this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy. the headlines at 2... at least 39 people are feared dead and 300 injured, after rockets hit a packed train station in eastern ukraine where thousands were trying to escape the conflict. the attack in kramatorsk is a hub for refugees, with many travelling to western europe and the uk. the home secretary apologises for visa delays. com pletely completely it's been frustrating. it's very frustrating. irefill completely it's been frustrating. it's very frustrating.— it's very frustrating. will you apologise? _ it's very frustrating. will you apologise? i— it's very frustrating. will you apologise? i will _ it's very frustrating. will you apologise? i will apologise, | it's very frustrating. will you | apologise? i will apologise, it takes time. _ in other news — the man who murdered primary school teacher sabina nessa in southeast london is jailed for life the chancellor, rishi sunak, describes reports about his wife's tax arrangements as a smear campaign

and insists no rules were broken. disruption continues for the easter break — as thousands of airline passengers face significant delays. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. russian rockets have hit a train station, being used for civilian evacuations in eastern ukraine, killing dozens of people and wounding 300. it happened at the station in kramatorsk, one of the few still operating in the east. officials say thousands of people were there at the time, hoping to board trains to escape the fighting. cities in the wider donbas region of eastern ukraine, have come under renewed attack, as russian troops refocus their war effort on the area. the ukrainian government had urged civilians to leave, as the fighting intensified. meanwhile, the ministry of defence says russian troops have now fully withdrawn

from northern ukraine to belarus and back to russia. the mod estimates any mass redeployment from the north to the east, could take at least a week. here's our correspondent, emma vardy. en route to safety, struck down before they could escape. officials in donetsk said thousands of people were waiting for trains, having been encouraged to leave the city by local authorities. when rockets hit the kramatorsk station. at least 30 people are believed to have been killed. president zelensky speaking to the parliament in finland a short time afterwards said there was no reason for the railway station to be attacked. translation: this is an ordinary railway terminal. people crowded, waiting for the trains to be evacuated to the safe territory. they hit these people,

there are witnesses, videos, remnants of the missiles. dead people. in bernard yanker, underneath the rubble, more casualties of war, bodies being removed from what remains of the town. ukrainian officials accused moscow of deliberately targeting areas with shelling and in a sign of solidarity with ukraine the european commission president ursula von der leyen is visiting kyiv to hold talks. the ukrainian government wants sanctions increased further in russia. the eu �*s dependence on russian oil and gas they argue is helping to fund its military aggression. in the western city of lviv a protest outside the russian embassy, accusing russian troops of loading areas they have captured. the everyday objects stolen from family homes. there is outrage and despair in ukraine over the alleged brutality civilians have suffered at the hands of russian soldiers. talk to people here, many echo

the cause of the ukrainian president for more military support to be given to ukraine because there is fear over what more is to come. russian forces have sustained losses. as they recruit, the expectation is the donbas region in the east will become the new epicentre of the war. as warnings continue for people to leave. —— as they regroup, the expectation is the donbas region in the east will become the new epicentre of the war. as warnings continue for people to leave. 0ur correspondent danjohnson joins us from lviv. what more is known about whether this was deliberate or not? there are still some _ this was deliberate or not? there are still some confusion - this was deliberate or not? there are still some confusion about. are still some confusion about exactly where the attack came from, how it happened but we know that at least 39 people were killed there, the current number of injured stands at 87, president zelensky this morning talking about hundreds potentially having been caught up in

that attack and we know the station was absently crowded with thousands of people trying to get on trains to escape further west, trying to 3d fighting that is intensifying in the east of ukraine. so, a civilian target, whether it was deliberately hit, are still the question what there has been condemnation notjust from the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky you said it was because the russians felt they could not take on his soldiers on the battlefield. they said this was... the president of the european council saying it was horrifying to see a missile had hit one of the main stations that had been hit by civilians evacuating the region and the eu's foreign policy chief condemned the attack, calling it yet another attempt to close escape routes for those who are fleeing this unjustified war and

there has been a statement from the white house spokesman in washington saying there are horrific and devastating images. —— mcveigh r. they said it was appalling, with millions of citizens —— with citizens carrying our baggage, getting caught up in the attack and we know some children have died in this incident as well. it underlines the risk that people there in the east of ukraine are facing and this is precisely why so many people were trying to escape, expecting an intensification of russia's military and people have been warned to shelter, expecting further attack. and more people will try to take the evacuation routes that are possible to leave the east of ukraine with the expectation that will be the further focus of the russian military in the days and weeks ahead. what might people will be wondering why they have not fled already. it is always a very

difficult thing to leave your home because we know the perils that face people. how difficult is it for people. how difficult is it for people to get out when they know what has happened in ma you paulfor example? —— they know what has happened in mariupol. yes, difficult but some have decided to stay and see... and even if they wanted to do so, evacuation routes have not proved to be safe and humanitarian corridors have not been possible to establish for very long so the effort to actually get people out safely has been hampered by repeated attacks and there has been, to some degree a lull in fighting in the last couple of weeks or so perhaps where they have done around kyiv and in other parts of the north and north—east of ukraine but as russian

troops pulled out, you know that withdrawal is complete and the exhortation of the military build—up would continue in the east and the don bass, lohan sk and don yet regions are real people have become hardened. —— the donas, luhansk and donetsk regions have been like that. these people have not wanted to leave and others are taking the option of evacuating further west to the safer cities. and in making the journey to safety, some have found themselves in the utmost danger and have found them losing their lives or being injured, whether it is deliberate or not this time, we have to see, russia denies it was even behind this attack so we wait for more evidence, more details of exactly what has happened and how many people are injured but it is

the dilemma people are now confronting is whether to take the risk of actually leaving or to stay and try to shelter in their home but potentially facing even greater risk in the weeks ahead. we can go now to moscow and speak to our correspondentjenny hill. what is the latest position from the kremlin if there is one on this attack on a train station? the kremlin as — attack on a train station? the kremlin as it _ attack on a train station? the kremlin as it has _ attack on a train station? tue: kremlin as it has done attack on a train station? tte: kremlin as it has done so attack on a train station? t'te: kremlin as it has done so often attack on a train station? tte: kremlin as it has done so often in previous weeks has denied all knowledge and is pointing the finger of blame at ukraine, a kremlin to be usedis of blame at ukraine, a kremlin to be used is something which is only used by ukrainian forces and we had a look into this and the... does appear to be upgraded from these missiles to other ones instead. what is not clear at this time is whether russia has all stocks of the missiles hang about, we have taken a

look at some military parade footage and some as recent as last year, and this particular missile has been part of the parades and we will have to wait and see what the result is a any kind of independent turner but for the time being, it has a firm denialfrom the kremlin. —— it is a firm denial. the home office says nearly 41,000 uk visas for ukrainians have now been issued, and a total of 12 thousand refugees have arrived in the country. the home secretary has now apologised for delays, affecting thousands of people. our home editor, mark easton, has been talking to her and those families hoping to help those arriving in the uk. the welcome flags are out in north devon. in private gardens, public buildings, the blue and yellow of ukraine illustrating a deep desire here to help those fleeing a war more than 1,500 miles away.

chris is a local apple farmer and cider producer who got in touch with the ukrainian consulate to say he wanted to welcome a family of refugees. he was put in touch with eleanor, her elderly parents and nine—year—old son five weeks ago. they're still surviving on handouts in poland. right, so this is the room where they'll be staying. i think it will be perfect... devon generosity though is being thwarted by whitehall bureaucracy. if we can get the visa... it's taken chris weeks to navigate the forms and documents required by the government, including gets a passport for anna, the cat. it's a sham excuse for slowing the process down and i don't know why the government wants to slow it down. there are people who are desperate. there's families sleeping on park benches in freeze being temperatures in poland. why?

on a visit to the ukrainian iinstitute in london, i asked the home secretary about the hold ups in getting war refugees to the uk. so, completely it's been frustrating. will you apologise? i apologise with frustration myself and i have spoken about this previously too, it takes time, mark. i'm responsible for the surge in the staffing region as well. we have got hundreds of home office staff doing visa applications, processing on the ground, providing support... people say it's not good enough. you boasted about a surge of staff to calais to support the ukrainian refugees who'd arrived there. i went there, it was two guys, a table and some crisps. so, mark, first of all there's no boasting that's taking place, let'sjust be clear about that. we have a centre in france, we have it set up... you have talked about a surge. there is home office staff there. by the way, that is done in conjunction with the french government. actually i have some friends, - they helped me to find somewhere. back in devon i met this woman, a refugee from syria, now helping others complete

the journey to find sanctuary. i met a 12—year—old schoolboy whose painting's being auctioned to raise money for ukraine. i realise i have got a perfect skill set to use my ability to help ukraine. and i met susannah, whose devon holiday businesses uses its profits to help displaced people. it's just a really amazing sort of network of colleagues within the refugee sector, who work here and really pull together and are really passionate about resettling refugees into communities here. for devon, read much of the uk, a country moved by the awful stories unfolding on the other side of europe, but exasperated by what they see as red tape. mark easton, bbc news, devon. a 36—year—old albanian man has been jailed for a minimum of 36 years in prison for the murder of the primary school teacher, sabina nessa. koci selamaj drove from eastbourne to south east london last september and attacked ms nessa with a metal traffic triangle. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports.

sabina nessa — graduate, primary school teacher, and fun—loving. the second in a family of four girls. now her older sisterjebina cherishes what sabina was wearing when she was killed. this is her watch that she wore on the night, so i am holding that to feel close to her. we kind of feel like she is going to walk through the door. people say time will get easier, but really, timejust gets harder. the realisation that she is not here hits home. in previous court hearings, she — like the rest of her family — has seen koci selamaj, the murderer. the thought that he was waiting for some woman, to attack her and do what he wanted to do, i was just thinking, what a horrible animal, vile animal he is.

hours before the murder, he checked into the grand hotel in eastbourne. his wife, who had left him because of his violent behaviour, worked here. she met him in the hotel car park and he asked her to have sex with him. after she rejected him, he drove off alone and ended up miles away in south east london. he pulled up in kidbrooke and went into the local sainsbury�*s. intent on violence against a woman, he bought rolling pin. it's believed he was considering using this as his weapon. meanwhile, sabina nessa, who lived locally, was on her way to meet a friend. she's thought to have taking a short cut through cator park because she was running late. koci selamaj, looking furtive, was caught on cctv. cameras in the park actually showed him running towards sabina and attacking her. he beat her 3a times with this metal traffic triangle and carried her off unconscious. her body was found

the following day. selamaj had strangled her. on his way back to eastbourne, he drove down a country lane and dumped the murder weapon in a river. a week later, selamaj was arrested and being told over the phone by an interpreter he was being charged with murder. he's an albanian national. there was clear evidence of a sexually motivated attack that together with the fact that he had propositioned his wife earlier in the day for sex, says to me without a shadow of a doubt that was a sexually motivated murder. one month after her death last year, sabina's family marked what would have been her 29th birthday. i feel like the sunflower cos

that was her favourite, i feel like that kind of resembles her. she would stand up tall and give her opinion. we should all stand up and say enough is enough. let's put an end to male violence. june kelly, bbc news. just want to bring you some breaking news that we are getting from southwark crown court, the three—time wimbledon champion boris becker has been found guilty at southwark crown court of four charges under the insolvency act and acquitted of and a further 20 counts relating to bankruptcy. that has just reported and will bring you more in the next few minutes on that but boris becker acquitted of most of the counts related to his bankruptcy case but found guilty on four charges. the civil aviation authority says it's concerned about staff shortages that airlines and airports are facing. many travellers are experiencing long queues at airports, with manchester airport saying the delays could last for up to six weeks. travellers have been badly affected over the past week,

but this weekend some operators are expected to return to pre—pandemic levels of service. meanwhile, there's continuing ferry delays and queues at dover. this report from our transport correspondent katy austin contains flashing images. holidays are back — going away is easier again, with uk travel restrictions removed. there's now huge demand for travel in the easter and summer holidays, and airports and airlines that were hit so badly during the pandemic are trying to scale up again quickly to meet that demand. but many people's pre—easter trips had a bumpy start. there were long queues at some airports last weekend, including at manchester, which has had problems for weeks. the biggest area of challenge that we've had is is here in security. after shedding jobs during covid, airport bosses admit they've struggled to hire again quickly enough. the speed and the scale of recovery has caught us,

and we are short staffed at the moment. it has meant that there is a number of weeks where our processes need to catch up, our recruitment processes. but again, we're confident that in a matter of weeks we will be in that position. i think we're going to have instances of queues over the next four to six weeks. but as i said, you know, there will be lots of people will get through in five or ten minutes. there will be the majority will get through in 30 or 40 minutes. airports say covid documentation checks are also adding to delays. recruitment has been a problem for airlines, too. easyjet has cancelled hundreds of flights this week, blaming staff sickness. british airways has also made cancellations. among those whose plans have been ruined at these schoolchildren. half their group had already gone on a ski trip, but their wasyjet flight from gatwick to join them was cancelled. it's really sad because we had to get up really, really early in the morning for absolutely nothing. half of the trip got to go

and half didn't and how they were probably skiing by the time that we had got home. easyjet said sorry and offered further assistance, including a refund. businesses are happy to see so many passengers again, but not everyone's much anticipated journeys have gone to plan. 0h, oh, dear. let's talk to paul charles, ceo of pc agency, a travel consultancy that work with governments and airlines. what about would be loving to go on holiday and must be just incredibly disappointing if you cannot at the last minute. do you think this is no one's fault, it is just the combination of what everyone is facing. combination of what everyone is facina. . , ., ., combination of what everyone is facin.. ., , ., ., ., , facing. there was a warning last ear facing. there was a warning last year from _ facing. there was a warning last

year from the — facing. there was a warning last year from the travel _ facing. there was a warning last year from the travel and - facing. there was a warning iast| year from the travel and tourism council who said there would be a labour shortfall of 220,000 in the travel and tourism sector and needed to be planned for, so it was known within the sector, many of us talking about it but sadly ceos of airlines and airports were clearly sidelined by e omicron variant that emerged last year and they put the plans on ice, froze them, sadly they frozen for too long and the snap backin frozen for too long and the snap back in demand, the huge pent—up demand to travel came back faster than they were expecting and they simply have not been able to travel fast enough for that demand. halal fast enough for that demand. how lona do fast enough for that demand. how long do you _ fast enough for that demand. how long do you think— fast enough for that demand. how long do you think this problem will go on and what about the summer holidays? are they also face problems, do you think? tt is problems, do you think? it is unlikely the _ problems, do you think? it is unlikely the summer - problems, do you think? te 3 unlikely the summer holidays will be hit but we will face this situation for at least another month or two because it is impossible to hire and people fast enough, don't forget a lot of people left the industry

during the pandemic because we were put on... furlough. they can move to it instead, so it's going to take some time to hire people, especially in the rate they wanted to be hired at with other industry is paying much better rates of pay, so airlines have raised their salaries. for those of us who might be pondering booking some apply to any flights during the past few months, and i am obviously asking for a friend here, are some airlines better than others? tt friend here, are some airlines better than others?— friend here, are some airlines better than others? if you look at where the cancellations - better than others? if you look at where the cancellations have - better than others? if you look at l where the cancellations have been, we had almost 1000 of the last days out and into the uk, then type in british airways and easyjet who have been hardest hit, notjust by the staff shortages but also by covid and self isolation among crews, so i would be looking at the ones you're

cancelling those flights, where they seem to have managed to hold onto staff and main that is european carriers like lufthansa, air france, swiss. those have managed to keep most of their flights operating with their crews. it depends where they are going. not only have they recruited earlier, but they have had a pretty generous furlough scheme and many of them stayed with them during the pandemic rather than left the industry, so they did hold onto them for longer and it's been a british problem definitely that we have lost more people in the sector than elsewhere in europe. agreat than elsewhere in europe. great advice. commiserations - than elsewhere in europe. great| advice. commiserations obviousl than elsewhere in europe. great advice. commiserations obviousl to everyone caught up in this at the moment. let's hope everyone gets away as quick as possible. —— commiserations obviously. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has defended his wife after revelations

about her tax arrangements. yesterday, it emerged akshata murty, who's the daughter of one of india's richest men, has non—domiciled status, meaning she doesn't pay tax in britain on income made abroad. mr sunak told the sun newspaper his wife pays every penny owed on her british income and accused labour of trying to get to him by smearing her. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley reports. he's the man who sets most of our taxes. this week, he put them up. but it's his family's tax arrangements which are now in the spotlight. this is the chancellor's wife, akshata murthy, an indian citizen. she pays £30,000 a year for a non—dom status, which means her income earned outside the uk isn't taxed here. the setup could have saved her millions of pounds in uk tax. labour say if that's the case, it would be breathtaking hypocrisy. but speaking to the sun, rishi sunak defended his wife. he told the paper...

