this is bbc news. i'm rebecca jones. the headlines: heading back to the uk — nazanin zaghari ratcliffe — the british iranian woman detained in iran since 2016 — has been freed. her husband richard has campaigned tirelessly for her release, including going on hunger strike. he gave this reaction, alongside their daughter. the smile on her face the smile on herface in the smile on her face in that photograph... it will be lovely to see her and we have chosen which toys we are taking and we are looking forward to being reunited. another british iranian, anoosheh ashoori, detained for more than four years, is also leaving tehran, bound for the uk. volodymyr zelensky makes an historic address to the us congress, calling on american fighterjets to impose a no—fly zone

above the skies of ukraine. translation: i have a need. i need to protect our sky. i need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same, the same you feel when you hear the words, "i have a dream." under curfew and under attack in kyiv — smoke billows above the ukrainian capital this morning, as residents are told not to be out in public. and borisjohnson is in the middle east — meeting leaders of the uae and saudi arabia — hoping to secure energy supplies amid the ukraine crisis.

nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranian woman detained in iran nearly six years ago, has been freed and is returning to the uk. her family say they won't relax until nazanin is here. the 43—year—old was arrested in 2016 and convicted of plotting to overthrow the iranian government — a charge she's always denied. in the last hour — nazanin�*s husband richard said he was "deeply grateful" for her release and that he and their daughter gabriella were "looking forward to a new life". this is the latest image of mrs zaghari ratcliffe on the plane — which her mp tulip sadiq shared — saying nazanin is now in the air flying away from six years of hell in iran. another detained british—iranian, anousheh ashouri, has also been released and is travelling with her. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe had recently been under house arrest in iran but was given back her uk

passport this week. it's been reported that the the uk government paid an outstanding debt to tehran ahead of the release. our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley has more. it is almost six years since they were last together as a family. but now a reunion is just hours away. this was the moment, in april 2016, when nazanin was arrested at tehran airport where she was trying to leave the country trying to get back after visiting her parents. this morning she was brought back to the airport. with fellow british national anoosheh ashoori, who has also spent years injail. this is her on the plane, with a smile on herface. since her arrest, nazanin has endured solitary confinement, psychological torture and the agony of separation from her daughter. she served a five

year sentence and was immediately given another. her husband richard has campaigned around the clock for her release, last october going on hunger strike in an act of desperation to pressure the uk government to do more to get her home. he's always said she was being held as a hostage for a debt that britain owes iran. in the 1970s, iran bought more than 1,500 chieftain tanks from the uk but, after the islamic revolution, the deal wasn't completed and iran has been demanding its money back for decades. this is the moment that state—run television announced the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. they said the money britain owes iran has now been paid. i suspect that when she touches down, it will be a very intimate party, this is a moment for richard and gabriella and not anybody else. i suspect it will be very intimate but this weekend will be one hell of a celebration. this was nazanin�*s favourite spot to come with her daughter when she was a baby. so many years to catch up on now, so much time they will never get back. since her release from jail into house arrest, she has been able

to see gabriella and richard only over the phone. i love your hair. precious moments of parenting from a distance of thousands of miles, but they are now within touching distance of finally being able to hold each other again. caroline hawley, bbc news. earlier we heard from the husband of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, and he told us their family will �*live in the future', not reflect on the many years lost. let's hear what he said. it has been a long time, hasn't it? wejust said, last it has been a long time, hasn't it? we just said, last night, it has been a long time, hasn't it? wejust said, last night, gabriella was asking if her mother was really coming back and i said i don't know for sure, coming back and i said i don't know forsure, but coming back and i said i don't know for sure, but i now pretty sure that she is coming home. and, of course, it is a happy day but also there will be plenty of rain to get through and challenges ahead, six years is a long time apart for any family. it years is a long time apart for any famil . , ., , ,

years is a long time apart for any family-_ we - years is a long time apart for any family._ we have l years is a long time apart for any i family._ we have not family. it is not sunny. we have not soken, family. it is not sunny. we have not spoken. but— family. it is not sunny. we have not spoken. but we _ family. it is not sunny. we have not spoken, but we have _ family. it is not sunny. we have not spoken, but we have message, - family. it is not sunny. we have not spoken, but we have message, shej family. it is not sunny. we have not- spoken, but we have message, she was picked up at 11 o'clock in tehran which is 730 in the morning, by the revolutionary guard and she was not able to speak, but she could send messages from her phone so i knew where she was at different points and at some time she could speak and others she couldn't. we have not had a euphoric chat about how she is, but we are alljust so relieved. what are you going to do when she is back? at what are you going to do when she is back? �* . ., , what are you going to do when she is back? �* u, , ., what are you going to do when she is back? ~ , ., ., , what are you going to do when she is back? ~ , ., , ., back? a couple of days of peace and auiet first back? a couple of days of peace and quiet first of — back? a couple of days of peace and quiet first of all— back? a couple of days of peace and quiet first of all and _ back? a couple of days of peace and quiet first of all and then _ back? a couple of days of peace and quiet first of all and then back- back? a couple of days of peace and quiet first of all and then back to - quiet first of all and then back to come at the first thing she wanted to do was make a cup of tea, —— and then back to here, and the first thing she wanted to do was make a cup of tea. may be a bit of tidying perhaps directed by mummy when she comes back. �* , �* comes back. inaudible we have _ comes back. inaudible we have been _ comes back. inaudible we have been kept - comes back. inaudible we have been kept out| comes back. inaudible | we have been kept out of comes back. inaudible - we have been kept out of the comes back. inaudible _ we have been kept out of the loop and at some points i have said this

has gone on so long and this is not ourfight. and up to has gone on so long and this is not our fight. and up to this has gone on so long and this is not ourfight. and up to this point has gone on so long and this is not our fight. and up to this point we have been kept out of the loop but with the lawyers we have been checking, so i don't know what has happened. i am checking, so i don't know what has happened. iam relieved checking, so i don't know what has happened. i am relieved that the problem has been served. the government has two jobs, to protect people and to make sure things don't happen again like this, and they need to do things to make it happen and also need to make sure it doesn't happen again. i'm really glad with the way things are. you have spent _ glad with the way things are. you have spent years _ glad with the way things are. you have spent years fighting for her release, what would you want to say to people who have got behind you? just thank you. this would not have happened today without all the care and support of people up and down the country, ordinary people, important people, people in the media, people in politics, some celebrities, butjust the overwhelming care we have had. i

remember saying this on the hunger strike and this has been a very cruel thing in some ways but we have been exposed to extraordinary kindness from all walks of life so i'm deeply grateful to anyone who has given support. thank you to everyone. has given support. thank you to everyone-— has given support. thank you to eve one. ., , ., ., everyone. how is nazanin feeling riaht everyone. how is nazanin feeling right now? _ everyone. how is nazanin feeling right now? pretty _ everyone. how is nazanin feeling right now? pretty agitated - everyone. how is nazanin feeling right now? pretty agitated as - everyone. how is nazanin feeling right now? pretty agitated as thej right now? pretty agitated as the da went right now? pretty agitated as the day went on. _ right now? pretty agitated as the day went on, and _ right now? pretty agitated as the day went on, and it _ right now? pretty agitated as the day went on, and it has - right now? pretty agitated as the day went on, and it has been - right now? pretty agitated as the - day went on, and it has been bumpy, there have been some scary conversations in the last couple of days of people just trying to make sure she would be well behaved when she came back, but a big grin on her face in that photograph. it would be lovely to see her, we have chosen which toys we have taken it so she can see them, and looking forward to a new life. �* , �* a new life. inaudible there is _ a new life. inaudible there is a _ a new life. inaudible there is a recovery i a new life. inaudible - there is a recovery process, a new life. inaudible _ there is a recovery process, you can't get back the time that has gone, that is a fight, but we live

in the future, not the past. we will take it one day at a time. we in the future, not the past. we will take it one day at a time.— take it one day at a time. we have followed your _ take it one day at a time. we have followed yourjourney _ take it one day at a time. we have followed yourjourney over - take it one day at a time. we have followed yourjourney over all - take it one day at a time. we have l followed yourjourney over all these followed your journey over all these years. _ followed your journey over all these years. the _ followed your journey over all these years. the first _ followed your journey over all these years, the first hug _ followed your journey over all these years, the first hug will— followed your journey over all these years, the first hug will make - followed your journey over all these years, the first hug will make it- years, the first hug will make it all worthwhile? _ years, the first hug will make it all worthwhile? [— years, the first hug will make it all worthwhile ?_ all worthwhile? i don't think it will make _ all worthwhile? i don't think it will make it _ all worthwhile? i don't think it will make it worthwhile! - all worthwhile? i don't think it will make it worthwhile! but l all worthwhile? i don't think it will make it worthwhile! but it all worthwhile? i don't think it - will make it worthwhile! but it will be the beginning of a new life, a normal life and i'm sure there will be bumps, the normal squabbles we had before, but we are really looking forward to seeing her. i can't imagine how difficult it must have been— can't imagine how difficult it must have been with _ can't imagine how difficult it must have been with all _ can't imagine how difficult it must have been with all the _ can't imagine how difficult it must have been with all the false - can't imagine how difficult it must. have been with all the false dawns, but breaking — have been with all the false dawns, but breaking the _ have been with all the false dawns, but breaking the news _ have been with all the false dawns, but breaking the news to _ have been with all the false dawns, but breaking the news to your- but breaking the news to your daughter— but breaking the news to your daughter must— but breaking the news to your daughter must have - but breaking the news to your daughter must have been - but breaking the news to your- daughter must have been special? i still daughter must have been special? still think we can't quite believe it but we will believe it when we see mummy. 0n it but we will believe it when we see mummy. on sunday when the passport came back, she said, is money coming home, and i said i don't know what it means, to be honest. —— is mummy. i'm grateful to

everyone who has followed us and kept us in the sunlight which is crucial in cases like this, and homecoming is a journey, not on arrival, and i don't think it would just be today, but a whole process and hopefully we will look back in years to come and this will be a chapter in our lives but they will be more chapters to come. the foreign secretary, liz truss, was asked how the release of the britons had been secured. i'm delighted that nazanin and anoosheh ashoori have been released by the iranians and that nazanin and anoosheh ashoori will return home to the uk. this has been an appalling ordealfor nazanin and the uk. this has been an appalling ordeal for nazanin and anoosheh ashoori and their families who have suffered greatly, and i'm sure everybody across the uk is delighted that they have been released and we

will be celebrating that fact. who; will be celebrating that fact. why now, what has _ will be celebrating that fact. why now, what has changed? we - will be celebrating that fact. why | now, what has changed? we have will be celebrating that fact. why - now, what has changed? we have been workin: now, what has changed? we have been working hard — now, what has changed? we have been working hard over _ now, what has changed? we have been working hard over the _ now, what has changed? we have been working hard over the last _ now, what has changed? we have been working hard over the last six _ working hard over the last six months to make sure we were able to secure the release of these detainees. nazanin and anoosheh ashoori, and make sure they are able, that this is happening... make sure they are able to return to the uk and my sympathies are with the families for what they have suffered, over this appalling time, and i'm delighted to welcome them back to the uk later today. thank you. more now from our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. we had liz truss being asked why now and what has changed. what is your feeling about that?— feeling about that? probably a coule of feeling about that? probably a couple of things. _ feeling about that? probably a couple of things. this - feeling about that? probably a couple of things. this has - feeling about that? probably a | couple of things. this has been

heavily dependent on the state of iranian british relations over the last few years and there are moments when iran has felt the need to make life difficult for britain and that this may be when nazanin was put in solitary or treated even worse than normal, and other times when it felt as if somehow the iranians wanted to strike some sort of deal, and those stars never quite aligned. what clearly has been going on, especially in the last six months, intensive diplomacy to get around theissue intensive diplomacy to get around the issue of the long—standing debt ofjust the issue of the long—standing debt of just under the issue of the long—standing debt ofjust under £400 million, owed to iran since 1979, and which britain has made it clear that while it did not recognise the connection between that and the fate of nazanin and the other detainees, that it recognised that this was a debt that needed to be repaid and it was difficult to find ways to do it. difficult because there was the risk of

running foul of us sanctions and difficult also because the idea of handing cash over to a regime that is still involved in all sorts of regional behaviour which the british and other western governments find reprehensible, that was simply inconceivable, so a mechanism had to be found to do that. 0ver inconceivable, so a mechanism had to be found to do that. over the last few months in particular, some kind of mechanism has been found although officials are very unlikely to give us many details of what that mechanism is.— us many details of what that mechanism is. . ., , ., mechanism is. the sanctions are still in place _ mechanism is. the sanctions are still in place and _ mechanism is. the sanctions are still in place and the _ mechanism is. the sanctions are l still in place and the reprehensible behaviour that some see is also still going on so it gets back to the question of what has changed? and whether the uk has perhaps branched out and divided off from the us because at one point they were very much presenting a united front on this?— front on this? there was the suggestion _ front on this? there was the suggestion last _ front on this? there was the suggestion last summer- front on this? there was the | suggestion last summer that front on this? there was the - suggestion last summer that some kind of big a deal might have been achieved but that opportunity came and went and clearly the british

government decided that for various reasons it was sensible to try and zero in on the cases of the british dual nationals and to maybe not get bogged down in any wider issue that might result from things dragging on even longer. some disquiet expressed in the us about the way this has panned out and the fact that one of those three who also holds a us nationality is not on the plane, with nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori, he isjust with nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori, he is just on furlough. there may be other steps which means it could all be a bit different, but clearly we saw from this government and this foreign secretary a determination to make this an absolutely top priority, with a number of meetings since the autumn involving 0mar —— oh —— 0man

autumn involving 0mar —— oh —— oman and asa autumn involving 0mar —— oh —— oman and as a result we are seeing what we are seeing today, and some might say that britain and america should have held together but sometimes these things have got to be picked off when they can be. paul adams, thanks forjoining _ off when they can be. paul adams, thanks forjoining us. _ let's bring you some breaking news now and a strong earthquake has struck off the northeast coast ofjapan, shaking buildings and triggering a tsunami warning. the tremor registered with a magnitude of 7.3 and as high as a 6—plus on the japanese shaking intensity scale in some areas — too strong for people to stand, according to public broadcaster nhk. the same region was hit by a major

quake followed by a tsunami in 2011 that triggered the fukushima nuclear disaster. many areas are without power. japan's prime minister has set up an emergency response centre. there has been a strong earthquake which has struck off the north—east coast of japan which has shaken buildings and deprived many areas of power but has also triggered a tsunami warning and we will bring you more details on that as we get them. blasts have been heard in the ukrainian capital, kyiv, with emergency services saying a block of flats in the city has been hit by russian shelling. people have been sheltering underground and in their homes, while a curfew remains in place. meanwhile, ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has said peace talks are beginning to sound more realistic. russia's foreign minister has said

there is "hope for compromise". today, the uk's ministry of defence said ukraine is continuing to succeed in "stalling russia's advance", with russian forces "struggling to overcome the challenges posed by ukraine's terrain". this morning nato defence ministers have met in brussels to discuss their response to the conflict. 0ur kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse, has the latest. three weeks into this war and russia keeps attacking. and, for the capital, the battle is getting closer and the defenders keep defending. translation: they sometimes fire artillery every ten to 20 minutes. i we're holding on, everything will be all right, everything will be ukraine.

