this is bbc news with the latest headlines. germany is coming under intense pressure to send tanks to ukraine as president zelensky makes a direct appeal ahead of crucial talks with western defence ministers. in the end, scholz can't be the one guy blocking all the delivery. ten more strike dates are announced by ambulance workers, including february 6th, which will see the biggest walk—out in nhs history. new figures show retail sales fell unexpectedly by 1% in december, as shoppers cut back on spending. teenage girls in romania describe how the social media influencer andrew tate — and his brother — contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula.

are you concerned about the influence of andrew tait on boys or young men? get in touch with me on twitter. laterthis young men? get in touch with me on twitter. later this hour, the number of stars people can see with the naked eye has reduced dramatically over the last decade. welcome to bbc news. ukraine's president, volodymr zelensky, has made a direct appeal to germany to provide tanks ahead of crunch talks involving western allies in germany. —— ahead of crucial talks. the us and european nations have already promised more equipment to fight russia's invasion, but kyiv wants them to go further amid fears moscow will order

a new offensive in the spring. ukraine wants nato countries to supply it with germany's highly—regarded leopard 2 tanks. but european coutries are not supposed to export them without berlin's permission. and germany is reluctant to allow that unless the us also sends its own tanks. meanwhile, the uk has already promised to send 1a of its challenger 2 tanks, and pledged 600 brimstone missiles to bolster the country's war effort against russia. the united states also announced details of its latest package worth $2.5 billion dollars, but it does not include tanks. tanks are the focus of discussions today — and our defence correspondent jonathan beale looks at the significance of the tank on the battlefield in the war. the west's focus was on providing weapons to ukraine to help it defend itself. that has never changed. —— that has now changed. britain is giving 1a of these

challenger 2 battle tanks, as well as 30 of these massive self—propelled guns. used together, the hope is that ukraine will punch through russian lines and retake territory. from defence to offence. but ukraine says it still needs more. poland's deputy foreign minister has said the country might be prepared to take "non—standard" action if germany opposes sending leopard 2 tanks to ukraine. meanwhile german mp alexander muller is a german mp from the liberal fdp party, who sits on the bundestag's defence committee says the german chancellor needs to take action. our partners are now urging germany to agree for deliverance. you know, poland, for example, has leopard 2 tanks and want to deliver them to ukraine, but they need a permission from berlin, and they already ask, the same with finland, it looks like spain also will ask for it, and in the end, scholz can't be the one guy blocking

all the delivery. president zelensky has also made a direct appeal on german public tv — he said "if you have the leopard, then give them to us. these leopards won't go through russia. we're defending ourselves." let's get more on this with our warsaw correspondent adam easton. adam, will poland go it alone without direct permission from germany to export these leopard tanks, german—made leopard tanks, to ukraine? figs tanks, german-made leopard tanks, to ukraine? �* , tanks, german-made leopard tanks, to ukraine? ~ , ., ., ., �*, ukraine? as you mentioned, poland's deu ukraine? as you mentioned, poland's deputy foreign _ ukraine? as you mentioned, poland's deputy foreign minister _ ukraine? as you mentioned, poland's deputy foreign minister spoke - ukraine? as you mentioned, poland's deputy foreign minister spoke in - ukraine? as you mentioned, poland's deputy foreign minister spoke in an l deputy foreign minister spoke in an interview on polish radio this morning and was asked this question directly, he said, we'll see. he said if i continue to be strong opposition to germany from this then poland might take what he called nonstandard action. he could not

rule out poland unilaterally sending its leopard 2 tanks to ukraine. poland wants to send 14 leopard 2 tanks which it has in it stocks to ukraine, but these tanks are of better quality in many cases than the russian opposition facing ukraine, this is very important. poland wants a larger group of countries to get involved to send tanks, it is no good sending 14, you need larger numbers and poland wants ultimately germany to send its own leopard 2 too as part of a broader coalition and if germany cannot accept to do that it wants at least permission from the german manufacturer, which it needs to be able to send these tanks, because the german manufacturer would provide spares and technical assistance, so having that authorisation is important to

achieve, but as warsaw has been saying, the deputy foreign minister has said, if there was not to be that authorisation then poland might act on its own anyway.— act on its own anyway. hopefully by makin: act on its own anyway. hopefully by making that — act on its own anyway. hopefully by making that statement _ act on its own anyway. hopefully by making that statement to _ act on its own anyway. hopefully by making that statement to add - act on its own anyway. hopefully by making that statement to add to i act on its own anyway. hopefully by| making that statement to add to the build—up of pressure on the german chancellor to say something, especially because of the ramstein conference happening where he will come under pressure from a number of directions? ., �* , come under pressure from a number of directions? . �* , ., , , ., directions? that's right, as you mentioned _ directions? that's right, as you mentioned the _ directions? that's right, as you mentioned the meeting - directions? that's right, as you mentioned the meeting of - directions? that's right, as you mentioned the meeting of the | directions? that's right, as you - mentioned the meeting of the western allies in the ramstein air base in germany taking place this morning, the us is putting a lot of pressure on berlin to agree to give permission. i think that to a certain extent poland is upping the ante. at the very least it wants authorisation from berlin, it would like berlin to take part but if not it wants permission to send those

tanks, the prince and the spanish and the danish also want to send tanks. —— the finns, the spanish and the danish. indie tanks. -- the finns, the spanish and the danish-— tanks. -- the finns, the spanish and the dnnish-— tanks. -- the finns, the spanish and the danish. we have been telling you about this ramstein _ the danish. we have been telling you about this ramstein conference - about this ramstein conference taking place today, defence ministers and chiefs of staff from around 50 countries gathering at the us airbase in germany for this absolutely vital meeting to coordinate arms supplies to ukraine. president zelensky, as you have seen, has made a direct appeal to germany, germany crucial in this because it is meant to give permission to countries which have its leopard tanks if they are to export them to non—nato countries, president zelensky says he expects strong decisions to be made at ramstein. so those battle tanks absolutely top of the agenda, along

with provision of the heavy weaponry and artillery. they are seen as crucial for ukrainian efforts to defend itself against russia and indeed to try to retake territory too. let's cross live to ramstein now and speak to our europe correspondentjessica parker. morning. let's continue with talking about this pressure on germany, all eyes on them at this conference, but they say they want the us to move first and announce sending tanks too, so how do you think this day might unfold? it is too, so how do you think this day might unfold?— might unfold? it is really interesting, _ might unfold? it is really interesting, we - might unfold? it is really interesting, we have - might unfold? it is really l interesting, we have heard might unfold? it is really - interesting, we have heard public hints at that position from berlin interestingly the new german defence minister suggested he did not recognise reports that germany was waiting for the us in terms of supplying tanks. but there are a

