this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 3pm... powerful explosions again rock the capital of ukraine. russian air strikes hit residential apartment blocks in kyiv and a metro station. the mayor says four people were killed. translation: from 8pm, a curfew is established in — translation: from 8pm, a curfew is established in kyiv. _ translation: from 8pm, a curfew is established in kyiv. movement - established in kyiv. movement through the city is prohibited without special passes. nearly three million refugees have fled ukraine. we report from poland where a shopping centre is being used to house families. "hooliganism", how the kremlin describes the anti—war protest of the woman who interrupted a live news show. ukraine's president tells the uk and other nations the west needs to do more to help his country fight russia, otherwise, he warned "they will come for you". translation: the world is a silent

after two nuclear _ translation: the world is a silent after two nuclear power _ translation: the world is a silent after two nuclear power plants - translation: the world is a silenti after two nuclear power plants were captured, we are hearing word that thatis captured, we are hearing word that that is not enough. british iranian national nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe detained in iran for five years, has been given back her british passport raising hopes of her return to the uk. the number of people out of work in the uk has fallen again and is now lower than it was before the pandemic, but wages are failing to keep up with the rising cost of living. mask wearing on public transport and in shops will remain compulsory in scotland for a further two weeks, after a rise in covid cases.

good afternoon, good to have your company. the mayor of kyiv says four people have been killed in the capital after russian airstrikes hit an apartment block and set it on fire. several other residential buildings have been damaged by attacks. the strikes took place on the western side of the city as the war entered its 20th day. this, as the international organisation for migration says nearly three million people have fled ukraine since russia began its invasion. our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse, reports on the continuing russian assault. parts of this war the russians do want you to see. their defence ministry released this footage of a helicopter strike on a ukrainian military target. at the start of this 20—day war, vladimir putin claimed the cities and citizens would not be targeted.

we have known for sometime the opposite has happened. four people killed in a shelling of residential blocks, this time in north—western kyiv. translation: today is a difficult and dangerous moment. - according to the decision of the military command, from today march the 15th, from 8pm, a curfew is established in kyiv. movement through the city is prohibited without special passes. president zelensky is sounding more upbeat, boosted by the us's assessment that every russian advance has stalled over the weekend because of the ukrainians fighting back. he called on the invaders to surrender. and he praised this high—profile protest against the war on russian state tv, although many ukrainians online have been calling it a token gesture because of there being no let—up in fighting. translation: we are grateful. to those russians who do not stop trying to convey the truth, to those who fight disinformation and tell the truth, real facts

to their friends and loved ones. and personally to that young woman who entered the studio of channel one with a poster against the war. to those who are not afraid to protest. and now for the first time in this war, a diplomatic visit to ukraine. not one world leader, but three from poland, the czech republic and slovenia. they will visit kyiv today, countries which have taken in refugees from putin's war. they will be presenting a support package from the european union. peace negotiations between ukraine and russia continued today as well. kyiv is confident, with one official predicting the war could be over by may at the latest through either a deal or russia running out of resources. as ukraine cleans up after more missile attacks, it is difficult to picture. james waterhouse, bbc news in kyiv. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kyiv with the latest. this is the week where there is a

new symbol, a really sad symbol of a war which seems to creep slowly but ever closer to the centre of the capital kyiv. high—rise residential blocks on fire. we woke to one image yesterday, a residential building was hitjust after 5am. today, it was hitjust after 5am. today, it was three residential blocks on fire. the mayor vitali klitschko says the emergency services are still trying to put out the flames. but we do know that those armoured convoys that have been on the north—west, north—east of the city in the suburbs which are now blackened wastelands, they are not approaching because they are being stalled by their own logistical difficulties but also by the force of the ukrainian resistance. when we hear more and more russian artillery fire, we also hear the sound of ukrainians firing surface to air missiles to fight back. but today, president zelensky told european leaders in a video call, which included borisjohnson, he thanked

them for all the ammunition and weapons and said, "what you send in a week we use up in 20 hours." but he did sound a note of cautious optimism, in another round of peace talks today. 20 days in, still no breakthrough on the battlefield or the negotiating table. 0ur correspondentjenny hill has been giving us the latest on the woman who protested against the war on russian tv last night. her lawyers apparently don't know where she is being held, and we don't know what kind of charges she could face. it has been more than 17 hours since she burst onto that tv set, the tv set of her own employer. she was detained after the protest, which was an astonishing sight on prime—time television last night. she had also recorded a separate video statement in which she explained that her father was ukrainian and her mother was

russian, she said she was ashamed of having worked for her state tv employer, for having, in her words, "propagated the kremlin's propaganda." she said that had led to some bifurcation of the russian people. this is an astonishing moment here in russia really, and the authorities, i think it is safe to assume, are likely to make sure that she suffers fairly severe charges. a kremlin spokesman today said that her activities were hooliganism. i think while we wait to find out more about her whereabouts, it is worth saying that in today's russia, to conduct such a high profile individual protest must have taken a great deal of courage. jenny hill in moscow. just short of three weeks into this conflict, the kremlin is insisting that its so—called "special military operation" is going to plan. but some in moscow admit the campaign was not progressing

as quickly as moscow wanted, and the united states saying it has pretty much stalled. so, what is the current state of the russian campaign and how have the ukrainians managed to frustrate them? 0ur security correspondent, gordon corera, reports. the russian offensive continues to make only slow progress. their original plan of a lightning strike failed, thanks partly to so much secrecy that some of the russian forces seem to have been unprepared. that, combined with bad intelligence of what reception they would get. they have moved most effectively across the south of the country. but around kyiv, there has been little change as the russians continue to regroup and slowly encircle the capital. they have not gone in on the ground, and it's not clear when they will, but they have launched strikes from the air, including these three districts overnight. in all, russia is thought to have fired around 900 missiles during the invasion, including a couple of dozen which hit this ukrainian training centre near the polish border

on the weekend. as well as faulty assumptions, the russian initial thrust also stalled due to ukrainian tactics and stiffer resistance than moscow expected. rather than head—on combat against a largerforce, ukrainian forces have been skilled at adapting, ambushing russian forces and targeting senior russian officers with snipers, using drones which can carry explosives to target convoys and using military aid from the west. so, what help is the west giving? it has supplied what is called defensive equipment, but some of it high—end. these are nlaws, valued for their ability to target russian tanks and armoured vehicles. britain sent 2,000 before the invasion, training ukrainian troops to use them here injanuary, and nearly as many again since it started. other countries have also supplied stinger anti—aircraft missiles as well as other equipment. but nato has ruled out direct

involvement on the ground, or through creating a no—fly zone. so the question is now, will the russians make a direct assault on kyiv even though it is heavily defended? gordon corera reporting. the nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg has been speaking in the past hour and renewed his criticism of russia. they claimed they did not plan to invade ukraine, but they did. they claimed they were withdrawing their troops, but they sent in even more. they claim to be protecting civilians, but they are killing civilians. now they are making absurd claims about biological labs and chemical weapons in ukraine. this isjust another lie. and we and chemical weapons in ukraine. this is just another lie. and we are concerned that moscow could stage a

false flag operation, possibly including chemical weapons. ukrainian people are fighting bravely, defending their homes and their future, bravely, defending their homes and theirfuture, and we must support them. their future, and we must support them. , , ,, ., , their future, and we must support them. , ,, ., , ,, ., ~ ., them. jens stoltenberg speaking a little early on _ them. jens stoltenberg speaking a little early on tuesday. _ as we've heard, close to three million refugees have fled the fighting in ukraine. around 1.8 million have crossed into poland. pressure on cities close to the border is intense, with beds running out. in krakow, an old shopping centre is now being used to house refugee families, until they find longer term accommodation. from there, danjohnson reports. from desperation comes innovation. abandoned six months ago, but now it's the latest safe space for ukrainian families. empty shops refitted in record time to take the pressure off a city struggling to cope. there are 400 beds here, and there's

capacity to add even more. we've seen transit camps for people fleeing wars time and time again, but this, it's the most modern of solutions to that age—old requirement, and it goes on and on. but how long will this be for? we are prepared to do this as long as it will be needed. so i can't say it will be one week, one month, nobody knows at the moment, unfortunately. it's warm, it's dry, it's relatively comfortable. businesses have volunteered to put in these showers and tiling... we bumped into this british volunteer who's helped with the conversion. it's going to help process... ..for those people who are displaced, and help kind of alleviate the pressures on the borders, so i think absolutely, i think it's great. i think it is what happens after this, and the logistical chain of how these people then relocate to somewhere a bit more permanent. the first ukrainian families are settling in,

enjoying some space, some peace and quiet after a journey that's left most of them stunned. normally i work as an emergency practitioner in bridgwater. this nhs doctor's here from somerset. this is a big improvement on what he saw at the border. they have showers, they have normal bathrooms, the rooms are actually separated. so far, what i've noted, mostly it's anxiety. general pains, they've been walking or standing in a queue to cross the borderfor hours. it's sad to see the children just with kind of like a... empty face. it's... yeah. it's something which i've never experienced before, so... kamila's volunteering here as a first—aider. she moved back to poland three years ago after living in manchester. are you able to help everybody? we would love to, but sometimes it's just... we can't do it. like, we try our best,

and actually one ambulance broke on us so we only have one ambulance now, so we do try to transport as many people as possible, because every life counts for us. and there's relief here in different forms for all ages. those under the stress and strain of running from war and for communities trying to look after them. danjohnson, bbc news, krakow. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has said he is frustrated with nato, the military alliance of 30 nations, because it won't implement a no—fly zone over his country. in a video call to borisjohnson and representatives from baltic and northern european countries in london, mr zelensky claimed some nato countries had been "hypnotised" by russia. earlier today, the uk government said it's imposed more sanctions against russia. 370 new measures against individuals and companies and other bodies plus a ban on exports of luxury goods. 0ur political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, reports.

while economic battle rages here, president zelensky fights war in ukraine. this morning, after the uk announced further sanctions on russia, he addressed european leaders who make up thejoint expeditionary force security alliance. a plea for more action. translation: we would like to ask you to help yourself by helping us. i you know the kind of weapon we need — everyone knows. you know what kind of defence measures we need, you know what are needed, the fighter jets, and without your support it would be very difficult. i am very grateful but i want to say that we need more. the prime minister is trying to economically isolate russia. he will travel to saudi arabia for talks on energy supply. a controversial he believes is necessary. it is vital if we are going to stand

up to putin's bullying and avoid being blackmailed by him in the way that so many western countries, sadly, have been, we have to get ourselves off russian hydrocarbons. sanctions outlined this morning hit russian antiques, vodka and fur, just a few of the items that will now face additional tariffs of 35%. the uk's aim is to hurt russia economically, although it is likely to mean some extra costs for consumers here too. alongside g7 allies, the uk will also ban luxury goods being exported to russia, and further sanctions on 370 individuals and entities, including the former russian president dmitry medvedev, have been announced in the past hour. in the commons this morning, the chancellor said this is the right approach. the treasury has been hard at work with our international partners putting in place the most comprehensive set of economic sanctions this country has ever done, that russia has ever experienced, and i am really proud of the job that we have done. but with energy price volatility, labour is worried about the cost of living. the package on energy announced by the chancellor last month has already been rendered obsolete

by russia's invasion of ukraine. some estimates of average annual household energy bills suggest rises to £3,000 or even more from october, a ruinous figure for many of our constituents. the prime minister acknowledged that the west needs to do more for ukraine. for now, most of the action remains economic. david wallace lockhart, bbc news. let's cross to westminster and speak to our political correspondent damian grammaticas. what do we know and why at this stage? what do we know and why at this sta . e? ~ ., , ., what do we know and why at this sta i e? . ., , ., , what do we know and why at this state? ~ , ., stage? well, the reason why of course as _ stage? well, the reason why of course as part _ stage? well, the reason why of course as part of _ stage? well, the reason why of course as part of this _ stage? well, the reason why of course as part of this building l stage? well, the reason why of. course as part of this building up of pressure. why pressure? why at this stage? because the uk has now put in a legal framework to be able to do this, so it has been adding these names and entities, companies, businesses, organisations in russia. and it brings the uk into line with