a lull in fighting allows for a quick rest. and this is what we see now. plumes of dark smoke on the outskirts of the city, as ukrainian forces try to keep out this russian advance. and, further inside kyiv, more residential blocks are randomly getting hit. for the third consecutive morning, residential blocks bear the brunt of the shelling, along with the people in them. here, two were injured, 35 evacuated. most of the city are underground, waiting for a day and a half curfew to end tomorrow. we are going to brussels because jens stoltenberg has just started speaking after a meeting with defence ministers. brute speaking after a meeting with defence ministers.— speaking after a meeting with defence ministers. we all paid tribute to the _ defence ministers. we all paid tribute to the courage - defence ministers. we all paid tribute to the courage of- defence ministers. we all paid tribute to the courage of the i tribute to the courage of the ukrainian people and the ukrainian

armed forces. nato allies and partners have supported ukraine with equipment and training over many years. we are helping ukraine to uphold its fundamental right to self—defence, freedom and democracy. with significant amounts of critical military equipment. today ministers agreed that we must continue to provide significant support to ukraine. including with military supplies, financial help, and militaria in aid. nato allies and partners —— humanitarian aid. nato allies and partners are also hosting many thousands of refugees. putin must stop this war immediately and

withdraw his forces now and engage in diplomacy in good faith. nato is responding to this crisis with speed and unity. next week and i'd heads of state and government will meet for an extraordinary nato summit —— next week leaders and heads of state. we will look at the changes we need to make for our long—term security. moscow should be in no doubt, nato will not tolerate any attack on allied sovereignty or territorial integrity. we have already activated our defence plans to shield the alliance, and deploy troops from both sides of the atlantic. there are now hundreds of

thousands of forces at heightened alert across the alliance. 100,000 us troops in europe. and around 40,000 troops under direct nato command mostly in the eastern part of the alliance. backed by major air and naval power as well as air defences. but we face a new reality for our security. so we must reset our collective defence and deterrence for the longer term. today military commanders to develop options across all domains, land, air and sea, options across all domains, land, airand sea, cyberand options across all domains, land, air and sea, cyber and space. 0n land at our new pastures should include substantially more forces in

the eastern part of the alliance —— our new pastures. with more pre—positioned equipment and supplies. in the air more allied air power and strength and integrated air and power and strength and integrated airand missile power and strength and integrated air and missile defence. at sea, carriers, strike groups, submarines and significant numbers of combat ships on a persistent basis. we will also consider the future of our cyber defences and how best to draw on allied space assets. we should also train and exercise more often and in greater numbers. major increases to our defence will require major investment. allies need to invest a minimum of 2% of gdp on defence and i welcome that

allies such as germany and denmark have already made important announcements on more investments and faster timetables. we also need to spend more together. nato common funding is something that allows us to work together and it is a force multiplierfor national to work together and it is a force multiplier for national defence efforts and it shows solidarity as allies. at this critical moment for our security, unity between north america and europe in nato is more important than ever. and with that i'm ready to take your questions. we will start with the bbc. could i ask, _ will start with the bbc. could i ask, we — will start with the bbc. could i ask, we have _ will start with the bbc. could i ask, we have heard _ will start with the bbc. could i ask, we have heard from i will start with the bbc. could i- ask, we have heard from president zelensky— ask, we have heard from president zelensky addressing _ ask, we have heard from president zelensky addressing the _ ask, we have heard from president zelensky addressing the us - ask, we have heard from president. zelensky addressing the us congress,

calling _ zelensky addressing the us congress, calling for— zelensky addressing the us congress, calling for a _ zelensky addressing the us congress, calling for a no—fly _ zelensky addressing the us congress, calling for a no—fly zone. _ zelensky addressing the us congress, calling for a no—fly zone. are - zelensky addressing the us congress, calling for a no—fly zone. are there i calling for a no—fly zone. are there any allies— calling for a no—fly zone. are there any allies at — calling for a no—fly zone. are there any allies at all— calling for a no—fly zone. are there any allies at all who _ calling for a no—fly zone. are there any allies at all who have - calling for a no—fly zone. are there any allies at all who have been i any allies at all who have been asking — any allies at all who have been asking for— any allies at all who have been asking for one, _ any allies at all who have been asking for one, even— any allies at all who have been asking for one, even if- any allies at all who have been asking for one, even if the i any allies at all who have been i asking for one, even if the decision of the _ asking for one, even if the decision of the alliance _ asking for one, even if the decision of the alliance as _ asking for one, even if the decision of the alliance as a _ asking for one, even if the decision of the alliance as a whole - asking for one, even if the decision of the alliance as a whole is - asking for one, even if the decision of the alliance as a whole is not i asking for one, even if the decision of the alliance as a whole is not toi of the alliance as a whole is not to enforce _ of the alliance as a whole is not to enforce one? _ of the alliance as a whole is not to enforce one? has— of the alliance as a whole is not to enforce one? has there _ of the alliance as a whole is not to enforce one? has there been i of the alliance as a whole is not to enforce one? has there been anyl enforce one? has there been any discussion— enforce one? has there been any discussion about _ enforce one? has there been any discussion about it? _ enforce one? has there been any discussion about it? the - enforce one? has there been any discussion about it? the second. discussion about it? the second question— discussion about it? the second question is— discussion about it? the second question is about _ discussion about it? the second question is about ukraine - discussion about it? the second question is about ukraine and i discussion about it? the secondl question is about ukraine and its nato _ question is about ukraine and its nato membership, _ question is about ukraine and its nato membership, do— question is about ukraine and its nato membership, do you - question is about ukraine and its- nato membership, do you believe... sorry. _ nato membership, do you believe... sorry. ukraine — nato membership, do you believe... sorry, ukraine has _ nato membership, do you believe... sorry, ukraine has cooled _ nato membership, do you believe... sorry, ukraine has cooled down i nato membership, do you believe... sorry, ukraine has cooled down on l sorry, ukraine has cooled down on its view_ sorry, ukraine has cooled down on its view of— sorry, ukraine has cooled down on its view ofjoining _ sorry, ukraine has cooled down on its view ofjoining nato, _ sorry, ukraine has cooled down on its view ofjoining nato, as - sorry, ukraine has cooled down on its view ofjoining nato, as a - its view ofjoining nato, as a negotiating _ its view ofjoining nato, as a negotiating tool— its view ofjoining nato, as a negotiating tool with- its view ofjoining nato, as a negotiating tool with the i its view ofjoining nato, as a i negotiating tool with the hope of eventually — negotiating tool with the hope of eventually reaching _ negotiating tool with the hope of eventually reaching some - negotiating tool with the hope of eventually reaching some kind i negotiating tool with the hope ofj eventually reaching some kind of agreement— eventually reaching some kind of agreement with _ eventually reaching some kind of agreement with russia. - eventually reaching some kind of agreement with russia.- eventually reaching some kind of agreement with russia. allies are united both _ agreement with russia. allies are united both in _ agreement with russia. allies are united both in providing _ agreement with russia. allies are united both in providing support l agreement with russia. allies are | united both in providing support to ukraine and to uphold their rightful self defence but allies are also united when it comes to the fact that nato on the ground or in the airspace over ukraine. because we have a

responsibility to make sure that this conflict, this war doesn't escalate beyond ukraine. we seek death and destruction and human suffering in ukraine —— we see. but this could be even worse if nato took action that actually turned it into a fully fledged war between nato and russia. so allies are united when it comes to the issue of how to provide support to ukraine and ministers addressed this today and ministers addressed this today and they reinforced the message of the importance of providing support with equipment, advanced equipment, air defence systems and anti—tank weapons and other types of support, but no nato deployment of air or ground capabilities in ukraine and thatis ground capabilities in ukraine and that is the united position from nato allies. the message to ukraine

is the same as it has been now for years, that ukraine is a rates of an independent nation and it can choose its own path and we respect the decisions made by the democratically elected government in ukraine —— ukraine is a sovereign independent nation. it is up to them as to whether to aspire to nato membership or not and that it is up to the nato allies to decide that issue and not for russia to try and veto such a process. for russia to try and veto such a rocess. �* ., �* ., process. i'm from cnn. i'm wondering if nato has invited _ process. i'm from cnn. i'm wondering if nato has invited president _ if nato has invited president zelensky— if nato has invited president zelensky to _ if nato has invited president zelensky to participate i if nato has invited president zelensky to participate in i if nato has invited presidentl zelensky to participate in the leaders — zelensky to participate in the leaders summit— zelensky to participate in the leaders summit next - zelensky to participate in the leaders summit next week i zelensky to participate in the leaders summit next week in zelensky to participate in the i leaders summit next week in any zelensky to participate in the - leaders summit next week in any way and ihr— leaders summit next week in any way and i'm also— leaders summit next week in any way and i'm also wondering _ leaders summit next week in any way and i'm also wondering if— leaders summit next week in any way and i'm also wondering if you - leaders summit next week in any way and i'm also wondering if you could i and i'm also wondering if you could respond _ and i'm also wondering if you could respond to— and i'm also wondering if you could respond to the _ and i'm also wondering if you could respond to the polish _ and i'm also wondering if you could respond to the polish proposal- and i'm also wondering if you could respond to the polish proposal to l respond to the polish proposal to send _ respond to the polish proposal to send nato — respond to the polish proposal to send nato forces _ respond to the polish proposal to send nato forces into _ respond to the polish proposal to send nato forces into ukraine i respond to the polish proposal to send nato forces into ukraine on| respond to the polish proposal to. send nato forces into ukraine on a peacekeeping _ send nato forces into ukraine on a peacekeeping mission? _

send nato forces into ukraine on a peacekeeping mission? itlt�*hat- send nato forces into ukraine on a peacekeeping mission?— send nato forces into ukraine on a peacekeeping mission? what we need is eace in peacekeeping mission? what we need is peace in ukraine _ peacekeeping mission? what we need is peace in ukraine and _ peacekeeping mission? what we need is peace in ukraine and therefore i is peace in ukraine and therefore russia and putin has got to stop the war and withdraw its forces. we support efforts to find a negotiated solution and we support all efforts to find a diplomatic solution and we support and welcome the talks and negotiations which are now taking place between ukraine and russia. at the same time we support ukraine because we know what they can achieve on the negotiating table, it is very closely linked to the situation on the battlefield, so i strongly believe that one of the reasons the ukrainians have also seen some steps on the right direction is because they have been able to fight back, they have been able to fight back, they have been able to fight back, they have been able to fight back against the invading russian forces so the courage and determination and the support from the nato allies to the ukrainian armed forces is extremely important when it comes to what they can achieve as part of the

negotiated process with russia. so, again, we support peace efforts and we call on russia and putin to withdraw their forces but we have no plans to deploy nato troops on the ground in ukraine. flan plans to deploy nato troops on the ground in ukraine.— plans to deploy nato troops on the ground in ukraine. can you comment on ital 's ground in ukraine. can you comment on italy's role — ground in ukraine. can you comment on italy's role in _ ground in ukraine. can you comment on italy's role in the _ ground in ukraine. can you comment on italy's role in the current - on italy's role in the current crisis — on italy's role in the current crisis and _ on italy's role in the current crisis and happy _ on italy's role in the current crisis and happy birthday. on italy's role in the currentj crisis and happy birthday for on italy's role in the current - crisis and happy birthday for today. thank— crisis and happy birthday for today. thank you — crisis and happy birthday for today. thank you. italy— crisis and happy birthday for today. thank you. italy is _ crisis and happy birthday for today. thank you. italy is a _ crisis and happy birthday for today. thank you. italy is a highly - crisis and happy birthday for today. thank you. italy is a highly valued i thank you. italy is a highly valued nato ally and a founding member, and italy is contributing to our collective defence in many ways. i was also recently in romania and i met italian pilots who are helping to keep nato airspace safe and they

really show a commitment and strength in their contributions to different nato missions and operations including in crossover where italy has been a key ally for many years —— kosovo. where italy has been a key ally for many years -- kosovo.— where italy has been a key ally for many years -- kosovo. studio: we will leave that _ many years -- kosovo. studio: we will leave that for _ many years -- kosovo. studio: we will leave that for now, _ many years -- kosovo. studio: we will leave that for now, that - many years -- kosovo. studio: we will leave that for now, that press l will leave that for now, that press conference with un secretary—general jens stoltenberg. he was unequivocal, the allies are united in providing support, things like military supplies and financial help and humanitarian aid as well as hosting ukrainian refugees but he insisted yet again that the alliance will not engage in a direct conflict with russia and it would not deploy forces on the ground or in the airspace above ukraine.

ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has used a rare live address to the us congress to make an emotional appeal for more help from america to fight off the russian invasion. speaking by video link from kyiv, he pleaded for the us to impose a no fly zone on russia. this is what he said. translation: russian | troops have already fired nearly 1,000 missiles at ukraine, countless bombs. they use drones to kill us with precision. this is a terror that europe has not seen, has not seen for 80 years, and we are asking for a reply, for an answer to this terror from the whole world. is this a lot to ask for? to create a no—fly zone over ukraine, to save people, is this too much to ask? we can now go to the house of commons for a statement from the foreign secretary liz truss.

after yea rs of after years of unfed attention, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori have this afternoon finally been allowed to board a plane and leave the country. they are on their way home. they will land in the uk later today and they will be reunited with their families. morad tahbaz has also been released from prison on furlough boston i know that the whole house and the whole country will rejoice at this news. and will share in relief that their horrendous ordeal is over. nazanin was held in iran for almost six years, and anoosheh ashoori almost five. morad tahbaz has been in prison forfour. their the result of result of years of tenacious british diplomacy. i want to thank our friends for their help in bringing our national home. i pay tribute to the efforts of many in

this house, particularly the members for hampstead and kilburn and lewisham east. i pay tribute as well to my predecessors and my right honourable friend the panellist of helping to resolve this issue. i also want to express my admiration for the incredible resolve and determination shown by nazanin, anoosheh ashoori, morad tahbaz and theirfamilies. i have been in contact with them throughout, together with our specialist consulates teams. their suffering has moved us all and so does the prospect of them being reunited with their loved ones once again after this long and cruel separation. we secured the release of morad tahbaz�*s furlough after intense diplomatic at every level. we have stepped up his efforts over the last six months. upon becoming foreign secretary in september, i made resolving the continued separation of british nationals in the imf debt

priorities. 0n of british nationals in the imf debt priorities. on my first week, i met theirfamilies and met my iranian counterpart. this was the first in—person meeting ever iranian and british foreign minister in years. we agree to work together to resolve these two issues in parallel. i dispatched a team of foreign office negotiators to hold intensive discussions with senior iranian officials to secure the release of our detainees. 0fficials travelled to tehran for negotiations in october and november, a final round of negotiations took place in muscat in february resulting in this agreement. 0urambassador in february resulting in this agreement. 0ur ambassador in tehran has also been in constant talks with iranian ministers and senior officials. and i spoke to the minister in iran in october to advance the talks. in september, i met the minister and secured iran's assistance in this important work. in february, i met with the minister again to drive to talk to a final conclusion. we will push to talk to

more partners to secure morad tahbaz�*s permanent release home, which is overdue. we will continue to support other british nationals in iran who have asked for our help. we will work closely with our international partners to urge iran to end its practice of unfed attention. it remains —— unfair. the agonies endured by nazanin anoosheh ashoori, morad tahbaz and their families must never happen again. our efforts to settle the imf debt have also reached their conclusion. after a highly complex and exhaustive negotiations, the more than 40—year—old debt between the international military services and the ministry of defence of iran has now been settled. as the house is aware, this debt related to contracts signed with the iranian ministry of defence in the 1970s. following the revolution of 1979,

these contracts could not be fulfilled. i pushed officials to be as creative as possible in finding a way to resolve this situation, and they have worked around the clock to find a viable payment route. we have considered and exhausted many options in the process. but i can tell the house we have found a way to make the payment in full, in compliance with uk and international sanctions and global counterterrorism financing and anti—money laundering regulations. a sum of £393.8 million has now been paid, which will only be available for humanitarian purposes. the terms remain confidential to both parties. we have long said we would find a solution to the imf debt, now thanks to the tireless work of our officials, we have found a way to do so. the repayment of the debt in parallel with the release of our nationals reflect steps ta ken by both the uk and iran to resolve

issues of serious disagreement between our two countries. we will continue to stand up for our interests and the freedom and security of our nationals wherever they are. and for an end to arbitrary detention. but for now, to nazanin and anoosheh ashoori, i am pleased that in just a few hours' time, we will be able to say welcome home. i commend this statement to the house. shadow foreign secretary david lammy. mr speaker, ithank the foreign secretary for advanced site of the statement. mr speaker, for too long the iranian government have been depriving british nationals of their been depriving british nationals of thei , , ., , their liberty, to use them as olitical their liberty, to use them as political bargaining - their liberty, to use them as political bargaining chips. i their liberty, to use them as i political bargaining chips. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe _ political bargaining chips. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has _ political bargaining chips. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has been- political bargaining chips. nazanin i zaghari—ratcliffe has been detained in iran— zaghari—ratcliffe has been detained in iran for— zaghari—ratcliffe has been detained in iran for almost _ zaghari—ratcliffe has been detained in iran for almost six _ zaghari—ratcliffe has been detained in iran for almost six years. - in iran for almost six years. anoosheh _ in iran for almost six years. anoosheh ashoori - in iran for almost six years. anoosheh ashoori has i in iran for almost six years. | anoosheh ashoori has faced in iran for almost six years. i anoosheh ashoori has faced the in iran for almost six years. _ anoosheh ashoori has faced the same fate for— anoosheh ashoori has faced the same fate for almost — anoosheh ashoori has faced the same fate for almost five _ anoosheh ashoori has faced the same fate for almost five years. _ anoosheh ashoori has faced the same fate for almost five years. the - fate for almost five years. the suffering — fate for almost five years. the suffering we _ fate for almost five years. the suffering we have _ fate for almost five years. the suffering we have endured i fate for almost five years. the i suffering we have endured during these _ suffering we have endured during these years — suffering we have endured during these years is _ suffering we have endured during these years is unimaginable. i suffering we have endured during

these years is unimaginable. the| these years is unimaginable. the moments — these years is unimaginable. the moments of— these years is unimaginable. the moments of laughter, _ these years is unimaginable. the moments of laughter, joy- these years is unimaginable. the moments of laughter, joy and i these years is unimaginable. the i moments of laughter, joy and hope that they— moments of laughter, joy and hope that they and — moments of laughter, joy and hope that they and their— moments of laughter, joy and hope that they and their families - moments of laughter, joy and hope that they and their families have i that they and their families have lost our— that they and their families have lost our irretrievable. _ that they and their families have lost our irretrievable. the - that they and their families havel lost our irretrievable. the iranian government— lost our irretrievable. the iranian government is— lost our irretrievable. the iranian government is entirely— lost our irretrievable. the iranian government is entirely to - lost our irretrievable. the iranian government is entirely to blamel lost our irretrievable. the iranian i government is entirely to blame for these _ government is entirely to blame for these acts— government is entirely to blame for these acts of— government is entirely to blame for these acts of cruelty. _ government is entirely to blame for these acts of cruelty. the _ government is entirely to blame for these acts of cruelty. the whole i these acts of cruelty. the whole house _ these acts of cruelty. the whole house will — these acts of cruelty. the whole house will be _ these acts of cruelty. the whole house will be overjoyed - these acts of cruelty. the whole house will be overjoyed at i these acts of cruelty. the whole house will be overjoyed at their| house will be overjoyed at their detention— house will be overjoyed at their detention coming _ house will be overjoyed at their detention coming to _ house will be overjoyed at their detention coming to an - house will be overjoyed at their detention coming to an end i house will be overjoyed at theirj detention coming to an end and house will be overjoyed at their- detention coming to an end and that nazanin _ detention coming to an end and that nazanin and — detention coming to an end and that nazanin and anoosheh _ detention coming to an end and that nazanin and anoosheh can - detention coming to an end and that nazanin and anoosheh can return i detention coming to an end and that nazanin and anoosheh can return to| nazanin and anoosheh can return to british— nazanin and anoosheh can return to british soil — nazanin and anoosheh can return to british soil to — nazanin and anoosheh can return to british soil to return _ nazanin and anoosheh can return to british soil to return to _ nazanin and anoosheh can return to british soil to return to their - british soil to return to their families— british soil to return to their families and _ british soil to return to their families and take _ british soil to return to their families and take the - british soil to return to their families and take the breath british soil to return to their i families and take the breath of freedom — families and take the breath of freedom once _ families and take the breath of freedom once again. _ families and take the breath of freedom once again. we - families and take the breath of freedom once again. we must| families and take the breath of. freedom once again. we must pay tribute _ freedom once again. we must pay tribute to— freedom once again. we must pay tribute to their— freedom once again. we must pay tribute to their tireless _ freedom once again. we must pay tribute to their tireless families i tribute to their tireless families who showed _ tribute to their tireless families who showed extraordinary- tribute to their tireless families i who showed extraordinary strength, resilience _ who showed extraordinary strength, resilience and — who showed extraordinary strength, resilience and courage _ who showed extraordinary strength, resilience and courage in— who showed extraordinary strength, resilience and courage in the - who showed extraordinary strength, resilience and courage in the face i resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable _ resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable ordeal. - resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable ordeal. i- resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable ordeal. i also i resilience and courage in the face. of unimaginable ordeal. i also give credit— of unimaginable ordeal. i also give credit to _ of unimaginable ordeal. i also give credit to the — of unimaginable ordeal. i also give credit to the member— of unimaginable ordeal. i also give credit to the member for— of unimaginable ordeal. i also give l credit to the member for hampstead and kilburn — and kilburn. hear, - and kilburn. hear, hear! | hear, hear! tor- hear, hear! for all- hear, hear! for all of. hear, hear! i for all of her hear, hear! - for all of her efforts hear, hear! _ for all of her efforts over hear, hear! — for all of her efforts over so many years _ for all of her efforts over so many years and — for all of her efforts over so many years and to _ for all of her efforts over so many years. and to the _ for all of her efforts over so many years. and to the member- for all of her efforts over so many years. and to the member for- years. and to the member for lewisham _ years. and to the member for lewisham east _ years. and to the member for lewisham east for— years. and to the member for lewisham east for continuing | years. and to the member for. lewisham east for continuing to raise _ lewisham east for continuing to raise these _ lewisham east for continuing to raise these issues. _ lewisham east for continuing to raise these issues. their- lewisham east for continuing toi raise these issues. their tireless work— raise these issues. their tireless work and — raise these issues. their tireless work and campaigning _ raise these issues. their tireless work and campaigning to - raise these issues. their tireless work and campaigning to secure | raise these issues. their tireless i work and campaigning to secure the freedom _ work and campaigning to secure the freedom of— work and campaigning to secure the freedom of their— work and campaigning to secure the freedom of their constituents. i work and campaigning to secure the freedom of their constituents. we . freedom of their constituents. we 'oin freedom of their constituents. we join the _ freedom of their constituents. we join the government _ freedom of their constituents. we join the government in _ freedom of their constituents. we join the government in thanking, i freedom of their constituents. we i join the government in thanking, the government— join the government in thanking, the government of— join the government in thanking, the government of oman _ join the government in thanking, the government of oman for— join the government in thanking, the government of oman for their - join the government in thanking, the government of oman for their help. i join the government in thanking, the| government of oman for their help. i also give _ government of oman for their help. i also give credit— government of oman for their help. i

