today at six — we are live in ukraine, where russian attacks on cities are continuing — despite the offer from russia to create safe escape routes. explosion. residents in the town of irpin, just north of kyiv, are trying to survive the bombardment. when everything started, our house was like... i don't know how to tell it. drrrrr. tell everybody to close the sky, urgently. all people need it in ukraine, really. today people queue for hours to escape to the west — but the proposed humanitarian

corridors will take people to russia and its ally belarus — the ukrainian president calls this "immoral" poeple continue to flee from ukraine, in what's now thought to be the biggest exodus since the second world war. we'll also be looking at the situation here in the uk, with the latest on visa and the effects on energy prices. borisjohnson holds talks with the prime ministers of canada and the netherlands, and he's against an immediate ban on importing russian oil and gas. what we also need to do is go for more nuclear and much more use of renewable energy. and i'm going to be setting out an energy strategy, an energy supply strategy, for the country in the days ahead. more ukrainian refugees are waiting at calais, thousands are applying for uk visas.

the government's approach is widely criticised. and, the new research which suggests covid can have long—term effects on memory and the sense of smell. great britain have hit their metal target for the winter paralympics. brothers neil and andrew simpson won their second medals the at games. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six, live from lviv in western ukraine, on day 12 of the war here. talks between russian and ukrainian negotiators have been taking place. ukraine has roundly rejected

moscow's idea that ukrainian civilians fleeing russian attacks should use humanitarian corridors to seek refuge in russia or in its ally belarus. the government in kyiv said the proposal was "completely immoral" and that people should be allowed to escape to territory held by the ukrainian military. two attempts to evacuate civilians over the weekend ended in failure — with russia and ukraine accusing each other of violating a humanitarian ceasefire. ukraine authorities say rocket attacks have continued on residential areas in several cities. this map shows the areas — here in red — where the russians are now said to be in control. the port of mariupol — where tens of thousands of civilians are trapped — is especially important as it ensures ukraine's access to the black sea. the ministry of defence says the 40—mile—long convoy of russian military vehicles remains close to the capital, kyiv, but has made little progress in recent days. but fighting continues in places like irpin —

16 miles from the city boundary. orla guerin has this report from the town which is under heavy bombardment and crucial to the russian advance. the only way out. and he stumbles, hands shaking. but he summons his courage and carries on. the desperate exodus from irpin today, across the wreckage of a bridge blown up by ukraine to slow the russian advance. how scared do you have to be to take your child and flee like this? and here a woman lies conscious... ..but immobile. she fell, and there is no stretcher to move her. well, this is a difficultjourney every step of the way. especially for older people

trying to pick their way out across rubble and concrete, having to balance on bits of wood. ukrainian troops are trying to help them make their way forward. some are coming with their children, most are coming with a few small things that they can carry. they have been under bombardment in irpin for days, and they are not safe now, even as they try to leave. the shelling has been continuing. explosion. for many civilians in the town, the shelling hit home. like anastasia, whose baby son oleg is just five months old. "the day before yesterday, a shell hit our house," she tells me. "we spent two days at my grandmother's.

"now we're leaving because it is too dangerous to be in any corner "of irpin with a child." suddenly, this. some ukrainian forces running for cover. other getting civilians out of the line of fire. kyiv is just half an hour away. if ukraine loses this town, and it has already lost some of it, the russians will be on the road to the capital. andriy, like many here, is begging for a no—fly zone. tell everybody to close the sky urgently. all people need it in ukraine, really. many people stay in irpin for now. they cannot go outside. some old people, some young people, they try to do their best there but we see the russian soldiers, they don't

fight with the army, they fight with anyone. so tell please to close the sky. for now, all many can do is cram into minibuses bound for the train station in kyiv. generations of ukrainians at the mercy of an increasingly brutal russian advance. orla guerin, bbc news, irpin. let's take a closer look now at that proposal by russia for a number of humanitarian corridors from key cities. four of the six suggested routes to safety go to russia in the east, or to belarus, its key ally, to the north. the other two routes take those fleeing further into ukraine. president zelensky has condemned the proposals as "completely immoral. " well, today the mayor of this city, lviv, said they are at the limit

