this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe i'm mark lobel. our top stories. uk prime minister rishi sunak says he's willing to discuss the issue of pay with the nurses�* union to settle strikes but didn't make a firm commitment to increase salaries. when it comes to pay we have always said we want to talk about things that are reasonable and affordable and responsible for the country. china lifts quarantine rules for people arriving from abroad, for the first time in three years. we are more targeted, efficient in

our response. at least one person is killed as russia bombs ukrainian cities overnight — minutes after its self—imposed ceasefire ended. few expected the ceasefire to hold in any way. it was announced by russia in the first place and russia was never going to engage. but there is still heavy shelling coming down from the russian side. tens of thousands of orthodox christians in ethiopia celebrate christmas at churches in the historic town of laleebella for the first time since the conflict in tigray began in 2020. hello and welcome to bbc news. the uk prime minister rishi sunak has given his first tv interview of the year to the bbc�*s laura kuennsberg. mr sunak addressed concerns over nurses strikes and said he will talk to the royal college of nursing

union about pay — but does not commit to increasing wages now to end their strike action. he also defended his economic policies as being �*deeply conservative�*. our political correspondent damian grammaticas has been listen to what the prime minister has been saying. has has been saying. he been listening to union demands? has he been listening to union demands? i has he been listening to union demands?— has he been listening to union demands? ., ., ., demands? i have to say no. the strikes, demands? i have to say no. the strikes. we _ demands? i have to say no. the strikes, we haven't _ demands? i have to say no. the strikes, we haven't seen - demands? i have to say no. the strikes, we haven't seen the - demands? i have to say no. the i strikes, we haven't seen the likes strikes, we haven�*t seen the likes in 100 years. nurses striking over theissue in 100 years. nurses striking over the issue of pay, their issue is the pay offer they have been given for this year, so 2022, 23 it runs until april, has been in dispute with no resolution in sight. what the government is saying it will meet them tomorrow but to talk about pay in the next year, so from april 23

onwards. so rishi sunak was pressed onwards. so rishi sunak was pressed on this, will he actually talk about what is in dispute this year and this was the exchange with laura kuenssberg. i want to be really clear, it is a yes or— i want to be really clear, it is a yes or no — i want to be really clear, it is a yes or no answer, if you can will you talk— yes or no answer, if you can will you talk to — yes or no answer, if you can will you talk to nurses about increasing pace this_ you talk to nurses about increasing pace this year, yes or no? we you talk to nurses about increasing pace this year, yes or no?- pace this year, yes or no? we are about to start _ pace this year, yes or no? we are about to start that _ pace this year, yes or no? we are about to start that process. - pace this year, yes or no? we are about to start that process. that. pace this year, yes or no? we are | about to start that process. that is about to start that process. that is about next — about to start that process. that is about next year? _ about to start that process. that is about next year? no, _ about to start that process. that is about next year? no, it _ about to start that process. that is about next year? no, it is - about to start that process. that is about next year? no, it is literaryl about next year? no, it is literary about next year? no, it is literary about the year— about next year? no, it is literary about the year we _ about next year? no, it is literary about the year we are _ about next year? no, it is literary about the year we are about - about next year? no, it is literary about the year we are about to i about the year we are about to start — about the year we are about to start we — about the year we are about to start we are _ about the year we are about to start. we are about _ about the year we are about to start. we are about to - about the year we are about to start. we are about to have . about the year we are about to| start. we are about to have the conversation. when _ start. we are about to have the conversation. when it - start. we are about to have the conversation. when it comes. start. we are about to have the i conversation. when it comes to start. we are about to have the - conversation. when it comes to pay, it is not— conversation. when it comes to pay, it is not appropriate _ conversation. when it comes to pay, it is not appropriate for— conversation. when it comes to pay, it is not appropriate for those - it is not appropriate for those conversations— it is not appropriate for those conversations do— it is not appropriate for those conversations do happen - it is not appropriate for those conversations do happen in l it is not appropriate for those - conversations do happen in public. he is not committing to talking to the nurses unions now about pay. what going to do, his health minister is going to be talking this week to nurses representatives about exchanging views for upcoming issues and where expectations are in the future. that means things seem to be

