there hello. this is bbc news. the latest headlines in the uk and round the world. ukraine's president says his country could become neutral in a bid to enrussia's invasion, negotiations between two countries take place in turkey. i negotiations between two countries take place in turkey.— take place in turkey. i understand it is impossible _ take place in turkey. i understand it is impossible to _ take place in turkey. i understand it is impossible to force _ take place in turkey. i understand it is impossible to force russia - it is impossible to force russia from ukrainian territory, it would lead to a third world war, i understand it, and that is why i am talking about a compromise. a bbc investigation has shed new light on the murder of the russian opposition leader who was shot dead in moscow in 2015. drama at the oscars, from will smith a hug when he wins best actor, but a smack in the face for a comedian after he makes comments about his

wife. will smith apologises on stage. pupils in england may face tougher targets in english and maths for primary and secondary schools. china's largest city goes into lockdown as new covid cases continue to rise. anyone testing positive is sent to hospital or forced to quarantine. a warning to the chief executive of p&0 ferry, british ministers plan to force all ferry companies operating from uk ports to pay at least its national minimum wage. hello and welcome if you are watching here in the uk, or round the world, and on pbs. ukraine's

president says he is prepared to discuss a formal neutral status for his country, as part of talks to end russia's invasion. but he insisted any proposal would need to be put to the ukrainian people in a referendum, and the outcome guaranteed by third parties. meanwhile, the white house has clarified president biden�*s comments, when the president said vladimir putin cannot remain in power. in the western city 0ffaly viv from the safety near the polish border they are in a cycle of fire fighting as the war reaches their doorstep. the next round of talks are due to start today in istanbul and peeking to independent russian journalists ukrainian president said he would be willing to discuss adopting a point of neutral status, adopting a point of neutral status, a major bone of contention for

russia. security guarantees unneutrality, the non—nuclear status of our state, we are ready to gore it. this is the most important it was the point for the russian federation as far as i can can remember and this is why they started the war. mil can can remember and this is why they started the war.— can can remember and this is why they started the war. all this while american president _ they started the war. all this while american president joe _ they started the war. all this while american president joe biden - they started the war. all this while american president joe biden was| american presidentjoe biden was forced to deny claims he called for aregime change in russia on saturday, while on a visit in poland. reporter: ~ , ., u, ., reporter: were you calling for resume change? _ reporter: were you calling for resume change? no. _ resume change? no. the mod say the battle across northern ukraine remains largely static. translation: ., ., ., ., static. translation: .,., ., ., , translation: no consolation to this man. translation: no consolation to this man- having — translation: no consolation to this man- havingjust_ translation: no consolation to this man. having just lost _ translation: no consolation to this man. having just lost his _ translation: no consolation to this man. having just lost his son. - man. having just lost his son. translation: _ man. having just lost his son. translation: we _ man. having just lost his son. translation: we thought i man. having just lost his son. l translation: we thought this man. having just lost his son. - translation: we thought this would rotect us if translation: we thought this would protect us if something _ translation: we thought this would protect us if something happened. - protect us if something happened. suddenly i heard my wife crying, and i realised what has happened.

near the capital attacks are frequent and devastating. it is almost encircled by russian forces with claim that tens of thousands could remain trapped, cut off from electricity and water. as ukrainian armyjabs reiterate the call for weapons to help their cause, forfour call for weapons to help their cause, for four weeks call for weapons to help their cause, forfour weeks into this conflict there, is little sign that peaceis conflict there, is little sign that peace is close to being found. and joining me is a journalist from bbc russian. what is the response likely to be from moscow on president zelensky�*s comment on neutrality? president zelensky's comment on neutrali ? ~ ., , neutrality? well, we are still waitin: neutrality? well, we are still waiting for— neutrality? well, we are still waiting for any _ neutrality? well, we are still waiting for any position, - neutrality? well, we are still i waiting for any position, official position, we are waiting for the kremlin press secretary reacting today, because we still have not,