couple of key points, firstly the question of where —— whether germany will allow the re—export of leopard 2 tanks from the likes of poland because germany has to sign off for those tanks to go to ukraine, and will berlin potentially send some of its own leopard 2 tanks to ukraine? the defence minister will be facing a lot of pressure, we have seen defence chiefs arriving this morning. there has been hesitation in berlin, one of the things you hearfrom in berlin, one of the things you hear from chancellor 0laf scholz is hear from chancellor 0laf scholz is he does not want to cause any escalation in the conflict, i think there is a fear of playing into russian narratives, but some people say there is a counter argument that ukraine needs this kind of weaponry, heavy weaponry and tanks, not only to defend itself but also to push back and start taking back territory over the coming weeks and months. there was speculation that russia is preparing to launch an offensive this spring, so you will notjust

see a focus on tanks, also air defence and other types of weaponry. in these contact groups led by the us of around 50 nations, including nato allies, they try not to just make pledges but look at what each country can supply and how that might fit together.— country can supply and how that might fit together. much more from jessica might fit together. much more from jessica parker. _ might fit together. much more from jessica parker, our— might fit together. much more from jessica parker, our euro _ jessica parker, our euro correspondence, from ramstein, throughout the day. we expect the us defence secretary lloyd austin to make opening remarks. thomas kleine—brockhoff is senior analyst at the german marshall fund, a u— based nonpartisan think tank. hejoins me from berlin. what do you think be achieved, is it vital there is a strong, united, unanimous decision coming out of these talks?— unanimous decision coming out of

i these talks?— these talks? that is important. vladimir putin _ these talks? that is important. vladimir putin would _ these talks? that is important. vladimir putin would be - these talks? that is important. | vladimir putin would be jubilant these talks? that is important. . vladimir putin would be jubilant at the kremlin if it did not come to an agreement which satisfies the needs of ukraine and keeps the coalition together, that is essential. the united states have created this correlation, ridiculously six months even before the invasion they started doing so and i would be surprised if they did not do their utmost to keep it together. iagiliiiie surprised if they did not do their utmost to keep it together. while we see in hesitation, _ utmost to keep it together. while we see in hesitation, if— utmost to keep it together. while we see in hesitation, if i _ utmost to keep it together. while we see in hesitation, ifi can _ utmost to keep it together. while we see in hesitation, ifi can put- utmost to keep it together. while we see in hesitation, ifi can put it - see in hesitation, if i can put it that way, from germany to either sending tanks or giving permission to other countries who have its leopard tanks to send them to ukraine? —— why are we seeing hesitation? and why have we not see more action from the us on tanks? the german position has been pretty clear from the beginning. the german position has been pretty clearfrom the beginning. 0laf scholz has said he does not want to lead militarily on ukraine, he wants

to be a good ally, the part of the group, the element of the convoy but does not want to be first, and being first means being ahead of the united states, that is what he is doing. he says, i move when you move. he has put himself in a very difficult position in terms of negotiation and in terms of relations with other european countries who have long been ready to move on leopards, so the question is about self—isolation and being a laggard now and not being a good ally in the middle of the pack. cue the us, ally in the middle of the pack. cue the us, what _ ally in the middle of the pack. cue the us, what do you expect from them? to the us, what do you expect from them? ., , ., , ., , ., them? to broker a compromise, to robabl them? to broker a compromise, to probably give _ them? to broker a compromise, to probably give germany _ them? to broker a compromise, to probably give germany cover - them? to broker a compromise, to probably give germany cover or- them? to broker a compromise, to probably give germany cover or we | probably give germany cover or we might see germany allowing others to

re—export while not exporting itself, that is a potential compromise line that they might find over the course of the day. if it compromise line that they might find over the course of the day.— over the course of the day. if it is a compromise — over the course of the day. if it is a compromise rather _ over the course of the day. if it is a compromise rather than - over the course of the day. if it is a compromise rather than a - a compromise rather than a consensus, will russia see that as a sign of weakness?— sign of weakness? anything that is uni , sign of weakness? anything that is unity. russia _ sign of weakness? anything that is unity, russia will— sign of weakness? anything that is unity, russia will see _ sign of weakness? anything that is unity, russia will see as _ sign of weakness? anything that is unity, russia will see as a - unity, russia will see as a weakness, and if that were the outcome that the pressure would be on germany from tomorrow morning onwards to become part of that consortium. if it were to come to that it would only be a temporary fix. . , that it would only be a temporary fix. ., , ., ., ., that it would only be a temporary fix. ., , ., ,., fix. really good to get your thoughts — fix. really good to get your thoughts on _ fix. really good to get your thoughts on that, - fix. really good to get your thoughts on that, thomas | thoughts on that, thomas kleine—brockhoff, senior analyst at the german marshall fund of the united states. much more coverage of that crucial conference at ramstein in terms of what happens in ukraine over the coming year, we will have a lot throughout the day.

unite the union has announced 1,500 ambulance workers will strike on six extra days across february and march. staff across multiple ambulance trusts will strike on the 17th, 20th and 22nd of february and the 6th and 20th of march. unite workers will also join nurses and ambulance staff represented by the gmb, who are walking out on the 6th of february in the biggest nhs action of this dispute. the department of health says it is continuing to have constructive discussions with unions about pay. the head of the unite union sharon graham says staff are fighting for the nhs. and she called on the prime minister rishi sunak to personally intervene on pay negotiations. let's speak now to 0nay kasab, national lead officer at the unite union. thank you for your time. portable february the 6th look like from the perspective of nhs staff and all

show —— and also patients, who use the nhs? show -- and also patients, who use the nhs? , , ., ., ~ the nhs? our members are taking action not because _ the nhs? our members are taking action not because they _ the nhs? our members are taking action not because they want - the nhs? our members are taking action not because they want to i the nhs? our members are taking | action not because they want to but because they had to. it is notjust about pay, this is why the connection with patients and the public comes in, our action is about saving the nhs, that is the reality. we are seeing a crisis taking place every single day in the nhs and our members have made very clear that pay is obviously the central reason for the ballot, but pay is intrinsically linked to recruitment and retention and until we can fill vacancies we cannot begin to solve the crisis in the nhs. the two are intrinsically linked. this is a battle for decent paper but also a battle for decent paper but also a battle to save the nhs. you battle for decent paper but also a battle to save the nhs.— battle to save the nhs. you said previously _ battle to save the nhs. you said previously you — battle to save the nhs. you said previously you believe _ battle to save the nhs. you said previously you believe you - battle to save the nhs. you said previously you believe you have | previously you believe you have public support, do you think the public support, do you think the

