hello, you're watching bbc news, i'm rich preston. our latest world stories: the philippinejournalist and nobel peace prize winner, maria ressa, has been acquitted of tax evasion charges. today facts win, truth wins, justice wins. as the us and uk renew their commitment to helping ukraine, troops on the frontline tell the bbc they desperately need western tanks to make progress. belgian police say a key suspect in a corruption scandal at the european parliament has cut a deal with investigators. tesla founder, elon musk goes on trial in california over accusations of share

price manipulation. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. we start with some breaking news from the philippines, where the journalist and nobel peace prize winner maria ressa and her news site rappler have been acquitted by a court in the capital manila, of tax evasion charges. ms ressa, who was awarded the nobel prize alongside a russian journalist in 2021, is head of rappler, which earned a reputation for its in—depth reporting and tough scrutiny of the former president rodrigo duterte. she was convicted in 2020 for libel, and does face several other charges,

which she says are politically motivated. she spoke a short time ago. today, facts win. truth wins. justice wins. a brazen abuse of power... voice waivers and meant to stop journalists from doing theirjobs, but these cases are where capital markets, where rule of law, where press freedom meet, right? so, this acquittal inaudible is notjust for us, _ for rappler, it is for every filipino who has ever been unjustly accused.

brad adams was the asia director of human rights watch from 2002 to 2022 and he has been following maria ressa career closely. thank you for being with us. unemotional maria ressa there, unsurprisingly, what is your reaction to this news? first, maria is one of the toughestjournalist first, maria is one of the toughest journalist that you will ever meet. you can see the toll this case has taken on her. as it has taken on all the staff and writers at rappler, and the filipino journalist community. what i think it signifies is that rodrigo duterte day who engaged in mass killings as president is no longer in power was down marcos, who was not known as a supporter of the free press is in power, and it is hard to imagine this case would have been dropped, they would have been dropped, they would have been an acquittal of detector was in power so i guess there is a bit of hope that marcos has decided that either he doesn't want to preside over

trumped up cases against journalist paul like maria ressa, or he isjust going to let thejudiciary do ressa, or he isjust going to let the judiciary do the work, and since there was not a shred of evidence of tax evasion here, basically rappler received a donation as a non—profit from an american donor, which was not taxable. that may be the filipino courts may be allowed to go back to their drops of looking at the facts, as maria said, and delivering justice, she said. you touched on the politics there that maria has set out that the charges against her were politically motivated. just remind us of that relationship she had with rodrigo duterte day and what started this whole process? it seemed to take a hated maria for a long time because she interviewed him. he had a bad temperament. in an interview with her many years ago he admitted killing three people while he was the mayor of a city in mindanao island. and

she then was leading the newspaper and documenting his war on drugs which led to thousands and probably tens of thousands and probably tens of thousands of extras shall killings by the police forces. he always denied any involvement but he did call for the killing of drug traffickers and drug users and there was substantial evidence of police involvement enactment, many, many of those guns including by human rights watch, so had a vendetta against am basically turned the chords loose on maria and rappler, and other journalist. eitherway, one of the biggest deviations in the country lost the license under matthew because he didn't like reporting. so this is the product of a political crusade against a journalist who is simply doing herjob. black thank you very much for your time, we appreciate it. turning now to ukraine, with russian forces in ukraine's eastern donetsk

again claiming again they've taken control of the city of soledar. it's not the first time they've said this — and once again it's been denied by a ukranian army spokesperson who says fighting there is ongoing. it comes as troops on the frontline tell the bbc they welcome news from the uk that it's sending several challenger tanks. ukraine hopes these will help turn the tide in the war. the bbc�*s andrew harding has been with a tank unit near the eastern city of bakhmut. lurking in a snowbound forest just behind the front lines, a cluster of ukrainian tanks. but these are ancient forces, half a century—old. no match for russia's army. "they are just not suitable for this era," the commander admits.

distant artillery fire they work, but the technology has moved on. which is why there is great excitement here about the prospect of new western machines. if you could have any tank, any of these foreign tanks, would it make a difference? i think abrams is very good for us. any tank? any tank. it is required for victory. suddenly there is incoming fire close by. a hurried exit for us, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of artillery warfare. we head closer to the front towards two furiously contested towns, soledar and bakhmut. footage of a recent tank battle here, firing on the move. from a hillside in bakhmut, we watch more ukrainian tanks in action.

they call this section of the front line the meat grinder, a savage artillery war that has raged for months with precious little progress on either side, but ukrainians here insist that's about to change. if, that is, they get western tanks here soon. if you are going to counterattack and seize more territory, then you need tanks, need mobile artillery. sure, it very useful for counterattacking because infantry covered by tanks, for sure...win. without them, these front lines are going to be stuck like they are? yeah. for now, it grinds on, a cold and lethal winter stalemate. andrew harding, bbc news, ukraine's donbas.

let's go to europe now. belgian prosecutors say they've struck a deal with one of the main suspects in a european union corruption scandal. pier antonio panzeri will receive a reduced prison sentence in exchange for information. qatar has contested claims they offered bribes to try to influence the european parliament. a reporter has been following this and joins us now. talk us through these developments? he is a former member of the european parliament in brussels and he has become a central figure in this corruption scandal, so—called qatargate. he was arrested in december with other eu officials. now, what is new is that he has admitted to participating in a criminal organisations and actively corrupting people. he has agreed to a plea bargain and that is significant because it means he is going to give a lot of information about how

this criminal network was operating. mr panzeri has a lawyer who has given an interview. let's listen to what he had to say. translation: it he had to say. translation: , . ., ., translation: it is clear that mr panzeri — translation: it is clear that mr panzeri is _ translation: it is clear that mr panzeri is involved, - translation: it is clear that mr panzeri is involved, he - translation: it is clear that | mr panzeri is involved, he does not denied. this is a man who has _ not denied. this is a man who has destroyed. you will have to tell everything he knows, both about— tell everything he knows, both about the beneficiaries of the corruption phenomena, the organisation that was implemented, and the financial circuits — implemented, and the financial circuits that existed. in other words — circuits that existed. in other words you _ circuits that existed. in other words you will have to see everything he knows. this is part— everything he knows. this is part of— everything he knows. this is part of the commitment he has made — made. tells more about made. — tells more about the back story to these allegations. in december, four people were arrested by belgian police and they are accused of accepting huge amounts of cash from a cattai, which of course hosted the world cup recently, in order to influence political statements, especially when it comes to workers' right.

belgian police also released some pictures. they say they found huge amounts of cash, but 1.5 million euros, stashed in suitcases, hotels and an apartment. suitcases, hotels and an apartment-— suitcases, hotels and an apartment. suitcases, hotels and an aartment. �* , ., , apartment. and this goes right to the heart — apartment. and this goes right to the heart of— apartment. and this goes right to the heart of the _ apartment. and this goes right to the heart of the european i to the heart of the european union because some of those arrested were senior eu officials, won't they? that's riaht, officials, won't they? that's right. one _ officials, won't they? that's right. one is _ officials, won't they? that's right, one is a _ officials, won't they? that's right, one is a greek- officials, won't they? that's right, one is a greek mep,| officials, won't they? that's i right, one is a greek mep, she is a vice president of the european parliament. she denies wrongdoing but this doesn't look good for the institution. it is also worth remembering that qatar strenuously denies trying to buy influence in the european parliament through cash and gifts, but as we just heard from his lawyer, mr panzeri is preparing to reveal key information, including the names of the people that he bribed. ., �* ., ., ~ bribed. sofia bettiza, thank ou ve bribed. sofia bettiza, thank you very much. _ to afghanistan now where more international aid organisations have partially restored work in the country after receiving assurances from the taliban

government that women will be able to work in some sectors. the international rescue committee and care havejoined save the children in resuming a number of programmes, mostly in health and nutrition. there was global condemnation in december, when the tailiban ordered aid organisations not to let female staff work saying they'd not adhered to their interpretation of islamic dress code. most aid agencies stopped their aid efforts as a result. teresa casale is executive director of mina's list which works to advance women's political leadership and global peace. they do a lot of work in afghanistan. for the safety of those workers, we won't be talking about the specific projects they're involved in. she joins us now from orange county, california. thank you forjoining us. this is what the taliban say, what are you hearing from your colleagues on the ground? we are hearing there is a

health waiver for the ban on women and geo workers, that is of course meaning they will be life saving measures in place — taking life—saving activities taking life—saving activities taking place in the health sector but that shouldn't necessarily be taken as something positive or a sign of the taliban is necessarily softening on any of their stances. we also have heard that there are... edicts are being uniformly implemented across the country and that is also being taken as a positive sign by some audiences, however really what that means is that it is causing a lot of chaos and confusion. as you mention, chaos and confusion, and in your possession one of the most difficult things is how much you can take the taliban at their word, you can take the taliban at theirword, how you can take the taliban at their word, how much you can trust they are going to stick with what they are going to say they do. with what they are going to say the do. �* ., , , ., they do. and we absolutely do not take them _ they do. and we absolutely do not take them at _ they do. and we absolutely do not take them at their - they do. and we absolutely do not take them at their word, l not take them at their word, they are the last coupon that

we should be believing. they have a long and glorious history now of broken promises and empty promises, they have made quite a few broken and empty promises on girls education for instance, on what women's rights would look like in the country under their rule across the board, and it would be foolish to take them at their word anytime they are responding to international pressure and looking like they are softening, however it is really on that track record that it really on that track record thatitis really on that track record that it is abysmal. without coin: that it is abysmal. without going into _ that it is abysmal. without going into too _ that it is abysmal. without going into too much - that it is abysmal. without going into too much detail| that it is abysmal. without. going into too much detail for going into too much detailfor the obvious safety reasons, can you talk through the practical difficulties for women working on the ground with aid organisations in afghanistan? absolutely, with this banner they simply cannot do their work that is in line with humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence, humanity and being able to centre and prioritise the most vulnerable. women head of households for instance, if

there aren't women workers to reach them to even determine what the needs are they simply cannot meet them either. women arejust cannot meet them either. women are just necessary in the humanitarian response in large across all sectors, and it simply can't be done and a principled or effective way without them, so not only will the response itself so far but of course women's jobs are also very tenuous and they are unsure of what is going to happen to their livelihoods, international amber heard and aid is a big sector so we will absolutely suffer as a result of theirs. so not only will they suffer themselves but the response of the women trying to help will suffer as well. this unsurprisingly _ help will suffer as well. this unsurprisingly sounds - help will suffer as well. this unsurprisingly sounds very negative, very depressing, is there anything you are hopeful about over the next couple of months? the only bright spot that i would really point to is the fact that, as you said, there has been an outcry across the world, really. there has been

consistent condemnation from world leaders, from the united nations, from humanitarian agencies to say that this is a red line, we cannot accept this. afghan women and the situation on the ground was at great risk of being forgotten altogether. this seems to have activated world leaders in a way that is very urgent and important. that is something positive that i think in our work we are going to take advantage of to make sure that action is really taken, that these statements turn into meaningful accountability measures. teresa casale from mina's list. thank you. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: china's vice premier aims to dial down the economic tensions with the west at the world economic forum in davos. donald trump is now the 45th

president of the united states. he was sworn in before several hundred thousand people on the steps of capitol hill in washington. it's going to be only america first — america first. demonstrators waiting for mike gatting and his rebel cricket team were attacked with tear gas and set upon by police dogs. anti—apartheid campaigners say they will carry on the protests throughout the tour. they called him 'the butcher of lyon'. klaus altmann is being held on a fraud charge in bolivia. the west germans want to extradite him for crimes committed in wartime france. there, he was the gestapo chief klaus barbie. millions came to bathe as close as possible to this spot — - a tide of humanity that's i believed by officials to have broken all records.