what is important to know, is that yesterday even before this interview with russian independentjournalists with russian independent journalists was with russian independentjournalists was published, the russian officials, russian prosecutor office issued a ban on publishing this interview and they announceded they are going to investigate all the facts which led to the public... so we know this reaction is quite, quite tough, so, we are waiting what is going to happen next. potentially though, could this be a pathway if neutrality was agreed for ukraine, could this be a pathway for president putin to deescalate, to say he has achieved what he set out to do? ~ say he has achieved what he set out todo? , say he has achieved what he set out todo? to do? well, possibly, there is a ossible to do? well, possibly, there is a possible but _ to do? well, possibly, there is a possible but in _ to do? well, possibly, there is a possible but in fact _ to do? well, possibly, there is a possible but in fact as _ to do? well, possibly, there is a possible but in fact as we - to do? well, possibly, there is a possible but in fact as we all- to do? well, possibly, there is a i possible but in fact as we all know, there was like official position of kremlin, even before this, this war has started is that russia is

waiting for a number of points to be fulfilled by ukraine, and this is not the only one, so we don't know how o kremlin will react on this position, and, from this interview of mr zelensky, the president of ukraine, we know that the other parts of russian let us say, russia will demand, they are not going to discuss the demilitarisation and de—nazification, which is one of the key points of moscow position, so, it is difficult to make any prognosis, so it is difficult to say for sure. and has there been any further reaction from moscow, to those comments by president biden saying that vladimir putin count remain in power even though the white house denied that the us was looking for regime change? we denied that the us was looking for regime change?— regime change? we will hear the official position _ regime change? we will hear the official position of _ regime change? we will hear the official position of the _ regime change? we will hear the official position of the white - official position of the white house, and that it was the emotional reaction and it doesn't reflect

official position but we know that the kremlin and president putin have personally, they, they quite, they regard this as an unacceptable and they think that going over the personalities is unacceptable, so, i am afraid that this can make the negotiation process more difficult between the kremlin, between the vladimir putin and between let us say, us and western countries. 0k, thank you for that. the first full scale 0scar ceremony since the pandemic has been overshadowed by an extraordinarily dramatic moment, as the actor will smith climbed on to the stage and hit the comedian chris rock in the face after he mate comments about will smith's wife's hair loss. he was presenting an award when he made

the joke about jada was presenting an award when he made thejoke aboutjada pin kept was presenting an award when he made the joke aboutjada pin kept smith. there was widespread shock. here is the comedian and actress rebel wilson. it the comedian and actress rebel wilson. .. . , the comedian and actress rebel wilson. .n , , ., .n wilson. it was very, yeah, it was kind of hard _ wilson. it was very, yeah, it was kind of hard to _ wilson. it was very, yeah, it was kind of hard to watch, _ wilson. it was very, yeah, it was kind of hard to watch, i - wilson. it was very, yeah, it was kind of hard to watch, i guess i kind of hard to watch, i guess because it is the best time of his life in a way and then also... yes, it is tricky to see what can happen. reflecting there, a lot of people's position not knowing what to make of all of this. the academy who run the oscars tweeted their reaction. they 0scars tweeted their reaction. they said the academy does not condone violence of any form, adding they wanted focus on the winners who deserve recognition for their achievements. in the actual awards coda, a family drama with the cast of predominantly deaf actors won best picture, jessica chastain won best actress

for the the eyes of tammy faye. and jane campion took best director for western psychological drama the power of the dog. and we will get much more reaction to everything that has happened at the oscar, injust to everything that has happened at the oscar, in just over 20 to everything that has happened at the oscar, injust over 20 minutes, my colleague jane the oscar, injust over 20 minutes, my colleaguejane hill and jason my colleague jane hill and jason solomon my colleaguejane hill and jason solomon also bring you my colleague jane hill and jason solomon also bring you the latest from hollywood in the oscar, the results here on bbc news. now plans to improve standards in maths and english in england's schools will be published by the government today. its aim is to raise average grades and ensure that nine out of ten children are at the expected standards when they leave primary school. our education editor has been to a village school near hereford to find out more. many 58 times one gives us 58.

