this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe. i'm ben boulos and these are the latest headlines. iranian state media says british—iranian dual national alireza akbari has been executed on charges of spying for the uk, which he had denied. britain's prime minister calls it a "callous and cowardly act". ukraine's capital, kyiv, has been hit by a missile attack, with critical infrastructure apparently the target, as president zelensky insists the fight for soledar goes on, despite russian claims they've taken the town. climate activist greta thunberg joins protesters in the german village of lutzerath, as police try to clear the area

to make way for coal—mining. i have come here to protect life and fight for survival. as long as people are here, lutzerath stays. and: takeaways, restaurants and cafes in england will have to stop using plastic cutlery, plates and bowls from october, as part of a new government plan to tackle plastic pollution. hello and welcome to bbc news. iran's state media has reported that a british—iranian national, alireza akbari, has been executed. mr akbari, who was a former deputy defence minister for iran, was detained three years ago and charged with spying for the united kingdom. the british government says the execution was politically motivated and will not go "unchallenged".

in the last few hours, the uk's prime minister, rishi sunak, says: "i am appalled by the execution of british—iranian citizen alireza akbari in iran. this was a callous and cowardly act, carried out by a barbaric regime with no respect for the human rights of their own people. my thoughts are with alireza's friends and family." joining me now is bbc monitoring journalist khosro isfahani, who's been watching iran for us. what more have you seen in iranian media? , ., . ., , media? this morning, 'udiciaries officials released _ media? this morning, 'udiciaries officials released a _ media? this morning, judiciaries officials released a statement. officials released a statement saying that alireza akbari has been executed. two days earlier, a state affiliated newspaper had hinted that he might have been executed, or his execution might be imminent. so this

news has been around and his family expected him to be executed. they were actually called to the prison to have the last meeting with mr akbari. the iranian state media has released videos of alleged confessions by mr akbari, which he has denied. and in a voice message shared with bbc�*s persian service, he has said these confessions were obtained under torture and when he was drugged with psychedelic medication by interrogators. there has been contamination _ medication by interrogators. there has been contamination certainly from britain, especially given the fact that he was a dual national with british nationality as well as his iranian nationality. how will that be going down in iran, will it make any difference at all? so far,

iran 's state _ make any difference at all? so far, iran 's state media, _ make any difference at all? so far, iran 's state media, especially - iran 's state media, especially outlets linked to the islamic revolutionary guard, has labelled british governmental response as the employer, quote, reacting to the execution of the chief spy, again, quoting them. this is the classic islamic republic's response to western reaction to any form of human rights violations in the country. the islamic republic has responded the same way to international condemnation of violence against protesters over the past months. this is not new. fik. past months. this is not new. 0k. khosro isfahani _ past months. this is not new. 0k. khosro isfahani from _ past months. this is not new. 0k. khosro isfahani from bbc monitoring, thank you very much. our political correspondent david wallace lockhart is with me in the studio. we have seen the statement from the uk prime minister, what more political reaction to all of this?

of course, alireza akbari was a dual british iranian national so we would expect a uk government response. the prime minister tweeted this morning saying he was appalled. of course, when we heard originally it was from iranian state media, but we now do have two uk government figures including the prime minister who seem to confirm the execution. rishi sunak saying it was a callous and cowardly act carried out by eight barbaric regime. we also heard from foreign secretary james cleverly, he put it in stark terms on twitter that iran has executed a british and irish national. he said it was barbaric and deserve condemnation. in a separate statement, he said that foreign office would be summoning iranian diplomats to make clear their disgust. labour is well saying that iran must be held accountable for this act. so diplomatic channels appearing to be established. it is important to