and he hit out at those questioning the arrangement. i don't think it's really appropriate for me to comment on the wives and families of politicians. and of course, the most important thing is the same rules have to apply to everybody, which it clearly does because there's no suggestion that any of this steps outside of any of the rules and regulations. the chancellor's wife isn't seen much in public. her spokeswoman says, eventually, she wants to move back to india. and mr sunak says she's followed all the rules. this week of the chancellor decided he needed to raise more tax to fund the nhs. that's why he put national insurance up for millions of people.

his critics are now asking whether his own household could have paid more tax and why it didn't. the chancellor has taken the political decision to impose tax increases on millions of people. they're entitled to know whether his family is using schemes to reduce their own tax. so this is about basic accountability, basic transparency. we need answers to those questions, because this looks to me very much like one rule for them and another rule for everybody else. rishi sunak is touted by many as a future prime minister, but this has been a damaging week. accusations he hasn't done enough to help with the cost of living, and continuing questions about whether his own household should have paid more tax in the uk. nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. let's talk to emma chamberlain, a barrister and representative of the chartered institute of taxation. thanks forjoining us. thanks for joining us. just thanks forjoining us. just to clarify this, is akshata murty�*s citizenship of india relevant to whether she could, if you chose, paid taxes in the uk? tt is whether she could, if you chose, paid taxes in the uk? it is relevant onl in paid taxes in the uk? it is relevant only in that — paid taxes in the uk? it is relevant only in that it _ paid taxes in the uk? it is relevant only in that it indicates _ paid taxes in the uk? it is relevant only in that it indicates that - paid taxes in the uk? it is relevant only in that it indicates that she i only in that it indicates that she was born in india to indian parents and that means she had a domicile of

origin in india but the question really is how she acquired a domicile of choice in the uk? does he intend to settle your permanently smack that is not the end of the story because even if she has not acquired a domicile of choice because she intends to go back to india, the next question is will she claim the remittance basis because she could be non—dom and claim the remittance space which means you would pay tax on your income and gains like everyone else and she has obviously decided to claim this remittance and spaces, i would take issue to someone who said this was a scheme, it is not, it's a relief that has been repeatedly offered by people of all political persuasions and the people who offer it, that meant the reason we offer if you want to encourage people to come here and not have to pay tax or income again. we are not alone in

offering relief. why track is hmrc right in allowing her to claim the status when her husband was clearly employed here with his future job prospects here? her young children are being educated here and living at taxpayer expense. thus you qualify someone who is not permanently living faith are operated here and should be contributing to english society? there is a very good questions and the questions that have been asked, they would have been asked about 60 questions which are relevant factors you're married to, where your children are educated but if you can show a reasonably argue that you do not intend to settle your victory, maybe she intends to go back to india or settle elsewhere without children being broken up, she can sustain the argument that she is not

domicile here. find sustain the argument that she is not domicile here.— domicile here. and you can run that for 15 years. — domicile here. and you can run that for 15 years. is _ domicile here. and you can run that for 15 years, is that _ domicile here. and you can run that for 15 years, is that correct? - for 15 years, is that correct? yelling up to 15 years but it is very sensitive which is the thing we ought to focus on, this is not a very sensible test because i think you should have a clearer line test and it is up to a letter of intention code that makes out, a lot of countries take residency, so if you've been in italy for 15 years, you've been in italy for 15 years, you are allowed to have a favourable regime and go on to the same regime as most other italians. we do not operate that, and it is very much based on intention and even after 15 years, it is still relevant, your status, because you can have trust and not pay tax. without getting too complex if i can, you can renew it as well. lots of people would then go abroad again and reset the non—domicile clot, but ijust want

to ask, there's been questions about whether they might have a green card or have hacked a green card for the united states, is that compatible to say you're domiciled in india or elsewhere? and you don't have to go back to india to retain an indian domicile of origin, you just have to show you are not settled at the moment and if you get a green card, thatis moment and if you get a green card, that is indicative that maybe they intend to go to the usa, so there a relevant factors that will no doubt have been assessed in working out what the status is and whether she can legitimately claim ray lewis in spaces and they think it is perhaps not a very helpful test to focus entirely on intention, perhaps the other thing to say is that we rather oddly in this country this incentivise people who come here from bring money into the uk. if you

brings money in, she has to pay tax. why won't most countries want wealthy people to come here and spend money in the uk or where they have settled? i think the problem for her as she might very well want to invest in the uk but if she does, she has to pay tax on that income and gains that you brings your and that seems a very odd system so i would say instead of focusing on the individual, why do we notjust look at the system as a whole and see if there is a better route that we can use to encourage people, wealthy people to come here and spend money here? the rapper, dizzee rascal, has been given a restraining order, curfew and will have to wear an electronic tag for attacking his ex—fiancee during a row over child contact and finances.the grime artist, 37, whose real name is dylan mills, had been found guilty of assaulting cassandra jones by pressing his forehead against hers and pushing her to the ground during a "chaotic" row at a residential property in south london last year.

the judge told mills she wanted him to work on how he thinks and behaves as he "lost his temper and used violence". just before the weather, let's bring you some pictures from downing street where the german chancellor 0laf sholz has arrived for talks with borisjohnson. they're going to be discussing ukraine and potentially what support they're going to be able to give on a continued basis. also as well as military supplies, the whole energy situation of course, which is also linked to the situation with russia. we will bring you a press conference from both of those leaders in the next hour. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich.

it isn't as windy as yesterday, but still feeling chilly for the time of year. while we have some sunshine, scattered showers will continue to affect many areas, some heavy and possibly thundery, wintry over high ground in the north. with lighter winds it doesn't feel as cold. tonight many of the showers will fade and we will keep some in northern scotland, where we could find icy stretches. widely cold and down to minus five in the country side. tomorrow plenty of sunshine, some showers, especially across north eastern parts, further south and west fewer showers and more in the way of sunshine. temperatures seven to 12 degrees. still below par for the time of year. sunday, turning less chilly. most of us will stay dry with spells of sunshine.

now the sport with sarah. some news that's reached us in the last half hour three—time wimbledon champion boris becker has been found guilty at southwark crown court of four charges under the insolvency act and acquitted of a further 20 counts relating to his 2017 bankruptcy. the 54—year—old was accused of failing to hand over a number of awards and assets after he was declared bankrupt injune 2017 including two of his three wimbledon trophies. becker, who won 49 singles titles in 77 finals over 16 years, had denied the 2a charges. british cycling have decided to suspend their current transgender and non—binary participation policy pending a review. it comes after the case of transgender cyclist emily bridges, who was cleared to enter domestic women's races by british cycling, but then prevented from competing by the world governing body,

the uci, and this difference in guidelines has led to their decision. british cyling say their policy was developed with the intention of promotiong diversity and inclusion but they understand it's a fast—moving area and they're committed to reflecting emergeing circumstances. day two of the masters is underway at augusta national with overnight leader sungjae im just about to tee off. the south korean will start on 5 under par after an opening round of 67. the australian cameron smith will tee off late we are dustinjohnston. rory mcilroy was one over yesterday for his opening round and he will get under way later. you can follow it on the bbc sport web—site.

formula one is back in australia for the first time since the race was cancelled at the start of the coronavirus pandemic two years ago. and once again, it's ferrari leading the way. charles leclerc set the quickest time of the day in second practice in melbourne. it's looking like it will be another tricky weekend for mercedes. lewis hamilton could only manage 13th in second practice, two places behind his team mate george russell. nothing we change in the car makes a difference at the moment, so that's the difficult thing. you get in very optimistic, you make changes, and the car doesn't seem to want to improve. we made some changes going into second practice, first practice was better. second practice ended up being harderfor me. i don't know, it's just a tricky car. gb s most successful 0lympic canoeist liam heath has announced his retirement from competition, saying it was "time to move on". after winning bronze along withjon schofield at london 2012, the pair took silverfour

years later in brazil, where heath enjoyed the highlight of his career — solo gold in the k1200m. he won countless world and european titles, and another 0lympic bronze in 2020. i have gone way and above what i thought i could achieve in this sport and i've ticked pretty much every box on the list that any athlete would want to tick in their careers. i definitely think and feel it's time to move on as a competitive athlete. not move on from the sport, of course, butjust as a competitor internationally. that's all the sport for now. keep up with the latest developments at the masters and aintree on the bbc sport website. that is it for the moment. thank

you. nato has put on the biggest display of its combat air power since the start of the war in ukraine. the display in the skies over romania included some of the raf typhoons that have been sent to romania to help tackle russian aggression. duncan kennedy reports from the black sea coast. this was a display of fire power, but also a message. the jets flew over a base in eastern romania, but nato wants their lethal force to be registered in moscow. raf typhoons were part of the formation that's flying near and over the black sea. britain has sent four of them to romania, with two more to follow. officials from the united states, italy, romania and britain were here today. a defensive show of unify for the west, a keep out sign for russia. how do you provoke a man who's already invented excuse after excuse to invade a sovereign country

and kill innocent civilians? you can't provoke him any more. he is determined, at the cost of, you know, thousand of russian lives, to prosecute invasion of a country that he has no right to do so. nato now has 130 jets in the air at any one time along its eastern border from norway to the mediterranean. but why are nato putting on this display now? well it's all about reminding the russians, firstly, that nato has the kit, and, secondly, the will power to stop this conflict from escalating. raf pilots, fully understand this. 0ur rules of engagement are very clear and inherently it's defensive, so it would only come to that if aggressors pushed the buttons. you would defend nato air space if ordered to?

absolutely, yeah, that's what we're trained to do, that's what we are here to do. the head of the raf said he believes his pilots will be part of this emergency well into next year. this is a critical time — a moment of violence in ukraine and one of vigilance beyond it. duncan kennedy, bbc news, eastern romania. covid—19 infections in most of the uk remain near or at record levels, with only scotland having seen a clear week—on—week drop in numbers, according to the office for national statistics. there are signs that the number of people being infected with covid is slowing across the uk, according to latest estimates. in the week to 2nd april, infection rates were flat in england, they were rising in wales, uncertain in northern ireland and falling in scotland. joining me in the studio with more is bbc head of statistics, robert cuffe. take us through the data? when you put it together, it looks

like we are probably coming to the peak of this wave of infections. we can show the data from the office of national statistics now. you can see starting back last october, with what we thought were high starting back last october, with what we thought were high rates. moving through that christmas peak when 0micron came. and in recent weeks rises up to new points. this week's data, no change. stilljust under five week's data, no change. stilljust underfive million. of course, one swallow doesn't make a summer, that is no guarantee that we are coming to the end. but if you look in the data, across the uk, rates are slowing and if you look at the number going into hospital, that is also starting to come down in scotland, to come down in northern ireland and turn in many parts of england as well. so we are getting this picture that we be coming close to if not over the peak, but it is a very high peak. five million people probably infected with covid. it

means, covid infection means different things now, but if you're clinically vulnerable or in hospital you will feel the effects.- you will feel the effects. school holida s you will feel the effects. school holidays might _ you will feel the effects. school holidays might be _ you will feel the effects. school holidays might be playing - you will feel the effects. school holidays might be playing some you will feel the effects. school - holidays might be playing some role in a plateau. how is the pressure on hospitals at the moment?— hospitals at the moment? well, we are seeinu hospitals at the moment? well, we are seeing the _ hospitals at the moment? well, we are seeing the combined _ hospitals at the moment? well, we are seeing the combined effects - hospitals at the moment? well, we. are seeing the combined effects play out in a tough way for hospitals, and we can show that to the audience now, because even though your risk of getting infected is looking better than in the past, we can compare the number put into hospital ljy compare the number put into hospital by covid, this peak in red, it is lower than the last one. although the infections are higher, the people put into hospital by covid is lower. but the total number, the height of the chartf lower. but the total number, the height of the chart f you add on the yellow area, that is higher than january, the highest level since january, the highest level since january 2021. if you're running a hospital and you need to isolate people who have covid, so their

infection doesn't spread, or if you've had an operation, you don't want covid around, that is why it is putting so much pressure on hospital and the delays in a&e departments. they're a bad winter level and we are not in winter. so the pressure on hospitals is still high. so the challenge of the covid, they're very different to a year ago. but they haven't gone away.— different to a year ago. but they haven't gone away. staffing shortage as well, we haven't gone away. staffing shortage as well. we are _ haven't gone away. staffing shortage as well, we are seeing. _ haven't gone away. staffing shortage as well, we are seeing. this - haven't gone away. staffing shortage as well, we are seeing. this weekly i as well, we are seeing. this weekly survey that we have now got, is that the only good guide left, because the only good guide left, because the react study ended government funding. tt the react study ended government fundinu. , , , the react study ended government fundin-. , , , ., the react study ended government fundinu. , , , ., . funding. it is the best and clearst auide we funding. it is the best and clearst guide we have. _ funding. it is the best and clearst guide we have. the _ funding. it is the best and clearst guide we have. the daily - funding. it is the best and clearst i guide we have. the daily numbers, now you're paying for testing, fewer people are getting tested, so those numbers won't be help elf. this study and react, they give a clearer

picture of rises and falls. but as part of the living with covid plan, you don't need two things looking at the same question, the government decided only to fund one and they're going to tighten the budget. there is a reduction in what we are seeing, but we have other ways to figure out what is going on. the 0ns is a good source of information. thank you. raise researchers in cambridge have rejuvenated the skin cells taken from a 53—year—old women, making them equivalent to those of a 23—year—old. writing in the journal e life, the scientists say that they believe that they might be able to do the same thing with other tissues in the body. the eventual aim is to develop treatments for age related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurological disorders. here s our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. the breakthrough was made in this lab in cambridge.

dilgeet gill added chemicals to the skin cells of a 53—year—old woman. he could scarcely believe his eyes when he studied them under a microscope 12 days later. i remember the day when i actually got the results back. i was basically in shock and didn't quite believe that some of these samples were 30 years younger than they were supposed to be. i literally double—checked that the labels were the right ones and spoke with people in the lab. yeah, it was a very exciting day! the technology is based on techniques used to create dolly the cloned sheep more than 25 years ago. she was created from an adult cell that was rejuvenated all the way back into an embryo. the aim at the time was to use cloning technology to turn cells taken from human patients into embryonic stem cells to combat many of the diseases of ageing, but it didn't really work out. those behind the latest research believe that they have now made

a significant step forward. to be able to know the margin, that there could be applications that could help thousands and thousands of people out there with conditions. as we all know, many common diseases in humans get worse with age or arise with age, and to be able to think about helping people in this way is very, very exciting. but there is still a long way to go. the chemicals used in the rejuvenation process increase the risk of cancers, but now that the scientists know that age reversal is possible in principle, they have a new way forward. three—time wimbledon champion boris becker has been found guilty of four charges under the insolvency act and was acquitted of a further 20 counts relating to his 2017 bankruptcy. the six—time grand slam champion, was accused of hiding millions of pounds worth of assets, including two wimbledon trophies, to avoid paying his debts.

let's here more from our correspondent sean dilley. can you explain what the court has found? , , ., ., found? yes, they have found him uuil on found? yes, they have found him guilty on four— found? yes, they have found him guilty on four charges _ found? yes, they have found him guilty on four charges relating - found? yes, they have found him guilty on four charges relating to | guilty on four charges relating to him failing to reveal the ownership or some property, 825,000 euros he owed to a bank, 75,000 shares in a company. these were serious charges that boris becker has been convicted of. and he was found not guilty of 20 others. ,, . , of. and he was found not guilty of 20 others-— 20 others. sentencing, is due? that's right- — 20 others. sentencing, is due? that's right. he _ 20 others. sentencing, is due? that's right. he has _ 20 others. sentencing, is due? that's right. he has been - 20 others. sentencing, is due? | that's right. he has been bailed 20 others. sentencing, is due? i that's right. he has been bailed to appear back on 29th april. the trial has taken place at south washing south ark crown court. he sought to

say he had lost his wimbledon trophies and his 0lympic medals, the court looked at the details, if you look at the charge, 2a and they're detailed, and a lot of the charges they found not guilty. four for boris becker it is a mighty fall from grace to be men's no1 boris becker it is a mighty fall from grace to be men's no 1 to convicted criminal. tit from grace to be men's no 1 to convicted criminal.— from grace to be men's no 1 to convicted criminal. in terms of way bankruptcy — convicted criminal. in terms of way bankruptcy law _ convicted criminal. in terms of way bankruptcy law works, _ convicted criminal. in terms of way bankruptcy law works, can - convicted criminal. in terms of way bankruptcy law works, can you - bankruptcy law works, can you explain that a bit? tt bankruptcy law works, can you explain that a bit?— bankruptcy law works, can you explain that a bit? if we think we owe more _ explain that a bit? if we think we owe more money _ explain that a bit? if we think we owe more money than _ explain that a bit? if we think we owe more money than we - explain that a bit? if we think we owe more money than we can i explain that a bit? if we think we . owe more money than we can afford explain that a bit? if we think we - owe more money than we can afford to pay back bgs you can declare yourself bankrupt, but you can be let off the remaining balance, if you're open with the trustees, the people looking after your finances and they can say, if you have a million pounds and you know £3 million, maybe they're paying 33p to the people you owe money mean. if

you really have three million and you really have three million and you say you have one million, it is the same principle, but with different figures.— the same principle, but with different figures. when emmanuel macron was first elected french president, he upset the political odds. five years on, could a far—right tv personality do the same? with the first round of voting taking place on sunday, our correspondent lucy williamson has been finding out how voters feel ahead of going to the polls. he won the presidency last time by standing out from the crowd. five years on, emmanuel macron — seen by many as arrogant and out of touch — is keen to show he is close to the people. a classic defence when your far—right rival is right behind you in the polls. the message here in brittany — he's notjust a president for capitalists, but for left—wing voters too. translation: it's europe that allows us to reform excessive and sometimes crazy capitalism. if we want to put social

and environmental concerns at the heart of the market economy, it's europe that allows us to act. left—wing territory, like this, backed mr macron five years ago against his far—right rival, marine le pen. many left—wing voters are more disillusioned now, but polls suggest that marine le pen is closer than ever to winning this election — and mr macron is hoping that's enough to get the left to vote again. down the road in the local boulangerie, sophie said she voted for president macron five years ago because she was nervous about voting for marine le pen. not this time. translation: she's evolved, she learned from her mistakes. she's very human. we understand her when she speaks. i think this time the right person will win. i hope so because i've made a bet with my customers. marine le pen has worked hard to soften her image.

