hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. russian forces are said to be close to taking a strategic ukrainian salt—mining town, after weeks of intense fighting. translation: the whole land in soledar is covered _ with the corpses of the invaders and scarred from the strikes. this is what madness looks like. we'll assess the town's strategic importance. also on the programme... mass rallies in defence of democracy in brazil, with calls for ex—president bolsonaro to be jailed over the storming of congress by his supporters. we'll be live in brasilia.

here in the uk, 2022 saw the highest number of excess deaths outside the covid pandemic in half a century. and france tries again to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. it's an unpopular reform that didn't go well last time it tried. we'll be live in paris. we start in ukraine. president volodymyr zelensky has said ukraine's army is facing an extremely difficult situation as fighting continues in the eastern donbas region. the focus is the salt mining town of soledar. the uk defence ministry says it's likely that russian forces including wagner group mercenaries now control most of the town. we'll be taking a look at why it's become central to this conflict. but first, here's

president zelensky. translation: and what did russia want to win there? i everything is completely destroyed. there was almost no life left. thousands of their people are gone, the whole land in soledar is covered with the corpses of the invaders and scarred from the strikes. this is what madness looks like. so why is soledar important? have a look at this map — soledar is close to the city of bakhmut. it's located on a strategic supply line between the donetsk and luhansk regions. taking it opens the way to bigger cities. we also know that russia and ukraine want control of the large salt mines in the area. the uk ministry of defence says both countries "are likely concerned" that the tunnels in the mines "could be used for infiltration behind their lines." we've been hearing from a photojournalist who's been documenting the fighting in the area. it's nonstop, the shelling is relentless.

even when you're standing on an overlook watching it, it's plumes of smoke and sparks of incoming shells landing — it really is a very hellish scene, just looking at it from a distance. i can't even imagine what it's like being on the ground in there, and the actual city itself. this all comes as the european union and the nato defensive alliance sign an agreement to strengthen their strategic partnership — a move largely fuelled by the war in ukraine. here's the nato secretary general. you should not underestimate russia. they are mobilising more troops, they are working hard to acquire more equipment, more ammunition, and they have shown willingness to actually suffer but continue the war, and there is no indication that president putin has changed the overall aim of his brutal war against ukraine, so we need to be prepared for the long haul.

several strands to this story today — let's pick up on one of them. ben solomon is from vice news — he spent two weeks embedded with fighters and front line workers in bakhmut, where some of the heaviest fighting of the war is taking place. i'll be speaking to him in a moment — first, here's a clip. so today, we're embedded with a mortar team on the outskirts of bakhmut. theirjob tonight is to attack the russian forces who are pressing into the city. under the cover of darkness, these guys will fire these mortars about two miles away from where the russian positions are and try to push them back. but this is a really dangerous place, so they have to work in complete darkness unless russian shells start falling

back on this position. and ben solomonjoins me now. thank you very much indeed for your time. when you were alongside those ukrainian troops, did they believe it was realistic to hold onto bakhmut and soledar? those troops are art of bakhmut and soledar? those troops are part of the _ bakhmut and soledar? those troops are part of the international- bakhmut and soledar? those troops are part of the international region | are part of the international region who originate from belarus who were supporting the ukrainian troops. bakhmut, for these soldiers, for everyone that we've been meeting not only their ball around ukraine has become a national symbol of defiance. soledar, just 25 km north of it, has also become more strategically a protectorate of it. this is a centralfight strategically a protectorate of it. this is a central fight for the ukrainians right now, to push the russians out and prove that toe to toe with the russian military force, they can push them back, hold them off from taking this town. and they've been doing it for the last

few months. the international soldiers there with are a big part of that bush, but both sides are really high right now —— part of that push. really high right now -- part of that push-— that push. tell us about the practicalities _ that push. tell us about the practicalities of _ that push. tell us about the practicalities of trying - that push. tell us about the practicalities of trying to - that push. tell us about the i practicalities of trying to report on this type of fighting in amongst the soldiers who are trying to resist the russians? we the soldiers who are trying to resist the russians? we spent about two weeks in — resist the russians? we spent about two weeks in bakhmut, _ resist the russians? we spent about two weeks in bakhmut, spending - resist the russians? we spent about two weeks in bakhmut, spending a l resist the russians? we spent about i two weeks in bakhmut, spending a lot of time with the military there. the soldiers there are just in the total harshest fight i've seen since the war began. it's reallyjust a harsh front between these two forces. it's equipped with drones on each side to do spotting, constant artillery and trench warfare like world war i style. so really for the soldiers that we've met and the people we were around, you could really feel

that this fight was both important for the military to prove they had the strength, but after so many losses and deaths, it's really important for the soldiers there in fighting and defending for so long, and for the civilians still left in the city, it's really important to hold off and stay there out of pride and love for their city, which has been almost totally demolished. band, when you were talking with the soldiers, did they feel they were receiving sufficient support from the government and military, but also from ukraine's western allies? the soldiers that we met all had different problems, but they also had a lot of things they were really excited about. the problems i think were just the lack of ammunition, a lot of the artillerymen that we talk to with the mortar teams were saying they are really low on mortars. and this was reporting that we did all

around these areas, there's just a lack of shells, so much incoming and outgoing shells, they need to spend a lot of their ammunition. but they also said the higher accuracy weapons, the high mars being sent by the us, a lot of the... have really changed the fight for them. so although a lot of these older weapons, these soviet made wall pens —— soviet made weapons they're running out of, they're hoping to change these western, advance new weapons which could change their fight. but with this fight in bakhmut and soledar, with such high intensity attacks, so many shells being spent, there's just never enough coming in to keep the fight at the pace where it's happening right now. 50 at the pace where it's happening riaht now. ,, ., ., ., right now. so you spent a lot of time with _ right now. so you spent a lot of time with the _ right now. so you spent a lot of time with the soldiers, - right now. so you spent a lot of time with the soldiers, were i right now. so you spent a lot of. time with the soldiers, were there any civilians around at all in the areas that you were reporting from?

absolutely, bakhmut is a town of 75,000 people. there's about 10% of the city still left in the actual city itself. a lot of these civilians had been living there under this really heavy shelling for the entirety of the war. we met with some families, some children who had been living basically underground and kind of had adapted to the attacks and these constant shells. these people are some of the bravest and proudest people i've met in this country. they loved bakhmut, they loved their city, they loved it what it represented, spending time with them in the soldiers, you really felt not only how important the city had become for the ukrainian people, but how important the fight was for the people living in it, how much of a symbol and their love for the city has spread over the nation. and that

was something a big surprise. ben. was something a big surprise. ben, we appreciate _ was something a big surprise. ben, we appreciate you _ was something a big surprise. ben, we appreciate you joining us, and if you want to see his reporting, you can find it via vice news. we're going to talk about a story here in the uk now — a higher than usual number of people died in 2022. in fact, last year saw the biggest level of excess deaths outside covid in half a century. these are the numbers. the annual total of almost 660,000 is below peak covid levels. but it's still 9% higher than 2019, the year before the pandemic. so what's at play here? well, the data suggests a leading explanation is the longer—term impact of covid on people's health. but the last couple of weeks of december saw an even sharper rise — 20%. a cold snap in the uk may have contributed, along with the crisis in health care. delays in freeing up hospital beds have had knock—on

effects for admissions, leading to many patients experiencing long waits in ambulances before being handed over to accident and emergency teams. here's more analysis from stuart macdonald, from lcp health analytics, which has been looking at the data. we've seen the delays in accessing emergency health care really contributing. we've also got these long—term factors — so we've had repeated waves of covid through the year, we are up to our fifth. and that causes a problem in the immediate term, both in terms of people it kills directly, but also in terms of the problems it creates to our health care workers who are obviously on the front line when infectious diseases strike. we also know that the infections may cause increased cardiovascular risks, so a tale of additional risk, if you like, after people have been infected.