public will continue to back you through the sins —— this extended period of industrial action? the su - ort period of industrial action? the support is _ period of industrial action? the support is still— period of industrial action? tue: support is still there, period of industrial action? tta: support is still there, it period of industrial action? "tt2 support is still there, it is absolutely clear from the messages our members are getting, from the messages the union is getting. it seems the only people not supporting the nhs at the moment are this government, unfortunately all we have had it talks about productivity and efficiency. rishi sunak talking about maths lessons. now we have the grotesque spectacle of two conservative party mps telling nurses they need to learn to budget their finances better so they don't have to go to food banks. i think the supporters there, the only people not supporting the nhs are the government. giee people not supporting the nhs are the government.— people not supporting the nhs are the government. give us your take on wh the the government. give us your take on why the negotiations _ the government. give us your take on why the negotiations are, _ the government. give us your take on why the negotiations are, last - the government. give us your take on why the negotiations are, last week . why the negotiations are, last week we saw a number of discussions ongoing between ministers and various unions in a number of

sectors, bring us up to date with discussions are.— discussions are. there are no proposals _ discussions are. there are no proposals from _ discussions are. there are no proposals from stephen - discussions are. there are no . proposals from stephen barclay, discussions are. there are no - proposals from stephen barclay, that is the reality. we can't talk about the fact that meetings have taken place and that is somehow constructive, fine, but the reality is there are no proposals from the government that have been put to us that we can even consider or negotiate around, let alone put to our members, so we can prevent strike action. we need to meet with the government can be need to come with proposals, rather than briefings and rumours followed by denials, which is in effect what has happened, we need proposals from the government, we need logos —— negotiations to get our message across, let's start negotiating, we are ready now to begin. timer; across, let's start negotiating, we are ready now to begin. 0nay kasab, national league _ are ready now to begin. 0nay kasab, national league officer _ are ready now to begin. 0nay kasab, national league officer at _ are ready now to begin. 0nay kasab, national league officer at unite, - national league officer at unite, thank you. we will take you back to

ramstein. that is the us airbase in germany where this crucial conference is taking place. lloyd austin is expected to begin opening remarks immediately, president zelensky making it clear he believes what happens here will be crucial to ukraine's ability to defend itself against russia in the ongoing war. let's listen in.— let's listen in. this historic ei . hth let's listen in. this historic eighth meeting _ let's listen in. this historic eighth meeting of - let's listen in. this historic eighth meeting of the - let's listen in. this historic. eighth meeting of the ukraine defence contact group and our first in 2023. i'm the assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs and tribal to facilitator for today's contact group. please allow me to introduce the secretary of defence lloyd austin to open today's meeting. mr secretary? tt

austin to open today's meeting. mr secreta ? , ., ., , secretary? it is great to see you all at the eighth _ secretary? it is great to see you all at the eighth meeting - secretary? it is great to see you all at the eighth meeting of - secretary? it is great to see you all at the eighth meeting of the | all at the eighth meeting of the ukraine — all at the eighth meeting of the ukraine defence contact group. together— ukraine defence contact group. together we are starting a new year with renewed resolve to support the brave _ with renewed resolve to support the brave defenders of ukraine. i know this meeting will only strengthen our unity— this meeting will only strengthen our unity and dried. we are honoured to he _ our unity and dried. we are honoured to he joined _ our unity and dried. we are honoured to be joined virtually today by president zelensky of ukraine, we will hear_ president zelensky of ukraine, we will hear from him in a few minutes. we are _ will hear from him in a few minutes. we are also— will hear from him in a few minutes. we are alsojoint in person by my good _ we are alsojoint in person by my good friend, the ukrainian minister of defence — good friend, the ukrainian minister of defence. let me also welcome ukraine's— of defence. let me also welcome ukraine's deputy chief whip defence. it is ukraine's deputy chief whip defence. it is great _ ukraine's deputy chief whip defence. it is great to have all of these brave — it is great to have all of these brave leaders with us —— ukraine's deputy— brave leaders with us —— ukraine's deputy of— brave leaders with us —— ukraine's deputy of defence. let's give them a round _ deputy of defence. let's give them a round of— deputy of defence. let's give them a round of applause. i know that everyone — round of applause. i know that everyone here was deeply saddened by the helicopter crash on wednesday 'ust the helicopter crash on wednesday just outside of kyiv which took the

lives of— just outside of kyiv which took the lives of more than a dozen people including — lives of more than a dozen people including ukraine's interior ministen _ including ukraine's interior minister. let me express our deepest condolences _ minister. let me express our deepest condolences to our ukrainian friends today— condolences to our ukrainian friends today and _ condolences to our ukrainian friends today and to all of the families in mourning — today and to all of the families in mourning after this tragic crash. we are meeting at a turbulent time, but if you _ are meeting at a turbulent time, but if you look— are meeting at a turbulent time, but if you look around this table you can see — if you look around this table you can see the resolve and the unity of the contact — can see the resolve and the unity of the contact group. some 50 countries have stepped up to help ukraine defend _ have stepped up to help ukraine defend itself and deter future threats — defend itself and deter future threats. when putin launched his reckless — threats. when putin launched his reckless and unprovoked invasion 11 months _ reckless and unprovoked invasion 11 months ago, he thought ukraine would 'ust months ago, he thought ukraine would just collapse. he thought that the world _ just collapse. he thought that the world withjust look just collapse. he thought that the world with just look away. but putin did not— world with just look away. but putin did not count on the courage of the ukrainian _ did not count on the courage of the ukrainian people, he did not count on the _

ukrainian people, he did not count on the scale of the ukrainian mititary— on the scale of the ukrainian military and he did not count on you. _ military and he did not count on you. on— military and he did not count on you, on everyone on screen and around _ you, on everyone on screen and around this— you, on everyone on screen and around this country —— did not count on the _ around this country —— did not count on the skill— around this country —— did not count on the skill of— around this country —— did not count on the skill of the ukrainian military _ on the skill of the ukrainian military. we need to keep up momentum and resolve and take deepen — momentum and resolve and take deeper. this is a decisive moment for ukraine — deeper. this is a decisive moment for ukraine in a decisive decade for the world — for ukraine in a decisive decade for the world. make no mistake, we will support— the world. make no mistake, we will support ukraine's self defence for as long _ support ukraine's self defence for as long as— support ukraine's self defence for as long as it takes. now, we know russia _ as long as it takes. now, we know russia remains bent on aggression and conquest, and russian forces have _ and conquest, and russian forces have increased their horrific attacks, _ have increased their horrific attacks, killing many innocent ukrainians. we saw the cruelty of russia's— ukrainians. we saw the cruelty of russia's war choice again a few days a-o russia's war choice again a few days ago in _ russia's war choice again a few days ago in the _ russia's war choice again a few days ago in the city of dnipro, a russian missile _ ago in the city of dnipro, a russian missile strike ripped into an apartment building killing at least