she still wants to ban muslim headscarves in public places and give french nationals priority in benefits, housing and jobs. but her focus in this campaign has been rising prices, made worse by the war in ukraine. at a rally in the southern city of perpignan this week, this 18—year—old said le pen was right to focus on the things that matter to french people and less on security issues. mr macron still has the edge in this election, but he's warned that nothing is impossible. as the man who broke the political mood here five years ago, if anyone should know that, it's him. lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. scientists at the university of bristol have created a mechanical fingertip that replicates human touch. the 3d—printed device uses artificial nerve signals which replicate ones produced by human nerve endings. it is hoped that the technology could improve prosthetics. here's andy howard.

i'm going to show you something incredible. this robotic hand. what we are focussing on is the finger tips, that are very special. if i show you this squidgy toy. my hand pushes in. this hand knowsjust how much... to grip it. in order to hold it. without squeezing it. incredible, nathan talk us through what is going on here in layman's terms. , , , what is going on here in layman's terms. , ,, ., what is going on here in layman's terms. , , , ., , terms. these finger tips are build in a way that _ terms. these finger tips are build in a way that they're _ terms. these finger tips are build in a way that they're structured i in a way that they're structured mimics the way our skin and our finger tips work, for the hand uses this feedback from the finger tips

to hold this soft panda gently and without grasping it. hope to hold this soft panda gently and without grasping it.— to hold this soft panda gently and without grasping it. how long has it take on the — without grasping it. how long has it take on the get _ without grasping it. how long has it take on the get to _ without grasping it. how long has it take on the get to this _ without grasping it. how long has it take on the get to this point? - without grasping it. how long has it take on the get to this point? we . take on the get to this point? we have take on the get to this point? - have been working on it for about a decade now. it used to be the sensor was really big, the size of a coke can and over the years we have miniaturised it down to the size of a human finger tip.— miniaturised it down to the size of a human finger tip. where could this to, a human finger tip. where could this to, move a human finger tip. where could this go. move forward — a human finger tip. where could this go, move forward another— a human finger tip. where could this go, move forward another ten - a human finger tip. where could this| go, move forward another ten years, prosthetic hands?— go, move forward another ten years, prosthetic hands? anything we can do with our hands, _ prosthetic hands? anything we can do with our hands, we _ prosthetic hands? anything we can do with our hands, we would _ prosthetic hands? anything we can do with our hands, we would want - prosthetic hands? anything we can do with our hands, we would want robots to do. ~ ., . , ~ , with our hands, we would want robots todo. , ,, ,, to do. watch this, we think this is a first on bbc— to do. watch this, we think this is a first on bbc points _ to do. watch this, we think this is a first on bbc points west. - to do. watch this, we think this is a first on bbc points west. i'm i a first on bbc points west. i'm going to shake our friends hand. nice to meet you. that is very gentle indeed. andy howard, bbc points west. the singer, ed sheeran, says his high court copyright case was not about money, but about standing up for what is right. earlier this week, a judge ruled

that his song "shape of you" did not plagiarise the work of another artist. in an exclusive interview with bbc newsnight, the singer says he had no choice but to defend his work in court. anna collinson reports. # say, boy, let's not talk too much. # grab on my waist and put that body on me...# this week, a lengthy battle over spotify�*s most—streamed song reached a conclusion. # i'm in love with the shape of you...# while a judge cleared ed sheeran and fellow songwriter johnny mcdaid of plagiarism, the pair have exclusively told newsnight there's been little celebration. i'm happy it's over. i'm happy we can move on and get back to writing songs. and, erm, yeah, i'mjust... all of it makes me sad. all of it. in the last year, it got really heavy and it was consuming. and the cost to our mental health and creativity was really tangible. shape of you became the focus of a high court trial after the grime artist sami chokri accused the songwriters

of copying one of his tracks. ed sheeran and his team denied this and decided to fight for the song, which the trial heard earned them around £5 million a year. but they say this was about so much more. the conversation around all of this is always about money. it's not about money. this isjust... this is about heart and honesty. it's not... integrity? yeah. it's not about, like... win or lose, we had to go to court, you know? we had to stand up for what we thought was right. i don't want to have this situation happen again, so now ijust film everything, everything's on film. we've had sort of claims come through on songs and we go, "well, here's the footage, and you watch, and you'll see that there's nothing there." two days ago, the high court ruled ed sheeran and his team neither deliberately nor subconsciously copied the track 0h why. the singer says he wants to get back to making music, but this lengthy lawsuit has

scarred one of the uk's — and the world's — biggest stars. i personally think the best feeling in the world, the best feeling, is the euphoria around the first idea of writing a great song. like the first spark where you go, "ah, this is special, we can't spoil this. this is amazing." but that feeling has now turned into, "oh, wait, let's stand back for a minute, like, have we touched anything , " you know? and it does... you find yourself, in the moment, second—guessing yourself. anna collinson reporting there. you can hear newsnight�*s full interview with ed sheeran and his co—writerjohn mcdaid at half—past ten tonight on bbc2. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello there. not as windy as yesterday, but still feeling chilly with this cold arctic air. that is how we start the weekend, but things will change. later in the weekend and next week

we introduce southerly winds and something that will feel a lot warmer. but it will still be unsettled at times. for the weekend, chilly, particularly at first. it will often be dry, but a few showers around and next week something warmer, particularly in any sunshine, but there will also be some rain at times. talking of rain, the radar shows we have had some this morning across southern parts of england and the channel islands. that pulling away. elsewhere a scattering of showers. some of the showers will be heavy, possibly thundery, wintry in places, especially over high ground. not as windy as yesterday, so not feeling as cold. these are the 5 o'clock temperatures between seven and 11 degrees the. tonight many of the showers will fade, one or two will keep going, especially in northern scotland, where it could be icy. temperatures dropping, a widespread frost and some places in the

countryside down to minus five. a cold start to saturday, but bright with sunshine. still some showers, but not as many as we have today. the showers mostly towards the north—east of the uk, not as many showers further south and west. temperatures through the afternoon still be—lee par for the time of yore, seven to 12 degrees. through saturday night with this ridge of high pressure, it is going to be cold and frosty. 0ut west this area of low pressure tries to work its way in, it will introduce more cloud. sundayy starting on a less cold note. most start with a frost and sunshine. through the day many of us will hold on to dry weather, but cloud will increase from if west. some rain in western parts. with southerly winds developing, the temperatures start to nudge up and that trend continuing into next week. in any sunshine it will feel warm with highs of 19 degrees. but

there will also be some rain.

this is bbc news. the headlines... reports say 50 people have died and 300 injured, after rockets hit a packed train station in eastern ukraine , where thousands were trying to escape the conflict. the defence secretary says moscow appears to be responsible. the striking of civilian structure is a war crime. these were precision missiles aimed at people trying to seek humanitarian shelter. the attack in kramatorsk is a hub for refugees, with many travelling to western europe and the uk. the home secretary apologises for visa delays. completely it's been frustrating. it's very frustrating. will you apologise? i will apologise.

i frustration myself and ifrustration myself and i i frustration myself and i spoke to people about this. it takes time. in other news — the man who murdered primary school teacher sabina nessa in southeast london is jailed for life. the chancellor, rishi sunak, describes reports about his wife's tax arrangements as a smear campaign — and insists no rules were broken. disruption continues for the easter break — as thousands of airline passengers face significant delays good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. rockets, which appear to be russian, have hit a train station, being used for civilian evacuations in eastern ukraine, killing up to 50 people and wounding 300. it happened at the station in kramatorsk, one of the few still operating in the east.

officials say thousands of people were there at the time, hoping to board trains to escape the fighting. cities in the wider donbas region of eastern ukraine, have come under renewed attack, as russian troops refocus their war effort on the area. the ukrainian government had urged civilians to leave, as the fighting intensified. meanwhile, the ministry of defence says russian troops have now fully withdrawn from northern ukraine to belarus and back to russia. the mod estimates any mass redeployment from the north to the east, could take at least a week. here's our correspondent, emma vardy. en route to safety, struck down before they could escape. officials in donetsk said thousands of people were waiting for trains, having been encouraged to leave the city by local authorities. when rockets hit the kramatorsk station. at least 30 people are believed to have been killed. president zelensky speaking to the parliament in finland a short time afterwards said there was no reason for the railway station to be attacked.

translation: this is an ordinary railway terminal. people crowded, waiting for the trains to be evacuated to the safe territory. they hit these people, there are witnesses, videos, remnants of the missiles. dead people. underneath the rubble, more casualties of war, bodies being removed from what remains of the town. ukrainian officials accused moscow of deliberately targeting areas with shelling and in a sign of solidarity with ukraine the european commission president ursula von der leyen is visiting kyiv to hold talks. the ukrainian government wants sanctions increased further in russia.

the eu �*s dependence on russian oil and gas they argue is helping to fund its military aggression. in the western city of lviv a protest outside the russian embassy, accusing russian troops of loading areas they have captured. the everyday objects stolen from family homes. there is outrage and despair in ukraine over the alleged brutality civilians have suffered at the hands of russian soldiers. talk to people here, many echo the cause of the ukrainian president for more military support to be given to ukraine because there is fear over what more is to come. russian forces have sustained losses. as they regroup, the expectation is the donbas region in the east will become the new epicentre of the war. as warnings continue for people to leave. the european commision president ursula von der leyen has been visting the town of bucha this afternoon. and she's been speaking about what she's seen. we have seen the cruel face of vladimir putin's army, and we have

seen the recklessness and the cold heart of with which they have been occupying the city. here in bucha, we saw humanity being shattered and it is the whole world is mourning with the people of bucha. and they are the ones who are, as you said, defending the border of europe, defending the border of europe, defending humanity, defending democracy and therefore we stand with them in this important fight. ursula von der leyen in bucha. 0ur correspondent danjohnson has been giving us the latest from lviv. yeah, there are still some confusion about exactly where that attack came from, about how it happened, but you know that at least 39 people were killed there, the current number of injured stands at 87, president

zelensky this morning talked about hundreds of people potentially having been caught up in that attack and we know the station was absolutely crowded with thousands of people trying to get on trains to escape further west, trying to flee the fighting that is intensifying in the fighting that is intensifying in the east of ukraine and the civilian target, whether deliberately hit, is still under condemnation notjust still under condemnation not just from the still under condemnation notjust from the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky who said this was a sign that the russians were not able to take on is military any battlefield so they've targeted civilians instead and we had responses from eu and us leaders, the uk defence secretary saying he believed this was the work of the russians, the president of the european council said it was horrifying to see that the missile hunted one of the main stations that had been used by in evacuating the region and the eu's foreign policy chief condemned the attack, calling

it yet another attempt to close escape route for those who are trying to escape this unjustified war and has been a statement a white house spokesman in washington staying they are horrific and devastating images and indeed be seenin devastating images and indeed be seen in the aftermath of that was truly appalling with innocent civilians are carrying their baggage, trying to get on trains, having been hit, caught up in that attack and we know some children have died in this incident as well and it underlines the philosophy that people are facing. that is why people are trying to escape, expecting an intensification of russia's military campaign there and people have been ones to shelter expecting further tax and the expectation that more people will try to take the evacuation routes that are possible to leave the east of ukraine with the expectation that it will be the further focus of the russian military in the days and weeks ahead. tit russian military in the days and weeks ahead.— russian military in the days and weeks ahead. . , .,, weeks ahead. in a way, people will be wondering _

weeks ahead. in a way, people will be wondering why _ weeks ahead. in a way, people will be wondering why they're - weeks ahead. in a way, people will be wondering why they're not - weeks ahead. in a way, people will| be wondering why they're not trying to flee already because that has been the focus if not for weeks, months, years, but it's a very difficult to leave your home because we know the perils that faced people afterwards. how difficult is it now for people to get out? they know what has happened in my report for example —— they know what has happened in mariupol. you yes, many people will have fled but they want to stay to see how things play out and people have been trapped in cities like mariupol, unable to leave even if they want to do that. evacuation routes have not proved to be safe, humanitarian corridors have not been possible to establish for very long so the effort to get people out safely has been hampered by repeated attack and there has been, to some degree, a lull in the fighting for the past weeks also with perhaps people thinking things were easing as they have done around kyiv and other parts of the north and north—east of ukraine but

russian troops pulling out all of ukraine, we know the withdrawal is now complete was the military build—up would continue in the east and the donbas, luhansk and donetsk regions have become so hardy to it because they have had it for years. the separatist movement want to be closer aligned to russia, potentially support what russia is doing so those people perhaps have not wanted to leave and others are now taking the option of evacuating further west to safer cities but as we've seen, in making the journey to safety, some of them have found themselves in the utmost danger and have lost their lives or been injured in what looks like a horrifying attack whether it was deliberate or not, we have to see, russia denying it was even behind this attack so we wait for more evidence, more details of exactly what has happened and how so many

people were injured but it underlines the risk that people are facing and that is the dilemma that people are now confronting, whether to take the risk of actually leaving or to stay and try to shelter on their own but potentially facing even greater risk in the days and weeks ahead that was danjohnson. 0ur moscow correspondentjenny hill gave us this update from russia. the kremlin, as it has done so often in recent weeks, has denied all knowledge and point the finger of blame at ukraine. abs, knowledge and point the finger of blame at ukraine.— blame at ukraine. a kremlin spokesman _ blame at ukraine. a kremlin spokesman said _ blame at ukraine. a kremlin spokesman said the - blame at ukraine. a kremlin spokesman said the missile | blame at ukraine. a kremlin - spokesman said the missile that appears to have been used something which is only used by ukrainian forces and we have looked into it and russia has used this in the past but it does appear that in recent years it has upgraded from these missiles to other missiles and what is not clear at this point in time is not clear at this point in time is whether russia has old stocks of the missile sang about and we have taken a look at some military parade footage in recent years and some as

recent as last year and this particular missile has been displayed as part of those parades. we will have to wait and see what the result of any kind of independent investigation turn out but for the time being, it is a firm denial. the home office says nearly 41,000 uk visas for ukrainians have now been issued, and a total of 12 thousand refugees have arrived in the country. the home secretary has now apologised for delays, affecting thousands of people. our home editor, mark easton, has been talking to her and those families hoping to help those arriving in the uk. the welcome flags are out in north devon. in private gardens, public buildings, the blue and yellow of ukraine illustrating a deep desire here to help those fleeing a war more than 1,500 miles away. chris is a local apple farmer and cider producer who got in touch with the ukrainian consulate to say he wanted to welcome a family of refugees. he was put in touch

with eleanor, her elderly parents and nine—year—old son five weeks ago. they're still surviving on handouts in poland. right, so this is the room where they'll be staying. i think it will be perfect... devon generosity though is being thwarted by whitehall bureaucracy. if we can get the visa... it's taken chris weeks to navigate the forms and documents required by the government, including gets a passport for anna, the cat. it's a sham excuse for slowing the process down and i don't know why the government wants to slow it down. there are people who are desperate. there's families sleeping on park benches in freeze being temperatures in poland. why? on a visit to the ukrainian iinstitute in london, i asked the home secretary about the hold ups in getting war refugees to the uk. so, completely it's been frustrating. will you apologise? i apologise with frustration myself and i have spoken

about this previously too, it takes time, mark. i'm responsible for the surge in the staffing region as well. we have got hundreds of home office staff doing visa applications, processing on the ground, providing support... people say it's not good enough. you boasted about a surge of staff to calais to support the ukrainian refugees who'd arrived there. i went there, it was two guys, a table and some crisps. so, mark, first of all there's no boasting that's taking place, let'sjust be clear about that. we have a centre in france, we have it set up... you have a surge. there is home office staff there. by the way, that is done in conjunction with the french government. actually i have some friends, - they helped me to find somewhere. back in devon i met this woman, a refugee from syria, now helping others complete the journey to find sanctuary. i met a 12—year—old schoolboy whose painting's being auctioned to raise money for ukraine.

i realise i have got a perfect skill set to use my ability to help ukraine. and i met susannah, whose devon holiday businesses uses its profits to help displaced people. it's just a really amazing sort of network of colleagues within the refugee sector, who work here and really pull together and are really passionate about resettling refugees into communities here. for devon, read much of the uk, a country moved by the awful stories unfolding on the other side of europe, but exasperated by what they see as red tape. mark easton, bbc news, devon. a 36 year old albanian man has been jailed for a minimum of 36 years in prison for the murder of the primary school teacher, sabina nessa. koci selamaj drove from eastbourne to south east london last september and attacked ms nessa with a metal traffic triangle. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports.

sabina nessa, graduate, primary school teacher and fun loving. the second in a family of four girls. now her older sister, jabeena, cherishes the watch sabina was wearing when she was killed. this is her watch that she wore on the night. so i'm just holding it to feel close to her. we kind of feel like she's going to walk for the door. people say time will get easier, but really, timejust gets harder and the realisation that she's not here, itjust kind of hits home. in previous court hearings, she, like the rest of her family, has seen koci selamaj, the murderer. the thought that he was waiting for some woman to attack her and do what he wanted to do, i was just thinking, what a horrible animal, vile animal he is. hours before the murder, he checked into the grand hotel in eastbourne. his wife, who had left him

because of his violent behaviour, worked here. she met him in the hotel car park and he asked her to have sex with him. after she rejected him, he drove off alone and ended up miles away in south east london. he pulled up in kidbrooke and went into the local sainsbury�*s. intent on violence against a woman, he bought a rolling pin. it's believed he was considering using this as his weapon. meanwhile, sabina nessa, who lived locally, was on her way to meet a friend. she's thought to have taken a shortcut through cator park because she was running late. koci selamaj, looking furtive, was caught on cctv. and cameras in the park actually showed him running towards sabina and attacking her. he beat her 3a times with this metal traffic triangle and carried her off unconscious. her body was found the following day. selamaj had strangled her.

on his way back to eastbourne, he drove down a country lane and dumped the murder weapon in a river. a week later, selamaj was arrested and being told over the phone by an interpreter he was being charged with murder. he's an albanian national. there was clear evidence of a sexually motivated attack that, together with the fact that he had propositioned his wife earlier in the day for sex, says to me, without a shadow of a doubt, that was a sexually motivated murder. two, one, sabina nessa. a month after her death last year, sabina's family marked what would have been her 29th birthday. i feel like the sunflower because that was her favourite. i feel like that kind of resembles that she would stand up to and give her opinion, and i feel like we should all stand up tall and say enough is enough. let's put an end to male violence. june kelly, bbc news.

the chancellor, rishi sunak, has defended his wife after revelations about her tax arrangements. yesterday, it emerged akshata murty, who's the daughter of one of india's richest men, has non—domiciled status, meaning she doesn't pay tax in britain on income made abroad. mr sunak told the sun newspaper his wife pays every penny owed on her british income and accused labour of trying to get to him by smearing her. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley reports. he's the man who sets most of our taxes. this week, he put them up. but it's his family's tax arrangements which are now in the spotlight. this is the chancellor's wife, akshata murthy, an indian citizen. she pays £30,000 a year for a non—dom status, which means her income earned outside the uk isn't taxed here. the setup could have saved her millions of pounds in uk tax. labour say if that's the case, it would be breathtaking hypocrisy. but speaking to the sun, rishi sunak defended his wife. he told the paper... and he hit out at those questioning the arrangement. i don't think it's really

appropriate for me to comment on the wives and families of politicians. and of course, the most important thing is the same rules have to apply to everybody, which it clearly does because there's no suggestion that any of this steps outside of any of the rules and regulations. the chancellor's wife isn't seen much in public.

her spokeswoman says, eventually, she wants to move back to india. and mr sunak says she's followed all the rules. this week of the chancellor decided he needed to raise more tax to fund the nhs. that's why he put national insurance up for millions of people. his critics are now asking whether his own household could have paid more tax and why it didn't. the chancellor has taken the political decision to impose tax increases on millions of people. they're entitled to know whether his family is using schemes to reduce their own tax. so this is about basic accountability, basic transparency. we need answers to those questions, because this looks to me very much like one rule for them and another rule for everybody else. rishi sunak is touted by many as a future prime minister, but this has been a damaging week. accusations he hasn't done enough to help with the cost of living, and continuing questions about whether his own household should have paid more tax in the uk. nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. let's get more on this with our political correspondent rajdeep sandhu. with some allegations of this briefing has come from number ten. obviously we know there has been some rivalry between the chancellor

and the prime minister, what is the latest on all of these swelling allegations which are proving very damaging to rishi sunak? yes. allegations which are proving very damaging to rishi sunak? yes, the alleaations damaging to rishi sunak? yes, the allegations and _ damaging to rishi sunak? yes, the allegations and akshata _ damaging to rishi sunak? yes, the allegations and akshata murty - damaging to rishi sunak? yes, the allegations and akshata murty are l allegations and akshata murty are proving to provide a lot of political difficulty for him and his position. now, he has said to the sun newspaper today that he believes these are smears against his wife and when he was asked, does he think they're coming from labour, he responded that he did. now he said he should probably look a bit closer to home and its clay number ten are the ones briefing against rishi sunak and as you mentioned in the past, there have been tensions, there are generally always tensions between a prime minister and his chancellor because usually prime minister is lots of big ideas and spending that he wants to do and they chancellor might feel a bit... might be a bit stingy with purse strings in the prime minister's view so there have been tensions they are

with the cost of living crisis unfolding and pressure is on the government to do more to help those who are struggling but the bbc has been told the allegations are categorically untrue and baseless by rishi sunak at the smears are coming from them —— from labour. so there are reports and that will be causing little problems from them because as labour have set out, there are lots of unanswered questions for the chancellor and how it benefits his household with the arrangements that his wife has been a non—domicile person meaning she believes her permanent home is somewhere else and a spokesperson she feels she was go back to india at some point and that is what the chancellor has said in his interview with the sun, saying she would probably go back to india and she could benefit keeping that status from an old treaty between

the uk and india and it could be saving her in the future because indian nationals would not need to pay inheritance tax if they had that non—domicile status and that could potentially save her £280 million and that is quite uncomfortable for the chancellor because he effectively sets the rules on tax in the uk and it's quite uncomfortable for him to be setting the rules and potentially benefiting from them in his own household. he potentially benefiting from them in his own household.— potentially benefiting from them in his own household. he has also said in the statement _ his own household. he has also said in the statement i _ his own household. he has also said in the statement i think— his own household. he has also said in the statement i think you - his own household. he has also said in the statement i think you would l in the statement i think you would never give up british citizenship but there are questions about whether he and his wife had an american green card.— whether he and his wife had an american green card. yes, there are and they met _ american green card. yes, there are and they met when _ american green card. yes, there are and they met when they _ american green card. yes, there are and they met when they got - american green card. yes, there are and they met when they got married before they got married, they actually met at a american university studying for an mba and there are reports that he held the green card while he was in office and the treasury has not denied that report but they have said he does

not have a us green card now. it is reported that, at the time, he had joined government, he did not relinquish the green card until he became chancellor and we have not had a fold and of that claim from the charity but they have said he does not have one now and he did meet his wife in the us when he was studying there. meet his wife in the us when he was studying there-— meet his wife in the us when he was studying there. thank you very much indeed. the rapper, dizzee rascal, has been given a restraining order, curfew and will have to wear an electronic tag for attacking his ex—fiancee during a row over child contact and finances. the grime artist, 37, whose real name is dylan mills, had been found guilty of assaulting cassandra jones by pressing his forehead against hers and pushing her to the ground during a "chaotic" row at a residential property in south london last year. the judge told mills she wanted him to work on how he thinks and behaves as he "lost his temper and used violence".

the civil aviation authority says it's concerned about staff shortages that airlines and airports are facing. many travellers are experiencing long queues at airports, with manchester airport saying the delays could last for up to six weeks. travellers have been badly affected over the past week, but this weekend some operators are expected to return to pre—pandemic levels of service. meanwhile, there's continuing ferry delays and queues at dover. this report from our transport correspondent katy austin contains flashing images. holidays are back — going away is easier again, with uk travel restrictions removed. there's now huge demand for travel in the easter and summer holidays, and airports and airlines that were hit so badly during the pandemic are trying to scale up again quickly to meet that demand. but many people's pre—easter trips had a bumpy start. there were long queues at some airports last weekend, including at manchester, which has had problems for weeks. the biggest area of challenge that we've had is is here in security. after shedding jobs during covid, airport bosses admit they've struggled to hire again quickly enough.

the speed and the scale of recovery has caught us, and we are short staffed at the moment. it has meant that there is a number of weeks where our processes need to catch up, our recruitment processes. but again, we're confident that in a matter of weeks we will be in that position. i think we're going to have instances of queues over the next four to six weeks. but as i said, you know, there will be lots of people will get through in five or ten minutes. there will be the majority will get through in 30 or 40 minutes. airports say covid documentation checks are also adding to delays. recruitment has been a problem for airlines, too. easyjet has cancelled hundreds of flights this week, blaming staff sickness. british airways has also made cancellations. among those whose plans have been ruined at these schoolchildren. half their group had already gone on a ski trip, but their wasyjet flight from gatwick to join them was cancelled.

it's really sad because we had to get up really, really early in the morning for absolutely nothing. half of the trip got to go and half didn't and how they were probably skiing by the time that we had got home. easyjet said sorry and offered further assistance, including a refund. businesses are happy to see so many passengers again, but not everyone's much anticipated journeys have gone to plan. earlier i spoke to paul charles, ceo of pc agency, a travel consultancy that work with governments and airlines. i asked him how the travel industry ended up in this situation. there was a warning last year

from the travel and tourism council who said there would be a labour shortfall of 220,000 in the travel and tourism sector and needed to be planned for, so it was known within the sector, many of us talking about it but sadly ceos of airlines and airports were clearly sidelined by the omicron variant that emerged last year and they put the plans on ice, froze them, sadly they frozen for too long and the snap back in demand, the huge pent—up demand to travel came back faster than they were expecting and they simply have not been able to travel fast enough for that demand. how long do you think this problem will go on and what about the summer holidays? are they also face problems, do you think? it is unlikely the summer holidays will be hit but we will face this situation

for at least another month or two because it is impossible to hire and people fast enough, don't forget a lot of people left the industry during the pandemic because we were put on... furlough. they can move to it instead, so it's going to take some time to hire people, especially in the rate they wanted to be hired at with other industry is paying much better rates of pay, so airlines have raised their salaries. —— much better rates of pay, so airlines have to raise their salaries. for those of us who might be pondering booking some apply to any flights during the past few months, and i am obviously asking for a friend here, are some airlines better than others? if you look at where the cancellations have been, we had almost 1000 over the last days out and the uk, then it has been british airways and easyjet who have been hardest hit, notjust by the staff shortages but also by covid and self isolation among crews, so i would be looking at the ones you're cancelling those flights, where they

seem to have managed to hold onto staff and main that is european carriers like lufthansa, air france, swiss. those have managed to keep most of their flights operating with their crews. it depends where you are going. why have they done better? did they recruit earlier? not only have they recruited earlier, but they have had pretty generous furlough schemes and many of them stayed with them during the pandemic rather than left the industry, so they did hold onto them for longer and it's been a british problem definitely that we have lost more people in the sector than elsewhere in europe. paul charles on the travel that is facing people who are lucky enough to be trying to go on holiday at the moment. ijust want to be trying to go on holiday at the moment. i just want to show you downing street because we are expecting a news conference in the next few minute, you can see the journalists gathered there with

borisjohnson and the german chancellor olaf shorts who is coming to london for the first time —— since being appointed german chancellor last year. —— olaf schultz. and of course the talks expect have been dominated by the events in ukraine. zblrvelgts we saw a change in the german approach to russia and defence, increasing defence spending and agreeing to supply ukraine with weapons, also increasing the level of sanctions. but, of course, the prime minister will be in talks over the question in particular of gas and oil. germany has agreed to a ban on russian coal, but the question of oil and gas, which is crucial to the german economy, is stl still that

one that is difficultyf germany and other countries. it could cause other countries. it could cause other potential problems. we don't know the exact timing of this news conference. it was due by now. we we bring you that as soon as we see borisjohnson and olaf scholz coming on to that platform. now the weather. it isn't as windy as yesterday, but still feeling chilly for the time of year. while we have some sunshine, scattered showers will continue to affect many areas, some heavy and possibly thundery, wintry over high ground in the north. with lighter winds it doesn't feel as cold. tonight many of the showers will fade and we will keep some in northern scotland, where we could find icy stretches. widely cold and down

to minus five in the countryside. tomorrow plenty of sunshine, some showers, especially across north eastern parts, further south and west fewer showers and more in the way of sunshine. temperatures seven to 12 degrees. still below par for the time of year. sunday, turning less chilly. most of us will stay dry with spells of sunshine.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines: reports say 50 people have died and 300 injured, after rockets hit a packed train station in eastern ukraine — where thousands were trying to escape the conflict. the uk's defence secretary says moscow appears to be responsible. the attack in kramatorsk is a hub for refugees, with many travelling to western europe and the uk. the home secretary apologises for visa delays.

in other news, a man who murdered primary school teacher sabina nessa in southeast london is jailed for life. former tennis star boris becker is found guilty of four charges relating to his bankruptcy five years ago. disruption continues for the easter break — as thousands of airline passengers face significant delays. were just werejust going to were just going to show you downing street. borisjohnson has been meeting german chancellor olaf scholz. they're expected to do a news conference in the next couple of minutes. which are expecting to see them imminently. they will face questions about any future support for ukraine. we have heard repeated calls from volodymyr zelensky for

more support on the military front and more stringent moves against russia. we will bring you that news conference as soon as it begins. now the sport with sarah. good afternoon. boris becker has been found guilty of four charges by southwark crown court under the insolvency act relating to his 2017 bankruptcy. the six—time grand slam champion was accused of hiding millions of pounds worth of assets to avoid paying his debts. the 54—year—old was declared bankrupt in 2017 over an unpaid loan of more than three million pounds on his estate in mallorca. the four charges included removal of property, two counts of failing to disclose estate and concealing debt. the three—time wimbledon champion — who was acquitted of a further 20 counts — was bailed ahead of sentencing at the same court on april 29. british cycling have decided to suspend

their current transgender decided to suspend policy pending a review. it comes after the case of transgender cyclist emily bridges, who was cleared to enter domestic women's races by british cycling, but then prevented from competing by the world governing body, the uci, and this difference in guidelines has led to their decision. british cyling say their policy was developed with the intention of promotiong diversity and inclusion but they understand it's a fast—moving area and they're committed to reflecting emergeing circumstances. day two of the masters is underway at augusta national with overnight leader sungjae im out on the course early in his round. the south korean started on 5 under par after an opening round of 67. he dropped a shot but has regained his lead. cameron smith tees off later. rory

mcilroy will start shortly. he is on one over after his opening round. you can follow it on the bbc web—site. formula one is back in australia for the first time since the race was cancelled at the start of the coronavirus pandemic two years ago. and once again, it's ferrari leading the way. charles leclerc set the quickest time of the day in second practice in melbourne. it's looking like it will be another tricky weekend for mercedes. lewis hamilton could only manage 13th in second practice, two places behind his team mate george russell. gb s most successful olympic canoeist liam heath has announced his retirement from competition, saying it was "time to move on". (00v)after winning bronze along it was "time to move on". after winning bronze along withjon schofield at london 2012, the pair took silver four years later in brazil, where heath enjoyed the highlight of his career — solo gold in the k1200m. he won countless world and european titles, and another olympic bronze in 2020. i have gone way and above what i thought i could achieve in this sport and i've ticked pretty

much every box on the list that any athlete would want to tick in their careers. i definitely think and feel it's time to move on as a competitive athlete. not move on from the sport, of course, butjust as a competitor internationally. that is the sport for now. barbaric onslau . ht that is the sport for now. barbaric onslaught against _ that is the sport for now. barbaric onslaught against ukraine, - that is the sport for now. barbaric i onslaught against ukraine, bringing war into our continent. i know britain and germany share the same sense of horror at the brutality being unleashed, including the bombing of refugees fleeing their homes this morning. the attack at the train station in eastern ukraine shows the depths to which putin's once—vaunted army has sunk. at least 39 people killed and dozens wounded on a train platform crowded with

women and children. it is a war crime indiscriminately to attack civilian and russia's crimes will not go unnoticed or unpunished. germany and the uk share the same conviction that putin must fail in ukraine. which is why we are working in the g7 to toughen our sanctions and target every pillar of the russian economy, in order to cut off funds for his war machine. the uk and the eu have announced now sanctions in the uk we have impoised a new asset freezes and travel bans. we will also agree on the importance of weaning ourselves off russian oil and gas and ensuring our energy security can't be threaten bade rogue state. this is not easy for

any of us and i applaud the seismic decisions taken by olaf's government to move germany away from russian hydrocarbons. we have agreed to maximise the potential of the north sea and collaborate on renewables. we can't transform our respective systems s overnight, but we also know putin's war will not end overnight. that is why we have joined allies to supply ukraine with defensive weapons. last week the uk convened a donor conference which raised weapons and equipment for ukraine worth over £1.5 billion or 2.5 million items of military kit. can can announce the uk will send hi

grade equipment, including more star streak anticraft missiles and antitank missiles and precision munitions capable of lingering in the sky until directed at their target. we will send helmets and body armour, on top of the equipment the uk has dispatched. we agree our countries and our allies further go further and provide more help to ukraine. the europe we knewjust six weeks ago no longer exists. putin's invasion strikes at the foundation of the security of our continent. but his ambition to divide us has

failed. 0n the contrary, he has succeeded in uniting europe and the whole trans—atlantic alliance in support of ukraine and in strong solidarity with each other. putin has steeled our resolve, sharpened our focus, has steeled our resolve, sharpened ourfocus, and he has forced europe to begin to rearm together, to guarantee our shared security. britain and germany will work together to ensure our armed forces are fit for the future, include ing manufacturing armoured vehicle. we will hold a joint cabinet meeting within the next year. our defence ministers will meet before the nato summit injune and i look forward to joining you, olaf, for the next g7 summit. we face the new reality created by putin's invasion. i know

that britain and germany will meet this challenge together. as passionate advocates of democracy and freedom and both committed friends of ukraine. thank you, over to you, olaf. thank you.— friends of ukraine. thank you, over to you, olaf. thank you. ladies and gentlemen. — to you, olaf. thank you. ladies and gentlemen, dear _ to you, olaf. thank you. ladies and gentlemen, dear boris, _ to you, olaf. thank you. ladies and gentlemen, dear boris, thank - to you, olaf. thank you. ladies and gentlemen, dear boris, thank you l to you, olaf. thank you. ladies and i gentlemen, dear boris, thank you for having _ gentlemen, dear boris, thank you for having me _ gentlemen, dear boris, thank you for having me in — gentlemen, dear boris, thank you for having me in 10 downing street. we both have _ having me in 10 downing street. we both have met often the last days and weeks and we have phoned more. the last— and weeks and we have phoned more. the last time — and weeks and we have phoned more. the last time we met was in brussels and i'm _ the last time we met was in brussels and i'm happy that we now have the chance _ and i'm happy that we now have the chance to _ and i'm happy that we now have the chance to discuss together here. translation: it is important to exchange views and i'm particularly delighted _ exchange views and i'm particularly delighted we can have this exchange here today in london, personally and not have _ here today in london, personally and not have to _ here today in london, personally and not have to rely on telephone among the g7 _ not have to rely on telephone among the g7 and _ not have to rely on telephone among the g7 and other formats and meetings that we are having. it is

good _ meetings that we are having. it is good that— meetings that we are having. it is good that we meet here. germany and the uk _ good that we meet here. germany and the uk are _ good that we meet here. germany and the uk are long—standing allies and partners _ the uk are long—standing allies and partners and we will continue to be that, _ partners and we will continue to be that, although our friends have decided — that, although our friends have decided to not be part of the eu any more _ decided to not be part of the eu any more the _ decided to not be part of the eu any more. the uk and germany are close allies _ more. the uk and germany are close allies also— more. the uk and germany are close allies. also when it comes to the challenges and tasks ahead. it is with horror— challenges and tasks ahead. it is with horror that we both are looking toward _ with horror that we both are looking toward the — with horror that we both are looking toward the east these day ands weeks. — toward the east these day ands weeks, we are looking to russia's illegal— weeks, we are looking to russia's illegal attack on ukraine. this war is devastating, it inflicts death, suffering — is devastating, it inflicts death, suffering and destruction on ukraine _ suffering and destruction on ukraine. the images from bucha, mariupol— ukraine. the images from bucha, mariupol and other places... the dramatic— mariupol and other places... the dramatic attack that we have learned about _ dramatic attack that we have learned about today, all of this is shocking indeed _ about today, all of this is shocking indeed and — about today, all of this is shocking indeed and it has to be said clearly it is atrocious, it is an atrocious

war— it is atrocious, it is an atrocious war that — it is atrocious, it is an atrocious war that inflicts terrible destruction and inflicts, has many victims _ destruction and inflicts, has many victims in — destruction and inflicts, has many victims in ukraine. killing civilians _ victims in ukraine. killing civilians is a war crime. and the russian — civilians is a war crime. and the russian president bears responsibility for these war crimes. boris _ responsibility for these war crimes. borisjohnson and i share this assessment and we see ourselves in complete _ assessment and we see ourselves in complete agreement with large parts of international community, for which _ of international community, for which law— of international community, for which law and moral principles continue — which law and moral principles continue to be the yard stick. this is why— continue to be the yard stick. this is why we — continue to be the yard stick. this is why we support ukraine actively with all— is why we support ukraine actively with all the options that we have and the — with all the options that we have and the civilian sector, germany is the largest— and the civilian sector, germany is the largest donor since 2014 and after— the largest donor since 2014 and after the — the largest donor since 2014 and after the russian attack on ukraine, germany— after the russian attack on ukraine, germany revised its decade—long position— germany revised its decade—long position and sent weapons and military— position and sent weapons and military goods to a war zone. we continue — military goods to a war zone. we continue to— military goods to a war zone. we continue to supply arms to ukraine, we do _ continue to supply arms to ukraine, we do this— continue to supply arms to ukraine, we do this together and we actually exchange _ we do this together and we actually exchange views on this in order to

bolster— exchange views on this in order to bolster the — exchange views on this in order to bolster the defence of ukraine against — bolster the defence of ukraine against the russian invasion. and of course _ against the russian invasion. and of course we _ against the russian invasion. and of course we knead need to do everything to stop the killing and i call on _ everything to stop the killing and i call on russia to agree to a ceasefire _ call on russia to agree to a ceasefire and to withdraw its troops — ceasefire and to withdraw its troops. we absolutely need to allow for humanitarian access and open safe corridors for people who want to leave _ safe corridors for people who want to leave and we mustn't see military actions _ to leave and we mustn't see military actions and — to leave and we mustn't see military actions and have bombings on refugees— actions and have bombings on refugees time and again. this war needs— refugees time and again. this war needs to — refugees time and again. this war needs to stop immediately. a pivotal element _ needs to stop immediately. a pivotal element of— needs to stop immediately. a pivotal element of our strategy is to impose costs— element of our strategy is to impose costs on— element of our strategy is to impose costs on russia for this war of aggression. and this is why it is right— aggression. and this is why it is right that — aggression. and this is why it is right that we have agreed in all the structures— right that we have agreed in all the structures that we are part of to impose — structures that we are part of to impose sanctions that holds true for the 67 _

impose sanctions that holds true for the 67 and _ impose sanctions that holds true for the g7 and we talked again. this war needs— the g7 and we talked again. this war needs to _ the g7 and we talked again. this war needs to stop immediately. a pivotal element _ needs to stop immediately. a pivotal element of— needs to stop immediately. a pivotal element of our strategy is to impose costs— element of our strategy is to impose costs on— element of our strategy is to impose costs on russia for this war of aggression. and this is why it is right— aggression. and this is why it is right that — aggression. and this is why it is right that we have agreed in all the structures— right that we have agreed in all the structures that we are part of to impose — structures that we are part of to impose sanctions that holds true for the 67 _ impose sanctions that holds true for the 67 and _ impose sanctions that holds true for the g7 and we talked about this in the g7 and we talked about this in the phone — the g7 and we talked about this in the phone calls with other partners and we _ the phone calls with other partners and we discussed this within the framework of nato. we impose sanctions — framework of nato. we impose sanctions on the financial sector, on the _ sanctions on the financial sector, on the financial, on the russian centrai— on the financial, on the russian central bank and an extraordinary process— central bank and an extraordinary process that we haven't done, something that is unprecedented, i'm talking _ something that is unprecedented, i'm talking about sanctions on the russian — talking about sanctions on the russian economy and these sanctions are effective, because russia is dependent on imports in the field of technology. russia cannot replace these _ technology. russia cannot replace these elsewhere in the global market and many— these elsewhere in the global market and many countries that gather as democratic— and many countries that gather as democratic states are those who have the best— democratic states are those who have the best and the most sophisticated technologies and of course it is also _ technologies and of course it is also important to effect and hit the

inner— also important to effect and hit the inner circle — also important to effect and hit the inner circle of the president and the oligarchs. i want to state this in london — the oligarchs. i want to state this in london as well and i'm grateful that sanctions were widened on many persons _ that sanctions were widened on many persons that are part of this circle of people — persons that are part of this circle of people. we have just accepted and adopted _ of people. we have just accepted and adopted a _ of people. we have just accepted and adopted a fifth sanctions package within— adopted a fifth sanctions package within the eu, we are not going to import— within the eu, we are not going to import coal— within the eu, we are not going to import coal any more and i would like to— import coal any more and i would like to use — import coal any more and i would like to use this opportunity to clearly— like to use this opportunity to clearly state germany is already starting — clearly state germany is already starting to wean off its dependence and we _ starting to wean off its dependence and we are — starting to wean off its dependence and we are diversifying our sources. we are _ and we are diversifying our sources. we are investing large scale in order— we are investing large scale in order to — we are investing large scale in order to establish the technical infrastructure that are necessary in order— infrastructure that are necessary in order to _ infrastructure that are necessary in order to import gas via the northern german— order to import gas via the northern german shores. and order to import gas via the northern german shores. and and we are also to german shores. and and we are also no to german shores. and we are also go to make sure german shores. fich and we are also go to make sure with legal measures that there _

go to make sure with legal measures that there are no legal difficulties, but that we can implement our decisions quickly. we have imposed sanctions on the banking — have imposed sanctions on the banking sector, we hit oligarchs and we are _ banking sector, we hit oligarchs and we are going to continue to work in this regard — we are going to continue to work in this regard. unity is crucial, the unity— this regard. unity is crucial, the unity of— this regard. unity is crucial, the unity of the _ this regard. unity is crucial, the unity of the eu, the g7, the unity of nato, — unity of the eu, the g7, the unity of nato, the trans—atlantic unity, all of— of nato, the trans—atlantic unity, all of this— of nato, the trans—atlantic unity, all of this is— of nato, the trans—atlantic unity, all of this is essential and putin did not— all of this is essential and putin did not expect this. he was certain that we _ did not expect this. he was certain that we would disagree and he had to witness _ that we would disagree and he had to witness our— that we would disagree and he had to witness our unity and he will continue _ witness our unity and he will continue to experience our unity. one of— continue to experience our unity. one of the — continue to experience our unity. one of the terrible consequences of this terrible war is the fact that a large _ this terrible war is the fact that a large number of people had to leave the country, millions of people had to flee _ the country, millions of people had to flee ukraine. many countries in

europe _ to flee ukraine. many countries in europe have hosted refugees, in particularly those along the borders, poland or slovakia, hungary, _ borders, poland or slovakia, hungary, romania and we are very grateful— hungary, romania and we are very grateful to— hungary, romania and we are very grateful to these countries. we know the czech _ grateful to these countries. we know the czech republic and austria have received _ the czech republic and austria have received refugee. the biggest share of refugee has reached poland, more than 2 _ of refugee has reached poland, more than 2 million. we have more than 300,000 — than 2 million. we have more than 300,000 in — than 2 million. we have more than 300,000 in germany. and we are happy and grateful _ 300,000 in germany. and we are happy and grateful if many countries would host refugees, because this will be a major— host refugees, because this will be a major challenge ahead. we don't know— a major challenge ahead. we don't know how— a major challenge ahead. we don't know how refugee movements will evolve _ know how refugee movements will evolve we — know how refugee movements will evolve, we are seeing a different type of— evolve, we are seeing a different type of migration now than in other years. _ type of migration now than in other years. we _ type of migration now than in other years, we have women and children, the elderly— years, we have women and children, the elderly and many people who are sick and _ the elderly and many people who are sick and disabled and need our

support — sick and disabled and need our support. we will shoulder this together, but against the backdrop of the _ together, but against the backdrop of the developments in this where we can't predict how many will follow and whether the families are able to return— and whether the families are able to return or— and whether the families are able to return or whether the men are going to follow _ return or whether the men are going to follow. we cannot predict this at present _ to follow. we cannot predict this at present. but what we can say now is that we _ present. but what we can say now is that we stand in solidarity, that we want _ that we stand in solidarity, that we want to _ that we stand in solidarity, that we want to lend support to those who seek refuge and the uk also wants to lend a _ seek refuge and the uk also wants to lend a contribution to this effort. boris _ lend a contribution to this effort. boris mentioned it, we are going to intensify— boris mentioned it, we are going to intensify our co—operation on all levels. — intensify our co—operation on all levels. we — intensify our co—operation on all levels, we are going to have a government consultations and established consultation, we are to begin— established consultation, we are to begin hosting a cabinet meeting to the beginning of the next year. our foreign _ the beginning of the next year. our foreign ministers are going to resume — foreign ministers are going to resume and continue their strategic dialogue _ resume and continue their strategic dialogue. there are many challenges

and topics _ dialogue. there are many challenges and topics at hand. topics related to the _ and topics at hand. topics related to the conflict in ukraine, matters pertaining — to the conflict in ukraine, matters pertaining to the defence and security, _ pertaining to the defence and security, pertaining to climate, people — security, pertaining to climate, people to — security, pertaining to climate, people to people exchange, mobility and i mentioned it as well, questions pertaining to migration. we want _ questions pertaining to migration. we want to make progress and intensify — we want to make progress and intensify relations between our countries, we can build upon a long—standing friendship. this is important — long—standing friendship. this is important. we both share the conviction that our relations are good _ conviction that our relations are good when they don't only exist between — good when they don't only exist between the two of us, the heads of state _ between the two of us, the heads of state but _ between the two of us, the heads of state, but when they're also, when they exist — state, but when they're also, when they exist between the people. thank you very— they exist between the people. thank you very much. they exist between the people. thank you very much-— you very much. thank you very much, olaf. you very much. thank you very much, 0laf- let's — you very much. thank you very much, olaf. let's take _ you very much. thank you very much, olaf. let's take some _ you very much. thank you very much, olaf. let's take some questions - you very much. thank you very much, olaf. let's take some questions from| olaf. let's take some questions from the media. we have got six of them. nickeredly. the media. we have got six of them. nickeredl . ., ., , .,

nickeredly. how do you defend the fact the eu has _ nickeredly. how do you defend the fact the eu has sent _ nickeredly. how do you defend the fact the eu has sent 25 _ nickeredly. how do you defend the fact the eu has sent 25 billion - fact the eu has sent 25 billion euros to russia for energy. do you think germany has gone far enough fast enough to move away from german energy. and prime minister, how far are you prepared to go in sending weapons to ukraine without escalating the conflict further? and if can i ask a domestic question, this week you put up taxes for millions of working people, will you be telling the chancellor that everyone in his household should be paying all their taxes here in the uk? ., ., he we are doing all we can and we are doing— he we are doing all we can and we are doing a— he we are doing all we can and we are doing a lot. it is a very strong decision— are doing a lot. it is a very strong decision that we took to go away from _ decision that we took to go away from the — decision that we took to go away from the use of fossil resource. we

invest— from the use of fossil resource. we invest into — from the use of fossil resource. we invest into becoming the country that will— invest into becoming the country that will be just using renewables for the _ that will be just using renewables for the electricity we know and for the energy— for the electricity we know and for the energy supply we know. we need. this will— the energy supply we know. we need. this will be _ the energy supply we know. we need. this will be with wind craft, with wind _ this will be with wind craft, with wind on — this will be with wind craft, with wind on land, on shore, this will be the solar— wind on land, on shore, this will be the solar and — wind on land, on shore, this will be the solar and we will invest into our grid — the solar and we will invest into our grid. this will take place in approximately 20 years and this is really— approximately 20 years and this is really a _ approximately 20 years and this is really a very tough agenda to make it clear— really a very tough agenda to make it clear and — really a very tough agenda to make it clear and right this week we have had a _ it clear and right this week we have had a decision in our cabinet on the first legislation projects that are linked _ first legislation projects that are linked to— first legislation projects that are linked to that, because we will increase — linked to that, because we will increase the velocity of these activities _ increase the velocity of these activities and these means to change activities and these means to change a lot of— activities and these means to change a lot of legal restraints we have today — a lot of legal restraints we have today on — a lot of legal restraints we have today. on the other hand it is iners that we _ today. on the other hand it is iners that we understand that for the time in between _ that we understand that for the time in between it will be important to -et in between it will be important to get the _ in between it will be important to get the supply from fossil resources from other— get the supply from fossil resources from other places than from russia. and this _

from other places than from russia. and this is _ from other places than from russia. and this is why we prepared for being _ and this is why we prepared for being successful with this in the question— being successful with this in the question of coal and oil since december of last year and we are doing _ december of last year and we are doing so— december of last year and we are doing so and working very hard to make _ doing so and working very hard to make this — doing so and working very hard to make this lap. this —— make this happen — make this lap. this —— make this happen. this— make this lap. this —— make this happen. this is why we could act according — happen. this is why we could act according to the decisions that we propose _ according to the decisions that we propose and made together on how to -et propose and made together on how to get out _ propose and made together on how to get out of— propose and made together on how to get out of the use and import of coal from — get out of the use and import of coal from russia. we are actively working _ coal from russia. we are actively working to — coal from russia. we are actively working to get independent from the import— working to get independent from the import of— working to get independent from the import of oil and we think that we will be _ import of oil and we think that we will be able to make it during this year~ _ will be able to make it during this year~ we — will be able to make it during this year. we are working to get independent from the necessity of importing gas from russia. this is not that— importing gas from russia. this is not that easy, because it needs infrastructure that has to be built first _ infrastructure that has to be built first so — infrastructure that has to be built first. so pipelines to the northern shore _

first. so pipelines to the northern shore, regas ports that ships can -ive shore, regas ports that ships can give their— shore, regas ports that ships can give their supply to the gas grid in germany — give their supply to the gas grid in germany. but we are doing and we already— germany. but we are doing and we already started preparing this before — already started preparing this before the war began, because we knew_ before the war began, because we knew that — before the war began, because we knew that this problem will come up and this— knew that this problem will come up and this is— knew that this problem will come up and this is why i can give you the clear— and this is why i can give you the clear answer we are doing the strongest and investments and we are doin- strongest and investments and we are doing the _ strongest and investments and we are doing the hardest activities to get independent and we will be successful.— independent and we will be successful. ., ,, , ., ., independent and we will be successful. ., ., ., successful. thank you and nick, on our successful. thank you and nick, on your domestic _ successful. thank you and nick, on your domestic political _ successful. thank you and nick, on your domestic political point, - successful. thank you and nick, on your domestic political point, i - your domestic political point, i would stress the chancellor is doing an outstanding job and as far as possible as i think i said yesterday i don't think people's families should be dragged into things. but on your question about arms and we are how we are willing to go and the risk of escalation. i think putin

has already escalated the conflict and inflicting slaughter on innocent people. olaf has described what is going on in mariupol and elsewhere. it is horrific. all we are seeking to do is to help the ukrainians to protect themselves. to protect their families and their homes. and that seems to me morally an entirely reasonable thing to do. now as you know, the uk has been mainly so far supplying antitank weaponry and antiaircraft weaponry, what we are now looking at doing is finding ways that we can support friend and partners who want to send other types of equipment that may be useful to them. to the ukrainians. and i think it is important in these discussions always to be mindful of what is genuinely useful for

volodymyr zelensky and his army. and sometimes i think that some of the stuff that some of the kit that nato has simply wouldn't be appropriate. mate be more useful to support the ukrainians by allowing some of the former warsaw pact countries to supply their own armour. that may be something that we will want to consider doing more of. but clearly the boundary, the limit, is that there is no intention i don't think, i don't believe that the german chancellor or any nato leader has any intention of engaging in direct confrontation between our countries and vladimir putin. that is how putin wants to portray this. but this is about an illegal attack by

russia on an innocent people that we are trying to help to protect themselves. that is that is going on. ijust i just say ijust say one i just say one thing also? ijust say one thing also? your question about the amount of cash that has gone from europe to pay for russian oil and gas, compared to... just bear in mind the huge steps that the eu are already taking and that the eu are already taking and that olaf and the germans already taking to move away from oil and gas. the dependency has been massive, it's clearly been something that they are now moving away from very, very fast, i think by the middle 2024, as i recall, joni is going to stop trying to use russian gas which is quite extraordinary. and that will be done through technical change and progress, and we want to work together to achieve

that. translation: right, i have a question to you both, our federal chancellor and you, prime minister. as far as the weapons are concerned and the delivery of heavy weapons is concerned, are you willing and ready prime minister to send tanks to ukraine and one question to you, ukraine and one question to you, ukraine actually wanted to have morcha tanks, one per day would suffice, why would you not send such weapons to ukraine? t suffice, why would you not send such weapons to ukraine?— weapons to ukraine? i tried to answer the — weapons to ukraine? i tried to answer the question _ weapons to ukraine? i tried to answer the question before i weapons to ukraine? i tried to answer the question before anj weapons to ukraine? i tried to i answer the question before an in principle, iam answer the question before an in principle, i am willing to consider anything by way of defensive weaponry to help the ukrainians protect themselves and their people. i think it is important that we

shoot the giving equipment that is genuinely useful and is operable by the ukrainians, that is our consideration. as i'm sure you saw, there was a delegation from ukraine, from the ukrainian defence ministry here in the uk yesterday looking at what more we have to offer. shallots? here in the uk yesterday looking at what more we have to offer. allow me to follow up- — what more we have to offer. allow me to follow up- we _ what more we have to offer. allow me to follow up. we are i what more we have to offer. allow me to follow up. we are trying i what more we have to offer. allow me to follow up. we are trying to i what more we have to offer. allow me to follow up. we are trying to send i to follow up. we are trying to send those weapons which are helpful, which can be used, we did so in the past and we will continue to do that, and the success is by the ukrainian military you show that recent effective weapons, anti—tank weapons, a lot of ammunition and everything that goes with that and, at the same time, indeed as the prime minister said, we need to take a close look. what can be used and what can be used effectively and these are very technical questions

indeed. ~ , ., indeed. prime minister, on the domestic front, i indeed. prime minister, on the domestic front, did i indeed. prime minister, on the domestic front, did you i indeed. prime minister, on the domestic front, did you know. indeed. prime minister, on the i domestic front, did you know that rishi sunak�*s com was a non—domicile? there are reports today that people close saying that people were briefing against the chancellor. —— that rishi sunak�*s wife was a non—domicile. i heard what you said about russian energy but you will know that germany is sending huge amounts of money to russia forfuel at the sending huge amounts of money to russia for fuel at the moment. when using there was a crisis in ukraine, when you hear of kyiv what money, do you feel a sense of shame over that? —— the mayor of kyiv. let you feel a sense of shame over that? -- the mayor of kyiv.— -- the mayor of kyiv. let me say i think the answer i -- the mayor of kyiv. let me say i think the answer to i -- the mayor of kyiv. let me say i think the answer to your i -- the mayor of kyiv. let me say i think the answer to your question | -- the mayor of kyiv. let me say i i think the answer to your question is number one, no, and numbertwo, if there are such briefings, there are

certainly not coming from us —— make they are certainly not coming from as a numberten, they are certainly not coming from as a number ten, heaven knows where they are coming from and number three, i think the answer is emphatically yes, i think that rishi sunak is doing absently outstanding job. sunak is doing absently outstanding 'ob. ., ~' , ., sunak is doing absently outstanding 'ob. . ~' i., ., sunak is doing absently outstanding 'ob. . ., sunak is doing absently outstanding job. thank you for your question. it is clear that — job. thank you for your question. it is clear that we _ job. thank you for your question. it is clear that we are i job. thank you for your question. it is clear that we are having i job. thank you for your question. it is clear that we are having a i job. thank you for your question. it is clear that we are having a big i is clear that we are having a big job to do to get independent from the import of resources and that is only about coal, oil and gas and as you know we are working very hard to be successful in the case of coal and oil this year and in the case of gas, it is absolutely necessary that we build the infrastructure for being able to do so. it is not feasible to get gas instead from russia today from other places in the amount we needed and this is the same with most of the other countries in eastern europe or also in the south. it is a big investment to infrastructure and notjust the

question of finding new suppliers from other places of the world which we are doing and which we are working on, it is also the question of how we can get this gas to our country because it is not helping if it is somewhere in a ship that needs to be transported and this is something for engine engineers and billions of investments and we are doing that and that is why we are quite optimistic that you'll get rid of the need of importing gas from russia very soon as the prime minister said and we are working tough to be successful. let me also say that the miscalculation of vladimir putin is something that is really bothering him each day more. he knows the sanction regime is working and this is also financial

sanctions against them for instance. the outcome of this is that he is not able to use the money, he put it in storage in his accounts and it was a huge amount of money which could serve him for a long time but he is not able to get to all the resources for financing his war and this is why our sanction on certain banks and the central bank are so successful and so necessary to be very clear. but he is also boring about his mistake because when all the countries in europe and many other places that are fighting for democracy and supporting ukraine are taking decisions similar to germany, this will have an impact on the economic expectations because if the war would be over, no one could believe that we would stop our investments, that we will stop our

view to other countries that could generate the necessary supply and this is in the case of his economy very, very big damage they cause if you understand that he is not having industrial sectors that are really earning money from exporting to the rest of the vault, it is a problem that make the rest of the world, you see things like uranium and stuff being sent to other countries not being sent to other countries not being that successful any more, he has a problem for the development of his economy. and we are also tough on all aspects for the high—technology good. we are working on being more precise in this field in question of it and software, and all these things together will make it impossible for him to develop his country to economic strength that gives him the chance to be competitor on markets with other countries that are more successful

in the economic sector. and so i think we are tough and we will be successful in what we do.- think we are tough and we will be successful in what we do. thank you very much- — successful in what we do. thank you very much. translation: - successful in what we do. thank you very much. translation: thanki successful in what we do. thank you i very much. translation: thank you very much. translation: thank you ve much, very much. translation: thank you very much, question i very much. translation: thank you very much, question to i very much. translation: thank you very much, question to both i very much. translation: thank you very much, question to both of i very much. translation: thank you very much, question to both of you, i very much, question to both of you, you can _ very much, question to both of you, you can prime minister and you, chancellot _ you can prime minister and you, chancellor. do you have plans travel to kyiv _ chancellor. do you have plans travel to kyiv yourself in order to show your— to kyiv yourself in order to show your solidarity with ukraine and for your solidarity with ukraine and for you both, — your solidarity with ukraine and for you both, is — your solidarity with ukraine and for you both, is there a certain timetable for that and if you allow the french— timetable for that and if you allow the french president is coming under heavy— the french president is coming under heavy criticism by the polls for speaking — heavy criticism by the polls for speaking to the russian president regularly — speaking to the russian president regularly, do you both believe that it actually— regularly, do you both believe that it actually pays off and is worth talking — it actually pays off and is worth talking -- _ it actually pays off and is worth talking —— talking to vladimir putin on the _ talking —— talking to vladimir putin on the phone. under pressure from the poles — on the phone. under pressure from the poles. and are you in touch personally— the poles. and are you in touch personally with the russian president?— personally with the russian resident? ., ,, , ., , president? thank you. let me 'ust sa first

president? thank you. let me 'ust say first of— president? thank you. let me 'ust say first of aufi president? thank you. let me 'ust say first of all that i i president? thank you. let me 'ust say first of all that i last i president? thank you. let me just say first of all that i last spoke i say first of all that i last spoke to vladimir putin shortly before the invasion and you can imagine the type of conversation that we had, he said he had no such plans, i said it would be a catastrophe for russia if you went ahead as well as a catastrophe for the wider region, for the world, and so that is the last time i spoke to him and so it has proved that it was a catastrophe. i think negotiating with vladimir putin does not seem to be full of promise to me and i don't feel that he can be trusted. that's not to say that i don't admire the effort of people who try to find a way through but my own view is that i am deeply, deeply sceptical and i'm afraid cynical now about his

assurances. translation: thank you ve much assurances. translation: thank you very much for— assurances. translation: thank you very much for this _ assurances. translation: thank you very much for this question. i assurances. translation: thank you very much for this question. the i very much for this question. the criticism voiced with regard to the french president is unjustified, to prove that clearly, he was very committed and in his talks to the ukrainian president but also in a stop with the russian president, he tries to make his contribution to actually that we have the opportunity to achieve the ceasefire and i know that very well because we are in crows contact —— my close contact with the french resident like with biden and boris and many others. it is very important that we have a clear stance, only the ukrainians will negotiate about their country, about ukraine and there is no one who talks to vladimir putin who would like to

replace ukraine. we try to exchange information and bolster their position, and to tell the russian president how the situation truly is and to inform him about the extent and to inform him about the extent and the numbers of the killed russian soldiers because this has tremendous repercussions for the russian army, the extent of destruction of russian weaponry that cannot be used in ukraine any more, we inform him about the fact that his invasion as he planned it did not move forward the way he intended to, so these are the things you may not hearfrom his inner circle so it is good that others tell him that and of course time and again it's important to come back to what you want to achieve and what we really want to achieve and what we really want to achieve is a ceasefire, an immediate ceasefire and we see russian troops withdrawing from ukraine and ukraine can decide on

destiny, that this war comes to an end. and it is necessary to say this, we cannot be sure, you can be assured that we —— we can all be sure that you're are close you can continue to do that and i said it at the outset, only ukrainians will negotiate about ukraine and no one else is going to replace them but we will support ukraine, strengthen them and then direct contribution so they are in a good negotiating position. militarily, financially, and with the sanctions we impose. we inform each other and the press and we are starting our trip, actually. we are trying to help people come from ukraine is what you're trying to do, we are trying to help our german friends to take more refugees as well. ., ~

german friends to take more refugees as well. ., ,, , ., german friends to take more refugees as well. ., ~' , ., , german friends to take more refugees as well. ., ,, i. , . as well. thank you very much, chancellor _ as well. thank you very much, chancellor olaf i as well. thank you very much, chancellor olaf scholz, i as well. thank you very much, chancellor olaf scholz, what i as well. thank you very much, i chancellor olaf scholz, what would you say to those who argue the stability of europe demands an embargo on economic demands and that germany should accept the price of thatjustice germany should accept the price of that justice at the germany should accept the price of thatjustice at the man southern european members plagiarised during the southern debt crisis and why are you not discussing an oil embargo? and, prime minister, there's been reports that chancellor rishi sunak held a green card while he was a government minister. do you think it's acceptable for a memory of your government at the us green card? i believe you are a us citizen and gaveit believe you are a us citizen and gave it up at one point as well and given you have top european security and unity and purpose, can you now rule out triggering article 60 of the northern ireland protocol given the northern ireland protocol given the situation? thank you.— the northern ireland protocol given the situation? thank you. thank you for our the situation? thank you. thank you for your question. i i the situation? thank you. thank you for your question. i answered i the situation? thank you. thank you for your question. i answered your l for your question. i answered your question— for your question. i answered your question already.—

for your question. i answered your question already. thanks very much, and, said, question already. thanks very much, and. said. sorry _ question already. thanks very much, and, said, sorry to i question already. thanks very much, and, said, sorry to postpone i question already. thanks very much, and, said, sorry to postpone you i and, said, sorry to postpone you this morning. just to say that on the... that issue, as i understand it, the chancellor has done absolutely everything he was required to do and what was your second question? tt is required to do and what was your second question?— second question? it is about triggering — second question? it is about triggering article i second question? it is about triggering article 60. i second question? it is about triggering article 60. well, | second question? it is about i triggering article 60. well, olaf, we had a discussion i triggering article 60. well, olaf, we had a discussion about i triggering article 60. well, olaf, we had a discussion about this. i triggering article 60. well, olaf, i we had a discussion about this. as you can expect. it came up. i think i raised it. you'll make what was the result of that question? it was entirely predictable. —— the result of that question? it was entirely predictable. —- what the result of that question? it was entirely predictable. --_ entirely predictable. -- what was the result of— entirely predictable. -- what was the result of that i entirely predictable. -- what was the result of that question? i entirely predictable. -- what was| the result of that question? white meant the seamless harmony you observed between britain and germany today, i would not wish in any way today, i would not wish in any way

to interrupt by going into that any further that what i will say is that to answer your question, would we take that off the table? the use of article 60, no, clearly not, there is a problem. but i think that there is... as i have has been clearfrom the conversation and from what you've heard from olaf and i today that we are really pretty much united on virtually every other issue of the policy. so, prime minister, councillor olaf scholz. _ so, prime minister, councillor olaf scholz. my— so, prime minister, councillor olaf scholz, my question goes to both of you. scholz, my question goes to both of you can— scholz, my question goes to both of you. can western sanctions ever be really _ you. can western sanctions ever be really effective by countries like india _ really effective by countries like india and — really effective by countries like india and china? when the continue the business —— can western sections are really— the business —— can western sections are really effective when countries like india — are really effective when countries like india and china continue business _

like india and china continue business as usual. it�*s like india and china continue business as usual.— like india and china continue business as usual. it's a very important — business as usual. it's a very important question i business as usual. it's a very important question and i business as usual. it's a very important question and the i business as usual. it's a very i important question and the answer is, yes, western sanctions can be and, as olaf said in his earlier remarks, it will be increasingly effective and they will over the long term do more and more damage to the economic prospect of vladimir putin wasn't regime and that is not to say we don't want our friends and partners around the world to do more and i think that for china, there is and i think that for china, there is a very interesting question to be addressed, and that is whether they really want to be associated closely with what is being done in mariupol and bucha and in any way condoning or in any way supporting the regime of vladimir putin and i think, as

the days have gone by, that question has become increasingly difficult for china, that is my impression. i agree iagree and i agree and allow me to have impose a cap at a tremendous effect on economic branch. and these sanctions cannot be circumvented when we are talking about high—technology products and other products. high advanced technology that there are other countries cannot chip in and replace the many activities in the field of

high—tech and this is why the sanctions are so effective even though not everyone is participating, but we are campaigning for others to chime in and we want to make sure that no one is attempting to circumvent these facts. so there that visit ends. that is the german chancellor and that meant answering a number of questions about why germany is still buying so much oil and gas, but he did explain that they are putting themselves off that they are putting themselves off that and moving towards fossil fuels

i think within a 20 year time frame, they said, he said that they were going to stop the imports of oil this year, gas is more complex but they are again moving as fast as they are again moving as fast as they can on that. borisjohnson also was asked about... well, olaf scholz mentioned the question of oligarchs and how much they are being hit in london and how many refugees he would take on an borisjohnson said the uk is trying to contribute towards that, and there was criticism of the pace of the government programme on that, also the british prince prime minister announcing £100 million worth of equipment being sent —— the british prime minister. both leaders being asked about whether they would send tanks on the prime minister here saying he would look at anything in principle that was a defensive weapon and there had been a group of the ukrainians from the defence

ministry looking at what we have to offer as the prime minister pushed it so potentially more weaponry, we don't know what type, being sent from the uk. he was also asked inevitably be about rishi sunak and the chance that was met by and her non—dom status, and he denied that number ten had been briefed by the chancellor and that an outstanding job had been done, not asking for my answering the question about the alleged green card. that press conference obviously focusing on the ukrainian situation and boris johnson also asks about brexit and making it clear that britain and germany were agreed on pretty much everything and that he would not take article 60 of the table... the withdrawal of article fifth line 60

of the table but —— the article 60. but that was the immediate support he was saying. oneness from both sides. and talking about how far they are able or prepared to go in supporting the ukrainians as the war continues and also just to mention there are both asked about whether it was still worth negotiating with vladimir putin, the phone calls that have continued. and present macron being committed macron being committed to speaking with... and the extent of the destruction. boris johnson said in his you he was not sure the negotiations were going to

lead anywhere, didn't have confidence in that but he said he was not criticising those who are still trying on that front. we will bring you more on that, we are hoping to get a bit of political reaction to the latest events in ukraine and to those lines that have just emerged in the last hour but let's get the latest because the prime minister has been mentioning rockets which appear to be russian which i fit a train station in a civilian evacuation in eastern ukraine, hitting dozens of people including 300 people. it happened at the station in kramatorsk, one of the few still operating in the east. officials say thousands of people were there at the time, hoping to board trains to escape the fighting. cities in the wider donbas region of eastern ukraine, have come under renewed attack, as russian troops refocus their war effort on the area. the ukrainian government had urged civilians to leave, as the fighting intensified. meanwhile, the ministry of defence says russian troops have now fully withdrawn from northern ukraine to belarus and back to russia. the mod estimates any mass redeployment from the north to the east, could take

at least a week. here's our correspondent, emma vardy. if they could escape. officials in donetsk said thousands of people were waiting for trains, having been encouraged to leave the city by local authorities. when rockets hit the kramatorsk station. —— en route to safety, struck down before officials in donetsk said thousands of people were waiting for trains, having been encouraged to leave the city by local authorities. when rockets hit the kramatorsk station. at least 30 people are believed to have been killed. president zelensky speaking to the parliament in finland a short time afterwards said there was no reason for the railway station to be attacked. translation: this is an ordinary railway terminal. people crowded, waiting for the trains to be evacuated to the safe territory. they hit these people, there are witnesses, videos, remnants of the missiles. dead people. in bernard yanker, underneath the rubble, more casualties of war, bodies being removed from what remains of the town. ukrainian officials accused moscow of deliberately targeting areas with shelling and in a sign of solidarity with ukraine the european commission president ursula von der leyen is visiting kyiv to hold talks.

the ukrainian government wants sanctions increased further in russia. the eu's dependence on russian oil and gas they argue is helping to fund its military aggression. in the western city of lviv a protest outside the russian embassy, accusing russian troops of loading areas they have captured. the everyday objects stolen from family homes. there is outrage and despair in ukraine over the alleged brutality civilians have suffered at the hands of russian soldiers. talk to people here, many echo the cause of the ukrainian president for more military support to be given to ukraine because there is fear over what more is to come. russian forces have sustained losses. as they regroup, the expectation

is the donbas region in the east will become the new epicentre of the war. as warnings continue for people to leave. the home office says nearly 41,000 uk visas for ukrainians have now been issued, and a total of 12 thousand refugees have arrived in the country. the home secretary has now apologised for delays, affecting thousands of people. our home editor, mark easton, has been talking to her and those families hoping to help those arriving in the uk. the welcome flags are out in north devon. in private gardens, public buildings, the blue and yellow of ukraine illustrating a deep desire here to help those fleeing a war more than 1,500 miles away. chris is a local apple farmer and cider producer who got in touch with the ukrainian consulate to say he wanted to welcome a family of refugees.

he was put in touch with eleanor, her elderly parents and nine—year—old son five weeks ago. they're still surviving on handouts in poland. right, so this is the room where they'll be staying. i think it will be perfect... devon generosity though is being thwarted by whitehall bureaucracy. if we can get the visa... it's taken chris weeks to navigate the forms and documents required by the government, including gets a passport for anna, the cat. it's a sham excuse for slowing the process down and i don't know why the government wants to slow it down. there are people who are desperate. there's families sleeping on park benches in freeze being temperatures in poland. why? on a visit to the ukrainian iinstitute in london, i asked the home secretary about the hold ups in getting war refugees to the uk. so, completely it's been frustrating. will you apologise? i apologise with frustration myself and i have spoken about this previously too, it takes time, mark. i'm responsible for the surge in the staffing region as well. we have got hundreds of home office staff doing visa applications, processing on the ground, providing support... people say it's not good enough.

you boasted about a surge of staff to calais to support the ukrainian refugees who'd arrived there. i went there, it was two guys, a table and some crisps. so, mark, first of all there's no boasting that's taking place, let'sjust be clear about that. we have a centre in france, we have it set up... you have a surge. there is home office staff there. by the way, that is done in conjunction with the french government. actually i have some friends, i they helped me to find somewhere. back in devon i met this woman, a refugee from syria, now helping others complete the journey to find sanctuary. i met a 12—year—old schoolboy whose painting's being auctioned to raise money for ukraine. i realise i have got a perfect skill set to use my ability to help ukraine. and i met susannah,

whose devon holiday businesses uses its profits to help displaced people. it's just a really amazing sort of network of colleagues within the refugee sector, who work here and really pull together and are really passionate about resettling refugees into communities here. for devon, read much of the uk, a country moved by the awful stories unfolding on the other side of europe, but exasperated by what they see as red tape. mark easton, bbc news, devon. some breaking news, and in the past half hour, buckingham palace has announced that the queen has pulled out of attending the annual maundy thursday service next week. her majesty was last seen in public last month, at the thanksgiving service for the duke of edinburgh. she'll be represented for the first time at next week's traditional holy week event by the prince of wales. a 36—year—old albanian man has been

jailed for a minimum of 36 years in prison for the murder of the primary school teacher, sabina nessa. koci selamaj drove from eastbourne to south east london last september and attacked ms nessa with a metal traffic triangle. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports. sabina nessa, graduate, primary school teacher and fun loving. the second in a family of four girls. now her older sister, jabeena, cherishes the watch sabina was wearing when she was killed. this is her watch that she wore on the night. so i'm just holding it to feel close to her. we kind of feel like she's going to walk for the door. people say time will get easier, but really, timejust gets harder and the realisation that she's not here, itjust kind of hits home. in previous court hearings, she, like the rest of her family, has seen koci selamaj, the murderer.

the thought that he was waiting for some woman to attack her and do what he wanted to do, i was just thinking, what a horrible animal, vile animal he is. hours before the murder, he checked into the grand hotel in eastbourne. his wife, who had left him because of his violent behaviour, worked here. she met him in the hotel car park and he asked her to have sex with him. after she rejected him, he drove off alone and ended up miles away in south east london. he pulled up in kidbrooke and went into the local sainsbury�*s. intent on violence against a woman, he bought a rolling pin. it's believed he was considering using this as his weapon. meanwhile, sabina nessa, who lived locally, was on her way to meet a friend.

she's thought to have taken a shortcut through cator park because she was running late. koci selamaj, looking furtive, was caught on cctv. and cameras in the park actually showed him running towards sabina and attacking her. he beat her 34 times with this metal traffic triangle and carried her off unconscious. her body was found the following day. selamaj had strangled her. on his way back to eastbourne, he drove down a country lane and dumped the murder weapon in a river. a week later, selamaj was arrested and being told over the phone by an interpreter he was being charged with murder. he's an albanian national. there was clear evidence of a sexually motivated attack that, together with the fact that he had propositioned his wife earlier in the day for sex, says to me, without a shadow of a doubt, that was a sexually motivated murder. two, one, sabina nessa.

a month after her death last year, sabina's family marked what would have been her 29th birthday. i feel like the sunflower because that was her favourite. i feel like that kind of resembles that she would stand up to and give her opinion, and i feel like we should all stand up tall and say enough is enough. let's put an end to male violence. june kelly, bbc news. back to the war in ukraine now and we can speak to the conservative mp and chair of the commons defence select committee tobias ellwood. thank you forjoining us. i don't know whether you were able to hear the press conference between olaf scholz and boris johnson the press conference between olaf scholz and borisjohnson pledging another £100 million of equipment. is britain now doing enough, in your view? �* ., , is britain now doing enough, in your view? �* . , ., ., .,

view? britain is doing far more. i wanted nato _ view? britain is doing far more. i wanted nato to i view? britain is doing far more. i wanted nato to do i view? britain is doing far more. i wanted nato to do more. i view? britain is doing far more. i wanted nato to do more. britain| view? britain is doing far more. i i wanted nato to do more. britain was one of the first countries to give weapon systems prior to the invasion, we did well there. we followed that up after the invasion as well. but where have all the other nato countries been? we have had debates about whether something is defensive or offensive. to see britain now give more military equipment, including weapon systems, this is important news. i took my defence committee to germany and warsaw only a week ago and it was interesting to see how their mind set has changed. they recognised it is bigger than ukraine, the threat to europe itself. germany is increasing its defence budget by 100 billion euros. that is a 180 degrees change from germany, they see this challenge that will be for many

years to come. st challenge that will be for many years to come.— challenge that will be for many years to come. challenge that will be for many ears to come. �* ., ,., ., years to come. at what point are we actually engaged — years to come. at what point are we actually engaged in i years to come. at what point are we actually engaged in this i years to come. at what point are we actually engaged in this war i years to come. at what point are we actually engaged in this war and i actually engaged in this war and could expect some reprisals? because this whole crisis is, we can see, ratcheting up. we this whole crisis is, we can see, ratcheting up-— this whole crisis is, we can see, ratchetin: u. ~ ~ ratcheting up. we can. and we need to better understand i ratcheting up. we can. and we need to better understand the i ratcheting up. we can. and we need to better understand the ability i ratcheting up. we can. and we need to better understand the ability to i to better understand the ability to assess and take risk. now, we are far too risk—averse. we need to develop that cold war state craft. and know how to support, in is in case ukraine, in their defence against russia. now we are showing timidity and that's given russia impunity to conduct its war crimes, its genocide and breach of the geneva conventions. they don't need any excuse to ratchet things up, they could present a false flag and

attack in another way. we need to recognise that if we don't affect change in the next three or four weeks, it is likely that the port of odesa could fall and that will ring fence the whole of ukraine and land lock ukraine and that will affect grain exports and the price of food across the world.— grain exports and the price of food across the world. what do you want this government i across the world. what do you want this government and i across the world. what do you want this government and nato i across the world. what do you want this government and nato to i across the world. what do you want this government and nato to do? . across the world. what do you want i this government and nato to do? nato need to be less — this government and nato to do? tngtf: need to be less timid. now you have britain deciding on its own to not just sent antitank weapons, the czech republic and slovaks are doing that, the polish wants to send their aircraft in, nato said we want want to get involved. pare aircraft in, nato said we want want

to get involved.— to get involved. are you not frightening _ to get involved. are you not frightening of i to get involved. are you not frightening of escalation? . to get involved. are you not frightening of escalation? if| to get involved. are you not i frightening of escalation? if poland sends planes, they are at risk? . brute sends planes, they are at risk? . we are sends planes, they are at risk? . - are involved. we can't get away from that. if you don't stand up to putin now, then you're back in 1938 land and looking to say, fine, he is too big, we can't stand up to him, let him have free rein. we need to recognise that the donbas and odesa are under threat. and they will need the vehicles and a lot more kit. we must provide that.— must provide that. when you say ratchet up _ must provide that. when you say ratchet up support, i must provide that. when you say ratchet up support, are i must provide that. when you say ratchet up support, are you i must provide that. when you say. ratchet up support, are you saying that you think then that we should be sending you know... british planes, british personnel in? trio. planes, british personnel in? no, that is again _ planes, british personnel in? no, that is again that i planes, british personnel in? ttfr, that is again that will be a step right now too far. but you touched on the fact that this more lethal equipment requires training. let's

set up a training the camp in poland run by the polish and britain to allow ukrainian soldiers to train and go back to the front line. and i they're running out of fuel and ammunition and equipment. were being too hesitant, we are watching from afar, we are condemning the atrocities, but we are not doing enough. you can tell by the frustration in volodymyr zelensky�*s broadcasts. i'm pleased with what britain is doing, but all of nato needs to do more. tt britain is doing, but all of nato needs to do more.— britain is doing, but all of nato needs to do more. if china don't ull the needs to do more. if china don't pull the plug _ needs to do more. if china don't pull the plug on _ needs to do more. if china don't pull the plug on russia i needs to do more. if china don't pull the plug on russia and i needs to do more. if china don't i pull the plug on russia and continue to back them, are any of the efforts of european nations going to be enough to stop this? itrufeiiii of european nations going to be enough to stop this?— of european nations going to be enough to stop this? well you ask such a fundamental— enough to stop this? well you ask such a fundamental question, i enough to stop this? well you ask. such a fundamental question, which we are avoiding. because we need to recognise that this invasion would only happen with china's blessing. there is a are russia/china axis at

play and russia sees china as its strategic partner in... the government i strategic partner in... the government has i strategic partner in... the government has cosied i strategic partner in... the government has cosied up to china. what is this government doing now? with the hope that it would mature into a global statesman. that isn't going to happen. what i'm seeing is what called a trap now in place. we are seeing china exploiting to seek you know hopefully to see that the war in ukraine will hasten america's de—clyne �*s decline. china is happy for putin to seek to expand in europe. it takes the heat off china and its ambitions in the pacific. there is something bigger at play to do with the power bases across the world and we are yet to wake up. that relationship this and we need

to wake up. that relationship this and we need to wake up— to wake up. doesn't this make us more vulnerable i to wake up. doesn't this make us more vulnerable to i to wake up. doesn't this make us more vulnerable to growing, i to wake up. doesn't this make us i more vulnerable to growing, having to grow our relationship with other very you know difficult regimes like saudi? because britain still wants to guarantee its own oil and gas supplies. and you know there are a lot of regimes in the middle east that have questionable records. you touch on just _ that have questionable records. ym. touch onjust how that have questionable records. ym. touch on just how complex this is and why ourtimidity touch on just how complex this is and why our timidity here needs to change. if we allow putin to win, then russia and china will advance their view of the international world order over the next years and decades. so you're right, to look to those other nations. india is the big one as well. yes, they may have a long—term relationship with russia, but it is with the russian people and not the russian regime. when you mention india for example,

this is complex obviously and goes back decades, but india did have a link with russia, partly because america backed pakistan which has in india's view links with terrorist groups that threaten the india. if the us and european nations don't back democracies like india, and countries like india can't rely on that support, they aren't going to pull out of links with russia. it is ridiculous for the west to make those demands. the ridiculous for the west to make those demands. . ., ., those demands. the encouragement we need to rive those demands. the encouragement we need to give india _ those demands. the encouragement we need to give india is i those demands. the encouragement we need to give india is to i those demands. the encouragement we need to give india is to recognise i need to give india is to recognise it has forms with russia and there are reasons that you spelled out, it was to do with having support against china as well. they omitted to align themselves after independence with russia themselves. most of their military equipment is warsaw pact. that doesn't stop them

from condemning what the leader of russia is doing. that is the difference of where we need to get these kroints to move to —— countries to move to, to condemn what the regime is doing, rather than the country. t what the regime is doing, rather than the country.— what the regime is doing, rather than the country. i hope you don't mind if i move i than the country. i hope you don't mind if i move the i than the country. i hope you don't mind if i move the conversation i than the country. i hope you don'tj mind if i move the conversation to politics, the newspapers have focussed on the non—dom status of the chancellor's wife. rishi sunak has admitted holding a green card whilst chancellor, but he said he returned it after seeking guidance after his first america trip in 2021. i appreciate you're hearing that, there has been speculation about whether he holds a green card. he said in an interview with the sun he would never consider giving up uk citizenship. if you have a green

card that doesn't ring true? this citizenship. if you have a green card that doesn't ring true? as you sa , this card that doesn't ring true? as you say. this has _ card that doesn't ring true? as you say, this has just i card that doesn't ring true? as you say, this hasjust been i card that doesn't ring true? as you say, this hasjust been presented i card that doesn't ring true? as you i say, this hasjust been presented to say, this has just been presented to me. this bigger picture about non—dom status we have have to see what the situation is. i make it clear any minister or anybody that steps into bag minister, the first thing you do, is sit down with the officials and go through all your personal situations, including your widerfamily. so from personal situations, including your wider family. so from a personal situations, including your widerfamily. so from a legal perspective it could be nothing that is wrong here. there is a bigger question about this role, this facilities of non—dom status that has been around i ups understand for a couple of centuries. that is something perhaps that the tax regimes have changed that maybe it is worth looking for and maybe something that the treasury committee could then consider and look at. de

committee could then consider and look at. ,, ~ committee could then consider and look at. i. ~ �* , look at. do you think british politicians — look at. do you think british politicians or i look at. do you think british politicians or people i look at. do you think british politicians or people in i look at. do you think british i politicians or people in government, should be allowed to have family members who are non—dom? the whole point it is a contractf members who are non—dom? the whole point it is a contract f you serve in the highest offices of government making decisions over all our lives and taxes that we have to pay, if your own family are benefitting from these arrangements, which mean you're not contributing to british society, that is... that is a fundamentally very difficult position to try and hold isn't it? when you're chancellor? that position to try and hold isn't it? when you're chancellor? that is a modern judgment, i when you're chancellor? that is a modern judgment, maybe i when you're chancellor? that is a modern judgment, maybe in i when you're chancellor? that is a modern judgment, maybe in the i when you're chancellor? that is a i modern judgment, maybe in the future it will be worth considering. it is not for me to make a judgment. tt not for me to make a judgment. it is, because you're a conservative mp. do you still have confidence in rishi sunak�*sjudgment? trio. mp. do you still have confidence in rishi sunak'sjudgment?_ rishi sunak's 'udgment? no, i go back to rishi sunak's 'udgment? no, i go backto my— rishi sunak'sjudgment? no, i go back to my original i rishi sunak'sjudgment? no, i go back to my original point, i rishi sunak'sjudgment? no, i go back to my original point, the i rishi sunak'sjudgment? no, i go i back to my original point, the rules as they stand have been honoured and as they stand have been honoured and as they stand have been honoured and as they are with all ministers, you have to change your circumstances, you have to give up your shares...

it not about legality, it is about politicaljudgment and honesty it not about legality, it is about political judgment and honesty and transparency isn't it? politicaljudgment and honesty and transparency isn't it?— transparency isn't it? there is no doubt about _ transparency isn't it? there is no doubt about the i transparency isn't it? there is no doubt about the political- transparency isn't it? there is no i doubt about the politicaljudgment doubt about the political judgment and if the politicaljudgment of todayis and if the politicaljudgment of today is to say that the rules are worth investigating and changing, then that will be a wise course of action. but you're putting, you're asking me to look at the issues on a situation that i'm not familiar with. i would say that there is a difference between what the minister, any minister does and what their widerfamily do. it is minister, any minister does and what their wider family do. it is the minister that steps into politics, not the family. you make an argument that perhaps the rules should be extended to the family. such a rule was changed in parliament when there were spouses working for parliamentarians, because the public wanted to see change. it could be a similar debate now need to be had. rishi sunak has admitted holding a us green card that he only renounced

in october 2021. this us green card that he only renounced in october 2021.— in october 2021. this is news to me as well. in october 2021. this is news to me as well- the — in october 2021. this is news to me as well. the standards i in october 2021. this is news to me as well. the standards would i in october 2021. this is news to me as well. the standards would have i as well. the standards would have been checked, it would have been confirmed, he wouldn't be allowed to proceed as chancellor unless the rules had been met.— proceed as chancellor unless the rules had been met. thank you for responding — rules had been met. thank you for responding on _ rules had been met. thank you for responding on those i rules had been met. thank you for responding on those domestic i responding on those domestic political questions, thank you very much indeed for taking all a those questions today. let's get more on that story now — the chancellor, rishi sunak, has defended his wife after revelations about her tax arrangements. yesterday, it emerged akshata murty, who's the daughter of one of india's richest men, has non—domiciled status, meaning she doesn't pay tax in britain on income made abroad. mr sunak told the sun newspaper his wife pays every penny owed on her british income and accused labour of trying to get to him by smearing her. 0ur political correspondent

nick eardley reports. he is the man who sets most of our taxes. this week, he put them up. but it is his family's tax arrangements that are now in the spotlight. this is the chancellor's wife. an india citizen. she pays £30,000 a yearfor a non—dom status, so her income earnped outside the uk is not taxed here. it could have saved her millions in uk tax. labour say if that is the case, it would be hypocrisy. but speaking to the sun, rishi sunak defended his wife. he said:

ido i do not think it the is really appropriate for me to comment on the wives and families of politicians and of course the most important thing is the same rules have to apply to everybody, which it clearly does, because there is no suggestion that any of this steps outside of any of the rules and regulations. the chancellor's wife isn't seen much in public, her spokeswoman said chummily she wants to —— eventually she wants to move back to india. rishi sunak said she has followed the rules. ., . ., ., , ., ,, the rules. the chancellor has taken the rules. the chancellor has taken the political — the rules. the chancellor has taken the political decision i the rules. the chancellor has taken the political decision to i the rules. the chancellor has taken the political decision to impose i the rules. the chancellor has taken the political decision to impose tax| the political decision to impose tax increases _ the political decision to impose tax increases on — the political decision to impose tax increases on millions _ the political decision to impose tax increases on millions of— the political decision to impose tax increases on millions of people. i increases on millions of people. they're — increases on millions of people. they're entitled _ increases on millions of people. they're entitled to _ increases on millions of people. they're entitled to know i increases on millions of people. | they're entitled to know whether increases on millions of people. i they're entitled to know whether his family— they're entitled to know whether his family is— they're entitled to know whether his family is using — they're entitled to know whether his family is using schemes— they're entitled to know whether his family is using schemes to i they're entitled to know whether his family is using schemes to reduce i family is using schemes to reduce their— family is using schemes to reduce their own — family is using schemes to reduce their own tat _ family is using schemes to reduce their own tax. so _ family is using schemes to reduce their own tax. so this i family is using schemes to reduce their own tax. so this is i family is using schemes to reduce their own tax. so this is about i their own tax. so this is about basic— their own tax. so this is about basic accountability, i their own tax. so this is about basic accountability, basic- basic accountability, basic transparency, i basic accountability, basic transparency, we i basic accountability, basic transparency, we need i basic accountability, basic- transparency, we need answers to those — transparency, we need answers to those questions, _ transparency, we need answers to those questions, because i transparency, we need answers to those questions, because this i transparency, we need answers to i those questions, because this looks like one _ those questions, because this looks like one rule — those questions, because this looks like one rule for— those questions, because this looks like one rule for them _ those questions, because this looks like one rule for them and i those questions, because this looks like one rule for them and one i those questions, because this looks like one rule for them and one for. like one rule for them and one for everybody— like one rule for them and one for everybody else _ like one rule for them and one for everybody else-— everybody else. rishi sunak us touted as a _ everybody else. rishi sunak us touted as a future i everybody else. rishi sunak us touted as a future prime i everybody else. rishi sunak us i touted as a future prime minister, but this has been a damaging week.

accusations he hasn't done enough to deal with the cost of live and questions about whether his household should have paid more tax in the uk. the civil aviation authority says it's concerned about staff shortages that airlines and airports are facing. many travellers are experiencing long queues at airports, with manchester airport saying the delays could last for up to six weeks. travellers have been badly affected over the past week, but this weekend some operators are expected to return to pre—pandemic levels of service. meanwhile, there's continuing ferry delays and queues at dover. this report from our transport correspondent katy austin contains flashing images. holidays are back — going away is easier again, with uk travel restrictions removed. there's now huge demand for travel in the easter and summer holidays, and airports and airlines that were hit so badly during the pandemic are trying to scale up again quickly to meet that demand.

but many people's pre—easter trips had a bumpy start. there were long queues at some airports last weekend, including at manchester, which has had problems for weeks. the biggest area of challenge that we've had is is here in security. after shedding jobs during covid, airport bosses admit they've struggled to hire again quickly enough. the speed and the scale of recovery has caught us, and we are short staffed at the moment. it has meant that there is a number of weeks where our processes need to catch up, our recruitment processes. but again, we're confident that in a matter of weeks we will be in that position. i think we're going to have instances of queues over the next four to six weeks. but as i said, you know, there will be lots of people will get through in five or ten minutes. there will be the majority will get through in 30 or 40 minutes. airports say covid documentation checks are also adding to delays. recruitment has been a problem for airlines, too.

easyjet has cancelled hundreds of flights this week, blaming staff sickness. british airways has also made cancellations. among those whose plans have been ruined are these schoolchildren. half their group had already gone on a ski trip, but their wasyjet flight from gatwick to join them was cancelled. it's really sad because we had to get up really, really early in the morning for absolutely nothing. half of the trip got to go and half didn't and how they were probably skiing by the time that we had got home. easyjet said sorry and offered further assistance, including a refund. businesses are happy to see so many passengers again, but not everyone's much anticipated journeys have gone to plan. researchers in cambridge have rejuvenated the skin cells taken from a 53—year—old women, making them equivalent to those of a 23—year—old.

writing in the journal e life, the scientists say that they believe that they might be able to do the same thing with other tissues in the body. the eventual aim is to develop treatments for age related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurological disorders. here s our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. the breakthrough was made in this lab in cambridge. dilgeet gill added chemicals to the skin cells of a 53—year—old woman. he could scarcely believe his eyes when he studied them under a microscope 12 days later. i remember the day when i actually got the results back. i was basically in shock and didn't quite believe that some of these samples were 30 years younger than they were supposed to be. i literally double—checked that the labels were the right ones and spoke with people in the lab. yeah, it was a very exciting day! the technology is based on techniques used to create dolly the cloned sheep more

than 25 years ago. she was created from an adult cell that was rejuvenated all the way back into an embryo. the aim at the time was to use cloning technology to turn cells taken from human patients into embryonic stem cells to combat many of the diseases of ageing, but it didn't really work out. those behind the latest research believe that they have now made a significant step forward. to be able to know the margin, that there could be applications that could help thousands and thousands of people out there with conditions. as we all know, many common diseases in humans get worse with age or arise with age, and to be able to think about helping people in this way is very, very exciting. but there is still a long way to go. the chemicals used in the rejuvenation process increase the risk of cancers,

but now that the scientists know that age reversal is possible in principle, they have a new way forward. the singer, ed sheeran, says his high court copyright case was not about money, but about standing up for what is right. earlier this week, a judge ruled that his song "shape of you" did not plagiarise the work of another artist. in an exclusive interview with bbc newsnight, the singer says he had no choice but to defend his work in court. anna collinson reports. # say, boy, let's not talk too much. # grab on my waist and put that body on me...# this week, a lengthy battle over spotify�*s most—streamed song reached a conclusion. # i'm in love with the shape of you...# while a judge cleared ed sheeran and fellow songwriter johnny mcdaid of plagiarism, the pair have exclusively told newsnight there's been little celebration. i'm happy it's over. i'm happy we can move on and get back to writing songs.

and, erm, yeah, i'mjust... all of it makes me sad. all of it. in the last year, it got really heavy and it was consuming. and the cost to our mental health and creativity was really tangible. shape of you became the focus of a high court trial after the grime artist sami chokri accused the songwriters of copying one of his tracks. ed sheeran and his team denied this and decided to fight for the song, which the trial heard earned them around £5 million a year. but they say this was about so much more. the conversation around all of this is always about money. it's not about money. this isjust... this is about heart and honesty. it's not... integrity? yeah. it's not about, like... win or lose, we had to go to court, you know? we had to stand up for what we thought was right. i don't want to have this

situation happen again, so now ijust film everything, everything's on film. we've had sort of claims come through on songs and we go, "well, here's the footage, and you watch, and you'll see that there's nothing there." two days ago, the high court ruled ed sheeran and his team neither deliberately nor subconsciously copied the track 0h why. the singer says he wants to get back to making music, but this lengthy lawsuit has scarred one of the uk's — and the world's — biggest stars. i personally think the best feeling in the world, the best feeling, is the euphoria around the first idea of writing a great song. like the first spark where you go, "ah, this is special, we can't spoil this. this is amazing." but that feeling has now turned into, "oh, wait, let's stand back for a minute, like, have we touched anything , " you know? and it does... you find yourself, in the moment, second—guessing yourself. anna collinson reporting there. you can hear newsnight�*s full interview with ed sheeran and his co—writerjohn mcdaid at half—past ten tonight on bbc2.

now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. are you there? i am here. you are over here- — are you there? i am here. you are over here. wrong i are you there? i am here. you are over here. wrong screen. i i are you there? i am here. you are over here. wrong screen. i was i over here. wrong screen. i was getting mixed up. for nose who aren't going on holiday, are we going to get any sunshine? brute aren't going on holiday, are we going to get any sunshine? we are auoin to going to get any sunshine? we are going to get _ going to get any sunshine? we are going to get sunshine i going to get any sunshine? we are going to get sunshine at i going to get any sunshine? we are going to get sunshine at times, i going to get any sunshine? we are| going to get sunshine at times, but not all the time. it will pop up hoarse and there, but not at other times. into the weekend, we start on a chilly note. we have had chilly weather and wintry showers in places. that was the scene in the scottish highlands, that chilly air to start the weekend. but as we move into next week, this is a change that will please some people, southerly winds and some warmer air pushing north. we can sum things up like this, for the weekend it is

chilly. often dry. a few showers around. next week feeling warm in the sunshine, but sunshine not guaranteed. there will be also some rain at times. so during today we saw rain across the south of england and some soggy weather. that cleared and some soggy weather. that cleared and there was some dry weather, but some showers. the showers springing to life here. some heavy, some thundery and wintry. tonight many of the showers will fade. some keep going in the south—east. some continuing in northern scotland, bringing the risk of ice. but temperatures dropping to around freezing or bolo. maybe minus four in northern england. a cold start to saturday morning a lot of frost around. but a saturday morning a lot of frost around. buta bright saturday morning a lot of frost around. but a bright start with plenty of sunshine. some showers too. not a many showers further south and west and the winds will be light. temperatures if anything will still be below the norm for the time

of year, seven in aberdeen, 12 in london, cardiff and plymouth. as we move through saturday night this ridge of high pressure will topple its way through and bring some clear skies and some cold conditions. but this system will start to fringe more cloud into the west and that may hold the temperatures up. another cold start for sunday. but many places dry. we will bring more cloud in from the west. brightest conditions through the afternoon in the east. for northern ireland we could see the odd splash of rain, but the southerly winds developing and temperatures lifting a little. into next week that trend will continue, in fact given any sunshine we could see highs of 19 or maybe 20 degrees. but don't expect wall to wall sunshine. there will be some rain at times. that is all for now. have a great weekend. more weather later on.

today at 5pm... condemnation after another atrocity in ukraine. ukrainian officials say 50 people were killed and 300 injured after a rocket hit a train station in the eastern city of kramatorsk. thousands were there at the time. this is a war crime indiscriminately to attack civilians and russia's crimes in ukraine will not go unnoticed or unpunished. meanwhile, the home secretary, priti patel, apologises for what she called the "frustrating" delays in the uk's visa schemes for ukrainian refugees. we'll speak to the shadow home secretary yvette cooper in this programme uk was sent off further £100 million worth of high—grade military

equipment to ukraine's armed forces.