also give credit to _ government of oman for their help. i also give credit to the _ government of oman for their help. i also give credit to the tireless - also give credit to the tireless work— also give credit to the tireless work of— also give credit to the tireless work of british _ also give credit to the tireless work of british officials - also give credit to the tireless work of british officials as i also give credit to the tirelessl work of british officials as well also give credit to the tireless i work of british officials as well as the foreign— work of british officials as well as the foreign secretary— work of british officials as well as the foreign secretary for- work of british officials as well as the foreign secretary for her- work of british officials as well as the foreign secretary for her role in securing — the foreign secretary for her role in securing justice. _ the foreign secretary for her role in securing justice. she _ the foreign secretary for her role in securing justice. she sewn- the foreign secretary for her role. in securing justice. she sewn more skills— in securing justice. she sewn more skills and — in securing justice. she sewn more skills and diplomacy _ in securing justice. she sewn more skills and diplomacy than - in securing justice. she sewn more skills and diplomacy than her i skills and diplomacy than her bungling _ skills and diplomacy than her bungling boss _ skills and diplomacy than her bungling boss. who- skills and diplomacy than her| bungling boss. who appeared skills and diplomacy than her i bungling boss. who appeared to skills and diplomacy than her - bungling boss. who appeared to do more _ bungling boss. who appeared to do more damage — bungling boss. who appeared to do more damage than— bungling boss. who appeared to do more damage than help _ bungling boss. who appeared to do more damage than help while i bungling boss. who appeared to do more damage than help while he i bungling boss. who appeared to do i more damage than help while he held her current— more damage than help while he held her current post~ _ more damage than help while he held her current post. there _ more damage than help while he held her current post. there are _ more damage than help while he held her current post. there are serious. her current post. there are serious lessons _ her current post. there are serious lessons that — her current post. there are serious lessons that need _ her current post. there are serious lessons that need to _ her current post. there are serious lessons that need to be _ her current post. there are serious lessons that need to be learned i her current post. there are serious. lessons that need to be learned from this appalling — lessons that need to be learned from this appalling episode, _ lessons that need to be learned from this appalling episode, we _ lessons that need to be learned from this appalling episode, we need i lessons that need to be learned from this appalling episode, we need a i this appalling episode, we need a stronger— this appalling episode, we need a stronger international _ this appalling episode, we need a stronger international measures i this appalling episode, we need a. stronger international measures to combat _ stronger international measures to combat the — stronger international measures to combat the use _ stronger international measures to combat the use of— stronger international measures to combat the use of arbitrary - combat the use of arbitrary detention— combat the use of arbitrary detention as _ combat the use of arbitrary detention as a _ combat the use of arbitrary detention as a political - combat the use of arbitraryi detention as a political tool combat the use of arbitrary i detention as a political tool to combat the use of arbitrary - detention as a political tool to end hostage _ detention as a political tool to end hostage diplomacy, _ detention as a political tool to end hostage diplomacy, and _ detention as a political tool to end hostage diplomacy, and we - detention as a political tool to end hostage diplomacy, and we need i detention as a political tool to end | hostage diplomacy, and we need a review_ hostage diplomacy, and we need a review of— hostage diplomacy, and we need a review of these _ hostage diplomacy, and we need a review of these cases. _ hostage diplomacy, and we need a review of these cases. we - hostage diplomacy, and we need a review of these cases. we need i hostage diplomacy, and we need a review of these cases. we need to| review of these cases. we need to understand — review of these cases. we need to understand what— review of these cases. we need to understand what could _ review of these cases. we need to understand what could have - review of these cases. we need to understand what could have beenl review of these cases. we need to - understand what could have been done by the _ understand what could have been done by the british— understand what could have been done by the british government _ understand what could have been done by the british government to _ understand what could have been done by the british government to secure i by the british government to secure the release — by the british government to secure the release is — by the british government to secure the release is sooner. _ by the british government to secure the release is sooner. i— by the british government to secure the release is sooner. i note - by the british government to secure the release is sooner. i note that i the release is sooner. i note that the release is sooner. i note that the foreign— the release is sooner. i note that the foreign secretary— the release is sooner. i note that the foreign secretary said - the release is sooner. i note that the foreign secretary said she i the release is sooner. i note thati the foreign secretary said she has stepped _ the foreign secretary said she has stepped up — the foreign secretary said she has stepped up these _ the foreign secretary said she has stepped up these efforts - the foreign secretary said she has stepped up these efforts over- the foreign secretary said she has stepped up these efforts over the| stepped up these efforts over the last six— stepped up these efforts over the last six months, _ stepped up these efforts over the last six months, they— stepped up these efforts over the last six months, they give - stepped up these efforts over the last six months, they give her- last six months, they give her credit— last six months, they give her credit for— last six months, they give her credit for that. _ last six months, they give her credit for that. we _ last six months, they give her credit for that. we welcome . last six months, they give her. credit for that. we welcome that. but we _ credit for that. we welcome that. but we ask— credit for that. we welcome that. but we ask what _ credit for that. we welcome that. but we ask what efforts - credit for that. we welcome that. but we ask what efforts were - credit for that. we welcome that. but we ask what efforts were not| but we ask what efforts were not taken _ but we ask what efforts were not taken by — but we ask what efforts were not taken by her _ but we ask what efforts were not taken by her predecessors - but we ask what efforts were not taken by her predecessors that l but we ask what efforts were not - taken by her predecessors that could have been? — taken by her predecessors that could have been? the _ taken by her predecessors that could have been? the review— taken by her predecessors that could have been? the review must - taken by her predecessors that could have been? the review must also . have been? the review must also consider— have been? the review must also consider what _ have been? the review must also consider what comments - have been? the review must also consider what comments made i have been? the review must also| consider what comments made by mihisters — consider what comments made by ministers and _ consider what comments made by ministers and indeed _ consider what comments made by ministers and indeed contributedl consider what comments made by. ministers and indeed contributed to extended _ ministers and indeed contributed to extended detention. _ ministers and indeed contributed to extended detention. it _ ministers and indeed contributed to extended detention. it is _ ministers and indeed contributed to extended detention. it is also -

ministers and indeed contributed to extended detention. it is also good| extended detention. it is also good news _ extended detention. it is also good news that— extended detention. it is also good news that morad _ extended detention. it is also good news that morad tahbaz _ extended detention. it is also good news that morad tahbaz has - extended detention. it is also good news that morad tahbaz has been. news that morad tahbaz has been released — news that morad tahbaz has been released on— news that morad tahbaz has been released on furlough. _ news that morad tahbaz has been released on furlough. the - news that morad tahbaz has been released on furlough. the foreign secretary— released on furlough. the foreign secretary elaborate _ released on furlough. the foreign secretary elaborate on _ released on furlough. the foreign secretary elaborate on the - released on furlough. the foreign secretary elaborate on the next . secretary elaborate on the next steps _ secretary elaborate on the next steps to — secretary elaborate on the next steps to sopport _ secretary elaborate on the next steps to support his _ secretary elaborate on the next steps to support his case? - secretary elaborate on the next steps to support his case? we i secretary elaborate on the next - steps to support his case? we note that there — steps to support his case? we note that there remain _ steps to support his case? we note that there remain other— steps to support his case? we note that there remain other british - that there remain other british nationals— that there remain other british nationals still— that there remain other british nationals still in _ that there remain other british nationals still in detention - that there remain other british - nationals still in detention seeking help from — nationals still in detention seeking help from the _ nationals still in detention seeking help from the british _ nationals still in detention seeking help from the british government, can the _ help from the british government, can the foreign _ help from the british government, can the foreign secretary - help from the british government, can the foreign secretary update i help from the british government, . can the foreign secretary update the house _ can the foreign secretary update the house on _ can the foreign secretary update the house on the — can the foreign secretary update the house on the latest _ can the foreign secretary update the house on the latest number- can the foreign secretary update the house on the latest number and - can the foreign secretary update the i house on the latest number and what efforts _ house on the latest number and what efforts are _ house on the latest number and what efforts are in — house on the latest number and what efforts are in place _ house on the latest number and what efforts are in place to _ house on the latest number and what efforts are in place to help _ house on the latest number and what efforts are in place to help them? - efforts are in place to help them? mr speaker, — efforts are in place to help them? mr speaker, we— efforts are in place to help them? mr speaker, we welcome - efforts are in place to help them? mr speaker, we welcome the - mr speaker, we welcome the government's— mr speaker, we welcome the government's that _ mr speaker, we welcome the government's that the - mr speaker, we welcome the government's that the ios i mr speaker, we welcome the . government's that the ios debt mr speaker, we welcome the - government's that the ios debt has been repaid, — government's that the ios debt has been repaid, we _ government's that the ios debt has been repaid, we have _ government's that the ios debt has been repaid, we have long - government's that the ios debt has been repaid, we have long called i government's that the ios debt hasi been repaid, we have long called for the government— been repaid, we have long called for the government to _ been repaid, we have long called for the government to pay _ been repaid, we have long called for the government to pay back- been repaid, we have long called for the government to pay back that - the government to pay back that internationally— the government to pay back that internationally recognised - the government to pay back that internationally recognised and i internationally recognised and legitimate _ internationally recognised and legitimate debt. _ internationally recognised and legitimate debt. what- internationally recognised and - legitimate debt. what guarantees have the — legitimate debt. what guarantees have the government _ legitimate debt. what guarantees have the government scheme - legitimate debt. what guarantees. have the government scheme given that the _ have the government scheme given that the sum — have the government scheme given that the sum will— have the government scheme given that the sum will only _ have the government scheme given that the sum will only be _ have the government scheme given that the sum will only be used - have the government scheme given that the sum will only be used for. that the sum will only be used for humanitarian _ that the sum will only be used for humanitarian purposes? - that the sum will only be used for humanitarian purposes? let- that the sum will only be used for humanitarian purposes? let us. that the sum will only be used for. humanitarian purposes? let us focus on the _ humanitarian purposes? let us focus on the main — humanitarian purposes? let us focus on the main point— humanitarian purposes? let us focus on the main point of— humanitarian purposes? let us focus on the main point of the _ humanitarian purposes? let us focus on the main point of the statement, | on the main point of the statement, the whole _ on the main point of the statement, the whole house _ on the main point of the statement, the whole house and _ on the main point of the statement, the whole house and the _ on the main point of the statement, the whole house and the whole - the whole house and the whole country — the whole house and the whole country can _ the whole house and the whole country can share _ the whole house and the whole country can share in _ the whole house and the whole country can share in the - the whole house and the wholel country can share in the triumph the whole house and the whole - country can share in the triumph of welcoming — country can share in the triumph of welcoming nazanin _ country can share in the triumph of welcoming nazanin and _ country can share in the triumph of welcoming nazanin and anooshehl country can share in the triumph of - welcoming nazanin and anoosheh home. zaghari-ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori home.— zaghari-ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori home. . , , . , ashoori home. there have been years of efforts and —

ashoori home. there have been years of efforts and some _ ashoori home. there have been years of efforts and some fantastic - ashoori home. there have been years of efforts and some fantastic people | of efforts and some fantastic people in the foreign office, including leaders of the foreign office and foreign office team, who have worked tirelessly. what is changed in the last six months is that we do have a new government in iran, and i was able when i went to new york in september and met minister abdul leanne, to research the relationship and be clear that we are serious about resolving the outstanding issues that iran had, and they were clear they were serious about resolving the outstanding issues we had, and i do want to pay tribute to the fantastic foreign office officials who have been tenacious in travelling to tehran and getting this done. in what is a very difficult circumstance, because as the right honourable gentleman is aware, paying money to iran with the intensive sanctions regime in place is not easy, even though this is very clearly a legitimate debt. and i can completely assure him that we do have humanitarian guarantees.

what i can't do is go into the details, because that is confidential between parties. i have had this thoroughly checked out across government to ensure that we have those guarantees that it will be used for humanitarian purposes. on the subject of morad tahbaz, who i spoke to at the end of last year when he was in prison, we have secured release for on furlough, though he is now at home, and that was a very important point we were pressing with the iranian government. i know from speaking to him that the conditions in prison were absolutely abhorrent and appalling, so he is in now better conditions, but of course we will continue to work to get him home as well as other detainees who do not want their names released in public. the other point i would make about mr morad tahbaz, is that he is a tri— national with the us, so we do need to work with our us partners on this issue, and we are talking to

him. but in the spirit of what he said that welcoming the family's home, that should really be our focus today. they have been through an appalling ordeal. i can't imagine what it is like to be without my family, my mother, without so long. and we must give the families privacy they deserve, and we must thank them for their tenacity through this appalling ordeal that should never have happened to anyone. should never have happened to an one. �* , . ., anyone. i'm hugely grateful for the extraordinary _ anyone. i'm hugely grateful for the extraordinary bulk _ anyone. i'm hugely grateful for the extraordinary bulk of _ anyone. i'm hugely grateful for the extraordinary bulk of news - anyone. i'm hugely grateful for the extraordinary bulk of news that. anyone. i'm hugely grateful for the extraordinary bulk of news that my j extraordinary bulk of news that my right honourable friend has brought to the house this afternoon. it is the most wonderful moment for many of us who have been campaigning, but i of us who have been campaigning, but i pay of us who have been campaigning, but i pay tribute. but also for our friend who spent an awful lot of time campaigning for this as well when she was in this house. may i ask whether or not the government

has been looking at some of the implications the last time a ransom payment was paid to the iranian government, and that branson payment was paid by the us government a number of years ago will stop the iranian government took another six american dual nationals hostage and merely started the whole process again. sadly, the money that was paid was then spent on murdering hundreds and thousands of sunny muslims in syria. can she assure that that will not happen this time? and that none of this payment will end up in weapons and ammunition to kill syrians? end up in weapons and ammunition to kill s rians? . , . end up in weapons and ammunition to kill s rians? , , , , kill syrians? firstly, it is very important — kill syrians? firstly, it is very important to _ kill syrians? firstly, it is very important to note _ kill syrians? firstly, it is very important to note that - kill syrians? firstly, it is very important to note that these | kill syrians? firstly, it is very i important to note that these are kill syrians? firstly, it is very - important to note that these are two parallel issues in our bilateral relationship, mainly settling the ims debt which is an legitimate debt, as well as settling the issue

of the detainees. i am very clear that we need to work with our international partners to end the practice of arbitrary detention. in fact, we arejoining a group with the canadians and others to do just that. so we have a strong international response to the practice of arbitrary detention being used by countries to get their own way. so i completely agree with my honourable friend. we need to end this practice. we need to end this practice working with partners. it is a key point that we are discussing is part of the g7 foreign ministers tracked. stilt? discussing is part of the g7 foreign ministers tracked. snp spokesperson. thank ou. ministers tracked. snp spokesperson. thank you- i'd — ministers tracked. snp spokesperson. thank you. i'd also _ ministers tracked. snp spokesperson. thank you. i'd also thank _ ministers tracked. snp spokesperson. thank you. i'd also thank the - thank you. i'd also thank the foreign secretary for advanced statement. in a week where we could all be doing with a bit of good news, i was very glad to read it. the snp shares happiness at the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, anoosheh ashoori and morad tahbaz. we would also pay tribute to their friends and

families and themselves for putting up families and themselves for putting up with an intolerable situation. this has been a long time coming, and i think there are lessons to learn. i think the foreign secretary, her officials deserve their moment on this. this has been a great achievement and i'm very happy to see that happen. but on the news that the historic debt is going to be paid as humanitarian aid, i propose that in november 2021. i am glad of the assurances that it will go to humanitarian purposes, and i will take that on trust which i think we are all entitled to do. but i have two questions. the first is, how many dual nationals are in iran in this situation? we don't know how many specifically there are. and the wider assessment of other dual nationals in his position elsewhere. and the concerns of the chair of the foreign affairs committee that there is a risk of moral hazard in this. we are all agreed that this is a direct debt that needed to be paid, others can take other lessons from this. what assessment has been made

