good morning, welcome to breakfast with dan walker and sally nugent. our headlines today. ukraine's president zelensky speaks optimistically about ongoing peace talks with russia. translation: the positions in the negotiations _ sound more realistic. however, there still needs to be more time for decisions to be in ukraine's interests. smoke billowing across the capital this morning, 12 hours into 35—hour curfew in kyiv. the city's mayor warns it's a "difficult and dangerous moment". more than 20,000 refugees escape the besieged port of mariupol, but there are reports that more than 400 people are being held hostage in the city's hospital.

hopes are raised that british—iranian detainee nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe could be freed, after having her uk passport returned to her. good morning, they are cleaning up to hit the road as coach companies hope for a bumper year but with costs going up by a third, the road ahead might be bumpy. where now for manchester united? knocked out of the champions league by atletico madrid — the immediate challenge facing a club with such a rich history laid bare. reunited — the uk's most premature twins are back together at home for the first time since they were born in october. and feeling more like spring, brightening up for menu. we are not quite there yet. i will be back with the details. it's wednesday 16th march. our main story. the ukrainian president says peace

talks with russia are beginning to "sound more realistic". in his latest video address, he said victory over russia would require the work of all ukrainian citizens, but warned a breakthrough will take time. air sirens have sounded out across several cities as ukraine wakes up to another day of the invasion. yesterday, russian air strikes killed five people in the capital kyiv, and the number of refugees has now reached three million as jon kay reports. "get out," she screams. "we didn't invite you here." an elderly woman confronts russian soldiers on the streets of ukraine. it is now three weeks since the invasion and, every day, since the invasion and every day brings more damage, more pain. yesterday, four people were killed in a residential area of the capital. kyiv is now under 35—hour curfew.

but do these pictures offer some hope? negotiators from both sides are still talking. last night, one ukrainian diplomat said there was room for compromise. and the country's president was also more positive. volodymyr zelensky said the situation remained difficult, but the positions of the two sides were now sounding more realistic. he said time was needed to reach a breakthrough. but these people are not hanging around for a peace deal. last night, 20,000 of them finally managed to escape from the besieged port of mariupol. the city they have left behind is still being pounded day after day. and the deputy mayor claims russian troops are holding 400 people like hostages inside a hospital, including doctors and patients. ukraine's prime minister claims his country has already

suffered £400 billion of damage. he said when the war is over, russia must pay. once again this morning, sirens have been heard in towns and cities across ukraine. another day of clearing up. another day of wondering when and how this will end. jon kay, bbc news. let's get the latest from the ukrainian capital kyiv from our correspondent james waterhouse. give us an idea of what it is like in kyiv at the moment because you and many others are now under a curfew. it and many others are now under a curfew. . , , ., ., ., curfew. it was quiet before and now it is completely _ curfew. it was quiet before and now it is completely quiet. _ curfew. it was quiet before and now it is completely quiet. you - curfew. it was quiet before and now it is completely quiet. you can - curfew. it was quiet before and now it is completely quiet. you can heari it is completely quiet. you can hear

birdsong. in contradiction to birdsong, you can hear the thudding of shellfire in the north—westerly direction. which we have seen the past few mornings. it is clear the russian forces are trying to focus advance there. we drove around the city yesterday and you could see some of the devastation caused by either direct missile hits or missiles being intercepted in the sky. a metro station flattened. tower blocks where the face had been ripped down. windows imploded. people clearing out their lives, throwing rubbish out of the window onto the grass below serving as a reminder of the might of weapons used in times of war. 0utwardly, thatis used in times of war. 0utwardly, that is why the mayor announced a ceasefire. there are... i'm sorry, announced a curfew. there are concerns from the authorities the

next days will be particularly intense for the city in terms of the level of fighting we are seeing. nevertheless, we once again have a western assessment from uk and us officials that russia is struggling to sustain its advances in locations across the country, apart from mariupol, which you saw earlier, where it continues to come under sustained attack. authorities in kharkiv to the east say they have seen off a russian attack. we are told russian forces are running low on ammunition which is hampering their approach and that apparently we are told is the story across the country. but there is a more optimistic tone on peace talks continuing, the fourth round going into a third day. negotiators say while there are fundamental contradictions and disagreements there could be scope for compromise. it is strange talking about peace talks when the city is under curfew

and streets more empty than before and streets more empty than before and the shells had not stopped firing. and the shells had not stopped firina. ., ., . ., ., firing. you touched on what the ma or firing. you touched on what the mayor warned _ firing. you touched on what the mayor warned about, _ firing. you touched on what the mayor warned about, tough - firing. you touched on what the i mayor warned about, tough times ahead. 0verthe mayor warned about, tough times ahead. over the past weeks you have given a sense of what it is like to be in the capital when russian troops surround. plenty of other activity and military attacks elsewhere in ukraine. do you get the feeling the people of kyiv are braced for the worst yet to come? i think they have all along. people have had time to process either in their bunkers, theirflats have had time to process either in their bunkers, their flats as they crossed fingers a missile strike will not land on their doorstep. they have been thinking about the what ifs, the movement of russian troops, and seen images of other cities where there have been surrounded and bombarded. if you speak to people looking to mount a defence, the armed volunteers of the territorial defence, the soldiers on

barricades, they seem intent. when you look at them digging trenches, they are ready to mount a defence. they will see what is happening in other cities. the devastation has been severe, the human cost hi. but very few ukrainian cities have fallen to the russian advance and there will be a focus from those very people that the same does not happen here in the capital. thank ou. that happen here in the capital. thank yom that is _ happen here in the capital. thank you. that is james _ happen here in the capital. thank you. that is james ward - happen here in the capital. thank you. that is james ward housing | you. that is james ward housing gear. ——james you. that is james ward housing gear. —— james ward. many ordinary lives change completely and many people taking up arms with no experience previously. 0ur correspondentjoined them. in western ukraine, the war is getting closer and people are getting ready.

we have been invited to a school building in lviv to see volunteers being given a crash course in handling a gun. lesia, a grandmother, is here with her architect husband yuri. we need to be prepared. against missiles, against big missiles, this rocket, we can do nothing. but against this russian nazi who came in our life, on our land, we can use the guns. translation: normally, iwouldn't even point a gun at an animal. - but this is now a time to learn how to hold weapons and shoot them. as one by one the volunteers take their turn, we are interrupted by the awful soundtrack of this war. sirens blare. so we canjust hear the air

raid siren has gone. some people are leaving, some people carrying on. in the basement, those on the gun course mingle with the local children and mums that have decided not to flee ukraine. we find this woman, a doctor at lviv hospital. she is at the training. herjob is to save lives. but, she says, she is now ready to kill. i am really happy that i haven't children for now, because it is really hard to make a choice between children and your country. so the fact you have not got children means you will stay here whatever? yes, i'll stay here whatever and i defend under bombing, under different military troops, and i stay under fire. and you are ready to pull

the trigger on that gun if it comes to that? if i have no choice, yes. when the all—clear sounds, we are invited by yuri and leisa we are invited by yuri and lesia back to their apartment, to see their new guns. it is normally for hunting. hunting gun. this is also a hunting gun. but it is more precise. for lesia, this war has made what was once unthinkable unavoidable. translation: it's very sad. sometimes it seems like a bad dream. it is not right. this shouldn't be happening. but it is happening and the russians may move west. lviv's defenders are

armed and waiting. jonah fisherjoins jonah fisher joins us jonah fisherjoins us now. we have been watching your piece. what is the situation there this morning? you have heard sirens already. that is right, sirens overnight which means people having to get up and go down into bunkers to take shelter which i think happened in many cities overnight. in lviv, early indications are nothing was struck indications are nothing was struck in this area. a different story in kyiv as we heard. it has become a daily reality, nightly reality here in lviv. the air raid sirens, a reminder to people that while the war has been is something in the rest of ukraine in terms of ground forces with russian movement into the south, east, north, these air

strikes suggest, and air sirens suggest that thoughts are moving to western ukraine and this crucial supply route with the european union, that russia may be looking to this as the next place to move to to cut off that supply, humanitarian things and also military hardware. thank you. in the past hour, borisjohnson has arrived in the middle east ahead of meetings with the leaders of the united arab emirates and saudi arabia. it comes as the prime minister looks to plug the gap as the uk vows to phase out its use of russian oil by the end of this year. we'rejoined now by our chief political correspondent adam fleming. it isa it is a controversial trip and a busy day for the prime minister. the prime busy day for the prime minister. lie: prime minister busy day for the prime minister. ire: prime minister arrived busy day for the prime minister. iie: prime minister arrived a couple of hours ago in abu dhabi and then we'll head to saudi arabia and his mission is to get them to pump more oil to make up for oil that will not be bought from russia as a result of

the conflict in ukraine, and in an effort to get the global cost of oil down so it becomes a little cheaper. the problem he has is the uae and saudi arabia are part of a club of oil producing countries that have their own policy on how much oil to produce that necessarily will not be swayed by sweet talking by him. he also faces accusations at home from many conservative backbenchers and the labour party that he is dealing with countries that do not have great human rights records. the labour leader said he is going cap in hand from one dictator, putin, to another. i wonder if the big thing when it comes to energy will happen next week when we expect the government to publish a british energy security strategy about the medium and long—term and you can see lots more money going into renewables and nuclear and may be

fracking in the uk, again. that will be the big energy news over the next days. in other news that could come from the gulf, speculation that the british hostage held in iran, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, held captive for 5—6 years, could be on the verge of being released and if that happened while the prime minister was in the region, it would be an enormous development. thank ou. we be an enormous development. thank yom we will — be an enormous development. thank yom we will be _ be an enormous development. thank you. we will be speaking _ be an enormous development. thank you. we will be speaking to - be an enormous development. thank you. we will be speaking to the - you. we will be speaking to the foreign secretary about that and other matters later in the programme. now the weather with 0wain. nice to see you both. i mentioned we were going to get a taste of spring in the next couple of days. we are not quite there yet. a cold start for many. we can look at the headline for today. scotland and northern ireland, sunny spells across most parts, further south, a

lot of cloud, rain, but it will brighten up from the west later. this is the satellite. cloud here. two weather fronts, across the south—east of england and another across scotland down through the north of england and reaching the south west, which is what you can see here. it may produce wintry weather across high ground in scotland. this is what will happen as we press on. behind it brightening up. parts of northern ireland, scotland. showers here. heavy spells of rain in the south—east. the initial weather front will eventually fizzle out. a range of temperatures. cooler in parts of scotland. 7—10 here whereas further south, 13, i4. parts of scotland. 7—10 here whereas further south, 13, 14. another change. we say goodbye to the weather fronts tonight. this section

is high—pressure. it will introduce something dry and clear across much of england and wales and scotland. underneath clear skies, temperatures sliding away. close to freezing if not below in places. we have another weather front and that is what we see here. isobars close together. we will see strengthening wind across northern ireland in western scotland in particular tomorrow. gale force here. blustery showers. much of england and wales, not a bad —looking day. temperatures reaching 14 in prolonged spells of sunshine. fog forming over the coming evenings but friday looking good. this is where we see improvement. temperatures rising. and we hang on to that over the next couple of days. we will keep you posted. more optimistic. let's take a look at today's front pages.

the war in ukraine continues to dominate the front pages. the times leads on president zelensky�*s admission that ukraine is unlikely to be able to join nato. he made the comments during a meeting of northern european leaders yesterday. the front also features a picture of a mother and daughter who will be among the first to be granted entry to the uk under the new sponsorship scheme. the daily express describes president zelensky�*s nato concession as a "glimmer of hope" as the southern ukrainian city of mariupol remains under siege and the death toll from the conflict continues to rise. the daily mail's front page describes ukraine capital kyiv as a "city of fear and defiance". it says citizens in the city now wake to the sound of "thunderous air strikes" but they are preparing to face down russian forces with "awesome fortitude". in other news, the guardian's front page features a picture of the family of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who has been held in iran for the last six years. it follows news that she could be released within days. we'll be speaking to

nazanin�*s sister—in—law, rebecca, a bit later on. we showed you the front page of the times. that is the mother and daughter yesterday's show. their story was interesting. she is from kharkiv and was there with her husband, a surgeon, who has had to stay behind. the birthday of one of her great friends the day before it started. then she said she could not believe within three weeks she was sleeping on the floor in holland and on her way to stay in someone's house. i think she is going to hampshire. what is lovely about that, eleanor, she was on the programme yesterday and was tired. seeing her looking happier. like a normal little girl.

she was exhausted from what she has been through. and what that family and others have been through. anyone filling up at the pump will have clocked the ever—increasing price of petrol and diesel making it a particularly tough time for those that rely on fuel for their business. nina's at a coach firm in the west midlands this morning to find out more. iam i am always worried when i see someone behind the wheel of a vehicle. good morning from harry shaw coaches in coventry. jimmy is cleaning the coach. halal shaw coaches in coventry. jimmy is cleaning the coach.— cleaning the coach. how are you farinu ? cleaning the coach. how are you faring? very _ cleaning the coach. how are you faring? very good. _ cleaning the coach. how are you faring? very good. they - cleaning the coach. how are you faring? very good. they are - cleaning the coach. how are you i faring? very good. they are ready for what they _ faring? very good. they are ready for what they hope _ faring? very good. they are ready for what they hope to _ faring? very good. they are ready for what they hope to be - faring? very good. they are ready for what they hope to be a - faring? very good. they are ready for what they hope to be a big - faring? very good. they are ready| for what they hope to be a big year ahead. after a turbulent two years in the industry. harry shaw coaches has been around since the 60s, taking people across europe, right down to croatia, across to slovakia,

even down to morocco. they are hoping there will be recovery this year because coach trips are a quintessential part of british life. such a shame that for the past two years or so they have not been flowing in the same way. we can look at how the industry has been affected. before the pandemic, around half a billion coachjourneys in the uk made each year. it includes 600,000 children taken to and from school. the industry is worth an estimated £14 billion annually to the uk economy. a lot of money. but coaches like these, they rely on diesel. this week we saw diesel hit a record of £1 73 at the start of the week. it means the costs for things for getting on the road have gone up by more than costs for things for getting on the road have gone up by more than a third since january. that is a lot to absorb. things were very

different at harry shaw coaches in 1985 when they appeared on a programme called bbc breakfast time. at that point they were literally giving holidays away. the coventry coach tour company _ giving holidays away. the coventry coach tour company made - giving holidays away. the coventry coach tour company made its - coach tour company made its statement _ coach tour company made its statement on _ coach tour company made its statement on the _ coach tour company made its statement on the price - coach tour company made its statement on the price war. i coach tour company made its . statement on the price war. 0n holiday— statement on the price war. 0n holiday holidays _ statement on the price war. 0n holiday holidays to _ statement on the price war. 0n holiday holidays to the - statement on the price war. 0n holiday holidays to the french i holiday holidays to the french riviera — holiday holidays to the french riviera and _ holiday holidays to the french riviera and the _ holiday holidays to the french riviera and the message - holiday holidays to the french riviera and the message to i holiday holidays to the french. riviera and the message to the public— riviera and the message to the public don't _ riviera and the message to the public don't pay _ riviera and the message to the public don't pay us, _ riviera and the message to the public don't pay us, we - riviera and the message to the public don't pay us, we will - riviera and the message to thei public don't pay us, we will pay you _ public don't pay us, we will pay you this— public don't pay us, we will pay you. this morning _ public don't pay us, we will pay you. this morning they- public don't pay us, we will pay you. this morning they were i public don't pay us, we will pay - you. this morning they were putting together— you. this morning they were putting together the — you. this morning they were putting together the final— you. this morning they were putting together the final details. _ you. this morning they were putting together the final details. ten - you. this morning they were putting together the final details. ten day. together the final details. ten day caravan _ together the final details. ten day caravan holidays _ together the final details. ten day caravan holidays are _ together the final details. ten day caravan holidays are free. - together the final details. ten day caravan holidays are free. the - together the final details. ten dayl caravan holidays are free. the firm is chipping — caravan holidays are free. the firm is chipping in— caravan holidays are free. the firm is chipping in with _ caravan holidays are free. the firm is chipping in with £5— caravan holidays are free. the firm is chipping in with £5 per— caravan holidays are free. the firm is chipping in with £5 per person i is chipping in with £5 per person spending — is chipping in with £5 per person spending money _ is chipping in with £5 per person spending money. [it— is chipping in with £5 per person spending money. [it is— is chipping in with £5 per person spending money-— is chipping in with £5 per person spending money. it is a promotional deal designed _ spending money. it is a promotional deal designed to _ spending money. it is a promotional deal designed to make _ spending money. it is a promotional deal designed to make them - deal designed to make them interested in holidays to the south of france — interested in holidays to the south of france i— interested in holidays to the south of france. i suppose in a way it is a protest — of france. i suppose in a way it is a protest against the current conditions prevailing in the market whereby— conditions prevailing in the market whereby tour operators are putting cheap _ whereby tour operators are putting cheap holidays onto the market in an attempt _ cheap holidays onto the market in an attempt we _ cheap holidays onto the market in an attempt we feel to drive small companies out of business. it is

funny how _ companies out of business. it is funny how fashion _ companies out of business. it 3 funny how fashion comes full circle. ian is the group sales manager. incredible to see your colleague robert giving holidays away in the 805. how hard is it to absorb the extra fuel cost? 80s. how hard is it to absorb the extra fuel cost?— extra fuel cost? difficult. we try to keep prices — extra fuel cost? difficult. we try to keep prices competitive. - extra fuel cost? difficult. we try to keep prices competitive. we l extra fuel cost? difficult. we try - to keep prices competitive. we hope partners, hotels, will keep rate5 competitive. the aim is we will not pass increases on to customers. it pa55 increases on to customers. it is a challenging time for people with costs, fuel costs at home, but everybody wants a holiday. we have had to years without it and there is pent—up demand. the had to years without it and there is pent-up demand-— had to years without it and there is pent-up demand. the problem in the indust is pent-up demand. the problem in the industry is you _ pent-up demand. the problem in the industry is you could _ pent-up demand. the problem in the industry is you could not _ pent-up demand. the problem in the industry is you could not stop - industry is you could not stop working entirely in the pandemic because you pushed holidays forward 5o because you pushed holidays forward so some of these trips will be money you have already had in. back so some of these trips will be money you have already had in.— you have already had in. back in 2020, when — you have already had in. back in 2020, when things _ you have already had in. back in 2020, when things came - you have already had in. back in 2020, when things came to - you have already had in. back in 2020, when things came to a i you have already had in. back in i 2020, when things came to a stop, you have already had in. back in - 2020, when things came to a stop, it was looking a good year with groups planned in europe and uk. quite a

few of those are going this year. they were put back two years. cancelled in 2021. we thank customers for understanding that there is pent—up demand because they are looking forward to going your way into europe. the relaxation of the passenger location form is fantastic. huge demand for people to get away. fantastic. huge demand for people to net awa . . ., ., ., ., ., get away. nice to end on a note of optimism- — get away. nice to end on a note of optimism- by _ get away. nice to end on a note of optimism. by the _ get away. nice to end on a note of optimism. by the end _ get away. nice to end on a note of optimism. by the end of— get away. nice to end on a note of optimism. by the end of the - get away. nice to end on a note of| optimism. by the end of the week, restrictions will be lifted. such an important time for the travel industry. nice to be back on the coach again. i have many a coach holiday and has made me keen to book a trip. studio: do it, treat yourself. you can drive yourself now you have the skills! twins who are believed to be britain's most premature babies to have survived are now both back at home following 140 days in hospital. harry and harley crane were born atjust 22 weeks and five days and have already undergone six

operations between them. rob si55on5 has this report. at last, out into the big wide world. after 139 days in the neonatal unit, baby harley was reunited with her twin brother harry, off home with their aunt and mum and dad. absolutely ecstatic. it has been such a long time and although it's been a really treacherous journey and, 140 days ago, we didn't think we would be here. just absolutely excited, can't wait to get them home where they belong and start our life as a family — harley and harry, of course, unaware of all the fuss. we have waited 140 days for this. it's really emotional. mixed emotions — sad to leave the team, happy to be going home. it's just so affirmative to see them together and to be walking out the door, however many friends we have made. and the absolutely stunning doctors and nurses and surgeons who have all been part of making this moment.