we subtract that. in the heart of herefordshire, a village school. what's our next move? but the maths they're learning is nothing like their parents' lessons. it's 161. yes, that's it. what ten and 11—year—olds study now... three, plus our nine... ..is tougher than ten years ago, and the same is true for english grammar, something all these year six pupils have to navigate. i absolutely love maths. ijust love working with numbers. i don't like writing at all. i and i really struggle with it. that's why i use a laptop. i like challenging myself and finding out different ways to do stuff. "traces of the yellow—eyed, raven—coloured..." bursting with creativity, and stuffed full of grammar... "..black heart is emptier- than their kitchen cupboards." ..these year fives will face end of primary tests next year. the standard that children are expected to get to at the end of year six, has actually been raised quite recently, so children are already working at a much higher level than they were ten years ago. so, they're already doing sort of the work that children would have

done in years seven and eight. before the pandemic, around two thirds of children were leaving primary school at the standard expected for their year group. now the government is saying that, over the next few years, schools have to get nine out of ten children to that standard. that's a target for the whole of england, not for each school. ask questions and it helps you learn. that was the best thing i ever did. after meeting some secondary pupils, the education secretary told me there will also be a push to raise gcse grades in maths and english. it's not about more pressure on the children, it's about more support. if a child has fallen behind in maths or english, that the teacher will support that child, and will then engage with the parents. for parents who listen to this,

and who worry about more academic pressure going into schools, and they may not have a child who is particularly academically focused, what do you say to them? we're looking to make sure that your child leaves primary school able to read, write and do maths to a standard that allows them to do well in secondary school. forest school is just one of the many extra ways of learning here. this primary wants to keep a balance for children, and parents told me that is important. there's so much for them to learn, and i think primary schools should be about a time when they're enjoying life and getting to know who they are, because they've got many years ahead of them of exams. i do worry about the amount of anxiety children are going through, especially after the pandemic. and not everybody's academic. so, i've got one child who's really academic, and one that's not quite so academic, and, you know, you just want them to be happy.

schools and pupils are recovering after the pandemic. some parts of england are much further behind, a challenge to these plans. branwen jeffreys, bbc news, herefordshire. joining me is geoff barton. welcome to you, let us begin with primary school and 90% of children as we have been hearing is the goal, the government wants 90% of those children by 2030 achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, is that ambitious enough? eight years? i writing and maths, is that ambitious enough? eight years?— enough? eight years? i think that is the enough? eight years? ithink that is the erfect enough? eight years? i think that is the perfect question, _ enough? eight years? i think that is the perfect question, because - enough? eight years? i think that is the perfect question, because a - the perfect question, because a white paper is an opportunity for a government say here is what we are going to achieve by 2030, it set out a vision for education, a think parents might say hold on, why are you notaiming

parents might say hold on, why are you not aiming for 100% of children? and perhaps, sorry to interrupt, why aren't they already is a another key question i would say?— question i would say? well, that is exactly right- _ question i would say? well, that is exactly right- it — question i would say? well, that is exactly right. it might _ question i would say? well, that is exactly right. it might be _ question i would say? well, that is exactly right. it might be that - question i would say? well, that is exactly right. it might be that the l exactly right. it might be that the nature of key stage two tests, the sats is not a good mesh char of whether you can do maths or english. there are questions about whether they are a good measurement. the other point i would make is those parents were saying they want their children to be happy at school. the risk of a government simply obsessing round targets is narrowing the curriculum. the other things that are important, being good at music will help you be better ats, doing sport will give of your more rounded education which is likely to mean you engage better in literacy. we know that research. the risk is one of the richest part of the education system, the bredth of primary education gets narrowed because of the chase for target, the white paper is thin in terms of what

schools are expected to do differently. it seems the government is thinking that simply setting targets is the equivalent of putting resources is and setting policy and this is policy think thin i think. when you talk about ambition you are talking about the breadth of the curriculum as well as targets in key subject, core subjects, let us move on to the length of the school day, this is another feature of this white paper, and the plan is that the minimum length of the school week is to be 32—and—a—half hour, the equivalent of 8.115 to 3.15 monday to friday, a lot of schools already fulfil that don't they, so, for those that don't, is there any real evidence that increasing the length of the school day will increase attainment?- length of the school day will increase attainment? well, there is no evidence — increase attainment? well, there is no evidence being _ increase attainment? well, there is no evidence being given _ increase attainment? well, there is no evidence being given in - increase attainment? well, there is no evidence being given in the - increase attainment? well, there is| no evidence being given in the white paper and i am no evidence being given in the white paperand i am not no evidence being given in the white paper and i am not aware there is other evidence, and i think it seems to me that government that is stepping into operational matter, a decision round your school day looks like is a decision for the leader of