of the risk of moral hazard to people, british citizens going to iran, but also in other places of risk? perhaps the foreign office guidance needs to be updated in those situations. but congratulations. thank you. on the �*s first point, i am afraid i can't comment on individual cases and even to the extent of talking about the numbers of individual cases, i have afraid i cannot do that. the honourable gentleman is right that we do need to work against arbitrary detention. the best way to do that is part of an international compact. that is why we are addressing this issue at the g7, that is why i welcome the canadians�* leadership on theissue welcome the canadians�* leadership on the issue and i have met my canadian counterpart on several occasions to talk about how we move this forward to change the incentives. what we need to fundamentally do is

fundamentally change the incentives for governments to there is not the need to behave in this way. flan for governments to there is not the need to behave in this way. cant need to behave in this way. can i salute the _ need to behave in this way. can i salute the leadership _ need to behave in this way. can i salute the leadership of - need to behave in this way. can i salute the leadership of the - need to behave in this way. can i salute the leadership of the foreign secretary on this issue? as i know from my own experience, this is a fearsomely difficult diplomatic challenge and it would not have been solved without sustained personal interest right from the top and she deserves great credit for that. cheering can i most of all, though, commend efforts from richard radcliffe, as a means gary radcliffe�*s husband. his total determination —— ms radcliffe�*s husband. i think he was the bravest person i met during my time as foreign secretary and an inspiration to many people and can i ask the foreign secretary, is she inspired by the united western response to the crisis in ukraine and is there something we can learn from that tonight as democratic countries to stamp out the vile

practice of hostagetaking? mr; countries to stamp out the vile practice of hostagetaking? my right honourable friend _ practice of hostagetaking? my right honourable friend is _ practice of hostagetaking? my right honourable friend is absolutely - honourable friend is absolutely right about whitchurch and the families —— richard and the families of the detainees and the courage that they have shown in the face of appalling diversity, —— adversity, as well as those detained themselves, who really gone through incredible hardship and adversity and just not knowing what the future would look like and i pay tribute to the work my right honourable friend did when he was foreign secretary and the leadership he has also shown in his current role on this issue. he is going to be —— he is completely right and the issue of why we are working with our allies on the issue of unpaired attention, because we need to take a common stance on the way we have worked together on ukraine, on sanctions, on supplying defensive aid to ukraine shows we can do this and other areas and really stand up for

freedom and democracy and the rules —based international order and change the fundamental incentives that regimes like this have in terms of the way they behave.— of the way they behave. thank you, mr speaker- — of the way they behave. thank you, mr speaker- mr— of the way they behave. thank you, mr speaker. mr speaker, _ of the way they behave. thank you, mr speaker. mr speaker, this - of the way they behave. thank you, mr speaker. mr speaker, this is - mr speaker. mr speaker, this is really a day of celebration for both families and i think they will be so relieved when the plane hits the ground and both nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and the other detainee will be welcomed again on british soil. i�*m sure we will all be thrilled for their release and i�*m incredibly happy for their families and friends and today i spoke to the detainee and will be speaking to her later as well and she tells me today she has had several years of... and of course

all this heartbreak could have been avoided. to secure the freedom of our british citizens and i do salute as well the foreign secretary for making her our priority and i thank him for that. but i would also would like to say it has been over 1650 days since the detainee was detained and these days of his life that cannot be returned to him. i would therefore like to ask the right honourable member white has taken so long to secure nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe�*s and anoosheh ashoori�*s release. zaghari-ratcliffe's and anoosheh ashoori's release.— ashoori's release. well, i would like to pay _ ashoori's release. well, i would like to pay tribute _ ashoori's release. well, i would like to pay tribute to _ ashoori's release. well, i would like to pay tribute to the - like to pay tribute to the honourable lady for her tireless campaigning this issue and i share her sense of anxiety and there were some very anxious moments this afternoon as we waited for will sap into iran, as the plane departed and we knew that finally our detainees

and nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori would be returning back to the united kingdom and i am very much looking forward to welcoming them later on today. i as well have spoken to the family and i know how hard it has been for the families and the courage they have shown over these very, very difficult years. what i will say about the process of securing the release of our detainees is that foreign secretaries, the prime minister, foreign office officials have worked tirelessly on this. you know, there really is a very, very dedicated team at the for analysis. last summer we saw a new government in iran. it did give us an opportunity to start afresh on some of these issues, to look at new ways we could

do things in terms of paying the ims debt and we have been able to deliver on this, but we have to remember that fundamentally it was the iranian government who put these people in detention and ultimately what we need to do, as many mothers across this house have been saying is change the incentives in government, so taking detainees unfailingly billie unfairly is not seen as something that is a proposition in the modern world, but i do pay tribute to foreign office officials who have worked tirelessly for years to make this happen. thank ou, mr for years to make this happen. thank you. mr speaker- _ for years to make this happen. thank you, mr speaker. the _ for years to make this happen. triag�*ia; you, mr speaker. the daughter of morad tahbaz is my constituent and i would like to pay tribute to the foreign secretary and her team for all her efforts. can my right honourable friend assure me that she and her team will continue to work with the us, in order to ensure that he may leave iran? and can she tell me practically what being on furlough from prison entails? the

famil of furlough from prison entails? the family of morad tahbaz and i have spoken today. it is a very, very difficult situation. morad tahbaz was of course a try national, us, uk and iranian, and the iranian government to treat him as being a us national as well as a uk national. we pushed very hard to get morad tahbaz out of prison and i spoke to him when he was in prison and he was in an appalling condition, sol and he was in an appalling condition, so i am pleased to say that i have been in touch today and he is now back at his house with security in place, but he is back at his house with his family in tehran. now, we will continue to work to get him back home. and we will be working with our allies, including the united states, to make that happen. but i am pleased that we have been able to secure his release

from prison and return home in tehran. we will leave the house of commons they wear we have been listening to they wear we have been listening to the foreign secretary liz truss who has been making a statement about the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori. she said the agonies endured by the british during nationals held captive of course in iran must never happen again. and she confirmed that the government has found a way to pay a debt to the iranian government of £393 million. she told the commons the payment has been made in line with international law and will only be available for humanitarian purposes. this was a ao—year—old debt that she said had to be settled for a contract that dated back to the 19705. an update

for you on nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori. we knew they had left iran, well, they have now landed in muscat in oman. you are looking at a tweet there from tulip siddiq who is nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe�*s constituency mp. i havejust zaghari—ratcliffe�*s constituency mp. i have just heard from richard ratcliffe she has tweeted that nazanin has touched down in muscat from where she will board a flight to the uk. hopefully not long left before we can reunite this amazing family in my constituency." the two british iranians have arrived in amman after being released from iran. this is what would have expected, we would have expect them to be flown out from a third country before returning to the uk later today. matt oman... you will

remember i was bringing you news of a strong and powerful earthquake in japan earlier. we have received from pictures now, and i can give you a little bit more detail. a tsunami warning has been issued injapan after this powerful earthquake, which measured 7.3. the earthquake struck off the north—east coast of japan. but this has repercussions, and as you can see, many homes in tokyo and other places have lost power. at least 2 million homes have lost power, some in the capital tokyo. as i say, the epicentre of this earthquake was off the coast, but a one metre high wave is expect it to hit land, and people have been warned to move away from coastal areas because of fears of a tsunami. but i think these pictures give you

a sense of the strength of that earthquake. let�*s catch up with the weather and a look closer to home. hello. we�*ve got some wet weather across the eastern side of the uk at the moment. further west, already looking drier, some light brightness to come, but that rain in the east has been proving just a little bit unpredictable in how quickly it will clear off into the north sea. slightly complicated structure bringing it. we�*ve got a weather front coming across from the west and then an area of low pressure that�*s pushed up from the south, and those two elements combining just slow things down a little. so, wet on into the evening, certainly across eastern england. into the small hours, it�*s looking a lot clearer. by then, though, some showers just starting to approach the west of northern ireland. clear skies overnight, however, accompanied by light winds. it looks like it�*s going to be a pretty chilly night, with lows in eastern scotland perhaps rurally down to minus three or minus four. through thursday, high pressure will largely dominate the weather across the uk, but this front here towards the northwest will come into play

for scotland and northern ireland. so, initially a lot of fine and sunny weather, but some of these showers marching across northern ireland and scotland could be heavy, maybe even a little thundery at times through the day. they could be wintry as well above around 300 metres across scotland. there will be some decent spells of sunshine on and off through the day as well, but a rather more mixed forecast here, whereas across england and wales it�*s looking dry and fine. could be some early morning mist and fog, a few light showers getting into the north west of england. for the end of the week, however, high pressure asserts itself again. that front scoots off towards scandinavia under the influence of this big high. for friday, we will be left with a lot of fine weather. first thing, though, we could see perhaps a little bit more in the way of fog developing, certainly across central reaches of the uk, parts of the midlands and mid wales. of the midlands and mid wales. that�*s what this white mass here on the map is trying to indicate. through the day, though, the sun should gradually burn it off. perhaps in a few areas it�*ll linger in the form of low cloud,

but essentially i think we�*re looking at a lot of sunshine for friday. always cooler along eastern coasts thanks to an onshore breeze, but in central parts of england we could see temperatures of 15 or 16 degrees. and that same high is going to stay with us on into the weekend. a lot of fine weather to come through the weekend, some chilly starts, but a lot of sunshine by day and some pretty healthy temperatures. mid—teens possible in many areas. always a little cooler, though, along the north sea coast.

this is bbc news. the headlines: heading back to the uk — nazanin zaghari ratcliffe — the british iranian woman detained in iran since 2016 — has been freed. her husband richard has campaigned tirelessly for her release, including going on hunger strike. he gave this reaction, alongside their daughter. the big grin on herface in that photograph... it will be lovely to see her and we have chosen which toys we are taking and we are looking forward to being reunited. another british iranian, anoosheh ashoori, detained for more than four years, is also leaving tehran, bound for the uk. volodymyr zelensky makes an historic address to the us congress, calling on american fighterjets to impose a no—fly zone above the skies of ukraine.

translation: i need to protect our sky. i need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same, the same you feel when you hear the words, "i have a dream." under curfew and under attack in kyiv — smoke billows above the ukrainian capital this morning, as residents are told not to be out in public. and borisjohnson is in the middle east — meeting leaders of the uae and saudi arabia — hoping to secure energy supplies amid the ukraine crisis. hello and welcome to bbc news.

nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranian woman detained in iran nearly six years ago, has been freed and is returning to the uk. she has just arrived in oman where she will board a flight to the uk. her family say they won�*t relax until nazanin is here. the 43—year—old was arrested in 2016 and convicted of plotting to overthrow the iranian government — a charge she�*s always denied. nazanin�*s husband richard said he was "deeply grateful" for her release and that he and their daughter gabriella were "looking forward to a new life". this is the latest image of mrs zaghari ratcliffe — when she was flying out of iran — her mp tulip sadiq shared the image — saying nazanin was �*flying away from six years of hell in iran�*. another detained british—iranian, anousheh ashouri, has also been released and is travelling with her. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe had recently been under house arrest in iran but was given back her uk passport this week. it�*s been confirmed by the foreign office

that the uk government paid an outstanding debt to tehran ahead of the release. our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley has more. it is almost six years since they�*ve been together as a family. but now a reunion is just hours away. this was the moment, in april 2016, when nazanin was arrested at tehran airport as she was trying to leave the country trying to get back after visiting her parents. this morning she was brought back to the airport with fellow british national anoosheh ashoori, to be flown home. this is her on the plane, with a smile on her face. since her arrest, nazanin has endured solitary confinement, psychological torture and the agony of separation from her daughter. she served a five year sentence and then was immediately given another. her husband richard has campaigned around the clock for her release, last october going on hunger strike in an act of desperation to pressure

the uk government to do more to get her home. he�*s always said she was being held as a hostage for a debt that britain owes iran. in the 19705, iran bought more than 1,500 chieftain tanks from the uk but, after the islamic revolution, the deal wasn�*t completed and iran has been demanding its money back for decades. this is the moment that state—run television announced the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. they said the money britain owes iran has now been paid. i suspect that when she touches | down, it will be a very intimate | party, this is a moment for richard and gabriella and not anybody else. i suspect it will be very intimate but this weekend will be one hell of a celebration. this was nazanin�*s favourite spot to come with their daughter when she was a baby. so many years to catch up on now, so much time they will never get back. since her release from jail into house arrest, she has been able

to see gabriella and richard only over the phone. nazanin: i love your hair. precious moments of parenting from a distance of thousands of miles, but they are now within touching distance of finally being able to hold each other again. caroline hawley, bbc news. earlier we heard from the husband of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, and he told us their family will �*live in the future�*, and not reflect on the many years lost. let�*s hear what he said. it has been a long time, hasn�*t it? we just said, last night, gabriella was asking if mummy was really coming back and i said i don�*t know for sure, but i now know pretty sure that she is coming home. and, of course, it is a sunny day, a happy day, but also there will be plenty of rain to get through and challenges ahead, six years is a long time apart for any family. gabriella: it's not sunny! you�*re right. inaudible question

we have not spoken, but we have messaged. she was picked up at 11 o�*clock in tehran, which is 730 in the morning, by the revolutionary guard and she was not able to speak, but she could send messages from her phone so i knew where she was at different points and at some points she could speak and others she couldn�*t. we�*ve not had a euphoric chat about how she is, but we are alljust so relieved. what is the first thing you�*re going to do when she is back? a couple of days of peace and quiet first of all and then one of the first things she wanted was me to make her a cup of tea! may be a bit of tidying up, perhaps directed by mummy when she comes back. how do you feel about the amount of money that has been paid? we have been kept out of the loop