remember the uk government had made diplomatic efforts to ensure this execution did not take place. we now know those appear to have failed. it is unclear at this point exactly if any sort of diplomatic channels could be opened up for discussions between the uk government and iran. relationships obviously not in a good place and it is hard to see how this execution can do anything but put them into a much, much worse place. put them into a much, much worse lace. . , put them into a much, much worse lace. ., , ., put them into a much, much worse lace. ., , put them into a much, much worse lace. .,, ., , ., put them into a much, much worse nlace. .,, ., , ., , place. has iran responded to these condemnations _ place. has iran responded to these condemnations from _ place. has iran responded to these condemnations from the _ place. has iran responded to these condemnations from the uk - condemnations from the uk government? we condemnations from the uk government?— condemnations from the uk government? ~ ., ., ., ., , government? we have not heard any resonse government? we have not heard any resnonse so — government? we have not heard any response so far _ government? we have not heard any response so far from _ government? we have not heard any response so far from iran. _ government? we have not heard any response so far from iran. but - government? we have not heard any response so far from iran. but of - response so far from iran. but of course, it was iranian state media that made this announcement. we know that made this announcement. we know that the uk government has for many months now been condemning what is going on in iran and it doesn't seem like the country appears at this point at least to be changing course. and certainly, the uk government seem very concerned they would take action like this.— would take action like this. david, thank ou would take action like this. david, thank you very — would take action like this. david, thank you very much _ would take action like this. david, thank you very much for _ would take action like this. david, thank you very much for that - would take action like this. david, i thank you very much for that update. our political correspondent david wallace lockhart.

the ukrainian capital, kyiv, has been hit by a missile attack, with critical infrastructure apparently the target. journalists reported a series of explosions overnight, saying warning systems had failled to sound the alarm. the mayor of kyiv, vitali klitschko, urged residents to take shelter, and said that missile debris had fallen in the west of the city. our ukraine correspondent has more from kyiv. there were a series of reported explosions from around 4am this morning. concerningly, the sirens didn't sound for a couple of hours. but what we are being told is that missiles have struck in the eastern flank of the city, and the authorities are saying that infrastructure has been hit. we don't know where and we don't know what. now, kyiv and so many cities around ukraine are used to threats from the sky. at the moment, we don't know where this current threat is coming from. it can sometimes be missile strikes from the caspian sea. it can be through russian fighter jets in airspace in belarus,

where they have stationed troops and aircraft. we just don't know, at this stage. but even if, you know, the city's air defence systems are fairly effective, but not completely effective, so missiles can get through. and even if missiles are intercepted, the falling debris poses a real threat as well. so we, like the rest of the city, will stay down here and wait to hear more. that is james waterhouse, our correspondent in kyiv. that is james waterhouse, our correspondent in kyiv. these strikes come as the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, insists that fighting continues in and around the eastern ukrainian town of soledar, which has been under intense attack for weeks. let's go through the tactics being employed in ukraine with frank ledwidge, a former military intelligence officerfor the uk and a senior lecturer at the university of portsmouth. it is good to have you with us. as things stand, how clear can we be about the situation in soledar, given the claims and counter claims? good morning. it seems likely that

russia has control of most of the town from what we read, but they haven't cleared it out of ukrainian defenders and therefore, they cannot be said to hold it. i think what we have to realise is soledar has very little, if any, strategic importance. apart from the fact that it is or could represent if the russians take it, which i suspect they will, some kind of success for them. right now, we don't know. but i would suspect in the next couple of days, ukrainians may finally withdraw, we will see. 50 of days, ukrainians may finally withdraw, we will see.- of days, ukrainians may finally withdraw, we will see. so if it is more of a _ withdraw, we will see. so if it is more of a symbolic _ withdraw, we will see. so if it is more of a symbolic rather- withdraw, we will see. so if it is more of a symbolic rather than l withdraw, we will see. so if it is| more of a symbolic rather than a strategic focus, what is the symbolism that emerges from these almost divisions within the russian side over which unit is actually making progress there?- side over which unit is actually making progress there? yes, great cuestion. making progress there? yes, great question- it — making progress there? yes, great question- it is _ making progress there? yes, great question. it is worth _ making progress there? yes, great question. it is worth taking - making progress there? yes, great question. it is worth taking a - making progress there? yes, great question. it is worth taking a step i question. it is worth taking a step back here. appreciating the situation the russians are in. they

are relying on a mercenary group owned by gangsters and proudly manned by convicted criminals and release criminals, who comprise about, say western intelligence, a quarter of the combat strength of russia in donetsk and the donbas area. what we are seeing is a struggle between that group within the kremlin led by yevgeny prigozhin and the army. in soledar represents and the army. in soledar represents a feather in the cab and it cannot be described as anything more than that, for that group in its struggle i won't say to dominate, but take some credit for what amounts to a minor victory. and the effective demotion, but deployments of the overall commander for russian forces in ukraine represents an attempt by

