the prime minister prepares to announce plans to scrap all remaining legal covid restrictions in england. the requirement to self—isolate if you test positive is among measure to be scrapped — ministers say it's the right thing to do. there is that fine balance. because we've obviously got to look after people and make sure they are safe. we've also got to make sure that we can allow our economy to recover. but some who are clinically vulnerable question the scrapping of all restrictions. i don't understand why people can't put a mask on when they're in an enclosed area, why they can't stay home when they are covid positive. a cabinet meeting to finalise the details has been delayed. we'll bring you all the latest from westminster.

also this lunchtime... the third named storm in a week — storm franklin — brings strong winds and flooding across the uk. the good news is that 400 homes were not flooded over night here in south manchester. the bad news is, look what storm franklin has left behind. russian military exercises near ukraine continue — as president biden agrees in principle to a summit with president putin. and musicians, actors and the royal family have paid tribute to the entrepreneur and online starjamal edwards who's died suddenly at the age of 31. and coming up in the sport on the bbc news channel, what next for team gb�*s winter olympians? gold and silver in the curling, but they fell short of their overall medal target.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. borisjohnson is due to set out plans to scrap all remaining legal covid restrictions in england — including the requirement to self—isolate if you test positive. mrjohnson has said that the plan for �*living with covid' will return to people their freedom. he was due to have chaired a meeting of cabinet this morning before making an announcement to mps in the commons — but number ten said the scheduled meeting has been delayed. some experts have urged caution over lifting restrictions completely, and labour is questioning the plans to reduce testing. 0ur health correspondent jim reed has this report. it's jim reed has this report. been one of the most vis rules it's been one of the most visible rules of the pandemic. those who test positive for covid were told

they must stay at home for up to ten days or could pick up a £1000 fine. later this week, that legal requirement will be dropped in england, replaced with less formal guidance. england, replaced with less formal uuidance. , ., england, replaced with less formal uuidance. , . ., . guidance. there is that fine balance because we've _ guidance. there is that fine balance because we've obviously _ guidance. there is that fine balance because we've obviously got - guidance. there is that fine balance because we've obviously got to - guidance. there is that fine balance i because we've obviously got to look after people and make sure they are safe. we've also got to make sure we can allow our economy to recover, because that in itself has positive benefits for people's health and well—being. and, of course, the public finances. the well-being. and, of course, the public finances.— well-being. and, of course, the public finances. the relaxation of the self isolation _ public finances. the relaxation of the self isolation rule _ public finances. the relaxation of the self isolation rule in - public finances. the relaxation of the self isolation rule in england| the self isolation rule in england is all part of the government's new covid strategy, expected to be set out in full this afternoon. ministers say the widespread roll—out of booster jabs ministers say the widespread roll—out of boosterjabs means that we can start to live alongside this virus without formal restrictions. this chart shows just how much difference those vaccines have made. in december 2020, very few people had any immunity to covid. by january this year, 97% of over 60s had built up some level of antibody

protection after being infected or jabbed. we protection after being infected or “abbed. ~ . , protection after being infected or “abbed. . , . jabbed. we are very well protected as a community. — jabbed. we are very well protected as a community, having _ jabbed. we are very well protected as a community, having been - as a community, having been vaccinated and boosted now. now it is a question of seeing what the booster dose in the longer term to our immune system, and also, critically, with the virus is going to do. ., �* , , ., , to do. under the government's plans for england. — to do. under the government's plans for england. it _ to do. under the government's plans for england, it is _ to do. under the government's plans for england, it is likely _ to do. under the government's plans for england, it is likely free - for england, it is likely free access to pcr lab testing will also 90, access to pcr lab testing will also go, to be used only in certain situations like hospitals. and free rapid lateral flow kits, situations like hospitals. and free rapid lateralflow kits, taken situations like hospitals. and free rapid lateral flow kits, taken at home, could also be scaled back. the government has said that testing costs £2 billion a month, that could be spent elsewhere. labour said limiting now would be premature. there are days when i like literally the house is closing in on me. juliet is clinically vulnerable and may not be as well protected by the vaccines. �* , ., ,

vaccines. don't understand why --eole vaccines. don't understand why peeple can't — vaccines. don't understand why peeple can't put _ vaccines. don't understand why peeple can't put a _ vaccines. don't understand why people can't put a mask - vaccines. don't understand why people can't put a mask on, - vaccines. don't understand why i people can't put a mask on, when they are in enclosed areas, why they cannot stay home, when they are covid positive.— covid positive. some scientists, health leaders _ covid positive. some scientists, health leaders and _ covid positive. some scientists, health leaders and charities - covid positive. some scientists, | health leaders and charities have also said they have concerns about the timing of this announcement. the wor the timing of this announcement. tie: worry about the timing of this announcement. tue: worry about lifting the the timing of this announcement. tue worry about lifting the restrictions is that we are telling not only our population, but the world, that there is really nothing to worry about, that it is all over, when it isn't. . ., , , ~ isn't. the changes this week will a - -l to isn't. the changes this week will apply to england _ isn't. the changes this week will apply to england only. _ isn't. the changes this week will apply to england only. other - isn't. the changes this week will l apply to england only. other parts of the uk are moving at their own speed, is the latest 0micron wave of this virus passes. more details on rules in scotland are expected tomorrow. we can talk now to our political correspondent iain watson. why this delay to this morning's cabinet meeting on restrictions? well, it is certainly the case that government ministers did not expect this delay, they were going through the black door of downing street,

fully expecting to talk about the government's covid plan, living with covid. the delivery downing street said that the prime minister needed a security briefing on further meetings on covid. it seems from other sore tomato sauces that the core of this was a dispute between the treasury on the department of health had not been settled at that stage. we were told that last week the health secretary, sajid javid, was asking for an extra £5 billion from the treasury to ensure more people could continue to get access to free testing, even if they were a symptom at a commerce something which the treasury was reluctant to do. the demands, the cash demands came down increasingly over the subsequent days, but still had not been settled until this morning. it now looks as though it has been agreed is that the department of health will re—prioritise some of its existing budget to testing and will not get any extra cash from the treasury, that is what we are being told at this stage. clearly, the discussions are going on, up to and

indeed beyond the wire. the cabinet will meet virtually this afternoon, a press conference the prime minister planned to have will still go ahead and he will make a statement to parliament this afternoon. what has proved very popular with his backbenchers is the decision to remove all of the existing restrictions, including the need to self—isolate. far more controversial, notjust with the opposition but inside government itself, is the idea of phasing out the access to free covid tests. maw; the access to free covid tests. many thanks, iain — the access to free covid tests. many thanks, iain watson. _ the lifting of restrictions will mean changes for businesses and employees in england. our business correspondent emma simpson is here. what are the issues they'll be facing? i think the first thing to say is that for businesses, moving to this living with covid phase is pretty symbolic. it is what they have long been waiting to hear, after two very

long, difficult years. and they are hoping that this will be a springboard to instill more confidence, so that companies can grow and invest. of course, businesses do have some concerns. for instance, the cbi says although they know free testing cannot last forever, they would like to see three massive lateral flow tests continue, because they say the benefits outweigh the costs. they would like that to continue for the time being. and then on self isolation, firms really want to see the guidance on this, that it is crystal clear, especially when it comes to sick pay. the tuc are already warning today that workers should not be forced into choosing whether to go to work with covid, or risk losing income by self isolating at home. but i think companies are going to take a common—sense approach here. if you've got respiratory symptoms, then don't come in, because you risk infecting other people, and then that will impact the business. but i think this is going to be really interesting. how it all plays out. how many of us, before the pandemic, with soldier on with a bad cold, coming into the office or workplace? is that going to be socially

acceptable as we live to live with covid? a , acceptable as we live to live with covid? , ., royal officials say the queen, who is 95, expects to continue "light duties", after testing positive for covid. buckingham palace said yesterday she was experiencing mild, cold—like symptoms and was receiving medical attention. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph is in windsorfor us. so, a tone of business as usual from buckingham palace question mark yes, that's riuht. buckingham palace question mark yes, that's right. there _ buckingham palace question mark yes, that's right. there has been no update — that's right. there has been no update on _ that's right. there has been no update on the green's condition today, — update on the green's condition today, but that is pretty much as expected — today, but that is pretty much as expected. royal officials had said that they — expected. royal officials had said that they would not be issuing daily bulletins _ that they would not be issuing daily bulletins on the queen's health, but they will— bulletins on the queen's health, but they will tell us if there is something significant to say. we last something significant to say. we tast saw— something significant to say. we last saw the queen here at windsor late on_ last saw the queen here at windsor late on last — last saw the queen here at windsor late on last week, when she had a face—to—face meeting with military leaders. _ face—to—face meeting with military leaders, and it was at that meeting, the age _ leaders, and it was at that meeting, the age of— leaders, and it was at that meeting, the age of almost 96, that we heard her talking _ the age of almost 96, that we heard her talking about her own frailty, saying _ her talking about her own frailty, saying that she couldn't move very welt _ saying that she couldn't move very welt since —

saying that she couldn't move very well. since then, it is notjust the queen— well. since then, it is notjust the queen that — well. since then, it is notjust the queen that has tested positive for covid, _ queen that has tested positive for covid, but — queen that has tested positive for covid, but a number of other staff at windsor— covid, but a number of other staff at windsor have also tested positive _ at windsor have also tested positive. so something of a mini covid _ positive. so something of a mini covid outbreak at the castle. if the queen— covid outbreak at the castle. if the queen is— covid outbreak at the castle. if the queen is feeling well enough, as you say, she _ queen is feeling well enough, as you say, she will carry on with planned engagements light duties, which may include _ engagements light duties, which may include some virtual online engagements we have seen her carrying — engagements we have seen her carrying out over recent months, as well as— carrying out over recent months, as well as some — carrying out over recent months, as well as some phone calls, possibly one with _ well as some phone calls, possibly one with the prime minister later in the weeic _ storm franklin — the third named storm in a week — has brought heavy rain and strong winds to many parts of the uk. severe flooding in northern ireland, yorkshire and manchester have forced people to leave their homes for safety. a yellow weather warning for widespread strong winds has been in place for most of the uk but is now due to be lifted. there are 149 flood warnings across the north of england and wales. and danger to life alerts were issued in greater manchester, as the river mersey reached its highest ever level. storm franklin comes days

after storm eunice killed three people and left 1.4 million homes without power. 30,000 are still waiting to be reconnected. sanchia berg reports. the third major storm in less than a week, battering the coast of northern ireland this morning. storm franklin, like eunice and dudley, is driven by an active jet stream, a current of air five miles above the earth. in mid wales, high winds and rain caused flooding. roger hicks went to check on his elderly mother in the village of llandinam. i came round to the back of the house and by the time i got round there, within two minutes, there was a foot at least of water, it had come in so suddenly. so, of course, we had to rush then to get her out from here and we carried her out into my car. she's fine now, yeah. moving on to north—west england, storm franklin brought more floods. swelling rivers like the aire

in leeds last night. 0ne bridge was swept away and crashed into another. forecasters had warned of a risk to life and property if the mersey broke its banks, but, here, south of manchester, defences worked. the water flowed instead into woodland and a golf course. there was no protection against high winds, though, in some of manchester's residential streets, nor on the m6 in lancashire, where a lorry hit a bridge and burst into flames. 0ther motorists helped the driver to escape. he is being treated in hospital. rotherham station last night, looking more like a canal than a railway. as with storms dudley and eunice, rail networks have been severely disrupted. dozens of rail colleagues have been out over the last few days and nights clearing up the wreckage. we are doing our absolute best to keep the railways open, but my advice, before you travel today or tomorrow is to check before

you travel with your train operator to check that your train is running. matlock, derbyshire, this morning after the river derwent burst its banks. here, the winds and rain are easing off as storm franklin makes its way south and east. sanchia berg, bbc news. in a moment, we'll get the latest on the picture in the west midlands and in northern ireland, but, first, let's talk to nick garnett in south manchester. so, look at the debris that has come out of the river mersey overnight. 400 homes were at risk of being flooded, and then the environment agency, at 10.30 last night, opened the floodgates. and that allowed all of the water from the river mersey to flow straight out into nearby woodland and nearby golf courses. that alleviated the pressure on the river network, allowing the water