and at some points i have said this has gone on so long and this is not ourfight. and up to this point we have been kept out of the loop but with the lawyers we have been checking, so i don�*t know what has happened. i have seen briefings and so on. i am relieved that the problem has been solved. the government has two jobs, to protect people and to make sure things like this don�*t happen again. pa rt part of that is to do what you have to do to get people home and also to learn the lesson so it doesn�*t happen again. but that is for another day. i�*m really glad with the way things are. you have spent years fighting for her release, what would you want to say to people who have got behind you? just "thank you." this would not have happened today without all the care and support of people up and down the country, ordinary people, important people, people in the media, people in politics, some celebrities, butjust the overwhelming care we have had. i remember saying this on the hunger strike,

that this has been a very cruel thing in some ways, but we have been exposed to extraordinary kindness from all walks of life so i�*m deeply grateful to anyone who has given support. thank you to everyone. how is nazanin feeling right now? pretty agitated as the day went on. anxious. it�*s been bumpy, there have been some scary conversations in the last couple of days of people just trying to make sure she would be well behaved when she came back, but a big grin on herface in that photograph. it will be lovely to see her and catch up. we have chosen which toys we have taken it so she can see them, and looking forward to a new life. inaudible question there is a recovery process, you can�*t get back the time that has

gone, that is a fact, but we live in the future, not the past. we will take it one day at a time. we have followed yourjourney over all these years, _ will that first hug - make it all worthwhile? i don�*t think it will make it worthwhile! but it will be the beginning of a new life, a normal life... i�*m sure there will be bumps, the normal squabbles we had before, but we are really looking forward to seeing her. l i can't imagine how difficult it. must have been with all the false dawns, but breaking the news to your daughter must - have been special? i still think we can�*t quite believe it but we will believe it when we see mummy. probably on sunday when the passport came back, gabriella said, is mummy coming home, and i said i don�*t know what it means, to be honest. i�*m grateful to everyone who has

followed us and kept us in the sunlight which is crucial in cases like this. homecoming is a journey, not an arrival, and i don�*t think it willjust be today, but a whole process. hopefully, we will look back in years to come and this will be a chapter in our lives but there will be more chapters to come. in the past few minutes — tulip siddiq — the labour mp for hampstead and kilburn — the consistuency where richard ratcliffe and his daughter live — has been speaking in the house of commons. after six years i can mention nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and not bad for her release, and after eight urgent questions and countless debates it is a pleasure to be standing here and to talk about her and this would not have happened without the foreign secretary and the memberfor without the foreign secretary and the member for braintree so can without the foreign secretary and the memberfor braintree so can i say thank you from the bottom of my heart and to all the officials who worked tirelessly to make this happen, so thank you. i also wanted

to thank amnesty international and other organisations and individuals who worked so hard to release nazanin and can i thank all the mp5 on behalf of richard ratcliffe who texted me to say thank you across the chamber because whichever side of the house you were in, you worked hard, everyone worked hard to make sure that nazanin was released so whichever party and whichever member, whatever constituency represented, thank you and thank you from richard ratcliffe as well. including all the mp5 who visited richard when he was on the both of his hunger strikes. and to the community especially in west hampstead where nazanin�*s home is, thank you for coming and supporting us. most importantly i want to pay tribute to my constituent richard ratcliffe, for his relentless campaigning but i also think he has really set the bar high for all husbands around the world. laughter

can i sa to husbands around the world. laughter can i say to nazanin, _ husbands around the world. laughter can i say to nazanin, welcome - husbands around the world. laughter can i say to nazanin, welcome home, i can i say to nazanin, welcome home, after six long years, and can i say to gabriella, this time, mummy really is coming home, and i finished by saying to the foreign secretary who i�*m grateful to once again, could she update us more on why morad tahbaz could not leave iran, and he lived in my constituency as well when he was in the uk. i would like to hear an update on that. the foreign secretary, liz truss, was asked how the release of the britons had been secured. i�*m delighted that nazanin and anoosheh and morad have been released by the iranians and that nazanin and anoosheh will return home to the uk.

this has been an appalling ordeal for nazanin, anoosheh, morad and their families who have suffered greatly, and i�*m sure everybody across the uk is delighted that they have been released and we will be celebrating that fact. why now, what has changed? we�*ve been working hard over the last six months to make sure we were able to secure the release of these detainees. nazanin, anoosheh and morad, and make sure they are able, that this is happening. make sure they are able to return to the uk and my sympathies are with the families for what they have suffered, over this appalling time, and i�*m delighted to welcome them back to the uk later today. thank you. blasts have been heard in the ukrainian capital, kyiv,

with emergency services saying a block of flats in the city has been hit by russian shelling. people have been sheltering underground and in their homes, while a curfew remains in place. meanwhile ukraine�*s president, volodymyr zelensky, has said peace talks are beginning to sound more realistic. russia�*s foreign minister has said there is "hope for compromise". today, the uk�*s ministry of defence said ukraine is continuing to succeed in "stalling russia�*s advance", with russian forces "struggling to overcome the challenges posed by ukraine�*s terrain". this morning nato defence ministers have met in brussels to discuss their response to the conflict. the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky _ the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky it — the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelens . �* . . the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelens . . , . ., . ., ., the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelens . . ., . ., ., . zelensky. a standing ovation from a secial zelensky. a standing ovation from a special session _ zelensky. a standing ovation from a special session of _ zelensky. a standing ovation from a special session of the _ zelensky. a standing ovation from a special session of the us _ zelensky. a standing ovation from a special session of the us congress. | special session of the us congress. but president zelensky wanted more than applause. but president zelensky wanted more than applause-— than applause. president biden, you

are the leader... _ than applause. president biden, you are the leader... inaudible - are the leader... inaudible i wish are the leader... inaudible i wish you — are the leader... inaudible i wish you would _ are the leader... inaudible i wish you would be - are the leader... inaudible i wish you would be the - are the leader... inaudible | i wish you would be the leader are the leader... inaudible - i wish you would be the leader of the world, and being the leader of the world, and being the leader of the world, and being the leader of the world means to be the leader of the world means to be the leader of the peace. the world means to be the leader of the eace. . . the world means to be the leader of the eace. , , ., the peace. president zelensky showed a video which — the peace. president zelensky showed a video which showed _ the peace. president zelensky showed a video which showed the _ the peace. president zelensky showed a video which showed the devastation | a video which showed the devastation of the past few weeks and he compared the daily bombardment of the ukraine to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. translation: fill" the ukraine to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. translation: our country experienced — attacks. translation: our country experienced the _ attacks. translation: our country experienced the same _ attacks. translation: our country experienced the same every - attacks. translation: our country experienced the same every day, i experienced the same every day, right now, at this moment, every night, for three weeks now, various ukrainian cities like desa and mariupol, russia has turned the ukrainian skies into a source of

death for thousands of people. president zelensky repeated his plea for a no—fly zone over ukraine and asked for more planes and military hardware. in brussels defence ministers from nato countries have been discussing the crisis and whilst secretary—generaljens stoltenberg said more troops would be moved to nato�*s eastern flank and that more equipment and aid would be given to ukraine, he again ruled out a no—fly zone. given to ukraine, he again ruled out a no-fly zone-— a no-fly zone. allies are united both in providing _ a no-fly zone. allies are united both in providing support - a no-fly zone. allies are united both in providing support to - both in providing support to ukraine, to uphold their right for self defence, but allies are also united when it comes to that fact that nato should not deploy forces on the ground or in the airspace over ukraine. because we have a responsibility to make sure that this conflict, this war doesn�*t escalate beyond ukraine.

this conflict, this war doesn't escalate beyond ukraine. there was more shelling _ escalate beyond ukraine. there was more shelling in _ escalate beyond ukraine. there was more shelling in kyiv _ escalate beyond ukraine. there was more shelling in kyiv overnight. - escalate beyond ukraine. there was more shelling in kyiv overnight. for| more shelling in kyiv overnight. for the third consecutive morning, residential blocks bore the brunt of russian attacks. here are two were injured and 35 people were evacuated. many forced from their homes have been arriving here, but authorities here say russian missiles have recently hit a train station and a public park. while 20,000 people have apparently been able to leave the besieged port city of mariupol, around 300,000 people are still trapped by heavy shelling, with barely any food or water. around 400 people are reportedly being held hostage at a hospital in the city. in the north of ukraine in chernihiv, the aftermath of another russian attack, ukrainian media is also reporting that ten civilians have been killed here today whilst

queueing for bread. tim muffet, bbc news. jonah fisher was previously the bbc ukraine correspondent. he�*s returned to the country and this is his latest report on the situation in lviv. 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 off. 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�*s 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�*re invited by yuri and lesia back to their apartment, to see their new guns. it's 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�*s not right. this shouldn�*t be happening. but it is happening and the russians may move west. lviv�*s defenders are armed and waiting. that was jonah fisher reporting. russia�*s president putin has insisted the invasion of ukraine is going to plan and described the attack as �*completely justified�*. translation: we had no other option but self defence, _ translation: we had no other option but self defence, for _ translation: we had no other option but self defence, for the _ translation: we had no other option but self defence, for the security - but self defence, for the security of russia, apart from carrying out the special military operation, and all the goals set will certainly be achieved. we will reliably make sure the security of russia and our people and we will not allow ukraine to serve as a springboard for aggressive actions against russia.

in terms of the military tactics developed by russian ministry of defence and the general staff, they have been completelyjustified. and our lads, soldiers and officers, have shown bravery and heroism and they are doing everything they can to avoid loss of civilian life ukrainian cities. now marina ovsyannikova who staged a protest on air on russian state tv has spoken out about concerns for her safety. translation: i'm concerned for my safe and translation: i'm concerned for my safety and if — translation: i'm concerned for my safety and if i'm _ translation: i'm concerned for my safety and if i'm honest _ translation: i'm concerned for my safety and if i'm honest i _ translation: i'm concerned for my safety and if i'm honest i believe - safety and if i�*m honest i believe what i did, but now i understand the scale of the problems i will have to deal with, and of course i�*m extremely concerned for my safety. the protest had two goals, show the world that russians are against the war and to show the russian people directly do not listen to this propaganda, and learn how to analyse information and learn how to find other sources of information, not

just russian state tv. i absolutely i don�*t feel like a hero but i want to know the sacrifice is not in vain and that people will open their eyes. my mother has been totally made into a zombie by state propaganda. it was really scary, and thatis propaganda. it was really scary, and that is not even the work i wasn�*t sure whether i could go through with it until the last moment, because you understand on channel one the main news programme, the country, there are several layers of community, and it is not that easy to get into the studio. there are members of law enforcement sitting in front of the studio to make sure that these kind of things don�*t happen. i won�*t go into the details because it was a loophole in their security arrangements. i�*m happy i was able to do it, and there was another option, to stand further away in the newsroom but it wouldn�*t have been so effective. it wouldn�*t have been so effective. it wouldn�*t have had the same impact, to stand

much further away. people might not have been able to see it. i wasn�*t planning to leave the country and i didn�*t want to and i couldn�*t afford it, anyway, and i can�*t imagine what i would do abroad professionally and after all, all my friends are here, my loved ones, my mother, my children, i live in the real world. as the government announced an improved visa scheme for refugees from the ukraine war, chef steven saunders, who runs the willow tree in bourn, has created the odesa project, a campaign to help refugees find new homes and jobs in the uk�*s hospitality industry. he says he has over 300 jobs are available and has accommodation for about 600 refugees. steve saunders joins us now. good afternoon and thanks for joining us. good afternoon and thanks for joining us— good afternoon and thanks for “oininu us. , . . joining us. tell us about what you are doing and why? _ joining us. tell us about what you are doing and why? it _ joining us. tell us about what you are doing and why? it is - joining us. tell us about what you are doing and why? it is not - are doing and why? it is not complex. — are doing and why? it is not complex. it _

are doing and why? it is not complex, it is _ are doing and why? it is not complex, it is a _ are doing and why? it is not complex, it is a simplistic i are doing and why? it is not - complex, it is a simplistic project, i�*m in hospitality and have been all my life and we all feel the same about watching the atrocities on tv, with ukraine, and we want to do something to help, we have sat and thought about how we can do something about making a difference and we came up with the project which is basicallyjustjoining the refugees, some of them have been in hospitality, and want work and jobs, with hospitality itself, because hospitality is on its knees because of the shortage of staff and a lot of the shortage of staff and a lot of people don�*t realise that, you might recognise your local restaurants and pubs are closing earlier or they are closing more days, because we are so short of staff so the idea was to help the refugees and immediately give them jobs in hospitality so we are giving them jobs and a salary and we are giving them accommodation because hospitality is unique in that way, we have nice rooms and jobs and

salaries, so it is fairly simple. the complication is... we have the whole thing structured and we have support, and since the number you havejust mentioned, we support, and since the number you have just mentioned, we are now 582 hotels who are supporting us, and sponsors, over1000 hotels who are supporting us, and sponsors, over 1000 refugees, so we could bring 1000 refugees in, we have the infrastructure to do it and 582 rooms. 50 have the infrastructure to do it and 582 rooms-— have the infrastructure to do it and 582 rooms. . , , 582 rooms. so what is the problem? the government. _ 582 rooms. so what is the problem? the government. any _ 582 rooms. so what is the problem? the government. any politicians - 582 rooms. so what is the problem? the government. any politicians out| the government. any politicians out there listening, and i�*m sure there are, please reach out to me, and talk to me because today was a frustrating day and ifeel like banging my head against a wall. i�*ve been trying to speak to the home office since the early hours of the morning and i�*m not getting anywhere and i get pushed from pillar to post and i get pushed from pillar to post and the process is slow and bureaucratic and too antiquated. i said to them, when was this put