left hanging. future. that means things seem to be left hanging-— left hanging. discussions about pay could start in _ left hanging. discussions about pay could start in a _ left hanging. discussions about pay could start in a few— left hanging. discussions about pay could start in a few months' - left hanging. discussions about pay could start in a few months' time . could start in a few months�* time then. there were also discussions about rishi sunak�*s use of private health care, what did he say? yes. health care, what did he say? yes, this is a point _ health care, what did he say? yes, this is a point of— health care, what did he say? yes, this is a point of interest. - health care, what did he say? yes this is a point of interest. the prime minister was asked about whether he and his family, there have been suggestions they pay for their own private health care, so outside the nhs system, a politically sensitive point because obviously facing the strikes, nurses talking about their pain conditions and his family sidestepping it by getting private health care. he was asked by laura kuenssberg, does he use private health care. are you registered with a private gp? me— are you registered with a private gp? g ., ., , are you registered with a private gp? g ., ., ., that gp? my dad was a doctor... that wasn't the _ gp? my dad was a doctor... that wasn't the question, _ gp? my dad was a doctor... that wasn't the question, are - gp? my dad was a doctor... that wasn't the question, are you - wasn't the question, are you registered with the private gp? | registered with the private gp? would not

registered with the private gp? i would not talk about my family's health _ would not talk about my family's health care, _ would not talk about my family's health care, it _ would not talk about my family's health care, it is— would not talk about my family's health care, it is not— would not talk about my family's health care, it is not relevant, . would not talk about my family's health care, it is not relevant, it| health care, it is not relevant, it is about— health care, it is not relevant, it is about the _ health care, it is not relevant, it is about the difference - health care, it is not relevant, it is about the difference i- health care, it is not relevant, it is about the difference i can - health care, it is not relevant, it i is about the difference i can make to the _ is about the difference i can make to the country~ _ is about the difference i can make to the country-— to the country. prime minister, it is about the _ to the country. prime minister, it is about the difference _ to the country. prime minister, it is about the difference you - to the country. prime minister, it is about the difference you can i is about the difference you can make. — is about the difference you can make, and margaret thatcher said very openly she decided to use her i’ilht very openly she decided to use her right as _ very openly she decided to use her right as a — very openly she decided to use her right as a free citizen to spend my money— right as a free citizen to spend my money in — right as a free citizen to spend my money in my own way so i can go on the day— money in my own way so i can go on the day at _ money in my own way so i can go on the day at the — money in my own way so i can go on the day at the time i want and see the day at the time i want and see the doctor— the day at the time i want and see the doctor and she was proud to talk about— the doctor and she was proud to talk about the _ the doctor and she was proud to talk about the decision she made. it is a ersonal about the decision she made. it is a personal choice. _ about the decision she made. it is a personal choice. it _ about the decision she made. it is a personal choice. it is _ about the decision she made. it is a personal choice. it is about - about the decision she made. it is a personal choice. it is about health l personal choice. it is about health care, _ personal choice. it is about health care, it _ personal choice. it is about health care, it is — personal choice. it is about health care, it is private. _ again, not committing there but the nurses union leader who was listening to that and she said he should be clear because this is an issue, if you are a public servant in a position of government, it is an issue about transparency and honesty, to pretty critical of that. an uncomfortable question for him and what is more uncomfortable for many people in the uk and the strikes they keep happening, i will lead to believe the strikes will

just continue? i lead to believe the strikes will just continue?— lead to believe the strikes will just continue? i have to say yes, basically- _ just continue? i have to say yes, basically- we — just continue? i have to say yes, basically. we have _ just continue? i have to say yes, basically. we have the _ just continue? i have to say yes, basically. we have the meeting. basically. we have the meeting tomorrow but that is not going to address the key demands and because of that what we are going to see is as early as this week we have ambulance workers on strike. in ten days, nurses going out again for two days. that will have a big impact. junior doctors in the health service, they are also upset about their pay. they will be holding ballots starting from tomorrow, to see whether they will also go out on strike in the coming weeks. and all of that is going ahead, it seems. the nursing union leader wasjust saying there is no sign for her the government is going to do the minimum demand for the nurses and health workers, which is simply to sit at the table and talk about current pay. no sign of that. strike dia still current pay. no sign of that. strike diary still needed _ current pay. no sign of that. strike diary still needed to _ current pay. no sign of that. strike diary still needed to keep - diary still needed to keep up—to—date with the strikes. thank you forjoining us.

for the first time in nearly three years, china has lifted quarantine rules for people arriving from abroad. it�*s the final step in the government�*s dismantling of its zero—covid policies. the abrupt change has driven a rapid rise in coronavirus cases and has prompted other countries to impose restrictions on chinese tourists. tens of thousands of people gathered at border crossings between hong kong and the mainland on sunday to take advantage of the latest relaxation. speaking a short while ago, china�*s national health commission spokesperson mi feng said that the relaxing of measures doesn�*t mean that the country is relaxing its approach to the disease. translation: from today, - we categorise and manage covid as a class b infectious disease. our focus has pivoted from preventing infection to protecting health and preventing severe cases. downgrading covid doesn�*t mean letting it rip. rather, we are more scientific, targeted and efficient in our response. we can do better in coordinating pandemic response and social economic development. tens of thousands of people

gathered at border crossings between hong kong and the mainland on sunday to take advantage of the latest relaxation. here�*s what some of them had to say. translation: i'm so happy, so happy, so excited. - i haven�*t seen my parents for many years. my parents aren�*t in good health and i couldn�*t go back to see them even when they were ill, so i�*m really happy to go back and see them now. i can't wait to go back to the mainland. it's been three years. we have no time to delay now the board is unimpeded. the boarder is unimpeded. last time i came to hong kong i had to wait for two weeks. _ in the end, i had no choice but to go back to turkey . because i couldn't enter china. our reporter, martin yip is at the hong kong—zhuhai macau bridge checkpoint. martin, you are there where people are boarding shuttles to get into mainland china. is it that simple now the quarantine has been dropped, are there no test can theyjust head

straight into china? hat are there no test can they 'ust head straight into chinah straight into china? not yet, they still have to _ straight into china? not yet, they still have to produce _ straight into china? not yet, they still have to produce valid - straight into china? not yet, they still have to produce valid test. still have to produce valid test results, pcr tests with negative results, pcr tests with negative result over the past 48 hours before they could step over the bridge going into the terminal and go through immigration and get onto the shuttle bus. i havejust seen a couple of suitcases between them and they wait outside because they are waiting for the test results to arrive on their phones. there are still restrictions, but it is like a big open day to day, notjust opening up china�*s border in the sense of you don�*t need to be quarantined any more and you will not be tested as you arrive, you just need to produce the test result before you reach any checkpoints and go over. although for hong kong, some restrictions. 15,000 people

will be allowed to cross the border from today, each day. so 50,000 up, 50,000 down. it doesn�*t seem all the quotas have been used up, but it is a start. ., ., ., ., ., a start. you are wearing a facemask and i understand _ a start. you are wearing a facemask and i understand you _ a start. you are wearing a facemask and i understand you will _ a start. you are wearing a facemask and i understand you will be - a start. you are wearing a facemask and i understand you will be fined i and i understand you will be fined if you take it off with police officers closely monitoring you now. can hong kong reduce their restrictions now or is there nervousness because of what is happening over the border? taste nervousness because of what is happening over the border? we have et to hear happening over the border? we have yet to hear from _ happening over the border? we have yet to hear from the _ happening over the border? we have yet to hear from the government - happening over the border? we have yet to hear from the government in l yet to hear from the government in that sense. for hong kong, we are still having facemasks and the government announced scrapping the use of an app called leave home safe, which is similar to what used to be the case in the nhs, you

needed to scan yourself into certain places. if somebody was there infected with covid, the hospital will alert you to get yourself treated in quarantine. that has ceased operation this afternoon as well. but we do have this requirement to wear a facemask. like you said, there is a fine and people wary of this opening of the border crossing with mainland china would bring in a new variance of covid. some bus drivers i spoke to a few days ago, they would end up taking these passengers. they do worry about it, but there are people, especially those who are working in the travel injury, tourism —related industry, like retail and all of that, they are hoping for some sort of build over the bounce of their

businesses in time for the new year luna holiday. businesses in time for the new year luna holiday-— luna holiday. martin, thank you for “oininu luna holiday. martin, thank you for joining us- — ukrainian officials say at least one person was killed as russian bombing of cities continued overnight. minutes after the supposed ceasefire ended, the north—east region of kharkiv came under attack. in a further development, russian media has claimed two thermal power plants were attacked by ukrainian forces in the russian—controlled donetsk region. with the latest, here�*s our ukraine correspondent hugo bachego in kyiv. ukrainian officials say russia continued to attack city is over continued to attack cities over after the end of that ceasefire that was announced by russia to coincide with orthodox christmas. kharkiv, a region in the north—east of the country, came under attack apparently minutes after the end of that truce. the governor said one man was killed and he accused russia of terrorising the civilian population.

people were still celebrating orthodox christmas last night. now, officials have also reported explosions in the southern cities of zaporizhzhia and melitopol, and in the eastern city of kramatorsk. and in the east, fighting continued even during the truce, especially around the town of bakhmut, which has seen some intense fighting in recent weeks. and the authorities said one person was killed. last night president zelensky said that the fact the russian forces continued to attack ukrainian positions during this alleged ceasefire was proof that moscow�*s words are false. he also said the peace would only be restored when russian forces were expelled from his country. this morning, russian appointed officials in the east of the country have said

that two power stations in donetsk were hit by ukrainian rocket attacks. the ukrainian authorities haven�*t reacted to this claim. they rarely issue statements about possible attacks on russian positions in russian—controlled territory. military helicopters in western australia have airlifted more than 200 people cut off by devastating floods. the crisis in kimberley was caused by heavy rain brought by a former tropical cyclone. the state�*s emergency services minister described the damage as a "once in a century event" with flood waters stretching for 50 kilometres in some areas. rainfall has eased across the catchment with the movement of ex tropical cyclone ellie towards the empty border. flooding is adversely affecting a number of roads in the fitzroy river catchment many roads are impassable and many communities are now isolated.

we have rescued, evacuated or relocated 233 people from floodwaters and responded to 54 incidents, requests for assistance. the united states has called for iran to stop executing anti—government protesters. the state department said two men who were hanged on saturday were convicted in sham trials. the uk and the european union have have also condemned iran�*s use of the death penalty. shelley phelps reports. nationwide protests have swept iran since the death of the young woman he was detained by the morality police in september. no two men have been hanged for killing a member of the security forces during the demonstrations. the two men had appealed against their sentences saying they had been tortured into making false confessions. on saturday, a reigning state tv broadcast footage of the two men testifying during a court hearing but has been condemned as a sham trial by human rights groups. in

every single execution we see that the primary and the most significant evidence is self incriminating confessions obtained under torture. indeed, we know one of the people who was hanged today was tortured heavily ahead of his execution to obtain the confessions. i don�*t really call them a judicial process, but lynching communities. the deaths bring the total number of protesters known to have been killed after the unrest to four. but this is not a new tactic by the iranian regime. the islamic republic has been handing out death sentences to political prisoners for four decades. in the 1980s, thousands of protesters were executed. the human riahts a-rou protesters were executed. the human rights grouo amnesty _ protesters were executed. the human rights group amnesty international, . rights group amnesty international, says if these at least 26 more people are at great risk of

execution in connection with the protests. while politicians from around the world have widely condemned iran�*s actions as abhorrent. shelly phelps, bbc news. an american woman who was convicted two decades ago of spying for cuba has been released from jail in texas. now aged 65, ana montez passed on classified information throughout her career as an intelligence analyst. she pleaded guilty to espionage, saying she�*d been motivated by opposition to us policy in latin america. the london 2012 olympics promised to inspire a generation. but a report by mps has concluded it failed in this task. the cross—party committee claims the proportion of adults participating in sport at least once a week actually fell in the first three years following the games, and there�*s still been no meaningful increase. the report also said there has been "little progress" in tackling barriers to participation, particularly for women, ethnic minorities and disabled people and that "nearly two in five adults in england still do not meet

the chief medical officer�*s guidelines for recommended activity. the dcms should urgently review the use of leisure facilities. body, uk active. there was such a buzz around the olympics, we all remember them. the re ort olympics, we all remember them. tie: report recognises olympics, we all remember them. tte: report recognises there olympics, we all remember them. "tte: report recognises there were significant benefits and legacy benefits from the games, economic regeneration of east london and the reporters looking at participation levels and physical activity in the