46 civilians, including children. kremlin— 46 civilians, including children. kremlin forces continue to bombard ukraine's— kremlin forces continue to bombard ukraine's citizens and cities and russian — ukraine's citizens and cities and russian forces have targeted power plants, _ russian forces have targeted power plants, theatres, sports arenas and centres _ plants, theatres, sports arenas and centres of— plants, theatres, sports arenas and centres of ukrainian history and culture — centres of ukrainian history and culture. russian attacks are designed to break the spirit of ukraine — designed to break the spirit of ukraine, but they have failed, and the people — ukraine, but they have failed, and the people of ukraine have inspired the people of ukraine have inspired the world — the people of ukraine have inspired the world. meanwhile russia is running — the world. meanwhile russia is running out of ammunition, and is suffering — running out of ammunition, and is suffering significant battle losses. it is turning to its few remaining partners — it is turning to its few remaining partners to resupply its tragic and unnecessary invasion. even iran and north— unnecessary invasion. even iran and north korea — unnecessary invasion. even iran and north korea will not admit they are supplying _ north korea will not admit they are supplying russia. let's compare that to the _ supplying russia. let's compare that to the groundswell of support for free and — to the groundswell of support for free and sovereign ukraine

represented in this room. i'm especially— represented in this room. i'm especially proud the united states has greatly increased its security assistance to ukraine. last month the united — assistance to ukraine. last month the united states announced we will provide _ the united states announced we will provide a _ the united states announced we will provide a patriot air defence battery _ provide a patriot air defence battery. we also included bradley infantry— battery. we also included bradley infantry fighting vehicles and other vehicles _ infantry fighting vehicles and other vehicles in that package of assistance. today i'm pleased to announce — assistance. today i'm pleased to announce another major new round of us security _ announce another major new round of us security assistance that helps to meet _ us security assistance that helps to meet ukraine's most urgent battlefield needs. this new security assistance — battlefield needs. this new security assistance package is worth up to $2.5 billion and it is one of the largest— $2.5 billion and it is one of the largest yet. it brings total us security— largest yet. it brings total us security assistance to ukraine to more _ security assistance to ukraine to more than — security assistance to ukraine to more than $26.7 billion since russia's— more than $26.7 billion since russia's unprovoked invasion last february — russia's unprovoked invasion last february. 0ur russia's unprovoked invasion last february. our new package provides

more _ february. our new package provides more defence capabilities to help ukraine _ more defence capabilities to help ukraine defend its cities and its skies. — ukraine defend its cities and its skies, including munitions and eight adventure _ skies, including munitions and eight adventure air defence systems. this helps _ adventure air defence systems. this helps meet — adventure air defence systems. this helps meet ukraine's urgent need for armour— helps meet ukraine's urgent need for armour and _ helps meet ukraine's urgent need for armour and combat vehicles. we are providing _ armour and combat vehicles. we are providing 59— armour and combat vehicles. we are providing 59 more bradleys, 90 strikers, — providing 59 more bradleys, 90 strikers, 53 mrats and ahmed humvees, as well as thousands more rounds— humvees, as well as thousands more rounds of— humvees, as well as thousands more rounds of artillery. —— and many humvees — rounds of artillery. —— and many humvees. we will do our part to help ukraine _ humvees. we will do our part to help ukraine defend itself. the united states— ukraine defend itself. the united states will also provide ukrainian forces _ states will also provide ukrainian forces with combined arms and joint manoeuvre — forces with combined arms and joint manoeuvre training which will work in consort — manoeuvre training which will work in consort with efforts by the european union and others. as the

united _ european union and others. as the united states increases our support on multiple fronts, we are also prioritising accountability with cooperation from the ukrainian forces — cooperation from the ukrainian forces and we are proud to stand together— forces and we are proud to stand together with our valued allies and partners _ together with our valued allies and partners. poland has been a leader in providing — partners. poland has been a leader in providing armoured vehicles, entraining — in providing armoured vehicles, entraining ukrainian forces and providing — entraining ukrainian forces and providing shelter for ukrainian refugees. german hosts have announced they will also provide a patriot _ announced they will also provide a patriot air— announced they will also provide a patriot air defence system for ukraine _ patriot air defence system for ukraine, complementing our own patriot _ ukraine, complementing our own patriot contribution. germany will also donate infantry fighting vehicles for ukraine, and lastly canada — vehicles for ukraine, and lastly canada announced it would provide an air defence _ canada announced it would provide an air defence system to ukraine. that is a major— air defence system to ukraine. that is a major investment in ukraine's ability— is a major investment in ukraine's ability to— is a major investment in ukraine's ability to its — is a major investment in ukraine's ability to its skies. france also announced _ ability to its skies. france also announced a significant donation of

li-ht announced a significant donation of light tanks, and many european countries — light tanks, and many european countries have announced their own training _ countries have announced their own training initiatives as part of the eus— training initiatives as part of the eu's military assistance mission to ukraine _ eu's military assistance mission to ukraine. these announcements, especially— ukraine. these announcements, especially on ad defence donations, are direct _ especially on ad defence donations, are direct results of this contact group, — are direct results of this contact group, and _ are direct results of this contact group, and today we will continue our important work together. our ukrainian — our important work together. our ukrainian friends will discuss the situation — ukrainian friends will discuss the situation on the ground and the most urgent _ situation on the ground and the most urgent needs, especially air defence and ahmed vehicles. we will discuss our training — and ahmed vehicles. we will discuss our training initiatives and also -et our training initiatives and also get an— our training initiatives and also get an update on ways to energise the industrial base coming out of the industrial base coming out of the aliments directors meeting. we will hear— the aliments directors meeting. we will hear from many other countries here today — will hear from many other countries here today about your ongoing support — here today about your ongoing support for ukraine's self defence. ladies— support for ukraine's self defence. ladies and — support for ukraine's self defence. ladies and gentlemen, this is a crucial— ladies and gentlemen, this is a crucial moment. russia is