together, the home office, in 1922? it needs to come up to speed. they don�*t seem to understand this is an emergency situation and what i�*m saying is, i need to bring these refugees over sooner rather than later, we all do. 50 refugees over sooner rather than later, we all do.— refugees over sooner rather than later, we all do. so the problem is that in order _ later, we all do. so the problem is that in order for _ later, we all do. so the problem is that in order for the _ later, we all do. so the problem is that in order for the refugees - later, we all do. so the problem is that in order for the refugees to i that in order for the refugees to come here they need visas and the bureaucratic process for them to get them isjust bureaucratic process for them to get them is just too complex, is that them is just too complex, is that the issue? it them is just too complex, is that the issue?— them is just too complex, is that the issue? , . , ., , the issue? it is a bit more complex than that but _ the issue? it is a bit more complex than that but basically _ the issue? it is a bit more complex than that but basically today - the issue? it is a bit more complex than that but basically today they l than that but basically today they said they did not need visas but paperwork, and the bureaucratic side of things, too much red tape, too strict, and they actually accept that themselves. one lady said to me the other day they need passports and i said, your house hasjust been blown to pieces and you have managed to escape, and you are going, i have left my passport, but nowadays it is not 1922, we surely have data on

people and they talked about background checks and i said, we have people in london who can do background checks will stop what i�*m saying is i�*m not getting anywhere, i�*m not getting a green light. it is notjust i�*m not getting a green light. it is not just visas i�*m not getting a green light. it is notjust visas but i�*m not getting a green light. it is not just visas but also the paperwork and there seems to be more paperwork and there seems to be more paperwork than visas and it is very frustrating and i�*m saying, this is an emergency situation, i�*ve got some of the biggest hotel groups in the uk, like best western and hotels in london, all saying this is a great idea and we support you, brilliant. 582 this morning and there will be more after this show and i got all these rooms lined up and i got all these rooms lined up and jobs, and they are not poorly paid. we are paying them above the minimum rates of pay and we are not asking for government support. this isn�*t their scheme. their scheme is they pay the family�*s £350 per month to take the refugees but we are not paying, we are not are using any

government money and we�*re not asking for any charity, this is purely an initiative where we ship the refugees in to the uk that want to be here and i want to engage with them and make this happen but i can�*t without the green light and i need a green light from the government.— need a green light from the government. need a green light from the covernment. ., , . ., , government. your frustration is -al - able government. your frustration is palpable and — government. your frustration is palpable and i _ government. your frustration is palpable and i can _ government. your frustration is palpable and i can really - government. your frustration is palpable and i can really sense | government. your frustration is l palpable and i can really sense it. steve saunders we have got to leave it there but keep us posted and good luck. ., ~ it there but keep us posted and good luck. . ,, , ., it there but keep us posted and good luck-_ update _ it there but keep us posted and good luck-_ update on - it there but keep us posted and good luck._ update on the - luck. thank you. update on the breakin: luck. thank you. update on the breaking news _ luck. thank you. update on the breaking news story. _ a tsunami warning has been issued injapan after a powerful earthquake — measuring 7.3 magnitude — struck off the north—eastern coastline of the country, a one metre high wave was expected to hit land, and people have been warned to move

away from coastal areas. at least 2 million homes have lost power, the earthquake was similar to one 11 years ago, which left more than 18,000 dead and destroyed the fukishima nuclear power plant. the latest quake hitjust after 11:30 in the evening. japan�*s nuclear authority says that no abnormalities have been reported at the fukushima plant after quake. these pictures will give you a sense of the impact of that earthquake in urban areas. the tsunami warnings are in those coastal areas, though. borisjohnson�*s former adviser dominic cummings has said he was present when the prime minister was told of security concerns about a peerage for evgeny lebedev. mr cummings said he warned the prime minister he should not go ahead with the appointment, but mrjohnson dismissed his advice. another source has confirmed to the bbc that concerns were raised by the security services about mr lebedev�*s elevation. in the commons, labour�*s deputy leader, angela rayner, asked dominic raab whether the prime

had told the security services to revise their assessment. can he guarantee that the prime minister never asked anyone to urge the security services to revise, reconsider or withdraw their assessment of lord lebedev of hampton and siberia? the suggestion she is making — hampton and siberia? the suggestion she is making is _ hampton and siberia? the suggestion she is making is sheer _ hampton and siberia? the suggestion she is making is sheer nonsense. - we can speak to our political correspondent, nick eardley in westminster. good to have you with us. the prime minister has faced accusations because he intervened in ensuring that this russian billionaire evgeny lebedev secured a peerage. he has always denied interfering, now we have his former aide intervening saying his advice was ignored. how damaging is this for the prime minister? it damaging is this for the prime minister? . damaging is this for the prime minister? , , minister? it is the first time we have someone _ minister? it is the first time we have someone on _ minister? it is the first time we

have someone on the - minister? it is the first time we have someone on the record i minister? it is the first time we - have someone on the record saying that boris johnson have someone on the record saying that borisjohnson was angry at initial warnings from the intelligence services about evgeny lebedev and went ahead with a here anyway. if you cast your mind back to 2020 when this peerage was announced, it was highly controversial. evgeny lebedev is well known as the owner of the evening standard newspaper, he is a close friend of the prime minister. his dad is alexander lebedev, a former kgb spy. mr lebedevjunior, thatis former kgb spy. mr lebedevjunior, that is evgeny lebedev, he had said in the last few days that he is not a security risk, he is a proud british citizen. but when he was nominated for that peerage, there were concerns raised by the intelligence services. we have dominic cummings saying that the record today, another source has told the bbc that that is the case. what mr cummings has also said today is that he was in the room, a

discussion was had with boris johnson about those security service concerns. and that mrjohnson essentially rubbished them and said that he thought this was anti—russian. and as we know, the process then proceeded and evgeny lebedev was made a member of the house of lords. mr cummings was also saying that that clip we just heard of dominic raab in the commons today was misleading and that the comments he made were not true. where does this leave the prime minister? i think it leaves him facing a lot more questions actually about what went on in this process and whether he directly intervened to make sure that his friend lord lebedev was given a seat in the house of lords. mr lebedev continue to be asked questions as well, that are from a statement published in his evening standard newspaper, which said that he was not a security risk and that

he was not a security risk and that he was not a security risk and that he was a proud british citizen, we have not had any direct response from him. ~ . , . . from him. saudi arabia and the united arab — from him. saudi arabia and the united arab emirates, - from him. saudi arabia and the united arab emirates, that - from him. saudi arabia and the united arab emirates, that is i from him. saudi arabia and the - united arab emirates, that is where dominic raab was standing in for him at prime minister questions. this is at prime minister questions. this is a visit that is not without controversy, is it? a visit that is not without controvers , is it? ~ , controversy, is it? absolutely. the - ur - ose controversy, is it? absolutely. the purpose of — controversy, is it? absolutely. the purpose of the _ controversy, is it? absolutely. the purpose of the prime _ controversy, is it? absolutely. the purpose of the prime minister's i purpose of the prime minister�*s visit is to try and negotiate the release of more oil into the global system in the long term to make sure that energy dependence on russia can be reduced. but there are many investments are scratching their heads about moving away from russia towards another regime which has a hugely questionable human rights record. there have been further executions today in saudi arabia announced by human rights groups. there were more earlier this week, there is the murder of the journalist jamal khashoggi who there is the murder of the journalistjamal khashoggi who some have linked directly to the people that boris johnson have linked directly to the people that borisjohnson is meeting today.

the government has said that it believes it is important to have relationships with countries like saudi arabia, to make sure that there are partnerships there, to ensure that energy supplies can be guaranteed. but we have also heard criticism today from the labour party, from angela rayner at prime minister�*s questions with dominic raab that the prime minister was now saying he was going from dictator to dictator to secure that energy supply. i think it is a difficult question, frankly, and it will seem that the government�*s view is that they will have to be dealings with some regions but we do have concerns about the human rights records. but, as i say, there are a lot of people raising eyebrows about the decision to go so early to a place like saudi arabia. ,., .. _, , ,., arabia. our political correspondent at westminster, _ arabia. our political correspondent at westminster, thanks. _ arabia. our political correspondent at westminster, thanks. i - arabia. our political correspondent at westminster, thanks. i just - arabia. our political correspondent| at westminster, thanks. i just want at westminster, thanks. ijust want to take you to the united states

where we are waiting for president biden to speak about the us assistance to ukraine. earlier the ukrainian president zelensky made a historic conference to the un congress urging them to make a no—fly zone above the skies above ukraine. will go straight there when the address starts. one to catch up with all the sports news. good afternoon. the owners of major league baseball team the chicago cubs have made a —— they will make a bid by friday. they have had a majority share in the club since 2009. the chelsea owner roman abramovich put the club up for

sale earlier this month in the wake of russia�*s invasion of ukraine. and on the pitch, chelsea take on lille tonight in the champions league, holding a 2—0 lead as they look to reach the last eight. boss thomas tuchel�*s hoping they can put aside the problems caused by the freezing of owner roman abramovich�*s assets, because of his links to russian president vladimir putin. 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 an insight. and i try to provide you with information, more or less still from a sporting side and for me coach�*s hart. and this is what i try and this is maybe what you can rely on. and i�*m more than happy if things calm down and we can speak more about football. dagenham defender yoan zouma, the brother of west ham�*s kurt zouma, has been charged under the animal welfare act, according to his club. yoan zouma was suspended by dagenham last month after he filmed kurt zouma slapping and kicking his own cat. the national league club says

yoan zouma�*s now been charged by the rspca over the incident. their statement did not mention kurt zouma, who could possibly face similar action. the horse belongs to brighton and hove albion owner tony bloom. the 5-4 hove albion owner tony bloom. the 5—4 favourite failed to finish. he was seeking a record equalling six cheltenham victory in his final race, but it was not to be. in a glittering career, he won two grand national clinic and had earnings of more than £1.4 million.

to cricket now, and the second test between england and west indies is under way in barbados, england won the toss and chose to bat. opener zak crawley was out for a duck, so captain joe root is at the crease with alex lees. there are two debuts today for england, bowlers saqib mahmood and a last—minute surprise inclusion for yorkshire�*s matthew fisher with craig overton a late withdrawal. a short time ago, england were 47 for one. good news for england at the women�*s world cup, they are still in it after beating india by four wickets in mount maunganui. after three straight defeats, it�*s their first win of the tournament and means they�*re still able to qualify for the semi finals, but can�*t afford any more slip—ups. our senior sports news reporter laura scott was watching. their backs in the field, they looked transformed, how is that for precision? that is out! delivering under

pressure, charlie dean spun her way to four wickets and her second world cup match. india skittled forjust 134. cup match. india skittled for “ust 134. �* , . ., , ., ., 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start. _ 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start, losing _ 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start, losing two _ 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start, losing two early - a nervy start, losing two early wickets. sometimes you just need a bit of luck. saved by the bails. she went on to score 45 and the captain added 53, helping england to secure victory with 18 overs to spare. really pleasing to get a win on the board. with a pretty good performance, and hopefully this is kind of hopefully the start of summer winds. kind of hopefully the start of summerwinds. it kind of hopefully the start of summer winds. it is one of four we know we need to win.— know we need to win. england relieved but _ know we need to win. england relieved but realistic, - know we need to win. england relieved but realistic, knowing know we need to win. england - relieved but realistic, knowing they are on the board but not out of the woods. laura scott, bbc news. england lock charlie ewels has been banned for three games after being sent off in the six nations defeat against ireland on saturday. ewels was shown a red card after just 82 seconds following a clash of heads in an attempted tackle with james ryan. it was the earliest dismissal

in the championship�*s history. mark cavendish has become the first british rider to win the world�*s oldest one day bike race, the gran torino race has been going since 1876. cavendish has continued his good early season form, outspending his rivals in turin to celebrate his 159th career victory and his third this year. that is all your support for now. we will have more for you later. we are waiting for president biden to speak about the us assistance to ukraine. this is the scene live in washington. earlier, we had the prime minister —— ukrainian prime minister making a historic address to thejoint houses minister making a historic address to the joint houses of congress, calling on american fighterjets to impose a no—fly zone above the skies of ukraine. we will of course cross back to washington when that address starts.

now, the metrepolitan police have apologised for strip—searching a london schoolgirl. the incident took place in the girls�* school two years ago in the london borough of hackney, but a report looking into the safeguarding incident has only just been published. joining us from her westminster office hackney mp diane abbott. it is really good to have you with us. thanks forjoining us. i�*ve had a look at this report, its findings are frankly staggering and harrowing. i wonder what your reaction is. harrowing. i wonder what your reaction is— harrowing. i wonder what your reaction is. well, i was shocked when i reaction is. well, i was shocked when i read _ reaction is. well, i was shocked when i read it. _ reaction is. well, i was shocked when i read it. it _ reaction is. well, i was shocked when i read it. it was _ reaction is. well, i was shocked when i read it. it was not - reaction is. well, i was shocked when i read it. it was not just i reaction is. well, i was shocked i when i read it. it was not just that when i read it. it was notjust that the girl was stripped naked, they made her part her buttock cheeks and cough. she was on her period, they made her take the pan off, would not let her go to the bathroom to clean up, made her but the same old pad

in. it was deliberately designed to humiliate her and was quite wrong. and the almost more staggering thing is how could it have happened that she was searched in this way without an adult present?— an adult present? well, that is euuall an adult present? well, that is equally shocking. _ an adult present? well, that is equally shocking. and - an adult present? well, that is equally shocking. and you - an adult present? well, that is| equally shocking. and you have an adult present? well, that is i equally shocking. and you have to ask what sort of teacher allows a child in their care to be strip—searched, do not let the parents know what is happening, let alone allow the parents to be present? and they seem to have behaved afterwards as if nothing untoward had happened. infill behaved afterwards as if nothing untoward had happened. will there be any immediate — untoward had happened. will there be any immediate repercussions - untoward had happened. will there be any immediate repercussions for - untoward had happened. will there be any immediate repercussions for the l any immediate repercussions for the school involved?— school involved? well, i think there should be. there _ school involved? well, i think there should be. there is _ school involved? well, i think there should be. there is another- school involved? well, i think there should be. there is another report | should be. there is another report being brought out by a police oversight authority. but it must be wrong for a schoolgirl to be strip—searched in that demeaning way

and no one at the school thinks to call her parents. and as we know, the girl was traumatised and is traumatised to this day. you mention the school but _ traumatised to this day. you mention the school but also _ traumatised to this day. you mention the school but also the _ traumatised to this day. you mention the school but also the metropolitan | the school but also the metropolitan police are involved of course, the ones who were the strip search. they have apologised and said the incident should never have happened. it is that enough?— it is that enough? well, these thin . s it is that enough? well, these things happen- _ it is that enough? well, these things happen. the _ it is that enough? well, these things happen. the police - it is that enough? well, these things happen. the police say| things happen. the police say they�*re sorry, but none of the police officers involved are reprimanded in any way. they can go on and be promoted. the metropolitan police officers need to know when these things happen, they will be reprimanded and it will affect their promotion prospects. race reprimanded and it will affect their promotion prospects.— promotion prospects. race in the re ort promotion prospects. race in the report was _ promotion prospects. race in the report was noted _ promotion prospects. race in the report was noted as _ promotion prospects. race in the report was noted as likely - promotion prospects. race in the report was noted as likely to - promotion prospects. race in the| report was noted as likely to have been an influencing factor as to why this girl was strip—searched in the way she was. how concerned are you particularly about that? fit way she was. how concerned are you particularly about that?— particularly about that? of course

race is a factor. _ particularly about that? of course race is a factor. in _ particularly about that? of course race is a factor. in the _ particularly about that? of course race is a factor. in the year- race is a factor. in the year 2020-2021, there race is a factor. in the year 2020—2021, there were 25 and 18—year—olds who were strip—searched. of that 25, only two were white. the rest were either black or minority ethnic. i mean it can�*t be right that the police are disproportionately strip searching students of colour. remember that most of these are strip searches don�*t find anything wrong. most of these are strip searches don't find anything wrong. what, in our view, don't find anything wrong. what, in your view, should _ don't find anything wrong. what, in your view, should happen - don't find anything wrong. what, in your view, should happen next? i don't find anything wrong. what, in i your view, should happen next? well, i think the teachers _ your view, should happen next? h i think the teachers involved need to be reprimanded. and the police need to look at their practice. why is it necessary to strip search a schoolgirl in that degrading way? because somebody snapped cannabis? are they going into city banks and strip searching city bankers for

drugs? the police need to look at their practice. i want the public to respect the police, but these kinds of incidents undermine public support for our police. you mentioned _ support for our police. you mentioned that _ support for our police. you mentioned that this - support for our police. you mentioned that this girl is traumatised after what had happened, and my understanding is she was a very outgoing and successful people up very outgoing and successful people up until this point. have you been in touch, if i may ask, with her and herfamily and are in touch, if i may ask, with her and her family and are able to give in touch, if i may ask, with her and herfamily and are able to give us any more detail on how she is? i any more detail on how she is? i haven't been in touch with her. in a haven�*t been in touch with her. in a way, i think even now she wants to have some peace. but as you say, look at the report. they say she was a confident girl but now is traumatised. it is very sad. diane abbott, traumatised. it is very sad. diane abbott. very _ traumatised. it is very sad. diane abbott, very great _ traumatised. it is very sad. diane abbott, very great to _ traumatised. it is very sad. diane abbott, very great to have - traumatised. it is very sad. diane abbott, very great to have your i abbott, very great to have your thoughts and thanks forjoining us.

russia has warned that it does not want nato to expand any further towards its borders. but if finland, which is not currently a nato member, decides to apply, it would means its 1,300km border with russia will become nato�*s eastern front. the two countries were involved in hostilities during the second world war, but finland remained independent. modern—day russia and finland have developed closer relations, but the current situation is placing new strains on them. sima kotecha reports. a thousand or so miles from kyiv, imatra might look like a different world, but the repercussions of the war there are only too real for those living here. with russia just minutes away, the prospect of this becoming nato�*s new frontier suddenly feels closer than ever before. i hope that nato will be our solution.

it�*s not a total cure, but it�*s some kind of, some kind of security anyway. the last time russia invaded, finnish soldiers blew up this tank right by the border. more than 70 years on, and the two countries have been working closely together, but the conflict means that relationship is once again changing. here is an illustration of how close we are to russia. if you look behind me, you can see that watchtower in the distance. well, that�*s it. now, this border, which was closed during the pandemic, was expected to be open again. now, freight is still going through, but it�*s closed to tourists from both sides. and those finns that were regularly going over to russia to get their cheap petrol, well, they�*re not able to do that either. so those important links between both sides have now been severely severed as a result of the war.

the frozen terrain isn�*t all the countries have in common. they share strong cultural and economic ties. and in the region�*s biggest city, there are at least 2,000 russian speakers. the community is well—integrated, but we�*re told the war has changed attitudes, with some saying they�*ve experienced an anti—russian sentiment. there are a small minority who is now getting more loud, and they are saying that russian should go there from where they came from. politicians are taking steps to maintain harmony by holding meetings for russians to speak openly about their feelings and experiences. i and some people in the city, we wanted to meet with people with russian background, to just to have a talk and establish a connection to avoid any possible trouble in the future.

peace and tranquility isn�*t hard to find here, and it�*s hoped that continues, as it has done for decades, as the war rages on. sima kotecha, bbc news, finland. borisjohnson is in saudi arabia on the second leg of his visit to the gulf. he�*s been meeting crown prince mohammed bin salman in riyadh for discussions on how the country could help the west reduce its reliance on russian oil and gas. his first stop was in abu dhabi where he met with the united arab emirates�* crown prince, mohammed bin zayed. the two reached agreements on increasing collaboration between the uk and uae on energy security and green technology, as well as the need to bolster security, defence and intelligence cooperation. but the visit has been criticised because of the human rights records of both saudi arabia and the uae countries. here with me now is polly truscott,

who is the foreign affairs lead at amnesty international uk. good to have you with us. do you recognise that although perhaps it is not ideal, that given the situation in ukraine, given the need to reduce our reliance on russian oil and gas, this is something the prime minister has to do, make this visit? irate prime minister has to do, make this visit? ~ ., ., ., prime minister has to do, make this visit? ~ . . ., . visit? we are all for engagement with those countries. _ visit? we are all for engagement with those countries. the - visit? we are all for engagement with those countries. the issue i visit? we are all for engagement| with those countries. the issue is how that engagement takes place and what recommendations are made and how we hold our own government to account for the points that they are raising. and what we are talking about here are severe extensive, persistent human rights abuses in saudi arabia itself, whether that be the mass executions at the weekend, whether it is the contribution to over 19,000 civilian casualties in

yemen. and of course not being able to speak out without massive reprisals in saudi arabia itself. the uk needs to bring back some results from those human rights discussions as well as its efforts. you have any of whether boris johnson is planning to raise some of these issues? irate johnson is planning to raise some of these issues?— these issues? we are told that he will be raising _ these issues? we are told that he will be raising human _ these issues? we are told that he will be raising human rights - these issues? we are told that he i will be raising human rights issues, nothing often they are raised. —— i think often they are raised. but the point is the quality of the discussion and bringing back results. we cannot see saudi arabia being given a free pass yet again with what is happening domestically and with what is happening in yemen. the world cannot, silence cannot be bought with this. we need to see the uk come back and say that it is going to hold its billions worth of arms sales to saudi arabia for use in yemen. and we want to see more people in saudi arabia released and

a halt to those executions. harder a halt to those executions. how optimistic _ a halt to those executions. how optimistic are _ a halt to those executions. how optimistic are you _ a halt to those executions. how optimistic are you that - a halt to those executions. how optimistic are you that that is what will happen? trio. optimistic are you that that is what will happen?— optimistic are you that that is what will happen? no, i am quite certain we will not — will happen? no, i am quite certain we will not get _ will happen? no, i am quite certain we will not get any _ will happen? no, i am quite certain we will not get any of _ will happen? no, i am quite certain we will not get any of that. - will happen? no, i am quite certain we will not get any of that. it - will happen? no, i am quite certain we will not get any of that. it is - we will not get any of that. it is not just we will not get any of that. it is notjust now during the ukraine crisis, but repeatedly there is a blind spot when it comes to countries like saudi arabia, also israel in the occupied territories. there are some countries where the uk is a strong champion for human rights, and others where it gives lip service. and that needs to change. i lip service. and that needs to chance. , , _, lip service. and that needs to chance. , , lip service. and that needs to chance. , ., lip service. and that needs to chance. ., , change. i suppose i come back to my oriainal change. i suppose i come back to my original question, _ change. i suppose i come back to my original question, should _ change. i suppose i come back to my original question, should the - change. i suppose i come back to my original question, should the prime l original question, should the prime minister not then be going on this mission in the first place? irate minister not then be going on this mission in the first place? we want the prime minister _ mission in the first place? we want the prime minister to _ mission in the first place? we want the prime minister to be _ mission in the first place? we want the prime minister to be talking i the prime minister to be talking about human rights with the saudi government at all times. so we would not be calling for it not to go ahead, but when he is there that there is evidence, open conversation about human rights. and when he comes back he speaks to us in parliament about what results he has achieved. otherwise it isjust providing that free pass to saudi arabia. ., , ., ~ , ,

arabia. polly from amnesty international, _ arabia. polly from amnesty international, many - arabia. polly from amnesty| international, many thanks. the minister has tweeted that nazanin and anoosheh ashoori have arrived safely in oman and soon they will be with their loved ones at home. they left tehran earlier today on a flight bound from iran to oman and we are expecting them to take off for a flight bound for the uk in the coming hours and land back here sometime today later this evening.

a huge number of people have been internally displaced within ukraine, but many others have left the country altogether. they have fled near and far with no idea when — or if — they�*ll return. tim allman reports on one young girl and her mother who�*ve sought refuge in france. first day in a new school can be daunting at the best of times. but camilla has just escaped from a country at war. along with her mum, she travelled five days from the ukrainian city of irpin to this town in south—west france. "i�*m happy to see my daughter running, playing, going to school with a smile," she says. "it is the greatest happiness for me." camilla and her mum arejust two of the roughly three million people who have left ukraine. so many of them children. a terrible trauma for a little girl who was not yet four, but she seems to be coping. translation: for the moment, things are going well. _ we have to give her time to get her bearings.

there is still the language barrier. we learned a few words in ukrainian for the essentials. day one of a new life and a little colouring in. so, things can�*t be too bad. tim allman, bbc news. hello. some rather wet weather for the eastern side of the uk on into this evening. for the eastern side of the uk further west, already looking drier, some late brightness to come, but that rain in the east has been proving just a little bit unpredictable in how quickly it will clear off into the north sea. slightly complicated structure bringing it. we�*ve got a weather front coming across from the west and then an area of low pressure that�*s pushed up from the south, and those two elements combining just slow things down a little. so, wet on into the evening, certainly across eastern england. into the small hours, it�*s looking a lot clearer. by then, though, some showers just starting to approach the west of northern ireland. clear skies overnight, however, accompanied by light winds. it looks like it�*s going to be

a pretty chilly night, with lows in eastern scotland perhaps rurally down to minus three or minus four. through thursday, high pressure will largely dominate the weather across the uk, but this front here towards the northwest will come into play for scotland and northern ireland. so, initially a lot of fine and sunny weather, but some of these showers marching across northern ireland and scotland could be heavy, maybe even a little thundery at times through the day. they could be wintry as well above around 300 metres across scotland. there will be some decent spells of sunshine on and off through the day as well, but a rather more mixed forecast here, whereas across england and wales it�*s looking dry and fine. could be some early morning mist and fog, a few late showers getting into the north west of england. for the end of the week, however, high pressure asserts itself again. that front scoots off towards scandinavia under the influence of this big high. for friday, we will be left with a lot of fine weather. first thing, though, we could see perhaps a little bit more in the way of fog developing, certainly across central reaches of the uk, parts of the midlands and mid wales.

that�*s what this white mass here on the map is trying to indicate. through the day, though, the sun should gradually burn it off. perhaps in a few areas it�*ll linger in the form of low cloud, but essentially i think we�*re looking at a lot of sunshine for friday. always cooler along eastern coasts thanks to an onshore breeze, but in central parts of england we could see temperatures of 15 or 16 degrees. and that same high is going to stay with us on into the weekend. a lot of fine weather to come through the weekend, some chilly starts, but a lot of sunshine by day and some pretty healthy temperatures. mid—teens possible in many areas. always a little cooler, though, along the north sea coast.

this is bbc news — i�*m matthew amroliwala. ukraine�*s president makes an emotional plea to the us congress — for more help. we have chosen which toys to see and we are looking forward to seeing her. i we are looking forward to seeing her. ., we are looking forward to seeing her. . ., , we are looking forward to seeing her. . ., . . her. i want to pay particular tribute to — her. i want to pay particular tribute to her— her. i want to pay particular tribute to her husband i her. i want to pay particular. tribute to her husband richard her. i want to pay particular- tribute to her husband richard and it is fantastic that she will be able — it is fantastic that she will be able to—

it is fantastic that she will be able to come back and see her family. — able to come back and see her family, see her