level to start dropping. and it saved the houses. but look at the amount of rubbish and debris that has come out. it is going to take an awful long time to clear this and get it all clear. but the great news has been, for once, the flood defences all worked, no homes were flooded, and everyone is back home and safe, and nobody needs to go out. let's find out what has been happening in the west midlands with andrew plant in shrewsbury. yes, not lookin: too andrew plant in shrewsbury. yes, not looking too good _ andrew plant in shrewsbury. yes, not looking too good in _ andrew plant in shrewsbury. yes, not looking too good in shrewsbury, - andrew plant in shrewsbury. yes, not looking too good in shrewsbury, i - looking too good in shrewsbury, i have _ looking too good in shrewsbury, i have to _ looking too good in shrewsbury, i have to say, particularly for people living _ have to say, particularly for people living next — have to say, particularly for people living next to the river severn. let's _ living next to the river severn. let's show _ living next to the river severn. let's show you where it is supposed to be _ let's show you where it is supposed to be the _ let's show you where it is supposed to be. the banks are normally 100 metres— to be. the banks are normally 100 metres in— to be. the banks are normally 100 metres in that direction, so it has firmly— metres in that direction, so it has firmly burst — metres in that direction, so it has firmly burst their banks and come over the _ firmly burst their banks and come over the gardens of a block of flats on the _ over the gardens of a block of flats on the edge of town. you can see it is already— on the edge of town. you can see it is already over the edge of the bench — is already over the edge of the bench i— is already over the edge of the bench. i am going to spin you around because _ bench. i am going to spin you around because we _ bench. i am going to spin you around because we have been talking to the people _ because we have been talking to the people who live in the lower flats here, _ people who live in the lower flats here, the — people who live in the lower flats here, the ground floor, particularly the ones _ here, the ground floor, particularly the ones at — here, the ground floor, particularly the ones at the end. they are packing — the ones at the end. they are packing up their stuff and getting ready— packing up their stuff and getting ready to — packing up their stuff and getting ready to go. they had a sleepless night, _ ready to go. they had a sleepless night, watching the water coming in,

and decided to abandon the flats because — and decided to abandon the flats because the fear is that this will come _ because the fear is that this will come up — because the fear is that this will come up and form a ring around the flats, _ come up and form a ring around the flats, it— come up and form a ring around the flats, it will— come up and form a ring around the flats, it will essentially become an island, _ flats, it will essentially become an island, and — flats, it will essentially become an island, and then they would need to be rescued — island, and then they would need to be rescued. we have only been here 90 nrinutes— be rescued. we have only been here 90 minutes or so, but in that time we could _ 90 minutes or so, but in that time we could stand by that bin. so it is creeping _ we could stand by that bin. so it is creeping up. — we could stand by that bin. so it is creeping up, inch by inch, centimetre by centimetre, all the time _ centimetre by centimetre, all the time. people deciding they have had enough _ time. people deciding they have had enough and they are going to go. it is a delayed reaction, this is the rain that— is a delayed reaction, this is the rain that fell a couple of days ago, coming down now and swelling the river~ _ coming down now and swelling the river~ that — coming down now and swelling the river. that is the picture in shrewsbury, let's find out what it is like _ shrewsbury, let's find out what it is like in — shrewsbury, let's find out what it is like in northern ireland with chris— is like in northern ireland with chris page. is like in northern ireland with chris page-— chris page. yes, in northern ireland, chris page. yes, in northern lreland. the _ chris page. yes, in northern ireland, the worst _ chris page. yes, in northern ireland, the worst of - chris page. yes, in northern ireland, the worst of storm l chris page. yes, in northern - ireland, the worst of storm franklin has blown _ ireland, the worst of storm franklin has blown through. _ ireland, the worst of storm franklin has blown through. 0n _ ireland, the worst of storm franklin has blown through. 0n the - ireland, the worst of storm franklin has blown through. 0n the north . has blown through. 0n the north coast _ has blown through. 0n the north coast it— has blown through. 0n the north coast it is— has blown through. 0n the north coast it is still— has blown through. 0n the north coast it is still pretty _ has blown through. 0n the north coast it is still pretty blustery. coast it is still pretty blustery and it — coast it is still pretty blustery and it is— coast it is still pretty blustery and it is expected _ coast it is still pretty blustery and it is expected to- coast it is still pretty blustery and it is expected to stay- coast it is still pretty blustery| and it is expected to stay that coast it is still pretty blustery- and it is expected to stay that way for the _ and it is expected to stay that way for the rest — and it is expected to stay that way for the rest of the _ and it is expected to stay that way for the rest of the day. _ and it is expected to stay that way for the rest of the day. the - for the rest of the day. the strongest _ for the rest of the day. the strongest recorded - for the rest of the day. the strongest recorded gust. for the rest of the day. the. strongest recorded gust was for the rest of the day. the - strongest recorded gust was in county— strongest recorded gust was in county down, _ strongest recorded gust was in county down, 78 _ strongest recorded gust was in county down, 78 mph. - strongest recorded gust was in county down, 78 mph. the - strongest recorded gust was in i county down, 78 mph. the storm strongest recorded gust was in - county down, 78 mph. the storm has left disruption — county down, 78 mph. the storm has left disruption in _ county down, 78 mph. the storm has left disruption in its _ county down, 78 mph. the storm has left disruption in its weight. - left disruption in its weight. workers _ left disruption in its weight. workers from _ left disruption in its weight. workers from the _ left disruption in its weight. workers from the devolvedl left disruption in its weight. _ workers from the devolved government say that _ workers from the devolved government say that they _ workers from the devolved government say that they have — workers from the devolved government say that they have dealt _ workers from the devolved government say that they have dealt with _ workers from the devolved government say that they have dealt with more - say that they have dealt with more than 300 _ say that they have dealt with more than 300 incidents _ say that they have dealt with more than 300 incidents from _ say that they have dealt with more than 300 incidents from flooding l say that they have dealt with more i than 300 incidents from flooding to

roads— than 300 incidents from flooding to roads being — than 300 incidents from flooding to roads being blocked _ than 300 incidents from flooding to roads being blocked by— than 300 incidents from flooding to roads being blocked by trees- than 300 incidents from flooding to roads being blocked by trees and i roads being blocked by trees and other— roads being blocked by trees and other fallen _ roads being blocked by trees and other fallen debris. _ roads being blocked by trees and other fallen debris. as _ roads being blocked by trees and other fallen debris. as of- roads being blocked by trees and other fallen debris. as of this - other fallen debris. as of this n1orning,_ other fallen debris. as of this morning, 10,000 _ other fallen debris. as of thisj morning, 10,000 households other fallen debris. as of this - morning, 10,000 households were without— morning, 10,000 households were without power~ _ morning, 10,000 households were without power. but _ morning, 10,000 households were without power. but engineers - morning, 10,000 households were without power. but engineers havej without power. but engineers have been _ without power. but engineers have been working — without power. but engineers have been working to _ without power. but engineers have been working to repair— without power. but engineers have been working to repair the - without power. but engineers havel been working to repair the damage, and now— been working to repair the damage, and now that — been working to repair the damage, and now that number— been working to repair the damage, and now that number has _ been working to repair the damage, and now that number has been - been working to repair the damage, and now that number has been cut. and now that number has been cut down _ and now that number has been cut down to— and now that number has been cut down to about _ and now that number has been cut down to about 4000. _ and now that number has been cut down to about 4000. the - and now that number has been cut down to about 4000. the weatherj and now that number has been cut. down to about 4000. the weather is improving, _ down to about 4000. the weather is improving, but— down to about 4000. the weather is improving, but now— down to about 4000. the weather is improving, but now the _ down to about 4000. the weather is improving, but now the likes- down to about 4000. the weather is improving, but now the likes of- down to about 4000. the weather is improving, but now the likes of the i improving, but now the likes of the coast _ improving, but now the likes of the coast guard — improving, but now the likes of the coast guard are _ improving, but now the likes of the coast guard are warning _ improving, but now the likes of the coast guard are warning that, - coast guard are warning that, although— coast guard are warning that, although sites— coast guard are warning that, although sites like _ coast guard are warning that, although sites like they - coast guard are warning that, i although sites like they certainly are spectacular, _ although sites like they certainly are spectacular, people - although sites like they certainly are spectacular, people should l although sites like they certainly . are spectacular, people should not io are spectacular, people should not go right— are spectacular, people should not go right down— are spectacular, people should not go right down to _ are spectacular, people should not go right down to the _ are spectacular, people should not go right down to the water - are spectacular, people should not go right down to the water pub - are spectacular, people should not. go right down to the water pub edge, because _ go right down to the water pub edge, because the — go right down to the water pub edge, because the waves _ go right down to the water pub edge, because the waves are _ go right down to the water pub edge, because the waves are dangerous - go right down to the water pub edge, | because the waves are dangerous and there is— because the waves are dangerous and there is a _ because the waves are dangerous and there is a real— because the waves are dangerous and there is a real risk— because the waves are dangerous and there is a real risk that _ because the waves are dangerous and there is a real risk that you _ because the waves are dangerous and there is a real risk that you could - there is a real risk that you could be swept — there is a real risk that you could be swept away— there is a real risk that you could be swept away into _ there is a real risk that you could be swept away into the _ there is a real risk that you could be swept away into the sea. - there is a real risk that you could. be swept away into the sea. some caution _ be swept away into the sea. some caution still — be swept away into the sea. some caution still needed _ be swept away into the sea. some caution still needed until- be swept away into the sea. some caution still needed until karmisl caution still needed until karmis fully restored. _ caution still needed until karmis fully restored.— and if you want to keep up to date with the situation where you live, you can tune in to bbc local radio and, for the picture across the country, head to bbc.co.uk/news. the time is 1:16pm. our top story this lunchtime... the prime minister prepares to announce plans to scrap all remaining legal covid restrictions in england, including the legal requirement to self—isolate

if you test positive. and the story of how more than 50 people were tricked into working for a fake design agency. and coming up in the sport on the bbc news channel, novak djokovic gets ready for his first competitive tennis of the year at the dubai tennis championship, as he faces the prospect of slipping from the top of the world rankings. president biden has agreed to a summit with russia's president putin to discuss ukraine — although the white house has stressed the talks will only take place if russia does not invade its neighbour. the kremlin has said there are no concrete plans for a summit. russia has massed more than 150,000 troops close to ukraine's borders. despite this, it denies plans to launch a military operation. 0ur moscow correspondent caroline davies is in the rostov region of russia, which borders ukraine. from there she sent this report.

gunfire. while he's got the world's attention, president putin is flexing his military muscles. drills at the weekend may be only war games, but fear is still growing in the west that russia's army is preparing for something real and imminent in ukraine. the us have proposed talks between the two presidents to try to avoid that scenario. president biden has made very clear that he's prepared to meet president putin at any time in any format if that can help prevent a war, and, as long as, even if the die is cast, until it's settled, until we know that the tanks are rolling, the planes are flying and the aggression has fully begun, we are going to do everything we can to prevent it. but moscow still hasn't confirmed if they'll take part. putin is due to chair an unscheduled meeting of the russian security council later today. the political wrangling continues, but, for some, the fallout is already real.

families in the separatist areas packed up their lives and bundled onto buses within hours, told to evacuate, that ukraine may attack. that's strongly disputed by ukraine and the west, who fear that it is russia who are trying to create a false crisis to justify an offensive. some, like ekaterina and six—month—old miroslav found shelter in a sports hall for a night. translation: we are so tired. we wanted to sleep, to take a shower, the basic things for a person and a child. fathers, brothers and husbands have been left behind, told they must stay to fight and stopped from leaving, including victoria's husband. "he wasn't let out," she tells me. "i'm very worried." her daughter asks her, "why are you crying?" some are on the move, sent to the station and put on a train.

so this is the third coachload of families we've seen getting off here in the course of the last ten minutes and many on board didn't know where they were going, but we've just been told by the authorities that they are being taken to a city that is just to the east of moscow, which is more than 1,000 kilometres away from here. some worry that, if they were expected to come back soon, they wouldn't be sent so far, but these decisions are in russia's hands and, as the geopolitical wrangling continues, no one is certain what is planned next. caroline davies, bbc news, taganrog. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale is here. and, james, the diplomatic path still remains open. well, it remains open, it is a narrow path, it is not clear yet if it is going to be taken by anybody. you know, the french and the americans say they agree in principle to the idea of a summit. the kremlin is more circumspect,

saying let's not be premature, there is nothing concrete fixed. certainly there is no date, no format so the idea of a summit is notional at the moment and even if it were agreed, and events on the ground could escalate out of control and it is possible either side could pull out of it. and even if the summit did take place, would it achieve anything? both sides are still very far apart on anything? both sides are still very farapart on how anything? both sides are still very far apart on how they feel european security should be established, so neither side, security should be established, so neitherside, certainly security should be established, so neither side, certainly not the west, making assumptions and liz truss saying this morning she believes invasion is still highly likely. that said, a positive note, the talking continues and the us foreign minister and the russian foreign minister and the russian foreign minister and the russian foreign minister are scheduled to meet later on this week and the hope is that, even if at the very least discussions about a possible summit buys a bit of time in this crisis, then that is not nothing. {lilia buys a bit of time in this crisis, then that is not nothing. ok, thank ou ve then that is not nothing. ok, thank you very much. _ then that is not nothing. ok, thank you very much, james _ then that is not nothing. ok, thank you very much, james landale. - a "significant number" of vulnerable children remain at risk in the town where

six—year—old arthur labinjo—hughes was killed by his stepmother and father in 2020, according to a report by 0fsted. it says the loss of experienced staff was a major factor behind the failings in solihull. 0ur midlands correspondent phil mackie is there for us. people will remember this as a deeply distressing case. tell us more about today's findings. well, today's findings paint a difficult picture for the various agencies that were involved in the case of arthur labinjo—hughes. you will remember that he was killed by emma tustin and thomas hughes, his father and his father's partner, at the beginning of the first lockdown backin the beginning of the first lockdown back in 2020. they subjected him to months of terrible physical and mental abuse. they start him, they beat him, they poisoned him with salt and they even recorded some of that abuse and his desperate pleas for help and that led to a national outcry which has led to a number of reviews. there is a national one that will come out in a few months. this was really looking not at the

individual, granular detail of the arthur case but looking at the various agencies, like the police, the nhs and children's services run by solihull borough council and to see whether or not they are working together well and, unfortunately, it paints a picture that seems to show they are not. they have something called a multi—agency safeguarding hub in solihull, set up across the country as a result of other tragic deaths and they are supposed to get everybody into a room to share information when there is a child who is vulnerable and at—risk. there is one in solihull but it doesn't seem to be working. the government has told all of those agencies to get their act together and come up a solution. . ~ get their act together and come up a solution. ., ,, , ., more than 50 people were tricked into working for a design agency that turned out to be fake, a bbc investigation has found. people from the uk and all over the world were hired during lockdown — they were told the company was a successful business — but its website made false claims, and featured fake profiles and stolen work. catrin nye has been investigating

this story over the last year for a bbc three documentary — her report contains some flashing images. just over a year ago, james harris from york was desperately searching forjobs online. he'd applied for more than 2,000 before landing a great—looking role with a glamorous design agency called madbird. i was buzzing — absolutely buzzing that i'd finally found a job that i knew i could, like, progress in. one of my best friends, helen was like, "oh, my god, this is it, jim — this is it!" more than 50 people from all over the world got a job at madbird between mid 2020 and early 2021 — when the pandemic was raging. they were impressed by the company's client list. nike, samsonite, national geographic — that sounds like big budgets, as well. and i showed it to lots of people who i know who are in the same industry as me, and they all agreed — it looked great. it's established. it's based in kensington. madbird's ambitious recruits

were told they'd only earn commission for the first six months, before getting a salary if they passed their probation. that didn't seem like a problem, given the impressive clients the agency already had. are you web—based ? everyone worked remotely — some for almost six months. the sales team was in talks with some big clients. if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask me. have a good weekend. but then, everything changed. i've received an email from jane smith, who i wasn't familiar with. the rest of the madbird employees were ccd in. i'm like, "jane smith? who'sjane smith?" "for the attention of madbird employees. "some shocking evidence has come to light regarding madbird." and as i was reading the email, my mouth kept dropping, like... "we have strong reason to suspect that the founders of madbird have "knowingly participated in the following activities." all of the work was stolen.

that bombshell email from an unknown whistle—blower claimed to have evidence that madbird was a fake design agency. the work on the website was stolen, several staff members didn't really exist, and madbird's impressive client list wasn't real. i've literally been here for, like, two months. working for, like, how many hours, not getting paid, telling people to do this. recruiting people to a fake company. i've spent the last year investigating the truth behind madbird. i found many more victims and reams of fakery. one of the co—founders of the company didn't exist — his picture turned out to belong to a beehive designerfrom prague. and other staff members turned out to be fake, too. an entire pitch document that staff had been using to try and get work was stolen from another design agency. so who was behind this elaborate con? 0ur investigations all led us to one man — madbird's charismatic boss ali ayad. he was the director of the company,

he looked like an influencer — appearing in gq magazine — and had claimed to have worked for nike. but all that turned out to be lies, too. we needed to speak to ali. hi, ali ayad. my name's catrin nye, i'm from the bbc. come on, it's time to talk to us, ali. why did you make up a fake company and then take advantage of people when they were at their most desperate? your version of the story. 0k? we have been waiting to hear your version of the story, ali, for months. you don't know all the things behind the story. you have heard one version of the story. you need to see two sides of the story. do you say sorry to the people who you hurt? i'm s o rry? whose lives and time you wasted? if i hurt somebody — if i hurt somebody, of course i'm sorry, but i'm telling you there's another version of the story.

there was no other version of the story he has given us. as far as we knew, ali ayad didn't make any money from madbird. he insisted he was trying to create opportunities for people during the pandemic. one thing we did know — many people around the world had been jobfished and were left with unanswered questions. catrin nye, bbc news. you can see more on this story onjobfished, which is on bbc three at 9pm tonight and bbc iplayer. australia, which imposed some of the strictest travel bans due to covid, has opened up to international travel for the first time in almost two years. people who are fully vaccinated are now allowed to enter the country without having to quarantine. but western australia will remain closed until march. the prince of wales is among those who have paid tribute to the music entrepreneurjamal edwards who has died at the age of 31. he was a leading figure in britain's rap and grime scene, helping to launch the careers of stormzy, skepta and ed sheeran on his youtube channel sb.tv. bbc music correspondent mark savage

looks back at his life. smokeybarz tv! this is how jamal edwards started _ smokeybarz tv! this is how jamal edwards started a _ smokeybarz tv! this is how jamal edwards started a media - smokeybarz tv! this is how jamal edwards started a media empire, | smokeybarz tv! this is how jamal| edwards started a media empire, a grainy clip filmed on his phone in the middle of a school trip. but, before long, his youtube channel was giving early exposure to artists like stormzy, dave and ed sheeran. edwards said he started sb.tv out of frustration that he couldn't find his favourite music online. everyone in my area — his favourite music online. everyone in my area was _ his favourite music online. everyone in my area was an _ his favourite music online. everyone in my area was an emcee. _ his favourite music online. everyone in my area was an emcee. and - his favourite music online. everyone in my area was an emcee. and i - in my area was an emcee. and i remember, i wasjust in my area was an emcee. and i remember, i was just sitting there and i was thinking, why can't i find these online? and if they were, it was bad quality version so i thought, cool, i'm going to film the people in my area and uploaded to youtube. the people in my area and uploaded to youtube. . . , ., ., ., youtube. the channel help two to go mainstream — youtube. the channel help two to go mainstream after _ youtube. the channel help two to go mainstream after a _ youtube. the channel help two to go mainstream after a period _ youtube. the channel help two to go mainstream after a period when - mainstream after a period when police had been shutting down gigs

in london. it made him a millionaire and earned him an mbe at the age of 23. sb.tv later diversified, running interviews with edward's' business idol richard branson and prominent figures like prince charles. edwards branched out as well, funding youth clubs, designing affordable fashion ranges and becoming an advocate for mental health. his death at the age of 31 has shocked the music community. edwards' mother, the loose woman presenter brenda edwards, said she was devastated by the unimaginable loss —— might loose women presenter. jamal edwards, who has died at the age of 31. time for a look at the weather. here's helen willetts. ——here's stav. what a storm aiden 12 hours across much of the country and in particular northern parts of the uk thanks to storm franklin and a number of flood warnings issued for england and wales, particularly

across north—west england where we have severe flood warnings in