regrouping, recruiting and trying to re-equip _ regrouping, recruiting and trying to re—equip. this is not a moment to slow— re—equip. this is not a moment to slow down, — re—equip. this is not a moment to slow down, it _ re—equip. this is not a moment to slow down, it is a moment to dig deepen — slow down, it is a moment to dig deeper. the ukrainian people are watching — deeper. the ukrainian people are watching us. the kremlin is watching us. watching us. the kremlin is watching us history— watching us. the kremlin is watching us history is— watching us. the kremlin is watching us. history is watching us. we will not let— us. history is watching us. we will not let up— us. history is watching us. we will not let up and we will not waver in our determination to help ukraine defend _ our determination to help ukraine defend itself from russia's imperial aggression. we are honoured today to have a _ aggression. we are honoured today to have a special guest with us, president _ have a special guest with us, president zelensky of ukraine. his leadership and grace under fire have inspired _ leadership and grace under fire have inspired the ukrainian people and everyone — inspired the ukrainian people and everyone in this room. he embodies the spirit _ everyone in this room. he embodies the spirit of— everyone in this room. he embodies the spirit of ukraine and as he told our congress last month, ukraine is alive and _ our congress last month, ukraine is alive and kicking. mr president, let me turn— alive and kicking. mr president, let me turn it — alive and kicking. mr president, let me turn it over to you to share your

message _ me turn it over to you to share your message with this contact group, and thank— message with this contact group, and thank you _ message with this contact group, and thank you so much forjoining us. 0ver— thank you so much forjoining us. over to _ thank you so much forjoining us. over to you. _ thank you so much forjoining us. 0verto you, mr thank you so much forjoining us. over to you, mr president. thank you very much, secretary. thank you for this package. thank you. ladies and gentlemen, we are participants of the victory makers coalition. i am grateful to you for the achieved unity, for this dialogue and cooperation. we see the results on the battlefield in ukraine. thank you. on the battlefield, against our common enemy. i believe our unity will only become stronger with every new braam steyn. but do we have a lot of time? no. terror does not

allow for discussion. the terror which burns city after city becomes insolent when the defenders of freedom run out of weapons against its. the war started by russia does not allow delays. i can find you hundreds of times and it will be absolutelyjust hundreds of times and it will be absolutely just given all that we have already done, but hundreds of thank youse are not hundreds of tanks. i cannot put words instead of guns needed against russian artillery, or instead of an anti—aircraft missile that i need to protect people from russian air strikes. i am truly grateful to all of you for the weapons you have provided, every unit helps to save

our people from terror. but time remains a russian weapon. we have to speed up. time must become our common weapon, just like air defence and artillery, armoured vehicles and tanks which we are negotiating about with you and which actually will make the victory. ladies and gentlemen, this is the first time i am addressing you so formally, and not as ministers of military warehouses but as ministers of defence, defence of everything that makes our world free, civilised, and i'm addressing you who see the values of freedom and remember the world your parents dream job for you, and i'm addressing you, those who themselves dream of a better

world for their children. it is a time to protect those dreams. this is the future. i'm sure you do not want to allow such a world order where hatred will rule. your parents could not want that kind of world for you, you would not want such a world for your children. but this is exactly such a world order that russia seeks for all others, not only ukraine but the whole world. russia wants the power to destroy nations and they talk openly about it in moscow. russia wants to destroy law and universal human values and the russian troops on the territory of ukraine are fighting just for this in order to teach the world to hate. russia is concentrating its forces, last

forces, trying to convince everyone that hatred can be stronger than the world. that is why you and i had to speed up. we have to do it, we must act as fast, a father or mother who sees their child, or a certain authority who sees their parents need help. it is about what kind of world people believe in. people who dream, love and hope. i hope that fiji will be protected for ukraine for each and every coalition's country —— freedom will be protected. it is about people who believe that evil and hatred will always lose. the kremlin must lose. ladies and ladies and gentlemen, you

are strong people of powerful countries, and i know your bravery and i appreciate everything you have done and are doing now. tt is and i appreciate everything you have done and are doing now.— done and are doing now. it is in our done and are doing now. it is in your power— done and are doing now. it is in your power to _ done and are doing now. it is in your power to make _ done and are doing now. it is in your power to make these - done and are doing now. it is in - your power to make these decisions, not to bargain about the number of tanks but to open a principled supply that. russian evil, and we also hope that your next gatherings will go down in history. it is in your power to guarantee artillery and any aircraft that will crash terror, it is in your power to make it a victory, so may your decisions hit accurately, just like our heroes on the front line, glory to all of

our soldiers, soldiers and sailors, sergeants, and officers and generals, and saying each and every one of you who defends freedom. thank you, mr president. i hope you know— thank you, mr president. i hope you know we _ thank you, mr president. i hope you know we will— thank you, mr president. i hope you know we will continue to stand up to -- for— know we will continue to stand up to —— for ukraine that right to defend itself_ —— for ukraine that right to defend itself and — —— for ukraine that right to defend itself and for the principle that borders— itself and for the principle that borders not —— may not be redrawn by force _ borders not —— may not be redrawn by force again. — borders not —— may not be redrawn by force. again, thank you for being here _ force. again, thank you for being here now. — force. again, thank you for being here now, as always, we will pause for a _ here now, as always, we will pause for a minute — here now, as always, we will pause for a minute while our friends in

the thank— for a minute while our friends in the thank you, everyone. so, the o enin: the thank you, everyone. so, the opening remarks _ the thank you, everyone. so, the opening remarks at _ the thank you, everyone. so, the opening remarks at the _ the thank you, everyone. so, the opening remarks at the meeting. j the thank you, everyone. so, the - opening remarks at the meeting. just to remind you, this is a meeting of defence ministers and military chiefs of staff from more than 50 of ukraine's allies. it is happening there at an us air base in germany. apologies for some glitches with the sound, but we were able to hear most of what was said, including front volodymyr zelensky, who was calling for urgency in any more help that is coming for the people gathered in germany today, and of course he mentioned tanks, that is what we have been expelling to you today, his call for the hundreds of tanks that are needed in orderfor ukraine to defend itself in the ongoing war against russia. he said, we need this to speed up to make this a victory. he said russia wants the power to destroy nations, law, and

universal human rights. he said it is in your power to guarantee the artillery we need. but as we have been explaining, a lot of pressure on germany today because so far it hasn't authorised sending any tanks directly to ukraine and its tanks that are used by a number of other nato nations, some of whom want to send those tanks to ukraine, they are waiting on germany to give them permission to do so. meanwhile, germany say it is waiting on the us to move on tanks before it makes any decision. so, really important meeting, you had the opening remarks from the us defence secretary saying this is a crucial moment, russia is regrouping, this is a moment to show we are listening, he said the ukrainian people are watching, the kremlin is watching, history is watching. we will have more on that crucial conference for you throughout the day. right now,

