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. biting cold in afghanistan — official figures say dozens have died as temperatures drop to 30 below freezing. and australia's �*toadzilla' — a record—breaking cane toad that's six times bigger than the average is found in queensland. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. ukraine's president, volodymr zelensky, has made a direct appeal to germany to provide tanks at crucial talks involving western allies in germany. the us and european nations have already promised more equipment to fight russia's invasion, but kyiv wants them to go further.

both sides of the conflict are expected to launch full—scale offensives in the spring. ukraine wants nato countries to supply it with germany's highly—regarded leopard 2 tanks. but european countries 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. 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, but it does not include tanks. addressing the gathering, president zelensky warned western nations — via video link — that time was running out. the war started by russia does not allow delays and i can thank you

hundreds of times and it will be absolutelyjust and fair, given all that we have already done, but hundreds of thank—yous are not hundreds of tanks. all of us can use thousands of words in discussions, but i cannot put words instead of guns that are needed against russian artillery or anti—aircraft missiles that are needed to protect people from russian air strikes, and i'm truly grateful to all of you for the weapons you have provided. every unit helps to save our people from terror. president zelensky addressing that meeting in germany in the last few minutes. the us secretary of defence, lloyd austin, said washington would support ukraine �*for as long as it takes�* — and urged allies to �*dig deeper�* in their support. some 50 countries have stepped up to help ukraine defend itself and deter future threats.

when putin launched his reckless and unprovoked invasion 11 months ago, he thought that ukraine would just collapse and he thought that the world would just look away. but putin didn't count on the courage of the ukrainian people and he didn't count on the scale of the ukrainian military and he didn't count on you, on everyone on screen and around this table. -- didn't —— didn't count on the skill of the ukrainian military. but we need to keep up our momentum and our resolve and you need to dig even deeper. this is a decisive moment for ukraine in a decisive decade for the world. so make no mistake, we will support ukraine's self—defence for as long as it takes. lloyd austin, the us defence secretary. i'm joined now by the mep

rodoslaw sikorski, who was poland's minister of foreign affairs between 2007 and 2014, and the country's defence minister before that. he now serves as the chair of the eu parliment�*s us delegation. very good to have you with us, thank you for your time. would poland send leopards two tanks, made in germany, to ukraine, without german permission, and should it, in your opinion? permission, and should it, in your oinion? ., ., ., opinion? there are some remarks from the new german _ opinion? there are some remarks from the new german defence _ opinion? there are some remarks from the new german defence minister - opinion? there are some remarks from the new german defence minister to i the new german defence minister to the new german defence minister to the effect that tanks might be sent, i imagine it would be a consortium of leopards owning nations, the great majority of the tanks are outside germany that you need german spy outside germany that you need german spy parts and logistical support so i hope that after this public discussion we will come together and do what is necessary to help ukraine withstand any russian offensive order to recover its own territory.

why do you think germany is so reluctant to authorise anything before the us moves on tanks? i think it is internal politics in germany, the spd needs to make a more forceful argument about why russia may not prevail in ukraine to their own electorate. the duty of those politicians is not only to reflect public opinion but also to shape and yet german politicians can do more. ~ ., ., i. shape and yet german politicians can do more. ~ ., ., ,, ., , .,, do more. what do you mean, shaping ublic do more. what do you mean, shaping public opinion? _ do more. what do you mean, shaping public opinion? first _ do more. what do you mean, shaping public opinion? first you _ do more. what do you mean, shaping public opinion? first you win - do more. what do you mean, shaping public opinion? first you win the - public opinion? first you win the argument. _ public opinion? first you win the argument, then _ public opinion? first you win the argument, then you _ public opinion? first you win the argument, then you win - public opinion? first you win the argument, then you win the - public opinion? first you win the - argument, then you win the election. you need to persuade people that putin must be stopped, germany's model of only having a trade policy and not a geopolitical defence policy is over, that world is not coming back because putinism not someone we can work with, putin is a

tyrant and an aggressor and has to be stopped —— because putin is not someone we can work with. so be stopped -- because putin is not someone we can work with.- someone we can work with. so the rhetoric at — someone we can work with. so the rhetoric at ramstein _ someone we can work with. so the rhetoric at ramstein is _ someone we can work with. so the rhetoric at ramstein is one - someone we can work with. so the rhetoric at ramstein is one thing, | rhetoric at ramstein is one thing, let's see if the actions match. give us an outlook on the field of combat in ukraine, how desperate is ukraine for the tanks in order to meet the russians in any spring offensive? president zelensky certainly emphasised urgency in his address. ukraine is still clearly the underdog because russia has greater capacity to mobilise its population and to recover. the ukrainian counteroffensive seems to have lost steam, we need to back them up more and there are these rumours of an offensive either from belarus or indeed russia itself and we need to make sure russia does not succeed in

that. western credibility is at stake, we have just heard the us defence minister. we need to walk the walk and not only talk the talk and europe has to do its best, after all this is european security above all, much more than american security at stake.— security at stake. rodoslaw sikorsky. — security at stake. rodoslaw sikorsky, thank _ security at stake. rodoslaw sikorsky, thank you - security at stake. rodoslaw sikorsky, thank you very i security at stake. rodoslaw i sikorsky, thank you very much for your time today, mep rodoslaw sikorsky. let's cross live to ramstein now and speak to our europe correspondentjessica parker. president zelensky in his message by video link emphasising again and again the urgency of this situation. lots of rhetoric to begin the conference, what will it together in practical terms, conference, what will it together in practicalterms, in conference, what will it together in practical terms, in your opinion? conference, what will it together in practicalterms, in your opinion? irate practical terms, in your opinion? we have practicalterms, in your opinion? - have already started to get some

announcements. last week the uk announced it would send challenger tanks among other fresh weapon supplies and overnight the united states has announced a $2.5 billion package including air defences, armoured vehicles too, that there are around 50 countries in that meeting room at the moment, nurtures necessarily making pledges but also how to work out what they can surrply, how to work out what they can supply, how that pieces together to make sense for ukraine in its effort in terms of self defence. it was interesting listening to president zelensky really stressing about time is crucial. why? 0ne zelensky really stressing about time is crucial. why? one reason is the speculation russia is preparing to mount a spring offensive. ukraine obviously wants to be ready for that. worth remembering there is always a time—lag between weapon supplies that might be announced and delivery, but also you might have to

look at training ukrainian troops in order to use these buttons so it does notjust happen does not just happen instantaneously. does notjust happen instantaneously. you have seen constant effort by ukraine to try to push western allies, its backers, to keep supplying arms. from some western officials' point of view, theissue western officials' point of view, the issue about tanks is notjust military objectives or the military significance of having western battle tanks but it is the political message that sending bigger and better arms to ukraine might sent to moscow, us defence secretary lloyd austin spoke about this earlier, he addressed a meeting before zelensky and said we will support ukrainian self defence for as long as it takes, trying to find it message to the kremlin as well as key off. —— as well as key. in the uk, the unite 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. zoe conway reports. what do we want? fair pay! when do we want it? now! it�*s being called the biggest strike in the history of the nhs. 0n the 6th of february, ambulance workers from the gmb union, nurses from the royal college of nursing and now ambulance workers from unite will be going on strike. nhs leaders have been voicing concern about the health service�*s ability to cope. sharon graham, welcome

to political thinking. in an interview for the bbc podcast political thinking with nick robinson, the unite general secretary says care will be taken to protect patient safety. nobody wants lives to be lost and we are really careful, irrespective of the lies, i have to say that's been said by some ministers, to make sure that in the ambulance dispute, i was on the picket line in the west midlands, that we had proper minimum cover because that is something that's really important to us. so obviously we do it in a way that we try not to have any difficulties from that. but i have to say, lives are being lost now. there was a piece that came out yesterday. so they believe 500 excess lives have been lost a week because of waiting times. and so something has to be done. in a statement, the department of health said... the health and social care secretary is continuing to have constructive

in the rail dispute, the train operating companies have made what they�*re calling a best and final offer to the biggest rail union to try to break the deadlock. the rmt says it�*s considering the offer. zoe conway, bbc news. the chief executive of the nhs confederation, matthew taylor, told bbc radio 4�*s today programme that the strikes were having a huge impact on the health service, and the ability of doctors to reduce backlogs built up during the pandemic. a few days ago, there seemed to be some willingness on the government�*s side to talk about pay and it felt like there was a more positive environment, but that now seems to have gone and we can�*t go on like this. it does, i think, feel to our members that the government does need to enter into negotiations about pay and once again to make the point that even if there were no trade unions, even if there was no industrial action, we would still have 130,000 vacancies and a huge problem with recruiting and retaining staff, so i think we would say

to the government, be pragmatic, to the trade unions also, and leave no stone unturned in trying to end this because the communicative impact means it is almost impossible for us to both meet demand and make inroads into that backlog. talks between unions and officials at the department for education are scheduled to take place for six hours on friday. the schools minister nick gibb said he sympathised with teachers — but warned against inflationary pay increases. we do understand the pressures that teachers are under, we understand the cost of living increases that teachers and all people are facing, all households are facing up and down the country, but we do need to make sure that we are not allowing the spike in inflation that is being caused by the consequences of covid, by putin�*s invasion of ukraine, the impact that has had on energy prices, we do need to make sure that we don�*t have pay settlements up and down the country, inflation—busting pay settlements that mean we end up embedding inflation into our economy

for the longer term. 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. in afghanistan, 78 people

are now known to have died from an unprecedented cold snap. the taliban�*s state ministry for disaster management says the temperature in many parts of the country has dropped to minus—thirty degrees celsius. snowstorms have forced the closure of many key roads, hampering the delivery of aid, as my colleague yalda hakim reports. this is one of the busiest marketplaces and shopping districts in kabul. it�*s often crowded and bustling. so much has changed about this country and this city, but the one thing that hasn�*t changed every time i come here is this area. it�*s remained the same. i am seeing fewer and fewer women. the ones i do see have their faces covered. they are nervous about speaking to us, nervous about our cameras. there�*s also another major crisis that this country is facing and that�*s the economic crisis. the economy has all but collapsed, people are struggling to find jobs, they are struggling

to buy goods. they converse. the shopkeeper is telling me that people aren�*t able to buy things, they are not able to buy goods. there is plenty of stock and food in the markets, there�*sjust no—one to purchase them. yalda hakim in afghanistan. a lawyer for the hollywood actor alec baldwin has said he�*ll fight a charge of involuntary manslaughter following the death of the cinematographer halyna hutchins. she was shot dead in 2021 on the set of rust, a movie baldwin was acting in and producing. the film�*s armourer is also facing the same charge. vincent mcaviney has more. he shot her... the frantic efforts to save halyna hutchins in the moments after she was shot. it was during rehearsals on a ranch

in new mexico when the shootings and death depicted in the 19th century western they were filming became all too real. are you doing 0k? no, i'm not, actually. 0k~ _ alec baldwin was holding the gun that discharged the bullet that killed her. he was also one of the film�*s producers. am i being charged with something? prosecutors now say he will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. in a statement, the actor�*s lawyers said... i�*m the armourer, or at least i was. hannah gutierrez—reed, who is in charge of weapons on set, faces the same charges. her lawyers say they�*re the result of a flawed investigation. how many people were in the room at the time? the assistant director, david halls, who reportedly told baldwin the gun was safe, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon. in a statement, the prosecutor

for the state of new mexico said... the charges all relate to negligence. nothing intentional. they are not trying to show that any part of this wasn�*t accidental. they were just trying to show that they were not exercising caution and care in how they handled the gun. the criminal charges are a devastating blow for baldwin, who has said he was heartbroken by the incident. if found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison. halyna is survived by her young son and husband. a lawyer representing the bereaved family issued a statement saying... "it is a comfort that in new mexico, no—one is above the law. we support the charges and will fully cooperate with this prosecution." vincent mcaviney, bbc news.

in an address to the nation, peru�*s president, dina boluarte, has said her administration will stand firm against anti—government protesters. she spoke after hours of clashes in the capital, lima. thousands of demonstrators called on her to step down and agree to fresh elections. more than 50 people have been killed in unrest since ms boluarte assumed the presidency from pedro castillo last month. he was impeached by congress after he tried to dissolve it. azadeh moshiri reports. it�*s pure anger on the streets of peru. dozens have died following weeks of protests. but despite the danger, peruvians are determined. for days, thousands of protesters from rural parts of the country have descended upon its capital, lima. what they want is president dina boluarte out. translation: we want the usurper dina boluarte to step down - and call for new elections.

these protests will continue. the south of the country is rioting. we came to lima from all the southern regions. more people are dying in clashes with police. the un has accused them of using disproportionate force. it�*s infuriated peruvians. in the southern town of macusani, an entire police station is reported to have been set on fire. it all came to a head last month when the former president pedro castillo was arrested for trying to dissolve congress. he is being investigated on charges of rebellion and conspiracy — accusations he denies. his supporters want him released. as for mrs boluarte, she has a warning for protesters. translation: these are not peaceful protests. _ the violent acts that occur in december and january will not go unpunished. she�*s calling for peaceful

protests and dialogue, but after weeks of chaos, it�*s clear that�*s a tall orderfor a country that is rejecting its leader. 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 1% 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. earlier i spoke to hannah miller, our business correspondent, about what this means for the uk high street. they are some of the worst on record. we are spending more money, as you say, because everything now costs more than it used to,

but we�*re cutting back on how much we buy, as a result of that. what we�*re talking about here is the volume of sales in december, the amount of things that we�*re buying. and they show, really, how our christmas shopping didn�*t particularly take off, sales were down 1% 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. so, if we at particularly what we were cutting back on, the 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, jewellery, 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, 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 really feel like there is a particularly tough time ahead. they show us that while people are spending more money, many people are really 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, and that 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. hannah miller. president zelensky has called on countries to provide ukraine with tanks and other advanced weapons as a matter of urgency, at a meeting of more than 50 allies at a us airbase in germany. before mr zelensky�*s video address, the us defence secretary,

lloyd austin, told allies they had to dig deeper, with ukraine facing a decisive moment — and the world a decisive decade. he said russia was regrouping, recruiting and trying to re—equip. both germany and the us have been under pressure to provide kyiv with battle tanks. so far, only britain has agreed to send such machines, as our defence correspondent, jonathan beale, explained. the west�*s focus was on providing weapons to ukraine to help it defend itself. 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. mark malloch—brown is a former un deputy secretary—general and current president of the open society foundation — the largest private

human rights funder. they are working to build inclusive and democratic societies. thank you very much forjoining me, mark malloch—brown. i would like your reaction to news from ukraine that the first un humanitarian convoy has reached the area around soledar, which as we have reported has seen the fiercest fighting in recent weeks. a toughjob the fiercest fighting in recent weeks. a tough job awaits those in that convoy? weeks. a tough 'ob awaits those in that convoy?— that convoy? certainly. un humanitarian _ that convoy? certainly. un humanitarian assistance, l that convoy? certainly. un | humanitarian assistance, to that convoy? certainly. un i humanitarian assistance, to be honest, has been a pretty small start of the story in general. the big grain deal the un did to allow grain exports and its attempt to deal with the new chela plant being the more high—profile un engagements. —— to deal with the nuclear plant. while fabulous for

the ukrainian citizens, that they will get that assistance, it is a bit of a sideline to the main story, which way will the war go in its next phase. which way will the war go in its next phase-— which way will the war go in its next thase. ~ ., , ., next phase. what is your view on that? i have _ next phase. what is your view on that? i have come _ next phase. what is your view on that? i have come down - next phase. what is your view on that? i have come down from i next phase. what is your view on i that? i have come down from davos, which was a — that? i have come down from davos, which was a precursor— that? i have come down from davos, which was a precursor to _ that? i have come down from davos, which was a precursor to this - which was a precursor to this ramstein meeting, ukrainians their allies were there in force, the un secretary—general was there and the overall message was we have hit a moment of dangerous complacency, ukraine has stood very well on the battlefield, putin�*s military has been exposed, far from the fighting force he claims it was, and there is a danger that we over relax, and the longer this war runs, arguably the betterfor longer this war runs, arguably the better for the russians. they longer this war runs, arguably the betterfor the russians. they do long wars, it is what ended germany�*s effort to take russia during the second world war, they

waited the german silage. there is a sense that the nine years they had in afghanistan, another such example, they do not have the democratic impatience western governments have, they can take their time. governments have, they can take theirtime. 0f governments have, they can take their time. of concern about this mobilisation of soldiers from amongst the russian population that putinism doing, recognition they would be cannon fodder, not well—trained, but their sheer numbers, they might be able to overwhelm the smaller ukrainian forces, so are feeling the only way to get putin to serious peace negotiations is to give him such a bloody nose that he has no choice, which in turn means offensive weapons, notjust tanks but missiles too. it is strange for me as president of a human rights organisation to say this but the human rights nobel peace prize

winner, one of them was in davos, she made the break statement that arming is human rights in ukraine, the only way to stop the russians. people like myself find ourselves in an unusual position of having to call for this kind of weapon for ukraine as the only way to end this conflict and protect ukrainian democracy. we conflict and protect ukrainian democracy-— conflict and protect ukrainian democra .~ ., ., . ., democracy. we had the rhetoric to fit the occasion _ democracy. we had the rhetoric to fit the occasion in _ democracy. we had the rhetoric to fit the occasion in ramstein i democracy. we had the rhetoric to fit the occasion in ramstein from i fit the occasion in ramstein from lloyd austin, saying the ukrainian people are watching us, the kremlin is watching, history is watching. the big question is will the actions coming out of that meeting also matched the moment? what are your thoughts about the reluctance of some nations, obviously we have focused on germany, who in turn are waiting on the us, two announce table sent tanks in the sort of

numbers president zelensky says are needed? i think the reluctance is a perfectly respectable position but i think events have taken —— overtaken it. think events have taken -- overtaken it. ., y think events have taken -- overtaken it. ., , ., , think events have taken -- overtaken it. nobody wanted this to become a generalised — it. nobody wanted this to become a generalised war _ it. nobody wanted this to become a generalised war in _ it. nobody wanted this to become a generalised war in europe - it. nobody wanted this to become a generalised war in europe or- it. nobody wanted this to become a generalised war in europe or for- generalised war in europe or for putin to renew his threat to use nuclear weapons so with a clear strategic decision by the white house to arm the ukrainians for the defence, but the reality is there is no defence of ukrainian territory until putin drops his war aims. and beyond putin himself, the wider russia drops an anthology of imperialism which allows it to think it is a reasonable thing to occupy and colonise a smaller neighbour. so, hence the move by the nato secretaryjens stoltenberg, the secretary jens stoltenberg, the polish secretaryjens stoltenberg, the polish president and others this week to call for this, and as i say,

i completely understand the german reluctance, nobody wants to risk a wider conflict in europe but i think we all have two sees the nettle and understand that unless we stop this conflict now by enabling ukraine to deliver a bit of a knockout blow to putin, the instability in europe is only going to expand and grow. president of the open society foundation, for when the former un secretary—general, thank you very much. the head of the united nations nuclear watchdog, rafael grossi, says he has concerns that the world is becoming complacent about the considerable dangers posed by the russian—controlled zaporizhzhia atomic plant in ukraine. russian forces captured the plant last march and it has repeatedly come underfire in recent months, raising fears of a nuclear disaster. mr grossi has become a regular visitor to the country and has announced a permanent iaea presence across ukraine�*s five nuclear plants.

0ur correspondent in ukraine, james waterhouse, spoke to him. rare footage of a journey very few take. the last ukrainian checkpoint on the way to russian occupied territory. it is a route un nuclear inspectors took last september. it didn�*t take long for them to encounter gunfire. and russians. their destination was here, the zaporizhzhian nuclear power plant and its six reactors. you didn�*t know what was at the other end. i mean, what was going through your mind at that moment? well, i had a tremendous feeling of responsibility. at the same time, i felt that that was the line that needed to be crossed in order to establish that presence. we were being tested. russia�*s invasion of ukraine means rafael grossi has become a regular visitor.

this week, he has announced a permanent iaea presence across the country�*s five nuclear plants. however, it is the occupied zaporizhzhia site which is causing the most concern. we are under enormous danger. there is something we can do about it. it might not be a panacea, it would be a great step forward because it would be a high level political commitment not to attack the plant, which is very important, and not to use the plant as a military platform. mr grossi says he is negotiating a possible safe zone at the plant where there are continued worries over a nuclear disaster. for months, there has been shelling close to the site, with both sides blaming each other. what i am saying to russia, what i am saying also to my ukrainian counterparts, wherever your military objectives could be,

you don�*t need to storm, attack, or attack from a nuclear power plant to achieve those. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv. a couple of pieces of breaking news coming into us. google�*s parent alphabet is cutting 12,000 jobs. in a memo to staff chief executive sundar pichai blamed the faltering global economy, saying "over the past two years we�*ve seen periods of dramatic growth. to match and fuel that growth, we hired for a different economic reality than the one we face today." it comes days after microsoft announced 10,000 cuts in a trend which has seen many big tech firm cuts lots ofjobs in recent months. google�*s parent alphabet company say it is cutting 12 thousand jobs. they have hired a lot over the last two years, they say they have too much a different economic reality that

faces them today. the other news coming into us is from brazil. this is in relation to the storming of congress by supporters of the ousted president, the federal police in brazil saying they have launched an operation, the faced —— first phase of an operation with the objective of an operation with the objective of identifying people who participated, financed, operated events that occurred around the federal supreme court of brazil and the congress of brazil, which led to an invasion of the buildings by a group that in the words of the federal police, promoted violence and generalised damage against the buildings and other aspects, objects and furniture of those institutions, this all relates of course to the protests against the election of the current president lula da silva,

that news just current president lula da silva, that newsjust coming current president lula da silva, that news just coming into us. about 2.5 million uk households will see their annual electricity bill go up by an average of £116, despite the government fixing prices until april. it�*s because suppliers of economy 7 tariffs, who pay different night—time and day—time rates, were allowed to increase rates at the start of the month. 0ur cost of living correspondent coletta smith has more. we moved in in 1983... keith and joan�*s electricity bill has just gone up. i think we�*ve been forgotten. see, us on economy 7, i think we�*ve been penalised. they�*re putting them up, january, they�*re putting them up more than they have the standard tariff. people on economy 7 tariffs pay two different rates for their electricity. a really cheap rate for seven hours through the night time, and a much higher rate for the daytime. that makes sense if you�*ve got storage heaters or you need a lot of energy at night. but keith and joan don�*t.

and you've been wanting to alter it to a standard tariff. and i asked bulb two years ago and they said they�*d put me on the waiting list. what waiting list that was, they never explained. bulb has now been bought by 0ctopus, who�*ve told us they�*ll look into thejohnsons�* case. do you use the electricity at night time? do you have any of your appliances running? no, no. i've done enough night shifts in my time! i don't want to go to bed, get up at 3am and put the washer on, you know, i don't think, no. the regulator raised the cap for economy 7 injanuary, and the consultancy firm future energy associates say average economy 7 tariffs have gone up by more than £100 a year as a result. since october, the government has limited the price that energy companies can charge for every kilowatt hour, but only if you�*re on a single tariff. for people on economy 7 who have two different tariffs they�*ve left it up to companies to decide how much they charge for a day rate and a night rate.

the regulator 0fgem say they are investigating whether all suppliers are advising customers about the cheapest tariffs. but they say if economy 7 customers use cheap off peak electricity, they can make substantial savings. fuel poverty campaigners want the government to do more. the costs of these tariffs are going up, and they�*re going up in spite of the fact that obviously we are supposed to be in a situation where prices are locked in and people can budget with confidence knowing what their energy bills are going to cost. the government say suppliers have been allowed to change economy 7 rates to balance out more expensive day rates against cheaper night rates. but that�*s cold comfort to those facing higher bills this winter. coletta smith, bbc news. and joining me now is clement attwood, from energy consultancy future energy associates who provided the analysis. (0s)

thank you for your time today. tell us why households on economy seven, on those tariffs, have seen their bills increase, compared to people and other types of tariffs.- and other types of tariffs. thanks i have me on. _ and other types of tariffs. thanks i have me on. yes. _ and other types of tariffs. thanks i have me on, yes, future _ and other types of tariffs. thanks i have me on, yes, future energy i have me on, yes, future energy associates, we did this analysis is part of regular monitoring that we do through our analytics platform, so the reason that these cuts have gone up for economy seven customers, they saw an increase in their rates of 8% injanuary, compared to 1% for single rate customers, that is because like colette are mentioned in the piece, the rates for single rate tariffs are fixed by the regulator whereas their respectability for economy seven tariffs. —— whereas there is

flexibility for economy seven tariffs. �* ., , flexibility for economy seven tariffs. �* , ,, ., flexibility for economy seven tariffs. , ,, ., ., tariffs. but as they guess from one ofthe tariffs. but as they guess from one of the fuel charities _ tariffs. but as they guess from one of the fuel charities at _ tariffs. but as they guess from one of the fuel charities at the - tariffs. but as they guess from one of the fuel charities at the end i tariffs. but as they guess from one of the fuel charities at the end of l of the fuel charities at the end of her report was saying, this doesn�*t really seem to give householders who use economy seven as much control over how they budget for their energy bills, is that a fair assessment? yes, ithink energy bills, is that a fair assessment? yes, i think that is fair. i think, assessment? yes, i think that is fair. ithink, really, customers who are on economy seven tariffs do need to be careful that they are on the right kind of tariff, so, really those economy seven tariffs are designed for people who have significant overnight usage of electricity for heating, so really that needs to balance with your daytime usage so people should consider —— consider carefully whether their consumption profile fits with being on an economy seven tariff and if they are not sure, they should really seek some independent advice to make sure that is right. yes, and briefly, in terms

of the tariffs that are available out there, is it a consumer market right now? are they decent options around? ., ~ right now? are they decent options around? ., ,, ., , around? so, i mean, ithink largely the advice — around? so, i mean, ithink largely the advice has _ around? so, i mean, ithink largely the advice has been _ around? so, i mean, ithink largely the advice has been that _ around? so, i mean, ithink largely the advice has been that people i the advice has been that people don�*t switch at the moment because of the epg, the energy price guarantee rates are fixed, so people should generally stick with their supplier unless they have to move. in the case of economy seven customers, they should be able to request to their supplier that they switch to a single rate tariff, but generally the market is pretty static at the moment, there are only really standard variable tariffs available in the market right now so people do have limited choice. qm. people do have limited choice. ok, clement people do have limited choice. 0k, clement atwood, from future energy associates, thank you very much.

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. 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. and you saw him in victorious report. i�*m joined now by physicist dr christopher kyba from the german research centre for geosciences. you are very welcome. what is behind this? is it the type of lighting of the sheer scale of it? we this? is it the type of lighting of the sheer scale of it?— this? is it the type of lighting of the sheer scale of it? we are not actually able _ the sheer scale of it? we are not actually able to _ the sheer scale of it? we are not actually able to answer— the sheer scale of it? we are not actually able to answer that i the sheer scale of it? we are not actually able to answer that with | the sheer scale of it? we are not. actually able to answer that with a dated that we have. there are two facilities, one is that the types of lighting are changing and we are seeing more light shining sideways, for example advertising and facade lighting, the other possibility is that the switch from more orange lights towards more blue light or white lights with a blue component has made it much more difficult to see the stars because of the enhanced scattering in the sky and how sensitive human eyes are too blue light at night. we how sensitive human eyes are too blue light at night.— blue light at night. we know it is makint it blue light at night. we know it is making it more _ blue light at night. we know it is making it more difficult - blue light at night. we know it is making it more difficult to i blue light at night. we know it is making it more difficult to see . making it more difficult to see stars, what other that having? is there some positivity that is it is

changing the enrolment for nocturnal animals, for example?— animals, for example? nocturnal animals, for example? nocturnal animals are _ animals, for example? nocturnal animals are extremely _ animals, for example? nocturnal animals are extremely sensitive l animals, for example? nocturnal. animals are extremely sensitive to lights at night, also plants, the sky glow itself, it is hard to understand exactly what its impact is on animals because we can�*t really go to london and say, turn your lights off for a couple of days, we want to see what the animals do. but if you think about it, in the old days before electric light, a lot of animals used the darkness as a protection, and that protection is entirely gone now, so we have to expect really major changes on a large scale because of that. the impacts of direct light on animals are also very large so millie�*s of birds are killed every yearin millie�*s of birds are killed every year in collisions with buildings, and when the sky is getting brighter, that is major —— may be suggesting we having more lit building so the impact on birds is increasing. building so the impact on birds is increasint. ~ ., building so the impact on birds is increasing-— building so the impact on birds is increasint. . ., ., ., ., increasing. what can we do on an individual level _ increasing. what can we do on an individual level and _ increasing. what can we do on an individual level and on _ increasing. what can we do on an individual level and on a - increasing. what can we do on an individual level and on a much i individual level and on a much larger scale, unusable level, to

actually tackle light pollution? 50. actually tackle light pollution? so, delitthtin actually tackle light pollution? srr, delighting decisions actually tackle light pollution? 5ti, delighting decisions in actually tackle light pollution? 5tr, delighting decisions in a actually tackle light pollution? 5t3, delighting decisions in a country or a big city like london are made by many of individuals and so if you are a homeowner, you have the opportunity to try and eliminate your stares and walkways carefully so that only area is illuminated is that of shining sideways into your neighbour�*s yard and bedroom. if you have a business, you can turn off your advertising lights at night time when there is nobody to see them. at the level of community, you can harmonise the advertise —— lights, so by making the advertising lighting play better with the public lighting, you actually enhance the visual environment while reducing the overall amount of light. {lilia the overall amount of light. ok, tood to the overall amount of light. ok, good to talk— the overall amount of light. ok, good to talk to _ the overall amount of light. ok, good to talk to you, _ the overall amount of light. 0k, good to talk to you, from the german research centre for geosciences. this morning tens of thousands of people have been trying virtually to try to get their hands on tickets to madonna�*s celebration tour.

the pop icon madonna added a second london show to her global tour following overwhelming pre—sale demands. this is the music icon�*s first ever greatest hits tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of her break—out single, holiday. the 35—date tour will see her perform music from her entire career, from 1983�*s self—titled debut album to 2019�*s madame x. let�*s now talk to howard trigg, who has been up all morning trying to secure tickets for her london dates. howard has been a fan of madonna since 1986. the big question, the first question is, have you got your hands on some tickets? ., ., �* ., , tickets? no, i haven't. iwas 130,000 — tickets? no, i haven't. iwas 130,000 in— tickets? no, i haven't. iwas 130,000 in the _ tickets? no, i haven't. iwas 130,000 in the queue, i tickets? no, i haven't. iwas 130,000 in the queue, they| tickets? no, i haven't. iwas- 130,000 in the queue, they have added a third date and i am number 104,000 in the queue for the third date. . ., ., ., , 104,000 in the queue for the third date. . ., ., .,, ., ,, i. date. and how long has it taken you to tet date. and how long has it taken you to get from — date. and how long has it taken you to get from the _ date. and how long has it taken you to get from the point _ date. and how long has it taken you to get from the point you _ date. and how long has it taken you to get from the point you started i to get from the point you started looking for the tickets to where you were told you hadn�*t received any tickets for that first date?

were told you hadn't received any tickets for that first date?- tickets for that first date? about 50 minutes _ tickets for that first date? about 50 minutes now, _ tickets for that first date? about 50 minutes now, so _ tickets for that first date? about 50 minutes now, so the - tickets for that first date? about 50 minutes now, so the tickets. tickets for that first date? about i 50 minutes now, so the tickets went on sale at ten o�*clock, but also i have been trying to do presales for the last two days and bisley i haven�*t got those either. so the last two days and bisley i haven't got those either. so overall ou have haven't got those either. so overall you have spent _ haven't got those either. so overall you have spent quite _ haven't got those either. so overall you have spent quite a _ haven't got those either. so overall you have spent quite a lot - haven't got those either. so overall you have spent quite a lot of- haven't got those either. so overall you have spent quite a lot of time | you have spent quite a lot of time over the last few days trying to get hands on those tickets. yes, don�*t tell my work. yes, you are on tv. i think you are telling them yourself. i am sure, i hope anyway they will be sympathetic. if you cannot secure tickets this way, do you think the chances of getting to see madonna live are pretty slim?— live are pretty slim? well, if! don't get _ live are pretty slim? well, if! don't get them _ live are pretty slim? well, if! don't get them from - live are pretty slim? well, if! don't get them from london, | live are pretty slim? well, if i| don't get them from london, i live are pretty slim? well, if i i don't get them from london, i will don�*t get them from london, i will try internationally, france is quite good, and paris, obviously, amsterdam and they will be multiple international dates added over the next few days so i�*m am not having to go abroad which is always a nice experience anyway, but of course it costs even more and that it are quite expensive, as it is, at the moment. but if that, if i have to do

that, i have to do that. ida moment. but if that, if i have to do that, i have to do that.— that, i have to do that. no lengths to which he _ that, i have to do that. no lengths to which he would _ that, i have to do that. no lengths to which he would not _ that, i have to do that. no lengths to which he would not travel- that, i have to do that. no lengths to which he would not travel to i that, i have to do that. no lengths| to which he would not travel to see madonna. within europe. not to canada, for example. as long as it is within europe, let�*s be clear about that. why do you want to see her to see this particular show? {lilia her to see this particular show? ok, well, firstly. — her to see this particular show? ok, well, firstly. i _ her to see this particular show? oi, well, firstly, i have been seeing madonna live since 1987. i met my best friend at a madonna concert and we have been to every madonna concert since then and we are both desperate. firstly, this is the greatest hits tour, she has never delved into her back catalogue very much for her concerts, and this is the first time and probably the only time she will ever do a greatest hits tour. that is something quite special to say, she has a next ordinary back catalogue. i want to see what she�*s going to do with those tracks.

see what she's going to do with those tracks.— see what she's going to do with those tracks. . ., ., , those tracks. well, howard, we wish ou luck, those tracks. well, howard, we wish you luck. do — those tracks. well, howard, we wish you luck. do let— those tracks. well, howard, we wish you luck, do let us _ those tracks. well, howard, we wish you luck, do let us know _ those tracks. well, howard, we wish you luck, do let us know if _ those tracks. well, howard, we wish you luck, do let us know if you i you luck, do let us know if you actually manage to get your hands on some tickets, we would love to hear that news. howard trigg, madonna superfan, good luck. that news. howard trigg, madonna super fan, good luck.— super fan, good luck. thank you, toodb e. police in lancashire say they�*re looking into a video posted online by the prime minister, in which he was seen in the back of a moving car without a seat belt. rishi sunak was in lancashire to promote his levelling up agenda, and has since apologised for what his spokesman called an "error ofjudgement". the maximum fine for not wearing a seatbelt is £500. a car belonging to the british actorjulian sands has been found near to where he was reported missing in california. the 65—year—old — who starred in films including a room with a view — disappeared a week ago while hiking in mountains near los angeles. authorities say there is still "no hard deadline" for calling off the search. a giant cane toad dubbed "toadzilla" has been discovered in australia. the amphibian, which weighs 2.7kg, shocked rangers who stumbled across it

at the conway national park in north queensland. the guinness world record for the largest toad in history is 2.65kg, set by a pet toad in sweden in 1991. ranger kylee gray said her team were "blown away" by the size of this cane toad — saying it looked "almost like a football with legs". here she is talking about the discovery. we hopped out to watch the snake slither off, it was a beautiful big red—bellied black snake, and he�*s taken off to the left of us and i was standing on the right of our buggy and looked down and there, right at my feet, probably about 40cm away from where the snake was originally, there was this monster cane toad. it shocked us. we�*ve nicknamed her toadzilla. we considered naming her connie, after conway national park, but toadzilla was the one thatjust kept getting thrown out there for that kind of stuck.

british gas has said it will stop switching people onto pre—payment meters via their smart meters when they struggle to pay their bills. it comes amid growing calls to stop the practice, which critics say puts vulnerable people at risk. the company has also promised £10 million of extra support for customers in need, which could include grants of up to £250. we wa nt we want to leave you with a cute story. if you�*re going to catch a bus this morning — we have a feeling your fellow passengers won�*t be quite as adorable as these. this bus is run by a dog—walking service in alaska, which drives around town to pick up its furry customers — all of whom know exactly where to sit. they are then driven to a park for a walk before hopping back on board to be taken home. that must be the cutest set of bus

passengers ever. it is been good to have your company today. this is bbc news. hello. 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. it 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, though, a sunny day and temperatures 3—8 celsius, up a little bit on yesterday, but still on the chilly side of things. now this evening and overnight, a few showers and gusty winds as we�*ll see all throughout the day in eastern areas, 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 zero 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 and 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 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 and the south east, but some sunny spells possible. the odd brighter break elsewhere but still plenty of cloud. rain or drizzle parts in 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. i�*m joanna gosling. the headlines at 11: the ukrainian president, volodomyr zelensky, appears via videolink — to make a direct appealfor tanks — at a meeting of western defence chiefs in germany. but 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, including february 6th, which will see the biggest walkout in nhs history. the church of england formally apologises for what it describes as the "shameful" times that lgbt+ community have been "rejected or excluded".

teenage girls in romania describe how the social media influencer andrew tate — and his brother — contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula. ukraine�*s president, volodymr zelensky, has made a direct appeal to germany to provide tanks at crucial talks involving western allies in germany. the us and european nations have already promised more equipment to fight russia�*s invasion, but kyiv wants them to go further. both sides of the conflict are expected to launch full—scale offensives in the spring. ukraine wants nato countries to supply it with germany�*s highly—regarded leopard 2 tanks. but european countries 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. the uk has already promised to send 14 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, but it does not include tanks. addressing the gathering, president zelensky warned western nations — via video link — that time was running out. the war started by russia does not allow delays. and i can thank you hundreds of times and it will be absolutely just and fair all that you have already done, but hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds of tanks. all of us can use thousands of words. it is constant, but i cannot put words instead of guns that are needed against russian artillery

or instead of that, anti aircraft missile that are needed to protect people from russian air strikes. and i am truly grateful to all of you for the weapons you have provided. every unit helps to save our people from terror. the us secretary of defence, lloyd austin, said washington would support ukraine "for as long as it takes" — and urged allies to "dig deeper" in their support. some 50 countries have stepped up to help ukraine defend itself and deter future threats. when putin launched his reckless and unprovoked invasion 11 months ago, he thought that ukraine would just collapse. and he thought that the world would just look away. but putin didn�*t count on the courage of the ukrainian people. and he didn�*t count on the skill of the ukrainian military.

and he didn�*t count on you. 0n everyone on screen. and around this table. but we need to keep up our momentum and our resolve and we need to dig even deeper. this is a decisive moment for ukraine. in a decisive decade for the world. so make no mistake. we will support ukraine�*s self—defence for as long as it takes. rodoslaw sikorski is a polish mep and poland�*s former minister of defence as well as foreign affairs. would poland send leopard 2 tanks to ukraine without germany�*s consent? we hope that won�*t be necessary. there are some remarks from the new german defence minister to the effect that tanks might be sent. i imagine that would be a consortium of leopards—owning nations. the majority of the tanks actually are outside germany,

but you do need german spare parts and logistical support so i hope that after this public discussion we will come together and do what is necessary to help ukraine withstand any russian offensive or indeed to recover its own territory. 0ur europe correspondentjess parker outlines the key goals at the western allied meeting in ramstein. we�*ve started to get some announcements. of course, it was last week that the uk announced it was going to send challenger tanks, among otherfresh weapons supplies. and overnight, the united states have announced this $2.5 billion package that includes ad offences, armoured vehicles as well, but there are around 50 countries in that meeting room at the moment. notjust necessarily making pledges but also trying to work out what they can supply pieces together in order to make sense for ukraine in its efforts, in terms of self defence.

now, it was interesting listening to president zelensky really stressing, as you say, that time is crucial here. why? well, one reason of course is this speculation that russia is preparing to mount a spring offensive. ukraine obviously wants to be ready for that but of course as well it is worth remembering that there is a time lag between things that are announced, so weapons supplies might be announced, and delivery. plus also you might also have to look at training ukrainian troops in order to use these weapons as well, so it isn�*t something that just happens instantaneously, so you see this constant effort by ukraine to really try to push western allies, its backers, to keep supplying arms. i think from some western points of view, it is notjust about military objectives or the military significance of having western battle tanks, but it is also the political message that sending more arms, bigger, better arms to ukraine might send to moscow, and lloyd austin was speaking about this earlier, the us defence secretary, he was addressing the meeting just

before president zelensky and said, we will support ukraine�*s self defence for as long as it takes, so really trying to send a message to the kremlin as well as to kyiv. i�*m joined now by patrick bewry. to the kremlin as well as to kyiv. he�*s a senior lecturer in security at the university of bath. he�*s also worked as a nato analyst and served in the british army. welcome, thank you forjoining us. there are these talks in germany, germany critical in terms of what might happen with tanks. can you reminders why germany is holding out on this, what the history is? yes. on this, what the history is? yes, essentially. _ on this, what the history is? yes, essentially, and _ on this, what the history is? yes, essentially, and i— on this, what the history is? yes, essentially, and i was _ on this, what the history is? 1513, essentially, and i was speaking to the german ambassador last night, it is about the leading party in power and them having history of non—military, they haven�*t prepared their electorate for this and

therefore... germany, when they export these leopard tanks, they have an export control on these, so you can�*t send them onto another country and that is something they haven�*t waved. i would hope they would waive that at the end of this meeting. you�*ve seen a amount of aid being announced, we�*ve got over 2.5 million from the us, huge amount from countries like finland putting in 400 million, denmark and sweden the same, artillery pieces, patriot systems. this is the biggest amount of aid that�*s been announced since the start of the war and they are heavier and more capable. germany has the choice of whether it wants to be a leader in europe, which it says it wants to be, or it wants to be considered looking to be knighted for security on the cheap, as it

were. ., for security on the cheap, as it were. ,, , for security on the cheap, as it were, ., . . ., , for security on the cheap, as it were. ., . , , ., were. how critical is the german decision? _ were. how critical is the german decision? in _ were. how critical is the german decision? in terms _ were. how critical is the german decision? in terms of _ were. how critical is the german decision? in terms of creating i were. how critical is the german decision? in terms of creating a | decision? in terms of creating a mass quickly. — decision? in terms of creating a mass quickly. it _ decision? in terms of creating a mass quickly, it is _ decision? in terms of creating a mass quickly, it is important. . mass quickly, it is important. waving the export control would be a good halfway house. the americans, to some degree, the m1 tank is capable, and they have a logistical supply in europe, not to the same scale as the leopard. the us could say we will give 10—14, so that shows we have some skin in the game. in terms of the difference that this equipment could make, how do you see the balance of where things are? it is effectively a holding position in the imminent future and coming months, that it could be decisive? both the secretary—general of nato and defence secretary of the us have