last decade. there is two things, firstly a consensus, honest consensus we need to have in 2023 that physical and activity levels are not where they need to be in the country and can grow. whilst acknowledging the pandemic and the cost of living crisis and energy crisis. the government plans need to stand on their own and not be connected to major events. major events have never been a major driver of population changes in physical activity. a plan to focus on what the drivers are and actually improve the operating landscape for the sector as a whole. improve the operating iandscape for the sector as a whole.— improve the operating landscape for the sector as a whole.— the sector as a whole. there is a ma'or the sector as a whole. there is a major events _ the sector as a whole. there is a major events that _ the sector as a whole. there is a major events that we _ the sector as a whole. there is a major events that we open - the sector as a whole. there is a major events that we open so i the sector as a whole. there is a i major events that we open so much hope on to encourage full participation, don�*t deliver. why can�*t they help? it is participation, don't deliver. why can't they help?— can't they help? it is a bit of a false promise. _ can't they help? it is a bit of a false promise. they _ can't they help? it is a bit of a false promise. they do - can't they help? it is a bit of a j false promise. they do deliver can't they help? it is a bit of a i false promise. they do deliver in terms of the excitement and pathways, especially for elite athletes. we saw in the tokyo games, the commonwealth games, athletes inspired 2012 participating. but the

drivers of physical activity is walking, cycling, running, swimming and fitness. you need a plan built around those agents of change and a plan that will improve, especially my members at uk active, the ability to grow their servers across the country. the work we are doing the sport england is very important and we need to see the government unlock the potential of my sector and get it to work especially in the current health crisis and the nhs. brute it to work especially in the current health crisis and the nhs. we have been reporting _ health crisis and the nhs. we have been reporting the _ health crisis and the nhs. we have been reporting the problems i health crisis and the nhs. we have been reporting the problems in i health crisis and the nhs. we have been reporting the problems in the nhs and it always flags up the need for more physical activity in the uk. what can be done to improve the situation and how can the government help? it situation and how can the government hel ? , ., ., situation and how can the government hel? ,., ., , ., help? it is a great question. firstl , help? it is a great question. firstly. the _ help? it is a great question. firstly, the nhs _ help? it is a great question. firstly, the nhs operationalj firstly, the nhs operational challenges around waiting list. my members can support that straightaway and get plans together. you look at the 2.5 million people who are of working age and economically inactive. we can

support getting them back into work. on the crisis of adult and child mental health, if rishi sunak and government can put my sector to work and give us the right environment, we can start transforming physical activity levels in this country, improve the health of the nature, save the nhs and create economic growth. save the nhs and create economic urowth. ., ., , ., growth. you mentioned there is a ti . ht growth. you mentioned there is a tight budget _ growth. you mentioned there is a tight budget in — growth. you mentioned there is a tight budget in households i growth. you mentioned there is a tight budget in households and i growth. you mentioned there is a l tight budget in households and the government, how can those changes you want to see happen take place on a limited budget? if you want to see happen take place on a limited budget?— a limited budget? if you take waitin: a limited budget? if you take waiting list. _ a limited budget? if you take waiting list, we _ a limited budget? if you take waiting list, we are _ a limited budget? if you take waiting list, we are losing i a limited budget? if you take i waiting list, we are losing hundreds of millions of pounds each month for cancelled operations because the patients cannot have the operation because they�*re not in the condition. but my sector in place and it can drive physical education and it can drive physical education and that is a win—win. we need to get around the table with the nhs and government to build the plant together. and government to build the plant touether. . ~ and government to build the plant

touether. ., ,, , ., ., , together. thank you, he fronts -- huw edwards. _ thousands of pilgrims have descended on the historic town of lalibela in ethiopia to celebrate orthodox christmas. it was the first time pilgrims went to the town since the conflict in tigray began in 2020, which disrupted life in the country. a surprise ceasefire was declared on november 2nd. the bbc�*s daniel dadzie reports. peace at last, after two years of war. thousands of worshippers have travelled from far and near to mark the ancient custom of orthodox christmas in africa�*s largest christian site. the medieval rock churches here at lalibela became a world heritage site in 1978. they are important for christians as places of pilgrimage and devotion. but this year�*s ceremony is special.

it�*s laced with the relief of a country recovering from war. translation: last year- we were in our home crying. i normally always come here for christmas, but i couldn�*t come for the last two years. more than the pandemic, the war was scary because it was a massacre that was visible to our naked eyes. i couldn�*t come and celebrate it because i was afraid. not long ago, lalibela was on the front line of the brutal conflict between government forces and the tigray people�*s liberation front. the town changed hands four times during the fighting and miraculously the ancient churches appear to have been spared the scars of war. there is obvious relief here that a peace deal was signed last november, though memories of the war are never far away. translation: my prayer and wish is god may grant us freedom i for myself and my country.

many problems remain, with 2.3 million people still thought to be in need after being cut off from humanitarian aid. but today�*s ceremony rings with the hope that life will return to normal for ethiopians. daniel dadzie, bbc news. treasure hunters in the netherlands are hoping to find valuables worth millions, hidden by nazi soldiers during world war ii. an old map believed to mark the spot where the german soldiers hid diamonds, rubies, gold and silver, was made public by the dutch national archive. claudia redmond reports. these treasure hunters are hoping x really does mark the spot as they follow aim man believed to show where german soldiers had a haul of stolen goods during world war ii. the map was made public alongside

other papers from the time by the national archive of the netherlands, after a 75—year confidentiality period expired. translation: according to the documents, it i contains bracelets, watches, brooches, necklaces, silver coins, gold coins, precious stones, rubies, diamonds. armed with shovels and metal detectors, groups wandered through the fields surrounding rural ommeren in hope of finding the buried loot. like so many young quite tickled by the news of this treasure. i�*m a serious searcher, i�*ve been searching in this area for 30 years and i�*ve found nice objects, especially roman ones. but now, suddenly, are we told something we haven�*t known for all these years, that there is probably nazi treasure buried here. my daughter and i projected them up from 1944 onto the current map and our conclusion is that the cross is here.

a road crossing in the shape of a fork and a little cross indicating the treasure here is here. which is where we are standing at the moment. but these hopeful treasure hunters shouldn�*t get their hopes up too high, as the released papers show the dutch state tried to find the looted treasure after the war, apparently without much luck. the stories some of that treasure could tell. thank you for your company. we are looking at a blustery day, a day of sunshine and heavy showers. it is a day where there are lots and lots of their showers around so lots of downpours to come through. pretty windy, an area of low pressure is responsible. the slump of thicker cloud is going to wales and north—west england, bringing heavy rain here. this morning we saw strong winds at the far west of

scotland. we had got up to 76 miles an hour in south uist in the western isles. 60 mile an hour gusts in stornoway. those winds combining with high tides bringing large battering waves which have led to a number of flood warnings being issued by the scottish environment protection agency. that could be some debris held on show by those large waves. we have had flood warnings out and about on account of the heavy rain over recent days. some of the roads are suffering with large puddles in places, a lot of surface water and spray. thing is getting worse as these bands of rain rattle across the skies. temperatures today generally range from around eight to 10 celsius, above average for this time in january. overnight, showers will continue to move quickly from west to east, but later in the night the winds will start to calm down and that will allow temperatures to drop a little bit lower than they did last night. could even have a few patches of frost in some of the deep

valleys in scotland in shelter. tomorrow is another showery day and most of them will be across parts of western scotland, northern ireland, north—west england. elsewhere, 102 showers around but more in the way of sunshine to the forward to, compared with the last couple of days. temperatures not changing as much but perhaps not feeling quite as chilly, given the winds will not be strong. tuesday, we have another area of low pressure, another wet and windy day. a bit of snowfall over the high ground in scotland, about 400 metres elevation, so pretty high up. the scottish ski resorts benefit from that for a time before mild air pushes in. it crosses england and wales, northern ireland, a very mild day. the rest of the week looking unsettled, expect more rain and more strong winds at times.

this is bbc news, the headlines. prime minister rishi sunak says he�*s willing to discuss the issue of pay with the nurses�* union to settle strikes but didn�*t make a firm commitment to increase salaries. china has fully opened its borders for the first time since the start of the covid pandemic. international travellers will no longer need to quarantine and chinese citizens are once again allowed to go overseas. this latest lifting of coronavirus restrictions coincides

with the country�*s busiest travel season marking the lunar new year.