here... new data from the office for national statistics retail sales across the uk fell in december as consumers cut spending to cope with the rising cost of living. the figures showed retail sales volumes declined by i% in december, against expectations of a small rise. and the fall in retail sales in november was also revised to 0.5% — down from the intial rate of 0.4% all of this comes as overall prices were 10.5% more expensive on average in december than they were the previous year. let's get more on this with our business correspondent hannah miller. tell us a little more about what all this means in the real world out there in the shops, and for consumers wanting to decide whether or not to decide —— spend their money. or not to decide -- spend their mone . . . or not to decide -- spend their mone. ,, ., , money. this is realistically the most definitive _ money. this is realistically the most definitive set _ money. this is realistically the most definitive set of - money. this is realistically the most definitive set of figures l money. this is realistically the i most definitive set of figures we are going to get about our christmas spending and our shopping habits, and they are some of the worst on record. we are spending more money,

as you say, because everything now cost more than it used to, but we are cutting back on how much we buy, as a result of that. what we are talking about here is the volume of sales in december, the amount of things that we are buying. and they show really how i christmas shopping didn't particularly take off, sales were down i% in december compared to what they were in november. if we compare to the previous christmas, sales were down by almost 6%, that was already a bad christmas for retailers because 0micron variant of covid was affecting what people spent then stop look at particularly what we were cutting back on, the amount of food we bought was lower thanit amount of food we bought was lower than it was in the previous year but there was a particularly big drop off in the kinds of things that you might usually buy as a present, things like cosmetics, jewelry, watches, games, toys, they saw some of the biggest falls. what does all

this tell us about the state of the economy more broadly? well, more all of these figures are worse than economists had expected, this is supposedly the biggest time for retailers in december, and it will make many of them feel there is a particularly tough time ahead. they show us that while people are spending more money, many people are at the limit of what they can afford to buy and what they would choose to spend their money on, really making choices on those nonessential items, that it shows us the impact that inflation at 10.5% is already having on many, many people's lives, with prices still rising, as the year goes on. prices still rising, as the year noes on. . ~' prices still rising, as the year noes on. . ~ ,, prices still rising, as the year noes on. . ~ y prices still rising, as the year noes on. ., ~ i. , . prices still rising, as the year noes on. ., ~ , . ., goes on. thank you very much for that, goes on. thank you very much for that. hannah _ goes on. thank you very much for that, hannah miller. _ to get more on what is happening on the ground right now, i am joined by iain finlayson, the business director for the shopping centre liverpool one. thank you for your time today.

looking at those figures on retail sales, how does that fit with what you had seen agger shopping centre? i have to say that has painted a bleak picture for uk retail but it was completely different to what we have seen here in liverpool. 0ver christmas, our sales were up by i9%, thatis christmas, our sales were up by i9%, that is the previous year, which is extra ordinary variant to what we have just heard, that coming despite just i% increase in footfall, so we saw people were out in similar volumes to last year but spending more. lots of different factors affecting things, postal strikes were a significant factor. people will be aware thatjust prior to christmas there was a postal strike and what does that hinder? it hinders online retail, so there was a decline in online retail sales last year. a decline in online retail sales last year-—

a decline in online retail sales last ear. ., ., ., last year. that was in your favour, as people — last year. that was in your favour, as people wanted _ last year. that was in your favour, as people wanted to _ last year. that was in your favour, as people wanted to be _ last year. that was in your favour, as people wanted to be able - last year. that was in your favour, as people wanted to be able to . as people wanted to be able to guarantee they were getting the items they were looking for for christmas, but the train strikes, i believe, had a negative impact, in terms of people getting to you, so a mixed picture there? yes. terms of people getting to you, so a mixed picture there?— mixed picture there? yes, it is a mixed picture there? yes, it is a mixed picture- _ mixed picture there? yes, it is a mixed picture. we _ mixed picture there? yes, it is a mixed picture. we have - mixed picture there? yes, it is a mixed picture. we have 3000 i mixed picture there? yes, it is a| mixed picture. we have 3000 car parking spaces and that can full quickly during the course of the train strikes, it was undoubtedly an impact ten days before christmas of the train strikes where we saw the fitful dip, but in the final seven to eight days prior to christmas it was a boom similar to pre—covid times and likewise after christmas, the week after christmas is actually as busy as the week before when the sales kick in, so all in all, it has been a huge success at liverpool and in liverpool one, which hasn't necessarily been seen across the country elsewhere. the necessarily been seen across the country elsewhere. the chairman of tesco says — country elsewhere. the chairman of tesco says the _ country elsewhere. the chairman of tesco says the government - country elsewhere. the chairman of tesco says the government has - country elsewhere. the chairman of tesco says the government has to l tesco says the government has to come up with a growth plan, i wonder what your plan is for the year ahead, you know, shoppers, consumers

very pressed in terms of how far their money will stretch so what are you going to do to try to encourage them in, to try to keep those businesses at liverpool one thriving? businesses at liverpool one thrivin: ? ~ ~ businesses at liverpool one thrivina? ~ ~ . thriving? well, i think at the moment we _ thriving? well, i think at the moment we are _ thriving? well, i think at the moment we are cautiously i thriving? well, i think at the - moment we are cautiously optimistic about what this year will bring. we are leading in what is a very competitive market. what i believe you have to do and our team here are working on is you have to deliver a real sense of place, you have to give people other reasons to come by just retail and restaurants, so we have a busy events programme lined up have a busy events programme lined up for the course of this year. we know that people aren't going to have the amount of money, disposable income in their pocket they have had income in their pocket they have had in previous years so people are looking for free fun, they want things to do to pass their time and we want that to be with us, so they will spend time coming to swiatek —— liverpool one, looking at christmas launches and halloween events,

looking further ahead, but it's all about what you can do to make that experience better.— experience better. thank you for our experience better. thank you for your thoughts- — experience better. thank you for your thoughts. we _ experience better. thank you for your thoughts. we are _ experience better. thank you for your thoughts. we are going - experience better. thank you for your thoughts. we are going to l your thoughts. we are going to return to germany with the meeting, that crucial meeting is taking place at the usa basin ramstein. president zelensky was addressing the meeting a short while ago and he said it would make a huge difference potentially to the outcome of ukraine's fight against russia, we can cross to ramstein now and speak to a diet correspondentjessica pastor. those remarks by lloyd austin, the us defence secretary and president zelensky, give us a sense of what was said.— president zelensky, give us a sense of what was said. president zelensky cominu on of what was said. president zelensky coming on the _ of what was said. president zelensky coming on the call, _ of what was said. president zelensky coming on the call, introduced - of what was said. president zelensky coming on the call, introduced by - coming on the call, introduced by the us defence secretary lloyd austin, and i think you had a clear message, he wanted to thank western allies for the help that they had