said this word repeatedly, decisive. it was interesting defence secretary austin said this is the decisive decade because there is a looming threat of taiwan, which impacts us strategic planning and sequencing. this is about the weapons going in now, about ukraine�*s ability to launch successful counterattacks. it is about holding on until the summer, the more defensive weapons like the patriot, but you�*ve got so many armed vehicles. hopefully the tanks to match it, you are looking at western kit that can be used in a combined manner with the artillery and defence systems to punch through russia�*s lines and take back that territory. there is this time—lag, it is important they gat in sooner rather than later, did they don�*t,

russia, although it has on some measures a relatively weak economy, over time, measures a relatively weak economy, overtime, it measures a relatively weak economy, over time, it does have a big productivity capacity and that will be brought against a weakening ukraine, so that is what it is about. it is about a political message and really standing firm to say, we are going to try and help ukraine to take back as much ground as they come this year.— ukraine to take back as much ground as they come this year. when we look at russia, as they come this year. when we look at russia. and — as they come this year. when we look at russia, and who _ as they come this year. when we look at russia, and who is _ as they come this year. when we look at russia, and who is supporting i at russia, and who is supporting russia and where it�*s capabilities currently are, what it has, ukraine has said that 117,000 russian troops have been killed since the start of the invasion. russia disputes that number, ukraine also pointed to elite brigades that have essentially been wiped out, the extraordinary of

equipment ukraine says has been taken out of russian hands. what, where is russia now in terms of what it has, what its losses are and where it is getting renewal of manpower, boots on the ground and supplies? manpower, boots on the ground and su- tlies? ,, ., , manpower, boots on the ground and su-tlies? ,, ., , , , manpower, boots on the ground and su-tlies? ,, , , , , ,, ., supplies? essentially, yes, ukraine is ritht in supplies? essentially, yes, ukraine is right in some _ supplies? essentially, yes, ukraine is right in some respects, - supplies? essentially, yes, ukraine is right in some respects, there's i supplies? essentially, yes, ukraine is right in some respects, there's a | is right in some respects, there�*s a big question mark over this, the russian army was originally sent in to ukraine and has been badly mauled, 50% capacity gone, at least 100,000 casualties. but, you know, it has a large artillery stock that has burned through a fair few of them. it is running low on emissions, run is helping them, putting in more kit. china may well supply them with microchips, there is a question mark there. 0ver supply them with microchips, there

is a question mark there. over the time, if russia gets its defensive base going, it has the materials and machine capabilities to do it. that is where its strength lies, a place for time and try to grind it out. ukraine is reliant on western support, with a looming threat across the world. it is in a hurry to get it done, like zelensky said, time is a weapon we all have now. thank you forjoining us. let me bring you some breaking news, 19—year—old matthew king has pleaded guilty to plotting an islamist terror attack, allegedly targeting police officers or military personnel. he was arrested on the 18th of may last year and he was accused of surveying police stations, railway stations and magistrates�* court and a british army barracks while he was plotting

an attack. he has, we are hearing, pleaded guilty at the old bailey to plotting an islamist terror attack, allegedly targeting police and military personnel. we�*ve had that brief line through, we will bring you more as we get it. new data from the office for national statistics show 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 1% 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. to get more on what is happening on the ground right now, i am joined byjulia grant, who runs winter�*s moon — a homeware shop in chichester in west sussex. welcome. what has the situation been

for you in terms of sales and revenue?— for you in terms of sales and revenue? . ., , . , ., revenue? well, for december, we had a tositive revenue? well, for december, we had a positive trading _ revenue? well, for december, we had a positive trading period, _ revenue? well, for december, we had a positive trading period, compared i a positive trading period, compared to the year before. we were markedly up, we took more transactions than the year before. the average transaction value was slightly less, but it was really positive for us. and, yes, our customers came out to supporters. and, yes, our customers came out to supporters-— supporters. batted interesting, that sounds like you _ supporters. batted interesting, that sounds like you had _ supporters. batted interesting, that sounds like you had been _ supporters. batted interesting, that sounds like you had been broken i supporters. batted interesting, that| sounds like you had been broken the national trend. would you point out anything that has helped you out? i think our company, we aim to offer difference, but customers were coming in and they want to know that things had been made well, where it has come from, who has made it, all of those things. we can tell them that, basically. we know the makers

who make things for us, and the pieces we sell are worth the resources that had been used to make them. we use sustainable items. customers are more questioning and that has played in our favour. customers are more questioning and that has played in ourfavour. we sell nice things that are made to last, worth the money, and theyjust are a bit more savvy. they understand community that is involved in supporting a high street shop. we do have, i�*m in chichester, which is a beautiful city, having those on the high street makes you realise what the future could look like if people don�*t spend their money locally. it like if people don't spend their money locally-— like if people don't spend their money locally. it sounds like your customer base _ money locally. it sounds like your customer base is _ money locally. it sounds like your customer base is holding - money locally. it sounds like your customer base is holding quite i money locally. it sounds like your i customer base is holding quite firm. does that give you cause for optimism? the well, i try to be optimistic, but i don't think you can sit on your laurels. we only opened, i've been in business online

for 10-12 years, but we only opened during lockdown, so it's been an interesting ride so far, but i've got a really brilliant team. we are in a beautifully listed building. i am optimistic, but you've got to work hard, which we do, ijust deliver good service. you can't rest on your laurels. for us, even the year 50 on your laurels. for us, even the year so far has started positively. so, yes, always lots to be optimistic about, hopefully. it sounds like you have been nimble. 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 unite, the union, has announced 1,500 ambulance workers will strike on six extra days across february and march. unite, the union, has announced 1,500 ambulance workers will strike on six extra days across february and march. unite, the union, has announced 1,500 ambulance workers will strike on six extra days across february and march. 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. zoe conway reports. what do we want? fair pay! when do we want it? now! it�*s being called the biggest strike in the history of the nhs. 0n the 6th of february, ambulance workers from the gmb union, nurses from the royal college of nursing and now ambulance workers from unite will be going on strike. nhs leaders have been voicing concern about the health service�*s ability to cope. sharon graham, welcome to political thinking. in an interview for the bbc podcast political thinking with nick robinson, the unite general secretary says care will be taken to protect patient safety.

nobody wants lives to be lost and we are really careful, irrespective of the lies, i have to say that's been said by some ministers, to make sure that in the ambulance dispute, i was on the picket line in the west midlands, that we had proper minimum cover because that is something that's really important to us. so obviously we do it in a way that we try not to have any difficulties from that. but i have to say, lives are being lost now. there was a piece that came out yesterday. so they believe 500 excess lives have been lost a week because of waiting times. and so something has to be done. in a statement, the department of health said... ambulance workers do an incredible job and it�*s disappointing some union members are going ahead with further strikes when the nhs is already under huge pressure. the health and social care secretary is continuing to have constructive discussions with unions. in the rail dispute, the train operating companies have made what they�*re calling a best and final offer to the biggest rail

union to try to break the deadlock. the rmt says it�*s considering the offer. zoe conway, bbc news. let�*s speak now to dr layla mccay, policy director at nhs condeferation. welcome. where do you see things constructively going forward here? well, i think what we have seen is a stalemate that has allowed further dates to be announced, which is not good for anyone, patients or staff, the government. the government need to sit down with the unions and both sides need to commit to finding a resolution. the time for touring and throwing is over, the disruption is to high and we need to find a resolution and move on. there's been talk of the sort _ resolution and move on. there's been talk of the sort of _ resolution and move on. there's been talk of the sort of things _ resolution and move on. there's been talk of the sort of things that - talk of the sort of things that might bring the two sides together

and consolidated pay bonus, effectively. do you see anything to indicate there�*s been any real progress? it indicate there's been any real progress?— indicate there's been any real ttroress? , ., ., ~ progress? it is hard to say, i think sometimes _ progress? it is hard to say, i think sometimes we _ progress? it is hard to say, i think sometimes we hear _ progress? it is hard to say, i think sometimes we hear steps - progress? it is hard to say, i think sometimes we hear steps might i progress? it is hard to say, i think| sometimes we hear steps might be being taken forward and then it feels like it are steps back. what we have to do to get progress is a bit of compromise on both sides, and that needs to happen now. it is not the sort of thing you connect drift, it is people who are trying to deliver care at one of the most challenging times the nhs has ever had, in the middle of winter, and this additional disruption doesn�*t make sense of anyone. we need to move forward, and that will need compromise on both sides. what move forward, and that will need compromise on both sides. what do ou think compromise on both sides. what do you think is — compromise on both sides. what do you think is the _ compromise on both sides. what do you think is the key _ compromise on both sides. what do you think is the key reserve - compromise on both sides. what do you think is the key reserve impactl you think is the key reserve impact of the strikes? i you think is the key reserve impact of the strikes?— of the strikes? i think the impact on tatient of the strikes? i think the impact on patient care, _

of the strikes? i think the impact on patient care, each _ of the strikes? i think the impact on patient care, each of- of the strikes? i think the impact on patient care, each of the i of the strikes? i think the impact l on patient care, each of the strikes have shown certain elective procedures and outpatient appointments have been postponed, so thatis appointments have been postponed, so that is challenging because they all have to be then fitted in in an already extremely busy schedule, and that's not great for anyone. then there is the impact on staff. our health leaders are telling is how worried they are on the impact on staff morale. stop feeling burnt out and frustrated and stressed and this is adding to that. those are two of the big reasons people are keen to see a resolution as soon as possible. is see a resolution as soon as possible-— see a resolution as soon as ossible. , . , . ., possible. is there any evidence that eo - le possible. is there any evidence that peeple aren't _ possible. is there any evidence that peeple aren't going _ possible. is there any evidence that people aren't going forward - possible. is there any evidence that people aren't going forward for- people aren't going forward for health treatment because they are concerned about the waiting list, about the impact of the strikes? well, at the moment, nhs organisations are trying hard to communicate with patients who are

due to come in to make sure they are able to come in. there are concerns over some of our mental health services, people might feel they can't go to the emergency room when that would be the appropriate thing in that instance. there are some worries people whose english might not be their first language might think it is difficult to understand things. there is worries about inequalities that might be introduced, but everyone is working hard to enhance the communication so people know what is going on. it is confusing for everyone as we go forward in this challenging month. thank you very much, dr layla mccay. let me bring you some news about tim peak, british astronaut. we are hearing he has retired from the european astronaut corps. he will be taken up a full—time ambassadorial

position for science and space instead, it is work he has been doing since 2019. he was a former british helicopter pilot and was chose by the european space agency to be an astronaut into thousand and nine and flew to the space station in 2015 and 2016 -- 2009. he nine and flew to the space station in 2015 and 2016 —— 2009. he said being an astronaut for the european space agency has been the most extraordinary experience, i've had the privilege of working with an exceptional team of dedicated individuals during the past 13 years, which has been incredibly exciting and rewarding. i assume the role of ambassador, i shall continue to support the european space agency and the uk space agency with a focus on educational outreach and i look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead. there he is, i last spoke to him a few months ago when there was talk around mount

going to the moon, or women, people —— man going to the moon. he said he would be up for it. he is now retiring as an astronaut. google's parent alphabet has announced it's cutting 12,000 jobs. in a memo to staff, its chief executive blamed the faltering global economy for the decision. it comes days after microsoft announced 10,000 cuts, in a trend which has seen many big tech firm cuts thousands tech firm cut thousands ofjobs in recent months. the church of england have sent an apology to lbj to. gay people will still be unable to marry at church. they have admitted people have been failed at time, but they are

welcomed and valued. 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. today, prosecutors in romania have asked to extend the detention period for both men. thejudge is now considering the application. 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." 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. now it's time for a look

at the weather with matt taylor. hello. lovely winter's day out there for the vast majority, many staying dry and sunny. however, parts of cornwall, isles of scilly, cloud and occasional rain, possible eastern counties of england, a strong breeze, making it feel especially cold. rain showers along the coast, some sleet and snow inland, especially north york moors and across the lincolnshire wolds. but away from it, as i said, most dry, sunny and 3 to 8 celsius, a touch up on yesterday. it will turn cold very quickly though, especially across england and wales tonight, some dense patches of mist and freezing fog forming mainly anywhere from vale of york down through to the borders of england and wales. changes all west of scotland, northern ireland, outbreaks of rain and hill snow push in for the morning. temperatures lifting here to start the day. but these are the city centre temperatures to start saturday morning. rural parts of england, wales minus seven or minus eight, struggling to lift where the fog lingers as well. but most will see some sunny spells, a bit more clouds to the north and west. but scotland, northern ireland, a cloudier day, outbreaks of rain, drizzle and hill snow, especially during the morning, but turning milder across western scotland later.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines... the ukrainian president, volodomyr zelensky, appears via videolink to make a direct appeal for tanks at a meeting of western defence chiefs in germany. but 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, including february 6th, which will see the biggest walkout in nhs history. the church of england formally apologises for what it describes as the shameful times that lgbt+ people have been rejected or excluded. teenage girls in romania describe how the social media influencer andrew tate and his brother contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula.

the ukrainian president, volodomyr zelensky, sport now, let's get a full roundup from the bbc sport centre. good morning. cameron norrie is out of the australian open, the british number one beaten in the third round byjiri lehecka in five sets in melbourne. norrie has still never reached the last 16 of the opening grand slam of the year and had a battle from the start. he took a 1—0 and 2—1 lead but lehecka fought back twice to take it to a deciding set by winning the fourth 6—1. norrie had some tape applied by his trainer to his left knee at the beginning of the fifth, and the 21—year—old czech, ranked 71 in the world, took it 6—4. lehecka will now face sixth seed felix auger—aliassime

of canada in the next round. he beat argentinian 28th seed francisco cerundolo in four sets. world number one iga swiatek needed just 55 minutes to progress to the fourth round. she beat spanish qualifier cristina bucsa elsewhere this morning, third seed jessica pegula also enjoyed a speedy win. the american tookjust over an hour to beat ukraine's marta kostyuk 6—0, 6—2. and in an all—american match on the rod laver arena, coco gauff advanced with a straight sets win over bernarda pera to reach the last 16 for the second time in her career. britain's and alfie hewitt preparations for the australian oceanis preparations for the australian ocean is going well, he has retained that title at the wheelchair open. the wheelchair competition begins later this month. pep guardiola says manchester city are comfortable

and too relaxed after winning the premiere league four times in five seasons and despite coming back from 2—0 down to beat spurs last night. he says he wants to get the club's fire back. his extraordinary reaction came after a dramatic game. after conceding twice in the final moments of the first half, city did the same in the first eight minutes of the second. then riyad mahrez, who had played a part in both goals, scored twice himself for a li—2 victory. city have reduced the gap to arsenal to five points but guardiola says there's no chance of catching the leaders if they play like they have been. i want iwanta i want a reaction, i want a reaction for all the club, manchester players, the staff, and everyone. hgppy players, the staff, and everyone. happy flowers team. happy flowers is good, no, idon't happy flowers team. happy flowers is good, no, i don't want to be happy flowers, i want to beat arsenal. but if we play in that way, arsenal will

destroy us. chris eubankjunior and liam smith have apologised for their pre—fight press conference in which both boxers launched personal attacks on each other. the two meet in a middleweight contest in manchester tomorrow night and hurled insults about sexuality and social class at each other. the promoter says they didn't condone the behaviour of either eubankjunior or smith. despite a conference that eubankjunior admitted �*escalated quickly�*, the customary face—off at the end passed without incident. after three years, the nba returned to europe last night with the chicago bulls beating the detroit pistons in paris. both teams are struggling in the eastern conference but there's a huge rivarly between them that stretches back to the 1980s. the bulls 126—108 win came partly thanks to some great plays by derrickjones junior. the nba say they're highly likely to go back to paris next year. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport

there is also full coverage from melbourne, it might not go on until four o'clock melbourne time, but it is going on currently. i'll have more in the next hour. let's return to our top story, and president zelensky has called on both germany and the us to provide ukraine with tanks and other advanced weapons as a matter of urgency, at a meeting of more than 50 allies at a us airbase in germany. so far, only britain has agreed to send such machines, as our defence correspondent, jonathan beale, explains. the west's focus was on providing weapons to ukraine to help it defend itself. 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. the head of the united nations nuclear watchdog, rafael grossi,

let's speak to the polis ministry of foreign affairs. poland is keen to send leopard ii tanks to ukraine but the clock is ticking. haw send leopard ii tanks to ukraine but the clock is ticking.— the clock is ticking. how frustrated are ou? the clock is ticking. how frustrated are you? we _ the clock is ticking. how frustrated are you? we are — the clock is ticking. how frustrated are you? we are very _ the clock is ticking. how frustrated are you? we are very frustrated i are you? we are very frustrated because helping ukraine is important to us. and we are very shocked because of the position of germany. which is preventing that happening from happen. there is even new words made by a polishjournalists, may be also in germany, it means communicating good intentions but preventing happening at the same time. but i hope today in ramstein they will be decisions, there will be getting communications, and the

sending of leopard two to ukraine will happen. d0 sending of leopard two to ukraine will happen-— will happen. do you have any sympathy _ will happen. do you have any sympathy for _ will happen. do you have any sympathy forjimmy's - will happen. do you have any l sympathy forjimmy's position, will happen. do you have any - sympathy forjimmy's position, which sympathy forjimmy�*s position, which is its history is effectively a constraint on this, it is not offering support because it does not support ukraine? offering support because it does not support ukraine?— support ukraine? history is a teacher of— support ukraine? history is a teacher of life _ support ukraine? history is a teacher of life and _ support ukraine? history is a teacher of life and we've i support ukraine? history is a teacher of life and we've got| support ukraine? history is a | teacher of life and we've got a support ukraine? history is a i teacher of life and we've got a lot of examples, polish german history wasn't very perfect, to use the grammatical words, and wasn't perfect in the last few years when gently lifted too much in cooperation with russia, and now germany are not changing their policy with ukraine to match, still they prevent many other countries from enough level of help. i hope that our german friends and allies will change that position at last, not a declaration but real happenings are useful now. so you see this as — happenings are useful now. so you see this as a _ happenings are useful now. so you see this as a position _ happenings are useful now. so you see this as a position where i happenings are useful now. so you i see this as a position where germany is potentially worsening the situation?— is potentially worsening the situation? , , . ., situation? yes, it is, i can declare

that. will poland _ situation? yes, it is, i can declare that. will poland certainly - situation? yes, it is, i can declare that. will poland certainly sent i that. will poland certainly sent tanks if germany _ that. will poland certainly sent tanks if germany doesn't i that. will poland certainly sent i tanks if germany doesn't agree? our deu tanks if germany doesn't agree? cl" deputy minister said tanks if germany doesn't agree? lj' deputy minister said about unconventional actions we can do but i will use different words. we are ready to send those tanks. sending those tanks is important for our national safety and the national —— the international security of europe, and we are still waiting for germany's decision, because it should be done according to european rules and without worsening the situation between the allies. so you want to do it — situation between the allies. so you want to do it by _ situation between the allies. so you want to do it by the _ situation between the allies. so you want to do it by the book _ situation between the allies. so you want to do it by the book but - situation between the allies. so you want to do it by the book but they . want to do it by the book but they are ready to go? and you have mentioned succotash concerns around your own security, so would you be prepared to do it not by the book if germany doesn't agree. there prepared to do it not by the book if germany doesn't agree.— germany doesn't agree. there are alwa s germany doesn't agree. there are always planned — germany doesn't agree. there are always planned b, _ germany doesn't agree. there are always planned b, c, _ germany doesn't agree. there are always planned b, c, d, _ germany doesn't agree. there are always planned b, c, d, for- germany doesn't agree. there are always planned b, c, d, for such l always planned b, c, d, for such events, and we will prepare such plans. events, and we will prepare such

lans. ., events, and we will prepare such lans, ., ., , events, and we will prepare such lans. ., ., , ., events, and we will prepare such lans. ., .,, ., i. events, and we will prepare such lans. ., ., ., plans. how hopeful are you that germany will — plans. how hopeful are you that germany will say _ plans. how hopeful are you that germany will say yes? - plans. how hopeful are you that germany will say yes? i - plans. how hopeful are you that germany will say yes? i have i plans. how hopeful are you that i germany will say yes? i have very hiuh germany will say yes? i have very high hopes. _ germany will say yes? i have very high hopes, democratic— germany will say yes? i have very high hopes, democratic germany| germany will say yes? i have very. high hopes, democratic germany is germany will say yes? i have very i high hopes, democratic germany is a friend and ally, the greatest neighbour, because germany are the key element of the european security, and i hope that some german politicians will understand that their decision is one of those decisions which will be remembered ljy decisions which will be remembered by history. bud decisions which will be remembered b histo . �* , decisions which will be remembered b histo . . ~ decisions which will be remembered b histo . . ., by history. and if it is an oak from germany today. — by history. and if it is an oak from germany today, when _ by history. and if it is an oak from germany today, when will- by history. and if it is an oak from germany today, when will be i by history. and if it is an oak from germany today, when will be planj by history. and if it is an oak from i germany today, when will be plan b, c, and the rest of them start to be acted on? this c, and the rest of them start to be acted on? �* , c, and the rest of them start to be acted on? a .,, c, and the rest of them start to be actedon? a , c, and the rest of them start to be i acted on?_ what acted on? as soon as possible. what could the potential _ acted on? as soon as possible. what could the potential repercussions i acted on? as soon as possible. what could the potential repercussions be | could the potential repercussions be of that? , could the potential repercussions be ofthat? , , , , could the potential repercussions be ofthat? , , , . of that? yes, because every conflict inside nato. — of that? yes, because every conflict inside nato. in _ of that? yes, because every conflict inside nato, in the _ of that? yes, because every conflict inside nato, in the european - of that? yes, because every conflict inside nato, in the european union| inside nato, in the european union during the war, russian aggression, it is not very helpful, but we manage lots of problems with our german friends and i hope we manage this problem. i german friends and i hope we manage this problem-— this problem. i know you are treadin: this problem. i know you are treading carefully _ this problem. i know you are treading carefully with i this problem. i know you are i treading carefully with diplomatic language but as soon as possible?

days, days? weeks? weeks, rather, but the other ministry, ministry of defence will decide. i will communicate this as far as i will know this. soon i know this. thank ou ve know this. soon i know this. thank you very much _ know this. soon i know this. thank you very much for _ know this. soon i know this. thank you very much forjoining - know this. soon i know this. thank you very much forjoining us. i know this. soon i know this. thank | you very much forjoining us. thank you very much for 'oining us. thank ou, it is you very much for 'oining us. thank you. it is a _ you very much forjoining us. thank you, it is a pleasure. _ the head of the united nations nuclear watchdog, rafael grossi, says he has concerns that the world is becoming complacent about the considerable dangers posed by the russian—controlled zaporizhzhia atomic plant in ukraine. russian forces captured the plant last march and it has repeatedly come underfire in recent months, raising fears of a nuclear disaster. mr grossi has become a regular visitor to the country and has announced a permanent iaea presence across ukraine's five nuclear plants. our correspondent in ukraine, james waterhouse, spoke to him. rare footage of a journey very few take. the last ukrainian checkpoint on the way to russian occupied territory. it is a route un nuclear inspectors

took last september. it didn't take long for them to encounter gunfire. and russians. their destination was here, the zaporizhzhian nuclear power plant and its six reactors. you didn't know what was at the other end. i mean, what was going through your mind at that moment? well, i had a tremendous feeling of responsibility. at the same time, i felt that that was the line that needed to be crossed in order to establish that presence. we were being tested. russia's invasion of ukraine means rafael grossi has become a regular visitor. this week, he has announced a permanent iaea presence across the country's five nuclear plants. however, it is the occupied zaporizhzhia site which is causing the most concern. we are under enormous danger. there is something we can do about it.

it might not be a panacea, it would be a great step forward because it would be a high level political commitment not to attack the plant, which is very important, and not to use the plant as a military platform. mr grossi says he is negotiating a possible safe zone at the plant where there are continued worries over a nuclear disaster. for months, there has been shelling close to the site, with both sides blaming each other. what i am saying to russia, what i am saying also to my ukrainian counterparts, wherever your military objectives could be, you don't need to storm, attack, or attack from a nuclear power plant to achieve those. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv. a mental health blogger who took her own life by swallowing

the family of a boy who was killed in greater manchester in 2019 have on the right to appeal. his assailant was killed of manslaughter and murder. an inquest ruled out accidental death and... the original findings have been quashed. when oliver king died of a cardiac arrest in cement lessons, his father mark tout his death would not be in vain. his father campaigned for life—saving defibrillators to be provided for in schools. it's a monumental day for the foundation and everybody that supported us from day one. it's absolutely fantastic. a moment more than ten years in the making. mark king announcing on breakfast that the government had agreed to put defibrillators

in schools across england. he has worked tirelessly, all to honour his son. aged just 12, oliver's heart stopped during a school swimming lesson in 2011. oliver was kind, considerate, beautiful inside and out. as soon as you met him, you would fall in love with him. his reach was unbelievable. in 2013, mark presented an e—petition to parliament, leading the government to change its policy and advise schools to buy a defibrillator as part of their first aid equipment. then came the schools campaign. through the oliver king foundation, mark has fitted thousands of defibs wherever they have been needed. and with the support of former liverpool defenderjamie carragher, last year, he asked the government to do the same. if there was a defibrillator on the 2nd of march while my oliver was on a swimming lesson, then he would have had a fighting chance of being here today with me. unfortunately, that wasn't the case. this is why we push and push

and push to get it done. in that meeting, the then education secretary nadhim zahawi listened and promised that schools without a defibrillator would now get one. always wanting installation to become mandatory in schools and sports clubs, mark's campaign isn't over. but today's roll—out is a huge step forward. the headlines on bbc news... the ukrainian president, volodomyr zelensky, appears via videolink — to make a direct appealfor tanks — at a meeting of western defence chiefs in germany. ten more strike dates are announced by ambulance workers, including february 6th which will see the biggest walkout in nhs history. the church of england formally apologises for what it describes as the "shameful" times that lgbt plus people have been "rejected or excluded".

new research suggests nearly half a million people in england, scotland and wales missed out on starting medication to lower their blood pressure during the pandemic. according to the investigation, published in the journal, nature medicine, a further three—hundred—thousand didn't get treatment to reduce their cholesterol. the british heart foundation says it highlights the need to get healthcare back on track. tell us about how he figured out the numbers. what we have done in this research, which is what we have been able to do for the very first time, is link individual demographics, individual characteristics of people with their medicines, and by doing so, we were able to establish how people

actually missed medications, so that is how we were able to find the numbers of missed prescriptions in new prescriptions in individuals and thatis new prescriptions in individuals and that is where we got the numbers are 500,000 missed new prescriptions of blood pressure lowering and around 300,000 had missed around three —— cholesterol—lowering medications. these would have been people who were suffering symptoms but not seeking help? hal were suffering symptoms but not seeking help?— were suffering symptoms but not seekina hel? ., . , ., seeking help? not necessarily. that ressure seeking help? not necessarily. that pressure notoriously _ seeking help? not necessarily. that pressure notoriously can _ seeking help? not necessarily. that pressure notoriously can often i seeking help? not necessarily. that pressure notoriously can often not l pressure notoriously can often not have any symptoms, as can cholesterol. so, they may not have known to seek any help at all. and the problem of course has been that during the covid pandemic, the businesses as usual, so having health checks and mit spy doctors has not been happening, so these were opportunities that would have otherwise been available to identify individuals with high blood

pressure, type two diabetes, or high cholesterol, that either could have been modified by lifestyle, diet and exercise, or when necessary by starting these treatments. so it may not have sought medical advice. what not have sought medical advice. what im act then not have sought medical advice. what impact then well _ not have sought medical advice. what impact then well that _ not have sought medical advice. what impact then well that lost time have had? ,, ., ~ impact then well that lost time have had? ,, ., 4' , ., had? so, i think there is time to recover, had? so, i think there is time to recover. so _ had? so, i think there is time to recover, so whilst _ had? so, i think there is time to recover, so whilst we _ had? so, i think there is time to recover, so whilst we have i recover, so whilst we have identified that a certain proportion of the population might have missed their first treatment, i think what we have tried to identify, just using high blood pressure as an example, is that if we double up our efforts by enabling ourselves of the system to be able to identify these individuals, actually, we can try to stem stamp of the additional heart attacks and strokes we would otherwise see.— attacks and strokes we would otherwise see. ~ ., , . otherwise see. what is the evidence, in terms of — otherwise see. what is the evidence, in terms of what _ otherwise see. what is the evidence, in terms of what has _ otherwise see. what is the evidence, in terms of what has been _ otherwise see. what is the evidence, in terms of what has been happening j in terms of what has been happening since the pandemic and whether the people who were missed during it are now coming forward, other numbers increasing in people looking for

help on this?— increasing in people looking for hel on this? , ,, .,, help on this? yes, so the nhs has been doing — help on this? yes, so the nhs has been doing a _ help on this? yes, so the nhs has been doing a fantastic— help on this? yes, so the nhs has been doing a fantastic job - help on this? yes, so the nhs has been doing a fantastic job of i been doing a fantasticjob of doubling up in terms of the efforts of identifying these individuals, we haven't updated this specific analysis but within this environment, others are doing research to actually look at other ways of identifying these individuals, looking through diagnoses and other things, rather than just looking through medicines, but we would have to re—analyse this to see how much we have caught up. thank you very much indeed for joining us. 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. our 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. 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 car belonging to the actor julian sands has been found near to where he was reported missing in california. the 65—year—old, who starred in films including a room with a view, disappeared a week ago while hiking in mountains near los angeles. authorities say there is still no hard deadline for calling off the search.

a giant cane toad dubbed toadzilla has been discovered in australia. the amphibian, which weighs 2.7kg, shocked rangers who stumbled across it at the conway national park in north queensland. the guinness world record for the largest toad in history is 2.65kg — set by a pet toad in sweden in 1991. ranger kylee gray said her team were blown away by the size of this cane toad, saying it looked almost like a football with legs. here she is talking about the discovery. we hopped out to watch the snake slither off, it was a beautiful big red—bellied black snake, and he's taken off to the left of us and i was standing on the right of our buggy and looked down and there, right at my feet, probably about 40cm away from where the snake was originally, there was this monster cane toad. it shocked us. we've nicknamed her toadzilla.

we considered naming her connie, after conway national park, but toadzilla was the one thatjust kept getting thrown out there for that kind of stuck. the pop icon madonna has added a second london show to her global tour following overwhelming pre—sale demands. two dates of the celebration tour have been announced for the uk so far at london's o2 arena on the 14th and 15th of october. this is the music icon's first ever greatest hits tour — to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of her breakout single, holiday. the 35—date run tour will see her perform music from her entire career, from 1983's self—titled debut album to 2019's madame x. 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.

if you're going to catch a bus this morning, we have a feeling your fellow passengers won't be quite as adorable as these. this bus is run by a dog—walking service in alaska, which drives around town to pick up its furry customers — all of whom know exactly where to sit. they are then driven to a park for a walk before hopping back on board to be taken home. they are so well—behaved! i love that. time now for a look at the weather with matt. hello. we'll see some weather changes through this weekend to north and west, it turns milder, cloudier with some outbreaks of rain. only slow process, though. and for many today, it's a lovely winter's day. it 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, rain, inland sleet, maybe a bit of snow, especially over the lincolnshire wolds and the north york moors. vast majority, though, a sunny day and temperatures 3—8 celsius, up a little bit on yesterday, but still on the chilly side of things. now this evening and overnight, a few showers and gusty winds as we'll see all throughout the day in eastern areas, confined to the 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 zero 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 and 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 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 and the south east, but some sunny spells possible. the odd brighter break elsewhere but still plenty of cloud. rain or drizzle parts in 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 1a degrees.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the ukrainian president, volodomyr zelensky, appears via videolink — to make a direct appealfor tanks — at a meeting of western defence chiefs in germany. hundreds of "thank yous" are not hundreds of tanks. all of us can use thousands of words in discussions but i cannot put words instead of guns that are needed against russian artillery. 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, including february 6th, which will see the biggest walkout in nhs history. the church of england formally apologises for what it describes

as the "shameful" times that lgbt+ people have been "rejected or excluded" teenage girls in romania describe how the social media influencer andrew tate — and his brother — contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula. tim peake is hanging up his space suit. he's retiring from the european astronaut corps, but will take up a new ambassadorial position for science and space instead. ukraine's president, volodymr zelensky, has made a direct appeal to germany to provide tanks at crucial talks involving western allies in germany. the us and european nations have already promised more equipment to fight russia's invasion, but kyiv wants them to go further.

both sides of the conflict are expected to launch full—scale offensives in the spring. ukraine wants nato countries to supply it with germany's highly—regarded leopard 2 tanks. but european countries 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. 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, but it does not include tanks. addressing the gathering, president zelensky warned western nations — via video link — that time was running out. the war started by russia does not allow delays. and i can thank you hundreds of times and it will be absolutely just and fair, given all that you have already done, but hundreds of thank

yous are not hundreds of tanks. all of us can use thousands of words. it is constant, but i cannot put words instead of guns that are needed against russian artillery or instead of that, anti aircraft missile that are needed to protect people from russian air strikes. and i am truly grateful to all of you for the weapons you have provided. every unit helps to save our people from terror. the us secretary of defence, lloyd austin, said washington would support ukraine "for as long as it takes" — and urged allies to "dig deeper" in their support. some 50 countries have stepped up to help ukraine defend itself and deter future threats. when putin launched his reckless and unprovoked invasion 11 months ago, he thought that ukraine would just collapse. and he thought that the world would just look away.

but putin didn't count on the courage of the ukrainian people. and he didn't count on the skill of the ukrainian military. and he didn't count on you. on everyone on screen. and around this table. but we need to keep up our momentum and our resolve and we need to dig even deeper. this is a decisive moment for ukraine. in a decisive decade for the world. so make no mistake. we will support ukraine's self—defence for as long as it takes. dr christina krause is the head of international and security affairs at the konrad adenauer stiftung, a think tank linked closely to the christian democrats, the second largest party in germany.

where do you stand on what the position should be on germany on the position should be on germany on the position of tanks to ukraine? it’s a position of tanks to ukraine? it's a difficult question _ position of tanks to ukraine? it's a difficult question for _ position of tanks to ukraine? it's a difficult question forjimmy - position of tanks to ukraine? it�*s —. difficult question forjimmy because historically, we've been a nation that never again wanted to be involved in any war —— germany. we believed in peace in europe that could happen, but in 2014, we could already see, and even earlier, georgia and other countries have warned us against the imperialist wishes and wants of russia, but even 2014, we thought we could negotiate. but now since february, we can see the imperialistic aims of russia cannot be stopped. germany since then has moved very slowly, i admit that, but that has historical reasons and also reasons we believe

in this europe that could be whole and free and that even with russia together, we could ensure security. where do i stand personally? i think all has to be done to support ukraine, and this is also what our foundation is trying to do. of course, we need to have the germans on board in discussions because we never again want to sea water. now we see it, and we feel that we need to support ukraine. but of course, there are other reasons for being hesitant. it is the fear of this war escalating even further. the nuclear threat that just a few days ago, russia again voiced, and of how our lives and be changed, although i fully admit that ukraine is

suffering horribly and we need to do all we can. ifully suffering horribly and we need to do all we can. i fully understand we have to dig deeper. d0 all we can. i fully understand we have to dig deeper.— all we can. i fully understand we have to dig deeper. do you think the german people _ have to dig deeper. do you think the german people would _ have to dig deeper. do you think the german people would now— have to dig deeper. do you think the german people would now accept i have to dig deeper. do you think the| german people would now accept the time has come for the lacquered tanks —— leopard tanks to be sent to ukraine? from where we come from, not wanting to engage in hot wars. history is telling us the wall right now, we have moved in that direction. before every the 24th, we never would have supplied a war area with weapons. we

supplied a war area with weapons. we supplied air protection systems, we've just applied, supplied air protection systems, we'vejust applied, in december we said we would send tanks, and i think the discussion is right now for the leopard two you been mentioning. we have to discuss in more depth how far we can go and how far we want to. can more depth how far we can go and how far we want to— far we want to. can you 'ust explain wh it is far we want to. can you 'ust explain why it is the — far we want to. can you 'ust explain why it is the leopard i far we want to. can you just explain why it is the leopard two _ far we want to. can you just explain why it is the leopard two tanks i far we want to. can you just explain | why it is the leopard two tanks have got to this point, that there is such deep debate about whether this is the right move. the such deep debate about whether this is the right move.— is the right move. the discussion is where the red _ is the right move. the discussion is where the red lines _ is the right move. the discussion is where the red lines are _ is the right move. the discussion is where the red lines are for- is the right move. the discussion is where the red lines are for russia, | where the red lines are for russia, and when will russia feel we've stepped over the red line as germany, us as nato? when will

russia draw the nuclear card. we have to make sure russia understand our position and that entering into a sovereign country and murdering people i'm just saying this is our home and leave all we will tell you, thatis home and leave all we will tell you, that is not acceptable by international law and the order, international law and the order, international order we believe in. thank you very much forjoining us. our europe correspondent jess parker outlines the key goals at the western allied meeting in ramstein. we've started to get some announcements. of course, it was last week that the uk announced it was going to send challenger tanks, among other fresh weapons supplies. and overnight, the united states have announced this $2.5 billion

package that includes air defences, armoured vehicles as well, but there are around 50 countries in that meeting room at the moment. notjust necessarily making pledges but also trying to work out what they can supply pieces together in order to make sense for ukraine in its efforts, in terms of self defence. now, it was interesting listening to president zelensky really stressing, as you say, that time is crucial here. why? well, one reason of course is this speculation that russia is preparing to mount a spring offensive. ukraine obviously wants to be ready for that but of course as well it is worth remembering that there is a time lag between things that are announced, so weapons supplies might be announced, and delivery. plus also you might also have to look at training ukrainian troops in order to use these weapons as well, so it isn't something that just happens instantaneously, so you see this constant effort by ukraine to really try to push western allies, its backers, to keep supplying arms. i think from some western points of view, it is notjust

about military objectives or the military significance of having western battle tanks, but it is also the political message that sending more arms, bigger, better arms to ukraine might send to moscow, and lloyd austin was speaking about this earlier, the us defence secretary, he was addressing the meeting just before president zelensky and said, we will support ukraine's self defence for as long as it takes, so really trying to send a message to the kremlin as well as to kyiv. we can speak to the former prime minister of ukraine. welcome, thank you forjoining us. i wasjust speaking to a german commentator, talking about this current issue of whether germany will give the go—ahead for the leopard two tanks to go to ukraine, and the concern

notjust to go to ukraine, and the concern not just germany's to go to ukraine, and the concern notjust germany's history in getting above, because it has got involved with ukraine, but the concern over where is russia's red line in terms of actually deciding to go down the nuclear route. do you share those concerns about why is the red line?— the red line? here is the thing, president _ the red line? here is the thing, president putin _ the red line? here is the thing, president putin has _ the red line? here is the thing, president putin has never- the red line? here is the thing, president putin has never had i the red line? here is the thing, i president putin has never had any red lines, he will always move any red lines, he will always move any red lines, he will always move any red lines and cross these red lines. we are not focus on putin, we focus on our agenda and what goals we as a free world how to achieve. the biggest and the primary goal is ukraine to prevail in this war, as ukraine to prevail in this war, as ukraine is fighting for freedom and independence not only for the ukrainian people, but of the entire free europe and the free world. whether putin can resort to nuclear weapons, i am whether putin can resort to nuclear weapons, iam not whether putin can resort to nuclear weapons, i am not sure and i believe trying to get a strong signal from

united states administration if putin elaborates on the idea to resort to nuclear weapons, it would be a disaster for putin and for his aggressive state. i don't buy this narrative that we provoke putin encase we supply more weaponry ukraine —— that is nonsense. the more weapons, the bigger chance to prevail, and to restore the global order.— to prevail, and to restore the rlobal order. ., ., ., global order. how important are the leo ard global order. how important are the leopard two — global order. how important are the leopard two tanks _ global order. how important are the leopard two tanks in _ global order. how important are the leopard two tanks in that? - global order. how important are the i leopard two tanks in that? extremely im ortant. leopard two tanks in that? extremely important. russia _ leopard two tanks in that? extremely important. russia started _ leopard two tanks in that? extremely important. russia started to - important. russia started to reshuffle its military and to reinforce its military, and we do believe the cia director at two ukraine delivered this information,

that russia is preparing a counter offensive. these battle tanks are of crucial importance to ukraine, and i want to praise the uk government... ijust need to say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. apologies to interrupt you there. do pick up. you were talking, saying notjust your security. were talking, saying not 'ust your securi . ~ , , ., were talking, saying not 'ust your securi . ~ , ., ., security. absolutely. i want to thank, security. absolutely. i want to thank. and — security. absolutely. i want to thank, and i'm _ security. absolutely. i want to thank, and i'm very _ security. absolutely. i want to thank, and i'm very grateful i security. absolutely. i want to| thank, and i'm very grateful to security. absolutely. i want to i thank, and i'm very grateful to the decision of the united kingdom government, you folks are deciding to supply your challenger tanks to ukraine. this is a very clear sign you do help and you do support ukraine, and you do understand the necessity of these kinds of strong

involved decisions to supply battle tanks to ukraine.— involved decisions to supply battle tanks to ukraine. what do you think will ha en tanks to ukraine. what do you think will happen in _ tanks to ukraine. what do you think will happen in the _ tanks to ukraine. what do you think will happen in the next _ tanks to ukraine. what do you think will happen in the next few - tanks to ukraine. what do you think will happen in the next few months | will happen in the next few months on the ground, and how decisive is this window? 50. on the ground, and how decisive is this window?— this window? so, the window of opportunity _ this window? so, the window of opportunity is — this window? so, the window of opportunity is now _ this window? so, the window of opportunity is now a _ this window? so, the window of opportunity is now a ring. i this window? so, the window of| opportunity is now a ring. that's the reason why we need to get this additional —— now if we can boost this stamina, the training of ukrainian personnel, the higher chance that ukraine will reclaim the huge part of territory that are right now temporarily occupied by russia.— that are right now temporarily occupied by russia. what would you sa to a occupied by russia. what would you say to a russian _ occupied by russia. what would you say to a russian counterpart, i occupied by russia. what would you say to a russian counterpart, if i occupied by russia. what would you say to a russian counterpart, if you| say to a russian counterpart, if you could have a direct conversation

now? , ., ., .., , , now? they are not counterparts, they are war criminals, _ now? they are not counterparts, they are war criminals, and _ now? they are not counterparts, they are war criminals, and those - now? they are not counterparts, they are war criminals, and those who i are war criminals, and those who have committed crimes against humanity. i don't see any chance to hold any sort of talks with putin. he is a constant liar, he will never commit to his police. he will never execute what he already agreed to. there is no reason to talk to russians. the only thing we have to do right now is fight against this brutal aggressor. d0 do right now is fight against this brutal aggressor.— do right now is fight against this brutal an uressor. , ., ., brutal aggressor. do you agree there is a way out — brutal aggressor. do you agree there is a way out of _ brutal aggressor. do you agree there is a way out of this? _ brutal aggressor. do you agree there is a way out of this? this _ brutal aggressor. do you agree there is a way out of this? this could i brutal aggressor. do you agree there is a way out of this? this could go i is a way out of this? this could go on for years, russia is showing no signs of turning around, and in fact is talking about reinforcing its troops by hundreds of thousands. here is the thing. russia's economy is 1.7% of the global gdp. ukraine is 1.7% of the global gdp. ukraine

is supported by 75% of gdp. that is not about passion, it is more about values. ukraine is supported by the allies, those who stick to the values of the free world. this is about the global order and democracy in this world, this is about the human rights and freedoms in this world. so i don't see any chance for brutal aggressor of russia to win the fight against the democracy and against the free world. in terms of any kind of negotiations, it all depends on what will happen on the battlefield. the more ukraine reclaims, the better chance it has to have any types of talks with russia, but these need to be limited to the reparations that russia have to the reparations that russia have to pay to ukraine and with the russian obligation to recognise territory integrity of ukraine.

thank you forjoining us, the former prime minister of ukraine. let's catch up with the sport, we can get the latest. . , catch up with the sport, we can get the latest. ., , ., , ., ., the latest. tamlyn norrie is out of the .he . he has never reached the last 16 and he had to battle from the start. norrie has still never reached the last 16 of the opening grand slam of the year and had a battle from the start. he took a 1—0 and 2—1 lead but lehecka fought back twice to take it to a deciding set by winning the fourth 6—1. norrie had some tape applied to his left knee at the beginning of the fifth. and the 21—year—old czech, ranked 71 in the world, took it 6—4. world number one iga swiatek needed just 55 minutes to progress to the fourth round. she beat spanish qualifier cristina bucsa. elsewhere this morning, third seed jessica pegula also enjoyed a speedy win. the american tookjust over an hour to beat ukraine's marta kostyuk 6—0, 6—2.

meanwhile, ahead of the wheelchair tournament that starts later this month, britain's alfie hewitt retained the melbourne wheelchair open title by beating japan's tokito oda in straight sets. pep guardiola says manchester city are comfortable and too relaxed after winning the premiere league four times in five seasons and despite coming back from 2—0 down to beat spurs last night. he says he wants to get the club's fire back. his extraordinary reaction came after a dramatic game. after conceding twice in the final moments of the first half, city did the same to spurs in the first 8 minutes of the second. then riyad mahrez, who had played a part in both of the first two goals, then scored twice himself for a 4—2 victory. city have reduced the gap to arsenal to five points but guardiola says there's no chance of catching the leaders if they play like they have been. i want a reaction, i want a reaction for all the club,

manchester players, the staff, and everyone. happy flowers team, happy flowers is good? no, i don't want to be happy flowers, i want to beat arsenal. but if we play in that way, arsenal will destroy us. championship side sheffield united have been placed under a transfer embargo by the football league. the move relates to the default of payments to another club, although the efl hasn't confirmed which club or player it involves. the ban means sheffield united cannot register a player without the written prior consent of the league until the overdue payment is made. they're currently second in the championship. more coming up, but that is all your support right now. 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. adam brimelow is director of communication for nhs providers, the membership organisation for the nhs hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services. welcome, thank you forjoining us. what is your reaction to news of more strikes? i what is your reaction to news of more strikes?— more strikes? i think this is exactly what _ more strikes? i think this is exactly what the _ more strikes? i think this is exactly what the nhs i more strikes? i think this is exactly what the nhs did i more strikes? i think this is l exactly what the nhs did not more strikes? i think this is - exactly what the nhs did not need, it is overstretched at the moment, and we know about the winter

pressures compounded by covid and flu. the nhs has been trying to handle the disruption caused by industrial action happening on strike days separated out. we've always been concerned there could be increasing coordination of the strikes, as the dispute intensifies. that is what we are seeing now. a lot of trust's leaders will be looking forward to buried a six and think about promise to be the toughest day in my nhs career —— february the 6th. toughest day in my nhs career -- february the 6th.— toughest day in my nhs career -- february the 6th. what impact will there be? unfortunately _ february the 6th. what impact will there be? unfortunately there i february the 6th. what impact will there be? unfortunately there will| there be? unfortunately there will be im act there be? unfortunately there will be impact on _ there be? unfortunately there will be impact on staff, _ there be? unfortunately there will be impact on staff, they _ there be? unfortunately there will be impact on staff, they are - there be? unfortunately there will| be impact on staff, they are talking to unions to mitigate the impact. we are seeing evidence of trusts talking to each other, helping each other out and talking to other organisations to try to mitigate the impact of the strikes. but it will be disruptive to patients, no

question. that underlines yet again the urgency of the unions and government getting together to talk about paying and finding a way through this dispute. what about paying and finding a way through this dispute.— about paying and finding a way through this dispute. what do you think is the _ through this dispute. what do you think is the way _ through this dispute. what do you think is the way through? - through this dispute. what do you think is the way through? there . through this dispute. what do you i think is the way through? there has to be a reel— think is the way through? there has to be a real resolution _ think is the way through? there has to be a real resolution on _ think is the way through? there has to be a real resolution on both - to be a real resolution on both sides to tackle the outstanding issues, focusing on pay for the current financial year. sometimes to hear the heat to sides talking, you would think they were talking about different disputes in terms of timing and focus. is it this year or next year? they need to get around the table and talk about the pay dispute as is focused on this year, to get through the problems. we hear conversations and comments about constructive dialogue from the government. it doesn't feel to us if realistic progress is being made at

the moment, and as we see more announcements and further strike action, the worry is that we'll continue to bring yet more disruption for patients. it is also demoralising for staff and the trust leaders it means they are having to deal with these hand to mouth the just ago challenges of keeping services going when they want to be concentrating on improving services and thinking strategically about how we can make the nhs betterfor the future. we can make the nhs better for the future. ., ~' , ., , we can make the nhs better for the future. ., ~ ,, , . the church of england has issued a formal apology for the times when lgbt people had been "rejected or excluded". in a letter, the church admitted people had been "failed" at times, but were "welcome and valued". the church said earlier this week it would bless same—sex civil partnerships for the first time, but its position on gay marriages would not change. justin welby has held a conference.

we can talk to our correspondence. it was an emotional press conference. justin welby and stephen cotterell apologised for the way the church had treated lgbt+ people, they said for the times we have rejected or excluded you and for those we love, we are deeply sorry. it is worth reminding listeners what the church said this week that it would introduce prayers for god's blessing on same—sex couples but it would not change its teaching to allow same—sex couples to marry in church. justin welby said in the press conference he would not use those prayers are blessing in a same—sex couple come to him asking for it, he won't use them personally because he is a figure of unity for the global anglican church, most of which around the world are

conservative on this issue. he won't use them, stephen cotterell says he will use the prayers are blessing for same—sex couples. it is worth saying the church is trying to reach a compromise, it will hold together a compromise, it will hold together a wide—ranging views on the church, some conservative on this issue and some conservative on this issue and some wanting it to move forward. the question is whether this compromise can hold the church together whether it ends up not pleasing anyone. thank you, harry. tim peake tim pea ke is tim peake is standing down. joining us as our science correspondent. formally saying that said, his career as an astronaut? he formally saying that said, his career as an astronaut? he won't go

back into space. — career as an astronaut? he won't go back into space, he _ career as an astronaut? he won't go back into space, he had _ career as an astronaut? he won't go back into space, he had the - career as an astronaut? he won't go back into space, he had the six - back into space, he had the six months to a few years ago. then there is a queue to get into space, you have to wait your turn. you don't go every week. you could see his next opportunity was a good way down the road. he took a sabbatical, that has come to an end and now he's decided he's going to do what he's been doing for the last few years, which is getting out there and inspiring people, he's brilliant at it. you see him go into a school classroom or some other event, everyone gets around him. he's got that persona, the charisma that enables him to do it very well, and he will continue. his enables him to do it very well, and he will continue.— he will continue. his message is that anyone _ he will continue. his message is that anyone can _ he will continue. his message is that anyone can apply _ he will continue. his message is that anyone can apply to - he will continue. his message is that anyone can apply to go - he will continue. his message is that anyone can apply to go into j that anyone can apply to go into space, he's one of an elite group of people who have done it. there are ways people can apply, there? there are, we ways people can apply, there? there are. we already _ ways people can apply, there? there

are, we already made _ ways people can apply, there? j—urr are, we already made replacements, rosemary coogan, who was unveiled. i should say, tim peake was very important in terms of human space policy because when he was selected backin policy because when he was selected back in 2009, it was a surprise because the uk didn't do human space flight, didn't believe in the policy. they took a gamble, appointed him and it had the effect of changing british policy. the uk is now in that programme, it sends experiment to the international space station and it will be playing a role in nasser�*s returned to the moon, this programme called artemis, sending equipment to a new lunar space station and will be doing communications down to the surface. tim's position in changing british policy was important.— tim's position in changing british

policy was important. thank you. let's catch _ policy was important. thank you. let's catch un — policy was important. thank you. let's catch up with _ policy was important. thank you. let's catch up with the _ policy was important. thank you. let's catch up with the weather l with matt. hello. lovely winter's day out there for the vast majority, many staying dry and sunny. however, parts of cornwall, isles of scilly, cloud and occasional rain, possible eastern counties of england, a strong breeze, making it feel especially cold. rain showers along the coast, some sleet and snow inland, especially north york moors and across the lincolnshire wolds. but away from it, as i said, most dry, sunny and 3 to 8 celsius, a touch up on yesterday. it will turn cold very quickly though, especially across england and wales tonight, some dense patches of mist and freezing fog forming mainly anywhere from vale of york down through to the borders of england and wales. changes all west of scotland, northern ireland, outbreaks of rain and hill snow push in for the morning. temperatures lifting here to start the day. but these are the city centre temperatures to start saturday morning. rural parts of england, wales minus seven or minus eight, struggling to lift where the fog lingers as well. but most will see some sunny spells, a bit more clouds to the north and west. but scotland, northern ireland, a cloudier day, outbreaks of rain,

drizzle and hill snow, especially during the morning, but turning milder across western scotland later. this is bbc news. the headlines... the ukrainian president, volodomyr zelensky, appears via videolink to make a direct appealfor tanks at a meeting of western defence chiefs in germany. ten more strike dates are announced by ambulance workers, including february 6th, which will see the biggest walkout in nhs history. the church of england formally apologises for what it describes as the shameful times that lgbt+ people have been rejected or excluded. teenage girls in romania describe how the social media influencer andrew tate and his brother contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula. and tim peake is hanging up his space suit. he's retiring from the european astronaut corps, but will take up a new ambassadorial position for science and space.

in afghanistan, 78 people are now known to have died from the unusally cold weather. the taliban's state ministry for disaster management says the temperature in many parts of the country has dropped to minus 30 degrees celsius. snowstorms have forced the closure of many key roads, hampering the delivery of aid. a un delegation, led by deputy secretary general amina mohammed is in kabul meeting with senior taliban officials to discuss aid programmes and the participation of women. live now to kabul and my colleague yalda hakim. over colleague yalda hakim. to you. joanna, over to you. joanna, thank you, and, really, that delegation led by amina mohamed, the second—in—command at the united nations, the most powerful woman at the un, comes at a time when afghans continue to suffer because of this

bitter cold. in some remote, hard reached places, temperatures have plummeted to —35 degrees, and as you say, at least 78 people are known to have died, although we are being told by the authorities that number could be much higher, it is difficult to verify the exact number. we're also hearing about thousands of livestock that have frozen, so things are becoming increasingly difficult, and on top of that, the restriction that women and girls continue to face in this country, including female aid workers working with international eight agencies. the united nations says they need those female aid workers to be able to meet other afghan women to be able to go and conduct their work and surveys, and this is one of the reasons why the un secretary—general dispatched his number two to come here and speak to the taliban, have a listen to what she had to say to our chief international correspondent lisa

doucet. —— at least to set. i think that progress is that we engaged, they listened to us, but they also gave us their views so they feel we are politicising humanitarian aid. but in the same way, they talked about humanitarian principles of allowing them to do what they want in their country and still get help. i reminded them that they humanitarian principles also uphold non—discrimination, and they are discriminating against women. they are, for want of a better word, becoming invisible, they are whiting them out. and that can't happen. and to the point where they say men can't be near women, there are certain services that are only women to women. yes, we do get an exception on the medical side but there are many more other services. there is a medical exemption, women can work in the health sector, but you are discussing disaster relief, agriculture, teaching, did you sense that there is concrete progress? because it does seem to be urgent that progress be made. i think one thing we have found since we have been here is you speak to the taliban, they all have the same line

of the progress that they have made and the need for humanitarian services to continue, but these are the hurdles that they have put in the way are to be resolved in the future, now they have said in the nearfuture. i think there are many voices we heard which are progressive in the way that we would like to go, but there are others that really are not. and i think that it is a struggle within them to bring those that are not forward, too. so, it is notjust the pressure, i think the pressure we put and the support we give to those thinking more progressively is a good thing, so this visit, i think, gives them more voice and pressure to help the argument, internally. and so the visit to kandahar, for me, was very important. we were not going there to get them to reverse the bans, but we were going to

have an engagement. tough, frank, but hopeful, that is how amina mohamed described her four—day long conversations with various different leaders of the taliban. she was speaking there to our chief international correspondent this dissent. really, it was the issue around women and girls, this issue is at the top of the agenda for the international community. since the taliban takeover in august 2021, the lives of afghan women and girls has transformed, it has almost virtually turned upside down, girls over the over the age of 12 have been banned from going to school, teenage girls cannot go to school in this country. a month ago, girls and young women attending university were banned, there classrooms were shut to them, mothers had been prevented from

taking their children to public parks. women cannot go to the gym, they cannot go to public parks, they have been fully pushed out of the public eye. the taliban has said unless you have a male chaperone, someone who is your father, your husband, oryour someone who is your father, your husband, or your brother, you cannot be out and about on the streets, you have to have a reason to be travelling. so, really, life has become incredible difficult, and this is a country that britain engaged with for 20 years, so there is pressure from the international community and the taliban, the question is are they listening? let's turn our attention to andrew tate. 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. today prosecutors in romania have asked to extend the detention period for both men. thejudge is now considering the application. our 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. when i2—year—old oliver king

died of a cardiac arrest during a school swimming lesson, his dad mark vowed that oliver's death would not be in vain. mark has spent more than ten years campaigning for life—saving defibrillators to be provided in schools, and today that mission is taking a major leap forward. tim muffett has more. it's a monumental day for the foundation and everybody that supported us from day one. it's absolutely fantastic. a moment more than ten years in the making. mark king announcing on breakfast that the government had agreed to put defibrillators in schools across england. he has worked tirelessly, all to honour his son. aged just 12, oliver's heart stopped during a school swimming lesson in 2011. oliver was kind, considerate, beautiful inside and out. as soon as you met him, you would fall in love with him. his reach was unbelievable. in 2013, mark presented an e—petition to parliament, leading the government to change its policy and advise schools to buy a defibrillator as part of their first aid equipment. then came the schools campaign.

through the oliver king foundation, mark has fitted thousands of defibs wherever they have been needed. and with the support of former liverpool defenderjamie carragher, last year, he asked the government to do the same. if there was a defibrillator on the 2nd of march while my oliver was on a swimming lesson, then he would have had a fighting chance of being here today with me. unfortunately, that wasn't the case. this is why we push and push and push to get it done. in that meeting, the then education secretary nadhim zahawi listened and promised that schools without a defibrillator would now get one. always wanting installation to become mandatory in schools and sports clubs, mark's campaign isn't over. but today's roll—out is a huge step forward.

ukraine's president, volodymr zelensky, has made a direct appeal to germany to provide tanks at crucial talks involving western allies in germany. leopard two tanks are still part of the consultations which are going on between nato allies and the partners in this group of nations supporting ukraine. what is clear is that we are now providing significantly more heavier weapons to ukraine, one would be infantry fighting vehicles. he was also asked when ukraine would become a fully fledged member of nato. ,.,, ., , become a fully fledged member of nato. ., , . ., ., nato. our position is changed and ukraine will— nato. our position is changed and ukraine will become _ nato. our position is changed and ukraine will become a _ nato. our position is changed and ukraine will become a nato - nato. our position is changed and . ukraine will become a nato member. ourfocus is not on ukraine will become a nato member. our focus is not on that but on how to ensure that ukraine prevail as a

sovereign independent nation in europe. without that, the discussion will be without any meaning, so the focus is to ensure that ukraine wins, retake territory and remains a sovereign nation. we wins, retake territory and remains a sovereign nation.— wins, retake territory and remains a sovereign nation. we can talk to the former advisor _ sovereign nation. we can talk to the former advisor of _ sovereign nation. we can talk to the former advisor of president - sovereign nation. we can talk to the former advisor of president putin i former advisor of president putin and director of political studies and director of political studies and must die. welcome, thank you for joining us. i spoke to a former prime minister —— president putin and a director of political studies in moscow. he said you cannot win against democracy and the free world. how do you respond to that? first democracy and the free world. how do you respond to that?— you respond to that? first of all, he is wrong _ you respond to that? first of all, he is wrong about _ you respond to that? first of all, he is wrong about 7596. - you respond to that? first of all, he is wrong about 7596. we i you respond to that? first of all, he is wrong about 7596. we know you respond to that? first of all, i he is wrong about 7596. we know the he is wrong about 75%. we know the majority of human mind do notjoin

this anti—russian coalition and sanctions. it is only allies of united states and junior partners of the united states that are part of this anti—russian coalition, and they control less than half of the world economy. at the same time, united europe, which has been united by adolf hitler, by war, when he fired his war against russia, also adolf hitler, the economy much more under his control is then soviet economy, but nevertheless soviet army one macro with the small help of united states. from your point of view may be great britain was a great player in world war ii but from our point of view,

secondly, that democracy. if you look at the political system in ukraine, you will see that all political parties, hundreds of media prohibited thousands of people have been killed by government... 50. been killed by government... so, ukraine is— been killed by government... so, ukraine is not _ been killed by government... so, ukraine is not a _ been killed by government... so, ukraine is not a democracy. you don't see ukraine as a democracy, you don't accept ukraine to sack right to exist? this you don't accept ukraine to sack right to exist?— you don't accept ukraine to sack right to exist? as an independent state? no, _ right to exist? as an independent state? no, i— right to exist? as an independent state? no, iwant— right to exist? as an independent state? no, i want ukraine - right to exist? as an independent state? no, i want ukraine to i right to exist? as an independent| state? no, i want ukraine to exist as an independent state with such conditions, it should be liberated from occupation of united states of america, which started from 2014 when united states overthrew the last democratically elected... ii

last democratically elected... if your perspective is correct, why is it that russia wasn't welcomed with open arms into ukraine? why is it that ukraine didn'tjust fold in the way that you perhaps anticipated would happen? it is way that you perhaps anticipated would happen?— would happen? it is exactly as german under _ would happen? it is exactly as german under the _ would happen? it is exactly as german under the nazi - would happen? it is exactly as| german under the nazi fighters against americans and british and soviet troops. when in ukraine we believe now it is more than totalitarian regime which has been created by american intelligence service officers, and these people under the control of propaganda. secondly, theyjust say under the control of propaganda. secondly, they just say something against this occupation dictatorship, they are afraid that they are afraid because they are under the control of this repressive

regime. in the beginning of the last year, 6000 political opponents in ukraine have been killed by the government and everybody keeps silent, as you know. your bbc say nothing about it.— silent, as you know. your bbc say nothing about it. when it comes to re . imes nothing about it. when it comes to regimes effectively _ nothing about it. when it comes to regimes effectively controlling i nothing about it. when it comes to regimes effectively controlling the | regimes effectively controlling the narrative, not being clear and open with its people, how open has russian been with its people and what is happening in ukraine? russia is very open. — what is happening in ukraine? russia is very open, russia _ what is happening in ukraine? russia is very open, russia is _ what is happening in ukraine? russia is very open, russia is absolutely i is very open, russia is absolutely clear saying that... it means all neo—nazi groups should be prohibited. neo-nazi groups should be prohibited.— neo-nazi groups should be prohibited. neo-nazi groups should be rohibited. , ., , ., prohibited. sorry, that is... that is not what _ prohibited. sorry, that is... that is not what this _ prohibited. sorry, that is... that is not what this war _ prohibited. sorry, that is... that is not what this war effectively l prohibited. sorry, that is... that i is not what this war effectively was

about, it was about trying to assimilate ukraine back into russia, and the message... no, no, no. and the message from moscow to the people was that it was a special military operation, it has not been clearly presented as the invasion that it has been, and there hasn't been clarity around what has been happening on the ground, has there? you are saying that vladimir putin is wrong because he is saying political ideas which is opposite to your political ideas, but vladimir putin is saying what is good not for bbc but what is good for the majority of russian people, and for majority of russian people, and for majority of russian people, and for majority of russian people, it is not invasion, it is not invasion, it is liberation of the people. you say it is liberation _ is liberation of the people. you say it is liberation but _ is liberation of the people. you say it is liberation but it _ is liberation of the people. you say it is liberation but it is _ is liberation of the people. you say it is liberation but it is a _ it is liberation but it is a dramatic at e—democratic country. no. it is an independent country. no. it is an independent country. no. as i already mentioned, it was

independent before 2014. it was occupied by the united states of america. also about democracy, can you imagine that the majority of the people where 80% of people arts because of russian language can democratically support prohibition of their native language in schools, in universities, in all official places. people cannot. they cannot democratically support the prohibition of their native language. it prohibition of their native language-— prohibition of their native language. prohibition of their native lanaauae. , , ., ., language. it is understood that a lot of people _ language. it is understood that a lot of people have _ language. it is understood that a lot of people have decided i language. it is understood that a lot of people have decided to i language. it is understood that a. lot of people have decided to stop speaking russian because there was a sense that by speaking russian, it potentially gave that invitation to russia to say, these people want to be part of russia, and they had said very clearly that is not what we want? ., ., ., very clearly that is not what we want? ., ~ ., ._ , very clearly that is not what we

want? ., ~ ., ,, want? you know, maybe some activists have stopped — want? you know, maybe some activists have stopped to — want? you know, maybe some activists have stopped to talk _ want? you know, maybe some activists have stopped to talk their _ want? you know, maybe some activists have stopped to talk their native - have stopped to talk their native language but prohibition of native russian language happened before military operation. it is one of the reasons why it happened, because russian language, the language of the majority of people in ukraine, had been prohibited by an oppressive regime. had been prohibited by an oppressive reaime. had been prohibited by an oppressive retime. , ., regime. even if it is true that russian speaking _ regime. even if it is true that russian speaking was - regime. even if it is true that i russian speaking was prohibited, regime. even if it is true that - russian speaking was prohibited, how does that justify the war that we have seen, the loss of life, the numbers of people killed, ukraine now saying 117,000 russian troops have been killed since the start of this war. when you look at what has been happening in russia, there are reports of thousands of russian meant leaving the country, the statistic is 700,000 russians leaving your country because they don't want to be part of this, they are afraid of being conscripted. the

are afraid of being conscripted. tue specification of this is very simple. first of all, the prohibition of the russian language shows very well that if a majority language is prohibited, it means the political regime is not the regime of majority but of a small minority and it is not a democratic regime. then, the prohibition of the russian language is part of the more genial campaign of violence. in creation and under russia. 50. campaign of violence. in creation and under russia.— and under russia. so, you don't apologise _ and under russia. so, you don't apologise for— and under russia. so, you don't apologise for the _ and under russia. so, you don't apologise for the loss _ and under russia. so, you don't apologise for the loss of - and under russia. so, you don't apologise for the loss of life, i and under russia. so, you don't. apologise for the loss of life, you don't dispute the figures i've just said? don't dispute the figures i've 'ust said? �* , ,., don't dispute the figures i've 'ust said? �* , ., don't dispute the figures i've 'ust said?�* ,~ ,. said? i'm very sad about such fitures, said? i'm very sad about such figures. as — said? i'm very sad about such figures, as is _ said? i'm very sad about such figures, as is our— said? i'm very sad about such figures, as is our people. i said? i'm very sad about such. figures, as is our people. from said? i'm very sad about such i figures, as is our people. from our point of view, most of the ukrainian soldiers are russians, and they are fighting in some kind of civil war, and we are very much sorry and

regret and sad about the loss of thousands of people, but we also have losses, about another period of liberalisation. if russia has to use military force, of course some of the people has to die, to our great regret. it is united states and great britain liberated germany... you haven't disputed that figure that i gave, 117,000 troops killed since the start of the invasion, more troops than america lost in the first world war? tht, more troops than america lost in the first world war?— first world war? a lot of people lost but of _ first world war? a lot of people lost but of course _ first world war? a lot of people lost but of course you _ first world war? a lot of people lost but of course you should... | lost but of course you should... kyiv is is a post—modern

totalitarian propaganda campaign and no trust or any words from kyiv should be. about the figures. but nevertheless, might relation that almost 100,000 of ukrainian soldiers have been killed, almost 1000 of the russian soldiers... we have been killed, almost 1000 of the russian soldiers. . .— russian soldiers... we have to leave it there, russian soldiers... we have to leave it there. we — russian soldiers... we have to leave it there. we are _ russian soldiers... we have to leave it there, we are out _ russian soldiers. .. we have to leave it there, we are out of— russian soldiers... we have to leave it there, we are out of time, - russian soldiers... we have to leave it there, we are out of time, thank. it there, we are out of time, thank you. jane will be here with the one o'clock news in a moment, now, time for the weather. sorry, o'clock news in a moment, now, time forthe weather. sorry, not o'clock news in a moment, now, time for the weather. sorry, not the weather, the one o'clock news is coming up. right now, we are going to talk about light pollution, actually. in recent years — however — the number of stars we can see with the naked eye has reduced dramatically because of light pollution, or "skyglow".

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, 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. jane will be here in a moment with one o'clock news, time now for a weather update with ben. changes in our weather are going to be taking place very slowly over the next few days, certainly for the rest of today we keep clear skies ever had, that has allowed for a lot of sunshine, still some snow lying on the ground in places, still some icy

conditions but largely sunny skies overhead, just a few showers grazing the eastern coast and a bit more cloud pushing into the far south—west of england. temperatures between four and 8 degrees but they will drop away very quickly into the evening, it is going to be another cold and frosty night, however, across northern ireland in the western side of scotland, this is where change is beginning to take place, we see cloud, outbreaks of rain, some snow on the leading edge but by morning, temperatures for northern ireland and north—west scotland will be well above freezing, further south and east are very cold start to saturday. we develop a split in our fortunes, southern and eastern parts of the uk stick in the colder air for quite a long time this weekend, whereas further north and west we will see something milder working its way in. the further south and east you are, expect it to stay cold, further north and west milder and cloudier weather working in with some outbreaks of rain. the saturday,

some fog patches through east wales, the west midlands down into the west country, some of that bug could be slow to clear but broadly speaking across much of england and wales we will see sunny spells, just the odd shower in the south—east corner. for northern ireland and scotland, cloud creeping in, patchy rain, more of a breeze, but that is where we will have the mildest conditions with highs of eight or 9 degrees, compared to 4 degrees across parts of the midlands. saturday into sunday, the frontal system pushes across the north west, it is running up across the north west, it is running up against high pressure, some fog patches across eastern and south—eastern parts of england on sunday morning, that is where we see the best chance of some sunshine through the day. further north and west, more cloud, some splashes of rain, and temperatures up to around nine or 10 degrees. but for a good part of england and east of wales, it is going to be another cold feeling day. if we get stuck under fog for any length of time, we may struggle to get above freezing. it looks like the milder air will eventually get down to was the south—east corner, at least for a

time, although it may turn colder again by the end of next week.

a direct appeal from president zelensky for more tanks and weapons as western defence ministers meet to discuss support for ukraine. some british tanks have been promised the president zelensky says time is not on his side against the fight against russia. hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds of tanks. all of us can use thousands of words in discussions but i can't fight with words instead of guns that are needed against russian artillery. we will find out what the prospects are of getting more military aid to ukraine. a fall in retail sales of 1%

in december as shoppers cutback on their christmas shopping.