hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. the former owner of chelsea fc, roman abramovich, and two ukrainian peace negotiators, are said to have suffered symptoms of poisoning following a meeting in kyiv. the following a meeting in kyiv. us is downplaying this environmental the us is downplaying this as environmental factors. meanwhile, russian attacks _ environmental factors. meanwhile, russian attacks on _ environmental factors. meanwhile, russian attacks on ukraine - environmental factors. meanwhile, i russian attacks on ukraine continue. ahead of peace talks due to resume tomorrow in istanbul, ukraine's president said it would consider neutrality. translation: security i guarantees and neutrality. non—nuclear status of our state. we are ready to go for it. this is the most important point.

it was the main point for russia, as far as i can remember. and if i remember correctly, this is why they started the war. shock at the oscars — as actor will smith slaps chris rock after a joke at his wife's expense. will smith then won his first academy award, and said this. in this business, you've got to be able to have people disrespecting you, and you've got to smile and you've got to pretend like that's ok. a spokesman for russian oligarch roman abramovich has confirmed that he suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning at peace talks in kyiv earlier this month. the wall streetjournal reports that at least two ukrainian negotiators who were also at the meeting experienced similar symptoms. but one us official has said it was caused by environmental factors, but one us official has said it was caused by environmentalfactors, not the poisoning. roman abramovich was allegedly involved in talks about securing

humanitarian corridors to allow ukrainians to leave. one of the other alleged victims was reportedly this ukrainian lawmaker — rustem umerov. the investigative site bellingcat news says, "the experts concluded that the symptoms are most likely the result of intentional poisoning with an undefined chemical weapon." let's hear more from our security correspondent, frank gardner. there will be some — correspondent, frank gardner. there will be some people _ correspondent, frank gardner. ti” will be some people suspecting russia or the gru, nobody has claimed responsibility, iam russia or the gru, nobody has claimed responsibility, i am quite sure you will not see russia claiming responsibility for this. alexei navalny two summers ago was poisoned with novichok internally in russia and the conclusion was by investigators outside the country, the russian security service was responsible for that, he survived that and was treated in hospital. sergei skripal and his daughter yulia were poisoned by novichok in

salisbury in 2019 and the british government and investigators concluded that was the work of the gru russian military intelligence. nothing so far has been published to say who was behind this. that isn't —— that is inevitably where suspicions will fall, but it appears somebody did not want these peace talks to happen. max colchester if from the wall streetjournal. he's in london. let's begin with this meeting. tell is what we know about it and where it took place and who was there. what we know is that abramovich met with two other high—level ukrainian negotiators in the capital of ukraine, kyiv, in march. during a long discussion which went into the night, they only consumed water and chocolate. they then retired to where they were staying in kyiv and began to feel unwell. mr abramovich in particular suffered from peeling skin on his hands and face. he also was very tearful and his eyes were running and he felt unwell. these

were mercifully short—lived, the symptoms. and the people who have been allegedly targeted by this attack have now returned to full health, but it is a pretty extraordinary turn of events. [30 health, but it is a pretty extraordinary turn of events. do we know with anyone _ extraordinary turn of events. do we know with anyone -- _ extraordinary turn of events. do we know with anyone -- if _ extraordinary turn of events. do we know with anyone -- if anyone - extraordinary turn of events. do we know with anyone -- if anyone with i know with anyone —— if anyone with expertise in poisoning was able to examine mr abramovich and the two ukrainians? is examine mr abramovich and the two ukrainians? , �* u, ukrainians? is the bellingcat website just _ ukrainians? is the bellingcat website just said, _ ukrainians? is the bellingcat website just said, they - ukrainians? is the bellingcat website just said, they will l ukrainians? is the bellingcat - website just said, they will contact you to try to determine what had happened, whether any poison had been administered and they said they suspect poison may well have been administered, but in effect, the dosage was so mild that it was unable to fully decide what exactly had happened. what we hear as there was a suspected poisoning of these individuals. find was a suspected poisoning of these individuals. �* , ., ~ individuals. and why would mr abramovich, _ individuals. and why would mr abramovich, russian - individuals. and why would mr- abramovich, russian businessman and owner of an english football club, be involved in these talks in first place? mr be involved in these talks in first lace? ~ m. .,. be involved in these talks in first lace? ~ ., . be involved in these talks in first lace? ~ .,. place? mr abramovich has been involved in _ place? mr abramovich has been involved in these _ place? mr abramovich has been involved in these talks - place? mr abramovich has been involved in these talks and - place? mr abramovich has been involved in these talks and is i place? mr abramovich has been i involved in these talks and is quite early on, the end of february.

unfair b the 24th, he was seen a few days later in belarus trying to broker talks between the russian and ukrainian government —— on february the 28. he has links to the kremlin and also to ukraine. and i think people were contacted on his behalf who thought maybe he could act as a bridge between these two warring factions and that is what he has been trying to do. what is unknown is the exact nature of what he has been involved in doing and whether it has resulted in anything concrete, that is the unknown. writers have reported one us official has said perhaps this is created by environmental factors and not by poison. i am trying to think what environmental factors they could be. that is very —— very good question, i don't know what environmental factors cause your skin to peel and your eyes to water. it seems some of

the people involved think they were the people involved think they were the target of a poisoning. we say it is suspected, we don't know who is behind it, we don't know why this was done exactly, some of the people involved think they were targeted by hardliners in moscow who wanted to disrupt this peace process. but again, we have no proof of that, i should reiterate.— should reiterate. max, thank you very much. _ should reiterate. max, thank you very much. and _ should reiterate. max, thank you very much, and you _ should reiterate. max, thank you very much, and you can - should reiterate. max, thank you very much, and you can read - should reiterate. max, thank you l very much, and you can read max's reporting on the wall streetjournal website. well, another round of face—to—face talks between ukraine and russia are scheduled to go ahead this week in turkey. these pictures are from the last few hours — the russian delegation arriving in istanbul. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, says he's prepared to discuss a formal neutral status for his country, as part of efforts to end the war. but he says it would have to go to a referendum, which could take about a year to implement. this is what he had to say. translation: security i guarantees and neutrality. non—nuclear status of our state. we're ready to go for it.

this is the most important point. it was the main point for russia, as far as i can remember. and if i remember correctly, this is why they started the war. if it became neutral, ukraine would have to abandon its ambitions to join the military alliance nato, or the european union. ukraine also wouldn't be able to interfere in wars elsewhere. have a look at this map of nato expansion. russia already shares a small part of its border with nato countries. so it's long been opposed to ukrainejoining. that wasn't imminent, but ukraine says it would like to in time. this is the former us ambassador to nato weighing in on that subject. he is weighing in on that sub'ect. he is -auttin weighing in on that sub'ect. he is putting that h weighing in on that sub'ect. he is putting that message _ weighing in on that subject. he is putting that message out - weighing in on that subject. he: 3 putting that message out there to weighing in on that subject. he: 1 putting that message out there to a russian audience in russian deliberately, in order to show that that has nothing to do with why vladimir putin is attacking him. putin has used this narrative, false narrative, that it was ukraine's progress towards nato or nato

enlargement that is the source of some insecurity for russia, that they are responding to it. but now that zelensky takes that from the table, it is clear vladimir putin is attacking them for other reasons, which is to say he looks to build a renewed russian empire, eliminate ukraine as a people and a state. russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov has been speaking today. translation: the crisis in ukraine, the conflict inside _ translation: the crisis in ukraine, the conflict inside ukraine, - translation: the crisis in ukraine, the conflict inside ukraine, has - the conflict inside ukraine, has been brewing so long. all these years, that a huge number of problems have built up. therefore just meeting and exchanging views on what you thing and i think, that would just be counter—productive now. we have to make sure that ukraine stops assimilating itself with the west, with nato in the military sense. with threats to the russian federation, physical, military threats to the russian federation. both the demilitarisation and the denazification of ukraine are an essential component of the agreements that we are trying to

achieve. . , ., achieve. that is the foreign minister- — the kremlin spokesman dmitry peskov also called a neutral ukraine �*a kind of compromise'. but the ukrainian public might be unwilling to do that. a poll found that 70% of ukrainians outside of the occupied territories think they will prevail against russia. let's hear from the former uk chief of military staff on what's actually on what's actually happening. i think the unpalatable truth is that over time, if this continues, the stronger position ultimately of the stronger position ultimately of the russians will prevail. the big battalions will prevail. and zelensky�*s position will become less strong. now, of course, he is appealing to the west to produce more weapons, more ammunition and so on and the support we have been

offering him hitherto, but he knows we have not been able to go beyond that. we can't go to work no fly, we can't risk general war, a failed world war. so quite rightly pursuing negotiations at the present moment while he is in a position of relative strength. but he must know in the medium to long term, his position will not be so good. we will speak to lyse doucet in a moment. and this is the assessment from our russia editor, steve rosenberg. president zelensky said he would be willing to discuss an ukraine's neutral status, the possibility of ukraine giving up its aspirations to join nato. you would think that is something that russia would welcome. but, and there are a couple here. first of all, president zelensky insisted there had to be a referendum on this. once russian troops had pulled out of his country. this could take months and it is hard to see the kremlin agreeing to wait. the other thing is, i wonder whether ukrainian neutrality is enough now for

vladimir putin because it is widely believed that all along, he —— his objective has been forced ukraine, to force russia's neighbour, back into's orbit. we should note that ukraine formally abandoned its neutral status in 2014, after russia annexed crimea and invaded eastern ukraine. this is one ukrainian mp. so, ukraine is in general are extremely pessimistic about the idea of neutrality given the very recent history about them not respecting the idea of neutrality at all as we have seen eight years ago. so overall, we are rather pessimistic about the potential talks. i am not saying that with a light heart, trust me, but i am very much afraid that we shall have to deal with this militarily. making any deals with russia right now would compromise ukraine's territorial integrity, which no—one would allow to happen. central to all this

is the donbas region — and specifically two areas: donetsk and luhansk. they're in the east of the country. and remember, russia has recognised them both as independent. russian—backed separatists have been fighting ukrainian forces there since 2014. because of that, there are questions as to whether moscow will try to carve out the donbas as part of a deal. here's what an economic adviser to president zelensky had to say about that. we are certainly not willing to give up we are certainly not willing to give up any territory or talk about our territorial integrity. let alone the whole idea ofjust slicing up our country. the bbc�*s lyse doucet in is kyiv. let me start with some reports of ukrainian forces able to push russian forces back, how much emphasis should we give to those developments?— emphasis should we give to those develoments? , . ., ., developments? yes, including around k iv. in developments? yes, including around kyiv. in fact. — developments? yes, including around kyiv. in fact. the _

developments? yes, including around kyiv. in fact, the mayor— developments? yes, including around kyiv. in fact, the mayor of— developments? yes, including around kyiv. in fact, the mayor of the - developments? yes, including around kyiv. in fact, the mayor of the town i kyiv. in fact, the mayor of the town of irpin to the north—west is saying tonight they have taken the town back and i think our viewers will know a bit about irpin now. before this war was known for its pretty parks, it was a stop on the railway line coming in to kyiv, now it is absolutely flattened, it is a wasteland. we have seen thousands of people pulling out of that town under incessant russian shelling. and since most of the population left, partly because they had to come in their houses were burnt to the ground, there has been fierce fighting there ever since. and today, they are saying they have taken it back. there has certainly been a lot of explosions today and a lot of surface—to—air missiles filed by the ukrainians. we will have to wait and see tomorrow whether there is more verification if that is the case. we had also heard both from the ukrainians and from the americans that the russian forces had been pushed back in the east as

well. so they are not doing well. for the most part, they also seem to be consolidating their positions, digging in artillery and are giving the impression this is not the main front line for now. and that is of course what we heard from the defence ministry in moscow last week, that the first stage of the special military operation was over, that they had reduced the combat power of the ukrainians and, as you have been saying, the donbas, eastern ukraine, would be the priority. eastern ukraine, would be the riori . �* , eastern ukraine, would be the riori . v . ~ eastern ukraine, would be the riori . �*, ., ~ ., priority. let's talk about the vafious priority. let's talk about the various ideas _ priority. let's talk about the various ideas being - priority. let's talk about the various ideas being voted i priority. let's talk about the | various ideas being voted for priority. let's talk about the - various ideas being voted for how to end this conflict. you followed many a complicated diplomatic process. how much weight you give to this idea of neutrality and whether that could unlock the situation? there will not be _ could unlock the situation? there will not be significant _ could unlock the situation? there will not be significant progress i could unlock the situation? ii—ii” will not be significant progress at the negotiating table until there is more significant process —— make progress in moscow because my eyes and president putin's eyes in terms of territory. so it is territory

before negotiating table. president putin will want at least the donbas, he has made that clear, he will also want a strategic corridor connecting the donbas with the crimean peninsula and he may want more. we hear nick ukrainian judgment ukrainian negotiators say possibly wants a north and south korea idea to split the country in two. so he is nowhere near there, he has made progress in eastern ukraine, there has been territory seized in the south. mariupol, which has been bombarded and besieged for weeks, there is an assessment that the ukrainians could lose that. in a matter of days. in fact, president zelensky said in that interview with russian journalists that he has told his officials there, please, if you feel you are losing it and you want to protect your lives, do say that you want to surrender. and he says that they told him, no, no, there are still people here, we want to protect our colleagues, we want to protect our colleagues, we want to protect the residents. that kind of

stoic, heroic resilience and resistance that we have seen in other places. so, yes, we have heard before about this giving up the aspirations tojoin before about this giving up the aspirations to join nato. before about this giving up the aspirations tojoin nato. israeli and turkish mediators talked about it. they said the talks are more realistic on some issues. ukraine has recognised they can'tjoin nato and president putin has recognised he cannot toppled ukrainian government. but on other issues, no progress. government. but on other issues, no rouress. . , ., government. but on other issues, no rouress. . , . ~ ., government. but on other issues, no rouress. . , ., ~ ., progress. finally, and i knowl ask ou this progress. finally, and i knowl ask you this repeatedly _ progress. finally, and i knowl ask you this repeatedly and _ progress. finally, and i knowl ask you this repeatedly and have - progress. finally, and i knowl ask you this repeatedly and have donej you this repeatedly and have done over the last month, how is life—changing in the part of kyiv where you are based, can you see a difference from when i asked you a week ago? difference from when i asked you a week auo? , , , difference from when i asked you a weekauo? , , , .,. week ago? yes, yes. i went to an oen week ago? yes, yes. i went to an open mic— week ago? yes, yes. i went to an open mic concert _ week ago? yes, yes. i went to an open mic concert just _ week ago? yes, yes. i went to an open mic concertjust down - week ago? yes, yes. i went to an open mic concertjust down the i open mic concertjust down the street here, down the cobbled streets. people were playing, a soldier in uniform played on the piano, another woman dressed in green, not because it was the colour of the army, but she said it was her

favourite colour, also saying ukrainian national songs. people were gathering around clapping and the air raid sirens were going off, you could hear the artillery in the background. but i could also hear the coffee brewing at the cafe next door. people are trying to get back something, i won't call it normal, it is an act of resistance to say, this is our city, we are staying in our city and we are going to try to live our life in the city, even as they hear the sounds of death in the background. now, we have to talk about what happened at the oscars. shortly before collecting his first academy award for �*best actor”, will smith slapped the evening's presenter — comedian chris rock —

on stage — after the comic made a joke about the actor's wife jada pinkett smith. mr smith has since apologised to the academy for the incident — but not to chris rock. the bbc�*s culture editor katie razzall was watching the ceremony. it should have been so different. will smith was always going to make news that the oscars, but he dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. presenting an award, comedian chris rock made a joke about will smith's wife's lack of hair. gi jane 2, can't wait to see it. watch jade pinkett smith reaction. it clearly got to her. her husband walked onto the stage and delivered this. at first, it wasn't clear if it was an elaborate joke. those involved weren't laughing. the tv broadcast muted the sound, but inside the dolby theatre, shocked guests watched as will smith

continued to abuse rock. keep my wife's name out 0 ' ., there is clearly history here. when he hosted the oscars in 2016, chris rock mocked the couple after she had announced she was boycotting the awards for their lack of diversity. jada is going to boycott the oscars. that's like me boycotting rhianna's panties. last night, long before the slap, one of the hosts said this. will smith, you're married, but you know what? you're on the list, and it looks like jada approved to you. get up here! will smith laughing off that joke about the couple's reportedly open relationship, which two weeks before, rebel wilson had also referenced.

i thought his best performance was being ok with all of his wife's boyfriends. her reaction last night... it was hard to watch, because it was probably the best night of his life, in a way, but also might have some repercussions. and the oscar goes to... and when that more predictable event of the night happened... will smith. ..the only question was whether he would apologise. i know, to do what we do, you've got to be able to take abuse. you've got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. in this business, you've got to be able to have people disrespecting you. and you've got to smile and you gotta pretend like that's ok. i want to apologise to the academy, apologise to all my fellow nominees. love will make you do crazy things.

it overshadowed what had the makings of a glorious night, not least for sir kenneth branagh, who finally won an oscar, after seven unsuccessful attempts. original screenplay for belfast. a film about deaf culture also made history. best supporting actor for the first deaf man ever to win an oscar. this is dedicated to the deaf community, the code or community, and the disabled community. this is our moment. coda, in which he stars, also snatched best picture. will smith appeared defiant after the ceremony, posting this video saying he and his wife got dressed up to choose chaos. he apparently partied into the night. this morning, he may be waking up to the reality of what he has done. let's speak to katie live in la now. there will be, i am assuming, lots

of different stories on these oscars, but there is only one i imagine that is dominating. yes. oscars, but there is only one i imagine that is dominating. yes, and it is really sad _ imagine that is dominating. yes, and it is really sad because _ imagine that is dominating. yes, and it is really sad because you _ imagine that is dominating. yes, and it is really sad because you are - it is really sad because you are right, there are huge stories that should have been coming from these oscars which are not. coda, the film about deaf culture, winning best picture and first deaf manafa, best supporting actor oscar, but the only headlines in town this, the only headlines in town this, the only headlines across the world of this. five years ago, they handed out the wrong oscar at the oscars for best picture and we thought it couldn't get more dramatic. and it has. and people, i mean, iwas watching it. none of us really could work out at first, was it true, was it actually happening, was this some elaborate joke was it stage between two comedians as part of the show? and it was only when they turned down the sounds that we realised, oh, my goodness, no, this is for real and

something very strange is going on. you can see it in the slightly frozen looks of some of the audience members. but people have supported will smith and said he was standing up will smith and said he was standing up for his family and that has to be applauded. of course, not everybody feels like that and that is quite a lot of reaction today as people take it in and think about the ramifications of it. ~ . ., , ramifications of it. what has the academy had — ramifications of it. what has the academy had to _ ramifications of it. what has the academy had to say _ ramifications of it. what has the academy had to say about - ramifications of it. what has the academy had to say about this, | ramifications of it. what has the i academy had to say about this, the fact that will smith was still able to go up and make a speech during a lot of comment? people suggest the moment you behave like that, your involvement in the event should end. the academy have remained fairly tight—lipped and all they have done so far is put out a tweet after the ceremony saying they don't condone violence. but you are right, that was a very unpredictable thing that happened at the oscars, but the oscars was apart from best picture very predictable and we did know pretty much will smith was going to win that award, so all we were thinking of that was, my goodness, he will win best actor, will he be allowed to go up and what will he

say, will he apologise? this is a really big moment for him. i spoke to sidney poitier�*s daughter a few days ago, he was winning the same award herfatherfirst days ago, he was winning the same award her father first won days ago, he was winning the same award herfatherfirst won is days ago, he was winning the same award her father first won is the first black man to do so in 1964 and she talked about how much you look forward to this moment where will smith took that same oscar and all we are thinking about is, is he going to apologise, what will he say about what he has done? the only person from the academy who has said something, whoopi goldberg talking this morning on a show she has on abc, she is a member of the academy board and she says she didn't think his award would be revoked because she says chris rock has decided not to press charges and that was announced by the los angeles police department yesterday. she said, we are not going to take that oscar from him, there will be consequences, iam from him, there will be consequences, i am sure, but we don't know what they are. hollywood is quite forgiving of its big stars, particularly if they are bringing in a lot of money, so we will see. find a lot of money, so we will see. and a lot of money, so we will see. and a word for— a lot of money, so we will see. and a word for the _ a lot of money, so we will see. and a word for the film _ a lot of money, so we will see. and a word for the film he starred in, this is a big moment for the story

of the williams sisters and their father. again, this is perhaps not the way they would have wanted that story to be celebrated. ida. story to be celebrated. no, definitely — story to be celebrated. no, definitely not. _ story to be celebrated. no, definitely not. think i story to be celebrated. i157, definitely not. think about the beginning of that show with be announced —— met with beyonce, announced —— met with beyonce, announced by venus and serena williams, performing this huge, elaborate song, all of that when we edited our package before the slap happened, that was going to be the opening and that didn't even make it into the report because clearly, the slap has dominated everything. serena williams talked a little bit on instagram about her shock about what had happened, but we need to drill into a bit more quite how they are feeling and everybody is remaining tight—lipped, but from her reaction when it happened, she did look quite frozen in horror at that moment. we look quite frozen in horror at that moment. ~ ., moment. we will leave it there, thank you _ moment. we will leave it there, thank you very _ moment. we will leave it there, thank you very much _ moment. we will leave it there, thank you very much indeed i moment. we will leave it there, thank you very much indeed for| thank you very much indeed for taking us through that. you can follow katie on twitter for further updates in los angeles, that story is not going anywhere, the date is just beginning in los angeles. i

will be back with you for the next half hour of outside stores with the bigger stories around the world. —— my outside source. the weather will look and feel very different for the rest of this week. today, it was warm enough in the sunshine. highest temperatures around glasgow, 18 degrees here, lovely magnolias. really cold air at sitting to the north of scotland and that cold out will get swept southwards as we develop a northerly wind in the next few days. these are the temperatures on thursday. maximum temperatures. with those sorts of numbers, we are likely to find sleet and snow falling almost anywhere from midweek onwards. coldest weather today has been across northern parts of england, where we have been stuck under the cloud. some rain around as well. that rain is tending to ease away overnight, still the threat of rain from the channel across southern

most parts of england. we will see a band of rain moving down into the north of scotland. the rest of mainland scotland will have clear skies and that could lead to a touch of frost by the end of the night. meld elsewhere, but a lot of low cloud and mist and fog back in from the north sea pushing into the midlands. some places will stay grey all day but, for many, it may brighten up with sunshine leading to showers breaking out. still the threat of rain through the english channel into the far south of england and that band of wet weather pushing further south across scotland and turning to sleet and snow in the hills. for all of us, colder tomorrow come maximum temperatures 14 in the west. a lot colder across northern parts of scotland, the colder air behind that weather front which is scotland, the colder air behind that weatherfront which is bringing scotland, the colder air behind that weather front which is bringing that rain southwards, this is where the wet weather is on wednesday. we will find sleet and snow over the hills of northern inglot and north wales. to the north of that, the really cold air mean sunshine and wintry showers as the cold air continues to push down behind that weather front, thatis push down behind that weather front, that is where it is on wednesday and

temperatures continue to drop. still wet weather into wednesday night and with the cold air continuing to dig in behind that, we could find sleet and snow falling to lower levels across parts of southern england and south wales, there could be a light covering in place by thursday morning. that pushes away and then it is sunshine and a rash of wintry showers on thursday, hale, sleet and snow, a good deal of those across the eastern side of the uk. here, temperatures can be no more than 6 or 7 degrees on thursday. but with stronger northerly winds as well, it will feel probably quite a bit colder than that.

hello, i'm ros atkins. welcome back to outside source. the former owner of chelsea football club and two peace negotiators have suffered symptoms of poisoning. russia's attacks on ukraine continue and ahead of peace talks in istanbul, ukrainian president says he wants without delay. nonnuclear status of our state. delay. nonnuclear status of our state- this _ delay. nonnuclear status of our state. this is the _ delay. nonnuclear status of our state. this is the most - delay. nonnuclear status of our i state. this is the most important point. if i remember correctly, this is why they started the war. this is what the actor will smith did at the oscars. will smith won

his first academy award and said this. in his first academy award and said this. , , , , , his first academy award and said this. ,,, ,, ., ., this. in this business, you have to be able to have people disrespecting you. and you _ to have people disrespecting you. and you have to pretend like that's ok. schools and to have people disrespecting you. and you have to pretend like schools and workplaces are being disrupted by absences. we will look at whether the city needs to change over the past week, the white house has been forced to backtrack over a series of unscripted remarks made by president biden. the latest was this one on saturday. for god's sake, this man cannot remain in power. his comments forced us secretary of state, anthony blinken, to deny that the white house was seeking regime change in moscow.

earlier that same day, president biden said this. you're dealing every day with vladimir putin. look at what he's done to these people. what does it make you think? he's a butcher. on thursday last week, president biden suggested that america would respond in kind to a russian chemical attack on ukraine. we would respond if he uses it, and the nature of the response would depend on the nature of the use. and mr biden has also falsely implied that us troops could be deployed to ukraine. when you're there, you're going to see women, young people standing in the middle of a damn tank. each time, the white house had to row back on his comments. our north america correspondent anthony zurcher is in washington. a lwa ys always helpful to get you on the programme. it's not unusualfor

leaders to have their comments walked back after the event. i'm reading some people saying this is a really big deal, others are saying it's not to. where do you fall on this? ~ . ., �* it's not to. where do you fall on this? ~ i ., �* ., , it's not to. where do you fall on this? ~ i ., �* .,, ., it's not to. where do you fall on this? �* ., ,.,i this? well, joe biden has a history of these things, _ this? well, joe biden has a history of these things, making _ this? well, joe biden has a history| of these things, making unscripted comments that get him in trouble, but they also kind of reveal where his thinking is so they can lend some sort of insight, and i think if russia decides that wherejoe biden pause my thinking is right now is that he wants vladimir putin out of russia, that could be dangerous. you have to remember this is a high wire act. every word is being carefully monitored because the situation could escalate out of control, so when biden says something like this, it does increase the risk of a misinterpretation of an escalation when that's something that no side wants. i , , , , ., , wants. just help us understand why those comments _ wants. just help us understand why

those comments on _ wants. just help us understand why those comments on saturday i wants. just help us understand why those comments on saturday were | those comments on saturday were potentially problematic, because there might be people watching thinking it's no secret that the west would prefer vladimir putin not in charge. west would prefer vladimir putin not in charae. ., west would prefer vladimir putin not in charae. . ., in charge. even at the height of the cold war, in charge. even at the height of the cold war. the _ in charge. even at the height of the cold war, the united _ in charge. even at the height of the cold war, the united states - in charge. even at the height of the cold war, the united states neverl cold war, the united states never called for the leaders of their opposition to be removed from power, and that is something often derogatorily referred to, that powerful states to the less powerful. russia has called for regime change as in ukraine. it is the kind of thing where when you're dealing with nuclear powers, making that sort of demand can definitely ruffle feathers and put strains on diplomatic relations. we've seen russia already talk about how diplomatic relations between the us and russia are near breaking point, and russia are near breaking point, and that was just last week, we joe

biden said vladimir putin was a war criminal. but they ended up embracing it. that's another remark where joe embracing it. that's another remark wherejoe biden probably was talking wherejoe biden probably was talking where his heart was, but it wasn't there yet, so it'll be interesting to see now when he's talking about vladimir putin to be removed, whether this is the direction the administration is heading in or this is a one—time verbal stumble. that’s is a one-time verbal stumble. that's one thin i is a one-time verbal stumble. that's one thing i want _ is a one-time verbal stumble. that's one thing i want to _ is a one-time verbal stumble. that's one thing i want to ask— is a one-time verbal stumble. that's one thing i want to ask you - is a one-time verbal stumble. that's one thing i want to ask you about. i one thing i want to ask you about. i'm looking at one headline saying judge ok �*s e—mail to january the 6th panel in terms of donald trump's behaviour around the january the 6th capital storming. this behaviour around the january the 6th capital storming.— capital storming. this was an e-mail that the committee _ capital storming. this was an e-mail that the committee investigating i capital storming. this was an e-mailj that the committee investigating the storming of the capital were requesting from john eastman, a lawyer at a california university who was testing theories that mike

pence good throughout the result of the election and their means for donald trump to challenge the election. this professor was claiming privilege in his communications with the president. he was saying the investigators couldn't see this because that was advice protected by from subpoenas. they were requesting access, saying it was in the condition of a crime that breaks privilege. thisjudge looked at that and said it was more likely than not that donald trump committed conspiracy, so the committee gets access to those e—mails. that's not the highest standard. that doesn't mean donald trump will be charged with a crime or he did commit a crime, but you do have a judge saying it's more likely

than not that donald trump committed criminal conspiracy. we're going to talk about the p&o ferries controversy now, because the fallout has continued after it sacked hundreds of its british staff, and said they would be replaced immediately with cheaper workers from overseas. they said they would do that by hiring workers from agencies, and pay them less than the minimum wage. now, in a letter to the boss of p&o, the uk transport secretary, grant schapps, called on him to step down. he also said... he wants them to rehire that staff that was fired. if not, he said "i intend to block the outcome that p&o ferries has pursued" — that would include introducing laws preventing paying workers less than the minimum wage. we'll look at what that might mean later. first, let's remind ourselves what happened. on march 17th, 800 staff

members were fired by this video. therefore, i am sorry to inform you that this means your employment is terminated with immediate effect on the grounds of redundancy. your final day of employment is today. sacked staff told the bbc that after the announcement, they were treated like criminals. there were reports that security staff who boarded vessels to manage the situation wore balaclavas or were directed to use handcuffs or force. p&o denies that. this footage emerged showing security approaching a boat off northern ireland. and reportedly in liverpool, on the boat you can see on the left here, the crew refused to leave and tried to stop security entering. this was one former employee's reaction. we didn't know what to do. we'd been told via this video message, but there was no forewarning, we weren't told about anything beforehand, so it was...

what do we do? it prompted outrage from unions, particularly the rmt union — they represent british seafarers — who held this protest. and protests have continued in uk port cities like here. this was liverpool this weekend. the head of the rmt union described the impact. it has a huge impact i on our local economy. we've got individuals who've worked for this employer for— an excess of 40 years. we've got individuals| who've been with this company for five years and embarking on a career at sea with _ a respectable employer, i and their hopes and dreams are thrown up in tatters. we've had children and families come into the office today— in absolute tears. as we heard, p&o said they were replacing staff with cheaper agency workers. this man told the bbc an agency sent him to a p&o ship in scotland, but when it became clear he was replacing sacked crew, he quit. it's just horrible, it's appalling. we started feeling sick, we started

feeling nauseous because we knew what we were doing — we were taking those people's jobs. p&o is owned by dp world, a company based in dubai. p&o explained its decision. but it has been supported by the uk government. p&o ferries furloughed 1400 staff during the pandemic, costing the taxpayer £10m. they also asked for a bailout of £150 million. dp world then paid out £250m to shareholders. labour mp karl turner said... under pressure to take action, last week, the british prime minister, boris johnson, said this. we are taking legal action against — yes, we are — against the company concerned under the 1992 employment and trade union act, and that is the right thing to do

because it seems to me that they have broken the law. "broken the law," mrjohnson says. and, appearing before uk parliament last week, the boss of p&o appeared to agree. did be endo have a duty to consult the unions in — did be endo have a duty to consult the unions in time _ did be endo have a duty to consult the unions in time —— _ did be endo have a duty to consult the unions in time —— did - did be endo have a duty to consult the unions in time —— did p&0. i did be endo have a duty to consult i the unions in time —— did p&0. there the unions in time -- did p&0. there was no doubt — the unions in time -- did p&0. there was no doubt that _ the unions in time -- did p&0. there was no doubt that we _ the unions in time -- did p&0. there was no doubt that we were _ was no doubt that we were required to consult with unions. we chose not to consult with unions. we chose not to because we are and will compensate everybody in. so, the p&o boss admits the decision to sack those workers without consulting unions did break the law. but he said he did it because unions wouldn't have accepted the plan, and so it would be easier to compensate workers

in full instead. mr hebblethwaite also said new staff from agencies would be paid £5.50 per hour — that's just over $7 an hour. that led to this exchange. that's below the national minimum wage. that's below the national minimum wane. ~ ., ., wage. where we are governed, we will absolutely pay — wage. where we are governed, we will absolutely pay national _ wage. where we are governed, we will absolutely pay national minimum i absolutely pay national minimum wage _ absolutely pay national minimum wage. this is international seafaring model consistent with models — seafaring model consistent with models throughout the globe and our competitors. so, p&o's boss says because its ships operate internationally and are registered overseas, the uk national minimum wage doesn't apply. so, the uk government plans to force p&o to reinstate its workers by introducing laws that force all ferry companies operating from uk ports to pay at least the uk national minimum wage. this was today. we will return to this house to announce a package of measures that will ensure the outcomes p&o are

seeking to achieve through this disastrous move to pay less than the minimum wage cannot be seen through. as a result, they will have no reason left to reconsider this move. p&o ferries said sacking workers was notjust about saving money on wages. this labour mp says more is needed. fire and rehire should be banned. the labour— fire and rehire should be banned. the labour party have to... the government _ the labour party have to... the governmentjust have the labour party have to... the government just have to support us. since the announcement, p&o ships have been grounded. that's because they're facing new safety checks with new crews. unions have raised concerns about this. and then, this ship off northern ireland, the european causeway, failed a safety check, because of a lack of crew training and missing documents. the longer its ships can't sale, p&o's losses — already huge — increase. and it impacts trade, because these ships carry goods as well as passengers. uk government officials say

they will meet p&o's rival shipping companies, to prevent possible easter travel issues. here's katy austin. we know there have been government officials i have been government officials to ensure there are enough... so, at the moment, it's hard to tell exactly what disruption there might be, but otherferry exactly what disruption there might be, but other ferry operators are trying to step in, and euro tunneled bookings have been very busy as well, beyond what they would have expected. well, beyond what they would have exected. �* well, beyond what they would have exected. ~ , , expected. also coming up is this 31st of march _ expected. also coming up is this 31st of march deadline _ expected. also coming up is this 31st of march deadline that i expected. also coming up is this 31st of march deadline that p&0| expected. also coming up is this i 31st of march deadline that p&0 has 31st of march deadline that p&o has set those who look set to lose their jobs. the government wants that chips need. is there any sign they will except that shifted?—

will except that shifted? grant sha -s will except that shifted? grant shapps wrote _ will except that shifted? grant shapps wrote to _ will except that shifted? grant shapps wrote to peter - will except that shifted? (fast shapps wrote to peter hebblethwaite and urged him to reverse his decision and said this deadline on thursday needs to be scrapped. p&o ferries hasn't directly responded, but it said that 430 of them already completely accepted the offer they were given, and a few dozen senior crew have actually gone back to sign contracts with agencies. progress seems to be made with p&o's original plans. there is no sign they are going back on those. but the transport secretary said in his letter that you have a chance to get rid of that deadline because legislation is expected to be passed — not passed, presented to parliament and the coming days,

which the transport secretary said would force ferry operators who operate to and from the uk to pay the national minimum wage. his argument was you have to pay these wages anyway, so you might as well go back on your decision. grant sha -s go back on your decision. grant shapps on _ go back on your decision. grant shapps on the _ go back on your decision. grant shapps on the government i go back on your decision. grant shapps on the government are unhappy with the head of p&o, but is there anything the government can do to get rid of someone in charge like that? ~ , ., get rid of someone in charge like that? ~ , ,, get rid of someone in charge like that? ,, , that? well, there is a process. they can be disqualified _ that? well, there is a process. they can be disqualified as _ that? well, there is a process. they can be disqualified as a _ that? well, there is a process. they can be disqualified as a company i can be disqualified as a company director. it's not something that would just be done in a summary, so the government has come under some pressure, including from labour, to force hebblethwaite out of his position, but there's no obvious way the government could do this in the blink of an eye. that

the government could do this in the blink of an eye-— blink of an eye. that was me speaking _ blink of an eye. that was me speaking to katy _ blink of an eye. that was me speaking to katy austin, i blink of an eye. that was me speaking to katy austin, but| blink of an eye. that was me i speaking to katy austin, but here's another copy from a colleague, simon jones. "p&o failed a safety inspection and is in the process of being detained. a team from the maritime agency went on board the pride of kent in dover today. today's inspection, had it been successful, would only prevent the crew to take it to sea, but even taking to sea without passengers or any other goods on board is not forbidden, and the european causeway was detained last week after failing its safety checks." it's books are not being given permission to sale. certainly in the case of this

particular boat, the pride of kent. most restrictions in the uk will end this week. and in england, lateral flow tests will no longer be free for most people from thursday onwards. it comes at time of rising infections across the country. most of us know someone with covid right now. infection numbers are some of the highest, and that's causing disruption. i some of the highest, and that's causing disruption.— be very misleading if anyone were to get the impression that things are normal in schools. everybody is trying their best to create normality, but the levels of covid are still very high.— normality, but the levels of covid are still very high. over 200,000 --uils are still very high. over 200,000 pupils were _ are still very high. over 200,000 pupils were off — are still very high. over 200,000 pupils were off school _ are still very high. over 200,000 pupils were off school in - are still very high. over 200,000 pupils were off school in england | pupils were off school in england because of the virus, more than triple the figure of two weeks earlier. hospitalstaff triple the figure of two weeks earlier. hospital staff are also

feeling the pressure. if earlier. hospital staff are also feeling the pressure.- earlier. hospital staff are also feeling the pressure. if you look at our nhs absences _ feeling the pressure. if you look at our nhs absences due _ feeling the pressure. if you look at our nhs absences due to - feeling the pressure. if you look at our nhs absences due to the i feeling the pressure. if you look at i our nhs absences due to the testing positive, _ our nhs absences due to the testing positive, they have increased by 100% _ positive, they have increased by 100% over— positive, they have increased by 100% over the last four weeks. nhs staff absences _ 10096 over the last four weeks. nhs staff absences are _ 100% over the last four weeks. nhs staff absences are higher than normal. over23,000 staff absences are higher than normal. over 23,000 staff, 2% of total workforce, were absent each day in the week. infection levels have been rising. around one in every 16 people in the uk had covid. as this played out, the chief medical officer told us... no one disputes that we will live with covid for the foreseeable future, but that can mean quite different things. forthe but that can mean quite different things. for the government, that means removing restrictions in this assessment. £31 means removing restrictions in this assessment-— means removing restrictions in this assessment. of course we keep the data under review, _ assessment. of course we keep the data under review, but _ assessment. of course we keep the data under review, but there's i assessment. of course we keep the data under review, but there's no i data under review, but there's no particular— data under review, but there's no particular cause _ data under review, but there's no particular cause for— data under review, but there's no particular cause for concern - data under review, but there's no particular cause for concern of i data under review, but there's nol particular cause for concern of this point _ particular cause for concern of this point to — particular cause for concern of this oint, ., ., ,, ,, particular cause for concern of this oint. ., ,, point. to assess the point we reach, point. to assess the point we preach. it's — point. to assess the point we preach, it's helpful— point. to assess the point we preach, it's helpful to - point. to assess the point we | preach, it's helpful to consider factors. there are three reasons why

cases have gone up. the sub variant of omicron is highly transmissible. the second is waning immunity. the third reason is this.— third reason is this. people are now mixin: third reason is this. people are now mixing more _ third reason is this. people are now mixing more than _ third reason is this. people are now mixing more than was _ third reason is this. people are now mixing more than was the - third reason is this. people are now mixing more than was the case i third reason is this. people are now mixing more than was the case a i third reason is this. people are now. mixing more than was the case a few weeks ago, added additional pressure on this increase.— on this increase. lifting restrictions _ on this increase. lifting restrictions has - on this increase. lifting restrictions has led - on this increase. lifting - restrictions has led to mixing, but john murdoch says this isn't the primary factor. he says... if that's why cases are rising, you should consider how that considers... should consider how that considers. . .— should consider how that considers... , ., , ., ., considers... there is a separation between that _ considers. .. there is a separation between that high number- considers... there is a separation between that high number and i considers... there is a separation | between that high number and the numbers_ between that high number and the numbers in hospital. those are much

lower~ _ numbers in hospital. those are much lower. ., ., , numbers in hospital. those are much lower. ., ., , lower. hospitalisations are rising. but they're _ lower. hospitalisations are rising. but they're nowhere _ lower. hospitalisations are rising. but they're nowhere near- lower. hospitalisations are rising. but they're nowhere near the - lower. hospitalisations are rising. . but they're nowhere near the peak of january last year. for people in the hospital at the moment, they were admitted with something else. because the vaccine won't stop us catching covid, this is how we can summarise the moment we've reached. it's a less serious in terms of hospitalisation and death, but there's— hospitalisation and death, but there's a _ hospitalisation and death, but there's a lot of it around in the community. there's a lot of it around in the community-— community. there is a lot of it around, community. there is a lot of it around. and — community. there is a lot of it around, and some _ community. there is a lot of it around, and some argue - community. there is a lot of it around, and some argue that| community. there is a lot of it. around, and some argue that was predictable. we around, and some argue that was predictable-— around, and some argue that was redictable. ~ ~' . , ., , predictable. we knew that this was ve likel predictable. we knew that this was very likely to _ predictable. we knew that this was very likely to happen _ predictable. we knew that this was very likely to happen with - predictable. we knew that this was very likely to happen with a - predictable. we knew that this was very likely to happen with a very, l very likely to happen with a very, very likely to happen with a very, very highly— very likely to happen with a very, very highly transmissible - very likely to happen with a very, very highly transmissible variantl very highly transmissible variant circulating — very highly transmissible variant circulating at _ very highly transmissible variant circulating at a _ very highly transmissible variant circulating at a time _ very highly transmissible variant circulating at a time when - very highly transmissible variant circulating at a time when i- very highly transmissible variant| circulating at a time when i think the public— circulating at a time when i think the public were _ circulating at a time when i think the public were getting - circulating at a time when i think the public were getting a - circulating at a time when i think. the public were getting a message that, actually, _ the public were getting a message that, actually, covid _ the public were getting a message that, actually, covid was- the public were getting a message that, actually, covid was over. - the public were getting a message| that, actually, covid was over. the government _ that, actually, covid was over. government denied put it that, actually, covid was over.- government denied put it in those terms. this was borisjohnson's message in february. let terms. this was boris johnson's message in february.— terms. this was boris johnson's message in february. let us learn to live with this — message in february. let us learn to live with this virus _ message in february. let us learn to live with this virus and _ message in february. let us learn to live with this virus and continue - live with this virus and continue protecting ourselves and others

without restricting our freedom. almost all restrictions and england were over. the legal requirement to self—isolate when positive was gone. so with the legal requirement to wear masks, and from the 1st of april, lateralflow wear masks, and from the 1st of april, lateral flow tests were no longer free. april, lateral flow tests were no longerfree. it's also april, lateral flow tests were no longer free. it's also the day when the advice changes on what to do if you test positive. irate the advice changes on what to do if you test positive.— the advice changes on what to do if you test positive. we will encourage eo - le with you test positive. we will encourage people with covid _ you test positive. we will encourage people with covid symptoms - you test positive. we will encourage people with covid symptoms to - people with covid symptoms to exercise responsibility as we encourage people who may have flew to be considerate towards others —— flu. hm to be considerate towards others -- flu. �* . ,, to be considerate towards others -- flu. �* . to be considerate towards others -- flu. . . , , ., flu. an approach which seems to think that living _ flu. an approach which seems to think that living with _ flu. an approach which seems to think that living with covid - flu. an approach which seems to | think that living with covid means ignoring _ think that living with covid means ignoring it~ — think that living with covid means ignoring it. mr think that living with covid means iuanorin it. ~ ,, ., ., ignoring it. mr starmer also said that. the labour _ ignoring it. mr starmer also said that. the labour party _ ignoring it. mr starmer also said that. the labour party does - ignoring it. mr starmer also said that. the labour party does not| that. the labour party does not defeat- -- _ in early march, yougov asked people if we should learn to live it with

covid. 63% said yes. christina bartel wrote in february... in the sense that covid is here, thatis in the sense that covid is here, that is true, but in terms of how we behave with the virus, that is disputed. a professor noted recently... the war in ukraine has certainly escalated that process. covid is not the dominant issue it once was. but the dominant issue it once was. but the virus remains, as do choices over how to respond to it. the government insists vaccines and immunity offer sufficient protection. other think mask wearing could help contain the virus, so

while the pandemic becomes "steadily less dominant over time," the disruption and disagreements continue. foreign ministers we're foreign ministers from four arab league countries, along with the us secretary of state antony blinken, have been holding an historic meeting in israel. it's the first time foreign ministers from the united arab emirates, morocco and bahrain have met their israeli counterpart in his home country. it's the latest development after they normalised relations with israel in 2020. egypt also joined the talks. you can see here the representatives from egypt, the uae, morocco and bahrain, alongside their israeli and us counterparts. the foreign minister of the uae said ministers wanted to change the way many generations of arabs and israelis had viewed each other. what we are achieving here today is changing the narrative, creating a

different future and building on better hope for us and for our kids and grandkids to be in israel. this is ourfirst time. the summit coincided with a tour of the region by the us secretary of state anthony blinken. discussions focused on a range of issues including the israel—palestinian conflict. here's what mr blinken had to say on that. these regional peace agreements are not a substitute for progress between palestinians and israelis. one issue — between palestinians and israelis. one issue we discussed is how countries _ one issue we discussed is how countries involved, as well as those who have _ countries involved, as well as those who have long—standing diplomatic relationship with israel, can support— relationship with israel, can support the palestinian people in concrete — support the palestinian people in concrete ways and impact their daily lives _ concrete ways and impact their daily lives. . ., �* , concrete ways and impact their daily lives. . ., �*, ., ., lives. although it's important to note that didn't _ lives. although it's important to note that didn't directly -

lives. although it's important to. note that didn't directly condemn the states. antony blinked and held talks with the palestinian president. here's our middle east correspondent, yolande knell. the issue did not slip off the agenda. i think that was important for domestic audiences, and the us secretary of state others speaking about their commitment. the palestinians have been very dismissive.— hello. the weather... highest temperatures were 18 degrees here. that cold air is going to get

swept southwards as we develop a northerly wind in the next few days. these are the temperatures we're looking at on thursday. gold is weather today has been across northern parts of england. there's been some rain around as well and that rain is tending to ease overnight also we'll see rain moving into the north of scotland. mist and fog coming back and off the north sea, but that will push into the midlands. some places will stay grey all day, but i think for many, may brighten up. that will lead to a few showers. that band of wet weather is pushing further south across scotland and

turning to snow. it will be colder tomorrow, maximum temperatures 1a and the west, a lot colder across northern parts of scotland. bringing that rain southwards. this is where the wet weather is. to the north of that, really cold air will mean sunshine and wintry showers as a colder air continues to push down behind that front where it is. temperatures continue to drop. we still have got wet weather into wednesday night, and could well find some sleet and snow falling to lower levels. there could be a light covering in places by thursday morning, and that will push away. thenifs morning, and that will push away. then it's sunshine and a rash of wintry showers on thursday. hail, sleet and snow across the eastern side of the uk. no better than around 6 or 7 degrees on thursday, but with stronger winds as well, it

will feel probably a bit colder than that.

this is outside source. the former owner of chelsea — roman abramovich — and two ukrainian peace negotiators are said to have suffered symptoms of poisoning following a meeting in kyiv. the us is downplaying the causes as environmental factors. meanwhile, the war in ukraine rages on. and ahead of peace talks — due to resume tomorrow in istanbul — ukraine's president said this. translation: security i guarantees and neutrality. non—nuclear status of our state. we are ready to go for it. this is the most important point. it was the main point for russia, as far as i can remember. and if i remember correctly, this is why they started the war. shock at the oscars — as actor will smith slaps chris rock

after a joke at his wife's expense.