from here, it's a mild start, and there may be some early sunshine, but it will cloud over quickly. we've got the rain coming in from dudley, soon arriving in northern ireland, heavier more persistent rain here pushing into northern england and heading northwards into a good part of scotland. further south, perhaps not too much in the way of rain, but it will be turning milder, very mild in the southeast, temperatures here reaching 16—17 celsius. as it gets milder, the winds are going to be

strengthening across many parts of the country throughout the day. now, the main core of strongest winds is still where we have this amber wind warning from the met office. in this area, we are expecting gusts of around 70—80 mph perhaps, more likely to have some damage and disruption as well. now, the winds are picking up sooner because the storm is moving in rapidly. it's going to move away very quickly as well, leaving northern parts of scotland, taking some damaging winds into continental europe on thursday. so by the time we get to thursday morning, the winds won't be as strong. it's still going to be windy, butjust not as windy. there will be some sunshine during the day on thursday and some showers, and those showers could be of a wintry flavour in the hills in scotland because it's quite cold air here. temperatures in the southeast picking at 12 celsius. the winds gradually ease down during thursday, but then we will see the winds really strengthening again in time for friday. that's when we see the next named storm arrive,

this is storm eunice. and the pressure is falling so rapidly, it's undergoing what we call explosive clyclogenesis. and it's likely to bring some potentially damaging and disruptive winds more widely towards the uk. not only some very windy conditions, we've also got the possibility of some snow and blizzards in the north. now, at the moment, that is perhaps more likely to be affecting scotland, perhaps the far north of england, but a lot depends on the track of the low. there is still some uncertainty, but it's likely that on friday we will see some more disruption more widely across the uk.

this is bbc news, we will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour as newsday continues straight after hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur. early last year american democracy came under attack from within. supporters of defeated president donald trump stormed the us capitol and provoked deadly violence. my guest today is

democratic congressman jamie