of their capacity for helping people who have fled the violence. and since the invasion beganjust under two weeks ago, more than 1.7 million people — most of them women and children — have fled the country, according to the united nations. they are crossing the borders to neighbouring countries to the west, such as poland, romania, slovakia, hungary and moldova. it is the fastest—growing refugee crisis in europe since world war ii. our corespondent lucy williamson is in moldova, on the border with ukraine. these are women who stayed in ukraine through more than ten days of war. they have now decided to leave. it is our long walk from ukraine's at last the bus stop to the border. better to use any vehicle that you can. by the time they are here, this conflict has often darkened their cities and their faces. often darkened their cities and theirfaces. many had powerful

reasons for staying as long as they could. this women's mother is wheelchair—bound after a series of strokes. she went back to ukraine last year to look after her. when the war began she faced a dilemma. translation: being there was terrifying, she said. we live on the eighth floor, there was silence a day and night. what else could i feel but fear? i could not leave her, i am all that she has. for some this is not a one—way journey. aid workers say women are dropping off their children here before turning around and going straight back to ukraine. i will straight back to ukraine. i will never forget _ straight back to ukraine. i will never forget the _ straight back to ukraine. i will never forget the woman - straight back to ukraine. i will never forget the woman who i straight back to ukraine. iv" ll never forget the woman who told straight back to ukraine. iw ll never forget the woman who told me she is working in the orphanage and she is working in the orphanage and she has 50 children and she cannot leave them, or i woman working at the electric station and it is responsible for the whole city. she said people are running so there will be nobody to maintain the basic needs of the human beings who are

staying here. needs of the human beings who are staying here-— staying here. moldova is slowly caettin staying here. moldova is slowly getting organised _ staying here. moldova is slowly getting organised to _ staying here. moldova is slowly getting organised to handle - staying here. moldova is slowly| getting organised to handle this influx. poland has received a far greater number of refugees but moldova is a much smaller country, without polein's resources on infrastructure. the number who have arrived here so far is equivalent to 10% of moldova's population, though fewer than half end up staying. refugees arrived here last week in porsches and suvs, now the conflict is forcing the poor, disabled and most vulnerable to leave. those for whom the risks and uncertainty of conflict have only now eclipsed the risks and uncertainty of becoming a refugee. lucy williamson, bbc news, moldova. so, as we've been seeing for the third day in a row, ukrainian officials say russian shelling has prevented civilians being evacuated from several cities across the country. our chief international

correspondent lyse doucet is in the capital, kyiv. what faith can anyone have in russia's proposed humanitarian corridors, given what they are doing to ukrainian civilians? what a misnomer. a humanitarian corridor which have turned into inhumane tunnels, where thousands of people in cities and towns across this country including on the edge of kyiv, who are desperate to flee. they tried on saturday but were turned back by russian shelling and tried on sunday and were turned back ijy tried on sunday and were turned back by russian shelling and what the red cross said were roads which were mined. today was a little bit better, there were six routes to safety, 2.3 russia belarus but despite the shelling of some 2000 people were able to leave irpin to the west of kyiv, another 2000 left

mariupol which has been encircled for days. where we here are so desperate food and water, they are drinking water from desperate food and water, they are drinking waterfrom paddles, the bodies are everywhere. this is just a fraction of the people desperate to escape. if we judge a fraction of the people desperate to escape. if wejudge by a fraction of the people desperate to escape. if we judge by what mayor —— what we're hearing in kyiv tonight the city has been rocked by explosions one after the other, much louder than we have heard before. no closer but are using more ordinance. a reminder again that 12 days on, russia's invasion is onlyjust starting. thank you. our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. opposition to the war continues to be silenced in russia, as thousands have been detained for protesting against the invasion. meanwhile, world leaders continue to meet to try and find a way through the crisis,