you're watching bbc more now on the war in ukraine, the economic effects of which are being felt far beyond the country's borders. the issues are being discussed at the world economic forum in davos in switzerland, the annual gathering of global leaders and people able to influence international events. ukraine's delegation is using the event to try to gain support both diplomatic and in terms of supply of weapons — as our our economics editor faisal islam reports. there is big talk here from big business trying to capture the imagination at the world economic forum in switzerland. but what everyone actually wants to know is whether three years of pandemic and war will end this year and provide relief to all those back home in the cost—of—living crisis. and the reality is that the route to a healthier economy runs through the conflict in ukraine. here, its first lady, lauded by delegates,

and its deputy prime minister thanking britain and claiming it could all be over this year. yes, so, ukraine is here and we're actually very grateful for british people for their support. so, yes, we hope, but of course we need your assistant in this war to gain this victory this year. but elsewhere, one of the world's leading fertiliser firms warned that the west was repeating its mistake of dependence on russia, and this threatened food prices. putin has weaponised energy and they are weaponising food as well. with food and fertiliser, half of the world's food production is dependent on fertiliser and if you see significant disruptions on that, that's a very powerful weapon. and you think russia is using it for leverage? of course. the path forward on the world economy is still in the shadow of political and diplomatic decisions and notjust

between russia and ukraine. also china. the big hope is that the reopening of china's economy from three years of covid lockdown changes everything, but it is a big risk, too. please welcome vice premier liu he. with a message from president xi, its vice premier said the chinese economy was returning to normal now restrictions had been lifted, inviting delegates to visit and tried to dial down economic tensions with the us and europe. translation: hence we have to abandon the cold war mentality, endeavour to build a community with a shared future for mankind and join hands to respond to global challenges. you often hear that the cost of living crisis in britain, for example, is down to globalfactors. well, this is the sort of place where the big decisions about those global factors are made and here you do hear that some of the multiple

chills effecting the world economy might begin to lift this year, but there is no certainty about that. faisal islam, bbc news, at the world economic forum in davos. let's get some of the day's other news a $10,000 reward is being offered for help in catching the people who killed three generations of one family at their home in california on monday. a teenage mother, her baby and a grandmother were among six people killed at a residence in the small town of goshen. the address had recently been linked to drug—related activity — and police have said the attack was a 'cartel—like execution.�* italian police have released cctv footage, showing the alleged mafia boss matteo denaro arriving at a private hospital, just minutes before he was arrested. this is him, wearing a hood, mask and dark glasses, at the la maddalena clinic on monday morning. he had been receiving treatment for cancer, having spent three decades

on the run, and has been convicted in his absence of involvement in scores of mafia murders. the american rapper cardi b has been given an extension to complete community service she was ordered to do after being convicted of taking part in a brawl at a strip club in new york in 2018. she was sentenced to 15 days of service — but failed to carry them out within the allotted timeframe. she's been given until the first of march to complete her punishment. jury selection has begun in california for a civil case against the tesla owner, elon musk. the case centres on two tweets which mr musk put out in 2018 which caused huge fluctuations in the tesla share price. the case is considering whether those tweets constituted fraud. it's being brought by investors who say the tweets were materially false and cost them billions of dollars. mr musk has already been fined $20 million by the american stock

market regulator — he denies having been deceitful. live to los angeles and our north america correspondent david willis. david, good to see you. remind us what the story is here. well, as you say, this dates back more than four years to two tweets that elon musk put out saying that he had reason to believe that he could acquire a tesla floated, basically, acquire it privately and that funding had been secured for that. $70 billion in fund that was necessary. those two tweets caused the share price of the company to soar only for it to plummet ten days later when it became clear that funding had, indeed, not been secured. now, that group of shareholders are suing elon musk and otherformer and

musk and other former and current musk and otherformer and current directors of musk and other former and current directors of tesla for undisclosed damaged claiming that basically they committed fraud in share price manipulation. so what we have here is elon musk being sued by his investors for remarks that he made on social media platform that he himself later acquired to the shack gran to many of those same investors. to many people, you don't have to be a tesla investor to find that all a little bit bizarre but in the often whacky world of elon musk, it's just wednesday. of elon musk, it's 'ust wednesday.i of elon musk, it's 'ust wednesday. of elon musk, it's 'ust wednesda . �* ., , wednesday. and david, what is mr musk's _ wednesday. and david, what is mr musk's defence _ wednesday. and david, what is mr musk's defence here? i wednesday. and david, what is mr musk's defence here? welll wednesday. and david, what is l mr musk's defence here? well he and his fellow _ mr musk's defence here? well he and his fellow defendants - mr musk's defence here? well he and his fellow defendants deny i and his fellow defendants deny any wrongdoing in this case and they said they had ever reason to believe that funding had been secured in order to take the company into private hands based on several meetings that had taken place with a saudi

billionaire. now, they have an uphill task, his lawyers, in persuading thejury to uphill task, his lawyers, in persuading the jury to believe that based on the fact that the judge last year decided that the tweets in question were reckless and untrue as he put it, and the fact that the judge has denied a request by mr musk to move the trial out of san francisco to texas on the grounds that he doesn't think he will get a fair trial in san francisco following the listing surrounding his acquisition of twitter. so it will take place, jury twitter. so it will take place, jury selection has taken place today. the trial itself will begin with opening statements tomorrow, and elon musk himself is expected to give evidence at some point during the three—week trial. some point during the three-week trial.- some point during the three-week trial. 0k, david. thank you- _ a french nun who was officially recognised as the world's oldest living person lucile randon was born ten years before the start

ten years before the start of the first world war. she took holy orders in 19114, at the age of 40, and became known as sister andre. hello there. the cold weather is here to stay for a bit longerjust yet, but the amount of snow we've seen has varied a lot from place to place. many of us haven't seen a single flake over recent days. there's been a smattering over the tops of the hills of the beautiful cumbrian lake district. but a bit more than that in highland, where we have seen some places reporting over 30cm of lying snow. that's where the majority of the disruption's been, but i suspect the disruptive potential is growing — these shower clouds, many of them with snow mixed in, are starting to become more widespread, and are moving their way across more areas of the western side of the uk, and with that comes the threat of disruption. so a band of snow crosses scotland southwards, crosses northern ireland southwards, with showers becoming much more widespread for wales

and areas of western england. now we are going to see accumulations of snow building up — 5—15cm for these areas over modest hills, but at times, the snow will come all the way down to sea level. like recent nights, we still have seepage coming in from the fields, and with a sharp frost around, it's notjust the snow that has the potential to cause some transport disruption on into wednesday morning. but there'll be widespread ice, again, bringing very, very dangerous conditions out on the roads. 0n the face of it, temperatures not quite as low as recent days, however, we've got stronger winds — and if anything, i think that's going to make it feel even colder. certainly a bitter—feeling day on wednesday. the winds ease off a little bit as we head into thursday, but we're not finished with the stream of showers — they will, this time, mostly be concentrated across scotland, perhaps a bit more of a mixture here. some rain, some sleet and a bit of snow over the hills. there'll also be a few showers affecting the northwest of both england and wales. that aside, there'll be plenty of sunshine around, and our temperatures, well, not really changing a great

deal, 5—6 celsius, maybe a 7 towards parts of southwest england. however, we will see some bigger changes in our temperatures as we head into the weekend, particularly across the western side of the uk, as we start to draw up these southwesterly winds. but cold air slower to move away from the east. so, there will be a big jump up in temperatures across northern and western areas — in many cases, back into double figures — as we go through the weekend. but with that will come thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain. the colder air still hanging on across eastern areas, but even here, temperatures should slowly rise closer to normal.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the philippinejournalist and nobel peace prize winner maria ressa has been acquitted of tax evasion charges. her news site, rappler, was also cleared. after the verdict, ms ressa described the charges as "a brazen abuse of power" intended to stop journalists from doing theirjob. the us secretary of state says his country and the united kingdom are "in lockstep" over their commitment to supporting ukraine in its fight against russia's invasion. ukrainian troops on the front line have told the bbc that they desperately need western tanks to make progress against the russians. the former mep, pier antonio panzeri, who's one of the key suspects in a european parliament corruption scandal,

has agreed to help prosecutors in brussels