that school with the governing body, i used to be a long time ago, a fledgling teacher in day where we had a continental day so the children could then do all the things that parent us would want them to be able to do, whether it was tutoring, sport, drama, what we will be criticises for running a continue none that will day even though the decision that is what we needed to do and the problem with this, is what it will lead to, in those 10% of schools that o don't have long enough days according to the government is possibly cosmetic changes so if i want to make the school day longer i will increase lunchtime. that is not going to help children to learn better, i think that as we come out of the pandemic, with a white paper, the government could say, let us do something really ambitious round early year, the youngest children, let us do something with our bloated examination system, let us do

something with recruitment and how dodge that will tamara ecclestone yes makes teaching being a profession, that is why we will look back and think it was more of a whimper than a back and think it was more of a whimperthan a bang. find back and think it was more of a whimper than a bang. and briefly as we are almost _ whimper than a bang. and briefly as we are almost out _ whimper than a bang. and briefly as we are almost out of— whimper than a bang. and briefly as we are almost out of the _ whimper than a bang. and briefly as we are almost out of the time, - whimper than a bang. and briefly as we are almost out of the time, does this represent the contents of the white paper as they stand, does this represent levelling up for education?— represent levelling up for education? ~ ., , education? well, that will be the test because _ education? well, that will be the test because there _ education? well, that will be the test because there will _ education? well, that will be the test because there will be - education? well, that will be the test because there will be some | test because there will be some communities who didn't believe education was part of the answer who will feel unconvinced by the white paper. will feel unconvinced by the white pa er. .. ~ will feel unconvinced by the white paer. .. ~' n, , will feel unconvinced by the white paer. .. ~' , . will feel unconvinced by the white paer. .. ~ , . ., will feel unconvinced by the white paer. .. , . ., paper. thank you very much for your time. now, in 2015, an opposition politician once tipped to be president of russia buzz shot and killed on a bridge in the centre of moscow, his murder remains the most high proferal political assassination to have taken peninsula its in putin's russia, at the time five men were convicted but questions remain about who gave the order, now, an investigation by the

insider and bbc eye investigations has uncovered new evidence which throws light on the case. gr anybody russia dissend has always been a dangerous game. this was one of putin's most vocal critic, he denounced corruption and moscow's war in ukraine in tron 1a. translation: we war in ukraine in tron 14. translation:— war in ukraine in tron 14. translation: ~ , ., ., ., translation: we should say enough of idio , we translation: we should say enough of idiocy. we should _ translation: we should say enough of idiocy, we should say _ translation: we should say enough of idiocy, we should say russia _ translation: we should say enough of idiocy, we should say russia and - idiocy, we should say russia and ukraine without pouten. pouten. days before he was — ukraine without pouten. pouten. days before he was due _ ukraine without pouten. pouten. days before he was due to hold a rally was gunned down on a bridge in front of the kremlin. a close friend and colleague. it of the kremlin. a close friend and colleauue. ., , a close friend and colleague. it was im ossible a close friend and colleague. it was impossible to _ a close friend and colleague. it was impossible to imagine _ a close friend and colleague. it was impossible to imagine that - a close friend and colleague. it was impossible to imagine that their - impossible to imagine that their political point would be killed, just killed. in the centre of moscow. just killed. in the centre of moscow-— just killed. in the centre of moscow. . . n, moscow. five ethnic chechen, some

aned moscow. five ethnic chechen, some linked to kremlin _ moscow. five ethnic chechen, some linked to kremlin backed _ moscow. five ethnic chechen, some linked to kremlin backed warlord . linked to kremlin backed warlord were convicted of the murder, but who ordered the killing? his friends suspected vladimir putin himself. the kremlin has always denied the allegation. now, we have uncovered evidence which lends fresh credibility to the suspicion that the kremlin wanted him dead. we can reveal that in the year leading up to his death, he was being tracked across russia, by a government agent. nothing unusual in that, you might think, the kremlin keeps tabs on the opposition. but this man wasn't some low ranking recruit on routine business. all the evidence tells us that he was an officer with the fsb. russia's main security agency and deeply connected to a secret assassination squad. is according to his documents name

is s kursk har —— sukharev. when he compare his moments, a chilling pattern emerges. in the year running up to his murder, the travel record shows that he tailed him on 13 round trips round russia. phone and travel records link him to at least two apparent assassination attempts both aimed at other prominent critics of vladimir putin. the most well—known is the opposition leader who was poisoned with the never agent novichock in town 20. it isn't clear why his killers chose bullets instead of poison or if the two squads are linked. he bullets instead of poison or if the two squads are linked.— bullets instead of poison or if the two squads are linked. he was the most effective, _ two squads are linked. he was the most effective, prominent - two squads are linked. he was the most effective, prominent and - two squads are linked. he was the i most effective, prominent and most powerful political opponent of

vladimir putin's regime, full stop. and, they could not have silenced him any other way. we put these findings to the russian government, and to the fsb, the kremlin denied any involvement. and said this story was a fabrication. the fsb did not respond. for many russian, the killing was a glimpse behind the mass of course a murderous state. seven years later, russia is engaged in an all out war in ukraine. and the mask is off. china has announced its biggest city—wide lockdown since the covid outbreak began more than two years ago, the entire population of shanghai will be restricted to their homes over the next nine days, our china correspondent says the order has triggered panic buying by residents. . . has triggered panic buying by residents. , , ., , ., has triggered panic buying by residents. , , ., has triggered panic buying by residents. , ., residents. this is as far as i can no at residents. this is as far as i can go at the _ residents. this is as far as i can go at the moment. _ residents. this is as far as i can go at the moment. the, - residents. this is as far as i can go at the moment. the, as - residents. this is as far as i can go at the moment. the, as you j residents. this is as far as i can - go at the moment. the, as you can see barriers are down, the entrances

are sealed off, i am on the eastern side of shanghai, and this whole swathe of the city has been locked down and it will be like that for the next few days. this is a city thatis the next few days. this is a city that is home to almost 25 million people and that is why these measures are so significant, this time round because of the sheer scale and the financial significance of shanghai. they are doing it in swathe, eastern side first, people are being confined to their compound, they houses, apartment, mass city—wide testing is happening again, you get the occasional delivery here but that is about it. public transport has been shut, the city being sealed off as well from the rest of china you need a covid test, a negative covid test to exit shanghai at the moment. these restrictions are going to be imposed on the western side of shanghai in a

few days' time, so what we have, is a nine day lockdown, imposed by the authorities, it is that blunt sometimes brutal instrument as they try to contain the resurgent covid—19 outbreak here in this country, they thought they had banished it but it has meant the confirmed new cases are increasing, and what is happening is, that strategy, of what the leadership calls its dynamic zero covid is being tested to the extreme, it is also though being subtly adapted. the uk's transport secretary will write to the chief executive of p&0 ferrying telling him to retire hire the 800 staff he sacked without notice earlier this month. grant shapes will warn him he plans to change the law to make sure all ferry operators pay at least the minimum wage. let us talk to our political correspondent adam

fleming. so first on that rehiring, the chief executive of p80 ferries admits that the company has broken the law without consulting worker, does the government believe the company needs an extra push to rehire those staff? itrefoil company needs an extra push to rehire those staff?— rehire those staff? well they do because that — rehire those staff? well they do because that is _ rehire those staff? well they do because that is why _ rehire those staff? well they do because that is why the - rehire those staff? well they do i because that is why the transport secretary is writing this letter, we haven't seen it yet, it will be published later so we will reach a judgment once we see it but what is happening that is government will close a loophole in the law which means that seafarers can be paid below the national minimum wage so that will close that loophole. he will say you may as well rehire the people you fired and pay them at least the minimum wage, so, the government is doing one thing for definite which is changing the law, but then, this little extra bit is a bit of political pressure, trying to create some political incentives for

the company to take on those workers again, but, sources close to the transport secretary admit the government is powerless to make them take them back, and they are not proposing to change the law to make sure that these people are rehired, it is about the terms of what they —— their replacements will be paid. separately as you referred to there, the company themselves saying they broke the law, well that is subject to a sort of arbitration legal process between the individual staff members and the company, so we will see how that plays out. fin members and the company, so we will see how that plays out.— see how that plays out. on the minimum _ see how that plays out. on the minimum wage _ see how that plays out. on the minimum wage issue, - see how that plays out. on the minimum wage issue, can - see how that plays out. on the minimum wage issue, can the | minimum wage issue, can the government make real change here, if ferries are registered in another country? country?— ferries are registered in another country? country? ferries are registered in another count ?count ? , ., ., country? country? good question, and officials say it — country? country? good question, and officials say it is _ country? country? good question, and officials say it is a _ country? country? good question, and officials say it is a tricky _ officials say it is a tricky combination of international and national law and the law of the seas, and we will get much more details from the transport secretary later on this week because he will do a statement to parliament where he will explain to mps how the loophole will be changed, we will

get an impact assessments. brute loophole will be changed, we will get an impact assessments. we are out of time, — get an impact assessments. we are out of time, thank _ get an impact assessments. we are out of time, thank you _ get an impact assessments. we are out of time, thank you very - get an impact assessments. we are out of time, thank you very much. i out of time, thank you very much. goodbye. it is time now for the weather forecast and here is matt. thank you. good morning. it is a fine start to the week but say it week of big weather change, last of the spring warmth today before we start to see the weather turn colder, windier as well and there will be sleet and snow round too, so almost a return to winter for some of you. let me show you the temperatures, just to emphasise that change because through today we see highs of 17 or 18. but the blue colours to the north is arctic air that will sweep southwards, by thursday we will see temperatures in single figure, it will feel much

colder than that, so that is coming our wear way, let us deal with the here and now, out there at the moment there is a lot of dry and sunny weather: we still have this area of cloud far north of england, to the east of northern ireland, further showers to come and thicker cloud to 0rkney and shetland. western scotland, 16 or 17, 18 or 19 to the south of england. so temperatures for most still above what we normally expect. burr it is going to tonight, showers will fade but we will see developing in the southern county, that first sign of change pushing through 0rkney and shetland. edging towards the north of caithness later on, a up the of frost in the west. most frost—free into tuesday morning, the chart for tuesdayis into tuesday morning, the chart for tuesday is complicated. we have someone system to the south producing shower, a weather front to the north which will introduce arctic air, sunshine comes back to

0rkney and shetland, we will see sleet and snow over the higher ground too. a few showers, southern scotland, northern ireland, a stew showers down the south, lots of cloud in eastern areas and all will feel that bit cooler. the best of the sunshine in the west, temperatures into the mid to be a, wednesday our weather front gets further southwards. we could see snow over the hills of the southern uplands, north pennines and the fells too, and snow to lower levels with a mixture of sunshine and showers. there will be brightness but here temperatures drop, staying in double figure, midlands northward, single figure temperatures feeling colder. wind strengthening as well. and as the weather system stalls to the south—east corner, outbreaks of rain for some but on the northern edge we coiled see sleet and snow. wintry showers elsewhere, with a bit of sunshine in between, best of the sunshine in between, best of the sunshine in between, best of the sunshine in the west, but while temperatures as i said cold at round

five to eight degree, it will feel closer to freezing. bye nor now.

welcome to this bbc news special programme. iam welcome to this bbc news special programme. i amjane hill, and there is much to talk about, with my guests, after an extraordinary night at the oscars. this, sadly, is what it will be remembered for. filth. it will be remembered for. oh, richard- -- _ it will be remembered for. oh, richard... oh, _ it will be remembered for. oh, richard... oh, wow. _ it will be remembered for. oh, richard... oh, wow. will- it will be remembered for. oh, | richard... oh, wow. will smith sla- ed richard... oh, wow. will smith

slapped chris — richard... oh, wow. will smith slapped chris rock _ richard... oh, wow. will smith slapped chris rock live - richard... oh, wow. will smith slapped chris rock live on - richard... oh, wow. will smith slapped chris rock live on air, l