well, let's take a closer look at that cardiovascular risk. this chart shows the number of people who started blood pressure treatment during the pandemic. the grey area is the first lockdown in 2020, when there was a big drop in people coming forward. the level didn't fully recover throughout 2021. now without treatment, people with high blood pressure are at risk of heart trouble in the future. what is clear from the data is that people who didn't have covid vaccines were more vulnerable than those who did. here's our health and disinformation reporter rebecca schraer. it's really easy for people to insert their favourite theory, whatever your pre—existing belief is — so i see lots of people online who see the rise in deaths and immediately said, "aha, it's the covid vaccine" — because they had a pre—existing belief that vaccines are dangerous, even though that's not supported by the data. but when we actually look at the data, we can see that in fact, more unvaccinated people have died of all causes of up

to the end of may last year the end of may last year than vaccinated people. it's difficult to directly compare the uk's excess deaths with other countries, as a lot of governments have yet to release their excess deaths figures for the whole of 2022. but germany has published provisional figures, showing that it recorded 1.06 million deaths in 2022 as a whole. that's 3.4% above the figure for 2021, during the covid pandemic. for the eu as a whole, the last excess mortality figure we have is for october 2022, when it had an excess death figure of 10% above pre—pandemic levels. joining me is dr veena raleigh, senior fellow at the health charity, the king's fund. thank you very much forjoining us. what would you highlight as being the main factors in explaining these figures? this the main factors in explaining these fiaures? ~ , ,, ., ., the main factors in explaining these fiures? �* , ,, ., ., figures? as stewart said and your correspondent _ figures? as stewart said and your correspondent also _

figures? as stewart said and your correspondent also said, - figures? as stewart said and your correspondent also said, there i correspondent also said, there really is no single answer to this. there are several factors driving the current level of excess deaths. covid is clearly a factor, and what hasn't been mentioned so far is flu. so there's been a sharp increase in the number of flu deaths — in fact last week, december, flew accounted for about 25%, one in five of total deaths. so the flu is taking quite the toll at the moment. there was a cold shock or spell in december, and we know historically that older people in particular are at risk of dying during extreme cold weather. and also during the summer, we had a very hot spell where deaths in this country did show a rise as they did across many southern european countries, as well. there nhs

related factors too, which you mentioned. so there's a number of factors driving this — and i think to add one other thing, it's a slightly technical point but it does need to be mentioned, especially when comparing numbers of deaths, with deaths in previous years — which is that even if mortality figures don't change, our population is growing larger and older, so there will be more deaths from that, as well. �* , ., there will be more deaths from that, as well. �* ,, . ~' there will be more deaths from that, as well. �* ., ~ ., as well. and you talk about the im act as well. and you talk about the impact of _ as well. and you talk about the impact of flu. _ as well. and you talk about the impact of flu, has _ as well. and you talk about the impact of flu, has that - as well. and you talk about the impact of flu, has that had - as well. and you talk about the impact of flu, has that had a i impact of flu, has that had a greater impact because of how covid affected our immunity systems? i think it's hard to comment on that, and certainly that's probably for a virologist, it's not meyer dunne in my area of expertise. in the last three years since we've had the covid pandemic, during most of those winters, there were plenty of protections in place. there were masks, restrictions on social

mixing, so that would've kept flu low anyway. now most of those restrictions aren't there, so exposure to flu is much more frequent. the rise in flu deaths, we saw this in the southern hemisphere, so we've had warnings of this coming for a while. . , �* for a while. finally there'll be some who — for a while. finally there'll be some who argue _ for a while. finally there'll be some who argue that - for a while. finally there'll be some who argue that the - for a while. finally there'll be | some who argue that the cost for a while. finally there'll be i some who argue that the cost of restricting our health care systems during the pandemic was greater than the benefits in restraining the virus — what do you say to that argument? i virus - what do you say to that argument?— argument? i think there's discussions _ argument? i think there's discussions and _ argument? i think there'sl discussions and arguments argument? i think there's - discussions and arguments that will clear out, they will have their fixed views. certainly if the pressures on the nhs now because of unmet needs are certainly there, but on the other hand, if we hadn't experienced some of these restrictive measures, pretty much as

you're seeing in china at the moment, a high level of infections and deaths, and immense pressures on hospitals in terms of probate. thank ou ve hospitals in terms of probate. thank you very much _ hospitals in terms of probate. thank you very much for — hospitals in terms of probate. thank you very much for your— hospitals in terms of probate. thank you very much for your time. - hospitals in terms of probate. thank you very much for your time. thank | you very much for your time. thank ou. let's go to brazil now and get the latest from there, after sunday's attack. that's when supporters of the former far—right president, jair bolsonaro, stormed government buildings in the capital, brasilia. in the last 2a hours, tens of thousands of people held pro—democracy rallies across the country. the new president, luiz inacio lula da silva, has also been talking about the need to protect democracy. translation: how many times have we had demonstrations _ in more demonstrations against the government here and nothing ever happened? but this time, people didn't have a list of demands,

they didn't come to claim from the government, they wanted a coup — and there won't be a coup. what they have to learn is that democracy�*s the most complicated thing for us to do because it requires us to support others and forces us to live with people we don't like, with whom we don't get along. but it is the only system that allows everyone to have a chance to dispute power, and whoever wins has the right to govern. our correspondent nomia iqbal is in brasilia. first things first, how's the clear up first things first, how's the clear up going? first things first, how's the clear u- auoin ? first things first, how's the clear u. hoin ? . ., first things first, how's the clear u- auoin ? . ., , first things first, how's the clear u- aoian? . ., , , up going? the clear up is pretty much done. _ up going? the clear up is pretty much done. i — up going? the clear up is pretty much done, i was _ up going? the clear up is pretty much done, i was at _ up going? the clear up is pretty much done, i was at the - up going? the clear up is pretty - much done, i was at the presidential palace yesterday and people have been working night and day to clear everything up. so many of the windows have been smashed, precious artwork destroyed, and there's a pathway that goes up to the palace —

basically writers had done it —— dug it up, they had taken out the stones and use them dust thrown them at the windows. so it's pretty calm in brasilia, security is no really tight here. and today, also the brazilian senate has approved for the policing in brasilia to be taken over by military police from different states across brazil. so i guess it's kind of similar to what i saw happen in the aftermath of the january 6th riots in the us where national troop guards were brought into dc to protect the city. hand into dc to protect the city. and what are the — into dc to protect the city. and what are the critics _ into dc to protect the city. and what are the critics of - into dc to protect the city. and what are the critics ofjair what are the critics of jair bolsonaro saying it needs to be done in response to what happened on sunday? in response to what happened on sunda ? , ., :: ., ., . sunday? they want 0-tolerance. i mean, sunday? they want 0-tolerance. i mean. there's _ sunday? they want 0-tolerance. i mean, there's been _ sunday? they want 0-tolerance. i mean, there's been lots _ sunday? they want 0-tolerance. i mean, there's been lots of- mean, there's been lots of pro—democracy protests that have been cropping up across brazil, particularly in sao paulo. people

want no amnesty for a lot of these people who were involved in those riots. i also spent some time just outside the police station where more than 1500 of them were taken to be questioned, they were detained — it's important to stress they were not arrested. others were taken off and dropped off at a bus station, and dropped off at a bus station, and they've been cleared. those that have been officially arrested will be questioned further, the authorities have five days, the could extend that to bring about charges, and some of those charges — we're talking about really serious ones like terrorism charges, which experts say if they stick could see people end up injailfor up to 15 years. people end up in “ail for up to 15 ears. �* people end up in “ail for up to 15 ears. ~ , ., ., people end up in “ail for up to 15 ears. ~ ., ., , years. and you mentioned it january 6th and the — years. and you mentioned it january 6th and the days _ years. and you mentioned it january 6th and the days following - years. and you mentioned it january 6th and the days following that, - 6th and the days following that, everyone was looking at how senior republicans were responding — i wonder what the equivalent reactions have been in brazilfrom those

wonder what the equivalent reactions have been in brazil from those who would naturally aligned themselves with bolsonaro and his party? itrailiiiie with bolsonaro and his party? while outside the police _ with bolsonaro and his party? while outside the police station, - with bolsonaro and his party? “rafa"i ie: outside the police station, there was one lawmaker who turned up demanding to be let inside to assess the conditions inside the facility. so there's been lots of disinformation, i would say, on social media about what it's like inside. there was one rumour that spread really quickly about how a 77—year—old woman had apparently died inside but brazilian police came out and mutely quash that. these lawmakers are now demanding a commission to establish exactly what's going on and wanting to know if human rights abuses are happening. i saw a similar thing happened onjanuary 6th, and it was still ongoing about how lawmakers there, republican lawmakers loyal to donald trump were saying that these people are political prisoners and they've done nothing wrong and their human rights were being abused. so we are still in —— we are seeing a

similarthing we are still in —— we are seeing a similar thing playing out in brasilia. ., ., similar thing playing out in brasilia. ., ,, , ., let's turn to france now — because in the past hour, its eight main unions have called a strike for later this month over the government's plans to reform the country's pensions system. this pension reform is a big test for france's president, emmanuel macron. he campaigned on it. he says it's needed, because france's pension system is expensive — and it is. this graph shows what proportion of gdp european countries spend on pensions annually — you can see france spends more than almost any other country. and france's legal retirement age is 62 — much earlier than other european countries. president macron wants to raise the retirement age to 6a—65 years old. that is an unpopular move. about 70% of french people oppose raising the retirement age, according to polls. and president macron has tried something similar to this before — unsuccessfully. this was january 2020,

when workers took part in violent protests against pension reform. the plans were abandoned during the pandemic. hugh schofield is in paris. the question we should begin with is what's different about the president's tactics?- what's different about the president's tactics? what's different about the aresident's tactics? ~ ., president's tactics? well, one thing is that the plan _ president's tactics? well, one thing is that the plan is _ president's tactics? well, one thing is that the plan is different. - president's tactics? well, one thing is that the plan is different. it's - is that the plan is different. it's not the same pension reform plan you were talking about from three years ago. that was a much more ambitious plan back then because he was going to completely wipe out what they call here the special systems, the general pension system — there are lots of special systems which govern railway workers, and he was going to completely reform everything. that was creating a hell of a to do back then, and covid put an end to it. so he's come back with a less ambitious scheme because it doesn't dismantle what's there, it's a plea says, "right, everyone will have to start