provided so far but obviously ukraine wanted more military aid, and he talked quite a lot about time, and he said russia wants the power to destroy nations and that the kremlin must lose. and he also said, do we have a lot of time? no. so i think president zelensky really trying to appeal, both in terms of talking about the time constraints and pressures they are under but also the suffering that ukraine is enduring, really trying to appeal to those defence chiefs in that meeting thatis those defence chiefs in that meeting that is going on now as we speak, to reach out and really try to provide the arms that ukraine is asking for. 0bviously, the arms that ukraine is asking for. obviously, there has been a huge amount of focus and concentration on this issue of battle tanks and berlin particularly under pressure, many people watching to see what the new defence minister in berlin has to say at the meeting today, but quite a broad appeal therefrom president zelensky to those countries taking part in this group

in ramstein and also lloyd austin talking about how this is a decisive merchant —— moment for ukraine, and many people at this meeting in ukraine —— looking to see to what extent countries go to in upping their support for ukraine, there is anticipated speculation of a potential russian offensive in the spring. potential russian offensive in the s-urin. . ~' potential russian offensive in the s-urin. . , potential russian offensive in the s-urin. . ~ , . potential russian offensive in the s-urin. . , . g spring. thank you very much, jessica parker in ramstein. _ teenage girls in romania have described how the social media influencer andrew tate — and his brother tristan — contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula. the two women, who were 16 and 17 at the time they were approached, have been speaking to the bbc about the methods used in the messages. the tate brothers have been detained for 30 days in romania, while police investigate allegations of trafficking and rape. they deny wrongdoing. 0ur correspondent lucy williamson sent this report.

behind a screen, andrew tate is speaking. his utterances followed by a tiny audience of prosecutors, lawyers and police. the rest of the world stands waiting as police investigate allegations of trafficking and rape. one of those allowed through the gates today was his brother tristan's girlfriend arriving with his daughter. investigators have just over a week to present evidence that a crime has been committed here. neither andrew tate nor his brother have yet been charged, but their public image has been complicated by the things they say and the way they behave online. daria was 16 when she says she received a private message on instagram two years ago from andrew tate's account. it read, simply, "romanian girl," followed by a strawberry emoji. it was just... it was very obvious we were high school girls, like we had our high school in our bio and everything. i feel like he was just trying to find girls that seemed as like innocent or naive as possible, in my opinion.

daria, who's now at university in the uk, says it's important she speak out because so many young men idolise andrew tate. and i don't think that at this time this is being regulated at all. and this is a big problem, because we can't wake up in 20 years with like two million andrew tates. ijust say... in a video andrew tate outlined his method for approaching women online. sometimes, because, like i said, intrigue. i'll put a completely pointless emoji on the end. some cherries or an orange or a strawberry. because it doesn't mean anything. then i write my reply. why do i never see you? where are you hiding? 99% of them say i'm not hiding. that's what nearly every one of them says. another woman, who didn't want to reveal her identity on camera, showed us screenshots of an exchange between her and tristan tate when she was 17 that appears

to follow andrew's script. she was first contacted last may. his initial message reads, "you're beautiful." he then moves on to say, "i feel i've seen you around town before. where have you been hiding?" "it's likely," she replies. "i didn't hide." translation: i know he was writing i the same thing to a lot of girls, i including a friend of mine. he used the same approach. always starting the conversation with exactly the same line, you're beautiful. in publicity for his online courses in manipulating and exploiting women, andrew tate said his job was "to meet a girl, sleep with her, get her to fall in love with me to the point where she'd do anything i say and then get her working on webcam so we could become rich together." in schools here in romania are talking about the issue of online safety sparked by headlines around the tate case. more than half the girls in this

class had already been contacted by an adult stranger online. teachers say they're in a battle to shape the next generation against influencers like andrew tate. lucy williamson, bbc news, bucharest. joining me now is michael conroy— from men at work... an organisation trying to reduce sexism in schools. he works with people who works with boys and young men, tell us about your organisation and what its aims are. . ~' your organisation and what its aims are. . ~ , ., your organisation and what its aims are. ., ~ i. ., your organisation and what its aims are. ., ~ ., ., are. thank you for having me, apologies. _ are. thank you for having me, apologies. i— are. thank you for having me, apologies, i am _ are. thank you for having me, apologies, i am in _ are. thank you for having me, apologies, i am in a _ are. thank you for having me, apologies, i am in a hotel- are. thank you for having me, apologies, i am in a hotel in l are. thank you for having me, - apologies, i am in a hotel in leeds and the window cleaner is cleaning the window. i spent 16 years in secondary education and towards the end of that i was doing more and more interventions with boys and young men in schools across a group of high schools i was working for in the midlands. and these incidents became very clearly part of cycles

and patterns, they are notjust one—offs, so i decided to dedicate work to supporting colleagues in education who worked in social work, to be able to have constructive conversations with boys and young men about what it means to be a man and what their understanding of that is and where they are getting their information from. which predates, i had never heard of andrew tait before september, probably my fault for not being more curious, but he was brought to my attention by my kids and my nephews on holiday and i started looking at his material and i looked at a lot of it, i have seen lots of his videos, unfortunately, i can't get that time back, but what is clear about him is he is nothing, he is very ordinary, he's an ordinary misogynist and the hundreds of thousands of men online are saying pretty much the same thing and have been doing for centuries in one way or another but what i think is unique about his phenomena is the combination of material wealth,

which we are trained to kinda venerate, in way, hence the world of influences, but also the nature of the gap between parents, carers, and our kids, in terms of what we know about what is happening online are the algorithms which ruthlessly, relatively target young men, particular teenage boys. 50 relatively target young men, particular teenage boys. so when you have run sessions _ particular teenage boys. so when you have run sessions in _ particular teenage boys. so when you have run sessions in schools, - particular teenage boys. so when you have run sessions in schools, what i have run sessions in schools, what have run sessions in schools, what have teacher said to you about how that influence manifests itself in the classroom even, i think there was one example of a message written on homework that a boy was handing into a teacher and she didn't know what it meant at first.— what it meant at first. absolutely. i came what it meant at first. absolutely. i came across _ what it meant at first. absolutely. i came across it, _ what it meant at first. absolutely. i came across it, i— what it meant at first. absolutely. i came across it, i think _ what it meant at first. absolutely. i came across it, i think that - what it meant at first. absolutely. i came across it, i think that was i i came across it, i think that was before andrew tate as well, the message was make me a sandwich, written as an acronym, it is basically, shut up and get back in

the kitchen. but before andrew tate, and i am really clear that he is just a recent iteration of what has been going on for a long time, but hejust have said been going on for a long time, but he just have said that since september in every single training session, and i have done a lot, they have mentioned his name and they have mentioned his name and they have talked about his phenomena in the classroom being brought into the classroom by young men, typically 14, 15 years old, saying, miss, what you think about this? andrew tate says this, or look at this rent andrew tate. 0r says this, or look at this rent andrew tate. or they are in a business studies class and they think andrew tate is the greatest entrepreneur, so wherever they are, they can crowbar him in, and i have never come across that with a single individual, the phenomena of provocation as teachers but not of phenomena, but so teachers need our support in tackling in a positive, constructive way, but schools can't do it all, parents have such a huge job, and also my final point, i know i am running out of time is... t

job, and also my final point, i know i am running out of time is. . .- i am running out of time is... i was auoin to i am running out of time is... i was going to say. _ i am running out of time is... i was going to say. as — i am running out of time is... i was going to say. as we _ i am running out of time is... i was going to say, as we are _ i am running out of time is... i was going to say, as we are almost - i am running out of time is... i was going to say, as we are almost out| going to say, as we are almost out of time, what is the key message that you try to get across to counteract that kind of influence? that boys and young men are capable of being absolutely wonderful, kind, charming, friendly, easy—going and empathetic and loving in any way that women are capable of as well. however, there are a lot of message on what hinges that develop meant and a big one is pornography, and pornography had trained boys and young men to see women as objects, as part of the furniture, something to use, and people like andrew tate feed off that prior desensitisation. so pawn is doing the work for people like andrew tate, —— pornography is doing the work for people like andrew tate.

it was a clear night for most of us — which used to mean a spectacular view of the night skies. in recent years — however — the number of stars we can see with the naked eye has reduced dramatically because of light pollution, or "skyglow". new research suggests that — in areas where 250 stars were visible two decades ago — we'd now see only 150. 0ur science correspondent victoria gill has more. the glow of earth at night, captured from the international space station. and that urban gleam might look beautiful, but these are actually pictures of pollution. light being sent up into space rather than directed at the ground where it's useful. and whether it's street light advertising or purely decorative, that light pollution is getting worse. to find that out, researchers collected night sky observations from amateur astronomers all around the world. all around the world, people who went out to count the stars and submitted their results to an online project called globe at night. this showed that over the last decade, the night sky has

been getting about 10% brighter every year. this view of the stars is disappearing, right? so this is something that until relatively recently, within one or two lifetimes, was something that was a shared experience across everyone around the world, this going out and seeing stars at night—time. it's also a symbol and a reminder that the way we are lighting is relatively wasteful, and that we don't seem to be getting better at it. the brighter the night sky is, the brighter a star has to be for us to be able to see it with the naked eye. so even in quite a rural area like this, and on a clear night, when the streetlights start to glow, the sky glows and that obscures the faintest stars. and as that glow gets brighter every year, we lose more and more of those stars from our view. light pollution doesn'tjust obscure the night sky. it's been shown to affect the behaviour of nocturnal animals and to disrupt our sleep and affect our health. and unlike so many complicated environmental problems, this one could be fixed by simply turning down the lights. victoria gill, bbc news.

a new emperor penguin colony has been discovered in antarctica. the british antarctic survey used satellite mapping technology to find the colony, which brings the total number of known emperor penguin breeding sites around the coastline of antarctica to 66. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. we'll see some weather changes through this weekend. to north and west. it turns milder, cloudier with some outbreaks of rain. 0nly slow process, though. and for many today, it's a lovely winter's day. there so far continues to be so dry

with plenty of sunshine and staying chilly. there are a few exceptions more cloud towards the likes of cornwall, isles of scilly, some outbreaks of rain possible here and down eastern counties of england from norfolk through towards suffolk. showers along the coast of rain, inland sleet, maybe a bit of snow, especially over the lincolnshire wolds and the north york moors. vast majority, a sunny day and temperatures 3 to 8 celsius up a little bit on yesterday. but still on the chilly side of things. now this evening and overnight, few showers and gusty winds as we'll see all throughout the day. any scenarios confined to far southeast cloud. outbreaks of rain sneak into northern ireland and the west of scotland, but most will see clear skies, dense patches of freezing fog forming through some valleys in england and wales. and it's here where we'll see temperatures at the lowest around minus seven or minus eight degrees. temperatures will lift though towards western scotland, northern ireland later on, up from a brief minimum earlier on of 0 to minus five. that's because we've got this slice of milder air pushing its way in with south to south westerly winds developing. that, though, does bring more clouds. so not as much sunshine in western scotland. northern ireland, outbreaks of rain, some mountain snow to begin with as well could get as far as the grampians during the morning. the rain will ease off in intensity

but still be a bit cloudy and damp for some here. away from that, sunshine turning hazy to the north and west of england and wales, much of england, wales dry and sunny, a few lingering fog patches, temperatures only one or two degrees where they stick. but overall, another chilly day. now that milder air gets a little bit further as we go through saturday night and into sunday. it doesn't make huge inroads. it doesn't make huge inroads across england and wales, all it will do is introduce some slightly cloudy conditions ahead of it. we could see some lingering fog patches as well towards east anglia, south east, but some sunny spells possible. they are bright a break elsewhere, but still plenty of cloud, rain or drizzle parts of central southern scotland and down through the irish sea coast of england and wales. ten degrees in stornoway and belfast, butjust two or three celsius through east anglia and the southeast where we could see some more lingering freezing fog patches into monday. elsewhere it turns milder temperatures on the up. generally speaking, for a time this week and on tuesday, parts of eastern scotland could hit 14 degrees.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the ukrainian president, volodomyr zelensky, has appeared via video link to make a direct appeal for tanks at a meeting of western defence chiefs in germany. hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds— hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds of tanks. we won't let up, and we won't waver in our determination to help ukraine defend itself from russia's imperial aggression. ten more strike dates are announced by ambulance workers in england, wales and northern ireland. it includes february 6th which will see the biggest walk—out in nhs history. teenage girls in romania describe how the social media influencer andrew tate

and his brother contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula.