this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. face to face talks to try to end the war in ukraine resume in istanbul. turkey's president erdogan says the meeting must yield results. translation: it will be i to the benefit of everybody to achieve a ceasefire and establish peace as soon as possible. here in the uk, police are expected to issue the first fines for government parties held in breach of the coronavirus restrictions. a thanksgiving service to honour prince philip's life will take place later today. buckingham palace says a last—minute decision will be made on whether the queen will attend. unacceptable and inexcusable — hollywood star will smith says sorry to comedian chris rock

for slapping him at the oscars. hello and welcome if you're watching on pbs, in the uk or around the world. peace talks between delegations from ukraine and russia are under way in turkey, with the ukrainian side pushing for a ceasefire. it's the first meeting between the two sides in two weeks, but hopes of a breakthrough at the negotiations in istanbul remain low. meanwhile, the uk foreign office says it's very concerned by the claim that the russian billionaire, roman abramovich — had symptoms of a suspected poisoning after talks

at earlier this month to try to resolve the conflict with ukraine. mr abramovich has been pictured at this morning's talks in turkey. tomos morgan reports. a safe landing, hoping to secure a safer future. ukrainian delegates arriving in istanbul, gearing up for the latest round of peace talks, the first face—to—face in weeks. a ceasefire is their aim, although there is significant doubt over whether this is likely. translation: the minimum programme is first of all humanitarian questions. and the maximum programme is ceasefire and reaching a lasting agreement on it. the last time negotiations were held, there was no compromise. there is also another cause for concern. three of those involved in early discussions, which included russian billionaire roman abramovich, say they suffered suspected poisoning, a potentially lethal and serious claim. these people appeared to have been poisoned with something

pretty severe. the only other sort of place where organic phosphates would come from would be pesticides, and that seems unrealistic in this scenario. until we have detailed medical records, one has to assume they have been poisoned and possibly with a nerve agent. in kyiv, some normality ensues. some cafes have reopened, some pause in the fight. in the strategic port town of mariupol, near the border with the enemy, there is no such break. bombing has show no sign of letting up, it's a city in ruin. according to president zelensky, the scene of a war crime. along the black sea near the city of odesa in the south—west and there are signs that local troops are overcoming their foe, as russian tanks lie in ruin. this has led to resistance

in nearby kherson, a city currently held by putin's forces. russia will unlikely back down before they have finished taking the east of ukraine. so a month into this conflict, there is hope that scepticism that this latest round of talks will lead to any resolution or respite in this war. tomos morgan, bbc news. let's go to moscow and speak to our correspondent there, jenny hill. hello, jenny. claims that moscow is using this talks process to regroup militarily. what is being said there about these discussions? the kremlin is fairly clear. — about these discussions? the kremlin is fairly clear, the _ about these discussions? the kremlin is fairly clear, the spokesman - about these discussions? the kremlin is fairly clear, the spokesman had - is fairly clear, the spokesman had simply said there is optimism because the talks are continuing in person, that is something to be

celebrated, but that is about it. it is valid to question whether the kremlin is serious about these negotiations, and i say that because its demands have not really changed. let's recap those, it wants the independence of those parts of east and ukraine, dom bess region, recognised, and independence essentially means brought under russian control. —— donbas region. it wants the crimea, and extend 2014, recognised as russian and to make sure ukraine neverjoined nato. the ukrainian leadership is perhaps ready to concede on nato membership at the other issues will be much harder. the kremlin continues to demand those concessions but is not really offering anything in return write now, it is still continuing its assaults on ukraine. we know it's broader aims are still being stated, you will know the kremlin

has perpetuated a narrative almost ceaselessly to russians here that ukraine as a country represents a security risk to russia and its leadership which it has described as nazis, terrorists, drug addicts, is a problem. it has said it does not want regime change byjust yesterday the foreign minister said the kremlin will insist on the demilitarisation and denazification of ukraine. it is worth looking at where russia is at the moment, something has shifted, western military experts say the war is not going the way vladimir putin had perhaps hoped for and he will come under pressure to bring to an end to so—called special military operation in ukraine. he knows at some point he will have to come back to the russian people, who he is telling at the moment are losing mothers,

fathers, sons to this operation, but he says they are doing so in defence of russia. at some point he will perhaps have to say to russia that this will not go on forever, that he will have to go back to russians with some kind of victory. will that be enough if he says, i had secured the independence of those areas of eastern ukraine we went into defence? perhaps, it is hard to say, but there is a sense among the west that that might not be enough to vladimir putin, which is why i think there is very little optimism about there is very little optimism about the outcome of these talks, but as we keep saying the fact that both sides are talking, even at relatively low—level, no leaders involved, not even foreign ministers at this stage, but that is perhaps granted to the very faintest optimism. granted to the very faintest optimism-— granted to the very faintest otimism. , optimism. jenny hill in moscow, thank yom _ optimism. jenny hill in moscow, thank yom we — optimism. jenny hill in moscow, thank you. we will _ optimism. jenny hill in moscow, thank you. we will be _ optimism. jenny hill in moscow, thank you. we will be live - optimism. jenny hill in moscow, thank you. we will be live in - thank you. we will be live in istanbul in a few minutes whether talks are under way, butjoining me

now it's leigh turner, british ambassador to ukraine between 2008 and 2012, thank you forjoining me on bbc news. on the point i was discussing withjenny, how serious discussing with jenny, how serious do you discussing withjenny, how serious do you think discussing with jenny, how serious do you think moscow is about the talks in turkey?— talks in turkey? thank you for talkin: talks in turkey? thank you for talking to _ talks in turkey? thank you for talking to me. _ talks in turkey? thank you for talking to me. i _ talks in turkey? thank you for talking to me. i think- talks in turkey? thank you for talking to me. i think to - talks in turkey? thank you for| talking to me. i think to assess talks in turkey? thank you for- talking to me. i think to assess the likelihood of success of these talks we have to consider the origin of this war and bear in mind that the purpose of this war, driven entirely by vladimir putin himself, is to keep vladimir putin in powerfor as long as possible. he is in the autocrat�*s dilemma that he fears any kind of democracy that could put him out of power because he can't afford ever to lose power in russia, therefore the vibrant democracy of ukraine next door, a country which is similar to russia in many ways, is similar to russia in many ways, is what he fears the most, so his

aim is to produce a ukraine which is predictable, under russian control and which does not offer an alternative model to people in russia for their futures. if we look at the prospects for peace talks against those war aims of president putin, i had to agree with your correspondence that there are several reasons to be sceptical, firstly the russian tactic of trying to confuse your energy about what you have planned, it is much more likely that russia is indeed trying to regroup its military forces, it is playing for time and has no real intention of reaching agreement —— of trying to confuse your enemy. they have repeatedly misled the world about their plans over the last two months, saying one thing and giving another. the second important reason to be sceptical about the talks as mentioned by your correspondence is where are the landing zones for a possible agreement? 0ne

landing zones for a possible agreement? one big problem is geography. it is impossible or extremely difficult for the ukrainian side to give up territory in response to russian aggression if they were to recognise that crimea is part of russia or parts of eastern ukraine are parts of russia, that would be an enormous loss to ukraine. similarly on the russian side, for them not to control at least as much land after any possible peace agreement as they controlled at the beginning is very hard to imagine, so there is a geographical problem in reaching any agreement and there is the problem of guarantees. if there were to be an agreement, who would guarantee that agreement? ukraine obviously is not a member of nato so nato cannot guarantee. in 2014 many in the west did not react strongly to the

aggression of russia in season crimea, in order not to provoke russia, and they had just attacked ukraine again. how can you guarantee that would not happen? these are reasons to be very sceptical. many, many difficulties _ reasons to be very sceptical. many, many difficulties as _ reasons to be very sceptical. many, many difficulties as you _ reasons to be very sceptical. many, many difficulties as you have - reasons to be very sceptical. many, many difficulties as you have just i many difficulties as you have just outlined, but if i mayjust interrupt, the russian forces had taken a pounding, much more than they expected, from young soldiers to seasoned commanders. the economy is being hit, ordinary russians are feeling the consequences of this war in the pocket so could that make a difference to vladimir putin's approach?— difference to vladimir putin's a- roach? ., ., , ., approach? you are right, there is a alimmer approach? you are right, there is a glimmer of— approach? you are right, there is a glimmer of none — approach? you are right, there is a glimmer of hope and _ approach? you are right, there is a glimmer of hope and in _ approach? you are right, there is a glimmer of hope and in a _ approach? you are right, there is a glimmer of hope and in a rather. glimmer of hope and in a rather macabre and tragic way edge comes from these terrible russian losses, as well as the enormous civilian and military losses on the ukrainian side, the president zelensky described it as president putin

throwing his soldiers like logs into the furnace of a train. these enormous russian losses potentially change the equation. we have seen in the war in afghanistan, in the war in the east of ukraine that russian families, of course like any families, of course like any families, are extremely concerned about military losses, which could change two things. one is russia's actual ability to maintain its campaign as it surfaces huge losses, secondly it could undermine peetoom's own position within russia is an anti—war feeling grows in russia. i would is an anti—war feeling grows in russia. iwould not is an anti—war feeling grows in russia. i would not put too much hope because they control the russian media so strongly, but i would imagine on the whole there is a 25% chance that russia is taking these talks seriously and it is not just a delaying tactic, trying to get the complete victory that putin

really wants. get the complete victory that putin really wante— get the complete victory that putin reall wants. ., .,, really wants. leigh turner, foremost british -- former _ really wants. leigh turner, foremost british -- former british _ really wants. leigh turner, foremostj british -- former british ambassador british —— former british ambassador to ukraine, i appreciate your time. 0ur correspondent tom bateman is in istanbul where those delegations are due to meet. the peace talks. president erdogan said earlier there needs to be tangible results from these discussions, he clearly wants to be seen as the facilitator of a breakthrough but what are the chances? i breakthrough but what are the chances? ~ , breakthrough but what are the chances? ~' , ., chances? i think extremely low, des - ite chances? i think extremely low, despite the _ chances? i think extremely low, despite the words _ chances? i think extremely low, despite the words we _ chances? i think extremely low, despite the words we have - chances? i think extremely low, despite the words we have had l chances? i think extremely low, - despite the words we have had from president erdogan. remember, he really triggered this round of talks in istanbul because of a phone call he had with president putin on sunday in which he called for a ceasefire, we have heard this before from the russian presidency that they really think they can try to bring the two sides together and this country is a place to do that, but we have been here before, two and a half weeks ago in antalya, that was a higher level delegation,

the russian and ukrainian foreign ministers. after those talks, no results whatsoever and really recriminations between the sides after that. recriminations between the sides afterthat. i recriminations between the sides after that. i think this is another attempted is bringing together the delegations, the presidential advisers, largely, and the ukrainian defence minister who have been in discussions the video conference. for the first time another two weeks this is across the table, face—to—face. in the last hour or so the two heads of the delegations have peeled off and had talks between themselves, key advisers to presidents putin and zelensky, before they have the wider talks. these things always bring a flash of optimism and hope, you feel that when the delegations are both turning up and in the room together. that was applause for president erdogan when he appealed for an agreement but i think the chance of

it in the next 48 hours here are very remote. it in the next 48 hours here are very remote-— it in the next 48 hours here are ve remote. ., ,, ,, , . very remote. thank you very much, tom bateman. _ very remote. thank you very much, tom bateman, who _ very remote. thank you very much, tom bateman, who will— very remote. thank you very much, tom bateman, who will be - very remote. thank you very much, tom bateman, who will be keeping| very remote. thank you very much, i tom bateman, who will be keeping an eye on those talks in ukraine. breaking news, we're hearing from buckingham palace that the queen is currently intending to go to the service of thanksgiving for the life of the duke of due to begin in the next couple of hours here in london. buckingham palace saying the queen is currently intending to go to that service of thanksgiving, not absolutely confirming that she is. but certainly we understand that the queen has been resting, has cancelled some other engagements in order to rest with the intention of going to the service of thanksgiving for the life of her husband who died last april at the age of 99. the

royal family will be out in almost full attendance for that service, buckingham palace saying the queen is currently intending to go to that service. as you will be aware, there have been concerns about her mobility. 0ther breaking news to bring you, we are just hearing from scotland yard that 20 fixed penalty notices will be issued for breaches of covid rules following allegations of covid rules following allegations of lockdown busting parties in downing street. that is the statement from scotland yard, 20 fixed penalty notices will be issued. i am checking whether we have any more details. until now we had had 15 penalty notices would be issued between nokia 20 fixed penalty notices will be issued. —— but we are now hearing 20 fixed

penalty notices will be issued. joining me now from westminster is our chief political correspondent, adam fleming. will these fines be given to anyone we have heard of? the expectations have been confirmed, _ we have heard of? the expectations have been confirmed, rumours - we have heard of? the expectations| have been confirmed, rumours were swirling overnight that the first batch of fixed penalty notices would be set by the metropolitan police and the force has confirmed that, we can expect that process to start happening, although it involves another organisation, e—mails, letters, grace periods, it is not as clear—cut as it might sound. politically this takes this story to another level, we have had public anger when the reports and pictures were surfaced on the claims, then we got a report into this affair by senior civil servant sue gray who could only come to ensuring conclusions because police as to not to go into gory details and she said this demonstrated a failure of leadership and judgment, but the

fact that the police have now confirmed that they believe laws were broken up cmt on the seriousness of the story which was already pretty significant —— up the ante. at the word partygate will be coming roaring back into british politics and it will be fascinating to see how it resonates in this world, compared to the pre—ukraine world, compared to the pre—ukraine world when it was a very big deal. let me bring you and the viewer is “p let me bring you and the viewer is up to date, as you started talking to me more copied flash scotland yard, the police saying they are making every effort to progress this investigation at speed —— more copy flashed up from scotland yard. they say they will not confirm the number of referrals from each individual event subject to our investigation as providing a breakdown at this point, they say, may lead to the identification of individuals. so i guess we can take it back to some extent we are depending on any

individuals find and issued these fixed penalty notices to admit that to us, but as you have alluded, the big question is what is the likely impact on borisjohnson's impact on boris johnson's leadership. impact on borisjohnson's leadership. before the war in ukraine, partygate was clearly at the top of the news agenda daily, not so much in the past month. there was that trickle _ not so much in the past month. there was that trickle of _ not so much in the past month. there was that trickle of letters _ not so much in the past month. there was that trickle of letters from - was that trickle of letters from conservative backbenchers to the chairman of the backbench conservative committee, 1922 committee, calling for a vote of confidence in borisjohnson, it never hit the threshold of 54 mps needed to trigger that but it was increasing as the story developed. we now know a few mps have publicly said they withdrew their letters because they felt it not appropriate when the russian invasion of ukraine was under way, that you speak to conservative backbenchers, equally, who say the world may have changed but the seriousness of these issues has not and their view has not changed. there is no guarantee that borisjohnson is safe

changed. there is no guarantee that boris johnson is safe from changed. there is no guarantee that borisjohnson is safe from the leadership challenge, if the context around him has changed quite a lot. 0n around him has changed quite a lot. on that remaining issue, it shows you how potentially very messy this could get over the next couple of weeks, please have a policy of not naming individuals getting a fine, the government has a policy of not naming individuals who have had a final compelling them to come forward and name themselves, so we are in a political process were it is up to individuals to say whether they have got a fine, the prime minister has pledged he will let it be known to the public if he has, but what about other ministers, senior civil servant who you could argue having leadership responsibility and were involved in drafting the rules, does the public have a right to know if one of them has been fined for breaking the rules? further down the ranks, a junior civil servant not really responsible or accountable for anything and might face their entire

career being ruined and could not handle the pressure of being put in the public eye, do they have an obligation to name themselves or be named? and i'm hearing from a few people involved in this process is there does not seem to be a very detailed organised strategy from the pellissier, it seems things happen, they react, they do things, they carry on investigating and so we will have a constant drip of more batches of fixed penalty notices over quite a long period, meaning constant speculation about will this be the batch when the prime minister is named, the cabinet secretary could be named, that could be hanging over everyone for a while. and the longer the met police process takes, the longer until the final report with all the details from sue gray, police say they will knuckle into the details of what happened, senior civil servant sue gray was commissioned to write a

report which will publish a detailed timeline and all the implications of what went on, she has around 500 documents and 300 photos, until the met police investigation is conclusively close and they say that his age, we will not get her full report into what has happened. == report into what has happened. -- and report into what has happened. —— and they say that that is eight. adam fleming, our chief political correspondent, thank you. a service of thanksgiving for the life of the duke of edinburgh, who died last april, is taking place at westminster a service of thanksgiving for the life of the duke of edinburgh, who died last april, is taking place at westminster abbey this morning. senior royals and representatives of the duke's charities will be in the congregation. buckingham palace says the queen is intending to be at the memorial one of his major legacies is the duke of edinburgh's award scheme, which nearly seven million young people in the uk have gone through. one of those is chefjon watts, who says it saved his life. hejoins me now, lovely to have you

with us, you created this scheme with us, you created this scheme with saving your life, turning your life around. —— you credit this scheme. tell us about you at the point at which you got involved with the scheme. i point at which you got involved with the scheme-— the scheme. i was 18 years old, sentenced _ the scheme. i was 18 years old, sentenced to _ the scheme. i was 18 years old, sentenced to six _ the scheme. i was 18 years old, sentenced to six and _ the scheme. i was 18 years old, sentenced to six and half - the scheme. i was 18 years old, sentenced to six and half years| the scheme. i was 18 years old, i sentenced to six and half years in prison, as you can imagine, ifelt like my life was over, i would never achieve anything or be anything. i was involved with the duke of edinburgh award and to cut a long story short i learned how to cook. anybody who knows me now knows that thatis anybody who knows me now knows that that is what i do, that is everything i live and breathe, cooking. everything i live and breathe, cookinr. , cooking. this was when you were in rison? cooking. this was when you were in prison? you — cooking. this was when you were in prison? you started _ cooking. this was when you were in prison? you started learning - cooking. this was when you were in prison? you started learning to - cooking. this was when you were in | prison? you started learning to cook in prison? prison? you started learning to cook in rison? , , ~ ., in prison? yes, the duke of edinburgh _ in prison? yes, the duke of edinburgh award _ in prison? yes, the duke of edinburgh award acted - in prison? yes, the duke of edinburgh award acted as i in prison? yes, the duke of edinburgh award acted as a| in prison? yes, the duke of- edinburgh award acted as a template for me so when i was released with a cooking skill i was able to have the other skills i needed to be able to live a normal, law—abiding life and grow into the person i am now which is living my dream and helping others too.

is living my dream and helping others too-— is living my dream and helping others too. ., ., , ., others too. you did to the bronze, silver and — others too. you did to the bronze, silver and gold _ others too. you did to the bronze, silver and gold awards _ others too. you did to the bronze, silver and gold awards in - others too. you did to the bronze, silver and gold awards in the - others too. you did to the bronze, | silver and gold awards in the space of three and a half years, which clearly shows commitment. what qualities do you think the scheme told you that helped you to turn your life around? it told you that helped you to turn your life around?— your life around? it helps build confidence. — your life around? it helps build confidence, build _ your life around? it helps build confidence, build my— your life around? it helps build - confidence, build my self-esteem, confidence, build my self—esteem, helped me with working with people, which i was not used to, helped me build resilience, which i think it's always important but even more so in the last couple of years, it helps me with empathy, learning how others feel and how to work with people and just so many different things just came together like building blocks to build me up into somebody who is 1 million miles away from where i was at 18. i 1 million miles away from where i was at 18. ~ ., i. ., was at 18. i know you are giving back, was at 18. i know you are giving back. you _ was at 18. i know you are giving back. you are — was at 18. i know you are giving back, you are helping _ was at 18. i know you are giving back, you are helping young - was at 18. i know you are giving - back, you are helping young people, trying to pass on the skills you were told, that is your legacy, that

is the duke of edinburgh's legacy. what are your thoughts about the duke on the day of a service to give thanks for his life?— thanks for his life? obviously i admire the _ thanks for his life? obviously i admire the duke _ thanks for his life? obviously i admire the duke and - thanks for his life? obviously i admire the duke and i - thanks for his life? obviously i admire the duke and i think. thanks for his life? obviously i . admire the duke and i think today thanks for his life? obviously i - admire the duke and i think today is quite a special day, it is quite a shame that last year we were not able to give him the servers that perhaps he deserved, it is nice it is able to happen today. jan. perhaps he deserved, it is nice it is able to happen today. jon, thank ou so is able to happen today. jon, thank you so much _ is able to happen today. jon, thank you so much for— is able to happen today. jon, thank you so much for talking _ is able to happen today. jon, thank you so much for talking to - is able to happen today. jon, thank you so much for talking to us, - is able to happen today. jon, thank you so much for talking to us, jon i you so much for talking to us, jon watts, a chef who credits the duke of edinburgh award scheme with turning his life around. we are hearing from buckingham palace that the queen is intending to attend the service at westminster abbey in the next couple of hours, that service of thanksgiving for the life of her husband who died last april at the age of 99. clearly there have been concerns about the queen's mobility.

don't forget you can get in touch with me and the team on twitter — i'm @annitabbc. good morning. a bit misty and murky. my good morning. a bit misty and murky. my view but many of you are turning your attention to the oncoming hold. there will be on roads across northern scotland has the weather front pushes south, but we have this little feature producing rain across southern parts of england this morning, may be filtering into the south—east of wales. nothing too heavy, this of the system will have the biggest impact across the country over the next two, rain turning to sleet and snow, sunshine between showers in 0rkney and

shetland. we will see sunshine between. elsewhere, plenty of low cloud, quite misty, temperatures down in recent days but at levels they should be for late march, to they should be for late march, to the north of scotland they are dropping quite markedly. the culture air will be pushing southwards tonight across the west of scotland into northern england —— the colder air. turning into sleet and snow, snow showers to sea—level across the north of scotland, temperatures could drop as low as —5. frost free in the south and the big temperature contrast from south to north tomorrow. the dividing line will be this weather front which will reach the midlands and wales later in the day. sleet and snow over the hills, falling to lower levels through the day. lots of scotland seeing sunshine developing except in the north where there will be snow showers throughout. for the far south of england and wales, the odd bit of sunshine, so outbreaks of rain developing, 12 degrees but from

the midlands northwards, single figures and another chill as the wind breaks up. the cold air eventually makes it to the south coast. 0utbreaks eventually makes it to the south coast. outbreaks of rain initially but we could see a turn to sleet and snow even to lower levels to take us into thursday. some of you waking up to a dusting of snow on the thursday morning commute, hail, sleet and snow showers push in, quite a cold north to north—easterly wind. wind strongest among the english channel, gusts of wind 45 mph. temperatures may read six to eight, a big drop from recent days, this is how it will feel, closer to freezing across many parts of the country. gardeners be warned, as we go through the night, a widespread frost will develop with temperatures down to —4 -5.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. face to face talks to try to end the war in ukraine resume in istanbul. turkey's president erdogan says the meeting must yield results. translation: it will be - to the benefit of everybody, to achieve a ceasefire, and establish peace, as soon as possible. here in the uk — police will issue 20 intial fines for government parties held in breach of the coronavirus restrictions. a thanksgiving service to honour prince philip's life will take place later today. buckingham palace says the queen is currently intending to go. unacceptable and inexcusable — hollywood star will smith says sorry to comedian chris rock for slapping him at the oscars.

hello and welcome, if you're watching in the uk or around the world. each of the almost four—million refugees who have fled ukraine so far have their own story — the threads of their past lives, their escape routes and their current places of shelter all interwoven. 0ur correspondent nick thorpe sent this report from north—east romania, about iryna, herfamily, and the monastery which has taken them in. sihastria. the name of the monastery means a place of retreat — of prayer and meditation — away from the turmoil of the world.

and that's what it means now for iryna. her mother—in—law, natalia, her best friend, ira, and their five children. iryna drove them all here in her old ford transit from kharkiv in eastern ukraine. my lovely car, my lovely van. i'm so glad that here i have a part of home, a part of my husband. sometimes i... i want to sit in there just to smell... just to smell my husband, just to smell my house. these glasses belong to him. that's. .. maybe it's funny. i have his gum here, a part of apple.

no—one must take it. her husband, like ira's husband, stayed behind in kharkiv, a city under russian siege, delivering fuel. here at the monastery, the families have been given a house and told they can stay as long as they wish. last sunday, when i was praying at the church, i even prayed for putin. i wished him to become wiser. i wished him stop killing our children in ukraine. 0nly here at the monastery, i began to feel some sympathy to russian troops.

and i stop hating them. 0nly yesterday i saw some flowers in the yard. and i was so surprised because i didn't see them before. it's impossible even to breathe this beautiful mountain air. when they fled ukraine, they thought they might be home for easter. now their best hope is by summer. nick thorpe, bbc news, sihastria monastery, romania. joining me now is robert mardini — director general of the international committee of the red cross. thank of the red cross. you forjoining us today on bbc thank you forjoining us today on bbc news, appreciate your time and, give us the assessment of the international committee of the red cross on the situation for ukrainians still in ukraine, and those who have become refugees? well, good morning. now we are in the fifth week of this devastating

international armed conflict where the level of death of suffering, of destruction, that continues to be inflicted on civilians is outrageous and unacceptable. every, behind every person displaced there is a tragic story, there is broken destiny and this devastation should be limited, and the rules of war are here to limit the suffering, in times of armed conflict. we have our teams underground, we work with red cross partners on the ground, to, to make a difference, we have been stepping up our response over the past weeks, sending more than 140 persons, bringing our teams to 6700 in the country, —— 600 in the country, supporting hospitals with surgical and medical supplies, delivering food, relief items, having surgical teams in some

hospitals, but of course, much more needs to be done. you hospitals, but of course, much more needs to be done.— hospitals, but of course, much more needs to be done. you talk about the rules of war. — needs to be done. you talk about the rules of war, do _ needs to be done. you talk about the rules of war, do you _ needs to be done. you talk about the rules of war, do you believe - needs to be done. you talk about the rules of war, do you believe that - rules of war, do you believe that war crimes have been committed by russia in ukraine?— war crimes have been committed by russia in ukraine? well, for now, we re eat our russia in ukraine? well, for now, we repeat our messages _ russia in ukraine? well, for now, we repeat our messages to _ russia in ukraine? well, for now, we repeat our messages to the - russia in ukraine? well, for now, we repeat our messages to the warring i repeat our messages to the warring sides, they have very clear obligation, underthe sides, they have very clear obligation, under the geneva convention, they have made commitment, we expect that they deliver on their commitments in order to allow safe passage of civilians for instance from besieged cities, to allow humanitarian aid in, to give access to the icrc and we expect they deliver on these commitments and obligations. find commitments and obligations. and obviousl , commitments and obligations. and obviously, the committee you say you have a man kate to talk to all sides in war, 0man date. your colleague

the president of the committee met the president of the committee met the russian foreign minister, there were reports there had been a request to lavrov to set up a facile any the russian stit of rostov to help ukrainians there, but, the ukrainian authorities say that we are talking about forced removal, ukrainians who have been forcibly removed from their country, to russia, and along with that came claims that the russians were even being helped by the international committee of the red cross in this, what is your response to those claims? ~ , , , ., claims? well, first, the requests to have an operational _ claims? well, first, the requests to have an operational base _ claims? well, first, the requests to have an operational base in - claims? well, first, the requests to have an operational base in rostov| have an operational base in rostov is part and parcel of a massive scale up of our presence to respond to humanitarian needs, by way we don't have currently on a office in rostov and regarding the allegations that the icrc is associated in a way or another to any forced displacement, these are false claim,

there is no way the icrc can condone or support for displacement in armed conflict, any displacement of civilian population should happen with the consent of civilians and on their free will, so the icr, with the consent of civilians and on theirfree will, so the icr, and this is by the way contrary to the geneva convention so we can not accept and we clearly deny these alleged claims. but accept and we clearly deny these alleged claims.— accept and we clearly deny these alleged claims. but do you want to set u- an alleged claims. but do you want to set up an office — alleged claims. but do you want to set up an office in _ alleged claims. but do you want to set up an office in rostov? - alleged claims. but do you want to set up an office in rostov? yes, i set up an office in rostov? yes, this is part _ set up an office in rostov? yes, this is part of — set up an office in rostov? yes, this is part of our _ set up an office in rostov? yes, this is part of our also _ set up an office in rostov? yes, this is part of our also presence | set up an office in rostov? yes this is part of our also presence in ukraine, in, in moldova, romania, hungary and yes, having a place, having an operational base in rostov will help our support, to people, in harm's way, inside ukraine, because it gets aid closer to where people are, to where the needs of people are, to where the needs of people are, and this is what the red cross is about, supporting people in an impartial way where ever they are, whatever side of the front line they are. ii

whatever side of the front line they are. , ., . whatever side of the front line they are. i. ., ., ~ ., are. if you are talking about helinu are. if you are talking about helping people _ are. if you are talking about helping people in _ are. if you are talking about helping people in ukraine, | are. if you are talking about. helping people in ukraine, why are. if you are talking about - helping people in ukraine, why would you be doing that, from an office in southern russia from a base in southern russia from a base in southern russia, many people will want to know?— southern russia, many people will want to know? because you need to net want to know? because you need to get logistical— want to know? because you need to get logistical supplies _ want to know? because you need to get logistical supplies in _ want to know? because you need to get logistical supplies in ukraine, i get logistical supplies in ukraine, and there is an armed conflict in ukraine and you need to multiply the point of access so that humanitarian aid can get into the country. find aid can get into the country. and ou will aid can get into the country. and you will be _ aid can get into the country. and you will be able _ aid can get into the country. and you will be able to _ aid can get into the country. and you will be able to do that from russia is what you are saying because clearly there have been lots of concerns about you know, so—called humanitarian corridor, with, you know, the russians not necessarily abiding by agreements round those conxxxx or doors so how confident will you be that you can get aid into ukraine from russia? well, this is why we have robust dialogue, with all sides to the conflict, including the russian side, in order to carve out an impartial humanitarian space, that will benefit people and civilians in ukraine. this is the aim of the red

cross, and this is what we do, in every context and every conflict and the ukraine is no except shown this. if russia can say they are talking to the international committee of the red cross, they are engaging with you, do you think that there is a danger that you could be used as an instrument of propaganda potentially?— an instrument of propaganda potentially? well, this risk is alwa s potentially? well, this risk is always there, _ potentially? well, this risk is always there, there - potentially? well, this risk is always there, there is - potentially? well, this risk is always there, there is today, unfortunately, a deliberate tab getted misinformation, disinformation campaign that is targeting and discrediting the work of the icrc this is hitting hard andunder mining on our ability to help people, and it has to stop, the fact we are having dialogue with parties to the conflict, does not exonerate them from their obligations under international humanitarian law, and we have very clear expectation, we were very bold in expressing those expectation,

what needs to happen, to ensure safe evacuation of civilian, to ensure humanitarian aid in places where people are running out of water, food, medicalsupplies, and people are running out of water, food, medical supplies, and the clock is ticking, and we are expecting that parties to the conflict deliver on the commitments they made to us. and we will be following up on this. very good to talk to you today, thank you for your time. let's get more now. a service of thanksgiving for the life of the duke of edinburgh, who died last april, is taking place at westminster abbey this morning. buck says the queen is currently intending to be at the service. let's go to our royal correspondent, daniela relph who's at westminster abbey. an important use of words there, currently intending, and we know of course, that the queen will absolutely want to be here, we know

she is cancelled engagements for example in order to rest to give her the best possible chance of attending the service, so interesting phrasing from buckingham palace, in that statement. yes, i think what they are doing is giving themselves a tiny bit of wiggle room in case anything should go wrong between now and 11.30. the problem we have with the queen is lots of people understand she has a mobility issue so it is difficult for her to walk and move round, but absolutely everything has been done to try to make sure she gets to the service today, so that includes making herjourney from windsor castle here to central london, as comfortable as possible. there are a number of ways to get into westminster abbey, she will use one of the entrances that means her walk to her seat is as short as possible. and then, again, the service is only 45 minutes long, again, making it much more comfortable for the queen to sit there, so everything has been done, to make sure that she makes it here, and as things stand, we will

see the queen at the service a bit later on this morning, but there will be well over 1,000 people taking part in a key role today, will go to participants of the duke of edinburgh's award. with me to look at that is a ceo of the award. ruth, it is an important day for those taking part in the scheme and beings part of this service today. it is. it is such an honour and a fantastic opportunity for some of our award holders to give thanks for the duke of edinburgh and his vision in setting up the award, he established the charity back in 1956, and since then, 6.7 million young people in the uk and millions more round the world have had the opportunity to participate in the award so today is a fantastic opportunity for us to say thank you, and also, to celebrate and look forward to a bright future for the award building on his legacy i is tell us what you are going to be doing today, what do some of the par

tis pants doing we doing today, what do some of the par tis pants doing— tis pants doing we have gold award holder who will _ tis pants doing we have gold award holder who will line _ tis pants doing we have gold award holder who will line the _ tis pants doing we have gold award holder who will line the steps i tis pants doing we have gold award holder who will line the steps of i holder who will line the steps of the abbey and welcome guests and we have a gold award holder who is going to be giving a tribute as part of the service, it is a special opportunity for us to celebrate everything that the duke did for young people, as part of his life. and the project you are the ceo of is a key part of the legacy. absolutely for i think when we look back at the two years we have been through over the pandemic, young people have been disproportionately affected by that, so, the award is perhaps more important than it has ever been. so we are looking forward to build ocean the duke's legacy, we want to reach one million people in the uk by 2026, with the award, we want to expand the reach to young people who are the most marginalised and face the biggest barriers to par —— participation a, so with we are more determined and that ever to

build on the legacy and keep delivering for young people. briefly on a personal— delivering for young people. briefly on a personal level _ delivering for young people. briefly on a personal level you _ delivering for young people. briefly on a personal levelyou must- delivering for young people. briefly on a personal levelyou must feel. delivering for young people. briefly on a personal levelyou must feel aj on a personal level you must feel a sense of pride being part of it knowing that the queen will be here it is such a privilege to lead the award and an honour to represent the award and an honour to represent the award today at the service it is such a lovely opportunity given the fact we didn't get to celebrate when we had the duke's funeral last year, because of covid restrictions, it is an than norton part of thor is advice and be able to celebrate properly. advice and be able to celebrate --roerl. ., ~ advice and be able to celebrate --roerl. . ~' ,. advice and be able to celebrate --roerl. . ,, , advice and be able to celebrate --roerl. ., , . . properly. thank you very much. we are beginning _ properly. thank you very much. we are beginning to — properly. thank you very much. we are beginning to see _ properly. thank you very much. we are beginning to see some - properly. thank you very much. we are beginning to see some of- properly. thank you very much. we are beginning to see some of the l are beginning to see some of the early guests arriving here, for the service of thanksgivinger more than 500 representing the charities the and patronages that the duke of edinburgh held. we will see all senior members of the royal family including prince andrew, it's a family occasion, there there will be representatives from royal families across europe, and we also expect to see a number of the queen and duke

of edinburgh's great grandchildren. we haven't seen them at an event like this before so a first for that later on this morning and things begin at 11.30. thank you very much. the latest headlines on bbc news. face to face talks to try to end the war in ukraine resume in istanbul. turkey's president erdogan says the meeting must yield results. here in the uk, police recommend 20 fines should initially be issued over government parties that breached coronavirus lockdown rules. a thanksgiving service to honour prince philip's life will take place later today — buckingham palace says the queen is currently intending to go. let's go back to the news that 20 fines are set to be issued over government parties held in breach of uk covid restrictions. the metropolitan police says that investigators will begin to refer the notices to the criminal records office, which would be responsible

for issuing the fines. now let's take a look at the different allegations of parties at downing street and whitehall since the start of the pandemic. this is the downing street garden on 15th may 2020 — where the prime minister and his staff were pictured with bottles of wine and a cheeseboard. when asked about it, borisjohnson said, "those people were at work talking about work." the rules in may 2020 told people to avoid in person meetings. five days later, martin reynolds, the prime minister's principal private secretary, invited around 100 people to "socially distanced drinks" — telling people "bring your own booze." the latest party relevation was injune 2020 — where staff in number ten gathered in the cabinet office for the prime minister's birthday, sang happy birthday and were served cake.

fast forward to november 2020 — sources have told the bbc that downing street staff members attended a gathering with carriejohnson in the flat where she and the prime minister live. a spokesman for mrsjohnson denies the party took place. at the time the rules did not allow for household mixing indoors, apart from support bubbles. 0n the 25th november, news of "unplanned office drinks" at the treasury. and the daily mirror revealed a leaving do was held for number ten aide cleo watson on november the 27th. the pm reportedly made a speech. then we head into the festive period. on 10th of december the department for education had an office gathering. then came a party for shaun bailey ? the conservative candidate for london mayor at the time. he's since resigned from chairing a london assembly committee. next — a quiz in downing street before christmas hosted by the prime minister. the following day, the department for transport held its christmas party.

0n the 17th — a leaving party at the cabinet office for the outgoing head of the civil service covid taskforce kate josephs. and another party at the office of the uk's top civil servant, simon case. mr case had been due to report on claims covid rules were broken at these events, but had to step away when this party came to light last month. downing street originally denied a report by the daily mirror that a party took place on 18th december. however, a video obtained by itv news shows the prime minister's then—press secretary allegra stratton, joking about reports of an event, saying, "this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced." she's since resigned. and finally, the daily telegraph broke the news of two staff parties held in downing street the night before the duke of edinburgh's funeral — during which an adviser acted as dj and another was dispatched to the shops with a suitcase to stock up on wine.

we will have more reaction to this news that 20 fixed penalty notices will be issued in respect of some of those, stay with us for that. will be issued in respect of some of those, stay with us for that. the actor, will smith, has issued a full apology to the comedian chris rock, for slapping him during the oscars awards ceremony. the on—stage violence — prompted by a joke about the star's wife — was seen live by millions of people around the world. 0ur correspondent, david willis, reports. 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. will smith issued a tearful apology both to the academy and his fellow nominees on sunday night. but of one man, there was no mention. jada, i love you. gi jane 2, can't wait to see it. all right? chris rock's joke about smith's wife's hair loss led to her husband storming the stage and this slap

across the face. oh, wow! and as a stunned, star—studded audience looked on, the actor proceeded to hurl profanity—laden abuse from his seat. keep my wife's name out of your... sound dips. ..mouth. i'm going to. nearly 24 hours after the academy awards got under way here, came a direct apology to chris rock. posting on instagram, will smith said he was wrong and out of line. "violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive," he wrote. "my behaviour at last night's academy awards was unacceptable and inexcusable." now at this point, i can only laugh. as you all know, i've been struggling with alopecia. smith also mentioned his wife's highly public battle with hair loss, saying a joke about her medical condition was too much for him to bear. his behaviour on what should have been one of the best nights of his life has been condemned

by the academy, and an inquiry is under way, which could lead to him being censured or expelled. after dancing the night away, he'll have awoken to the collective sense of shock and disbelief here over what happened on sunday night. the slap that was seen around the world is unlikely to cost him his oscar, but there's a growing feeling that such a highly public act of violence cannot go unpublished. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. in the uk, a second p&o ferry has failed a safety inspection and is in the process of being detained, according to the uk's maritime and coastguard agency. the pride of kent is one of eight ships to need inspections before re—entering service, after 800 staff were sacked. the firm replaced staff with agency workers paid less than the minimum wage, but the government says it has prepared measures to block p&o's plans. it's been 50 years since the late sir terry wogan broadcast his first ever breakfast show on bbc radio 2.

in a previously unheard interview, discovered in the bbc archives, the broadcaster reveals how he rose to become one of the biggest names in british entertainment. richard latto reports. in 1980, one of the bbc�*s biggest stars visited the south coast to meet his viewers and listeners. the time on radio 2 is... help! 23 minutes to eight o'clock. no, 22 and a half minutes. now 50 years since the start of his legendary breakfast show, the bbc has discovered a previously unbroadcast interview with the late sir terry in its local archive. a lot of shy people are egotists, you know. radio gives you an opportunity to talk to yourself, endlessly, and show off, like i am doing now in front of the camera, without anybody slapping your wrists

and saying "you're terrible." it is a priceless bit of 805 television. not many people will have seen it. why does nobody prompt me when i want a prompt? and it was nice to see him talking about what he intended to do and how he expected to be, because he had a plan. the big hole you can fall in, as a popular entertainer, if you want to be a popular entertainer, is trying to be popular with everybody, trying to get everybody to identify with you. you must be prepared to be yourself. that was his natural way of being. he was genuinely friendly, he was talking to one person, he was making them feel part of something. terry wogan! gosh, i hope all of this adulation is not going to spoil me. sir terry rarely gave interviews about himself. radio and television is the medium for the introverted egomaniac anyway. that is what i suppose i am.

he was very open in that interview, yes. from their home in lee on solent, norman and helen organised many events for the togs, terry's old geezers, raising millions of pounds for charity with terry's support. he came to conventions, he mixed quite happily. six years since his passing, and 25 decades since debuting his breakfast show, the rediscovered interview features in a new documentary for bbc radio 2. barry cryer has a wonderful phrase about me. he says, "it's impossible to underestimate terry wogan", which is absolutely right! don't forget you can get in touch with me and the team on twitter — i'm @annitabbc.

here it was in —— ban yesterday where we saw temperatures highest at 19 degrees. there will be others tomorrow and thursday, much colder thanit tomorrow and thursday, much colder than it is in —— ban. that cold air is here, that cloud to the north of this bank of cloud. this is moving into scotland, northern scotland, outbreaks of rain turning to sleet and snow and the same time we have a little weather system to southern parts of england producing showery rain but a lot of dry weather too.

misty in central areas but sunshine out today, south—west scotland, northern ireland, north—west england and wales, we could see one or two sharp shower, many will stay dry. temperatures down on cent day, close to where we should be but it is in treaty no of scotland where you will notice temperatures fall. four or five during the afternoon. so a chilly end to the day here and that cold air will push southwards through the rest of scotland. fringing into northern ireland northern england. turning to sleet and snow over the hill, frequent snow showers to low levels where we could see temperatures down minus five, should be about frost—free in england and wales as we start tomorrow, on the southern side of this front, which is dividing line twine the last of anything close to mild air, and that cold arctic aberdeen pushing in, dividing line, northern ireland, northern england, push ings to midlands and wales, sleet and snow on the northern edge. snow showers in scotland. a cold

fool, temperatures into single figures and that will make it into the midland by the afternoon. outbreaks of rain to the south. a bit of sunshine, double figure temperatures but the cold air makes it to all and into thursday, in fact thursday morning, there could be a few of you waking up to a cover of snow on the cars and grass, the snow showers keep on going though in south—east and eastern area, a mixture of snow sleet and snow. a cold north to north—easterly wind. strongest towards south—east england, could be gusting round 45mph in the eastern english channel. six to ten degree, it will feel colder when you add in the wind chill. forthe feel colder when you add in the wind chill. for the second half of the week it will be colder. temperatures below average with wintry showers and turning to wind shower, but one thing the gardeners should note. widespread frost will return by

night.

this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh. the headlines at ten the metropolitan police recommends 20 fines should initially be issued over downing street parties that breached coronavirus lockdown rules — but it says it won't be naming the individuals involved. face to face talks to try to end the war in ukraine resume in istanbul. turkey's president erdogan says the meeting must yield results. translation: it will be i to the benefit of everybody to achieve a ceasefire and establish peace as soon as possible. a thanksgiving service to honour prince philip's life will take place later this morning — buckingham palace says the queen is currently intending to go. unacceptable and inexcusable — hollywood star will smith says sorry to comedian chris rock for slapping him at the oscars.