working longer years, an extra two years." what's different about the presentation? not much, every time a french government goes about introducing something like this, it always goes through the accusations of it's not explained properly. it“s of it's not explained properly. it's all hogwash, every government spends an awful lot of time trying to explain these things, and this government has spent an awful lot of time explaining the issues and why it's important. but still, there“s it's important. but still, there's this big opposition. rhand it's important. but still, there's this big opposition.— it's important. but still, there's this big opposition. and when the roliticians this big opposition. and when the politicians and _ this big opposition. and when the politicians and journalists - this big opposition. and when the politicians and journalists put - this big opposition. and when the politicians and journalists put it . politicians and journalists put it to the unions, lots of people elsewhere in europe work for longer, what's their argument for not doing the same because yellow there are different arguments. one is we don't have to be like everyone else, we happen to value work but also free time, and we don't want to go the way other countries, particularly the uk, have gone. but also their argument — the far left is very

important, their argument wasjust important, their argument was just about important, their argument wasjust about the whole conception of society, their argument is, why should working people have to pay when the government is giving all sorts of freebies out to big business and the stockholders and shareholders, and antiquated companies and so on? that's their argument, but there's also an argument, but there's also an argument they“re putting which is that the situation is not nearly as bad as the government makes out, there's no critical issue over the long term, the money will be saved is quite small compared to the overall money spent on pensions every year, the stomach are there for this is not necessary and simply a way for emmanuel macron to give a signal to his european masters, as they would say, that he's still on board for reducing deficits and so forth. that's all a red flag to the left, they don't want to be simply kowtowing to the big money. i“m left, they don't want to be simply kowtowing to the big money. i'm sure ou'll be kowtowing to the big money. i'm sure you'll be guiding _ kowtowing to the big money. i'm sure you'll be guiding us _ kowtowing to the big money. i'm sure you'll be guiding us through _ kowtowing to the big money. i'm sure you'll be guiding us through how- you'll be guiding us through how that goes. that wraps up this site,

or half of outside source, i“ll that goes. that wraps up this site, or half of outside source, i'll see you in a minute. hello there. there's more wind and rain to come over the next few days. rainfall totals really totting up now across the country, particularly across western scotland, northwest england, wales, and southwest england — it's here where we're likely to see the worst impacts of any localised flooding. so staying windy in the next few days, and there will be further spells of heavy rain at times. now the second weather front which crossed the country during the latter part of the day will clear away overnight. then it's clear spells and blustery showers — most of the showers in the north and the west, a little bit of wintriness over the high ground, and a swathe of strong gale force, even severe gale force winds affecting northern scotland and northern isles for a time. temperatures tonight falling down to 4—7 celsius.

now, that area of low pressure bringing severe gales to the north of the uk will clear away, but there's plenty of isobars on the pressure charts for wednesday — so yes, it'll be another blustery one. strongest of the winds out west where we'll see gales, particularly around coasts. there will be some sunshine around though compared to tuesday, but there“ll also be showers, and they may merge together to produce longer spells of rain as they spread from west to east. and it will be a blustery day wherever you are, but certainly, like i mentioned, around western coast and over hill, some large waves crashing up onshore, too. a little bit cooler, i think, tomorrow than what we had today. we've got single figures for most, just about 10—11 celsius in the southeast. and then through wednesday night, there's a clearer spell for a while, and the next batch of wet and windy weather spreads across the southern half of the uk — and it remains windy with further rain across the west and the south—west during the course of the overnight period. drier, clearer spells developing across the northeast, where it will turn quite chilly. so for the start of thursday, we've got this brief ridge of high

pressure which will bring a little bit of quieter weather for a while, but we've got this weather front in the south and this low pressure system pushing into the north and the west. so southern britain will stay windy with rain at times, gales through the channel. a slice of dry and brighter weather through central, northern, and eastern areas for a while before the next spell of wet and windy weather starts to roll into northern and western areas during the latter parts of thursday. and there will be a little bit of snow over the high ground of scotland. double—figure values in the south, feeling a bit cooler further north. as that area of low pressure clears away, friday could be a little bit quieter. then it's wet and windy again on saturday — and as that pulls away, starts to drag some colder air across the whole country.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. russian forces are said to be close to taking a strategic ukrainian salt—mining town, after weeks of intense fighting. translation: the whole land in soledar is covered _ with the corpses of the invaders and scarred from the strikes. this is what madness looks like. europe had its hottest summer on record in 2022 — in a year of climate extremes. and after all the hype, it's finally on sale. its publishers say it's the uk“s fastest selling non—fiction book on record.

the war in ukraine in the fight for the salt mining town of soledad. let's take a look at how it is being covered by russian tv. this is a from earlier.— covered by russian tv. this is a from earlier. ., , ,, , ., from earlier. the town is the key to the liberation _ from earlier. the town is the key to the liberation of _ from earlier. the town is the key to the liberation of donetsk. - from earlier. the town is the key to the liberation of donetsk. it - from earlier. the town is the key to the liberation of donetsk. it is - from earlier. the town is the key to the liberation of donetsk. it is a - the liberation of donetsk. it is a significant transport hub and there is fighting in the western part of the time. i think in the coming days or hours it has indeed been liberated.— or hours it has indeed been liberated. �* , , , ., ,, ., liberated. i've been speaking to someone who _ liberated. i've been speaking to someone who spends _ liberated. i've been speaking to someone who spends a - liberated. i've been speaking to someone who spends a lot - liberated. i've been speaking to someone who spends a lot of i liberated. i've been speaking to i someone who spends a lot of time watching russian state tv. this someone who spends a lot of time watching russian state tv.- someone who spends a lot of time watching russian state tv. this is a location that _ watching russian state tv. this is a location that russia _ watching russian state tv. this is a location that russia has _ watching russian state tv. this is a location that russia has been i location that russia has been putting — location that russia has been putting a _ location that russia has been putting a huge amount of importance on for— putting a huge amount of importance on for some — putting a huge amount of importance on for some time. by all accounts

this -- _ on for some time. by all accounts this -- both — on for some time. by all accounts this —— both sides up and sustained losses _ this —— both sides up and sustained losses of— this —— both sides up and sustained losses. of course russian tv is only talk about _ losses. of course russian tv is only talk about ukrainian losses rather than their— talk about ukrainian losses rather than their own. russia is very much talking _ than their own. russia is very much talking about the role of the mercenary group saying that they have been playing a key role in the taking _ have been playing a key role in the taking of— have been playing a key role in the taking of soledad where fighting is reportedly going on in the very centre — reportedly going on in the very centre for— reportedly going on in the very centre for the town administration, at the _ centre for the town administration, at the moment. yesterday, the head of the _ at the moment. yesterday, the head of the mercenary group set on social media _ of the mercenary group set on social media that _ of the mercenary group set on social media that it was only his troops that were — media that it was only his troops that were involved in this operation and not _ that were involved in this operation and not regular russian soldiers. but what — and not regular russian soldiers. but what i — and not regular russian soldiers. but what i think is significant is how they— but what i think is significant is how they are suggesting, bringing up the fact— how they are suggesting, bringing up the fact that not long ago president zeiensky— the fact that not long ago president zelensky was in back moved and was handling _ zelensky was in back moved and was handling this as a fortress when ukrainian — handling this as a fortress when ukrainian heroes were fighting at the front— ukrainian heroes were fighting at the front line. this of course is something _ the front line. this of course is something that will be sold to the

russian domestic audience as a major setback for— russian domestic audience as a major setback for ukraine at a major victory— setback for ukraine at a major victory for— setback for ukraine at a major victory for russia if russia does manage — victory for russia if russia does manage to make this advance. presumably this is a story that state tv would rather tell rather than the new year's they attack where russia admits than well over 80 people died. where russia admits than well over 80 people died-— 80 people died. that's exactly riaht. 80 people died. that's exactly right. russian _ 80 people died. that's exactly right. russian state _ 80 people died. that's exactly right. russian state tv - 80 people died. that's exactly right. russian state tv does i 80 people died. that's exactly i right. russian state tv does not like talking about russia's own setbacks — like talking about russia's own setbacks unless it has to. it always makes _ setbacks unless it has to. it always makes a _ setbacks unless it has to. it always makes a calculation and if it is something that sibley cannot be avoided — something that sibley cannot be avoided they fear that the repercussions of ignoring something of that— repercussions of ignoring something of that magnitude would be more than trying _ of that magnitude would be more than trying to— of that magnitude would be more than trying to smooth it out and make its excuses _ trying to smooth it out and make its excuses for— trying to smooth it out and make its excuses for it whereas we are seeing this has— excuses for it whereas we are seeing this has been talked up for hours today— this has been talked up for hours today on— this has been talked up for hours today on the russian state tv on talk shows — today on the russian state tv on talk shows that dominate daytime viewina _ talk shows that dominate daytime viewing. it is being covered by all the channels, reports from soledad and correspondence presumably not close to _ and correspondence presumably not