with us secretary of state antony blinken visiting eastern european nations today. our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley has the latest. flying in from their battle ravaged nation, ukrainian delegation arrives at the border with belarus for a sit down talks with the enemy but there is virtually no faith in the sincerity of the russian side. the russian defence ministry today released these images are said to be of thanks around kyiv. it is the military hardware, guns and bombs that are doing the talking at the kremlin has repeatedly made clear it will be satisfied by nothing short of ukraine's surrender. no to warrant this russian man shouts before he is taken away. independent monitors a 5000 people were taken into custody over the weekend at protests in dozens of russian cities. and a war that you are not

allowed to name. russia is stepping up allowed to name. russia is stepping up its repression and silence the opposition virtually all in print —— virtually all independent media in the country has ceased to function. i new symbol has emerged to signify support for president putin's war. the letter first appeared on tanks and military vehicles are now also on bus stops and businesses. look carefully and you will see it even appeared on the gymnast�*s chest as he took a bronze medal at a world cup event in qatar. ukraine took the gold medal. the hope for failed to materialise, russian forces have taken a very little territory over the past week and have resorted to bombing and shelling causing ever more civilian suffering. shelling causing ever more civilian sufferinu. ~ . , . shelling causing ever more civilian sufferinu. ~ ., , ., , . suffering. what is a difference between the _ suffering. what is a difference between the peaceful- suffering. what is a difference l between the peaceful residents suffering. what is a difference - between the peaceful residents of kharkiv and hamburg or vienna? we are waiting for a decision. if you clear the skies, give us a military

aircraft or anti—aircraft defences that would give us the necessary force. this is the help the will should provide notjust to ukraine but to themselves, to prove that humanity will prevail.— humanity will prevail. western allies continue _ humanity will prevail. western allies continue to _ humanity will prevail. western allies continue to meet - humanity will prevail. western allies continue to meet day . humanity will prevail. western j allies continue to meet day in, humanity will prevail. western - allies continue to meet day in, day out on what more they can do to support ukraine and what more pressure they can put on president putin but there is a very little hope at the moment of getting russia around the table for meaningful talks that would actually stop the war. in lviv it's relatively calm but all around you see the effect of the devastation going on elsewhere. there are people camping in shelters, people everywhere with suitcases. they are either internally displaced, that's refugees within their own country, or they are trying to get out.

that's all from lviv — now it's back to the studio and huw. thanks, reeta. the prime minister borisjohnson has been hosting talks with the canadian and dutch prime ministers in, as western leaders prepare to agree further sanctions on russia. the discussions come at the start of a week of increased diplomatic efforts to isolate president putin. but calls to impose an immediate ban on importing oil and gas from russia have been rejected by borisjohnson, while experts say the disruption already taking place will lead to more expensive energy for homes and businesses in the months to come. our political editor laura kuenssberg reports. lining up allies hasn't been the hard part. the chaos in ukraine a contrast to the neat ranks of uk nm and women.

contrast to the neat ranks of uk nm and women-— contrast to the neat ranks of uk nm and women. thanks for looking after us. thank and women. thanks for looking after us- thank you _ and women. thanks for looking after us. thank you for _ and women. thanks for looking after us. thank you for looking _ and women. thanks for looking after us. thank you for looking after - and women. thanks for looking after us. thank you for looking after us, i us. thank you for looking after us, he sa s. us. thank you for looking after us, he says- the _ us. thank you for looking after us, he says. the prime _ us. thank you for looking after us, he says. the prime minister, - us. thank you for looking after us, he says. the prime minister, the l he says. the prime minister, the dutch and the canadian leader trying to after ukraine. ilil" dutch and the canadian leader trying to after ukraine.— to after ukraine. our three countries _ to after ukraine. our three countries stand _ to after ukraine. our three countries stand shoulder. to after ukraine. our three - countries stand shoulder stand shoulder to shoulder against russia's barbaric invasion of ukraine. ~ . , . russia's barbaric invasion of ukraine. ~ ., , ., , russia's barbaric invasion of ukraine. ., , ., ukraine. we are standing up for democracy. _ ukraine. we are standing up for democracy, against _ ukraine. we are standing up for- democracy, against authoritarianism understanding with ukraine every step understanding with ukraine every siep of— understanding with ukraine every step of the way. its understanding with ukraine every step of the way-— understanding with ukraine every step of the way. as war once again casts a direct _ step of the way. as war once again casts a direct shadow _ step of the way. as war once again casts a direct shadow over - step of the way. as war once again j casts a direct shadow over europe, we are _ casts a direct shadow over europe, we are working _ casts a direct shadow over europe, we are working together. - casts a direct shadow over europe, we are working together.— casts a direct shadow over europe, we are working together. there was a romise of we are working together. there was a promise of extra _ we are working together. there was a promise of extra cash, _ we are working together. there was a promise of extra cash, more - promise of extra cash, more coordination of humanitarian help, but what about bolder, bigger pressure? cutting off russian oil and gas? pressure? cutting off russian oil and as? ., �* , _ pressure? cutting off russian oil anduas? ., �* , ,, ., and gas? you can't simply close-down use of oil and — and gas? you can't simply close-down use of oil and gas _ and gas? you can't simply close-down use of oil and gas overnight, - and gas? you can't simply close-down use of oil and gas overnight, even - use of oil and gas overnight, even from russia. that's obviously not something that every country around the world can do. i'm going to be setting out an energy supply strategy for the country in the days ahead. ~ . .

strategy for the country in the days ahead. ~ ., ., ., , ahead. what vladimir putin has broken here — ahead. what vladimir putin has broken here is _ ahead. what vladimir putin has broken here is a _ ahead. what vladimir putin has broken here is a trust _ ahead. what vladimir putin has broken here is a trust where . ahead. what vladimir putin has| broken here is a trust where i've heard _ broken here is a trust where i've heard a — broken here is a trust where i've heard a number of europeans reflect on, heard a number of europeans reflect on. its— heard a number of europeans reflect on. it's too— heard a number of europeans reflect on, it's too bad we are so dependent on, it's too bad we are so dependent on russian _ on, it's too bad we are so dependent on russian oil but were not going to make _ on russian oil but were not going to make that _ on russian oil but were not going to make that mistake again and they are moving _ make that mistake again and they are moving away from it.— moving away from it. easier to say than do, moving away from it. easier to say than do. and _ moving away from it. easier to say than do, and the _ moving away from it. easier to say than do, and the dilemma - moving away from it. easier to say than do, and the dilemma is - than do, and the dilemma is displayed by these three countries. canadians have banned russian oil but they have their own huge supply. the uk doesn't rely on it either. but the dutch, like other mainland european countries, really do. it is european countries, really do. it is a ainful european countries, really do. it is a painful reality — european countries, really do. it 3 a painful reality and it means we have to speed up the process of grieving our economy and decarbonising but that won't happen overnight. i would urge all of us to take this step—by—step. um? overnight. i would urge all of us to take this step-by-step._ overnight. i would urge all of us to take this step-by-step. why can you sa to our take this step-by-step. why can you say to our viewers _ take this step-by-step. why can you say to our viewers the _ take this step-by-step. why can you say to our viewers the rest _ take this step-by-step. why can you say to our viewers the rest was - take this step-by-step. why can you say to our viewers the rest was so i say to our viewers the rest was so slow to see what vladimir putin was really capable of? was it wishful thinking, neithertoo? some people in eastern europe think the west... we all thought we could somehow contain it. ., , ., ,

contain it. that proved impossible. now there are _ contain it. that proved impossible. now there are calls _ contain it. that proved impossible. now there are calls for _ contain it. that proved impossible. now there are calls for more - contain it. that proved impossible. | now there are calls for more drastic action against those who sought luxury lifestyles in london, after accusations the government hasn't been tough enough mps will vote tonight to make it harderfor russians to stash money here and easier to punish individuals linked to the kremlin. if easier to punish individuals linked to the kremlin.— to the kremlin. if the government allows people _ to the kremlin. if the government allows people six _ to the kremlin. if the government allows people six months - to the kremlin. if the government allows people six months to - to the kremlin. if the government i allows people six months to register their property, anybody who thinks they're going to be subject to sanction will sell their property and that's why we've been pushing the government.— the government. boris johnson is makin: a the government. boris johnson is making a big _ the government. boris johnson is making a big diplomatic- the government. boris johnson is making a big diplomatic push - the government. boris johnson isj making a big diplomatic push this week. it's about sticking together, the west showing solidarity and squeezing russia. neither can promise today that any of the solutions that could end ukraine's suffering are straightforward. you will see more of this, dialogue and diplomacy. the prime minister's mantra putin must fail is easier to say than to guarantee. as we said, households and business are being warned to prepare themselves for even bigger energy

bills in future, as well as higherfood prices, because of the disruption to the energy market. on the international markets, the prices of oil and gas have take off again, with oil hitting a ill—year high, and wholesale gas prices doubling in the space of three days. our economics editor faisal islam has more details. ukrainian farmers are seeing a very different type of harvest during this invasion. social media images of tractors telling abundant russian military hardware in the field where seed should be being sown in one of the bread baskets of the world. halli the bread baskets of the world. half ofthe the bread baskets of the world. half of the world's _ the bread baskets of the world. half of the world's population is fed using food grown with mineral fertiliser. abs, using food grown with mineral fertiliser. �* , , , fertiliser. a fertiliser company set a rlobal fertiliser. a fertiliser company set a global food _ fertiliser. a fertiliser company set a global food crisis _ fertiliser. a fertiliser company set a global food crisis is _ fertiliser. a fertiliser company set a global food crisis is starting. - fertiliser. a fertiliser company set j a global food crisis is starting. we are moving towards a global food crisis. _ are moving towards a global food crisis. it's— are moving towards a global food crisis, it's how large it will be. for other— crisis, it's how large it will be. for other parts of the world, the most _ for other parts of the world, the most vulnerable, it's a matter of getting _ most vulnerable, it's a matter of getting access to food and a matter of life _

getting access to food and a matter of life and _ getting access to food and a matter of life and death. as getting access to food and a matter of life and death.— of life and death. as wheat exports from ukraine _ of life and death. as wheat exports from ukraine and _ of life and death. as wheat exports from ukraine and russia _ of life and death. as wheat exports from ukraine and russia dry - of life and death. as wheat exports from ukraine and russia dry up, i of life and death. as wheat exportsj from ukraine and russia dry up, its price reached new records, driving up price reached new records, driving up overall double prices across the world to record levels according to the un. even when adjusted for inflation, there hasn't been a year like it since 197a. a similar picture for gas prices with market surging to £6.12 picture for gas prices with market surging to £6. 12 times the normal price. prices averaged just over £3 per therm than average energy bills in october could top £250 per month. the incredible rises in gas prices already represents an energy price shock for households, in particular businesses and those using heating oil that face this immediately. it is crude oil that could be the most potent economic weapon against the kremlin, because it gets three times as much income from oil than from gas. but an embargo on russian oil

risks a 70s style energy crisis and it's long been mr putin's calculation that western governments and western populations won't want to pay a price so high. even a conversation about sanctions on russia's oil saw the price of a barrel of crude oil leak to a ia year high this morning before settling still up on the day. even before this, pump petrol prices are now on average £155 a litre and heading higher. russia's economy is already taking a hit. brute heading higher. russia's economy is already taking a hit.— already taking a hit. we see the rouble going — already taking a hit. we see the rouble going through _ already taking a hit. we see the rouble going through the i already taking a hit. we see the rouble going through the floor, | already taking a hit. we see the i rouble going through the floor, we see russia's credit rating coming to zero, tojunk see russia's credit rating coming to zero, to junk status. see russia's credit rating coming to zero, tojunk status. the see russia's credit rating coming to zero, to junk status.— zero, to “unk status. the rouble at near zero, to junk status. the rouble at near record _ zero, to junk status. the rouble at near record lows _ zero, to junk status. the rouble at near record lows has _ zero, to junk status. the rouble at near record lows has now- zero, to junk status. the rouble at near record lows has now halved l zero, to junk status. the rouble at| near record lows has now halved in value but across europe, it's not yet the time to choke off the flows of dollars and euros to russia and oil from of dollars and euros to russia and oilfrom it. faisal islam, bbc news. the uk's policy on accepting

ukrainian refugees has been widely criticised in recent days, with complaints that the british system is far less generous than the rules of the european union. as of yesterday, the uk had granted around 50 visas for people fleeing the conflict, although more than ia,000 have completed visa applications. borisjohnson said today the uk would be as generous as it could be. refugees waiting at calais say there is confusion over the process, and our home editor mark easton has been speaking to some of them. the faces at this calais hostel bed the trauma of a nightmare flight from war, a journey still without a destination. brute from war, a “ourney still without a destination.— destination. we are afraid, afraid. there are more _ destination. we are afraid, afraid. there are more than _ destination. we are afraid, afraid. there are more than 500 - destination. we are afraid, afraid. | there are more than 500 ukrainian refugees in the city trying to sort these as to the uk. misha, a british citizen with his ukrainian wife and children was turned back at the border five days ago. i children was turned back at the border five days ago.— border five days ago. i feel like i've border five days ago. i feel like i've been _ border five days ago. i feel like i've been gutted. _ border five days ago. i feel like i've been gutted. the - border five days ago. i feel like i've been gutted. the world i border five days ago. i feel like i've been gutted. the world is. border five days ago. i feel like i i've been gutted. the world is going to help me if not my own government.

i've been living there 30 years, never asked for many kind of help from the government before. i've never been on benefits. the one thing i asked, i'd be left out. his 17-year-old _ thing i asked, i'd be left out. his 17—year—old daughter gabrielle could barely speak about her experience. she's cried all the stays and she's just talked now. we she's cried all the stays and she's just talked now.— she's cried all the stays and she's just talked now. we followed misha as he tried to _ just talked now. we followed misha as he tried to navigate _ just talked now. we followed misha as he tried to navigate the - as he tried to navigate the bureaucracy. first came here, where refugees were told they might get advice. speaking at the weekend, the home secretary said she had searched a team of home office officials to calais and it was inaccurate to say there was no proper support on the ground. but this is the place, no sign of a surge, just a telephone number. misha rang the number. i’m number. misha rang the number. i'm t in: number. misha rang the number. i“n trying to find where i can see someone. trying to find where i can see someone-— trying to find where i can see someone. ., , ., , ., someone. he was eventually told there were _ someone. he was eventually told there were refugee _ someone. he was eventually told there were refugee support i someone. he was eventually told i there were refugee support personnel in calais, in an empty port building. was this the promised home office help? they didn't want us to

feel what's going on but it appears this is the british surge, three officials, a box of ready salted crisps and some kitty cats. only a handful of refugees have managed to find and reach this desk. this crisis is evolving _ find and reach this desk. this crisis is evolving the - find and reach this desk. try 3 crisis is evolving the whole time and i said before the uk will be as generous as we possibly can be. this afternoon, generous as we possibly can be. this afternoon. the _ generous as we possibly can be. this afternoon, the home office confirmed what many refugees feared, there is no these are sent in calais. misha and his family must stay in france at least another week and get their visa not here but in paris. l at least another week and get their visa not here but in paris.— visa not here but in paris. i don't know how _ visa not here but in paris. i don't know how to _ visa not here but in paris. i don't know how to describe _ visa not here but in paris. i don't know how to describe it, - visa not here but in paris. i don't know how to describe it, there i visa not here but in paris. i don't know how to describe it, there is| visa not here but in paris. i don't. know how to describe it, there is a bit of anger inside of me, and i'm trying to keep calm. to bit of anger inside of me, and i'm trying to keep calm.— trying to keep calm. to the ukrainian _ trying to keep calm. to the ukrainian refugees - trying to keep calm. to the ukrainian refugees in i trying to keep calm. to the i ukrainian refugees in northern france, there appears to be a gap as wide as the english channel between the supportive rhetoric of ministers in london and the reality on the ground. mark easton, bbc news, calais. let's turn to the latest

on the pandemic. more than six million people have now died around the world after testing positive for covid—i9, according to the latest research by johns hopkins university in the us. and here in the uk, a new study has found that even mild cases of covid can cause changes to the brain, as our science editor rebecca morelle explains. we are starting to see the precise impacts of covid on the brain, as uk biobank undertakes the world's biggest scanning project. scientists have compared brain scans recorded before the pandemic with images taken after a covid—i9 infection. the scans reveal changes in the brain of the participants who had had covid. almost all of them, 96%, had had a mild case. the researchers found that on average the overall size of the brain had shrunk by up to 2%. there was a loss of grey matter

in the parts of the brain related to the sense of smell and memory. and those who had been infected found it harder to perform complex mental tasks. the scientists have been trying to assess what the changes mean. the infected participants also had more difficulties, greater difficulties in performing complex tasks, compared with those who did not get infected. and we can relate that to how much of their brain had shrunk. so, yes, it does have real life consequences. what's not yet clear is whether the changes are permanent or if they can be reversed. it can get scary to hear about the fact that your brain has shrunk. but we need to bear in mind that the brain is really plastic. by that, we mean it can heal itself. and there are signs this may be possible. it smells like eucalyptus now, thankfully. paola lost her sense of smell after catching covid in march 2020. through smell training with the abscent charity, it's starting to get better.

it's the olfactory part of the brain which is linked to smell that saw the biggest changes after covid. the hope is the brain can recover. what smell training does is it forces you to mindfully take in the smell, allow it to go back into your nose, and then to think about what it is that you're smelling. this study is just the start. it looked at earlier variants of covid. it's unclear whether omicron caused the same changes. the hope is further scans will help us to understand the legacy left by covid—i9. rebecca morelle, bbc news. hong kong has reported more than 25,000 new coronavirus infections and 280 deaths in the space of 2a hours, as authorities struggle to contain a growing outbreak. the virus has hit hundreds of the city's nursing homes, and infected many unvaccinated elderly people. hong kong had been successful in controlling the virus, but has recently seen infections

soar to a total of around half a million, and most of the city's 2,200 deaths have been in the past fortnight. the queen has held herfirst face—to—face engagement since testing positive for covid. she met the canadian prime minister justin trudeau at windsor castle. they were photographed in front of a display of blue and yellow flowers — the national colours of ukraine. the queen, who's also the canadian head of state, reached her platinum jubilee last month after 70 years on the throne. the broadcast regulator ofcom has ruled that the bbc made a "significant mistake" in a story last year about alex salmond, the former first minister of scotland, which should have been corrected on air. the bbc�*s then scotland editor sarah smith said that mr salmond had called for his successor nicola sturgeon to resign when he gave evidence to a parliamentary committee in edinburgh. mr salmond had accused ms sturgeon of breaking the ministerial code, but he went on to say it wasn't

for him to suggest what the consequences should be. the bbc admitted the error but ofcom says it should have made an on air acknowledgment or correction. the rapper, songwriter and record producer dizzee rascal has been found guilty of assaulting his former fiancee. the artist, whose real name is dylan mills, denied the charge against him relating to a row with cassandra jones last june. the districtjudge at wimbledon magistrates' court in south—west london said she was sure he had lost his temper in the row. he'll be sentenced next month. it's been another good day for the athletes of paralympicsgb at the winter olympics in beijing. menna fitzpatrick, with guide gary smith, and brothers neil and andrew simpson won bronze in the alpine sking super—g event. it means the paralympicsgb team has now won five medals at the games, with six days of competition remaining. time for a look at the weather.

here's matt taylor.