the army to retake control of the campaign. the army to retake control of the cam aiun. �* the army to retake control of the camaiun. �* ,, ., the army to retake control of the camaian.�* , ., campaign. and if russia is throwing such hue campaign. and if russia is throwing such huge efforts _ campaign. and if russia is throwing such huge efforts at _ campaign. and if russia is throwing such huge efforts at what _ campaign. and if russia is throwing such huge efforts at what will - campaign. and if russia is throwing such huge efforts at what will be i such huge efforts at what will be taking a symbolic victory, if you were to be advising let's say theoretically advising the ukrainian side, what would you say? is it worth avoiding fighting or not with the potential loss of life and effort that would go into trying to retain what is strategically perhaps a less important place? == retain what is strategically perhaps a less important place?— a less important place? -- is it worth fighting. _ a less important place? -- is it worth fighting. soledar- a less important place? -- is it worth fighting. soledar is - a less important place? -- is it worth fighting. soledar is partl a less important place? -- is it. worth fighting. soledar is part of the bigger campaign for bakhmut dominated by this wagner group of mercenaries. they are drawing on russian forces to chew them up, which they have been doing, and force them to expend resources in what amounts to a stepping stone effectively for much rigour target slightly to the north and west of

sloviansk and kramatorsk which i heavily defended. it is to impose costs on the russians, but they may be considering whether it is worth the cost. but this is an example of something called sunk costs, both sides have invested so much in the form of casualties and resources that they would both find it difficult now to withdraw and we will see what happens now over the next couple of weeks in bakhmut. find next couple of weeks in bakhmut. and what ou next couple of weeks in bakhmut. and what you make of the russian tactics as regards kyiv at the moment and this targeting of civilian infrastructure, it seems stomach yes, that started in october, it is a strategic air campaign the aim of which is to undermine the morale of the ukrainian people.— the ukrainian people. historically, these campaigns _ the ukrainian people. historically, these campaigns have _ the ukrainian people. historically, these campaigns have never - the ukrainian people. historically, i these campaigns have never worked, this is not working and i defy anyone to find ukrainian citizens targeted by those whose reaction is anything but having their morale and their will to fight strengthened. we must leave it there, but thank you

very much forjoining us on bbc news, doctor frank ledwidge. thanks. a gas pipeline in the pasvalys region of northern lithuania, near the latvian border, has been hit by an explosion. pictures on local media showed flames illuminating the night sky, though there were no injuries. latvia's defence minster, artis pabriks, tweeted that the cause of the incident would be investigated and said sabotage could not be ruled out. but the pipeline's operator said it did not believe the blast was suspicious. some single—use plastics will be banned in england from october. takeaways, restaurants and cafes will have to stop using plastic cutlery, plates and bowls, as part of a new plan by the government to tackle plastic pollution. sean dilley reports. quick, convenient and no washing up. but from october, the government says it plans to ban

and cafes in england from using some single—use plastics and polystyrenes. we've got a whole raft of measures on waste, trying to reduce waste in this country, and this new ban that we're announcing today is just one of a whole raft of measures to really tackle this issue. ministers are planning to ban single—use plastic trays, cutlery, bowls, balloon sticks and some polystyrene cups and food containers. it's part of england's 25—year environment plan to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2042. in 2020, single—use plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers were banned for sale and distribution. it's estimated that england uses 2.7 billion items of single—use cutlery each year and the majority are plastic. in 2020, plastic cutlery made it to the top—15 most littered items. england, though, is playing catch—up with other uk nations. wales approved similar measures last month — those come into effect later this year — and scotland introduced

a similar ban lastjune. takeaway owners are concerned that new rules could add to their costs when bills are already high. campaigners welcome any move that reduces our carbon footprint and reduces harmful greenhouse gases but, for some, the government's plans don't go far enough. we're second only to the us in how much plastic waste is produced per person. that means we're the second—biggest producers of plastic waste in the world, so we really need transformative change to happen, we need the government to be showing real ambition and taking the lead. we're actually looking for a 50% reduction in single—use packaging, which would lead to the kind of change we need to see. the proposed ban in england only applies to cafes and restaurants and not to single—use plastic packaging for food and drinks sold in supermarkets. the government says it's working on separate plans for these retailers to cover disposal costs from 202a.