close to the front line reporting that russia is close to taking this place _ that russia is close to taking this place and — that russia is close to taking this place and liberating it as a put it. do these — place and liberating it as a put it. do these talk shows primarily talk about the or would it be mixed with about the or would it be mixed with a range of subjects was back is primarily the war but it is anything that they can use to take a jab at the west. that they can use to take a “ab at the west. ,, ., ., , that they can use to take a “ab at the west. ., , ,., the west. so we have seen some of the west. so we have seen some of the cultural — the west. so we have seen some of the cultural narratives _ the west. so we have seen some of the cultural narratives coming i the cultural narratives coming out in the _ the cultural narratives coming out in the last— the cultural narratives coming out in the last few days, yesterday i remember seeing a report about a transgender swimmer in america anything — transgender swimmer in america anything that they can spin as some kind of— anything that they can spin as some kind of sign— anything that they can spin as some kind of sign of the west's decline. two conservative russians. another thing _ two conservative russians. another thing they— two conservative russians. another thing they have been talked about recently _ thing they have been talked about recently is the west's plans to deliver— recently is the west's plans to deliver it _ recently is the west's plans to deliver it takes to ukraine. not confirmed _ deliver it takes to ukraine. not confirmed yet, reports that uk may deliver— confirmed yet, reports that uk may deliver a _ confirmed yet, reports that uk may deliver a challenge or two tanks to ukraine _ deliver a challenge or two tanks to ukraine in— deliver a challenge or two tanks to ukraine in the future. this is been seen _ ukraine in the future. this is been seen as— ukraine in the future. this is been seenasan— ukraine in the future. this is been seen as an escalation on the part of the west— seen as an escalation on the part of the west and it is all part of the selling — the west and it is all part of the selling the story that this is the west's— selling the story that this is the west's war and russia is effectively

trying _ west's war and russia is effectively trying to— west's war and russia is effectively trying to defend itself rather than being _ trying to defend itself rather than being the aggressor. we trying to defend itself rather than being the aggressor.— trying to defend itself rather than being the aggressor. we have heard more news about _ being the aggressor. we have heard more news about the _ being the aggressor. we have heard more news about the two _ being the aggressor. we have heard more news about the two british i more news about the two british nationals who have gone missing in the eastern donetsk region of ukraine. reportedly lasting headed to soledad. in the last few minutes we have heard from the family who say... new data has been released — that tells us more about the rate of global warming. last summer was europe“s hottest on record — according to new figures released by the european union. and, europe is heating up faster than any other continent. copernicus, the eu“s climate monitoring service — did the research. mauro facchini is from copernicus — here“s his reaction to the figures. 2022 was also a year of climate extremes and rising concentrations of greenhouse gases.

the urgency of climate action has never been more important. temperature records across europe were broken last year the uk, france, spain and portugal all had their hottest years ever on record. belgium, germany and austria had their second ever warmest. and places like the netherlands and albania had their third hottest. we saw the impact sof this extreme heat. we also wildfires across europe — from spain and slovenia to france. this was one french mayor speaking about those fires at the time. translation: we've never known summer like this. i it's a catastrophe, an environmental catastrophe, and also a climate catastrophe. the sun and wind need to be replaced by clouds and rain as quickly as possible. and there was widespread drought too — described by somed as europe“s worst in 500 years. you might remember these pictures — low water levels in germany's rhine — which delayed shipping. the drought hit agriculture too. this farmer was one

of those affected. translation: if the drought | continues in the next few years and the corn harvest is the slow, we will have less animal feed — and that will cause issues of not being able to feed all the animals, which could lead us to have less. let's look at how this links to climate change. freja vamborg is a senior scientist at the copernicus climate change service: whilst it's always difficult to say just based on one event whether climate change is happening faster or slower than expected, for this, you really need to look at a longer—term perspective and put one year after the next and look at the longer—term perspective. but i think the heat wave in may was quite interesting because it was really high temperatures in the southern, southwestern europe relatively early for the year. this is a global phenomenon — notjust in europe. the research says both polar regions again saw record high heat. in siberia, for example, temperatures rose by more than three

degrees celsius above average. and in greenland — at one point, temperatures were eight degrees celsius higher than average. diana urge—vorsatz is a professor at the department of environmental sciences and policy at the central european university and vice chair of a un panel on climate change. thank you very much indeed for joining us. i imagine while this data is wearing it is not surprising to you. —— worrying. i think, professor you may be on mutes. if you could click your mic on. yes this data you could click your mic on. jazz this data unfortunately you could click your mic on. 123 this data unfortunately confirms what we have been warning about by the inter—government climate panel change. our latest report really see year ago in february showed that there are five key risks for europe.

this summer demonstrated that at least three of them are have hit your part. for example heat wave that we have been discussing have taken tens of thousand lives of europe and we could see that across all continents. europe has been hit most in terms of heat waves in terms of loss of life and most loss of life is caused by heat waves. it usually comes with other problems for example, it aggravates droughts, water shortages all around europe which also creates risk to climb teens to europe and also it also affects agricultural production. for example the loss of crop harvest in corn in hungary has been three quarters of the corn harvest has been lost in as a result we have

been lost in as a result we have been suffering 40% inflation and interest food prices. so this also shows that climate change alone is a problem, but it aggravates other problems. because the war which we just talked about with ukraine and russia has also caused problems in grain exports. also with climate change affecting many regions of the world last summer and many regions suffered crop losses, it really aggravated prices of food product. if this data is about last year are you concerned about this year because i know in some parts of europe this winter we are seeing higher temperatures than normal as well? flit higher temperatures than normal as well? .., , higher temperatures than normal as well? _, , ., higher temperatures than normal as well? , ., ., , well? of course winter heat waves are a concern _ well? of course winter heat waves are a concern for— well? of course winter heat waves are a concern for climate - well? of course winter heat waves | are a concern for climate scientist. they may be better news for the economy and average people who are suffering from the cost—of—living crisis and natural gas import problems and gas supply problems. right now the heatwave is good news we do not need to spend so much

energy for heating. nevertheless, it certainly affects our agriculture and also how much our pasts are able to survive during the winter. so altogether we will pay the pet —— price. but we are probably overall happy with heat wave radar. thank ou ve happy with heat wave radar. thank you very much _ happy with heat wave radar. thank you very much indeed _ happy with heat wave radar. thank you very much indeed for - happy with heat wave radar. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. let's turn to california now that have been heavy flooding. 1a confirmed lost lives. thousands have had to be evacuated. extreme weather warnings in place. california is getting used to extreme weather. here, a rock slide blocks a highway. the state is struggling with torrential downpours and battering winds that have already killed a number of people in ten days. it's coming out of

the creek over there. the whole community of 10,000 people in montecito in santa barbara county have been ordered to evacuate. the area is home to the duke and duchess of sussex and celebrities such as ellen degeneres. the torrential rains are the result of an atmospheric river of dense moisture funneled into california from the pacific, powered by low pressure systems churning offshore. across the state, 100,000 people are without electricity. and on sunday, the president, joe biden, declared an emergency allowing federal assistance for local relief efforts. in santa clara, the storms bring this section of highway 101 to a standstill. elsewhere in the county,

there“s chaos on the streets. there's just a lot of infrastructure that isn't designed for drainage because it's southern california, so no—one“s expecting it. no—one here can quite believe what they're seeing. aruna iyengar, bbc news. prince harry“s autobiography — spare — is out. its publisher says it's already the uk“s fastest selling non fiction book. it seems its chaotic launch — with extracts continually leaked — haven't stopped sales. also the book in spain which meant we could work out what some of the book enclosed. book shops in london opened at midnight, to meet demand. our correspondent, sarah campbell, was at one in central london. as a result of lea ks and promotional interviews, much of the content of the book was already out in the public domain before today“s official launch, particularly the most controversial sections — for example, on page 359, william's alleged physical attack on harry.

that story is one of many in this book. a lot of it is about his life in the royal family. he also talks about losing his virginity — taking psychedelic drugs — how he begged his father not re—marry — as well as the number of taliban soldiers he killed when he served as a helicopter pilot in afghanistan. here“s that extract, taken from the audiobook of spare. i can always say precisely how many combatants i“d killed, and i felt it vital never to shy away from that number. among the many things i learned in the army, accountability was near the top of the list. so my number? 25. the bbc“s sean coughlan has reviewed it. he calls it "the weirdest book ever written by a royal." describing it as "part—confession, part—rant and part—love letter. in places it feels like the longest angry drunk text ever sent." so far, buckingham palace hasn“t responded. the bbc“s nicholas

witchell is there. the book, the audiobook are out there now. anyone so inclined can read and listen to them and make up their own mind. but where does this leave the monarchy and the royalfamily? well, first of all, it's important to distinguish between the two. the system of constitutional monarchy has been part of this country for centuries, and it's weathered any number of ups and downs. which brings us to the question of whether harry“s book will damage the british monarchy. here's one assessment from a royal biographer — he doesn't seem to think so. this is a series of revelations that have really re—entrenched both sides. those who are great supporters of the monarchy will continue to be so. the fans of the sussexes will feel as supportive of them as they always have been. but really, for the institution in the middle, itjust carries on. it's seen far worse than this before. i mean, this might be a scandal,

but it's not a crisis. more coverage of the book on the bbc news website. stay with us on outside source — still to come... los angeles gears up for the golden globes. the uk government has announced controversial new laws, to limit future strikes. the legislation would require some public service workers to work during a strike. it will apply to health and education workers — as well as those in transport and fire and rescue services. business secretary, grant shapps, announced the bill to parliament. we don't want to use this legislation, but we must ensure the safety of the british public because the first drop of any ——job, government is to keep the public safety and unlike other countries... ..and unlike other countries

we are not proposing banning districts, but we do need to know that unions will be held to account. this was labour's response. an outright attack on the fundamental freedom of british working people. how can he say with a straight face that this government will always defend the ability to strike? unions have responded. the head of the trades union congress said the legislation would mean that "when workers democratically vote to strike, they can be forced to work and sacked if they don't comply,“'. adding "that“s undemocratic, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal." our deputy political editor, vicky young, has more. some positivity yesterday, wasn't there, a series of meetings between secretaries of state and union leaders and a sort of glimmer of hope particularly for some of the health unions who felt the health secretary was listening more to their calls

for something to be done about this year's pay settlement. not next year's necessarily. talk of a one—off payment, maybe or next year's pay rise backdated. this could sour those relations, many think the other side of the coin looking ahead to future disputes and _ how a minimum level of service can be guaranteed. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... russian forces are said to be close to taking the strategic ukrainian salt—mining town of soledar, after weeks of intense fighting. let's talk about the golden globes now. this time yesterday we were talking about how the uk was part preparing for the first launch but did not go

to plan. those leading the mission said they were absolutely gutted. from cornwall our science editor has more. the mission started so well. at spaceport cornwall, it was time for the jumbo jet to take off. godspeed, launcher one, godspeed, cosmic girl on this historic both european and uk mission to open space for everyone. 2000 people came to watch, ready to see what they thought would be a moment of history. an hour into the flight, the rocket, called launcher one, fired its engines after it was released from the plane. but then, this. it appears that launcher one has suffered an anomaly, which will prevent us from making orbit for this mission. there was a problem with the rocket, and the mission was over. just absolutely devastated. um, you know, we put our heart and soul into this, and it's such a personaljourney for me as well, and my family were here.

so, yeah, it was pretty, pretty rough. um, butifeelok. ifeel ok. and i think it“lljust be a few days ofjust kind of letting it sink in a little bit. nine small side lights were on board including this one, all were lost. as much as we did not get to orbit the project which has not been a waste. we learned a great deal not only we were able to do that but it gave the team a real opportunity to understand just what it takes to manufacture a satellite.- understand just what it takes to manufacture a satellite. setting up this spaceport _ manufacture a satellite. setting up this spaceport was _ manufacture a satellite. setting up this spaceport was part _ manufacture a satellite. setting up this spaceport was part of- manufacture a satellite. setting up this spaceport was part of a - manufacture a satellite. setting up this spaceport was part of a try i manufacture a satellite. setting up this spaceport was part of a try to l this spaceport was part of a try to bring space to the uk and through the uk space agency space £11.2 million on the failed launch. brute million on the failed launch. we know we did not achieve the outcome we wanted _ know we did not achieve the outcome we wanted but equally part of the point _ we wanted but equally part of the point was — we wanted but equally part of the point was establishing the capability to launch here and we have _ capability to launch here and we have done — capability to launch here and we have done that successfully. and that is _ have done that successfully. and that is the — have done that successfully. and that is the bit for me where we have created _ that is the bit for me where we have created over— that is the bit for me where we have created over 100 jobs here in cornwall— created over 100 jobs here in cornwall and we will create more as

we see _ cornwall and we will create more as we see the — cornwall and we will create more as we see the launch market growing in the future _ we see the launch market growing in the future. the we see the launch market growing in the future. , ., , we see the launch market growing in the future. , . , ., the future. the plane is back on the tarmac, it the future. the plane is back on the tarmac. it did _ the future. the plane is back on the tarmac, it did its _ the future. the plane is back on the tarmac, it did its job and _ the future. the plane is back on the tarmac, it did its job and it's - the future. the plane is back on the tarmac, it did its job and it's part i tarmac, it did itsjob and it's part of the mission work. the rocket failed though. it did not deliver the crucial satellites into orbit and the team will not be pouring of the data to establish exactly what went wrong. it is a well—known saying that space is hard, the team thatis saying that space is hard, the team that is certain that they will try again. but it could take months before that they are ready. from cornwall to la. let's talk about the golden globes now. the ceremony is taking place in a few hours“ time in los angeles. the awards recognise the best films and tv shows of the year. they're often seen as a precursor to the oscars, later in the year. and there's been a lot of controversy around them the past two years. in 2021 the los angeles times revealed that amoung the 87 members who can vote for the winners — none of them were black. they also claimed that members "were put up in five—star hotels and, as globes nominations near, lavished with gifts,

dinners and star—studded parties." to influence the awards. that led widespread boycott of the ceremony. including by nbc who pulled out of broadcasting it. i“m joined now by anna smith, film critic and host of girls on film podcast. great to have you on the programme. first of all let“s deal with who chooses winners, presumably they have made steps in adjusting that. they have tried to diversify the voting membership, at least. they have added about 25 people to the members. and crucially asked of film critics and entertainment journalists around the world to contribute and to vote and in some cases i think for one year only, but they are very keen to make sure they have a more diverse selection of people which i can only applaud because before that, as you pointed out it was pretty dreadful. do

because before that, as you pointed out it was pretty dreadful.— out it was pretty dreadful. do they have a broadcast _ out it was pretty dreadful. do they have a broadcast partner - out it was pretty dreadful. do they have a broadcast partner to - out it was pretty dreadful. do they have a broadcast partner to show. out it was pretty dreadful. do they| have a broadcast partner to show it to americans? band have a broadcast partner to show it to americans?— to americans? and bc have signed up for one year — to americans? and bc have signed up for one year only _ to americans? and bc have signed up for one year only which _ to americans? and bc have signed up for one year only which shows - to americans? and bc have signed up for one year only which shows slight l for one year only which shows slight hesitance but optimism. —— nbc. most of us in the industry will wait to see if this works. we have seen that they decided to change things and diversify to tackle problems, but what will the results be? will the celebrity show up. there are a lot of questions around it. in celebrity show up. there are a lot of questions around it.— celebrity show up. there are a lot of questions around it. in terms of what the clothing _ —— golden globes are what makes them different to the oscars? the -- golden globes are what makes them different to the oscars?— different to the oscars? the oscars is voted upon _ different to the oscars? the oscars is voted upon by — different to the oscars? the oscars is voted upon by many _ different to the oscars? the oscars is voted upon by many of _ different to the oscars? the oscars| is voted upon by many of thousands of people in the industry most of whom working in the industry and all sides of it. the golden globes was used to be the hollywood foreign press association which would be

journalists working in hollywood and only had to publish a few articles a year. so as a member of the critics circle and then the uk i felt they got a lot more attention than perhaps deserving critic bodies because they watch all the films all the time, that is what we do. brute the time, that is what we do. we should talk _ the time, that is what we do. we should talk about the films and tv shows themselves. should we watch out for? i shows themselves. should we watch out for? ., shows themselves. should we watch out for? ~r ., shows themselves. should we watch out for? ,, ., ., .., out for? i think colin farrell could win best actor, _ out for? i think colin farrell could win best actor, great _ out for? i think colin farrell could win best actor, great irish - out for? i think colin farrell could win best actor, great irish foam i win best actor, great irish foam which is also up from numerous awards. i think michelle from everything, everywhere all at once. jamie lee curtis is also presenting so she will definitely be there. a lot of great films nominated so it could be a great evening, let“s could be a great evening, let's hope. 50 could be a great evening, let's hoe, ., could be a great evening, let's hoe, , could be a great evening, let's hoe. , , ., hope. so jamie lee curtis is doing it the did hope. so jamie lee curtis is doing it they did not _ hope. so jamie lee curtis is doing it they did not ask _ hope. so jamie lee curtis is doing it they did not ask ricky _ hope. so jamie lee curtis is doing it they did not ask ricky jarvis i it they did not ask ricky jarvis back? ,, , it they did not ask ricky jarvis back? . , ., it they did not ask ricky jarvis back? ,, , ., .,, back? she is not hosting the event itself but she _ back? she is not hosting the event itself but she is _ back? she is not hosting the event itself but she is presenting - back? she is not hosting the event itself but she is presenting an i itself but she is presenting an award. but i think he is a thing of

award. but i think he is a thing of a pass and it comes to the golden globes. brute a pass and it comes to the golden alobes. ~ ., , a pass and it comes to the golden alobes. ~ .,r ., , ., globes. we will off to see who will win a thing — globes. we will off to see who will win a thing or _ globes. we will off to see who will win a thing or two. _ globes. we will off to see who will win a thing or two. the _ globes. we will off to see who will win a thing or two. the film - globes. we will off to see who will win a thing or two. the film critic, | win a thing or two. the film critic, thank you forjoining us on the programme. if you want more analysis from outside source a good place to find it is on twitter — i“m @bbcrosatkins. on almost every story that we cover you can find additional information via the bbc news website in the bbc news app. and we produce explainers on certain subjects and we did when on certain subjects and we did when on the long—term reasons that led up to that attack in the brazilian capital and you can find all of our explainer videos on our twitter feed. i should also add you can find these videos on the bbc iplayer if you are watching in the uk and you

can find them on the bbc news website and the bbc news youtube channel. so there is no escape from us. frankly. if you want to find them they will be too difficult to locate. things are watching bye—bye. hello there. there's more wind and rain to come over the next few days. rainfall totals really totting up now across the country, particularly across western scotland, northwest england, wales, and south—west england — it's here where we're likely to see the worst impacts of any localised flooding. so staying windy in the next few days, and there will be further spells of heavy rain at times. now the second weather front which crossed the country during the latter part of the day will clear away overnight. then it's clear spells and blustery showers — most of the showers in the north and the west, a little bit of wintriness over the high ground, and a swathe of strong gale force, even severe gale force winds affecting northern scotland and northern isles for a time. temperatures tonight falling down to 4—7 celsius.

now, that area of low pressure bringing severe gales to the north of the uk will clear away, but there's plenty of isobars on the pressure charts for wednesday — so yes, it'll be another blustery one. strongest of the winds out west where we'll see gales, particularly around coasts. there will be some sunshine around though compared to tuesday, but there“ll also be showers, and they may merge together to produce longer spells of rain as they spread from west to east. and it will be a blustery day wherever you are, but certainly, like i mentioned, around western coast and over hill, some large waves crashing up onshore, too. a little bit cooler, i think, tomorrow than what we had today. we've got single figures for most, just about 10—11 celsius in the southeast. and then through wednesday night, there's a clearer spell for a while, and the next batch of wet and windy weather spreads across the southern half of the uk — and it remains windy with further rain across the west and the south—west during the course of the overnight period. drier, clearer spells developing across the north—east, where it will turn quite chilly. so for the start of thursday,

we've got this brief ridge of high pressure which will bring a little bit of quieter weather for a while, but we've got this weather front in the south and this low pressure system pushing into the north and the west. so southern britain will stay windy with rain at times, gales through the channel. a slice of dry and brighter weather through central, northern, and eastern areas for a while before the next spell of wet and windy weather starts to roll into northern and western areas during the latter parts of thursday. and there will be a little bit of snow over the high ground of scotland. double—figure values in the south, feeling a bit cooler further north. as that area of low pressure clears away, friday could be a little bit quieter. then it's wet and windy again on saturday — and as that pulls away, starts to drag some colder air across the whole country.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. russian forces are said to be close to taking a strategic ukrainian salt—mining town, after weeks of intense fighting. translation: the whole land in soledar is covered _ with the corpses of the invaders and scarred from the strikes. this is what madness looks like. we“ll assess the town's strategic importance. also on the programme: here in the uk, 2022 saw the highest number of excess deaths — outside the covid pandemic — in half a century.

europe had its hottest summer on record in 2022 — in a year of climate extremes. welcome. we start in ukraine. president volodymyr zelensky has said ukraine's army is facing an extremely difficult situation as fighting continues in the eastern donbas region. the focus is the salt mining town of soledar. the uk defence ministry says it's likely that russian forces including wagner group mercenaries now control most of the town. we'll be taking a look at why it's become central to this conflict. but first — here“s president zelensky. translation: and what did russia want to win there? i everything is completely destroyed. there was almost no life left. thousands of their people are gone, the whole land in soledar is covered with the corpses of the invaders and scarred from the strikes. this is what madness looks like. so why is soledar important?

have a look at this map. soledar is close to the city of bakhmut. it's located on a strategic supply line between the donetsk and luhansk regions. taking it opens the way to bigger cities. we also know that russia and ukraine want control of the large salt mines in the area. the uk ministry of defence says both countries "are likely concerned" that the tunnels in the mines "could be used for infiltration behind their lines." we've been hearing from a photojournalist who's been documenting the fighting in the area. it“s nonstop, the shelling is relentless. even when you're standing on an overlook watching it, it“s plumes of smoke and sparks of incoming shells landing — it really is a very hellish scene, just looking at it from a distance. i can't even imagine what it's like being on the ground in there, and the actual city itself. this all comes as the european union and the nato defensive

the town is a key to our liberation. it is quite a significant transport hub. there is fighting in the western part of the town, and i think in the coming days, if not hours, we will learn that it it has beenindeed hours, we will learn that it it has been indeed liberated. i hours, we will learn that it it has been indeed liberated.— hours, we will learn that it it has been indeed liberated. i spoke to francis whose _ been indeed liberated. i spoke to francis whose watched _ been indeed liberated. i spoke to francis whose watched a - been indeed liberated. i spoke to francis whose watched a lot i been indeed liberated. i spoke to francis whose watched a lot of i been indeed liberated. i spoke to i francis whose watched a lot of bbc monitoring stop to this is a location that russia has been placing huge amount of importance on for sometime, placing huge amount of importance on forsometime, by placing huge amount of importance on for sometime, by all placing huge amount of importance on forsometime, by allaccounts, both sides have been sustaining enormous losses here. russian tv has only been talking about the ukrainian losses rather than its own losses. but i think is significant here is back to russia is very much talking about the role of the mercenary group saying that they have been playing this key role in the taking of this region where fighting is going on for that town administration at the moment. in

fact, yesterday —— yesterday, the head of the group set on social media said it was only his wagon or troops who were involved in this operation and not regular russian soldiers. but what i think is significant is how they are suggesting, of course, bringing up the fact that not that long ago, president zelensky was in bakhmut and was as a fortress where ukrainian heroes were fighting at the front line. this is something that will be be sold to the russian domestic audience has a major setback for ukraine and a major victory for russia if russia does manage to make this advance. presumably this is a story that they would rather tell the neat new year's day attack where russia admits that well over 80 people died. , ., , admits that well over 80 people died. , . , , died. yes, that is exactly right. russian state _ died. yes, that is exactly right. russian state tv _ died. yes, that is exactly right. russian state tv doesn't - died. yes, that is exactly right. russian state tv doesn't like i russian state tv doesn't like talking about russia's on setbacks unless it really has to. it always makes a calculation, and if it is

something that is simply unavoidable, they fear that the repercussions of ignoring something of that kind of magnitude will be more than is somehow trying to smooth it out and make excuses for it to as this we are seeing it has really been talked up for hours today and russia's state tv and the talk shows that dominate the daytime dealing. it is something being covered across all the channels and we are seeing reports from soledar and from bakhmut, from correspondence were not supposedly close to the front line claiming that russia is on the verge of taking these two places and deliberating them, as they put it. this fighting is taking place on the same day that the european union and the nato military alliance has signed an agreement to strengthen their military partnership. it“s signed an agreement to strengthen their military partnership. it's a move largely delivered by the were in ukraine. here's the nato secretary general. you should not underestimate russia. they are mobilizing more troops, they are working hard to acquire more equipment,

more ammunition, and they have shown willingness to actually suffer but continue the war, and there is no indication that president putin has changed the overall aim of his brutal war against ukraine, so we need to be prepared for the long haul. several strands to this story today — let“s pick up on one of them. ben solomon is from vice news — he spent two weeks embedded with fighters and front line workers in bakhmut, where some of the heaviest fighting of the war is taking place. we“ll hearfrom him in a moment — first, here's a clip. so today, we're embedded with a mortar team on the outskirts of bakhmut.

theirjob tonight is to attack the russian forces who are pressing into the city. under the cover of darkness, these guys will fire these mortars about two miles away from where the russian positions are and try to push them back. but this is a really dangerous place, so they have to work in complete darkness unless russian shells start falling back on this position. and earlier, ben told me more about what he observed during his time in eastern ukraine. well, you know, we spent about two weeks in bakhmut, spending a lot of time with the military there. the soldiers there are just really... the harshest fight i“ve soldiers there are just really... the harshest fight i've seen since the war began. it“s the harshest fight i've seen since the war began. it's really the harshest fight i've seen since the war began. it“s reallyjust a harsh front between these two forces. it“s equipped with drones on each side to do spotting, constant artillery and just like trench warfare from the world war i style.

the soldiers to be met and the people we were around him he could really feel that this fight was both important just really feel that this fight was both importantjust for the military really feel that this fight was both important just for the military to prove that they have the strength, but now after so many losses, after so much death, it is really important for the soldiers there who have been fighting and defending for so long, the civilian still left in the city, really important to kind of hold off anti—state air out of pride, out of love for their city, which has been almost totally demolished.— which has been almost totally demolished. . , ., ., ,, demolished. when you were talking with these soldiers, _ demolished. when you were talking with these soldiers, did _ demolished. when you were talking with these soldiers, did they - demolished. when you were talking with these soldiers, did they feel i with these soldiers, did they feel they were receiving sufficient support from their government, but also from ukraine's western allies? you know, the soldiers that we met all had different problems, but they also had all the things that were really excited about. the problems, i think and i werejust a lack really excited about. the problems, i think and i were just a lack of ammunition, a lot of the artillerymen that we talk to come a lot of the mortar teams were saying that they are really low on mortars.

and this is reporting that we did all around the front, all around these areas they just said all around the front, all around these areas theyjust said that there is a really lack of shells, so much incoming and outgoing shells, they really need to spend a lot of ammunition, but they also said that the higher accuracy weapons that have been sent from the us, a lot of the artillery in the weapons sent from all over europe have really changed the fight for them. although a lot of these older weapons, the soviet made weapons that they had they are running out of, their hope was that the change to these more western advanced new weapons would change their fate into change their fates, but with this fight in bakhmut and soledar, with such a high intensity of attack, so many shells being spent, there isjust never enough coming in to keep the fight at the pace where it is happening right now.

we're going to talk about a story here in the uk now — a higher than usual number of people died in 2022. in fact, last year saw the biggest level of excess deaths outside covid, in half a century. these are the numbers. the annual total of almost 660,000 is below peak covid levels. but it's still 9% higher than 2019, the year before the pandemic. so what's at play here? well the data suggests a leading explanation is the longer—term impact of covid on people's health. but the last couple of weeks of december saw an even sharper rise: 20 percent. a cold snap in the uk may have contributed along with the crisis in healthcare. delays in freeing up hospital beds have had knock—on effects for admissions, leading to many patients experiencing long waits in ambulances before being handed over to accident and emergency teams. here's more analysis from stuart macdonald, from lcp health analytics, which has been looking at the data.

we've seen the delays in accessing emergency health care really contributing. we've also got these long—term factors — so we've had repeated waves of covid through the year, we are up to our fifth. and that causes a problem in the immediate term, both in terms of people it kills directly, but also in terms of the problems it creates to our health care workers who are obviously on the front line when infectious diseases strike. we also know that the infections may cause increased cardiovascular risks, so a tale of additional risk, if you like, after people have been infected. well let's take a closer look at that cardiovascular risk. this chart shows the number of people who started blood pressure treatment during the pandemic. the grey area is the first lockdown in 2020, when there was a big drop in people coming forward. the level didn“t fully recover throughout 2021. now without treatment, people with high blood pressure are at risk of heart trouble

in the future. what is clear from the data is that people who didn't have covid vaccines were more vulnerable than those who did. here's our health and disinformation reporter, rebecca schraer. it's really easy for people to insert their favourite theory, whatever your pre—existing belief is — so i see lots of people online who see the rise in deaths and immediately said, "aha, it's the covid vaccine" — because they had a pre—existing belief that vaccines are dangerous, even though that's not supported by the data. but when we actually look at the data, we can see that in fact, more unvaccinated people have died of all causes of up to the end of may last year the end of may last year than vaccinated people. dr veena raleigh — senior fellow at the health charity the king's fund — told me what she considered to be the main factors. there really is no single answer to this. there are several factors driving the current level of excess deaths. covid is clearly a factor,

and what hasn't been mentioned so far is flu. so there's been a sharp increase in the number of flu deaths — in fact last week, december, flew accounted for about 25%, ——in fact last week, december, flu accounted for about 25%, one in five of total deaths. so the flu is taking quite the toll at the moment. there was a cold shock or spell in december, and we know historically that older people in particular are at risk of dying during extreme cold weather. and during the summer, we had a very hot spell where deaths in this country did show a rise as they did across many southern european countries, as well. there nhs related factors too, which you mentioned. so there's a number of factors driving this —

and i think to add one other thing, it's a slightly technical boring point but it does need to be mentioned, especially when comparing numbers of deaths, with deaths in previous years — which is that even if mortality figures don't change, our population is growing larger and older, so there will be more deaths from that, as well. and you talk about the impact of flu, has that had a greater impact because of how covid affected our immunity systems? i think it's hard to comment on that, and certainly that's probably for a virologist, it's not my area of expertise. in the last three years since we've had the covid pandemic, during most of those winters, there were plenty of protections in place. there were masks, restrictions on social mixing, so that would've kept flu low anyway. now most of those restrictions aren't there, so exposure to flu is much more frequent.

the rise in flu deaths, we saw this in the southern hemisphere, so we've had warnings of this coming for a while. an update on a story we have been covering over the last couple of weeks, coming from romania, where the social media personality, andrew tate and his brother, tristen, have been refused to bail. they been challenging their detention over human trafficking and exploiting six women. they deny the charges. andrew tate rose to prominence by spreading hate speech and misogynistic remarks online. stay with us on outside source — still to come... we will turn to los angeles because it is gearing up for the golden globes awards being given to the best films and tv shows of the year. day one of operation desert storm to force the iraqis out of kuwait the japanese people are morning

following the death of their emperor. thousands converged on the imperial palace to pay their respects when it was announced he was dead. ,., ., �* respects when it was announced he was dead. ,., ., . ., ., was dead. good grief! after half a centu of was dead. good grief! after half a century of delighting _ was dead. good grief! after half a century of delighting fans - was dead. good grief! after half a century of delighting fans around | century of delighting fans around the world, charlie brown and the rest of the gang are calling it quits. the singer, paul simon, starts his tour of south africa tomorrow in spite of protests and violence from some black activist groups. they say international artists should continue to boycott south africa until majority rule is established. south africa until ma'ority rule is establishedi established. around the world, reo . le established. around the world, people have — established. around the world, people have been _ established. around the world, people have been paying i established. around the world, | people have been paying tribute established. around the world, i people have been paying tribute to the iconic— people have been paying tribute to the iconic rock star, david bowie, who sold — the iconic rock star, david bowie, who sold 140 million albums in a career— who sold 140 million albums in a career that— who sold 140 million albums in a career that spanned half a century. his family— career that spanned half a century. his family announced overnight at the age _ his family announced overnight at the age of— his family announced overnight at the age of 69. the his family announced overnight at the age of tilt-— the age of 69. the worlds tallest skyscraper _ the age of 69. the worlds tallest skyscraper opens _ the age of 69. the worlds tallest skyscraper opens today, - the age of 69. the worlds tallest skyscraper opens today, this i skyscraper opens today, this building _ skyscraper opens today, this building is— skyscraper opens today, this building is easily— skyscraper opens today, this building is easily overtaken i building is easily overtaken its rivals —

this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is? russian forces are said to be close to taking the strategic ukrainian salt—mining town of soledar, after weeks of intense fighting. new data has been released — that tells us more about the rate of global warming. last summer was europe“s hottest on record — according to new figures released by the european union. and, europe is heating up faster than any other continent. the uk, france spain and portugal had the hottest on record. and the netherlands and albania where amongst those with their third hottest. you may remember we saw the impact of this extreme heat. wildfires in europe, spain, france, one french mayor speaking about the fires at the time.—

fires at the time. transition back we have never— fires at the time. transition back we have never known _ fires at the time. transition back we have never known a - fires at the time. transition back we have never known a summit. fires at the time. transition back i we have never known a summit like this. it's a catastrophe, and environmental catastrophe and also a climate catastrophe. the sun and wind need to be replaced by clouds and rain as quickly as possible. there was widespread drought as well, you might remember these pictures — low water levels in germany's rhine — which delayed shipping. the drought hit agriculture too. this farmer was one of those affected. translation: if the drought | continues in the next few years and the corn harvest is the slow, we will have less animal feed — and that will cause issues of not being able to feed all the animals, which could lead us to have less. let's look at how this links to climate change. freja vamborg is a senior scientist at the copernicus climate change service: whilst it's always difficult to say just based on one event whether climate change is happening faster or slower than expected,

for this, you really need to look at a longer—term perspective and put one year after the next and look at the longer—term perspective. but i think the heat wave in may was quite interesting because it was really high temperatures in the southern, south—western europe relatively early for the year. this is a global phenomenon — notjust in europe. the research says both polar regions again saw record high heat. in siberia, for example, temperatures rose by more than three degrees celsius above average. and in greenland — at one point, temperatures were eight degrees celsius higher than average. diana is part of a diana is part ofa un panel on climate change and this is her reaction to the findings. this data unfortunately _ reaction to the findings. this data unfortunately confirms _ reaction to the findings. this data unfortunately confirms what i reaction to the findings. this data unfortunately confirms what we i reaction to the findings. this data i unfortunately confirms what we have been warning about by intergovernmental panel on climate change. in our latest report released a year ago in february,

also reported about, there are five key risks for europe, and this summer really that at least three of them are really hitting your part. for example, heat waves, heat wave that we have been discussing has taken tens of thousands of lives in europe and we see that among all continents, europe has been hit most by heat waves in terms of the loss of life, and most loss of life caused by climate change is actually caused by climate change is actually caused by climate change is actually caused by heat waves. heat waves are not on the bay turning our thermostat to air conditioners, it usually comes with other problems, for example, as already mentioned, it aggravates droughts. there are water shortages around europe which is also a risk and also affects agricultural production. for example, the loss of crops harvest in hungary has been three quarters

of our maize harvest has been lost, and as a result we've been suffering 40% inflation and just food prices. so what this also shows us that climate change alone is a problem as well, but it really aggravates other problems, because as we just talked about between ukraine and russia has also caused problems in green experts and also with climate change affecting many regions last summer and many region suffered crop loss as a result really aggravated the prices of food products. hf as a result really aggravated the prices of food products.- prices of food products. if this data is about _ prices of food products. if this data is about last _ prices of food products. if this data is about last year, - prices of food products. if this data is about last year, are i prices of food products. if this | data is about last year, are you concerned about this here? i know in some parts of europe, this winter we are seeing higher temperatures than normal. ~ ., are seeing higher temperatures than normal. . ., .., , are seeing higher temperatures than normal. . ., , . ., normal. well, of course. winter heat waves are a — normal. well, of course. winter heat waves are a concern _ normal. well, of course. winter heat waves are a concern for— normal. well, of course. winter heat waves are a concern for climate i waves are a concern for climate scientists. they may be better news for economy and average people who are suffering from the cost—of—living crisis and natural gas imports problems and gas supply

problems, so here right now, the heatwave is good news because we don't need to spend so much energy for heating. nevertheless, it certainly affects our agriculture, it also affects our pets able to survive, we are going to pay the price. right now, in fact, we are probably happy with overall the heatwave right now. now, let's talk about the golden globes awards, the ceremony will take place in a few hours“ time in los angeles. these awards recognise the best films and tv shows of the year and often seen as a precursor to the oscars which are coming a little way down the track. there's been a decent amount of controversy around the golden globes in the last couple of years. back in 2021 committee la times revealed that among the 87 members who can vote for the winners, none of them at the time were black. they also claimed

that members were put up in 5—star and as the globe neared, lavished with gifts, dinners and star—studded parties, all in an effort to influence who one. that led to a wide boycott of the ceremony, including by nbc who pulled out of broadcasting it. the globes have some challenges. let's look at how they are facing them down. we some challenges. let's look at how they are facing them down. i've been speaking to a film critic about how the globes have preformed what they are up to. the globes have preformed what they are u- to. , ., the globes have preformed what they are u- to. , . ., ., are up to. they have added to their members about _ are up to. they have added to their members about 25 _ are up to. they have added to their members about 25 people - are up to. they have added to their members about 25 people come i are up to. they have added to their members about 25 people come at| members about 25 people come at a pulse of a crucially asked film critics and film entertainment journalists around the world to contribute and to vote, in some cases i think for one year only, but they are keen, obviously, to make sure they have a more diverse selection of people which i can only applied because before that came as he pointed out, it was pretty woeful. t5 he pointed out, it was pretty woeful. , ., , , he pointed out, it was pretty woeful. , woeful. is a broadcast partner, some aoain to woeful. is a broadcast partner, some going to show _ woeful. is a broadcast partner, some going to show it _ woeful. is a broadcast partner, some going to show it to _ woeful. is a broadcast partner, some going to show it to americans? it i going to show it to americans? it is now aoain going to show it to americans? it is now going to _ going to show it to americans? ft 3 now going to be shown on tv. nbc signed up for when you're on the, which i think shows a slight

hesitance, but optimism. i think most of us and then share waiting to see if this is actually going to work. so they have decided we have to change things, we have had our wrists slapped, we have to diversify and tackle some of the problems, but what will the results be? with the celebrities show up? there is a lot of questions around it. in celebrities show up? there is a lot of questions around it.— of questions around it. in terms of what the golden _ of questions around it. in terms of what the golden globes _ of questions around it. in terms of what the golden globes are, i of questions around it. in terms of what the golden globes are, for. what the golden globes are, for people who don't know, award ceremonies, thejust people who don't know, award ceremonies, the just the same as the oscars, what makes us different to the oscars? hts oscars, what makes us different to the oscars?— the oscars? it's actually very different because _ the oscars? it's actually very different because the - the oscars? it's actually very different because the oscars| the oscars? it's actually very i different because the oscars is voted on by many thousands of people in the industry, most of whom are working in the industry at all sides, the golden globes certainly used to be the hollywood press association, journalists working in hollywood from other countries and really as i understand it, only had to publish a few articles a year, so as a member of the critics circle in the uk, i sort of felt that they got a lot more attention then perhaps

more deserving critics bodies because critics associations watch all the films all the time, that is what we do. flit all the films all the time, that is what we do-_ all the films all the time, that is what we do. .., , , ., what we do. of course, we should talk about — what we do. of course, we should talk about the _ what we do. of course, we should talk about the films _ what we do. of course, we should talk about the films and _ what we do. of course, we should talk about the films and tv - what we do. of course, we should talk about the films and tv shows j talk about the films and tv shows themselves, who is in the running? 1 think colin farrell could win best actor, great irish film up for numerous awards. that's fun to look out for. i think michelle yo fair, for everything everywhere all at once would be a wonderful pic. jamie lee curtis is also nominated and also presenting, so she will be there. there is a lot of great films nominated, so it could be a good evening, let“s nominated, so it could be a good evening, let's hope. flit nominated, so it could be a good evening, let's hope.— nominated, so it could be a good evening, let's hope. of course, as the winners _ evening, let's hope. of course, as the winners are _ evening, let's hope. of course, as the winners are announced - evening, let's hope. of course, as the winners are announced for i evening, let's hope. of course, as the winners are announced for mej evening, let's hope. of course, as i the winners are announced for me can follow that through the bbc news website. just a quick reminder if you are a regular viewer of outside source, you will know this, we produce explainers on a range of stories that we cover on the programme. you can find them all through my twitter account, for example, we made when a couple of days gone by we saw that attacking busily on a number of institutions.

you can find all of these explainers both on my twitter account as well as on the bbc news website. that is that for this edition, and thanks very much indeed for watching. see you tomorrow at the usual time. goodbye. hello there. there's more wind and rain to come over the next few days. rainfall totals really totting up now across the country, particularly across western scotland, northwest england, wales, and southwest england — it's here where we're likely to see the worst impacts of any localised flooding. so staying windy in the next few days, and there will be further spells of heavy rain at times. now the second weather front which crossed the country during the latter part of the day will clear away overnight. then it's clear spells and blustery showers — most of the showers in the north and the west, a little bit of wintriness over the high ground, and a swathe of strong gale force, even severe gale force winds affecting northern scotland and northern isles for a time. temperatures tonight falling

down to 4—7 celsius. now, that area of low pressure bringing severe gales to the north of the uk will clear away, but there's plenty of isobars on the pressure charts for wednesday — so yes, it'll be another blustery one. strongest of the winds out west where we'll see gales, particularly around coasts. there will be some sunshine around though compared to tuesday, but there“ll also be showers, and they may merge together to produce longer spells of rain as they spread from west to east. and it will be a blustery day wherever you are, but certainly, like i mentioned, around western coast and over hill, some large waves crashing up onshore, too. a little bit cooler, i think, tomorrow than what we had today. we've got single figures for most, just about 10—11 celsius in the southeast. and then through wednesday night, there's a clearer spell for a while, and the next batch of wet and windy weather spreads across the southern half of the uk — and it remains windy with further rain across the west and the southwest during the course of the overnight period. drier, clearer spells developing across the northeast, where it will turn quite chilly.

so for the start of thursday, we've got this brief ridge of high pressure which will bring a little bit of quieter weather for a while, but we've got this weather front in the south and this low pressure system pushing into the north and the west. so southern britain will stay windy with rain at times, gales through the channel. a slice of dry and brighter weather through central, northern, and eastern areas for a while before the next spell of wet and windy weather starts to roll into northern and western areas during the latter part of thursday. and there will be a little bit of snow over the high ground of scotland. double—figure values in the south, feeling a bit cooler further north. as that area of low pressure clears away, friday could be a little bit quieter. then it's wet and windy again on saturday — and as that pulls away, starts to drag some colder air across the whole country.

i“m michaela strachan, a wildlife presenter who is passionate about conservation. my work has taken me all over the world, and in that time i have seen huge changes,

many due to climate change. in extreme conservation, we meet inspirational people who have dedicated their lives to protecting the natural world.