it's hard to say goodbye to them, but i hope i never see them again! it has been some journey already. harley and harry were born at 22 weeks and five days into pregnancy. mum and dad had spent 11 years and around £50,000 on ivf fertility treatment. getting both of them home something they feared at times may never happen. beaten all the odds, haven't we and here they are. amazing. they've had months to get home ready. so harley is on a little bit of oxygen straight into her nose. the oxygen is to help them get bigger and stronger. they are 8lb now, so eight times their birth weight. which is incredible. harley is the feisty one. she is very well known as the feisty one. she tells you what she wants, shall we say. whereas harry, he is mr laid—back. the twins' aunt says the family have been amazing.

it makes me so proud _ to be their auntie and to be able to experience just... sorry. ah, thank you. got so much love and support for- jade and steve and harley and harry. the twins will now be supported by health workers in the community. it's a new chapter, a joyous time notjust for the family at home in derbyshire, but all the team at nottingham's neonatal unit. rob sissons, bbc news. that is an amazing story. time now to get the news where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. the metropolitan police has apologised to a black schoolgirl who was strip—searched by two

officers after being wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. the search which has been described as traumatic took place at the girl's secondary school in hackney in 2020. there was no other adult present. a safeguarding report found it was unjustified, and that racism was �*likely�* to have been a factor. scotland yard has said the officers' actions were �*regrettable.’ two years on since the first coronovirus lockdown and london's a&e departments remain under pressure. whipps cross emergency department is seeing around 300 patients a day. it's set up an ambulance receiving centre to speed up waiting times. and you can see how that works on our programme this evening at 6.30. the met police has become the first force to develop and use new technology to find blood stains on dark clothing. this infra—red camera can detect even the tiniest particles in just a few minutes. it's hoped it will speed up evidence gathering in violent crime cases.

homeless people are benefitting from items that have been left on london's trains. things like coats, shoes, and mobile phones are stored in lost property for three months. if they're not claimed, many items are given to charity. as well as the personal hygiene and warmth thing, itjust brings the level of self—esteem up. they're gratefully received and they go a long, long way to improving the value of somebody�*s life. so yeah, no, thank you very much to people that lose the items and thanks to govia thameslink for donating them. let's take a look at what's happening on the tubes. district line is part suspended and there are minor delays on the piccadilly line. 0nto the weather now with kate kinsella. good morning. there is a bit of mist out there this morning and it could be quite slow to lift. the wind is not very strong at all.

there's more cloud or thicker cloud around compared to yesterday, some showers this morning, and then a band of heavy, more persistent rain as we head through the afternoon. there is a small chance within the heavier bursts of a rumble or two of thunder. temperatures at 14 celsius today. 0vernight tonight, that rain will gradually start to clear away. it's actually a cold front so behind it the sky clears, the temperature drops. there's a chance of a little bit of ground frost the further west you are. minimum between one and four celsius. high pressure starts to build as we head through thursday and that high pressure squeezes everything out of the way, so fine, dry and settled through thursday. temperatures tomorrow getting up to around 14 celsius. it is going to be quite chilly at night terms with all this high pressure around. temperatures dropping close to zero, again the risk of a ground frost. through friday, we're hanging on to the high pressure and it lasts right the way through the weekend as well. so plenty of fine, dry, settled weather with lots of sunshine, night—time temperatures still chilly. i'm back with the latest

from the bbc london in half an hour. now though it's back to sally and dan. bye for now. hello, this is breakfast with dan walker and sally nugent. let's get up to date with everything that has been happening overnight in ukraine. jon is here to run through the details. it's been three weeks since russia invaded ukraine — and there is no let—up. let's look at the situation in the capital kyiv to start with. we've just received these pictures of another apparent strike on a residential neighbourhood in the west of the city. it's close to where apartment blocks were hit at the same time yesterday. at least four people killed yesterday.

there is no news yet of any casualties today. because of the risk of shelling in the capital, kyiv is now under a 35—hour curfew. this is the scene in the main square this morning. people have been told to shelter because the mayor says "difficult and danergous moment". many are hiding in the underground metro stations. the centre of a capital city, deserted. but there is some hope because overnight the president of ukraine president volodymyr zelensky said peace talks with moscow are beginning to sound more realistic. translation: it is important. it is difficult, but important, because any war ends in an agreement. meetings continue, as i am told the positions in the negotiations sound more realistic. however, there still needs to be

more time for decisions to be in ukraine's interests. we don't know why he's sounding more positive. we don't know the details of the negotiations. but despite all the destruction there is a lot of talking going on. president zelensky has been meeting with the prime ministers of the czech republic, poland and slovenia who travelled to kyiv by train for talks. a hazardous journey. this morning nato defence ministers are also due to meet. in the southern city of mariupol, the deputy mayor claims 400 people are being held "like hostages" by russian troops at the regional intensive care hospital to the west of the city, that includes doctors and patients.

we will bring you more on that as we get it. after days of delays, 20,000 people have managed to escape from mariupol overnight. taken out in a convoy of cars, lorries and buses. and here in the uk, the government has confirmed that so far 122,000 people have have registered an interest in hosting ukrainian refugees who reach britain. thank you very much indeed. that number is rising all the time. the otherjohn. _ number is rising all the time. the otherjohn. we — number is rising all the time. iue: otherjohn, we have got lots of you today. everybody who works in the programme isjohn! a disappointing night for manchester united? the scale of the _ night for manchester united? the scale of the task for manchester united, it feels like we have been talking about it for ages since manage —— alex ferguson left. it is

manage -- alex ferguson left. it is a lona manage -- alex ferguson left. it is a long time- _ manage -- alex ferguson left. it is a long time- we — manage -- alex ferguson left. it is a long time. we have _ manage -- alex ferguson left. it is a long time. we have had - manage -- alex ferguson left. it is a long time. we have had people . manage -- alex ferguson left. it is - a long time. we have had people come in for hue a long time. we have had people come in for huge money. _ a long time. we have had people come in for huge money, paul— a long time. we have had people come in for huge money, paul pogba - a long time. we have had people come in for huge money, paul pogba and - in for huge money, paul pogba and krisjenner another, in for huge money, paul pogba and krisjenneranother, but in for huge money, paul pogba and kris jenner another, but they in for huge money, paul pogba and krisjenner another, but they have kris jenner another, but they have not got the right ingredient. krisjenner another, but they have not got the right ingredient. —— cristiano ronaldo. he is 37, his best years behind him, paul pogba is out of contract come the summer. there is going to be a turnaround of players and it feels like they need a reset. it players and it feels like they need a reset. , , players and it feels like they need a reset-_ you - a reset. it will be rebuilt. you wonder when _ a reset. it will be rebuilt. you wonder when they _ a reset. it will be rebuilt. you wonder when they are - a reset. it will be rebuilt. you wonder when they are going i a reset. it will be rebuilt. youl wonder when they are going to a reset. it will be rebuilt. you - wonder when they are going to get it right? that seems to be the trouble facing them at the morning. —— at the moment. another season without a major trophy. it was a horrid night for manchester united, beaten at home by atletico madrid, knocked out at the last 16 stage. nesta mcgregor was watching. struggling domestically, manchester united knew this was the most important game of the season so far. atletico madrid are never easy to play against, but united started brightly.

and almost took the lead through anthony elanga. keeperjan 0blak using his head, literally. then, just before half—time, and against the run of play, the visitors silenced the home crowd. all the noise was now coming from the spanish fans. the home side had 45 minutes to save their season. with a price tag of £73 million, jadon sancho was bought for nights like this. but not finishes like that. a frustrating night for manchester united, who found it impossible to break down the stubborn atletico defence. 1—0 is how it finished. united exit the champions league and it's now five years without a trophy. a club so used to success, now having to get used to failure. nesta mcgregor, bbc news. benfica join atletico in the quarter—finals. they beat ajax 1—nil on the night in amsterdam, 3—2 on aggregate.

chelsea in lille tonight with a 2—0 lead, former goalkpeer petr cech joked he'd drive the team there in a minibus with sanctions placed on the club. yesterday they asked the fa to allow saturday's fa cup quarterfinal at middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors, only to withdraw the request hours later. fans can no longer buy tickets after the government froze the assets of owner roman abramovich. boro were left incensed over the request and said it wasn't fair to punish their fans for chelsea's mistakes. i don't think too much about it. i try to be honest and i try to give you an insight, and i try to provide you with information more or less still from a sporting side, and still from a coach's heart. and this is what i try. this is maybe what you can rely on. and i'm more than happy if things calm down and i can speak more about football, more than happy.

what a moment for christian eriksen yesterday. the danish player called up to the international squad nine months after his cardiac arrest. it was the 12th june last year, he collapsed against finland at euro 2020 with cpr administered on the pitch. six days later he had surgery to fit an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a device that regulates heartbeats. and then injanuary, he is officially declared fit to play competitive sport again. a few weeks later, he joins premier league side brentford until the end of the season. and after two full games for his new club, nine months on from his collapse, he's set to play against the netherlands and serbia in friendlies later this month and could realise his ultimate dream of playing in the world cup later this year. that really is a remarkable story for the player. england have kept their world cup hopes alive after beating india in the last few minutes. remember england are the defending champions, beating india in that final five years ago.

they bowled them out forjust 134, charlie dean with four wickets and knocking off the runs with 19 overs to spare. and prepare yourselves for another thrilling day at cheltenham. two—time grand national winner tiger roll bows out later. yesterday, rachael blackmore triumphed on the opening day as honeysuckle took first place in the champion hurdle. and this time, there were crowds cheering on the favourite. last year, no spectators were allowed because of the pandemic. more than a quarter of a million are expected to attend this week. ah, look, it's absolutely incredible. you know, having the crowd back this year is so special, it really, really is. it was so special to ride winners here last year without a crowd, but when the crowd is back, you just realise what they bring. they make cheltenham what it is. the atmosphere, you know, it's just you are surrounded by people walking back in, all the way down the chute, everyone is cheering you on.

it'sjust, yeah, it's very heart—warming. she is a superstar. she is on a roll. i she is a superstar. she is on a roll- i gave — she is a superstar. she is on a roll. i gave you _ she is a superstar. she is on a roll. i gave you a _ she is a superstar. she is on a roll. i gave you a couple - she is a superstar. she is on a roll. i gave you a couple of. she is a superstar. she is on a i roll. i gave you a couple of duds yesterday. _ roll. i gave you a couple of duds yesterday. we — roll. i gave you a couple of duds yesterday, we will _ roll. i gave you a couple of duds yesterday, we will try _ roll. i gave you a couple of duds yesterday, we will try again - roll. i gave you a couple of duds i yesterday, we will try again today. rachel blackmore's house is 20 to one. we have got a french one for you, diana. five to one. better luck today. —— for you, you, diana. five to one. better luck today. —— foryou, dan. you, diana. five to one. better luck today. -- for you, dan.— you, diana. five to one. better luck today. -- for you, dan. what does it mean? it sounds _ today. -- for you, dan. what does it mean? it sounds like _ today. -- for you, dan. what does it mean? it sounds like a _ today. -- for you, dan. what does it mean? it sounds like a lovely - today. -- for you, dan. what does it mean? it sounds like a lovely fish i mean? it sounds like a lovely fish dish. i mean? it sounds like a lovely fish dish- i will— mean? it sounds like a lovely fish dish. i will have _ mean? it sounds like a lovely fish dish. i will have two _ mean? it sounds like a lovely fish dish. i will have two of _ mean? it sounds like a lovely fish dish. i will have two of them! - there's been a huge response to the government's "homes for ukraine" scheme with more than 120,000 people signing up. but the liberal democrat leader, sir ed davey, says more needs to be done to help ukrainians who have fled their homes reach the uk. we can speak to him now from krakow. good morning. i know you spent

yesterday talking to people and meeting people who were there, what have you heard and seen? i was meeting people who were there, what have you heard and seen?— have you heard and seen? i was at the border — have you heard and seen? i was at the border between _ have you heard and seen? i was at the border between ukraine - have you heard and seen? i was at the border between ukraine and i the border between ukraine and poland yesterday, meeting huge numbers of refugees coming across the border. they were exhausted, they were traumatised, and it was women and children and they were giving their stories. they fled their city of kharkiv, mainly from there, they talked about how their homes had been bombed, their city had been ruined and flattened. they were very emotional leaving their husbands and their grown—up behind. it was a real story of human misery. these people really need our support. i think it's fantastic that the british people have been so compassionate and generous, wanting to help. i have to tell you, i moved away from the border to the nearby humanitarian aid centre where the

ukrainian refugees are taken and there are lots of people are trying to help them, offering food, but also move them onto other places in poland and elsewhere in europe. i found 19 countries present the, germany and france, spain and norway and switzerland, with people helping refugees on there was no british presence. it was ironic because it was an old disused tesco supermarket. all these countries but no british presence. the british people are being compassionate but our government is being cold—hearted and incompetent. the british government are not here and they should be. ~ ., , ., , , should be. what should they be doinu ? should be. what should they be doing? they — should be. what should they be doing? they should _ should be. what should they be doing? they should be - should be. what should they be doing? they should be like - should be. what should they be l doing? they should be like other countries here, so if there is a family of refugees who wants to come to the uk, i want better mother and son yesterday and the sunset it was his dream to come to —— the son said

it was his dreams come to london, he can speak a bit of english. but there was one from the british government or an aid worker supported by the british government to get them here. they have this scheme online but that isn't good enough. need british aid workers here, present, physically able to help them and welcome them to help them get to the uk. so all those amazing people in our country who want to give them homes can give them homes. if they can't come to them homes. if they can't come to the uk in the first place because we are not here, they are never going to get here. i think it is a total failure by the government. i'm really alarmed. british people are being generous and compassionate and our governmentjust isn't here. i spoke to some aid workers from britain who are offering soup and nappies to the refugees, the mothers and kids as they came over the border, and they say they have been down the whole polish ukrainian border and they have not seen any

presents from the uk government supporting british aid workers. that is not good enough. the british people want our governments to be compassionate and generous, to facilitate those ukrainian people who want to come to the uk but the government out there. i am absolutely fed up of british ministers say they are doing everything they can when i know they are not, i have seen with my own eyes. are not, i have seen with my own e es. ., ., are not, i have seen with my own e es, ., ., ., ., are not, i have seen with my own e es. ., ., ., ., ., are not, i have seen with my own ees.-. .,., ., eyes. you are at one of the busiest border crossings _ eyes. you are at one of the busiest border crossings in _ eyes. you are at one of the busiest border crossings in the _ eyes. you are at one of the busiest border crossings in the area, - eyes. you are at one of the busiest border crossings in the area, what | border crossings in the area, what are the _ border crossings in the area, what are the living conditions like? i are the living conditions like? heard are the living conditions like? i heard stories from some of are the living conditions like? i heard stories from some of the aid workers, sometimes there are eight or nine kilometres of cues of ukrainians try to get over the border so extraordinary busy. i think the polish people are doing fantasticjob, lots of aid workers from many countries are here doing initial support and moving them onto humanitarian aid centres, and try to move them on on coaches and trains,

so they can go elsewhere in poland and europe. it is amazing work being done to help these ukraine refugees, thatis done to help these ukraine refugees, that is great. i'm just embarrassed that is great. i'm just embarrassed that our government isn't here and that's what i wanted to say. i'm calling a government ministers to stop giving us speed npr, pretending you're doing something. —— stop giving us spin and pr, there is no point putting something online if you are not here like other countries here. i'm so proud of people wanting to open their homes but priti patel and borisjohnson are slamming the door. it's not good enough. i’m are slamming the door. it's not good enou:h. �* , ., , enough. i'm sure that is something we can put — enough. i'm sure that is something we can put to _ enough. i'm sure that is something we can put to liz — enough. i'm sure that is something we can put to liz truss _ enough. i'm sure that is something we can put to liz truss who - enough. i'm sure that is something we can put to liz truss who is - enough. i'm sure that is something we can put to liz truss who is on i we can put to liz truss who is on our programme later on. thank you very much, ed davey. you our programme later on. thank you very much, ed davey.— our programme later on. thank you very much, ed davey. you did french is a degree. — very much, ed davey. you did french is a degree, didn't _ very much, ed davey. you did french is a degree, didn't you? _ very much, ed davey. you did french is a degree, didn't you? i _ very much, ed davey. you did french is a degree, didn't you? i looked - very much, ed davey. you did french is a degree, didn't you? i looked up i is a degree, didn't you? i looked up the horse thatjohn gave me. it

means, every man for himself. the horse that john gave me. it - means, every man for himself. are ou auoin means, every man for himself. are you going to _ means, every man for himself. site: you going to put means, every man for himself. 31; you going to put some means, every man for himself. 35:; you living to put some money on means, every man for himself. 35:; you living to put some money on it? you going to put some money on it? no, i wasjust you going to put some money on it? no, i was just rodney trotter! some south eastern parts might see some saharan dust so if you see some filthy cars, that is why. the satellite images show quite a bit of cloud. we have some clearance pushing into northern ireland and parts of scotland, to weather fronts across the uk bringing cloud and rain. here is the first round for scotland, the north of england, down to parts of wales and this other feature will introduce heavier spells of rain in south—eastern parts. temperature wise, a contrast,

chilly start in northern parts in particular stop we will get a seven to 10 celsius. under the cloud cover 13 to 14. weaving through tonight, we say goodbye to those weather fronts. heavy and showery spells of rain and blustery winds coming into scotland, chilly tonight. through tomorrow we have two things going on, we have a ridge of high pressure building across much of england and wales, the weather front which i mentioned just now will bring the rain and blustery winds into northern ireland and parts of scotland. sunny spells, the better value brightness and sunshine across parts of england and wales and in the sunshine, 13 or 14. after that, things start improving. i will keep you posted. the parents of a british woman who vanished from her boyfriend's

yacht off the us virgin islands have flown over there for the first time since her disappearance. sarm heslop, a flight attendant, was reported missing by ryan bane from his catamaran a year ago. her mother and father are desperately trying to piece together the last known movements of their daughter as graham satchell reports. the us virgin islands, often called america's paradise. but behind the stunning beauty, there is a disturbing mystery. a year ago, british flight attendant sarm heslop went missing. she was last seen leaving a restaurant with her american boyfriend, ryan bane. despite extensive searches, sarm has never been found. one year on, her parents, brenda and peter, have travelled to the islands for the first time to see for themselves where their daughter went missing. i need clarity. i needed to see the places that we've only heard of and seen in pictures. and i have had my moments, but it was easier than i thought.

because i can see what kind of place it is and why she wanted to be here. and it's really, really good to be here, where it happened, by the waters. and i can't waitjust to spend some time on the beach where she was last seen. sarm was 41 when she disappeared. she had worked as a flight attendant and travelled the world. she met ryan bane and they became partners. sarm was working on his boat. this drone footage taking in the days after sarm's disappearance shows mr bane's yacht moored just offshore. he rang the police in the early hours of march the 8th last year, to report sarm missing. but ryan bane has refused to be interviewed by the police and has refused permission for a forensic search of his boat. brenda and peter at the restaurant where sarm was last seen. they are being chaperoned by embassy staff from the british consulate in miami.

as part of their trip, sarm's parents have met local police who explained under american law, mr bane doesn't have to agree to be interviewed. they said they couldn't do anything because that is the law. and that's what we got to accept. there's nothing else to accept. they do say they are going to keep the case open, they are going to keep on pursuing answers the best they can. it's very difficult to understand. the only thing i will say is that he is notjust a person of interest, he is the person of interest. and they're aware of where he is. because he's out of these waters, out of the territory waters, he is now being tracked by fbi. and they keep them informed here of where he is. ryan bane has a previous conviction for assaulting his ex—wife in 2011.

police have now confirmed mr bane has lead person of interest in this case but it remains a missing persons inquiry and mr bane is not a suspect. in a previous statement, mr bane's lawyer told us his client met with the us coast guard, answered all questions to him and gave them unfettered access to the vessel, as well as to sarm's personal belongings including her phone and ipad. he went on, "mr bane had nothing to do with sarm's disappearance and remains heartbroken that she is missing". i will never forgive him for not looking after my little girl. i will never forgive him for not taking care of her. he was the captain of his ship. he should have been responsible for her. i'm going to try not to hate because being bitter and twisted is a terrible thing. but i will never, never ever forgive him. brenda has made a heart—shaped wreath to remember her daughter.

and so the hardest part of the trip. franks bay, where sarm was last seen a year ago. i've got to accept that she's gone into the sea and she's gone. it's always going to hurt, it's always going to be there. i can't explain the pain. sorry. my plea to bane, if he gets to see this, my plea to him is... please let us bring our daughter home. brenda and peter will organise a ceremony to celebrate sarm's life when they return home. the trip has given them some solace, but they are still no closer to understanding this mystery disappearance in paradise. graham satchell, bbc news.

it is 6:52am. the prime minister has said negotiations with iran to free the british—iranian national nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe are going "right up to the wire". ms zaghari—ratcliffe, who has been in custody in iran for six years, has just had her british passport returned to her. nazanin's mp, labour's tulip siddiq met with her husband richard following the news yesterday, she joins us now. thank you very much for being with us. i don't know how much you can tell us about your conversation with richard ratcliffe yesterday, but how is he and what more news can you give us on this case?— is he and what more news can you give us on this case? thank you, as ou can give us on this case? thank you, as you can imagine. — give us on this case? thank you, as you can imagine, richard _ give us on this case? thank you, as you can imagine, richard is - give us on this case? thank you, as you can imagine, richard is feeling| you can imagine, richard is feeling hopeful, more hopeful than he has in six years. this campaign has been very long, it feels like there is a bit of a light at the end of a very long tunnel. richard was talking about what happened 21, she received about what happened 21, she received a call over the weekend from the iranian revolutionary guard and the ministry of intelligence asking her

to come in for questioning so nazanin went in not expecting to have her british passport back. they did question her, it was quite intense and at the end, they said, here is a british passport. bear in mind she has not had a british passport since the 3rd of april 20 16, six years ago. she has served at her sentence, she also served out the extra year on top of her five year sentence. she is technically on a travel ban but the fact that the transport has been given to us makes us feel very hopeful and her husband is certainly feeling quite helpful today. the prior —— quite hopeful today. the prior -- quite hopeful toda . ~ , ., , , today. the prime minister has been auoted today. the prime minister has been quoted today _ today. the prime minister has been quoted today saying _ today. the prime minister has been quoted today saying that _ today. the prime minister has been quoted today saying that he - today. the prime minister has been quoted today saying that he was i quoted today saying that he was hopeful things were moving forward, negotiations continue to be under way. he said that things could go right out to the wire. it sounds more hopeful than it was 24 hours ago, though? more hopeful than it was 24 hours ago. though?— more hopeful than it was 24 hours ago, though? that's right, we know there is a british _

ago, though? that's right, we know there is a british negotiating - ago, though? that's right, we know there is a british negotiating team i there is a british negotiating team in iran, and it's difficult to think why they would be there if there was not some leeway in what was happening, that might be some progress made on the case. certainly richard is feeling hopeful. i was also in touch with nazanin as well who definitely sounds a bit more stressed and nervous than richard does, but at the same time is talking about coming home, being reunited with her husband and daughter and being back at home in west hampstead and saying that this is the day she has been dreaming about for six years now.— is the day she has been dreaming about for six years now. when we have covered _ about for six years now. when we have covered the _ about for six years now. when we have covered the story _ about for six years now. when we have covered the story in - about for six years now. when we have covered the story in the - about for six years now. when we l have covered the story in the past, many of our viewers will be aware that a lot of this is linked back to a tank dealfrom that a lot of this is linked back to a tank deal from the 19705. as the labour party, if there is to be some sort of financial resolution with regards to that, to organise her release, would you support that? there has been a lot of talk about this historic debt, it dates back to the 19705. some people are quite mistaken when they say it is a

ransom. it's not a ransom, it's a debt that we as a country owe iran. we took the court case through the international tribunal is, international tribunal is, international law rules that we as a country owe iran and the money. in a senseif country owe iran and the money. in a sense if you are asking me if we should pay someone money back when we owe it to them, yes, as a labour party, we think we should be paying money back that we as a country owe iran. i think it's the right thing to do. but i would say there is a question under discussion that we need to have about oratory dissension which iran has been —— detention which iran has been going through, and hostagetaking which they have been doing. but if it is a debt that rio iran and it has been ruled in international law, that rio iran the money, we should trade —— rio iran date money. richard

radcliffe has always maintained that she is an innocent woman caught in this debt between the two countries. this is an innocent mother, who should be allowed to return home because she has not done anything wrong and she has waited six years of her life in prison and has a rest. �* ., , ., ., of her life in prison and has a rest. �* ., i. ., , rest. before we let you go this morning. _ rest. before we let you go this morning. i _ rest. before we let you go this morning, i wanted _ rest. before we let you go this morning, i wanted to - rest. before we let you go this morning, i wanted to ask- rest. before we let you go this morning, i wanted to ask you | rest. before we let you go this - morning, i wanted to ask you about the refugee scheme regarding ukrainians at the moment. more than 122,000 people signing up in the uk. the labour party have criticised the government does make handling of the situation. how would the labour party done things differently? brute party done things differently? we would party done things differently? - would have reduced the amount of bureaucracy involved in trying to come into the country. the truth is, dan, i think britain has been a safe haven for people fleeing conflict for so long, we should make it easierfor people who for so long, we should make it easier for people who wants to come to this country. i have been dealing

with casework with people whether bureaucracy is so intense, people cannot fill out 50 pages of forms before wanting to come here. it also asks for documentation. a lot of people fleeing their home don't have the passport or a lot of documentation with them. we should make the process easier, that is what the labour party has been saying. we have also said we would take assistance from the mod and set “p take assistance from the mod and set up emergency centres to help refugees. the amount of casework i have been dealing with, i actually had to constituents stuck in ukraine who were local residents. they talked about the difficulties of having appointments cancelled and filling in forms. a mother managed to get an appointment for a visa but then she was told she could not bring her seven year old son with her but he needed a different appointment. these are the glitches in the system that need to be ironed

out. we knew this was coming, we should have been better prepared. as a country we have got to welcome people who are fleeing war completely unprovoked and unjustified. brute completely unprovoked and unjustified.— completely unprovoked and un'ustified. ~ , ., unjustified. we will put some of those points _ unjustified. we will put some of those points to _ unjustified. we will put some of those points to liz _ unjustified. we will put some of those points to liz truss - unjustified. we will put some of those points to liz truss the - those points to liz truss the foreign secretary when she is on the programme in half an hour. good to talk to you. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. the metropolitan police has apologised to a black schoolgirl who was strip—searched by two officers after being wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. the search, which has been described as traumatic, took place at the girl's secondary school in hackney in 2020. there was no other adult present. a safeguarding report found it was unjustified and that racism was likely to have been a factor. scotland yard says the officers' actions were regrettable.

two years on since the first lockdown and london's a&e departments remain under pressure. whipps cross emergency department is seeing around 300 patients a day. it's set up an ambulance recieving centre to speed up waiting times. and you can see how that works on our programme this evening at 6.30. the met police has become the first force to develop and use new technology to find blood stains on dark clothing. this infra—red camera can detect even the tiniest particles in just a few minutes. it's hoped it will speed up evidence gathering in violent crime cases. homeless people are benefiting from items that have been left on london's trains. things like coats, shoes, and mobile phones are stored in lost property for three months. if they're not claimed, many items are given to charity. as well as the personal hygiene and warmth thing,

it brings the level of self—esteem up. they're gratefully received and they go a long, long way to improving the value of somebody�*s life. so yeah, thank you very much to people that lose the items and thanks to govia thameslink for donating them. let's take a look at what's happening on the tubes. there's a part suspension on the district line and there are minor delays on victoria lines the weather now with kate kinsella. good morning. there is a bit of mist out there this morning and it could be quite slow to lift. the wind is not very strong at all. there's more cloud or thicker cloud around compared to yesterday, some showers this morning, and then a band of heavy, more persistent rain as we head through the afternoon. there is a small chance within the heavier bursts of a rumble or two of thunder. temperatures at 14 celsius today. 0vernight tonight, that rain will gradually start to clear away. it's actually a cold front so behind it the sky clears, the temperature drops. there's a chance of a little bit of ground frost the further west you are. minimum between one and four celsius.

high pressure starts to build as we head through thursday and that high pressure squeezes everything out of the way, so fine, dry and settled through thursday. temperatures tomorrow getting up to around 14 celsius. it is going to be quite chilly at night times with all this high pressure around. temperatures dropping close to zero, again the risk of a ground frost. through friday, we're hanging on to the high pressure and it lasts right the way through the weekend as well. so plenty of fine, dry, settled weather with lots of sunshine, night—time temperatures still chilly. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london in half an hour. bye for now. good morning welcome to breakfast with dan walker and sally nugent. 0ur headlines today. ukraine's president zelensky speaks optimistically about ongoing peace talks with russia.

translation: the positions in the negotiations _ sound more realistic. however, there still needs to be more time for decisions to be in ukraine's interests. smoke billowing across the capital this morning, 12 hours into 35—hour curfew in kyiv — the city's mayor warns it's a "difficult and dangerous moment". more than 20,000 refugees escape the besieged port of mariupol — but there are reports that more than 400 people are being held hostage in the city's hospital. hopes are raised that british—iranian detainee nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe could be freed. borisjohnson says negotiations are "going right up to the wire" after she had her uk passport returned to her. another trophy—less season for one of the world's biggest clubs. manchester united knocked out of the champions league — the challenge facing the club and their star players laid bare.

grey and their star players laid bare. and misty and mur but grey and misty and murky for many but some brightness out there and more to come in the next couple of days. i will be back with the details. it's wednesday, 16th of march. the ukrainian president says peace talks with russia are looking more optimistic. in a video address, he said discussions were beginning to "sound more realistic" but warned that victory over russia would require the work of all ukrainian citizens and that a breakthrough would take time. air sirens have sounded out across several cities this morning as ukraine wakes up to another day of the invasion. jon kay reports. "get out," she screams. "we didn't invite you here. an elderly woman confronts russian soldiers on the streets of ukraine. it is now three weeks since the invasion and every day

—— this morning more shelling on the streets of kyiv. the streets are deserted. a35 hour curfew is under way. people are told to shelter. the mayor said it will be a dangerous and difficult moment. but do these offer hope? negotiators from both sides are still talking. last night, one ukrainian diplomat said there was room for compromise. and the country's president was also more positive. volodymyr zelensky said the situation remained difficult, but the positions of the two sides were now sounding more realistic. he said time was needed to reach a breakthrough. but these people are not hanging around for a peace deal. last night, 20,000 of them finally managed to escape from the besieged port of mariupol. the city they have left behind is still being pounded day after day. and the deputy mayor claims russian

troops are holding 400 people like hostages inside a hospital, including doctors and patients. ukraine's prime minister claims his country has already suffered £400 billion of damage. he said when the war is over, russia must pay. once again this morning, sirens have been heard in towns and cities across ukraine. another day of clearing up. another day of wondering when and how this will end. jon kay, bbc news. let's speak now to our correspondent in moscow, jenny hill. the ukrainian president says the talks are looking more positive, is that opinion shared in moscow?

the kremlin spokesman said yesterday it would be premature to make predictions about the outcome of talks but the kremlin has sounded reasonably optimistic in recent days. i think it is fair to assume moscow would be thrilled if ukraine followed through on what we are getting a hint of from president zelensky and made a commitment never tojoin nato. that is one zelensky and made a commitment never to join nato. that is one of the aims moscow house. is it enough to stop vladimir putin? hard to say. we know the kremlin also really wants ukraine to hand over chunks of territory. bring them under russian control. that at the moment is considered unacceptable as a demand by ukraine so it is hard to see how much progress can be made, although any positive sign is welcome, the fact both sides are still talking is very much welcome. we should be in no doubt vladimir putin probably

needs to bring this war, not that he calls it that, to an end. russian soldiers are dying and coming home wounded. he needs to be able to present this to his people as a victory, to tell them he has won this war. he needs some significant victory here and whether it is persuading ukraine to give territory, really it is a question of how far territory, really it is a question of how faeradimir territory, really it is a question of how far vladimir putin wants to go and the ultimate question is one we cannot answer because none of us know what vladimir putin's game is. jenny hill, thank you. borisjohnson has defended his attempts to forge closer ties with saudi arabia as the west moves to reduce its reliance on russian energy. the prime minister was speaking on his arrival in the united arab emirates , ahead of meetings with key middle eastern leaders. we'rejoined now by our chief political correspondent adam fleming. these are important talks, particularly in the current climate.

it is interesting. the government rhetoric about what the prime minister is there to do has shifted. initially it was about getting countries to pump more oil to make up countries to pump more oil to make up for oil not bought from russia as a result of sanctions and conflict in ukraine and to get the global oil price down to help the economy. the fact is these countries he is visiting, uae, saudi arabia, are part of 0pec, that has its own long—term policies on how much oil to produce. i think this trip will be more about how much investment the uk can get from the gulf and already there are large deals being announced as a result. the prime minister is having to defend going there because saudi arabia held a mass execution of 81 people at the weekend. a lot of mps have concerns about human rights records in both those countries. the labour leader keir starmer said it is an example of borisjohnson going cap in hand

from one dictator, vladimir putin, to another, the leader of saudi arabia. the prime minister has given an update about what is happening to the british captive nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe who has been held by the iranians since 2016. the prime minister has confirmed there are negotiations to secure her release and those have been going on for a while. there is nothing new happening there but he said they are moving forward, which suggests they are making progress, and he said they would keep talking down to the wire, which to me suggests maybe there is an end point in sight. and if nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe got released while the prime minister was in the region, that would be a big diplomatic win for him. quite a bit to ask the _ big diplomatic win for him. quite a bit to ask the foreign _ big diplomatic win for him. quite a bit to ask the foreign secretary i bit to ask the foreign secretary about in about 20 minutes. as we've been hearing this morning, loud explosions have been heard in western areas of the ukrainian capital kyiv, where residents are under a 35—hour curfew.

we're joined now by the former adviser to the ukrainian president, igor novikov, who is in the capitol. good morning. we are reporting of sounds of explosions in the city. what is the situation like right now? , ., ., ., what is the situation like right now? ., .,, ., now? good morning. it was a difficult night. _ now? good morning. it was a difficult night. heavy - now? good morning. it was a difficult night. heavy fighting| difficult night. heavy fighting happening to the north—west of kyiv, but we have reason for optimism because there could be a ukrainian counteroffensive that everyone has been talking about. every night, we play what we call russian roulette. russia launches cruise missiles at residential buildings and you do not know where they will land. and they have changed which part they hit. no change in military infrastructure. this is not an operation, this is a war. ~ , y ., . .,

this is not an operation, this is a war. , . , war. why did you decide to stay, why is it important _ war. why did you decide to stay, why is it important to _ war. why did you decide to stay, why is it important to be _ war. why did you decide to stay, why is it important to be there? - war. why did you decide to stay, why is it important to be there? what - war. why did you decide to stay, why is it important to be there? what we | is it important to be there? what we exerience is it important to be there? what we experience now. _ is it important to be there? what we experience now, nothing _ is it important to be there? what we experience now, nothing can - is it important to be there? what we | experience now, nothing can prepare you for it but it is reminiscent of what britain went through in the 19405. this is our home. there is nowhere else to run. we can leave, but the conflict spills over to eastern europe. 0ne but the conflict spills over to eastern europe. one reason we are in this situation is because our neighbour to the north, belarus, lost its fight. we are being attacked from their territory. brute attacked from their territory. we have heard you are under a long curfew. what is that light, living under a 35 hour curfew? brute curfew. what is that light, living under a 35 hour curfew?- curfew. what is that light, living under a 35 hour curfew? we got used to it. it under a 35 hour curfew? we got used to it- it was — under a 35 hour curfew? we got used to it. it was difficult _ under a 35 hour curfew? we got used to it. it was difficult to _ under a 35 hour curfew? we got used to it. it was difficult to start - to it. it was difficult to start with. the first couple of days of war are challenging. nothing can prepare you for a conflict like this. 23rd of february was life as

normal and the 24th, like the worst of world war ii happening all over the place. it was challenging to get daily lives going but we have got used to it and we have supplies. we know what is happening. it is a question of when the siren sounds and you run for the shelter. we are under an air and you run for the shelter. we are underan air raid and you run for the shelter. we are under an air raid at the moment. you were an adviser— under an air raid at the moment. you were an adviser to president zelensky. tell us about his leadership technique and how you think he is handling this? i usually describe him _ think he is handling this? i usually describe him as _ think he is handling this? i usually describe him as a _ think he is handling this? i usually describe him as a human - think he is handling this? i usually describe him as a human being i describe him as a human being amongst politicians. he has no tolerance of bureaucracy. because of his show business background he feels the people and what they want and where they stand on issues. he is probably the best collective portrait of the ukrainian people and we are lucky to have someone like that run the country at a time like

this. he that run the country at a time like this. . that run the country at a time like this. , ., , this. he is under the most unbelievable _ this. he is under the most unbelievable pressure. i this. he is under the most i unbelievable pressure. how this. he is under the most - unbelievable pressure. how do you think he is handling that? he is handfina think he is handling that? he is handling it _ think he is handling that? he is handling it incredibly _ think he is handling that? he is handling it incredibly well. - think he is handling that? he: 3 handling it incredibly well. we think he is handling that? he 3 handling it incredibly well. we know the story. but there are plenty more stories. when the initialfighting in kyiv happened, he was supposed to be evacuated out of downtown kyiv and he said no and when security said look, russian specialforces might land helicopters just outside the building, he said i will pick up a gun and go and fight. i do the building, he said i will pick up a gun and go and fight.— the building, he said i will pick up a gun and go and fight. i do have to ask ou a gun and go and fight. i do have to ask you about _ a gun and go and fight. i do have to ask you about the _ a gun and go and fight. i do have to ask you about the top _ a gun and go and fight. i do have to ask you about the top you - a gun and go and fight. i do have to ask you about the top you are - ask you about the top you are wearing. i might be wrong. if. it ask you about the top you are wearing. i might be wrong. is it a blackburn rovers _ wearing. i might be wrong. is it a blackburn rovers top? _ wearing. i might be wrong. is it a blackburn rovers top? yes. - wearing. i might be wrong. is it a blackburn rovers top? yes. i - wearing. i might be wrong. is it a i blackburn rovers top? yes. i spent ten years in britain and went to school in rutland. no particular reason i support blackburn rovers.

great to talk to you. thank you. powerful images of the conflict in ukraine have dominated the media since the russian invasion began three weeks ago. one of the most horrific images of a family of four who were killed by russian artillery fire as they tried to cross a bridge in kyiv was shared by the new york times. the photographer behind the image was photojournalist lynsey addario — who witnessed the attack. shejoins us now. good morning, thank you for talking to us. you have been here before talking about pictures you have taken and here you are again in the middle of a war zone. we are not going to show the image we have been speaking about because it is very upsetting. if you could talk to us about the circumstances of that day and what you saw.— and what you saw. sure, i went out that morning _ and what you saw. sure, i went out that morning to _ and what you saw. sure, i went out that morning to photograph - and what you saw. sure, i went out that morning to photograph the - and what you saw. sure, i went outj that morning to photograph the toll of the war on civilians, looking for

emotion, stress, trauma of having this near your home. i went to the bridge. it felt very tense that day. shortly after arriving there were incoming mortar rounds, which gradually got closer. and a round landed between me and the family. there was a lot of dust and chaos as there always is after an attack. it was not until about five minutes later i walked over and realised it was a family. i saw the body of a child. it took a few minutes to connect what had happened. instinctively i knew i had to photograph, because this was a war crime. civilians were intentionally targeted. as a mother of two, it was very difficult. targeted. as a mother of two, it was very difficult-— very difficult. there are other amazin: very difficult. there are other amazing images _ very difficult. there are other amazing images which - very difficult. there are other amazing images which we - very difficult. there are other| amazing images which we can very difficult. there are other-

amazing images which we can show. i will put them up on the screen and i am not sure you can see them but you can describe them to us. we have somebody being carried on a stretcher. i do not know if you can remember that shot. five men carrying i think a woman on the stretcher. . . carrying i think a woman on the stretcher-— carrying i think a woman on the stretcher. ., , ., , ., 3, stretcher. that is an elderly woman. that was at — stretcher. that is an elderly woman. that was at the _ stretcher. that is an elderly woman. that was at the bridge _ stretcher. that is an elderly woman. that was at the bridge two - stretcher. that is an elderly woman. that was at the bridge two days - that was at the bridge two days later. the following day, civilians continued to flee out of the suburb of kyiv. i and my colleague were too scared to go back to that location. it took two days to muster the courage to go back because millions were still fleeing. so we went back and the longer we waited to go back, the more dramatic the scenes. these were the people who could not flee. they were elderly, sick, people who thought they would die in their homes. at some point in the final

days when the last remaining civilians were there, they had to come out and they had to come out assisted. . . assisted. the next picture we will show is the _ assisted. the next picture we will show is the striking _ assisted. the next picture we will show is the striking image - assisted. the next picture we will show is the striking image of - show is the striking image of children waving. a train window, a teddy bear. the children waving. a train window, a teddy bear-— children waving. a train window, a tedd bear. . . ., ,. , teddy bear. the excruciating scenes of arents teddy bear. the excruciating scenes of parents saying — teddy bear. the excruciating scenes of parents saying goodbye - teddy bear. the excruciating scenes of parents saying goodbye to - of parents saying goodbye to children. seeing a lot of men putting wives and children on trains. everyone scrambling to get west of kyiv. everyone wants to leave the city and the area and head west to lviv all poland. a lot of scenes of separation and families and children saying goodbye to fathers. i and children saying goodbye to fathers. .. . and children saying goodbye to fathers. ~' ., ., fathers. i think we have time to look at one _ fathers. i think we have time to look at one more. _ fathers. i think we have time to look at one more. there - fathers. i think we have time to look at one more. there is - fathers. i think we have time to look at one more. there is a i fathers. i think we have time to - look at one more. there is a picture of four women carrying weapons and another woman carrying a gun and looking distress.— another woman carrying a gun and looking distress. what is the story? this was the — looking distress. what is the story? this was the third _ looking distress. what is the story? this was the third day _ looking distress. what is the story? this was the third day of _ looking distress. what is the story? this was the third day of the - looking distress. what is the story? this was the third day of the war. i

this was the third day of the war. there was a mass mobilisation of civilians and people came out to give their lives and fight russians because no one wants to give up their freedom, because no one wants to give up theirfreedom, that because no one wants to give up their freedom, that is the real story. i went and it is hard to get access to bases. we finally were able to and jumped in the van and the woman in the centre was weeping because she is a teacher. she was crying for her country and fear for what would happen to her country and to herself. i what would happen to her country and to herself. ,, ., what would happen to her country and to herself. ~ ., , ., what would happen to her country and to herself. ,, ., , ., . what would happen to her country and to herself. ~ ., i. ., _, to herself. i know you have covered conflict all over _ to herself. i know you have covered conflict all over the _ to herself. i know you have covered conflict all over the world _ to herself. i know you have covered conflict all over the world and - to herself. i know you have covered conflict all over the world and you i conflict all over the world and you have seen some awful things. you talk about your experience in the past days, being upset and not wanting to go back to particular areas. how are you feeling and what is the situation like? i am exhausted _ is the situation like? i am exhausted physically. - is the situation like? i am | exhausted physically. and emotionally. i try to stay focused in these places. it is important not... to make sure i continue to do

my work, continue to listen to my instincts, stay safe, not go out of my comfort zone, and that is the best i can do. my comfort zone, and that is the best i can do— my comfort zone, and that is the best i can do. thank you for “oining us. as we best i can do. thank you for “oining as we say i best i can do. thank you for “oining us. as we say to i best i can do. thank you for “oining us. as we say to everyone _ best i can do. thank you forjoining us. as we say to everyone we - best i can do. thank you forjoining| us. as we say to everyone we speak to involved in the conflict, stay safe and thank you for sharing photographs this morning. after six years of being detained in iran, there are hopes that the british—iranian charity worker nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe could soon be released. ms zaghari—ratcliffe is still confined to her parents' home in the capital tehran, but her lawyer has told iran's state news agency that she may be allowed to leave the country soon. we're joined now by nazanin's sister in law, rebecca ratcliffe. we have spoken to her mp and seen quotes from the prime minister talking about ongoing negotiations. what do you know? not a huge amount. we know that, on sunday, she was

summoned to her captors. and given her passport back, her british and iranian passport. we know there is a delegation from the uk over there to talk to iranians officials and hopefully negotiate. it seems like a positive step. and hopefully coming close to an end. we just do not know how far it has gone. close to an end. we 'ust do not know how far it has gone._ how far it has gone. when we spoke to her mp she _ how far it has gone. when we spoke to her mp she said _ how far it has gone. when we spoke to her mp she said she _ how far it has gone. when we spoke to her mp she said she had - how far it has gone. when we spoke to her mp she said she had spoken i how far it has gone. when we spoke i to her mp she said she had spoken to nazanin. what do you know about how she is at the moment? i nazanin. what do you know about how she is at the moment?— she is at the moment? i have not soken she is at the moment? i have not spoken to — she is at the moment? i have not spoken to nazanin _ she is at the moment? i have not spoken to nazanin directly. - she is at the moment? i have not spoken to nazanin directly. i- she is at the moment? i have not| spoken to nazanin directly. i have sent texts. my brother is in regular contact, multiple times a day. with nazanin, since her capture and effectively six years now. she is

very emotional. when something like this happens in developments happen, whether good or bad, they driver into a state of high anxiety. since sunday, neither nazanin and her parents can settle. a lot of twitching going on in that flat. high tension and waiting to see what happens. high tension and waiting to see what ha ens. ., , , ~' happens. even though it seems like ositive happens. even though it seems like positive news. _ happens. even though it seems like positive news, there _ happens. even though it seems like positive news, there must - happens. even though it seems like positive news, there must be - happens. even though it seems like positive news, there must be a - happens. even though it seems like | positive news, there must be a huge degree of uncertainty about the fact she has her passport back. iloathed degree of uncertainty about the fact she has her passport back. what does that mean? absolutely. _ she has her passport back. what does that mean? absolutely. when - that mean? absolutely. when gabriella, her daughter, got her passport back, she came back quickly. with nazanin, we do not know. it might end quickly. the iranians have a tradition of releasing prisoners at this time. it might be over in a week or two, but it might be a stunt from the iranians. we have had this before with many ups, told she is about to be released. there is an element of

false hope. i think nazanin and her parents are finding it hard to get too excited. parents are finding it hard to get too excited-— parents are finding it hard to get too excited. ., , ., ., , too excited. you must have had these moments when _ too excited. you must have had these moments when you _ too excited. you must have had these moments when you think, _ too excited. you must have had these moments when you think, will - too excited. you must have had these moments when you think, will this i too excited. you must have had these moments when you think, will this be| moments when you think, will this be the day, the week she is released? and trying to keep it on an even keel even though you know that is negotiating team. the prime minister is speaking about it this morning. it seems potentially a good day ahead and yet you are trying to keep ahead and yet you are trying to keep a lid on things in case it is another disappointment. a lid on things in case it is another disa ointment. ., , another disappointment. your viewers mi . ht another disappointment. your viewers might remember— another disappointment. your viewers might remember 2017-18 _ another disappointment. your viewers might remember 2017-18 when - another disappointment. your viewers might remember 2017-18 when the i might remember 2017—18 when the prime minister was foreign secretary he went to iran to secure her release and we had phone calls from the british embassy suggesting she might be released. that was four and a half years ago and she was not released. we have been here before and it is difficult to get carried away with this. but she might be on away with this. but she might be on a plane in the next 48 hours. we do not know. it could be exciting for our family this week. haifa

not know. it could be exciting for our family this week.— not know. it could be exciting for our family this week. how much do our family this week. how much do ou know our family this week. how much do you know about _ our family this week. how much do you know about diplomatic - our family this week. how much do you know about diplomatic effortsi you know about diplomatic efforts behind—the—scenes? itrier? you know about diplomatic efforts behind-the-scenes?_ you know about diplomatic efforts behind-the-scenes? very little. the forei . n behind-the-scenes? very little. the foreign office _ behind-the-scenes? very little. the foreign office are _ behind-the-scenes? very little. the foreign office are guarded - behind-the-scenes? very little. the foreign office are guarded about. foreign office are guarded about what they tell the family and richard. they are sounding broadly optimistic but not as optimistic as the iranian media now. it is difficult to know what is going on exactly. difficult to know what is going on exactl . ~ ., , , ~ exactly. her mp was telling us... a lot of people _ exactly. her mp was telling us... a lot of people will _ exactly. her mp was telling us... a lot of people will know _ exactly. her mp was telling us... a lot of people will know about - exactly. her mp was telling us... a lot of people will know about the i lot of people will know about the historic issues dating back to the 19705, about tanks and a deal between iran and the uk and a debt that was not paid. it seems that might be tied in with her release. tulip siddiq was saying if there is a debt may be it should be paid and that could push things over the line. it that could push things over the line. . . that could push things over the line. , ., , ., , ., line. it is an historical debt that toes line. it is an historical debt that goes back _ line. it is an historical debt that goes back many _ line. it is an historical debt that goes back many decades - line. it is an historical debt that goes back many decades and i line. it is an historical debt that i goes back many decades and since 2008, an international court found in favour of us paying back and we have resisted paying back for

various reasons. since 2013, iranians have started to retaliate taking prisoners. they have told nazanin all the time she has taken for the debt and until it is paid she is unlikely to be released. it would be a massive step for our family and otherfamilies would be a massive step for our family and other families of detained british nationals that this is paid. trust cannot be built until we repay the debt. brute is paid. trust cannot be built until we repay the debt.— is paid. trust cannot be built until we repay the debt. we hope you get ositive we repay the debt. we hope you get positive news- _ we repay the debt. we hope you get positive news. thank _ we repay the debt. we hope you get positive news. thank you _ we repay the debt. we hope you get positive news. thank you for - positive news. thank you for spending time with us. the sister—in—law to nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who yesterday got her passport back. and we have the foreign secretary on the programme. we will ask her what the programme. we will ask her what the latest is on that. but now the weather. we have a change over the coming days, feeling more like spring. some sunshine. not quite there. we have rain pushing south across scotland,

midlands, and this other weather fronts that will reach the south—east. that will introduce heavier rain. best places for sunshine today, northern ireland, scotland, parts of northern england eventually. sunny spells across western fringes of wales and the south—west. temperatures ranging from 7—14, depending on where you are. this evening we say goodbye to the weather fronts. we have an area of high pressure. this waiting in the wings will introduce strengthening wind and spells of rain in northern ireland in western scotland at first. a low of —1 and we could see murky conditions tomorrow morning but brightening up towards the end of the week and weekend. that is how it is looking. we have the foreign secretary on the way. time to get the news where you are.

good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. the metropolitan police has apologised to a black schoolgirl who was strip—searched by two officers after being wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. the search which has been described as �*traumatic�* took place at the girl's secondary school in hackney in 2020. there was no other adult present. a safeguarding report found it was unjustified and that racism was �*likely�* to have been a factor. scotland yard says the officers' actions were �*regrettable.’ two years on since the first coronovirus lockdown and london's a&e departments remain under pressure. whipps cross emergency department is seeing around 300 patients a day. it's set up an ambulance receiving centre to speed up waiting times. and you can see how that works on our programme this evening at 6.30. the met police has become the first force to develop and use

new technology to find blood stains on dark clothing. this infra—red camera can detect even the tiniest particles in just a few minutes. it's hoped it will speed up evidence gathering in violent crime cases. homeless people are benefitting from items that have been left on london's trains. things like coats, shoes, and mobile phones are stored in lost property for three months. if they're not claimed, many items are given to charity. as well as the personal hygiene and warmth thing, it brings the level of self—esteem up. they're gratefully received and they go a long, long way to improving the value of somebody�*s life. so yeah, thank you very much to people that lose the items and thanks to govia thameslink for donating them. let's take a look at what's happening on the tubes. there are severe delays on the district line, minor delays on the metropolitan line, that ongoing part closure of the northern line and minor delays on the victoria line.

0nto the weather now with kate kinsella. good morning. there is a bit of mist out there this morning and it could be quite slow to lift. the wind is not very strong at all. there's more cloud or thicker cloud around compared to yesterday, some showers this morning, and then a band of heavy, more persistent rain as we head through the afternoon. there is a small chance within the heavier bursts of a rumble or two of thunder. temperatures at 14 celsius today. 0vernight tonight, that rain will gradually start to clear away. it's actually a cold front so behind it the sky clears, the temperature drops. there's a chance of a little bit of ground frost the further west you are. minimum between one and four celsius. high pressure starts to build as we head through thursday and that high pressure squeezes everything out of the way, so fine, dry and settled through thursday. temperatures tomorrow getting up to around 14 celsius. it is going to be quite chilly at night times with all this high pressure around. temperatures dropping close to zero, again the risk of a ground frost. through friday, we're hanging on to the high pressure and it lasts right the way through the weekend as well.

so plenty of fine, dry, settled weather with lots of sunshine, night—time temperatures still chilly. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london in an hour. now though it's back to sally and dan. hello, this is breakfast with dan walker and sally nugent. in the last hour the prime minister has said talks with iran over releasing british—iranian nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe were "moving forward" but that he could not say more as "negotiations continue to be under way". we'rejoined now by the foreign secretary, liz truss. good morning. ijust want to know what you can share with us, the very latest information you have. the situation that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe is in today, what do you know? we

zaghari-ratcliffe is in today, what do you know?— zaghari-ratcliffe is in today, what do you know? we are working very hard to secure _ do you know? we are working very hard to secure the _ do you know? we are working very hard to secure the release - do you know? we are working very hard to secure the release of- hard to secure the release of nazanin from detention in iran, i cannot say any more at this stage. it has been an absolute priority, they have been through an appalling ordeal and want to secure their release as much as soon as possible. we have heard this morning that negotiations are on a knife edge, i appreciate that you are in a difficult situation and you not able to say a lot, but do you feel that she now has her passport back is a sign to feel optimistic? the; i she now has her passport back is a sign to feel optimistic?— sign to feel optimistic? as i have said, i sign to feel optimistic? as i have said. i really _ sign to feel optimistic? as i have said, i really can't _ sign to feel optimistic? as i have said, i really can't say _ sign to feel optimistic? as i have said, i really can't say any - sign to feel optimistic? as i have said, i really can't say any morel sign to feel optimistic? as i have i said, i really can't say any more at this stage. we are very clear that it is a huge priority for the government to secure the release of these detainees, including nazanin, from iran, and also been very clear that the debts that rio iran is

legitimate and we are —— that we owe iran is legitimate. i have been meeting with my counterpart in iran since i have been foreign secretary. can the uk and over that money if the sanctions in place? how will that work with one of our closest allies? i that work with one of our closest allies? . . . that work with one of our closest allies? ., ., ., .., �* that work with one of our closest allies? ., ., ., �* ., ., allies? i am afraid i can't go into any details _ allies? i am afraid i can't go into any details but _ allies? i am afraid i can't go into any details but i _ allies? i am afraid i can't go into any details but i have _ allies? i am afraid i can't go into any details but i have been - allies? i am afraid i can't go into any details but i have been clear that it any details but i have been clear thatitis any details but i have been clear that it is a legitimate debt that we owe iran and we are looking at ways to pay the debt. owe iran and we are looking at ways to pay the debt-— to pay the debt. let's move on, i know you — to pay the debt. let's move on, i know you are _ to pay the debt. let's move on, i know you are not _ to pay the debt. let's move on, i know you are not going - to pay the debt. let's move on, i know you are not going to - to pay the debt. let's move on, i i know you are not going to elaborate this morning. the prime minister is in the united united arab emirates for talks of energy, it is he swapping one dictator for another? that is what labour have accused him of. ~ .

that is what labour have accused him of. . ., ., , ~' ., , of. what we have seen in ukraine is a- allinu. of. what we have seen in ukraine is appalling- the _ of. what we have seen in ukraine is appalling. the invasion _ of. what we have seen in ukraine is appalling. the invasion of— of. what we have seen in ukraine is appalling. the invasion of a - appalling. the invasion of a sovereign country by its bullying neighbour, we have seen the appalling scenes, the use of terrible opinions and a pulling force against a country that just to self—determination and to live in a free democracy. putin in what he has done has shattered european security and shattered our notions of how safe we are in europe, and also pose a threat to global security. it's absolutely right that we look at alternative sources of oil and gas. 0ne alternative sources of oil and gas. one of the ways that putin finds his war machine is through oil and gas revenues. i'm not saying that we agree with every single policy of saudi arabia or the united arab emirates, but they do not pose a threat to global security in the way that vladimir putin does, and we need to look at alternative sources of oil and gas as well as more

nuclear, more renewable, to get europe of this dependency. the prime minister is absolutely right to be in the gulf having those discussions. we also need to bring more countries into the circle of influence of the united kingdom and our allies and pull countries away from dependence on russia. 0ne our allies and pull countries away from dependence on russia. one of the successes in the campaign so far as we have isolated russia in the international community. 141 countries voted against russia in the un and we need to keep this country is on board and work with them. 81 country is on board and work with them. j~' , .,, . them. 81 people were executed in saudi arabia _ them. 81 people were executed in saudi arabia just _ them. 81 people were executed in saudi arabia just a _ them. 81 people were executed in saudi arabia just a few— them. 81 people were executed in saudi arabia just a few days - them. 81 people were executed in saudi arabia just a few days ago. | them. 81 people were executed in. saudi arabia just a few days ago. is that a regime we should even be negotiating with? i that a regime we should even be negotiating with?— that a regime we should even be negotiating with? i don't condone the policies _ negotiating with? i don't condone the policies of _ negotiating with? i don't condone the policies of saudi _ negotiating with? i don't condone the policies of saudi arabia - negotiating with? i don't condone the policies of saudi arabia but i negotiating with? i don't condone | the policies of saudi arabia but we have to be clear that we are facing a serious threat, notjust to european but to global security, in vladimir putin and his appalling

behaviour. if we don't make sure that vladimir putin loses in ukraine, the likelihood is we will want to go further. we have to stop him at all costs. —— the likelihood is he will want to go further. we don't necessarily agree with our partners on everything but it is so important we need to stop vladimir putin. ~ , ., important we need to stop vladimir putin. ~ i. _ .,, important we need to stop vladimir putin. ~ i. .,, ., , putin. when you say he has to be sto ed putin. when you say he has to be stopped at _ putin. when you say he has to be stopped at all _ putin. when you say he has to be stopped at all costs, _ putin. when you say he has to be stopped at all costs, what - putin. when you say he has to be stopped at all costs, what you i putin. when you say he has to be - stopped at all costs, what you mean? we have to do everything we can within our powers to sanction the russian regime. we havejust put 1000 sanctions on individuals and entities, we have to do everything in our power to help you defend themselves. that is why we are sending anti—tank missiles, we are leading in this area, we have to be tough now. we have to work with

countries around the world, some of whom we will not agree with, on many issues, but what we agree with them on is that we cannot see russia simply ride over the sovereignty of another nation and conduct the appalling innovation that we have seen and the terrible use of destructive weapons —— the appalling invasion. brute destructive weapons -- the appalling invasion. ~ ., , 3, ~ destructive weapons -- the appalling invasion. ~ ., , ., ~ ., invasion. we have been talking about the situation — invasion. we have been talking about the situation in _ invasion. we have been talking about the situation in kyiv, _ invasion. we have been talking about the situation in kyiv, it _ invasion. we have been talking about the situation in kyiv, it looks - the situation in kyiv, it looks increasingly concerning, they are in a 34 hour curfew, because there has been a shift in curfew —— a 35 hour curfew. what do you expect to happen in the city in the next 24 hours? the situation is very, very difficult in kyiv. we are doing what we can working with international agencies to supply food and the plight —— supplies into the city,

doing what we can to support the ukrainians in their defence of kyiv. i can't make predictions about the future. we do know that putin's plans are not going according to plan, he's not making the progress he hoped so he is resorting to more and more extreme techniques and weaponry. the role the uk is playing is supplying the defensive weapons, supplying the humanitarian aid and doing all we can to stop funding putin's war machine. [30 doing all we can to stop funding putin's war machine.— putin's war machine. do you anticipate — putin's war machine. do you anticipate that _ putin's war machine. do you anticipate that the _ putin's war machine. do you anticipate that the capital i putin's war machine. do you i anticipate that the capital will eventually fall?— anticipate that the capital will eventuall fall? ., , ., eventually fall? that is a question we genuinely _ eventually fall? that is a question we genuinely can't _ eventually fall? that is a question we genuinely can't answer. - eventually fall? that is a question we genuinely can't answer. none| eventually fall? that is a question i we genuinely can't answer. none of us can predict the future. i don't think, including vladimir putin, anyone predicted that this planned invasion would go quite so badly for russia as it has. so we can't make predictions about the future of

kyiv. all we can do is give all the possible help we can to the ukrainian government, president zelensky has shown incredible bravery, we saw him in parliament last week, he is a truly inspiring figure. what we want to do is provide him all the support we can do. he provide him all the support we can do. . . provide him all the support we can do. ., , , , , ., ~ provide him all the support we can do. .,, , ,, ., «3 ., ., do. he has been speaking to northern euroean do. he has been speaking to northern european leaders. _ do. he has been speaking to northern european leaders. the _ do. he has been speaking to northern european leaders. the front - do. he has been speaking to northern european leaders. the front page - do. he has been speaking to northern european leaders. the front page of. european leaders. the front page of many papers this morning, a quote from president zelensky more or less saying, we cannotjoin nato. that is the headline on the front of the times this morning, talking about the possibility that he would have to accept that ukraine will notjoin nato. how much of an emission, a concession is that with peace talks ongoing? it’s concession is that with peace talks onuroin? fl. ., , concession is that with peace talks onuroin? fl. ., _, concession is that with peace talks onuuoin? k. ., i. ., concession is that with peace talks oniioin? �*,. ., i. ., ., ongoing? it's clearly a matter for ukraine as _ ongoing? it's clearly a matter for ukraine as a _ ongoing? it's clearly a matter for ukraine as a sovereign _ ongoing? it's clearly a matter for ukraine as a sovereign country i ukraine as a sovereign country whether or not they decide to join nato. i am sceptical about the peace talks, whilst putin is still waging war in ukraine. he has to implement

a ceasefire and withdraw his troops for those peace talks to be taken seriously. what we know about putin is he doesn'tjust have ambitions for ukraine, he has wider ambitions about creating a greater russia. this is notjust about nato and i think quite often nato membership has been used as a smoke screen that putin has used to justify this war. this is about his broad ambitions and his ambitions to subsume the sovereignty of ukraine and regrettably other countries in eastern europe as well. we regrettably other countries in eastern europe as well. we know that as of this morning, _ eastern europe as well. we know that as of this morning, around _ eastern europe as well. we know that as of this morning, around 122,000 i as of this morning, around 122,000 people have expressed an interest in the homes for ukraine scheme, when you expect the first refugees to arrive here and will the government to be helping them get here? we to be helping them get here? - opened process officially this

friday and we are expecting the first refugees to arrive next week in the united kingdom. i don't know exactly how they will get to the united kingdom buti exactly how they will get to the united kingdom but i know that we expect they will be arriving next week. can i think the british people for their incredible generosity? it shows the huge support there is for ukraine right across the united kingdom. we have also seen huge contributions to the dc fund, £130 million contributed. brute contributions to the dc fund, £130 million contributed.— contributions to the dc fund, £130 million contributed. we are tight on time, we million contributed. we are tight on time. we had _ million contributed. we are tight on time, we had ed _ million contributed. we are tight on time, we had ed davey _ million contributed. we are tight on time, we had ed davey on - million contributed. we are tight on time, we had ed davey on the - time, we had ed davey on the programme about an hour ago on the ukraine poland border, he had been talking to refugees and charitable organisations that were there and he said there is no uk government representation there for people who want to come to the uk. i'm curious to know why is that when so many other european countries are there? we do have the home office operating

these centres right across europe, —— visa centres, we have a team supporting humanitarian aid working very closely with the polish and other neighbouring countries. if ed davey gets in touch with me, i am very happy to put him in contact with the uk support that is there on the border. i’m with the uk support that is there on the border. �* . with the uk support that is there on the border. �* , .., with the uk support that is there on the border. �* , 3, «3 the border. i'm sure we can make that happen. _ the border. i'm sure we can make that happen, thank _ the border. i'm sure we can make that happen, thank you _ the border. i'm sure we can make that happen, thank you very - the border. i'm sure we can make| that happen, thank you very much indeed. busy old morning for the foreign secretary. let's get up to date with everything that has been happening overnight in ukraine. jon is here to run through the details. it's been three weeks since the invasion. many people thought russia would be able to take control of ukraine country quickly, that it would all be over in days. interesting hearing the foreign secretary saying that things have stilled from the russian perspective. that is confirmed this morning. the ministry of defence here has just issued its morning statement, saying the russians are struggling.

but the capital kyiv is coming under increasing presure. this is what people in the city have woken up to again this morning. several explosions have been reported in a western neighbourhood. at least two blocks of flats damaged, according to emergency services. they are searching for casulaties right now. because of the risk of shelling in the capital, kyiv is now under a 35—hour curfew. this is the scene in the main square this morning. it is completely deserted, nobody is out, they have to stay where they are. people have been told to shelter because the mayor says this is likely to be a "difficult and dangerous moment" and many are hiding in the underground metro stations. but diplomatically there is some hope —

because overnight the president of ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky said peace talks with moscow are beginning to sound more realistic. translation: it is important. it is difficult, but important, because any war ends in an agreement. meetings continue, as i am told the positions in the negotiations sound more realistic. however, there still needs to be more time for decisions to be this in ukraine's interests. we don't know why he's sounding more positive. we don't know the details of the negotiations. but despite all the destruction there is a lot of talking going on. president zelensky has been meeting with the prime ministers of the czech republic, poland and slovenia who travelled to kyiv by train for talks. a very hazardous journey. some people were worried it wasn't a very safe thing to do but they got

there. this morning nato defence ministers are also due to meet this morning. in the southern city of mariupol, the deputy mayor claims 400 people are being held "like hostages" by russian troops at the regional intensive care hospital to the west of the city — that includes doctors and patients. we will bring you more on that as we get it. after days of delays, 20,000 people have managed to escape from mariupol overnight. taken out in a convoy of cars, lorries and buses. and here in the uk, the government has confirmed that so far 122,000 people have have registered an interest in hosting ukrainian refugees who reach britain. that is the situation in mariupol. i

think you are talking about that now in terms of the rescue effort. ukrainian musician alexander krivoshapko, who was a finalist on ukraine's x—factor in 2011, has set up an aid group called brother's heart which is helping to evacuate people from mariupol and other parts of the country. we can speak to him now. thank you very much for being with us today. give us an idea first of all of what exactly your organisation is doing, what sort of work are you carrying out? first of all, thank work are you carrying out? first of all. thank you _ work are you carrying out? first of all, thank you so _ work are you carrying out? first of all, thank you so much _ work are you carrying out? first of all, thank you so much for- work are you carrying out? first of all, thank you so much for your i all, thank you so much for your attention, for inviting us, it's very important. sorry for my english, i have to tell you at the beginning! it's a very difficult situation, because as you have said, and marry a pal, they are without

water, communication, without food, without anything. —— in marie paul. —— marie .iwas . i was born there, in maruipol, and now everything is under the russian army. this was the reason why i began to volunteer, because i wanted to help my family. they have a lot of volunteers inside the city,, and we planned it in the beginning, we have had to bring money and food to

marie uppal —— maruipol, but in the first days, connection was working, but it was finished. 0nly first days, connection was working, but it was finished. only a few districts in the city, maybe, have a little connection. and when our friends and volunteers went to these positions, they can have a connection with us. and we receive requests from people, we bring these to the volunteers inside the city who help people. it's very difficult here now. it's a very difficult way to give way —— give help to people but it's only one of our ways. and i

want to tell now, that maruipol is a humanitarian disaster. it is not only words, it is absolutely true. and now you can imagine it that in 2022,100,000 and now you can imagine it that in 2022, 100,000 people leave the city under air force bombing, —— they live in the city, they have no water, they use rain water to drink, they use open fire to cook their food. they don't have a connection and they don't know what happened now all over the world. yes, a lot of people were evacuated. but maybe

now today they will be 20,000, 15,000, but yesterday i spoke with my partners, the... people from ukraine going to the nearest big city close to maruipol. the largest organisation told me about 1000 people they have got. but maybe with a few organisations, may be 4000 people. it is not 25. you have to understand that we are asking the world for help to bring a corridor. because it's unbelievable nowadays to have a city with these problems, you know? to have a city with these problems, ou know? , ., , , you know? sorry to “ump in, it is

fascinating h you know? sorry to “ump in, it is fascinating to hear — you know? sorry tojump in, it is fascinating to hear you _ you know? sorry tojump in, it is fascinating to hear you talk - you know? sorry tojump in, it is| fascinating to hear you talk about the situation. as someone who is a well—known face, a well—known singer in ukraine, what is it like for you and how hard is it for you to see people in a city you love so much, you have got family in this city, falling to pieces and needing so much humanitarian help? sorry, i told him i about _ much humanitarian help? sorry, i told him i about my _ much humanitarian help? sorry, i told him i about my english! - much humanitarian help? sorry, i told him i about my english! thel told him i about my english! the uestion told him i about my english! the question was _ told him i about my english! the question was about how hard it is to see people suffering. i question was about how hard it is to see people suffering.— see people suffering. i understand, eah. see people suffering. i understand, yeah- listen. _ see people suffering. i understand, yeah. listen, today, _ see people suffering. i understand, yeah. listen, today, all— see people suffering. i understand, yeah. listen, today, all ukrainiansl yeah. listen, today, all ukrainians are like one person. because today is very difficult times for our country. it doesn't matter if you are a musician, sportsman, politician, or cleaner. today it is

very difficult times for everyone. and for me, for maruipol guy, this disaster, it's my pain, it's my family, it's my land, it's my home. and now i can do anything. 0nly volunteers, only connection, but it's nothing. because my native town is crushed, absolutely crushed. alexander, we really appreciate talking to you. and your english is amazing, and you have told the story of what is happening in maruipol very powerfully and thank you so much for the work you are doing, and we wish you all the best, do say safe. . 3' we wish you all the best, do say safe. ., «3 ,., we wish you all the best, do say safe-_ we _ we wish you all the best, do say safe-_ we are - we wish you all the best, do say safe._ we are so - we wish you all the best, do say| safe._ we are so lucky we wish you all the best, do say - safe._ we are so lucky to safe. thank you. we are so lucky to have all of — safe. thank you. we are so lucky to have all of these _ safe. thank you. we are so lucky to have all of these people _ safe. thank you. we are so lucky to have all of these people telling - safe. thank you. we are so lucky to have all of these people telling all i have all of these people telling all these stories.— these stories. that is alexander krivoshapko, — these stories. that is alexander krivoshapko, if _ these stories. that is alexander krivoshapko, if you _ these stories. that is alexander krivoshapko, if you have - these stories. that is alexander krivoshapko, if you have just i these stories. that is alexander i krivoshapko, if you have just tuned in, krivoshapko, if you have just tuned in. he _ krivoshapko, if you have just tuned in. he was — krivoshapko, if you have just tuned in, he was part of x factor in

ukraine— in, he was part of x factor in ukraine in— in, he was part of x factor in ukraine in 2011 and he is helping in the humanitarian effort in his home of maruipol. the humanitarian effort in his home of maruipol-— of maruipol. let's get the sport now. i of maruipol. let's get the sport now- i am _ of maruipol. let's get the sport now- i am going _ of maruipol. let's get the sport now. i am going to _ of maruipol. let's get the sport now. i am going to ask- of maruipol. let's get the sport now. i am going to ask you - of maruipol. let's get the sport now. i am going to ask you a i of maruipol. let's get the sport - now. i am going to ask you a tricky question, what is going on at manchester united? if anyone had the answer, they would be a wealthy individual. you have got cristiano ronaldo who scored a hat—trick but he cannot always do that, we have got big players in the bench that cannot be trusted to start. these are the games that you want your big player to play in and some are on the bench, they paid 90 million for paul pogba and he could walk out for nothing. they have huge problems. out of the champions league, a manager soon to step aside as the wait for that elusive major trophy or manchester united goes on.

the spanish side with the goal that won the tie for them at old trafford last night. united are out of the fa cup and facing an uphill battle in the premier league to qualify for this competition again next season. and despite huge investment, just how do they get back to the glories so often enjoyed under sir alex ferguson? chelsea with problems of there own are in lille tonight with a 2—0 lead. yesterday some surprise when they asked the fa to allow their quarterfinal at middlesbrough on saturday to be played without fans, only to withdraw the request hours later. chelsea fans can no longer buy tickets after the government froze the assets of owner roman abramovich. middlesborough pretty angry over the request and said it wasn't fair to punish the club and their fans for chelsea's mistakes. i don't think too much about it. i try to be honest and i try to give you an insight, and i try to provide

you with information more or less still from a sporting side, and still from a coach's heart. and this is what i try. this is maybe what you can rely on. and i'm more than happy if things calm down and i can speak more about football, more than happy. england have kept their women's cricket world cup hopes alive after beating india. remember they're the defending champions, beating india in that final five years ago. they bowled them out forjust 134, as england knocked off the runs with 19 overs to spare, thanks largely to an unbeaten half century from captain heather knight. and prepare yourselves for another thrilling day at cheltenham, two—time grand national winner tiger roll bows out later. yesterday rachael blackmore triumphed on the opening day as honeysuckle took first place in the champion hurdlejust as she did last year. this time though, the crowds were there cheering on the favourite.

last year no spectators were allowed because of the pandemic. around 70,000 there today, more than a quarter of a million are expected to attend this week. ah, look, it's absolutely incredible. you know, having the crowd back this year is so special, it really, really is. it was so special to ride winners here last year without a crowd, but when the crowd is back, you just realise what they bring. they make cheltenham what it is. the atmosphere, you know, it's just you are surrounded by people walking back in, all the way down the chute, everyone is cheering you on. it'sjust, yeah, it's very heart—warming. the classic cheltenham roar. she got six wins last year, she was a leading jockey, she goes again today on the feature race which i have picked for you, sally.

on the feature race which i have picked foryou, sally. i on the feature race which i have picked for you, sally. i gave you some long yesterday. i picked for you, sally. i gave you some long yesterday.— picked for you, sally. i gave you some long yesterday. i am definitely better today- — some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that _ some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is _ some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is what _ some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is what i - some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is what i keep - some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is what i keep my | better today. that is what i keep my mone in better today. that is what i keep my money in my — better today. that is what i keep my money in my pocket! _ you may remember the story about 12—year—old lowri whose letter to disney helped inspire encanto's glasses—wearing lead character mirabel. it lead to the film's director, jarred bush, inviting lowri to attend the bafta awards with him when she appeared on breakfast last week. while she was on the red carpet, she was surprised with a video call from her dad, who has been on a very different type of adventure on the moldovan border helping refugees crossing overfrom ukraine. we can speak to lowri's dad brad now. thank you for being with us this morning. it is amazing that while yourfamily are having morning. it is amazing that while your family are having this amazing night at the baftas, you are involved in what we can see on your jumper, tell us about the work you have been doing.— jumper, tell us about the work you have been doing. good morning. we are in moldova, _

have been doing. good morning. we are in moldova, our _ have been doing. good morning. we are in moldova, our currently - have been doing. good morning. we are in moldova, our currently team i are in moldova, our currently team are in moldova, our currently team are in moldova, our currently team are in the no man's land of a crossing which is receiving a lot of people fleeing the southern part of ukraine. we are offering assistance there. our main mission is to look for single mums with children who are vulnerable to exploitation, connecting them into a care structure and making sure they are safe and are monitored and looked after so that they do not full prey of things that lead to a very dark world. in of things that lead to a very dark world. , ., , . ., world. in your experience over the last few days. _ world. in your experience over the last few days, what _ world. in your experience over the last few days, what are _ world. in your experience over the last few days, what are the - world. in your experience over the last few days, what are the things| last few days, what are the things that people really need that at the moment on the ground?— moment on the ground? initially, it's that welcome. _ moment on the ground? initially, it's that welcome. we _ moment on the ground? initially, it's that welcome. we are - moment on the ground? initially, it's that welcome. we are seeing | moment on the ground? initially, i it's that welcome. we are seeing a marked difference in how people are coming from areas that have not been under attack and people that have been under attack, people who have come from mariupol, theyjust need

to know they are safe. moldova is incredibly vulnerable, it is the poorest country in europe but the people here want to help, they are stepping up but they need resources. we are working with local officials and social services and refugee centres and hospitals to try and understand what is needed and then we will release the aid. we are putting information out in the uk in real time, as soon as we get the information from the field, and we will mobilise and send stuff out. i am about to go and get ourfirst shipment that has arrived just after the. shipment that has arrived 'ust after the. . . . shipment that has arrived 'ust after the. , , ., 3, shipment that has arrived 'ust after the. , , ., ., ., shipment that has arrived 'ust after the. , ., ., ., the. give us an idea of some of the --eole the. give us an idea of some of the people you — the. give us an idea of some of the people you have — the. give us an idea of some of the people you have met. _ the. give us an idea of some of the people you have met. we - the. give us an idea of some of the people you have met. we have - people you have met. we have dispensed their king —— just been speaking to someone who is helping in mariupol, there is a humanitarian effort. ' 3' «3 in mariupol, there is a humanitarian effort. ' j «3 ., in mariupol, there is a humanitarian effort.«3 ., ,,, in mariupol, there is a humanitarian effort. ., ,,, ., effort. 9896 of the people are sa in, effort. 9896 of the people are saying. we — effort. 9896 of the people are saying, we want _ effort. 9896 of the people are saying, we want to _ effort. 9896 of the people are saying, we want to go - effort. 9896 of the people are saying, we want to go to - effort. 9896 of the people are - saying, we want to go to europe. a lot of people coming to moldova, when i ask them, i say, where you going? theyjust say, i want to go

home. they are staying here and wants to go back. i met a single mum with five children under the age of 12, no extended family and no man in her life, and she had 200 euros and two little suitcases and that was her left belongings. we have been able to put her into a support network and make sure she is safe. these vulnerable families are fleeing and they don't know what their future is and so many of them just want to go home. that's the message we are getting, i want to go home. ~ . , ., message we are getting, i want to go home. ~ ., , ., ., ., home. what your situation there, how much longer — home. what your situation there, how much longer can _ home. what your situation there, how much longer can you _ home. what your situation there, how much longer can you stay _ home. what your situation there, how much longer can you stay there - home. what your situation there, how much longer can you stay there to - much longer can you stay there to help? i imagine it's quite a difficult place to leave when you see these people who need so much help. see these people who need so much hel. ., . . , , see these people who need so much hel. ., . .,, help. correct. our crisis response team is medics _ help. correct. our crisis response team is medics and _ help. correct. our crisis response team is medics and security - help. correct. our crisis response i team is medics and security experts, we deployed rapidly so we are just building and infrastructure. we are going to be coming in and out, we have made the links with the —— local people. the way we operate is

we support local people, we have got a coordinator in there now, and the intelligence will come to us and we will be able to keep rolling through sending in the relevant aid in bringing people as needed. it's very tough to leave. it a crazy world. while you have been doing this amazing work in moldova, you have been keeping in touch with lowri and the rest of the family who have been having this wonderful time at the baftas and experiencing all the magic, you must be so proud of her. so proud. my little girljust wanted to make a difference. she has expressed what so many people around the world have felt, we got so much feedback from people saying, we

really feel that. it is a lot of people's childhood trauma, being bullied and they are now going, finally, thank you. it's been a team effort, thank you to jarrod and the guys and my little girl, she had such a night, she loves marvel and she got to meet the winter soldier and loki! i’m she got to meet the winter soldier and loki! �* . she got to meet the winter soldier and loki! �* , , she got to meet the winter soldier and loki! �* . . she got to meet the winter soldier and loki! �* , , , and loki! i'm sure she thinks she has iota and loki! i'm sure she thinks she has got a superhero _ and loki! i'm sure she thinks she has got a superhero for- and loki! i'm sure she thinks she has got a superhero for a - and loki! i'm sure she thinks she has got a superhero for a dad - and loki! i'm sure she thinks she has got a superhero for a dad as | has got a superhero for a dad as well. we will see you soon, take care. . 3' well. we will see you soon, take care. . «3 y ., well. we will see you soon, take care. ., «3 . , stay with us, headlines coming up.

good morning, welcome to breakfast with dan walker and sally nugent. 0ur headlines today. ukraine's president zelensky speaks optimistically about ongoing peace talks with russia. translation: the positions in the negotiations _ sound more realistic. however, there still needs to be more time for decisions to be in ukraine's interests. smoke billowing across the capital this morning, 12 hours into 35—hour curfew in kyiv. the city's mayor warns it's a difficult and dangerous moment. more than 20,000 refugees escape the besieged port of mariupol, but there are reports that more than 400 people are being held hostage in the city's hospital. hopes are raised that british—iranian detainee nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe could be

freed, after having her uk passport returned to her. coach companies are gearing up to hit the road after what has been a turbulent two years. at this business, costs have gone up by a third since january. so the road ahead is still looking bumpy. the former ukraine and chelsea striker andriy shevchenko will tell us how he's trying to help people back in his wartorn homeland. a bit of everything in the forecast. some seeing rain, brightness for some, even saharan dust in the forecast. i will be back with the details. it's wednesday, 16th march. the ukrainian president says peace talks with russia are looking more optimistic. peace talks with russia in a video address, he said discussions were beginning to sound more realistic, but warned that victory over russia would require the work of all ukrainian citizens and that a breakthrough would take time.

air sirens have sounded out across several cities this morning as ukraine wakes up to another day of the invasion. jon kay reports. "get out," she screams. "we didn't invite you here." an elderly woman confronts russian soldiers on the streets of ukraine. it is now three weeks since the invasion. this morning, more shelling on the outskirts of kyiv. the capital city is deserted. a 35—hour curfew is under way. people have been told to shelter. the mayor says it is going to be a dangerous and difficult moment. but do these pictures offer some hope? negotiators from both sides are still talking. last night, one ukrainian diplomat said there was room for compromise. translation: the country

and the country's president was also more positive. volodymyr zelensky said the situation remained difficult, but the positions of the two sides were now sounding more realistic. he said time was needed to reach a breakthrough. but these people are not hanging around for a peace deal. last night, 20,000 of them finally managed to escape from the besieged port of mariupol. the city they have left behind is still being pounded day after day. and the deputy mayor claims russian troops are holding 400 people like hostages inside a hospital, including doctors and patients. as borisjohnson arrived in the middle east for talks, the ministry of defence said there were signs the russian advance was stalling. the most important thing is that putin's aggression, his absolutely barbaric attacks— aggression, his absolutely barbaric attacks on— aggression, his absolutely barbaric attacks on ukraine should stop and

they should not be seen to have succeeded. and they will not succeed _ ukraine's prime minister claims his country has already suffered £400 billion of damage. he said when the war is over, russia must pay. once again this morning, sirens have been heard in towns and cities across ukraine. another day of clearing up. another day of wondering when and how this will end. jon kay, bbc news. let's get the latest from the ukrainian capital kyiv from our correspondent james waterhouse. if you have been watching over the past weeks, we speak to james almost every morning. great to have you on the show. give an idea of what it is like in kyiv, a city under curfew.

it is a city under curfew, a city still very much under attack. what struck you, one of the many things that strikes you when the war started is how this city mostly fell silent. now the curfew has been announced, it is even more quiet. we have seen no one on the streets, we have seen no one on the streets, we have heard birds more than we would otherwise. but more shellfire, and we have seen at the last few mornings in the north—westerly direction, where you can see dark cloud of smoke a few miles away coming up. that suggests despite peace talks continuing today, there has been no letup in fighting. when you move through the city, you occasionally stop and come across a scene of devastation. you see soldiers setting up a perimeter where debris, we have seen cases of this, debris has fallen from the

sky. the city's ground to air missiles have successfully ta ken sky. the city's ground to air missiles have successfully taken out the russian missile but that metal falls from the sky. the impact it causes, notjust where it lands but the surrounding buildings, when the energy spreads outwards, it has devastated homes. we have seen flats where windows were blown in, vehicles flipped, crushed. i think this is why the mayor, vitali klitschko, has announced the curfew. he wants to protect his people, those who have decided to stay or fight. ukrainian forces are still fighting russian saboteurs, casually dressed soldiers who have infiltrated the city. he describes it as a dangerous and significant 36 hours for the city. but plenty of people will think it has been a significant couple of weeks, to be honest. brute significant couple of weeks, to be honest. ~ , , ., «3 ., honest. we were speaking to the photojournalist _ honest. we were speaking to the photojournalist who _ honest. we were speaking to the photojournalist who was - honest. we were speaking to the photojournalist who was showing j honest. we were speaking to the i photojournalist who was showing us

pictures she has taken. four women in the back of a train carriage, carrying guns. she said one of them wasjulia, a teacher, and she was crying over thejob she had to do wasjulia, a teacher, and she was crying over the job she had to do to protect our country but it seems ukrainians are ready to do that, particularly in the capital. yes and lindsey has _ particularly in the capital. yes and lindsey has been _ particularly in the capital. yes and lindsey has been at _ particularly in the capital. yes and lindsey has been at the _ particularly in the capital. yes and lindsey has been at the front - particularly in the capital. yes and| lindsey has been at the front line, ever—changing front line of the north—west of the city. she has seen the devastation first hand as civilians try to escape fighting. we talk about striking features of this country. ukrainians, you almost think it is a throwaway expression when they say i will be willing to fight and die for my country. what we see time and again is they mean out. if you talk to ukrainians, under the shadow of russia trying to pull ukraine back into its control. the single most important thing is their identity and their country's

sovereignty, and the right of ukraine to exist. that strikes to the heart of people's existence. when you have vladimir putin question the grounds on which ukraine can be a country and you have vladimir putin trying to infiltrate the country's politics and change the way the country is run, when you have putin sees large parts of the country are now ultimately wage this war, it reinforces people's resolve to stand up reinforces people's resolve to stand up and do anything they can say that ukraine ultimately prevails in this conflict. , . ., ., , ukraine ultimately prevails in this conflict. _ ., ., , ., «3 conflict. james waterhouse, thank ou. borisjohnson has defended his attempts to forge closer ties with saudi arabia as the west moves to reduce its reliance on russian energy. the prime minister was speaking on his arrival in the united arab emirates this morning, ahead of meetings with key middle eastern leaders. we'rejoined now by our chief political correspondent adam fleming. adam, what else has

boris johnson said ? the prime minister touched on —— touched down in abu dhabi and had his first meeting and then will be on to saudi arabia. his last stop. an objective is to get investment into the uk from those countries and deals are being signed. the other objective is to get countries to pump more oil to make up for oil not bought from russia as a result of the ukraine conflict. and also to try to get the global price of oil down to help the economy and help people's bills. he has been accused by some of his backbenchers in the conservative party of cosying up to regimes with bad human rights records and the labour leader keir starmer said the prime minister is going cap in hand from one dictator, vladimir putin, to another. this going cap in hand from one dictator, vladimir putin, to another.— vladimir putin, to another. this is how the prime _ vladimir putin, to another. this is how the prime minister _ vladimir putin, to another. this is i how the prime minister responded. i have raised — how the prime minister responded. i have raised those issues many times

since _ have raised those issues many times since i_ have raised those issues many times since i was _ have raised those issues many times since i was foreign secretary and i will raise _ since i was foreign secretary and i will raise them again today. we have long—standing relationships with this part — long—standing relationships with this part of the world. we need to recognise — this part of the world. we need to recognise the important relationship we have _ recognise the important relationship we have and the strength of that relationship, notjust in hydrocarbons. this is about investment in the uk over the long—term. investment in the uk over the long-term— investment in the uk over the loni-term_ . ., ., ., ., long-term. we are also hearing that we ma be long-term. we are also hearing that we may be close _ long-term. we are also hearing that we may be close to _ long-term. we are also hearing that we may be close to a _ long-term. we are also hearing that we may be close to a development i long-term. we are also hearing that| we may be close to a development in the story of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, who was given her british passport back yesterday. another big story in that region, in iran. speculation that negotiations between the uk and iran are reaching some kind of crescendo that could see nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and other british hostages being released. this is what the prime minister said about that, without trying to say anything. we minister said about that, without trying to say anything.— trying to say anything. we are negotiating — trying to say anything. we are negotiating for _ trying to say anything. we are negotiating for the _ trying to say anything. we are negotiating for the release i trying to say anything. we are negotiating for the release of| trying to say anything. we are - negotiating for the release of dual nationals— negotiating for the release of dual nationals in tehran. some very sad

casesi _ nationals in tehran. some very sad cases, including nazanin. i do not think— cases, including nazanin. i do not think i_ cases, including nazanin. i do not think i should say much more. i am sorry _ think i should say much more. i am sorry things— think i should say much more. i am sorry. things are moving forward. i should _ sorry. things are moving forward. i should not— sorry. things are moving forward. i should not say much more right now because _ should not say much more right now because those negotiations continue to be under way. we are going right up to be under way. we are going right up to— to be under way. we are going right up to the _ to be under way. we are going right up to the wire. to be under way. we are going right up to the wire! to be under way. we are going right up to the wire-— up to the wire. i am sure his attempt _ up to the wire. i am sure his attempt to _ up to the wire. i am sure his attempt to not _ up to the wire. i am sure his attempt to not say - up to the wire. i am sure his attempt to not say anything | up to the wire. i am sure his i attempt to not say anything did up to the wire. i am sure his - attempt to not say anything did not quite work. he talked about being progress in the talks and that is a direction. he talked about going to the wire. i was not aware there was a why they were potentially approaching, which suggests there might be an end point to this saga coming into view but i think officials want to be careful not to jinx anything because it is incredibly sensitive. but if nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was released while the prime minister was in the region it would be sold as a diplomatic coup for him. ibi; it would be sold as a diplomatic coup for him-— it would be sold as a diplomatic coup for him. by downing street. thank you- _ the world health organisation says it is working day and night to keep

medical supply chains open and ukraine's health system running. both the un agency and the uk government have already delivered hundreds of tonnes of supplies to hospitals in kyiv and other cities. ukrainian doctors and nurses working here in the uk have also been raising money and shipping equipment to their home country. the bbc�*s health correspondent jim reed joined a convoy organised by the ukrainian medical association transporting medical supplies. at a car park in kent, the race to get medical aid to the front line 1,000 miles away. every inch of space is being used forfirst—aid kits, to high—tech ultrasound equipment. roman is an nhs doctor in london. he is originally from western ukraine. what we have here is an antibacterial burn dressing pack. this is absolutely amazing. this is immediate care for people who are wounded. this will be basically fast

tracked to the front line. ahead, 48 hours on the road across five countries to the ukrainian border. the plan is for a convoy of vans and cars to shift it east. 1000 miles injust two days. i come bearing gifts. what is it? thank you. but, before we have even left the uk, a problem. the confusion is he expected me to have some paperwork, which i am sure that will be cleared with head office. the idea was tojoin up with ambulances donated by an nhs trust in newcastle. but something has gone wrong with the paperwork and we had to press on without them. you are a doctor, so your whole reason for existing is to help people, stop them getting hurt. i wonder how it feels to be dealing with the complete opposite of that? very conflicting, because, you know,

my life and my work is around saving people's lives. i think, two weeks ago, the life of every ukrainian changed for ever. i woke up at five o'clock, i checked bbc, and it was war. disbelief that my country is under attack. we drive late into the night, crossing the borderfrom france into germany, stopping just outside dusseldorf. the next morning, after a much—needed black coffee, the team make an early start. in his dayjob, denis, another ukrainian, also works for the nhs in london. i am doing something that i shouldn't be doing. i am a child psychiatrist. i'm not very good with the military stuff, i am not good with guns or rifles or kalashnikovs, or whatever. but one has to prioritise the need.

so, at the moment, the key need is that people are dying every day of bleeding, which is why i am so keen to mobilise the world, to get as many first aid kits into ukraine as possible. 400 miles down and 600 to go. that night, we make it to poland. after a few hours' sleep, the final part of ourjourney to the ukrainian border. after a 1000—mile drive, the team make it to their final destination. this is the polish side of the border 30 miles from lviv, an area hit by russian missiles this week. this is the triage centre where they provide first aid, assess any medical needs. but i guess equally important, the refugees are deciding their onward journey. buses arrive here every few minutes, dropping off people at a frightening rate from all across ukraine.

we meet sophia and anastasia. her father is on the front line, fighting. they feel amazing. they finally can walk on the street without sirens on and they feel safe that nobody will shoot them. it is a mixture of tragedy and generosity that is overwhelming. i'm sorry. you did make me cry. how far away are we from the border? a few kilometres. it isjust round the corner. people are just off the train and cars. a few hours later and some good news for the man who set all this up. those nhs ambulances finally arrive, all the way from newcastle. they are loaded with extra medical supplies and will be left here to be taken

on by the ukrainian authorities. we havejust signed off the transfer papers. it is vital for doctors in kyiv and other cities waiting for this life—saving equipment. thank you for delivering those much—needed things and thank you for the international support of our struggle. jim reed, bbc news, on the polish—ukrainian border. it is amazing the lengths to which some people are going to help. so impressive. 21 ukrainian children suffering from cancer are now being treated at seven hospitals across england after being evacuated from the wartorn country. a team of nhs doctors, nurses and technicians helped bring the children, who were all in ukrainian hospitals when russia invaded, to the uk for treatment. dr martin english from birmingham children's hospital was part of the team and joins us now.

good morning. i believe you actually travelled with the children. what was that journey like? travelled with the children. what was thatjourney like? good travelled with the children. what was that journey like? was that “ourney like? good morning. yes, i was that journey like? good morning. yes, i did. was that journey like? good morning. yes. i did. the _ was that journey like? good morning. yes, i did. the journey _ was that journey like? good morning. yes, i did. the journey out _ was that journey like? good morning. yes, i did. the journey out was - was that journey like? good morning. yes, i did. the journey out was very i yes, i did. the journey out was very anxious, wanting to do the best for the children. we did not know how unwell they would be when we saw them so we took every precaution with the team of intensive care retrieval experts for children from southampton, and play specialists from birmingham children's hospital ready to calm children down and look after them and assistance from other areas we required. when we got to poland it was well organised. doctor colleagues in ukraine had managed to get the children together and move them out for help to poland. in the unicorn clinic in poland, a charity just set up, they identify children

who needed to go immediately to hospital in poland and identified those fit to go to another country for help. we took them quickly onto the plane. it arrived late saturday and —— they arrive late saturday and we had them on the plane on sunday and flew them to the uk. from the receiving airport we move them to a hotel where our team from birmingham children's hospital was ready to receive them and look after them. there was assistance offered from all over the uk in response to the call out for help. what was clear in this if we try to help at the same time we would have jammed ourselves on the door getting through. it was a team effort with uk government, nhs teams and the nhs in scotland, ireland and wales as well. producing specific teams who knew each other and work together to meet this emergency in a short period of time. you are a consultant oncologist. can

you talk about how important it is the children's treatment is not delayed and how might a delay affect their health? the delayed and how might a delay affect their health? , .. , , delayed and how might a delay affect their health?— their health? the success rate for children's cancer _ their health? the success rate for children's cancer has _ their health? the success rate for children's cancer has improved i their health? the success rate for i children's cancer has improved with more than 80% cured of their disease. but to do that, it is important that once you start treatment you continue it and do not have interruptions. an interruption of a few days will not cause problems but an interruption of weeks could lead to more grave consequences. it was vital we got these children here. i know of one little girl who is starting chemotherapy days after it should have been started, which i am pleased to hear about. haifa have been started, which i am pleased to hear about. how are the rest of the family _ pleased to hear about. how are the rest of the family is _ pleased to hear about. how are the rest of the family is doing? - pleased to hear about. how are the rest of the family is doing? what i pleased to hear about. how are the | rest of the family is doing? what do you know about how the other children are? i you know about how the other children are?— you know about how the other children are? , , ,., , children are? i believe everybody has reached _ children are? i believe everybody has reached their— children are? i believe everybody has reached their destination - has reached their destination safely. we move them to different treatment centres for children's centres across england initially said they did not have journeys that

were too long while we worked out what we had to do. i have passed three on monday afternoon, having taken off, i think at 5:30pm from pole in the previous day, every child has reached the destination hospital and everyone has been settled into appropriate accommodation and local services are being put into place for them. hagar being put into place for them. how was it during _ being put into place for them. how was it during the _ being put into place for them. how was it during the journey trying to communicate with families? did you manage to communicate with them and what did they say?— what did they say? there was not much time _ what did they say? there was not much time to _ what did they say? there was not much time to find _ what did they say? there was not much time to find out _ what did they say? there was not much time to find out what - what did they say? there was not much time to find out what had i much time to find out what had happened. the priority was safety for the children, make sure they are all right and make sure they were reassured and not frightened. we had two fantastic interpreters who were invaluable and we used communication aids such as google translate to make sure everybody was ok. the families had been well briefed and knew what to expect. we were just

focusing on making sure everyone was safe, nobody needed to go immediately to hospital. doctor martin english, _ immediately to hospital. doctor martin english, consultant - martin english, consultant oncologist from birmingham children's hospital, thank you. i am aware, when it is a conflict like we are talking about, we often give statistics, saying an air strike has killed people, and there was a piece on the bbc website by a in ukraine. what was amazing about it, we had spoken last week about an air strike on the 6th of march that killed two people and she had looked into who they were. it was on a residential block of flats. she spoke to marina, the mother who had survived. her husband and their son had died, he died in her arms. we do it all the time, saying two people have died in an air strike. there

are pieces like that available to read that tell you behind the numbers and statistics, the faces, families, people. if you have a chance have look. it brings the full horror. when we read headlines, we will say that, two people have been killed. but it is when you hear the personal stories it really brings it home. a lot to cram in before we leave you at 9:15am. and we have 0wain bringing the weather. 0ver bringing the weather. over the next couple of days, the one change we would like to hear about is the fact it will feel more like spring. high pressure builds at the end of the week and temperatures will rise. gorgeous pictures coming in as usual. simon, thank you for that. it is not like that for everyone with cloud around. this is not looking as dazzling this

morning. some will notice over the next couple of days another thing, because this storm system which is far away is drawing up saharan dust that has affected parts of france and iberia. this is the direction it is moving in. most of it going high into the atmosphere. where we see rain some of it will fall to the ground, in south—east england you might notice that on cars and on the ground. this is how the weather looks. the weather front moving away. this will pep up as we head through the afternoon introducing rain. the best of the brightness, northern ireland, parts of scotland, top temperature is cooler to the north, 10—12, further south, up to 14 celsius. through this evening, goodbye to the weather fronts. high pressure builds. under clear skies temperatures sliding away. this is moving in and we could see slippery

surfaces first thing tomorrow morning where we see temperatures close to freezing. tomorrow, high pressure is in charge for most. this feature brings blustery wind and rain into parts of northern ireland and scotland. that is how it is looking. breakfast is on bbc one until 9.15, after which it's morning live. good morning. i kicked my fingers when you said that. studio: super cool. coming up on morning live. a small piece of tech will make a big difference to type one diabetics, as the nhs prepares to roll out monitors, that mean no more daily pin—prick tests. 0ur doctor will explain more. that is right _ 0ur doctor will explain more. that is right. exciting news. with cases of type _ is right. exciting news. with cases of type 2_ is right. exciting news. with cases of type 2 diabetes soaring, i will explain — of type 2 diabetes soaring, i will explain the difference between the

conditions and why sleeping with your lights on could be linked to a higher— your lights on could be linked to a higher risk — plus today, the lights are out, in thousands of empty houses in england, often because investors don't want to rent them out. matt allwright investigates why so many families are still homeless when over half a million homes have been left empty. and with supermarket bills creeping up, eat well for less presenter chris bavin is here to help you save money by making a shopping list of all the food you already have, before you go to the shops. and shopping around for a good deal on petroljust got harder, as prices hit their highest yet. they could reach £2.50 a litre, and motoring journalist erin baker shares why keeping your tank full, could cost you more in the long run. plus he said the weather will be mild. but , 0wain wyn—evans and angellica bell are under pressure as they take on the one show�*s extreme version of an egg and spoon race for comic relief. it's all for charity so the stakes

were high for this one, but we'll find out why even they don't know who the winner is yet. the things people do for comic relief. and he's our winner. neiljones is here to raise our heart rates for today's strictly fitness. he's got a salsa move that's guaranteed to target your core. although it is ann widdecombe so i'm not sure that will happen. was it a salsa? i think so. see you at 9:15 studio: we know you have the kicking sorted for that. see you later. so cool. i am not sure he was aware he did it. on tv sometimes you forget. time now to get the news where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. the metropolitan police has apologised to a black schoolgirl who was strip—searched by two officers after being wrongly

suspected of carrying cannabis. the search which has been described as �*traumatic�* took place at the girl's secondary school in hackney in 2020. there was no other adult present. a safeguarding report found it was unjustified and that racism was �*likely�* to have been a factor. scotland yard says the officers' actions were �*regrettable.’ two years on since the first coronovirus lockdown and london's a&e departments remain under pressure. whipps cross emergency department is seeing around 300 patients a day. it's set up an ambulance receiving centre to speed up waiting times. and you can see how that works on our programme this evening at 6.30. the met police has become the first force to develop and use new technology to find blood stains on dark clothing. this infra—red camera can detect even the tiniest particles in just a few minutes. it's hoped it will speed up evidence gathering in violent crime cases. homeless people are benefitting

from items that have been left on london's trains. things like coats, shoes, and mobile phones are stored in lost property for three months. if they're not claimed, many items are given to charity. as well as the personal hygiene and warmth thing, it brings their level of self—esteem up. they're gratefully received and they go a long, long way to improving the value of somebody�*s life. so yeah, thank you very much to people that lose the items and thanks to govia thameslink for donating them. let's take a look at what's happening on the tubes. there's the ongoing part closure of the northern line for work and minor delays on the victoria line. 0nto the weather now with kate kinsella. good morning. there is a bit of mist out there this morning and it could be quite slow to lift. the wind is not very strong at all. there's more cloud or thicker cloud around compared to yesterday, some showers this morning, and then a band of heavy, more persistent rain as we head

through the afternoon. there is a small chance within the heavier bursts of a rumble or two of thunder. temperatures at 14 celsius today. 0vernight tonight, that rain will gradually start to clear away. it's actually a cold front so behind it the sky clears, the temperature drops. there's a chance of a little bit of ground frost the further west you are. minimum between one and four celsius. high pressure starts to build as we head through thursday and that high pressure squeezes everything out of the way, so fine, dry and settled through thursday. temperatures tomorrow getting up to around 14 celsius. it is going to be quite chilly at night times with all this high pressure around. temperatures dropping close to zero, again the risk of a ground frost. through friday, we're hanging on to the high pressure and it lasts right the way through the weekend as well. so plenty of fine, dry, settled weather with lots of sunshine, night—time temperatures still chilly. i'm back with the latest from the bbc london just after 9am. now though it's back to sally and dan.

hello, this is breakfast with dan walker and sally nugent. let's get up to date with everything that has been happening overnight in ukraine. there's so much that happens overnight, so this is really helpful. overnight, so this is really hel-ful. . . overnight, so this is really hel-ful. , ., , , ., helpful. yes, we are 'ust trying to iet ou helpful. yes, we are 'ust trying to get you au— helpful. yes, we are 'ust trying to get you an the h helpful. yes, we are just trying to get you all the pictures _ helpful. yes, we are just trying to get you all the pictures and - helpful. yes, we are just trying to | get you all the pictures and finding out what we can verify. it's been three weeks since the invasion. many people thought russia would be able to take control of ukraine quickly — that it would all be over in days. but the ministry of defence here has just issued its morning statement, saying the russians are struggling to keep up the pace of their advance. that said, the capital kyiv is coming under increasing presure. this is what people in the city have

woken up to again this morning. several explosions have been reported in a western neighbourhood. at least two blocks of flats damaged, according to emergency services. this they are searching for casualties right now. because of the risk of shelling in the capital, kyiv is now under a 35—hour curfew. this is the scene in the main square this morning. it was full of life three weeks ago. now it is deserted. people have been told to shelter because the mayor says this is likely to be a "difficult and dangerous moment" many are hiding in the underground metro stations. but there is some hope — because overnight the president of ukrainian volodymyr zelensky said peace talks with moscow are beginning to sound more

realistic — a view echoed by the russian foreign minister this morning who said there is certain hope for compromise. this here's zelensky. translation: it is important. it is difficult, but important, because any war ends in an agreement. meetings continue, as i am told the positions in the negotiations sound more realistic. however, there still needs to be more time for decisions to be in ukraine's interests. but there is a lot of talking going on. president zelensky met with the prime ministers of the czech republic, poland and slovenia who travelled to kyiv by train for talks yesterday. some people were worried that would not be a safe journey but they got there safely. this morning nato defence ministers are also due to discuss

the ongoing situation. ben wallace from the united kingdom is there. in the southern city of mariupol, the deputy mayor claims 400 people are being held "like hostages" by russian troops at the regional intensive care hospital to the west of the city — that includes doctors and patients. ukraine's deputy prime minister says those troops have been firing from the ground there, too. we are trying to verify that, it's very hard to get information out of mariupol. the situation is so dire and there is no power. after days of delays, 20,000 people have managed to escape from mariupol overnight. taken out in a convoy of cars, lorries and buses.

for those who get to britain, the uk government has confirmed that so far 122,000 people have have registered an interest in hosting ukrainian refugees. that's an incredible number, 122,000. and continuing to rise, thank you. one of ukraine's most famous sons, the former footballer andriy shevchenko, has offered a home to more than 150 refugees here in the uk. the former ac milan and chelsea striker is also launching a new campaign with the world food programme to try and raise £1 million to help people back in his home country. andriyjoins us now with tim hunter who is from the world food programme. good morning tea —— good morning to you both. if! good morning tea —— good morning to you both. if i can come to you first, andriy, i know it is a desperately difficult time for you and yourfamily, how are desperately difficult time for you and your family, how are you desperately difficult time for you and yourfamily, how are you and how are you handling this whole entire terrible situation?—

terrible situation? good morning, thank ou terrible situation? good morning, thank you very — terrible situation? good morning, thank you very much _ terrible situation? good morning, thank you very much for - terrible situation? good morning, thank you very much for asking. i terrible situation? good morning, i thank you very much for asking. my family is still in ukraine, it is a devastating time for me, for people in ukraine. it's very difficult and hard. but first of all, i want to thank people from great britain, the government, everyone, who is helping us in these difficult moments. also, i want to thank the journalists and all the people who are telling the truth, for us, for ukraine, and for the people, it's very important that everyone knows what is exactly going on in ukraine. everyone knows what is exactly going on in ukraine-— on in ukraine. andriy, we have s-oken on in ukraine. andriy, we have spoken to _ on in ukraine. andriy, we have spoken to a — on in ukraine. andriy, we have spoken to a lot _ on in ukraine. andriy, we have spoken to a lot of— on in ukraine. andriy, we have spoken to a lot of guests - on in ukraine. andriy, we have spoken to a lot of guests with l spoken to a lot of guests with family back in ukraine and they have been struggling to speak to them. some people in besieged cities like mariupol have not spoken to the family for the best part of two weeks. how are you able to speak to

yourfamily and when? i trrgr weeks. how are you able to speak to your family and when?— your family and when? i try to reach m famil your family and when? i try to reach my family by — your family and when? i try to reach my family by phone _ your family and when? i try to reach my family by phone calls, _ your family and when? i try to reach my family by phone calls, whatsappj my family by phone calls, whatsapp is still working. thanks, in kyiv, the connection is all right. but i know a city like mariupol, a city like kharkiv, it's not only no connection, but for a long time, the food here is not coming. people are running out of water. the humanitarian aid, it can't come in the cities. because the russian troops block humanitarian corridors. it's very difficult time and situation.— it's very difficult time and situation. . ., situation. tim hunter, ifi could come to you. — situation. tim hunter, ifi could come to you, why _ situation. tim hunter, ifi could come to you, why is _ situation. tim hunter, ifi could come to you, why is it - situation. tim hunter, ifi could come to you, why is it so - situation. tim hunter, ifi could - come to you, why is it so important now that people respond to campaigns like the one you are running? it’s

like the one you are running? it's really vital _ like the one you are running? it's really vital because wfp, along with our partners, is scaling up very significantly, both in ukraine and in the _ significantly, both in ukraine and in the countries along the ukrainian border~ _ in the countries along the ukrainian border~ and — in the countries along the ukrainian border. and we see the pictures every— border. and we see the pictures every day— border. and we see the pictures every day of the desperate people fleeing _ every day of the desperate people fleeing the country, but there are millions. — fleeing the country, but there are millions, millions more within ukraine. — millions, millions more within ukraine, and that's where wfp's focuses — ukraine, and that's where wfp's focuses. looking to bring food and water _ focuses. looking to bring food and water and — focuses. looking to bring food and water and desperately needed supplies in those cities that andriy has been — supplies in those cities that andriy has been describing that are under siege _ has been describing that are under siege and — has been describing that are under siege and blockaded. we are working for example with the biggest bakery in kharkiv— for example with the biggest bakery in kharkiv to make sure it continues to produce — in kharkiv to make sure it continues to produce bread, and that bread can be distributed through the local council— be distributed through the local council with the help of the mayor to people — council with the help of the mayor to people in desperate need. we have seen millions — to people in desperate need. we have seen millions of— to people in desperate need. we have seen millions of ukrainians _ to people in desperate need. we have seen millions of ukrainians leaving i seen millions of ukrainians leaving their country, some in to places

like poland and moldova, some heading to the uk, i wonder what you yourself have thought of the 122,000 plus people who have signed up to house a ukrainian in their house with theirfamily here house a ukrainian in their house with their family here in this country. i know you are doing that yourself as well.— yourself as well. yeah, of course. now we know _ yourself as well. yeah, of course. now we know the _ yourself as well. yeah, of course. now we know the process, - yourself as well. yeah, of course. now we know the process, it's i yourself as well. yeah, of course. i now we know the process, it's very important to government to help and be clear, in the process to get people inside of the country. i personally am going to get some children from my country, also i have a lot of friends who wants to help, and provide some, some places

in our houses, and also in some student accommodation. we try to do everything that's possible. to help my people. everything that's possible. to help m tteole. , 3 , �*, everything that's possible. to help m ”eole. , �* , �*, ., my people. sorry, andriy. it's a tractical my people. sorry, andriy. it's a practical step — my people. sorry, andriy. it's a practical step because - my people. sorry, andriy. it's a practical step because lots - my people. sorry, andriy. it's a practical step because lots of i practical step because lots of people have signed up. have you gone to the official government scheme, you are planning to have a couple of children come and live with you for a few months? is that how it is going to work?— a few months? is that how it is going to work? yes, i yesterday i s-oke to going to work? yes, i yesterday i spoke to the _ going to work? yes, i yesterday i spoke to the ambassador - going to work? yes, i yesterday i spoke to the ambassador of - going to work? yes, i yesterday i i spoke to the ambassador of ukraine here, and i'm looking to being a couple of families in my house —— bring a couple of families to my house to stay here. you mentioned the terrible — house to stay here. you mentioned the terrible situation _ house to stay here. you mentioned the terrible situation in _ house to stay here. you mentioned the terrible situation in terms - house to stay here. you mentioned the terrible situation in terms of i the terrible situation in terms of the terrible situation in terms of the lack of food on the ground which is why we are talking about your campaign today. what is your biggest fear about the people who are still there, still stuck there, and getting supplies to them? fetgfe

there, still stuck there, and getting supplies to them? we have two bii getting supplies to them? we have two big targets _ getting supplies to them? we have two big targets to _ getting supplies to them? we have two big targets to reach. _ getting supplies to them? we have two big targets to reach. first - getting supplies to them? we have two big targets to reach. first of i two big targets to reach. first of all is humanitarian aid, we need to beat ukraine —— what we need to bring to ukraine, but also refugees. but it's very important, the second part, is talk, send a message to ukrainian people, i think everybody is ready to do their part in this campaign. even send a message. i know how important to ukrainian people to hear the support of the world, support of people from great britain. for us and for people, it's very important to feel this support. what about your own family, andriy?

you say you have been able to counteract some of those in kyiv, are you planning to try —— contact some of those in kyiv, are you planning to try and get some of them out, how you dealing with your own family? mt; out, how you dealing with your own famil ? g ., �*, ., out, how you dealing with your own famil? g ., �*, ., ., family? my mother's health condition is not treat family? my mother's health condition is not great at — family? my mother's health condition is not great at the _ family? my mother's health condition is not great at the moment, - family? my mother's health condition is not great at the moment, and - family? my mother's health condition is not great at the moment, and i - is not great at the moment, and i really consider in mind to start moving my mum out from kyiv. because with all that is going on around, its very difficult to everybody who it's very difficult to everybody who is there in ukraine. it's probably, i have to make the decision, but my family are going to probably stay in ukraine. �* , , ., family are going to probably stay in ukraine. �* , ,, ., «3 family are going to probably stay in ukraine. �* , ., «3 ., ukraine. andriy, you talk about the tossibili ukraine. andriy, you talk about the possibility of _ ukraine. andriy, you talk about the possibility of moving _ ukraine. andriy, you talk about the possibility of moving your- ukraine. andriy, you talk about the possibility of moving your mum, i ukraine. andriy, you talk about the i possibility of moving your mum, how difficult, how challenging might that be, if you try and do that?

it's going to be a big challenge, yeah. my sister is probably going to have to take the decision. i know there's a lot of risk, but this is there's a lot of risk, but this is the situation what hundreds of thousands of families in ukraine face. and we have to make the decision. �* , face. and we have to make the decision. 3 , ., «3 , decision. tim, andriy makes the important _ decision. tim, andriy makes the important point _ decision. tim, andriy makes the important point there, _ decision. tim, andriy makes the important point there, he - decision. tim, andriy makes the important point there, he is - decision. tim, andriy makes the i important point there, he is having these personal decisions to make with his family and there are millions of people making those decisions, some having to leave ukraine, some people going back to fight against the russians, and millions of people have been displaced and the humanitarian effort is so big it's hard to get your head around.— your head around. yeah, it absolutely _ your head around. yeah, it absolutely is. _ your head around. yeah, it absolutely is. and - your head around. yeah, it absolutely is. and we - your head around. yeah, it absolutely is. and we fear| your head around. yeah, it - absolutely is. and we fear that this is going _ absolutely is. and we fear that this is going to — absolutely is. and we fear that this is going to get worse and worse, if the war— is going to get worse and worse, if the war continues. wfp is scaling up

to bring _ the war continues. wfp is scaling up to bring assistance to 3 million people — to bring assistance to 3 million people within ukraine, but we are also very— people within ukraine, but we are also very aware that the wider impact — also very aware that the wider impact of— also very aware that the wider impact of the conflict is going to be on _ impact of the conflict is going to be on a — impact of the conflict is going to be on a whole other range of countries. _ be on a whole other range of countries, when wfp is running operations, and the price of food commodities, the price of wheat is going _ commodities, the price of wheat is going to _ commodities, the price of wheat is going to go — commodities, the price of wheat is going to go up and up and up. there is going— going to go up and up and up. there is going to— going to go up and up and up. there is going to be a whole set of what you might — is going to be a whole set of what you might call collateral hunger as a result— you might call collateral hunger as a result of— you might call collateral hunger as a result of this crisis. it�*s a result of this crisis. it's fascinating _ a result of this crisis. it's fascinating to _ a result of this crisis. it's fascinating to hear, - a result of this crisis. it�*s fascinating to hear, andriy, how you are talking about the people you are trying to look after coming to your own home and your own family, listening to you, it struck me speaking to one of our ukrainian guests the other day, she came from barry uppal, she has family there and she says for her, for generations, —— from mariupol. she says they have spoken russian in their family, says they have spoken russian in theirfamily, they says they have spoken russian in their family, they have says they have spoken russian in theirfamily, they have russian friends, and some of their family

would consider themselves to be russian but this conflict has completely changed her relationship to russia and herfamily�*s relationship to russia. we have spoken to ukrainian musicians who will no longer sing in russia. no doubt you have got ukrainian friends and you played for chelsea and a russian owner, —— you have good russian owner, —— you have good russian friends, how do you see your relationship with that country now, how has that changed for you? i think what has happened now definitely cancels the previous relationship. but i know in russia, still, there are people who are against the wall, i know, they go and speak out about the war, speak against the wall, stop the war, and you know everyone who is against the

war, i think it is important. people in russia need to speak, need to protest, need to stop and find the peace. protest, need to stop and find the teace. �* . protest, need to stop and find the teace. �* , ,., . protest, need to stop and find the teace. �* , . ., peace. i'm sure with so much going on, peace. i'm sure with so much going on. football — peace. i'm sure with so much going on, football is _ peace. i'm sure with so much going on, football is probably _ peace. i'm sure with so much going on, football is probably not - peace. i'm sure with so much going on, football is probably not the - on, football is probably not the thing you think about going on at the moment but with the sanctions on your old club chelsea, what do you think about the situation there and what do you think should happen to that club? i what do you think should happen to that club? ., �* ., , ., that club? i don't really... you know, that club? i don't really... you know. i'm _ that club? i don't really... you know, i'm not _ that club? i don't really... you know, i'm not thinking, - that club? i don't really... you know, i'm not thinking, i'm i that club? i don't really... you i know, i'm not thinking, i'm trying to stay out from, from all the situation, what's going on, and just focus how i can help my country and everything. but of course i have been speaking a lot about chelsea, but i'm sure, you know, chelsea fans

are incredible, chelsea fans are going to support the team. also, i want to appeal to chelsea fans to participate, play your part, and help ukrainian people. find participate, play your part, and help ukrainian people. and how can the do help ukrainian people. and how can they do that. _ help ukrainian people. and how can they do that, what _ help ukrainian people. and how can they do that, what should _ help ukrainian people. and how can they do that, what should they - help ukrainian people. and how can they do that, what should they do? | they do that, what should they do? there's many, many ways. do whatever you can. even to send a message, supportive message for people in ukraine. it will be very important for people in ukraine who stayed there, who fight for freedom, who fight for democracy, who are defending our houses, defending our country. it's very important feel that support from all the world, the people who can send the messages.

and the other thing that has really struck so many of our viewers in the last few weeks is the incredible resilience of the ukrainian people. we have shown photographs today, interviewed people who have taken up arms, teachers who are now fighting for theirfamily, fighting arms, teachers who are now fighting for their family, fighting for their lives and fighting against the russians. how proud are you of the way that the ukrainian people have come together and are willing to literally put their lives on the line to protect those around them? i've never been prouder in my life, like i feel now, about my nation, my people, the president zelensky, by himself, he has united all the people around him and given a strong message to everyone, we are going to stand together, we are going to defend our country.—

defend our country. andriy shevchenko, _ defend our country. andriy shevchenko, thank - defend our country. andriy shevchenko, thank you - defend our country. andriy shevchenko, thank you so | defend our country. andriy - shevchenko, thank you so much for talking to us this morning. and also tim hunter, talking about the latest situation in ukraine.— situation in ukraine. interesting to hear about someone _ situation in ukraine. interesting to hear about someone who - situation in ukraine. interesting to hear about someone who is - situation in ukraine. interesting to i hear about someone who is probably one of the most famous ukrainians anywhere in the world and he like everyone else is worried about his family. he has got a mother who needs medical care, does he move her, how can he? fiend needs medical care, does he move her. how can he?— her, how can he? and that is the most important _ her, how can he? and that is the most important thing. _ her, how can he? and that is the most important thing. thank- her, how can he? and that is the most important thing. thank you her, how can he? and that is the i most important thing. thank you for being with us this morning. the parents of a british woman who vanished from her boyfriend's yacht off the us virgin islands have flown over there for the first time since her disappearance. sarm heslop, a flight attendant, was reported missing by ryan bane from his catamaran a year ago. her mother and father are desperately trying to piece together the last known movements of their daughter as graham satchell reports. the us virgin islands, often called america's paradise. but behind the stunning beauty, there is a disturbing mystery. a year ago, british flight attendant

sarm heslop went missing. she was last seen leaving a restaurant with her american boyfriend, ryan bane. despite extensive searches, sarm has never been found. one year on, her parents, brenda and peter, have travelled to the islands for the first time to see for themselves where their daughter went missing. i need clarity. i needed to see the places that we've only heard of and seen in pictures. and i have had my moments, but it was easier than i thought. because i can see what kind of place it is and why she wanted to be here. and it's really, really good to be here, where it happened, by the waters. and i can't waitjust to spend some time on the beach where she was last seen. sarm was 41 when she disappeared. she had worked as a flight attendant and travelled the world. she met ryan bane and they became partners.

sarm was working on his boat. this drone footage taking in the days after sarm's disappearance shows mr bane's yacht moored just offshore. he rang the police in the early hours of march the 8th last year, to report sarm missing. but ryan bane has refused to be interviewed by the police and has refused permission for a forensic search of his boat. brenda and peter at the restaurant where sarm was last seen. they are being chaperoned by embassy staff from the british consulate in miami. as part of their trip, sarm's parents have met local police who explained under american law, mr bane doesn't have to agree to be interviewed. they said they couldn't do anything because that is the law. and that's what we got to accept. there's nothing else to accept. they do say they are going to keep the case open, they are going to keep on pursuing answers the best they can. it's very difficult to understand.

the only thing i will say is that he is notjust a person of interest, he is the person of interest. and they're aware of where he is. because he's out of these waters, out of the territory waters, he is now being tracked by fbi. and they keep them informed here of where he is. ryan bane has a previous conviction for assaulting his ex—wife in 2011. police have now confirmed mr bane has lead person of interest in this case but it remains a missing persons inquiry and mr bane is not a suspect. in a previous statement, mr bane's lawyer told us his client met with the us coast guard, answered all questions to him and gave them unfettered access to the vessel, as well as to sarm's personal belongings including her phone and ipad. he went on, "mr bane had nothing to do with sarm's disappearance and remains heartbroken that she is missing".

i will never forgive him for not looking after my little girl. i will never forgive him for not taking care of her. he was the captain of his ship. he should have been responsible for her. i'm going to try not to hate because being bitter and twisted is a terrible thing. but i will never, never ever forgive him. brenda has made a heart—shaped wreath to remember her daughter. and so the hardest part of the trip. franks bay, where sarm was last seen a year ago. i've got to accept that she's gone into the sea and she's gone. it's always going to hurt, it's always going to be there. i can't explain the pain. sorry. my plea to bane, if he gets to see this, my plea to him is...

please let us bring our daughter home. brenda and peter will organise a ceremony to celebrate sarm's life when they return home. the trip has given them some solace, but they are still no closer to understanding this mystery disappearance in paradise. graham satchell, bbc news. here's 0wain with a look at this morning's weather. you can talk to us about saharan dust? yes, indeed, if you look at your car over the next couple of days and you think, that looks absolutely filthy, it is not your fault! think, that looks absolutely filthy, it is not yourfault! it think, that looks absolutely filthy, it is not your fault! it is the same colour as the studio, gorgeous orange colour if you have got a white car. we will be seeing a bit of that.

this morning it is quite grey and cloudy for many of us, let's return to the saharan dust of the time being. this is storm celia which has brought some unsettled conditions across the canaries, and as it moves, as the area of low pressure moves, as the area of low pressure moves, it is drawing up parts of the saharan dust into parts of france. that is going high up into the atmosphere but where we see rain as atmosphere but where we see rain as a result of these weather fronts over the next 24 hours, some of that will be falling to the ground and in turn we might notice that some things are turning orange or a bit brown. this is the sort of direction that the dust is moving in. let's have a look at what is going on closer to home. we have a weather front nearby, this is the radar across parts of scotland, part of cumbria, parts of northern ireland and towards the south—west. there is another weak weather front ahead of this and this will put up we head through the day. —— pep up. the

first weather front will fizzle out, like it is losing interest. behind it a better story. brightening up of across parts of northern ireland and scotland. as i mentioned, we saw some mist and fog this morning, it could be slow to clear. it will return in places but but an area of high pressure moving into the area, under the clear skies it will be chilly. tomorrow, there is the area of high pressure, this is the weather front. of high pressure, this is the weatherfront. this is the of high pressure, this is the weather front. this is the white lines, the isobars are close together. so the winds will strengthen through the day tomorrow, especially across northern ireland,

western scotland in the hebrides. this feature moves across to the east. top temperatures 13 or 14, wintriness and some of those showers. mist and fog into friday but a good—looking day, brightening up but a good—looking day, brightening up with some sunshine into the weekend with temperatures rising.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. seeking solutions — nato defence ministers meet to discuss ukraine, for the first time since the russia invasion. i think ithink our i think our presence here sends a signal to the world that we remain united in our support of ukraine. under curfew and under attack — smoke billowing above the ukrainian capital this morning, as residents are told not to be out in public. 20,000 thousand people flee the beseiged city of mariupol — while 400 are described as "like hostages" inside a hospital, with staff and patients, trapped under russian bombardment borisjohnson is in the middle east — meeting leaders of the uae and saudi arabia —

hoping to secure energy supplies amid the ukraine crisis.