sean dilley, bbc news. the operation to clear a site in germany that's been earmarked for new coal—mining is entering its fourth day. police have clashed with protesters near the village of lutzerath, in the west of the country. but at least one famous demonstrator has turned up to offer her support, as tim allman explains. chanting for many, she has become the face of the modern climate change movement. so it was perhaps inevitable that greta thunberg would pay a visit to lutzerath. and as police continued clearing the site, she was not impressed. i think it's absolutely absurd that this is happening, the year 2023. it is — the most affected people are clear, the science is clear, we need to keep the carbon in the ground.

and this — germany is really embarrassing itself right now. the german authorities disagree. they've spent the last few days removing demonstrators from this abandoned village. once they're gone, it will be demolished, to make way for an expanded coalmine. but some of the protesters are dug in, quite literally. translation: the tunnel is a very effective form of defence against eviction. it's much harder to clear a tunnel than a tree house. germany had previously said it wanted to abandon coal—mining, but russia's invasion of ukraine — and the energy crisis it caused — has prompted a change of heart, hence this ongoing demonstration and the thorny issue of how to bring it to an end. translation: we tried to convince them to leave, but they refused. now, we have to look at how we can safely recover the two people. chanting

the last few protesters are still holding out and a large rally is due to take place later on saturday. no surprises, greta thunberg is expected to take part. tim allman, bbc news. with me in the studio is the german economic journalistjohnjungclaussen, from german newspaper die zeit. and joining us live from luzerath, near the mine, is the environmental campaigner lu ka scott. we heard some of the objections, what are you most concerned about? i am most concerned about the climate crisis and i am concerned about the german government protects interest here more than the needs of people. we are fighting here for global climate justice and we clearly say every tonne of coal in lutzerath it needs to remain on the ground. we

will not allow that the coal is extracted here. because it fuels the climate crisis, with catastrophic consequences. and that's why we are here and still protesting. going consequences. and that's why we are here and still protesting.— here and still protesting. going to brin: in here and still protesting. going to bring injohn. _ here and still protesting. going to bring in john, john _ here and still protesting. going to bring in john, john jungclaussen l here and still protesting. going to. bring in john, john jungclaussen on that bring injohn, jothungclaussen on that point. as luka points out, if germany is to meet its target of 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030, it is still below the threshold, how does this help with that? ~ “ threshold, how does this help with that? ~ ~ ., , threshold, how does this help with that? ~ ~ . , ., , that? well, i think what this really shows is that, _ that? well, i think what this really shows is that, the _ that? well, i think what this really shows is that, the dilemma - that? well, i think what this really shows is that, the dilemma that l that? well, i think what this really i shows is that, the dilemma that the german_ shows is that, the dilemma that the german government is in. don't forget, — german government is in. don't forget, this— german government is in. don't forget, this is a green minister in charge _ forget, this is a green minister in charge of— forget, this is a green minister in charge of this ultimately is the economics minister and the minister for climate _ economics minister and the minister for climate change. and he has described — for climate change. and he has described it as on the one hand securing — described it as on the one hand securing germanjobs by making sure there _ securing germanjobs by making sure there is_ securing germanjobs by making sure there is enough energy for german industry— there is enough energy for german industry after the war in ukraine because — industry after the war in ukraine because there is an energy shortage in europe _ because there is an energy shortage in europe. and on the other hand, to continue _ in europe. and on the other hand, to continue the — in europe. and on the other hand, to continue the climate targets so that

2045 remains the end date for germany— 2045 remains the end date for germany to build —— to be carbon neutrat — germany to build —— to be carbon neutrat it — germany to build —— to be carbon neutrat it is _ germany to build —— to be carbon neutral. it is a terrible dilemma. not least — neutral. it is a terrible dilemma. not least because green mps are among _ not least because green mps are among the protesters. | not least because green mps are among the protesters.— among the protesters. i want to brin: in among the protesters. i want to bring in luka — among the protesters. i want to bring in luka again _ among the protesters. i want to bring in luka again on _ among the protesters. i want to bring in luka again on that - among the protesters. i want to l bring in luka again on that point. this, in a way, it is replacing energy that currently comes, fossil fuel energy that comes from russia, is it not better germany has resilience and an ability to meet its own energy needs, rather than using those fossil fuels, the natural gas that currently comes from russia and in the process, perhaps funding indirectly the conflict in ukraine? i perhaps funding indirectly the conflict in ukraine?— perhaps funding indirectly the conflict in ukraine? i am sorry, the internet is— conflict in ukraine? i am sorry, the internet is not _ conflict in ukraine? i am sorry, the internet is not so _ conflict in ukraine? i am sorry, the internet is not so stable _ conflict in ukraine? i am sorry, the internet is not so stable here. - conflict in ukraine? i am sorry, the internet is not so stable here. let. internet is not so stable here. let me 'ust internet is not so stable here. let me just put _ internet is not so stable here. let me just put that question to you again, luka. is it not betterfor germany to be providing its own energy needs if all this is doing is replacing the fossil fuels and the gas that it currently imports from

russia? , , ., , ., ., russia? new studies have shown that we don't need — russia? new studies have shown that we don't need the _ russia? new studies have shown that we don't need the coal— russia? new studies have shown that we don't need the coal in _ russia? new studies have shown that we don't need the coal in lutzerath i we don't need the coal in lutzerath to get enough energy supply. and we are here fighting for global climate justice, as i already said. and i think to face the current crisis and also the war in ukraine, the only answer is to rethink how we are living on the planet. and there cannot be unlimited growth within planetary boundaries. and we need to rethink how we are acting here and which people are losing their lifeline now because of the climate crisis. we do have answers and that's why we are here. and i am really sure and i am here in lutzerath now, the demonstration starts at 12, and we have thousands of people. we don't want lutzerath to be destroyed. we are fighting for every tonne of coal from the ground

because that is not an answer we need right now.— because that is not an answer we need right now. 0k, john, it is an important — need right now. 0k, john, it is an important point. _ need right now. 0k, john, it is an important point. what _ need right now. 0k, john, it is an important point. what sort - need right now. 0k, john, it is an important point. what sort of- need right now. 0k, john, it is an i important point. what sort of moral influence or authority could germany have in climate conversations with other nations when they could point to this and say, why tell us to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels when you have just started mining for more coal? when you have 'ust started mining for more coal?— when you have 'ust started mining for more coal? well, i think what is the most important _ for more coal? well, i think what is the most important here _ for more coal? well, i think what is the most important here to - for more coal? well, i think what is i the most important here to remember is that— the most important here to remember is that the _ the most important here to remember is that the government is determined to step _ is that the government is determined to step away from the use of coal by 2030 _ to step away from the use of coal by 2030 that — to step away from the use of coal by 2030. that goal has not changed. so apparently, _ 2030. that goal has not changed. so apparently, this is only to bridge the gap — apparently, this is only to bridge the gap between the missing gas from russia _ the gap between the missing gas from russia as _ the gap between the missing gas from russia as it— the gap between the missing gas from russia as it were and rolling out renewables throughout the end of the decade _ renewables throughout the end of the decade. gk. renewables throughout the end of the decade. , ., _, , ,, decade. 0k. it is a complex issue and it is very _ decade. 0k. it is a complex issue and it is very good _ decade. 0k. it is a complex issue and it is very good to _ decade. 0k. it is a complex issue and it is very good to have - decade. 0k. it is a complex issue and it is very good to have you i decade. 0k. it is a complex issue i and it is very good to have you both with us. john

and it is very good to have you both with us. jothungclaussen and also joining us from lutzerath near the mine, environmental campaigner luka scott. thank you to you both. thank ou. a story about a new second world war memorial in the uk, focusing on some of the lesser known stories from the war, those of the thousands of caribbean servicemen who came to britain as volunteers. families of those who served at raf hunmanby, in east yorkshire, hope to change this by creating a memorial to recognise their contribution. leanne brown has been finding out more. the sacrifices made by british servicemen and women during world war ii are well documented and recognised. but thousands of volunteers who came over from other places like the west indies seem to have been forgotten. edwin samuels and gil marlaska were among thousands who made the journey from the caribbean to england, serving at raf hunmanby,

on the east yorkshire coast. family members have been campaigning for a plaque to be placed inside the war memorial gardens in filey, but the council won't allow it. we want this plaque really to serve as a reminder to all people of the contribution made to the war effort by people of colour. there are many young people today who simply don't know that their forebears came to this country long before windrush and helped in the war effort. alfred gardner was an raf mechanic who came over from jamaica and, after the war, he stayed here. when we went to filey, it was the first time... 90% of people had seen black people. so many lads. so many of us passed through filey. it is very, very important that people remember and, you know, there were beautiful days and there were rough days. the design of the plaque in memory

of those who served is ready, but it had no home until a local resident stepped in to help. i'm glad to say we've had a fantastic response from people all over the country, but particularly from people from filey, may of whom didn't know about this history and certainly didn't know about our campaign. one lady in particular has come forward, and she owns property in filey and she has kindly allowed us to put the plaque on her property. and i can say it's going to have a fantastic location, just on the cliff path. the plaque will be unveiled in april, finally honouring those who crossed oceans to help britain. leanne brown, bbc news. brace yourself. more than 500 ufos have reportedly been spotted by us troops. a newly de—classified us government document shows that the us national intelligence agency is now aware of 510 reported sightings — nearly half of the new sightings were deemed unremarkable, but more than 100 of them remain unexplained.

what a note to end on! i will see you soon, goodbye. hello, compared to the grey conditions most woke up to this money, a bit more sunshine around, almost uk—wide. we will still feel the effects of last night's rain and flood warnings continue in some areas. the bbc weather website has the latest details and on the move, bbc sounds to find your bbc local radio station, they will keep you up today. this area of low pressure is responsible. the main rain bearing weather front moving eastwards, responsible. the main rain bearing weatherfront moving eastwards, but i'm back in frame through orkney this afternoon and showers and longer spells of rain and hill snow in western scotland and northern ireland. in east anglia and south east of the channel islands, it may take until late afternoon to see any glimpses of sunshine. a bit wetter here for longer. but for all,

temperatures dropping relative to this morning. 5—ii c this afternoon. the strong winds in the south is a little bit, but they were pick—up across parts of northern ireland and south west scotland and we could see gusts of 40 to 50 mph if not a bit more to end the day and to go into the night. it is here where a swing start to go more northerly, it brings rain into more sleet and snow is territory across parts of northern scotland. and this band of rain will have some sleet and snow on the hills as well. north of it, the risk of frost and the risk of ice and for all of us, a cold night the last night. so as we go into sunday, changes afoot. colder weatherfor sunday, changes afoot. colder weather for all. sunday, changes afoot. colder weatherfor all. the real sunday, changes afoot. colder weather for all. the real coldest air, the darker blue colours here, waiting in the winds to push southward through sunday night and into monday. it is to the north of the sone of cloud and outbreaks of rain and also hill, sleet and snow which arrive through parts of wales, midlands and east anglia through the day. south of it, sunshine, a few showers, westerly wind to the north of it and northerly wind making it

feel increasingly chilly. lots of sunshine around, but frequent snow showers in the north of scotland and a subzero wind chill to go with it. as you go into sunday night, a bank of rain as it pushes through the english channel could turn to sleet and snow in the south east. northern england and northern ireland most likely to see a covering of snow as we start monday morning. across the board, very cold start to monday morning, —83 parts of scotland, and the risk of frost and ice which will be with us for a time next week with that colder air in place. and there will be a chance of snow in places. frost and ice the most widespread risk. temperatures in the capital city staying in the mid—if not lower single figures, rising with some rain returning late in the week.

this is bbc news. i'm ben boulos and these are the headlines. iranian state media says british—iranian dual national alireza akbari has been executed on charges of spying for the uk — which he had denied. britain's prime minister calls it a callous and cowardly act. ukraine's capital, kyiv, has been hit by a missile attack, with critical infrastructure apparently the target, as president zelensky insists the fight for soledar goes on — despite russian claims they've taken the town. climate activist greta thunberg joins protesters in the german village of lutzerath as police

try to clear the area to make way for coal—mining.