the eu and the us and others. so now in total the uk saying over 1000 individuals and entities targeted,, specifically. but of course has included already figures in the past like vladimir putin, now we have added to it things like his defence minister sergey shoygu, the prime minister in russia as well, and on top of that, what we then have our economic measures too. so, revoking or taking away russia's most favoured status, they say that will mean higher tariffs being imposed on a whole range of russian imports, things that we buy and bring in. that includes things like steel, alimony, wood, paper, all sorts of stuff. —— aluminium and vodka as well. and exports to russia, bans on

some exports which will come into place by things like luxury goods. he said he wanted to deprive russian oligarchs have access to those luxuries which they have been used to buying. luxuries which they have been used to bu inc. ., ., ., ., to buying. you mention are some on the list, do — to buying. you mention are some on the list. do we _ to buying. you mention are some on the list, do we know— to buying. you mention are some on the list, do we know if— to buying. you mention are some on the list, do we know if any _ to buying. you mention are some on the list, do we know if any of- to buying. you mention are some on the list, do we know if any of these l the list, do we know if any of these people actually do have any assets? or is it really a question of targeting the namesjust or is it really a question of targeting the names just in case because these are the people most associated with the regime? it is associated with the regime? it is more the second. _ associated with the regime? it 3 more the second. in one of the criticisms of the uk government has been made again today by opposition parties, is that the time it has taken to do this and bring these measures in has given time for some of those who would have had assets here to try to shift them into other ownership, to change the names of the owners of the assets, to try to get them out, if they can. of course, that is harderforfixed things and heart of things like property. —— harderforthings

things and heart of things like property. —— harderfor things like property. —— harderfor things like property. there are some who will have assets in the uk, but many or some may have tried to find ways to minimise the impact, and many may not have assets.— minimise the impact, and many may not have assets. there has been some criticism in the _ not have assets. there has been some criticism in the state, _ not have assets. there has been some criticism in the state, for _ not have assets. there has been some criticism in the state, for example, - criticism in the state, for example, that people who have assets which are actually in a business had that bit disregarded, so we can carry on the business side but their personal interests have been sanctioned. is that kind of thing happening here as well, do you know? because that would mitigate the impact. hat would mitigate the impact. not entirely clear _ would mitigate the impact. ijrrt entirely clear on that. one thing we can say is that if you look at the oligarchs sanction, like roman abramovich and his ownership of chelsea football club, discussions are ongoing about how those sanctions impact the football club. and it was the case when the sanctions were brought in that it was prevented from selling tickets, new tickets, to matches, raising new revenue from selling sports replica

shirt and that sort of thing. we know the club had been in discussions about whether some of those things could be eased to carry on with ticket sales and the like. i'm not clear whether those discussions have ended up. but it does show how obligated this is. in the uk government saying that, in designing these sanctions, one of the things it is trying to do is to find things that will have a maximum impact in russia and non—russians, particularly those who support or benefit from vladimir putin's regime. but at the same time to try to minimise the impact at this end. of course, it does have an impact at this and in some ways. you of course, it does have an impact at this and in some ways.— this and in some ways. you mention the complaint _ this and in some ways. you mention the complaint for _ this and in some ways. you mention the complaint for the _ this and in some ways. you mention the complaint for the opposition - the complaint for the opposition parties that the government had not moved quickly and that may have given time for people to transfer assets, hide assets, get them out of the country. i have heard some

conservatives talking about human rights in the european convention on human rights which mean people have certain legal rights as individuals. has that argument been put by government? it has certainly been raised by some on the conservative side. i raised by some on the conservative side. ~' , , ., , , side. i think the issue has been the leual side. i think the issue has been the legal framework _ side. i think the issue has been the legal framework in _ side. i think the issue has been the legal framework in order— side. i think the issue has been the legal framework in order to - side. i think the issue has been the legal framework in order to be - legal framework in order to be able to do this. that is what the government had been putting in place in the last week or two. amendments to legislation going through parliament, to be able to have the ability to take these steps and have the legal groundwork done for that. so that is the issue that they have faced. and then drawing up the list and then trying to be sure about who you are targeting, what their connections are and what their links are to president putin, to the russian state. so we see on the list now they are saying another 51

oligarchs and their families added to the list today, with 370 new names and entities. also on that list, notjust politicalfigures, but also people being termed propagandists. one of putin's spokespeople, there sorts of people also being added as well. aha, spokespeople, there sorts of people also being added as well.— spokespeople, there sorts of people also being added as well. a wide net bein: cast. also being added as well. a wide net being cast- it — also being added as well. a wide net being cast. it will— also being added as well. a wide net being cast. it will be _ also being added as well. a wide net being cast. it will be interesting - being cast. it will be interesting to see how many are caught up in it. damian grammaticas, thank you for that. let me bring you some breaking news we are getting in ukraine. the us network fox news says one of its camera operators has been killed. this is from john roberts at fox. the injury to benjamin hall had already been reported. that breaking news out of the united states. let's

cross to ottawa now to the canadian parliament when the prime minister justin trudeau is introducing volodymyr zelensky who will be speaking via link to the canadian parliament. ihla speaking via link to the canadian parliament-— speaking via link to the canadian parliament. ., ., , ., parliament. no matter the size of the opponent. — parliament. no matter the size of the opponent, this _ parliament. no matter the size of the opponent, this doesn't - parliament. no matter the size of the opponent, this doesn't mean | parliament. no matter the size of| the opponent, this doesn't mean it will be easy. ukrainians are already paying incalculable human cost. this illegal and unnecessary war is a grave mistake, putin must stop it now. applause speaks french translation: , , . . , ., translation: this blatant disregard for human life _ translation: this blatant disregard for human life is _ translation: this blatant disregard for human life is on _ translation: this blatant disregard for human life is on accessible. - for human life is on accessible. canada continues to demand that russia stop targeting civilians and

this unjustifiable war. ukrainians are standing up to authoritarianism, and as parliamentarians unite in the house today and all canadians, we stand with you. speaks english as friends, you can count on our unwavering and steadfast support stop and now it is my great privilege to introduce to you all the president of ukraine, ourfriend volodymyr zelensky. translation: thank you very much.

translation: ladies and gentlemen, mr seaker, translation: ladies and gentlemen, mr speaker, prime _ translation: ladies and gentlemen, mr speaker, prime minister, _ translation: ladies and gentlemen, mr speaker, prime minister, the - mr speaker, prime minister, the adjusting, — mr speaker, prime minister, the adjusting, members of the government, members of the parliament, all distinguished guests, _ parliament, all distinguished guests, friends, before i begin i would _ guests, friends, before i begin i would like — guests, friends, before i begin i would like to you to understand my feelings _ would like to you to understand my feelings and feelings of all ukrainians as faras feelings and feelings of all ukrainians as far as it is possible. our feelings over the last 20 days, 20 0ur feelings over the last 20 days, 20 days— 0ur feelings over the last 20 days, 20 days of— our feelings over the last 20 days, 20 days of the full—scale aggression of the _ 20 days of the full—scale aggression of the russian federation after eight _ of the russian federation after eight years of fighting in the donhas— eight years of fighting in the donbas region. can only imagine, imagine _ donbas region. can only imagine, imagine that at 4am, you start

hearing — imagine that at 4am, you start hearing from explosions, severe explosions. justin, can you imagine hearing. _ explosions. justin, can you imagine hearing, you, your children hearing these _ hearing, you, your children hearing these severe explosions? the bombing of the _ these severe explosions? the bombing of the airport, bombing of ottawa airport? _ of the airport, bombing of ottawa airport? tens of other cities in your country, can you imagine that? cruise _ your country, can you imagine that? cruise missiles are falling down on your territory, and your children are asking — your territory, and your children are asking you, "what happened?" and you are _ are asking you, "what happened?" and you are receiving the first news of objects _ you are receiving the first news of objects being bombed and destroyed by russian federation. and you know how many— by russian federation. and you know how many people already died. can you only— how many people already died. can you only imagine what words, how can you only imagine what words, how can you explain— you only imagine what words, how can you explain to your children that this full—scale aggression just happened in your country? you know

that this _ happened in your country? you know that this is _ happened in your country? you know that this is a — happened in your country? you know that this is a war on your state, your— that this is a war on your state, your country. you know that this is done _ your country. you know that this is done to— your country. you know that this is done to subjugate your people. and on the _ done to subjugate your people. and on the second day, you receive notifications that huge columns of military— notifications that huge columns of military equipment are entering your country. _ military equipment are entering your country, crossing the border, entering _ country, crossing the border, entering small cities. they are giving — entering small cities. they are giving siege, encircling cities. and they start — giving siege, encircling cities. and they start to shell civil neighbourhoods. they bomb school buildings, _ neighbourhoods. they bomb school buildings, they destroyed kindergarten facilities, like in our city, _ kindergarten facilities, like in our city, like — kindergarten facilities, like in our city, like in— kindergarten facilities, like in our city, like in our cities. imagine that— city, like in our cities. imagine that someone is taking siege, laying sie-e that someone is taking siege, laying siege to _ that someone is taking siege, laying siege to vancouver. can you imagine that for— siege to vancouver. can you imagine that for a _ siege to vancouver. can you imagine that for a second? and all these people — that for a second? and all these people who are left in such a city,

and this— people who are left in such a city, and this is— people who are left in such a city, and this is exactly the situation that our— and this is exactly the situation that our city of mariupol is suffering right now. and they are left without heat, without means of communicating, almost without food. without _ communicating, almost without food. without water. seeking shelter in bomb— without water. seeking shelter in bomb shelters. dearjustin, can you imagine _ bomb shelters. dearjustin, can you imagine that every day you receive memoranda about the number of casualties, including women and children? — casualties, including women and children? you have heard about the bombings — children? you have heard about the bombings. currently we have 97 children— bombings. currently we have 97 children that died during this war. can you _ children that died during this war. can you imagine the famous cn tower in toronto, _ can you imagine the famous cn tower in toronto, if— can you imagine the famous cn tower in toronto, if it was hit by russian bombs? _ in toronto, if it was hit by russian bombs? 0t— in toronto, if it was hit by russian bombs? of course, i don't wish this on anyone, — bombs? of course, i don't wish this on anyone, but this is our reality which _ on anyone, but this is our reality which we — on anyone, but this is our reality which we live. we have to

contemplate, see where the next bombing — contemplate, see where the next bombing takes place. we have a freedom — bombing takes place. we have a freedom square in the city of kharkiy _ freedom square in the city of kharkiv. the place where victims of the holocaust were buried, and today it has— the holocaust were buried, and today it has been_ the holocaust were buried, and today it has been bombed by the russians. imagine _ it has been bombed by the russians. imagine that canadian facilities had been bombed, similarly as our buildings — been bombed, similarly as our buildings and memorial places are being _ buildings and memorial places are being bombed. the number of families have died _ being bombed. the number of families have died. every night is a horrible night _ have died. every night is a horrible night the — have died. every night is a horrible night. the russians are shelling from _ night. the russians are shelling from all— night. the russians are shelling from all types of artillery, from tanks. — from all types of artillery, from tanks, they are hitting civilian infrastructure, they have hit big

buildings — infrastructure, they have hit big buildings. can you imagine that there _ buildings. can you imagine that there is— buildings. can you imagine that there is fires starting at a nuclear power— there is fires starting at a nuclear power plant? and that is exactly what _ power plant? and that is exactly what happened in our country. each city that— what happened in our country. each city that they are marching through, they are _ city that they are marching through, they are taking down ukrainian flags — they are taking down ukrainian flags can— they are taking down ukrainian flags. can you imagine someone taking _ flags. can you imagine someone taking down your canadian flags in montreal— taking down your canadian flags in montreal and other canadian cities? i montreal and other canadian cities? i know— montreal and other canadian cities? i know that — montreal and other canadian cities? i know that you all support ukraine. we have _ i know that you all support ukraine. we have been friends with you, justin, — we have been friends with you, justin, but _ we have been friends with you, justin, but i would also like you to understand — justin, but i would also like you to understand and i would like you to feel this — understand and i would like you to feel this. this is what we feel every— feel this. this is what we feel every day _ feel this. this is what we feel every day. we want to live and we want _ every day. we want to live and we want to _ every day. we want to live and we want to be — every day. we want to live and we want to be victorious. we want to prevail— want to be victorious. we want to prevail for— want to be victorious. we want to prevail for the sake of life. can you imagine when you call your friends, — you imagine when you call your friends, your friends in your nation

and ask— friends, your friends in your nation and ask to — friends, your friends in your nation and ask to close the airspace. drop the bombing and how many cruise missiles _ the bombing and how many cruise missiles have to on our cities before — missiles have to on our cities before you make this happen? —— stop the bombing... and we express the deep _ the bombing... and we express the deep concerns about the situation. when _ deep concerns about the situation. when we _ deep concerns about the situation. when we talk with our partners and they say— when we talk with our partners and they say hold off, hold off a little longer _ they say hold off, hold off a little longer. some people are talking about— longer. some people are talking about trying to avoid the escalation and at _ about trying to avoid the escalation and at the — about trying to avoid the escalation and at the same time, in response to our aspiration — and at the same time, in response to our aspiration to become members of nato, _ our aspiration to become members of nato, we _ our aspiration to become members of nato, we also do not hear a clear answer — nato, we also do not hear a clear answer. sometimes we don't see obvious— answer. sometimes we don't see obvious things. it is a dire straits

but it— obvious things. it is a dire straits but it also— obvious things. it is a dire straits but it also allows to see who are real friends are over the last 20 days— real friends are over the last 20 days and — real friends are over the last 20 days and is— real friends are over the last 20 days and is well over the eight previous— days and is well over the eight previous years. i am sure that you have _ previous years. i am sure that you have been— previous years. i am sure that you have been able to see clearly what is going _ have been able to see clearly what is going on— have been able to see clearly what is going on and i am addressing all of you _ is going on and i am addressing all of you. canada has always been steadfast — of you. canada has always been steadfast in their support and has been _ steadfast in their support and has been a _ steadfast in their support and has been a reliable partner to ukraine and ukrainians and i am sure this will continue. you have offered your help. _ will continue. you have offered your help. your— will continue. you have offered your help, your assistance at our earliest _ help, your assistance at our earliest request and you supplied us with humanitarian and military assistance, you imposed severe sanctions. — assistance, you imposed severe sanctions, at the same time we see that unfortunately this did not bring — that unfortunately this did not bring thee into the war. you can say that our— bring thee into the war. you can say that our cities like kharkiv, mariupol— that our cities like kharkiv, mariupol and other cities are not

protected — mariupol and other cities are not protected just like your cities are protected — protected just like your cities are protected. you can see that kyiv is being _ protected. you can see that kyiv is being shelled and bombed. it used to being shelled and bombed. it used to be a peaceful country and peaceful cities _ be a peaceful country and peaceful cities but _ be a peaceful country and peaceful cities but now they are being constantly bombarded. basically what i am constantly bombarded. basically what i am trying _ constantly bombarded. basically what i am trying to say is that we all need _ i am trying to say is that we all need to— i am trying to say is that we all need to do— i am trying to say is that we all need to do more to stop russia, to protect— need to do more to stop russia, to protect ukraine and by doing that to protect— protect ukraine and by doing that to protect europe from the russian threat _ protect europe from the russian threat. they are destroying everything, memorial campuses, schools. — everything, memorial campuses, schools, hospitals, housing complexes. they have already killed 97 ukrainian children. we are not asking _ 97 ukrainian children. we are not asking for— 97 ukrainian children. we are not asking for much. we are asking for justice _ asking for much. we are asking for justice for— asking for much. we are asking for justice for real support that will help us— justice for real support that will help us to — justice for real support that will help us to prevail, to defend, to save _ help us to prevail, to defend, to save lives— help us to prevail, to defend, to

save lives all over the world. canada — save lives all over the world. canada is _ save lives all over the world. canada is leading in these efforts and i_ canada is leading in these efforts and i am — canada is leading in these efforts and i am hoping that other countries will follow— and i am hoping that other countries will follow the same suit. we are asking _ will follow the same suit. we are asking for— will follow the same suit. we are asking for more leadership and please — asking for more leadership and please take more greater part in this effort. just and all of our friends — this effort. just and all of our friends of— this effort. just and all of our friends of ukraine —— justin... all friends _ friends of ukraine —— justin... all friends of— friends of ukraine —— justin... all friends of truth, please understand how important it is for us to close our airspace — how important it is for us to close our airspace from russian missiles and russian aircraft. i hope you can understand — and russian aircraft. i hope you can understand. i hope you can increase your efforts, — understand. i hope you can increase your efforts, you can increase sanctions _ your efforts, you can increase sanctions so they will not have a similar— sanctions so they will not have a similar goal to fund their war effort — similar goal to fund their war effort. commercial entities should not be _ effort. commercial entities should not be working in russia. probably you know — not be working in russia. probably you know better than many in other countries _ you know better than many in other countries that this attack on

ukraine, _ countries that this attack on ukraine, it is their attempt to alienate — ukraine, it is their attempt to alienate ukrainian people and there is nothing _ alienate ukrainian people and there is nothing else to it. this is their main _ is nothing else to it. this is their main objective. it is actually a war against _ main objective. it is actually a war against the — main objective. it is actually a war against the ukrainian people. and it is an attempt to destroy everything that we _ is an attempt to destroy everything that we as — is an attempt to destroy everything that we as ukrainians do. it is an attempt — that we as ukrainians do. it is an attempt to— that we as ukrainians do. it is an attempt to destroy our future, to destroy— attempt to destroy our future, to destroy our nation, our character. are you _ destroy our nation, our character. are you canadians, you know very well all _ are you canadians, you know very well all this — are you canadians, you know very well all this. that is why i am asking — well all this. that is why i am asking you _ well all this. that is why i am asking you please do not stop in your— asking you please do not stop in your efforts, please expand your efforts _ your efforts, please expand your efforts to — your efforts, please expand your efforts to bring back peace in our peaceful— efforts to bring back peace in our peaceful country. i believe and i know— peaceful country. i believe and i know that — peaceful country. i believe and i know that you can do it and we are part of— know that you can do it and we are part of the — know that you can do it and we are part of the anti—war coalition and i'm part of the anti—war coalition and i'm sure — part of the anti—war coalition and i'm sure we — part of the anti—war coalition and i'm sure we will achieve results. i would _ i'm sure we will achieve results. i would also — i'm sure we will achieve results. i would also like to ask our ukrainian diaspora _ would also like to ask our ukrainian diaspora in— would also like to ask our ukrainian diaspora in canada, this is a historical— diaspora in canada, this is a historical moment and we need your

support, _ historical moment and we need your support, your practical support. and we hope _ support, your practical support. and we hope that with your practical steps _ we hope that with your practical steps we — we hope that with your practical steps we will show that you are part of ukrainian — steps we will show that you are part of ukrainian history. please remember, this is practical modern history— remember, this is practical modern history of— remember, this is practical modern history of ukraine. we want to have peace _ history of ukraine. we want to have peace i_ history of ukraine. we want to have peace i am — history of ukraine. we want to have peace. i am grateful for everyone of you in— peace. i am grateful for everyone of you in the _ peace. i am grateful for everyone of you in the parliament of canada who was present there, to every canadian citizen _ was present there, to every canadian citizen i_ was present there, to every canadian citizen i am — was present there, to every canadian citizen. i am very grateful to you, justin, _ citizen. i am very grateful to you, justin, i_ citizen. i am very grateful to you, justin, i am — citizen. i am very grateful to you, justin, i am grateful to the canadian people and i am confident that together we will overcome and be victorious. glory to ukraine, thank— be victorious. glory to ukraine, thank you — be victorious. glory to ukraine, thank you to canada. applause that is the canadian parliament

applauding vladimir zelensky, the president of ukraine from cave in the last few minutes. it was the same message he delivered to message it of thejoint same message he delivered to message it of the joint exhibition of force which is involving some of the northern european countries and the baltic states. and that was their meeting in london this morning. this is a message for them a thank you for your help but please do more. as he put it, please stop the bombing. he believes that the canadians and other nato countries can make this happen and his persistent demand for a no—fly zone which nato objects too because it would provide a provocation for some kind of armed conflict between nato and russia. he also said that his country was in dire straits over the last 20 days and it had allowed them to see who their real friends are and he had a warning of the consequences of not responding more aggressively to russia. he said you keep saying to us hold on a little longer, but how

much longer can we hold on? in other news... the detained british—iranian nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has had her passport returned and a british negotiating team is in tehran, according to her mp tulip siddiq. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe has been detained in iran since her arrest in 2016 on charges of plotting to overthrow the government — allegations she has always denied. nazanin's sister—in—law, rebecca ratcliffe has been speaking to the bbc. she's quite apprehensive of going outside. her family have always been intimidated by her captors, the irgc. they often make threatening messages and things around her, so she doesn't really tend to go out, she doesn't trust many people. of course, covid's been problematic in iran, like it has been elsewhere, so there's not a lot

of socialising, but, nevertheless, she is with herfamily and can see her family on a regular basis and has internet access, which she hasn't had for the last five years. this is such a roller—coaster for her, her emotions are up and down all the time, so when something like this happens, she is really on edge. she can't really... doesn't really want to sit and chat or anything. she just doesn't know what this means for her. there's so many false hopes over the last five, six years, where she's felt like she's about to be released and then it hasn't happened. she doesn't want to get her hopes up. it is just a constant state of high anxiety she is struggling with. she obviously can't get out of iran until she's got a british passport, so this does seem to be a strong signal from iran that they are trying to get her home. what we don't know is how much this is negotiation between british and iranian governments, or if iran is posturing here, putting pressure on the british. it's difficult for us to interpret whether this is a really positive sign or the iranians

are playing games here. were going to be talking in the next 20 minutes or so to the chief executive of amnesty international in the uk which has been campaigning for all that time for her release and the release of other dual nationals who were held in tehran. new figures show that wages are still struggling to keep up to the rising cost of living. the office for national statistics says that in effect that means average pay, excluding bonuses, shrank by 1% in the three months to january, compared with a year earlier. the unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in the most recent quarter, as our economics correspondent, andy verity, reports. it's all go at this giant warehouse in corby, northamptonshire, which caters for the booming market in alcohol delivered to your home. existing staff are at full tilt, but what's holding business back is an increasingly intractable

problem — they can't get enough new staff to cater for demand, even though they're using three different local recruitment agencies. what we've also done is launched a refer—a—friend scheme, which has been proved really, really popular. so if somebody introduces somebody into our organisation, after that person's passed their probationary review, the person that made the introduction will be given £1,000 by means of a reward. so that's proven very, very popular. in this sector with a now celebrated skills shortage made more acute by brexit, pay has surged and you'll start on £10.34 an hour. in the private sector the labour market is now more of a seller's market than it's been for decades. the number ofjob vacancies has hit a new record, 1.32 million. that's up by 100,000. before inflation the average wage has risen by 3.8%, but because inflation is so high, you can't buy as much with it, a real terms pay cut of 1%.

that renewed squeeze on living standards is now painfully tight for millions working in the public sector like gamu, a nurse with three kids to take care of and an energy bill that's set to double. once she donated to food banks, now she's having to turn to them herself. i felt worthless. i felt like i'm a failure, and i felt that i didn't deserve to have children because i can't look after them. and as a nurse, i actually felt, is myjob even worth it, if i can't afford to look after myself and i've got to go and get charity from other people so that i can support myself? it was one of the most scary things that i've done. towns like corby had onlyjust left behind them the worst decade for improvements in living standards in 200 years. with wholesale gas and oil prices now falling one of the upward pressures on the cost of living may

lessen in the coming months, but the inflationary squeeze is likely to get worse before it gets better. andy verity, bbc news. let's speak now to nye cominetti — he's a senior economist at the resolution foundation which is a think—tank focused on improving the living standards of those on low—to—middle incomes. nye, thank you for being with us. this will not come as a surprise to anyone who has had to pay their household bills and see how much their money is going out compared to what normally is the case based on their income. what is it telling us about the state of the health, if you like, of the underlying economy? what we have seen is a strong recovery in employment terms after the covid crisis. one year ago we had millions of people on furlough schemes, so in that sense, the recovery has gone well. what no one

expected was the real surge in inflation we have seen this year. we just to the economic recovery and then hit by large increases in house prices and prices as you covered in your piece there. we have 4% wage growth in cash terms, which is actually not bad, the better than precrisis measures, but would now prices above 5% and in the spring it might be heading towards 8% once we get that energy cap and others before taking into account potential caps on food prices due to the war in ukraine, so it is going to be a really bad year in terms of living standards for many households up and down the country. you standards for many households up and down the country.— down the country. you have pointed out that unemployment _ down the country. you have pointed out that unemployment has - down the country. you have pointed out that unemployment has fallen. l down the country. you have pointed i out that unemployment has fallen. we have something of 75% of the population actually in work and bringing in money of their own. those circumstances and lots of employers are saying how hard it is

to find the people with the skills they want, and would one expect wages to be growing in response that? is itjust that wage growth is being eclipsed by inflation? yes. that? is it just that wage growth is being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wane being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wage growth _ being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wage growth is _ being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wage growth is improving, - being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wage growth is improving, so - being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wage growth is improving, so it - being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wage growth is improving, so it is l being eclipsed by inflation? yes, so wage growth is improving, so it is aj wage growth is improving, so it is a 4% now and it may increase a bit further in the coming months, but as you say, it's the fact that is being eclipsed by inflation so in real terms, wages are falling. but we have a tight labour markets for the record vacancies of 1.3 million vacancies across the country and we have near record low unemployment. the thing that has changed after the crisis is that the workforce has shrunk and that is a lot of older workers who have left the workforce. it's not that there are lots of unemployment people to recruit from, but there is this pool of workers who have left and i would say to employers, think about if there is a way to you in a giant doubt the designerjob differently to attract those workers. people say they are attracted by flexible hours in the sort of thing, so that might be the

kind of things employers need to think about if they are struggling to fill those vacancies. is think about if they are struggling to fill those vacancies.— to fill those vacancies. is there a difference _ to fill those vacancies. is there a difference between _ to fill those vacancies. is there a difference between the - to fill those vacancies. is there a difference between the health i to fill those vacancies. is there a l difference between the health that is going to be available for those who are on various benefits, income support, and those who are in the lowest wages?— lowest wages? yes, the really important _ lowest wages? yes, the really important thing _ lowest wages? yes, the really important thing to _ lowest wages? yes, the really important thing to know - lowest wages? yes, the really important thing to know is - lowest wages? yes, the really| important thing to know is that lowest wages? yes, the really - important thing to know is that the government appraises its benefits due to last years inflation, so the inflation of last year in september was 3% so that is the right of which benefits will be raised and we think that inflation will probably be 8% so that those households will be taking a 5% real term income hit, so if the government wants to do something about it and i hope the chancellor will in his speech next week, the priority should be that of basic benefit levels do rise in line with inflation or otherwise we will have a serious living standard problem. have a serious living standard roblem. ., ., ., ., problem. the national minimum wage is set to no

problem. the national minimum wage is set to go up. _ problem. the national minimum wage is set to go up, next _ problem. the national minimum wage is set to go up, next month. - problem. the national minimum wage is set to go up, next month. the - is set to go up, next month. the national minimum _ is set to go up, next month. tia: national minimum wage is is set to go up, next month. tt2 national minimum wage is going up by 6.6%. in normaltimes national minimum wage is going up by 6.6%. in normal times that would have been a really strong and healthy increase, but as i said, unfortunately and this is not something the government could have expected when they said that increase is that inflation is likely to be higher than that in april. somewhat amazingly, yes, even with a strong wage increase it will still mean a real term pay cut in april and it is important that benefits do rise in line. ., ~ and it is important that benefits do rise in line. ., ,, , . rise in line. thank you very much in really good — rise in line. thank you very much in really good to _ rise in line. thank you very much in really good to speak _ rise in line. thank you very much in really good to speak to _ rise in line. thank you very much in really good to speak to you. - nye is a senior economist at the resolute foundation. let's get more on the journalist who was arrested after interrupting a bulletin on russian tv, to protest against the attack on ukraine. i'm joined now by russian film—maker vera krichevskaya. vera also helped to found an independent television station

herself which sadly has also been taken off air. vera, thank you for speaking to us on bbc news. let me ask you what we know about, you can help us, because you know media in russia. how remarkable it will happen now? i russia. how remarkable it will happen now?— russia. how remarkable it will happen now? i think it was really sirnificant happen now? i think it was really significant and _ happen now? i think it was really significant and historical. - happen now? i think it was really significant and historical. it - significant and historical. it reminds me of 1968 were seven russians went to red square when soviet tanks invaded prague in czechoslovakia and they were immediately arrested and spent time in prison and the same will happen with marina. yes, it was significant, it never happened before and i think you should understand that it was the first, the main screen of russian tv. it is the main screen of russian tv. it is the first channel, channel one, and

the first channel, channel one, and the main evening news programme. it the main evening news programme. it is huge. in terms of what has happened to her, there was some concern over night and this morning that her lawyers did not know where she was and some analysts were saying that actually that is often what happens, lawyers can spend days chasing around trying to find out where the client has been taken and authorities are not terribly cooperative. do you have any further news on that?— news on that? yes, i have 'ust seen a icture news on that? yes, i have 'ust seen a picture of — news on that? yes, i have 'ust seen a picture of her * news on that? yes, i have 'ust seen a picture of her with a _ news on that? yes, i have just seen a picture of her with a lawyer - news on that? yes, i have just seen a picture of her with a lawyer from i a picture of her with a lawyer from the courtroom. we don't know what happened with her last night. where did she spend the night? we do not know that but we know that right now she is in the courtroom and she has a lawyer. she is in the courtroom and she has a la er. .., . she is in the courtroom and she has ala er. , , she is in the courtroom and she has ala er. ,, a lawyer. the concern presumably is that any court— a lawyer. the concern presumably is that any court action _ a lawyer. the concern presumably is that any court action may _ a lawyer. the concern presumably is that any court action may involve - that any court action may involve the new legislation that was passed just a few weeks ago that makes so—called fake news are punishable by up to 15 years in jail. yes.

so-called fake news are punishable by up to 15 years in jail.— by up to 15 years in “ail. yes, it miaht by up to 15 years in “ail. yes, it might be. * by up to 15 years in “ail. yes, it might he. might _ by up to 15 years in jail. yes, it might be, might be. _ by up to 15 years in jail. yes, it might be, might be. in - by up to 15 years in jail. yes, it might be, might be. in this. by up to 15 years in jail. yes, it | might be, might be. in this law by up to 15 years in jail. yes, it i might be, might be. in this law it might he, might be. in this law it says that for individuals, bloggers, it is two years in prison. for media institutions, reporters, journalists, it is 15 years in prison. i don't know how the court might consider her. she is not a journalist, she is a producer, one of the news producers. i don't know, we will find out.— we will find out. there is another sur-trisin we will find out. there is another surprising move _ we will find out. there is another surprising move by _ we will find out. there is another surprising move by one - we will find out. there is anotherl surprising move by one prominent journalist who is reported to have left the country altogether due to her own protest against what is happening in ukraine. what her own protest against what is happening in ukraine.— her own protest against what is happening in ukraine. what i found out this morning _ happening in ukraine. what i found out this morning is _ happening in ukraine. what i found out this morning is that _ happening in ukraine. what i found out this morning is that two - happening in ukraine. what i found out this morning is that two very i out this morning is that two very prominent reporters, who i know personally very well, we work —— we worked together in the 90s, they said their resignation letters and

another news presenter from another big national pro—government channel left russia and sent letters saying that i'm leaving. and i talked to some people from state television and what i found out, but i learned is that people are resigning right now. not a lot, but it is the first time in our history. just on marina's — time in our history. just on marina's actions _ time in our history. just on marina's actions last - time in our history. just on j marina's actions last night. presumably, as you are saying, that could be hidden from people, that is information that would not necessarily be widely disseminated. presumably unavoidably, this has been widely disseminated because so many people would have been watching. and even if others did not see it, they will be talking about it. , , ., �* ~ , it. yes, but i don't think this action, it. yes, but i don't think this action. this _ it. yes, but i don't think this action, this particular- it. yes, but i don't think this action, this particular action | it. yes, but i don't think this l action, this particular action or process might persuade some people or dissuade them or to get them to

open their eyes. i don't think so because society is so polarised that thatis because society is so polarised that that is not enough. that is not enough for people to start thinking but there are many other people who have doubts, who think that that is not right, the war is wrong, but i don't have courage even to think about it and for such people, this action might give a push.- action might give a push. vera, thank you _ action might give a push. vera, thank you very _ action might give a push. vera, thank you very much _ action might give a push. vera, thank you very much for - action might give a push. vera, l thank you very much for speaking action might give a push. vera, - thank you very much for speaking to you. vera is the director of a documentary about an independent tv station which was shut down on march the 4th after coming under pressure for its coverage of what russia insists on calling its special military operation. this return now to one of our other main stories this hour. that is the story of nazinin. sasha,

thank you for being with us on bbc news and your patience while we are dealing with other stories. what do we know about this suggestion that nazinin's passport has been returned? krgfe nazinin's passport has been returned?— nazinin's passport has been returned? ~ , ., , ., _ returned? we should start by remembering _ returned? we should start by remembering that _ returned? we should start by remembering that nazinin i returned? we should start by| remembering that nazinin and returned? we should start by - remembering that nazinin and two other british nationals —— nazinin other british nationals —— nazinin other british nationals are held unfairly in iran. there is no justification for that and that is still the case. i am hopeful today because i always want to be hopeful when i hear developments and we understand, as you have said, that we are hearing that nazinin's british passport has been returned and if she were to be able to travel she would require that british passport the only element of caution

that i would advise is that previously we have seen false dawns in nazanin and other cases before and so while i do want to be hopeful, i think it is important that we take develop and step—by—step. that we take develop and step-by-step-_ that we take develop and step-by-step. that we take develop and stet-b -ste-. ., , step-by-step. the fact that she has a passport. — step-by-step. the fact that she has a passport. if— step-by-step. the fact that she has a passport. if she — step-by-step. the fact that she has a passport, if she were _ step-by-step. the fact that she has a passport, if she were still- step-by-step. the fact that she has a passport, if she were still in - a passport, if she were still in prison, it presumably does not mean necessarily that she could go to an airport and get on a plane. either she could be reviews of the border or she might not even get out of jail. or she might not even get out of “ail. ~ ~' or she might not even get out of “ail. ~ ~ ,., ., jail. well, i think the point that ou're jail. well, i think the point that you're making _ jail. well, i think the point that you're making is _ jail. well, i think the point that you're making is absolutely - jail. well, i think the point that. you're making is absolutely right that it you're making is absolutely right thatitis you're making is absolutely right that it is only when we are certain of the freedom of anyone involved that we should think that the efforts have been successful and to do that prematurely in any case is something that is clearly not right and i think one of the things to recognise in this case is that for nazanin and herfamily, while i am sure that they do have hope and they

would want to have hope, the experience of hope that has previously been dashed is incredibly difficult as well so to any extent that any of us are to empathise with that any of us are to empathise with that we have not experienced the terrible situation that she is experiencing but to try and imagine into that that is what they are facing. into that that is what they are facint. ., w into that that is what they are facint. ., .,, ., i. ., facing. how hopeful are you for all ofthe facing. how hopeful are you for all of the detainees? _ facing. how hopeful are you for all of the detainees? you _ facing. how hopeful are you for all of the detainees? you said - facing. how hopeful are you for all of the detainees? you said it - facing. how hopeful are you for all of the detainees? you said it is i of the detainees? you said it is complicated because one of them has british — iranian and american nationalities. the position is particularly complicated. how hopeful are you that the may all be able to at some point in the near future finally go home to their families? i future finally go home to their families? ., , ., ., future finally go home to their families? . , ., ,, ., ., families? i was talking about all british nationals _ families? i was talking about all british nationals and _ families? i was talking about all british nationals and i _ families? i was talking about all british nationals and i think- families? i was talking about all| british nationals and i think what it is important to state very clearly is that a british national is a british national. yes, british nationals may in addition then have other citizenships, but there being a british national means they are as

much a british national as anyone else and the responsibility to our government and our government is strong. on any day where i think there may be some positive developments, i want to be hopeful for them. the situation is very complicated. history has shown us that sometimes things can seem positive and hopes can be dashed at the last minute and i don't say that in order to make anyone feel anything less than hopeful, ijust do think that we need to be cautious and realistic about developments and watch things very closely over the next few hours and days. the chief executive of _ next few hours and days. the chief executive of amnesty _ next few hours and days. the chiefj executive of amnesty international uk, thank you very much. hopefully some very positive news at last. after 3pm we will be joining some very positive news at last. after 3pm we will bejoining our correspondent in kyiv. a lot of fine weather around today and i think tomorrow will be a lot cloudier.

outbreaks of rain on the way as well. we are between weather systems at the moment and you can see the thick cloud and the near continent. this weather front has made slough is very cloudy across western paris but it is dry across western paris but it is dry across england and wales but it has not been in northern ireland and parts of scotland and in fact, through the night, we are expecting the rain to push a little bit further towards the east. chilly in northern scotland and northern ireland, but across england and wales it is going to be frost free. here is the band of rain earlier in the morning from around the southern uplands and through the legs and into wales and another band of rain develops in the south—east and east anglia and generally speaking, it is across england tomorrow where we will have the proudest weather and the heaviest outbreaks of rain. further towards the west there is better condition and in belfast and glasgow some sunshine on the way.

this is bbc news. i'm matthew amroliwala. russia steps up its attack on the ukrainian capital. more residential buildings are hit and more lives lost. a curfew is being imposed in kyiv. we could hear several outgoing fire as well. the artillery fire. which suggests that the front line is not that far. you can hearagain the artillery fire. another round of peace talks get under way between ukraine and russia. president zelensky expresses cautious optimism, even as this war intensifies on the ground. also coming up this hour,

we'll be live in moscow where the russian journalist who staged an anti—war protest during a live tv show last night has appeared in court, charged with "organising an unauthorised event". nearly three million refugees have fled ukraine. we have a special report from poland. welcome to bbc news. the mayor of kyiv says ukraine's capital is entering a "dangerous moment" and has announced a continuous curfew from tonight until thursday. the authorities say four people were killed this morning in fresh attacks on the city. peace talks between kyiv and moscow continue today, with ukraine warning that russia is likely to renew its offensive if there's no agreement. in the last hour, president zelensky appears to have said that ukraine should accept that it will not become a member of nato.

lyse doucet is live in kyiv, and yalda hakim is in the western city of lviv, and jenny hill is in moscow for us. first to lyse in the capital. we will talk about in a moment, but everyday the attacks are getting closer to the centre of kyiv, and i suppose underlining that, this new curfew that is about to come in. yes, a dangerous moment, as vitali klitschko the mayor has said. this was a warning where the explosions which shook the centre of this city seemed ever closer. yesterday, and today, people of this city woke up today, people of this city woke up to images of residential high—rise blocks set ablaze by russian shelling. yesterday, it was one, todayit shelling. yesterday, it was one, today it was three as well as eight metro station. ukrainian forces are also firing back. and this intense military activity underlines how in

this war now in its 20th day, kyiv the capital remains the biggest prize. but so far, the ukrainian defence has been able to keep rusher�*s armoured convoys that have been trying to approach from the north—west and north—east at bay. let's take a look at the latest developments with this report from tim muffett. this morning, it was a residential building in kyiv that bore the brunt of russia's attempts to overwhelm ukraine. the shelling of this apartment complex killed four people, according to authorities, prompting this announcement from the city's mayor vitali klitschko. translation:—

city's mayor vitali klitschko. translation: ., , . translation: today is a difficult and dangerous — translation: today is a difficult and dangerous moment. - translation: today is a difficultl and dangerous moment. according translation: today is a difficult - and dangerous moment. according to the decision of the military command, fronted today marks the 15th from eight o'clock, a curfew is established in kyiv. movement through the city is prohibited without special passes. mato's secretary general _ without special passes. mato's secretary generaljens - without special passes. mato's - secretary generaljens stoltenberg dismissed claims coming from moscow and raised more concerns about russia's behaviour.— and raised more concerns about russia's behaviour. they claim to be ttrotectin russia's behaviour. they claim to be protecting civilians, _ russia's behaviour. they claim to be protecting civilians, but _ russia's behaviour. they claim to be protecting civilians, but they - russia's behaviour. they claim to be protecting civilians, but they are - protecting civilians, but they are killing _ protecting civilians, but they are killing civilians. now they are making — killing civilians. now they are making absurd claims about biological labs and chemical weapons in ukraine _ biological labs and chemical weapons in ukraine. this isjust another lie. in ukraine. this isjust another lie and — in ukraine. this isjust another lie and we _ in ukraine. this isjust another lie. and we are concerned that moscow— lie. and we are concerned that moscow could stage a false flag operation, possibly including chemical weapons. the operation, possibly including chemical weapons. chemicalweapons. the ukrainian . resident chemicalweapons. the ukrainian president discussed _ chemicalweapons. the ukrainian president discussed his _ chemicalweapons. the ukrainian president discussed his country's| president discussed his country's non—membership of nato in a video conference with military officials.

translation:— conference with military officials. translation: ,, ., , ., ., , translation: ukraine is not a member of nato, we understand _ translation: ukraine is not a member of nato, we understand that. we - translation: ukraine is not a member of nato, we understand that. we are i of nato, we understand that. we are adequate people and have heard for years that the doors were open. but we also heard that we could not join. it is a truth, and it must be recognised. i am glad that our people are beginning to understand this and rely on themselves and our partners who help us.— this and rely on themselves and our partners who help us. there has been a tlobal partners who help us. there has been a global reaction _ partners who help us. there has been a global reaction to _ partners who help us. there has been a global reaction to this _ partners who help us. there has been a global reaction to this act _ partners who help us. there has been a global reaction to this act of- a global reaction to this act of defiance on russian television last night, "stop the war, don't believe the propaganda" reads the sign held by marina ovsyannikova. today she has been in moscow in court charged with holding an author offering —— an unauthorised public event and faces less serious charges and many had feared. meanwhile, the leaders of poland, slovenia and the czech republic are visiting kyiv today, travelling by train, a trip which has surprised many. they said it was

their duty to show solidarity with ukraine in the face of russian's invasion. tim muffett, bbc news. even at this military campaign intensifies, so too does the catastrophic humanitarian situation. the un secretary general antonio guterres, usually very diplomatic and restrained in his language, has called on russia to stop its strikes against civilian infrastructure and said that the threat against civilians now had reached terrifying proportions, and nowhere is that more grave than in the besieged southern city of mariupol. let me ask you about what president zelensky has told the afp news agency. i will read you the exact words, because it is about nato, which is such a crucial issue in all of this. he said, "we have heard for years that the doors were open, but we also heard that we could not join. it is a truth and it must be

recognised. i'm glad that our people are beginning to understand this and rely on themselves and our partners who help us." is your assessment on what he has just said about nato membership? what he hasjust said about nato membership?— what he hasjust said about nato membership? what he hasjust said about nato membershi . ? , , .,, membership? president zelensky has known, membership? president zelensky has known. even — membership? president zelensky has known, even before _ membership? president zelensky has known, even before this _ membership? president zelensky has known, even before this invasion - known, even before this invasion began, that it was a very long road ahead, possibly years if not decades, before ukraine would meet the conditions tojoin decades, before ukraine would meet the conditions to join nato. decades, before ukraine would meet the conditions tojoin nato. but because of russian's invasion of ukraine, and ukraine's insistence that it has the right to choose its own future, a demand that has been reiterated time and again by nato members and it has been brought to the fore again. and of course now russia's demands, they have been very clear statements that ukraine will remain neutral. in an interview about a week ago with the american broadcasting network abc, he talked,

president zelensky talked about calling down his demand tojoin nato. he has now expressed it again. and this language matters, because we understand that in discussing this, and really emphasising it that this, and really emphasising it that this is part of where a possible compromise, a way out of this war could apply. it won't be enough, but it will certainly be one of the key issues. �* it will certainly be one of the key issues. . . , , ., issues. and incredibly, we have today three _ issues. and incredibly, we have today three prime _ issues. and incredibly, we have today three prime ministers - issues. and incredibly, we have i today three prime ministers from poland, the czech republic and slovenia actually heading to kyiv to the war zone to show solidarity. yes, i suppose the president zelensky that is a good thing only bad thing. has always welcomed not just the shows of support but public shows of support, the image of three prime ministers taking the train into a war zone is very powerful. and they are coming to emphasise their offers of aid. but we understand that they did not do this

with the full discussion among other european members, some of whom have been aghast at this decision, so fraught with security risks. we understand there has been no incident. but let's see what comes of this. the image will be really important, but europe is trying to support ukraine with one voice at this hour. ., ., ., ., ., this hour. you mentioned a moment or two ato this hour. you mentioned a moment or two ago mariupol. _ this hour. you mentioned a moment or two ago mariupol, devastating - this hour. you mentioned a moment or two ago mariupol, devastating scenesi two ago mariupol, devastating scenes over the last 12 or 13 days from the southern city. i'm just going to put on the screen some of the latest pictures we are getting from there, because over the last 2a hours, some cars have got out. but they are not using humanitarian convoys, it needs to be underlined, doesn't it, that these are people making their own choices about using whatever way out is possible and taking the risks? and what a huge, huge risk. for more than a week, that huge convoy of trucks are trying to bring in what we understand is 100 tonnes of

desperately needed food, water, medicine has been turned back by russian shelling. yesterday for the first time, about 160 private cars as they are being described cautiously went out and managed to make their way through all of the checkpoints will stop today, some 2000 cars managed to make that perilous journey. 2000 cars managed to make that perilousjourney. and 2000 cars managed to make that perilous journey. and we understand that another 2000 are still waiting. so the door is opening by a crack in what was called a humanitarian corridor. it is hardly a corridor, it is a huge and perilous passage. this is a city of nearly half a million people without food, without water, freezing, starving away dead bodies are lying uncollected in the streets. apocalyptic, as we have been saying, in the words of the international committee of the red cross who have this week said that time was running out for mariupol. what you hear from time was running out for mariupol. what you hearfrom residents is time is gone, the city is destroyed and

so many lives are shattered. lyse doucet fair _ so many lives are shattered. lyse doucet fair in _ so many lives are shattered. lyse doucet fair in kyiv _ so many lives are shattered. lyse doucet fair in kyiv for _ so many lives are shattered. lyse doucet fair in kyiv for us. - so many lives are shattered. lyse doucet fair in kyiv for us. let's go straight from kyiv to gather hakim who is in levy for us. so many internally displaced heading to where you are. we are now told more than 3 million people have left ukraine. the un saying earlier today thatis ukraine. the un saying earlier today that is one child every second since the russian invasion for. the numbers are startling. absolutely, matthew. numbers are startling. absolutely, matthew- as _ numbers are startling. absolutely, matthew. as you _ numbers are startling. absolutely, matthew. as you say, _ numbers are startling. absolutely, matthew. as you say, the - numbers are startling. absolutely, matthew. as you say, the number| numbers are startling. absolutely, l matthew. as you say, the number of children. i wasjust matthew. as you say, the number of children. i was just at the rave train station yesterday, and you just see mothers —— lviv. theyjust bring enough clothes to put on their children to take them out of this city, because of course the may of lviv has been saying we are completely overwhelmed. completely overstretched. i was just speaking to someone from the atlantic council who said that if this war continues and continues to rage on, as it lyse

doucet was talking about, some of the worst affected areas like mariupol where half a million people are there and so many other places impacted in the same way, they are expecting upward of 10 million people who will be marching out, leaving, for in this country, it will be a mass exodus. but there are so many other issues going on as well here in western ukraine. of course, the resistance continues alongside all the people who are trying to deal with the humanitarian crisis. and we have seen some resistance in russia as well most we saw that news editor who protested live on television and is now facing a court. let's go straight to moscow now and speak to jenny a court. let's go straight to moscow now and speak tojenny hill. jenny, we are getting more details of the news editor who has appeared in court. the charges are less serious than many had feared. this court. the charges are less serious than many had feared.— than many had feared. this is a marina ovsyannikova, - than many had feared. this is a marina ovsyannikova, we - than many had feared. this is a marina ovsyannikova, we have| marina ovsyannikova, we have just heard _ marina ovsyannikova, we have just heard from — marina ovsyannikova, we have just heard from the court that she has been _

heard from the court that she has been find — heard from the court that she has been find around 280 us dollars for the charge — been find around 280 us dollars for the charge of organising an unsanctioned mass event. an independent website here is saying that she _ independent website here is saying that she was actually signed for the video— that she was actually signed for the video address she made separately before _ video address she made separately before she actually conducted that protest _ before she actually conducted that protest live on television. recalling that separate video station, _ recalling that separate video station, she called on people to come _ station, she called on people to come out — station, she called on people to come out and protest against the war~ _ come out and protest against the war~ it _ come out and protest against the war~ it is — come out and protest against the war~ it is a — come out and protest against the war. it is a far more lenient charge and a _ war. it is a far more lenient charge and a sentence than many had expected _ and a sentence than many had expected. it is not yet clear whether— expected. it is not yet clear whether more charges might be applied — whether more charges might be applied to her, but at this stage, she has— applied to her, but at this stage, she has been fine. it is possibly also _ she has been fine. it is possibly also worth— she has been fine. it is possibly also worth noting that —— she has been _ also worth noting that —— she has been fined — also worth noting that —— she has been fined. it is also worth noting that here — been fined. it is also worth noting that here in — been fined. it is also worth noting that here in russia women with children— that here in russia women with children are often spared a jail sentence — children are often spared a jail sentence because they are expected to care _ sentence because they are expected to care for— sentence because they are expected to care for the child. we have to wait _ to care for the child. we have to wait and — to care for the child. we have to wait and see what happens, but certainly — wait and see what happens, but certainly a — wait and see what happens, but certainly a far more lenient sentence and we were expecting. i also tended to wonder whether the authorities perhaps thought that they didn't want some kind of

resistance to coalesce around her. there _ resistance to coalesce around her. there were — resistance to coalesce around her. there were people thinking that she might— there were people thinking that she might become rather a symbol of protest — might become rather a symbol of protest. having made such a high profile _ protest. having made such a high profile splash, if you like. this was _ profile splash, if you like. this was an— profile splash, if you like. this was an astonishing moment on prime—time television, watched by goodness — prime—time television, watched by goodness knows how many russians across _ goodness knows how many russians across the _ goodness knows how many russians across the country. but that is the latest _ across the country. but that is the latest from — across the country. but that is the latest from the court, 30,000 roubles— latest from the court, 30,000 roubles fine, about 280 us dollars for the _ roubles fine, about 280 us dollars for the rather low level charge of organising an unsanctioned mass event _ organising an unsanctioned mass event. ., ., organising an unsanctioned mass event. . ., event. yeah, and as you say, there censorship — event. yeah, and as you say, there censorship laws — event. yeah, and as you say, there censorship laws have _ event. yeah, and as you say, there censorship laws have changed. - event. yeah, and as you say, there censorship laws have changed. she could have faced ten years, 15 years in prison. much more lenient now. but in the last few weeks, we have seen demonstrations across russia, 4000 people arrested from moscow, fronting pete petersburg, from siberia. are we seeing those demonstrations —— from saint petersburg. demonstrations -- from saint petersburg— demonstrations -- from saint

petersburt. , ., . ., petersburg. they have continued almost daily. _ petersburg. they have continued almost daily, and _ petersburg. they have continued almost daily, and an _ petersburg. they have continued | almost daily, and an independent monitoring group which gives an eye on the _ monitoring group which gives an eye on the number of detentions says that nearly 15,000 people have now been detained for attending these demonstrations since the invasion begarh _ demonstrations since the invasion begarh it— demonstrations since the invasion begarh it is— demonstrations since the invasion began. it is actually, compared to the number of the population in russia, — the number of the population in russia, it — the number of the population in russia, it is still a small number of people — russia, it is still a small number of people who turn out for these protests. — of people who turn out for these protests, but they are persistent. and given — protests, but they are persistent. and given the fear that people feel that they— and given the fear that people feel that they will be detained, very likely, — that they will be detained, very likely, that they might be fined, they may— likely, that they might be fined, they may be jailed, they may be given— they may be jailed, they may be given a — they may be jailed, they may be given a criminal record, means that a lot of— given a criminal record, means that a lot of people don't feel able to take to — a lot of people don't feel able to take to the streets. the fact that they are — take to the streets. the fact that they are still doing it perhaps tells — they are still doing it perhaps tells you _ they are still doing it perhaps tells you something about the level of resistance and opposition here. although — of resistance and opposition here. although it is very difficult, of course, — although it is very difficult, of course, to— although it is very difficult, of course, to truly gauge the real extent— course, to truly gauge the real extent of— course, to truly gauge the real extent of that feeling amongst russian — extent of that feeling amongst russian society. and it is true to say that— russian society. and it is true to say that a — russian society. and it is true to say that a fair number of russians absolutely — say that a fair number of russians absolutely support vladimir putin and what — absolutely support vladimir putin and what they see of his so—called special— and what they see of his so—called special military operation in ukraine _

special military operation in ukraine. ., ., special military operation in ukraine. ., special military operation in ukraine. ., . ., ., ukraine. thank you so much for that u date. ukraine. thank you so much for that update- that — ukraine. thank you so much for that update. that was _ ukraine. thank you so much for that update. that was jenny _ ukraine. thank you so much for that update. that was jenny hill - ukraine. thank you so much for that update. that was jenny hilljoining l update. that wasjenny hilljoining us from moscow. as we have been reporting, the prime ministers of poland, slovenia and the czech republic have made their way or are making their way to the capital kyiv fire train. some have described it as courageous, is brave, others have said it is completely insane as the bombing continues across this country. earlier, ispoke bombing continues across this country. earlier, i spoke to wladimir klitschko, the brother of vitali klitschko, the mayor of kyiv. we saw the bombing of a 15 story residential apartment building in kyiv in the early hours of this morning. i asked kyiv in the early hours of this morning. iasked him kyiv in the early hours of this morning. i asked him about whether people were remaining defiant, despite this sense that russian forces are encircling the city. have a listen. translation: ., .y alisten. translation: ., ., ., , translation: today, or early in the mornint , translation: today, or early in the morning. there _ translation: today, or early in the morning, there was _ translation: today, or early in the morning, there was another - translation: today, or early in the morning, there was another attack i translation: today, or early in the | morning, there was another attack on the capitat _ morning, there was another attack on the capital. the russian missiles of the capital. the russian missiles of the russian army landed on the soil

of the _ the russian army landed on the soil of the city— the russian army landed on the soil of the city of kyiv. and those missiles _ of the city of kyiv. and those missiles brought death to the civilians. _ missiles brought death to the civilians, civilian buildings were hit and — civilians, civilian buildings were hit and set _ civilians, civilian buildings were hit and set on fire. civilians got injured — hit and set on fire. civilians got injured and _ killed with the exact numbers and going _ killed with the exact numbers and going to _ killed with the exact numbers and going to be known later on. still counting. and the fire was just extinguished. so it is another attack on a civilian population of ukraine, which is happening while we are talking on the different sides of our country, coming from russian federation — so from the east, up north in chernihiv and south of the country. russian armies trying to surround the capital of ukraine, because the capital of ukraine is the main target.

and we are expecting that russian military is going to be more active in the coming hours and days. but we are standing strong. our will and unity of the ukrainians is strong as ever because this is our home, this is our country, this is our right of choice for freedom. there is a bit of movement here around me because of course these sirens are just going off right now. we need to turn all the lights off. when these sirens go off, the whole city needs to plunge into darkness if it is in fact the lights are on. you can hear these sirens. sirens sound we have been hearing these

sirens in the city throughout the day and have been hearing them throughout the last week. across the city, there have been an air raid siren alerts which have been going off in places like kyiv, frankly right across this country. these are just air raid sirens that are going off across lviv, asking us to go underground, which will have to do shortly. but all the lights, as you can see, have turned off because of concerns about russian jets overhead. we will have to move awake now, but back to you in london. the other hacking their finishing earlier and she planned, but you get the idea. safety haft has to be the priority. the business of taking on the lights and using a much lower energy light gives you an indication of the practical restrictions that journalists have to operate on because of their safety. we are grateful to her and her colleagues there in lviv.

the detained british—iranian nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has had her passport returned and a british negotiating team is in tehran, according to her mp tulip siddiq. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe has been detained in iran since her arrest in 2016 on charges of plotting to overthrow the government — allegations she has always denied. nazanin's sister—in—law, rebecca ratcliffe has been speaking to the bbc. she's quite apprehensive of going outside. her family have always been intimidated by her captors, the irgc. they often make threatening messages and things around her, so she doesn't really tend to go out, she doesn't trust many people. of course, covid's been problematic in iran, like it has been elsewhere, so there's not a lot of socialising. but, nevertheless, she is with herfamily and can see her family on a regular basis and has internet access, which she hasn't had for the last five years. this is such a roller—coaster for her, her emotions are up and down all the time, so when something like this happens, she is really on edge. she can't really...

doesn't really want to sit and chat or anything. she just doesn't know what this means for her. there's so many false hopes over the last five, six years, where she's felt like she's about to be released and then it hasn't happened. she doesn't want to get her hopes up. it is just a constant state of high anxiety she is struggling with. she obviously can't get out of iran until she's got a british passport, so this does seem to be a strong signal from iran that they are trying to get her home. what we don't know is how much this is negotiation between british and iranian governments, or if iran is posturing here, putting pressure on the british. it's difficult for us to interpret whether this is a really positive sign or the iranians are playing games here. that was rebecca ratcliffe speaking, nazarene's stepsister. let's talk to our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. how significant is this. i how significant is this. i think it is very significant, _ how significant is this. i think it is very significant, jeremy - how significant is this. i think it is very significant, jeremy hunt | how significant is this. i think it - is very significant, jeremy hunt who spent a lot of time trying to

resolve this case regards the fact that she has had the passport returned as significant in itself. does it mean that her release is imminent? well, as you just heard her sister in law saying, we mustn't get ahead of ourselves, have been many, many false dawns over the past five or six years. and perhaps it was not surprising that boris johnson when he was asked about this earlier answered it was best for him not to say anything while these negotiations were going on. of course, acutely conscious perhaps himself and remarked that he made backin himself and remarked that he made back in 2017 which arguably at the time complicated her case. shes back in 2017 which arguably at the time complicated her case. as you sa , it is time complicated her case. as you say. it is quite _ time complicated her case. as you say, it is quite right _ time complicated her case. as you say, it is quite right you _ time complicated her case. as you say, it is quite right you have - time complicated her case. as you say, it is quite right you have to i say, it is quite right you have to be sensitive but also to be cautious, because there have been games played before, have an affair, with this case? if things look like they were getting better, then it was suddenly snapped back shut from the family. in the psychological warfare almost she has had to endure, never mind her relatives, her husband and daughter back, almost indescribable. on the broader picture, is it fair to say that she

has been used, really, as a form as a sort of hostage to achieve a bigger objective about a large sum of money that the british over the iranians? ., , of money that the british over the iranians? . , . ., , iranians? that is certainly the way her case is — iranians? that is certainly the way her case is described _ iranians? that is certainly the way her case is described by _ iranians? that is certainly the way her case is described by her- iranians? that is certainly the way i her case is described by her husband richard and others who have campaigned to get her release. the british government has a slightly more nuanced term for it. i think they say people detained, i forget what the term is now, not using the term hostages. in the case of this debt, the military debt, it seems to be absolutely key here. and again jeremy hunt was saying earlier today that every time he spoke to the iranians about this case, the waived this in his face. the british government has never acknowledged that there is a connection between her being held and the debt, that really would be to acknowledge that they were keeping her hostage. fiend they were keeping her hostage. and effectively they would look like they were paying a ransom. fiend effectively they would look like they were paying a ransom. and that is apparently. _ they were paying a ransom. and that is apparently. we _ they were paying a ransom. and that is apparently, we have _ they were paying a ransom. and that is apparently, we have not _ they were paying a ransom. and that is apparently, we have not had - is apparently, we have not had this confirmed, that is apparently what

has happened. there is a report from iran by a journalist regarded as quite respectable, who says that the debt has been paid, £400 million, which has been withheld since 1979, the tail end of a military deal that was cancelled after the islamic revolution. if that debt has been paid, that is hugely significant, because that clearly is the thing that has exercised the iranian authorities more than anything else. paul adams and the diplomatic correspondence, we will have a more positive news in the coming days. for now, thank you very much. nicola sturgeon has announced that scotland's rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport won't be scrapped next week as planned. the first minister said it was "prudent" to keep the measure in place, given the current spike in covid cases in scotland. given the current spike in case is, we consider it prudent to retain this requirement and regulation for a further short period. i know this

will be disappointing for businesses and service providers such as day care services, however, ensuring maximum continued use of face coverings will provide some additional protection, particularly for the most vulnerable at the time and the risk of infection is very high. and it may help us get over this spike more quickly. we will review it again in two weeks before the easter recess, no expectation now is that this regulation will convert the guidance in early april. nicola sturgeon speaking just after two p. let's talk to our scotland correspondent james shaw. give us an update festival what the figures are at the moment. how much of a spike is scotland experiencing? to give you just one the number of people in hospital at the moment is 1996, with coronavirus. and that is the highest figure that there has beenin the highest figure that there has been in scotland since early last year. it is certainly also true that

infection rates are unusually high. there was a suggestion last month from the ons, or last week from the ons, that the infection rate was high and scots contain any other part of the united kingdom. —— higher in scotland. it is in response to that that the scottish government has looked at these figures and decided they want to exercise that principle of caution, which undoubtedly is going to be, as nicola sturgeon said, disappointing to some people and some businesses who were expecting a historic change in a sense that from next monday, all of those legal restrictions would go. as it is, face coverings will remain, other restrictions which affect the way that businesses, services, places of worship operate, they will go. to all other restrictions will go apart from face coverings. but that really is the one that people notice of the most in their day—to—day lives. and it is probably fair to say that there will be some people, nicola

sturgeon refer to vulnerable people, there will be some people will perhaps be glad that the mandate and face coverings is remaining, because it is certainly true that there are a lot of infections, even anecdotally in my own personal experience, i think i know more people now with covid then i have at any time during the pandemic. so it is the precautionary principle which nicola sturgeon is following. the conservatives and the opposition in scotland, douglas ross, he put it to nicola sturgeon that she ought to be trusting people to do the right thing. and clearly she is not ready to do that yet. she may be, the scottish government may be ready to do that around about the 4th of april. do that around about the 4th of a-ril. , ., , do that around about the 4th of a-ril. . . , ,.,, ., do that around about the 4th of aril. , , ., ., ,, do that around about the 4th of aril. , , ., ., april. james in glasgow, thank you very much- — the mum of the murdered toddler star hobson has had her eight—year prison sentence for causing or allowing her daughter's death increased to 12 years at the court of appeal.

frankie smith, who's 20, was jailed in decemberfor her role in the death of the 16—month—old. olivia richwald reports. star hobson was 16 months old when she was murdered by her mother's girlfriend savannah brockhill. the toddler from keighley in west yorkshire was taken to hospital in september 2020 with what were described as utterly catastrophic injuries. in december last year at bradford crown court, brockhill was jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years behind bars. star hobson's mother frankie smith was also found guilty of causing or allowing her daughter's death and given an eight—yearjail term. but that sentence was described as unduly lenient and referred to the court of appeal by the attorney general�*s office. this morning, the appeal court heard there had been several aggravating factors, including the child's vulnerability and at least an 11—minute delay before an ambulamce had been called. three seniorjudges extended frankie smith's sentenced to 12 years.

we quash the sentence of eight years' imprisonment and a substitute we quash the sentence of eight years' imprisonment and we substitute for a sentence of 12 years' detention in a young offender institution. ms smith must serve half of that term before she can be released on licence. frankie smith appeared at the court via video link from new hall prison, where she is being held. olivia richwald, bbc look north. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. a lot of fine weather around today, i think tomorrow will be a lot cloudier with outbreaks of rain on the way too. we're in between weather systems at the moment, one to the south of us. you can see the thick cloud in the near continent. and this weather front, which has actually made skies very cloudy across western parts. but it is dry across england and wales. but it hasn't been in northern ireland and parts of scotland. and in fact, through the night, we are expecting the rain to push

a little bit further towards the east. chilly in northern scotland and northern ireland, but across england and wales, it's going to be frost—free. so, here's the band of rain early in the morning from around the southern uplands, through the lakes into wales. and another band of rain then develops in the southeast and east anglia. and generally speaking, it's across england tomorrow where we'll have the cloudy weather and the heaviest outbreaks of rain further towards the west, better conditions. in belfast and in glasgow. i think some sunshine on the way. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. powerful explosions again rock the capital of ukraine. a35 a 35 hour curfew will run from this evening. the journalist who interrupted

russia's main tv news bulletin last night to protest against the invasion, has been fined £280,000 by a court in moscow. —— a... $280... ukraine's president tells the uk and other nations the west needs to do more to help his country fight russia, otherwise, he warned "they will come for you". in other news — british iranian national nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe detained in iran forfive years — has been given back her british passport raising hopes of her return to the uk. the number of people out of work in the uk has fallen again — and is now lower than it was before the pandemic — but wages are failing to keep up with the rising cost of living. mask wearing on public transport and in shops will remain compulsory in scotland for a further two weeks — after a rise in covid cases. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon.

middlesbrough football club have called chelsea's request to have their fa cup match played behind closed doors "bizarre" and "without any merit". it's after chelsea were told they wouldn't be allowed to sell more away tickets for the game at the riverside. the club has had sanctions placed on it since russian owner roman abramovich had his assets frozen by the government. earlier, chelsea asked the football association for their fa cup match to be played without fans for matters of "sporting integrity." but in a statement, middlesbrough said "given the reasons for these sanctions, for chelsea to seek to invoke sporting "integrity" as reason is ironic in the extreme." the chelsea supporters trust also said they didn't want the match to be played without fans. the dcms select committee has been looking into sanctions in british sport, laura scott has been following developments.

the sports minister, nigel huddleston, he said that the owners and directors going forward in the test needs to be more robust and he was asked whether the premier league is being used for sports washing and whether the government has been asleep at the wheel in regards to that. he disputed that, said he welcomes foreign investment into football. the fa's chief executive also said that there are a lot of good foreign owners in football but again, the governance of the game, the owners and directors test does need work. the court of arbitration for sport has announced that it has rejected russia's appeal against the suspension of all russian teams and clubs from uefa competitions. the ruling only applies to uefa with russia still looking to overturn a fifa ban that would allow them to take part in world cup qualifying playoff matches scheduled for the end of this month. so clubs will continue to be suspended from participation in uefa competitions, following russia's invasion of ukraine.

christian erikson will return to play for his national team, denmark, less than a year after collapsing in their opening match at the european championship. this eriksen, who signed for london club brentford injanuary, suffered a cardiac arrest injune while denmark were playing finland. eriksen received life—saving treatment on the pitch before being fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator device. eriksen joins up with his international team—mates fortraining in spain, prior to the games against the netherlands and serbia at the end of the month. last year's winner of cheltenham's champion hurdle, rachael blackmore, has successfully defended her title, taking first place on board honeysuckle on the opening day of the festival. and this time, there were crowds cheering on the favourite. last year no spectators were allowed because of the pandemic. more than 250,000 are expected over the next four days. blackmore described cheltnham as a special place and said she felt very lucky.

henrik stenson has been named as europe's ryder cup captain for next year's match in rome. the swede, known as the "ice man" succeeds padraig harrington, who presided over euope's defeat at whistling straits. stenson made his ryder cup debut in 2006, where he holed the winning putt in a dominant european victory. he was vice—captain to harrington at whistling straits. stenson said on social media: "i am extremely proud and humbled to be europe's next captain. rome, here we come!". leicester tigers have been fined more than £300,000 for breaching salary cap regulations, but have avoided a points deduction. premeirship rugby found that the league leaders had failed to disclose payments to image rights companies of the players. these third—party payments were found to be a breach of the salary cap in the 2016—17 season and the 2019—20 season. leicester has accepted the outcome and will not appeal.

and in the six nations, dan biggar will earn his 100th cap for wales, while alun wynjones will return from injury for his 150th wales cap in their final match against italy. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. the tvjournalist who ran on set during the evening news on the country's flagship channel one last night in protest against the war on ukraine has been fined. marina ovsyannikova, has been fined 30,000 roubles — about $280 at the current rate — for "organising an unsanctioned mass event". independent website meduza says she was fined for the video address she had recorded before the protest, not for the protest itself. earlier i spoke to the russian film—maker vera krichevskaya. i asked her how significant this protest is. i think it was really significant and historical.

it reminds me of 1968 where seven russians went to red square when soviet tanks invaded prague in czechoslovakia and they were immediately arrested and spent time in prison and the same will happen with marina. may be. yes, it was significant, it never happened before and i think you should understand that it was the first, the main screen of russian tv. it is the first channel, channel one, and the main evening news programme. it is huge. in terms of what has happened to her, there was some concern over night and this morning that her lawyers did not know where she was and some analysts were saying that actually that is often what happens, lawyers can spend days chasing around trying to find out where the client has been taken

and authorities are not terribly cooperative. do you have any further news on that? yes, i havejust seen a picture of her with a lawyer from the courtroom. we don't know what happened with her last night. where did she spend the night? we do not know that but we know that right now she is in the courtroom and she has a lawyer. the concern presumably is that any court action may involve the new legislation that was passed just a few weeks ago that makes so—called fake news are punishable by up to 15 years in jail. yes, it might he, might be. in this law it says that for individuals, bloggers, it is two years in prison. for media institutions, reporters, journalists, it is 15 years in prison. i don't know how the court might consider her.

she is not a journalist, she is a producer, one of the news producers. i don't know, we will find out. there is another surprising move by one prominentjournalist who is reported to have left the country altogether due to her own protest against what is happening in ukraine. what i found out this morning is that two very prominent reporters, who i know personally very well, we worked together in the 90s, they said their resignation letters and another news presenter from another big national pro—government channel left russia and sent letters saying that i'm leaving. and i talked to some people from state television and what i found out, but i learned is that people are resigning right now. not a lot, but it is the first

time in our history. just on marina's actions last night. presumably, as you are saying, that could be hidden from people, that is information that would not necessarily be widely disseminated. presumably unavoidably, this has been widely disseminated because so many people would have been watching. and even if others did not see it, they will be talking about it. yes, but i don't think this action, this particular action or process might persuade some people or dissuade them or to get them to open their eyes. i don't think so because society is so polarised that that is not enough. that is not enough for people to start thinking but there are many other people who have doubts, who think that that is not right, the war is wrong, but i don't have courage even to think about it

and for such people, this action might give a push. she was talking to me about an hour orso she was talking to me about an hour or so on bbc news. close to three million refugees have fled the fighting in ukraine. around 1.8 million have crossed into poland. pressure on cities close to the border is intense, with beds running out. in krakow, an old shopping centre is now being used to house refugee families, until they find longer term accommodation. from there, danjohnson reports... from desperation comes innovation. abandoned six months ago, but now it's the latest safe space for ukrainian families. empty shops refitted in record time to take the pressure off a city struggling to cope. there are 400 beds here and there's capacity to add even more. we've seen transit camps for people fleeing wars time and time again, but this, it's the most modern

of solutions to that age—old requirement, and it goes on and on. but how long will this be for? we are prepared to do this as long as it will be needed. so i can't say it will be one week, one month, nobody knows at the moment, unfortunately. it's warm, it's dry, it's relatively comfortable. businesses have volunteered to put in these showers and tiling... we bumped into this british volunteer who's helped with the conversion. it's going to help process... ..for those people who are displaced, and help kind of alleviate the pressures on the borders, so i think absolutely, i think it's great. i think it is what happens after this, and the logistical chain of how these people then relocate to somewhere a bit more permanent. the first ukrainian families are settling in, enjoying some space, some peace and quiet after a journey that's left most of them stunned. normally i work as an emergency practitioner in bridgwater.

this nhs doctor's here from somerset. this is a big improvement on what he saw at the border. they have showers, they have normal bathrooms, the rooms are actually separated. so far, what i've noted, mostly it's anxiety. general pains, they've been walking or standing in a queue to cross the borderfor hours. it's sad to see the children just with kind of like a... empty face. it's... yeah. it's something which i've never experienced before, so... kamila's volunteering here as a first—aider. she moved back to poland three years ago after living in manchester. are you able to help everybody? we would love to, but sometimes it's just... we can't do it. like, we try our best, and actually one ambulance broke on us so we only have one ambulance now, so we do try to transport as many people as possible,

because every life counts for us. and there's relief here in different forms for all ages. those under the stress and strain of running from war and for communities trying to look after them. danjohnson, bbc news, krakow. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has said he is frustrated with nato — the military alliance of 30 nations — because it won't implement a no—fly zone over his country. in a video call to borisjohnson and representatives from baltic and northern european countries in london, mr zelensky claimed some nato countries had been "hypnotised" by russia. britain today imposed more sanctions against russia: 370 new sanctions on individuals and companies and other bodies and also a ban on exports of luxury goods. our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, reports. while economic battle rages here, president zelensky fights war in ukraine.

this morning, after the uk announced further sanctions on russia, he addressed european leaders who make up thejoint expeditionary force security alliance. a plea for more action. translation: we would like to ask you to help yourself by helping us. i you know the kind of weapon we need — everyone knows. this you know what kind of defence measures we need, you know what are needed, the fighter jets, and without your support it would be very difficult. i am very grateful but i want to say that we need more. the prime minister is trying to economically isolate russia. he will travel to saudi arabia for talks on energy supply. a controversial he believes is necessary. —— trip... it is vital if we are going to stand up to putin's bullying and avoid being blackmailed by him in the way that so many western countries, sadly, have been, we have to get ourselves off russian hydrocarbons. sanctions outlined this morning hit

russian antiques, vodka and fur, just a few of the items that will now face additional tariffs of 35%. the uk's aim is to hurt russia economically, although it is likely to mean some extra costs for consumers here too. alongside g7 allies, the uk will also ban luxury goods being exported to russia, and further sanctions on 370 individuals and entities, including the former russian president dmitry medvedev, have been announced in the past hour. in the commons this morning, the chancellor said this is the right approach. the treasury has been hard at work with our international partners - putting in place the most- comprehensive set of economic sanctions this country has ever done, that russia has ever- experienced, and i am really proud of the job that we have done. - but with energy price volatility, labour is worried about the cost of living. the package on energy announced by the chancellor last month has already been rendered obsolete by russia's invasion of ukraine. some estimates of average annual

household energy bills suggest rises to £3,000 or even more from october, a ruinous figure for many of our constituents. the prime minister acknowledged that the west needs to do more for ukraine. for now, most of the action remains economic. david wallace lockhart, bbc news. list speak to tom keating who was a founding directorfor list speak to tom keating who was a founding director for the centre for financial crime and security studies. thank you for being with us on bbc news. let me ask you about the cumulative effect of sanctions because the government seems to believe that it keeps turning the ratchet and at some point that will lead to some kind of policy change in moscow or some popular reaction in moscow or some popular reaction in russia. what you think the prospects are of sanctions having that kind direct impact? that prospects are of sanctions having that kind direct impact?— that kind direct impact? at the moment, that kind direct impact? at the moment. we —

that kind direct impact? at the moment, we are _ that kind direct impact? at the moment, we are targeting - that kind direct impact? at the moment, we are targeting twoj that kind direct impact? at the i moment, we are targeting two of that kind direct impact? at the - moment, we are targeting two of the three possible buckets. we are targeting economic infrastructure such as banks, blocking aeroflot from flying and ships from entering uk ports and also oligarchs who are close to putin. but what we have not done yet in any meaningful way is target the way in which the russian economy earns its income and that is by the export of hydrocarbons. yes, the uk has started to introduce reductions but a great many countries around the world continue to pay hundreds of billions of dollars into the putin war machine every day. filth dollars into the putin war machine eve da . ., dollars into the putin war machine eve da . . , ., ., every day. on that question of the oil and gas — every day. on that question of the oil and gas dependency, _ every day. on that question of the oil and gas dependency, clearly i every day. on that question of the l oil and gas dependency, clearly the eu is more exposed than the uk. we say we are going to get to a stage and eliminated by the end of the year. they are talking about two thirds within a year. i would being ambitious enough given how far they will have to go if they can even achieve it of course? the will have to go if they can even achieve it of course?— will have to go if they can even achieve it of course? the uk is in a difficult position _ achieve it of course? the uk is in a difficult position because _

achieve it of course? the uk is in a difficult position because it - achieve it of course? the uk is in a difficult position because it has - difficult position because it has certain levers that it can pull, particularly financial leavers in the city of london. but there are levers that we have to encourage others to pull and obviously the eu is particularly one of those regions, to stop buying russian hydrocarbons, as the prime minister says. but we also have to work, and this is why i'm sure the prime minister is going to saudi arabia, we have to work to persuade other countries to step up their output in order to substitute so that countries in the eu for example do not go short of oil. the uk is going to have to work very hard diplomatically. it hasn't got the levers to pull itself any more. italy, according to the financial times, has already secured about the equivalent of half the amount of russian gas it currently imports and has done it by the goodwill of countries such as angola and others. surely we could do something ourselves. igrgfe surely we could do something ourselves-— surely we could do something ourselves. ~ .., , ., ourselves. we could. the uk is a relatively small _ ourselves. we could. the uk is a relatively small player _ ourselves. we could. the uk is a relatively small player when - ourselves. we could. the uk is a relatively small player when it i relatively small player when it comes to the purchase of energy.

with the uk needs to do is use its diplomatic network around the world to encourage, yes, countries like angola and indeed countries like we might not typically choose to do business with, but we need to encourage them to support the global effort to combat the financing of vladimir putin's were. jt’s vladimir putin's were. it's remarkable to _ vladimir putin's were. it's remarkable to see - vladimir putin's were. it's remarkable to see a - vladimir putin's were. it's remarkable to see a us diplomatic mission visiting the president of angola last week and he was describing them in very warm terms. that was unthinkable before this kind of work.— that was unthinkable before this kind of work. , . , , kind of work. yes, and needs must. there is an — kind of work. yes, and needs must. there is an element _ kind of work. yes, and needs must. there is an element of _ kind of work. yes, and needs must. there is an element of realpolitiki there is an element of realpolitik in all of this but the headline mission for the world frankly should be to block income going to russia because that income is financing the war and so, yes, because that income is financing the warand so, yes, we because that income is financing the war and so, yes, we will have to do deals with countries we would not typically do deals with but as i say, needs must.— typically do deals with but as i say, needs must. does activity

dist uise say, needs must. does activity disguise and — say, needs must. does activity disguise and effectiveness - say, needs must. does activity disguise and effectiveness in i say, needs must. does activity - disguise and effectiveness in terms of the world sanctions? because there is a lot of activity going on. i have been critical of the sanctions progress. i think the west is getting into its stride but so far it has avoided some of the difficult questions and if you ask me, we are at a four out of tenjune what we can achieve but we will never achieve ten out of ten until we grapple with the thorny issue of energy payments. we grapple with the thorny issue of energy payments-— we grapple with the thorny issue of energy payments. tom, thank you very much. new figures show that wages are still failing to keep up with the rising cost of living. the office for national statistics says that in effect that means average pay, excluding bonuses, shrank by 1% in the three months to january, compared with a year earlier. the unemployment rate fell to 3.9 % in the most recent quarter, as our economics correspondent, andy verity, reports. it is all go at this joint warehouse in corby, northamptonshire which

caters for the booming market in alcohol delivered to your home. existing staff were at full tilt, but what is holding business back is an increasingly intractable problem. they cannot get enough new staff to cater for demand, they cannot get enough new staff to caterfor demand, even they cannot get enough new staff to cater for demand, even though they are using three different local recruitment agencies.- are using three different local recruitment agencies. what we have also done is — recruitment agencies. what we have also done is launched _ recruitment agencies. what we have also done is launched a _ recruitment agencies. what we have also done is launched a refer - recruitment agencies. what we have also done is launched a refer a - also done is launched a refer a friend scheme which has been very popular so if somebody introduces somebody to our organisation, after that person has passed their probationary period, the person that made the introduction will be given at £1000 by means of a reward. that has troven at £1000 by means of a reward. that has proven very _ at £1000 by means of a reward. that has proven very popular. in this sector with an outside bigger skills shortage made acute by brexit,... the private sector labour market is now more of a sellers market than has been for decades. the number of job vacancies has hit a new record of 1.3 two million and that is up by 100,000. before inflation, the

average wage has risen by 3.8% because inflation is so high you can't buy as much with it and in real terms a pay cut of 1%. that renewed a squeeze on living standards is now painfully tight for millions working in the public sector like this person, a nurse with three children to take care of and energy bill set to double. once she donated to food banks, now she is having to turn to them herself. j is having to turn to them herself. i felt worthless. i felt like a failure _ felt worthless. i felt like a failure and i felt that i didn't deserve _ failure and i felt that i didn't deserve to have children because i can't _ deserve to have children because i can't look— deserve to have children because i can't look after them. and as a nurse. — can't look after them. and as a nurse. i— can't look after them. and as a nurse, i actually felt is myjob even — nurse, i actually felt is myjob even worth it if i can't afford to look— even worth it if i can't afford to look after _ even worth it if i can't afford to look after myself and i have to go and get _ look after myself and i have to go and get charity from other people? it and get charity from other people? it was _ and get charity from other people? it was one — and get charity from other people? it was one of the most scariest things— it was one of the most scariest things i— it was one of the most scariest things i have done.— it was one of the most scariest things i have done. towns like corby have onlyjust _ things i have done. towns like corby have only just left _ things i have done. towns like corby have onlyjust left behind _

things i have done. towns like corby have onlyjust left behind in - things i have done. towns like corby have onlyjust left behind in the - have onlyjust left behind in the worst decade for improvements in living standards in 200 years. with wholesale gas and oil price is now falling, one of the other pressures on the cost of living may lessen in the coming months. but the inflationary squeeze is likely to get worse before it gets better. bbc news. a man suspected of shooting five homeless men in washington dc and new york city has been arrested following a multistate manhunt. two of the victims were killed, including a man found dead inside a burning tent. cbs news correspondent laura podesta has more. this is a tragic story that many people, it has left many people on edge here in new york city, in dc and the cities in between, such as baltimore, because this man was clearly travelling from dc to new york and committing these murders over a two—week span. he was essentially a serial killer on the loose. now we are learning that police may have demand that they have been

—— the man... looking for in custody. officers arrested a suspect as he was walking in the capital. it is not confirmed, but it appears that these officers were alerted by someone may have recognised him from the surveillance stills that police handed out yesterday when they had a press conference. the reason why i say that is because in a tweet early this morning, the dc police department thanked people for their tips. we still don't have any information this morning on the name of the suspect for his age or the motive behind —— or his age... these gruesome shootings. in a video that has been circulating we can see how he operates. you see the man kicking a homeless person who was sleeping on the sidewalk in new york city. that homeless person doesn't wake up and he ends up shooting him in the head at point—blank range. it has been a scary situation

here in new york city and again in washington, dc. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz hello. predominantly dry across the uk today. tomorrow, for sure, more widespread rain. i want to show you first the satellite picture across this corner of europe. this is a storm just off the coast of africa, portugal and spain. storm celia. it's actually been producing a lot of rain, strong winds and the air currents associated with this storm system have also pushed very dusty, hazy skies, saharan dust, into spain and parts of france. this is a picture from alicante yesterday, it almost looks like a martian landscape. we may have some of that dust encroaching on our shores over the next day or so, mostly in the south—east, but it's not going to happen elsewhere across the country because the winds are blowing off the atlantic here in the north—west as this weather front approaches and brings some rain to northern ireland and western

scotland at the end of the afternoon and elsewhere. a dry evening, a dry first half of the night at least across many parts of england, but towards the early parts of the morning we could see rain nudging into the lake district, maybe western fringes of wales. mild across england and wales, but colder in scotland and northern ireland. on to the weather forecast for tomorrow. weather fronts crossing the uk, predominantly cloudy and, at times, wet in england and wales. what is going to happen, we are seeing a weather front coming in from the south, this one from the north. they will almost join forces during the course of the day, so in between there could be some brightness, but generally an overcast day and, if anything, the rain will get heavier during the day in the south and south—east. a different story in scotland and northern ireland. here a fresher day, lower temperatures, slightly stronger winds and more sunshine on the way. on thursday, it will turn cloudy again in the north—west as this weather front approaches and some

rain is expected in scotland and northern ireland, wheras to the south we actually have high pressure building. so across england and wales it will be a predominantly bright day. i wouldn't rule out a shower further south, but on the whole, a fine day. after that, into the weekend and into next week, high pressure will be building across the rest of the uk and i think we're in for some fine weather with temperatures, very pleasant, up to 17 degrees in some areas. that's it from me.

this is bbc news, i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 5pm... after more powerful explosions in the ukrainian capital kyiv, the city's mayor imposes a 35—hour curfew from this evening. nearly three million refugees have fled ukraine. we report from poland, where a shopping centre is being used to house families. the journalist who interrupted russia's main tv news bulletin last night to protest against the invasion has been fined $280 by a court in moscow. ukraine's president tells the uk and other nations the west needs to do more to help his country fight russia, otherwise, he warned, "they will come for you". russia, otherwise, he warned, the world is silent after two nuclear power plants were captured. we are just hearing words, that is

not enough. in other news — british iranian national nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe,