this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. rescue efforts continue as nearly 16,000 people are now known to have been killed following monday's earthquakes in turkey and syria. the world health organization warns that without shelter, water, fuel or electricity, many more people who have survived the quakes but lost their homes could die. and we will take you live now to brussels, to the applause of members of the european parliament. president zelensky is about to give another address on his european tour, has been to london, has been

tour, has been to london, has been to paris, and now he will appeal to eu leaders more widely for more help withjets and long—range eu leaders more widely for more help with jets and long—range weapons to bolster kyiv�*s defences against the expected spring offensive. almost a year to the day that russia invaded ukraine. let's listen the welcome given to president zelensky in brussels. applause we are here today on this historic occasion to welcome the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, to the european parliament. this is an extraordinary moment, an extraordinary moment, an extraordinary time. it has been

almost one year since the brutal, illegal invasion of sovereign ukraine by russia. in all that time, mr president, your leadership has inspired your people, inspired every corner of the globe. when the world thinks of ukraine, they think of heroes, fighting the odds. of david beating goliath, they think of the icons of snake island, the warriors of mariupol, the liberators of so many occupy towns and villages. their names will be spoken of for generations. notwithstanding the bombs that fall every day, your grain continues to feed the world. when a devastating earthquake hit turkey and syria, you stood up and sent rescuers, equipment and

expertise. that is real solidarity. applause iam i am proud to say that this house of european democracy, its members, our european democracy, its members, our european union has always stood with you. we understand that you are fighting not only for your values, but four hours. for those ideas that bind us, as sisters and brothers. they may close all european. because ukraine is europe and your nation's future is in the european union. applause

we know the sacrifice that your people have endured for europe and we must honour it not only with words, but with action. with the political will to ensure easier trade and with the fastest possible session process, with one sphere people —— accession, with training for your troops. with military equipment and defence systems you need to win. and now, states must consider quickly, as a next step, providing long—range systems and the jets that you need to protect the liberty that too many have taken for granted. applause 0ur response must be proportionate to the threat, and the threat is existential. i grew up hearing my

grandparent�*s stories of their country's last three fighter jets, when all seemed lost, no ammunition, no fuel, no hope, all that remained were three barely functioning claims they called faith, hope and charity, named after what they were fighting for, after what was at stake. the planes meant one more day of liberty, just long enough for help to arrive. they meant peace. you do not need to convince anyone here of how essential it is to support ukraine, to back all those giving their lives, to support the values we preach with concrete measures, to ensure victory, real peace based on your ten point plan. accountability for those who committed war crimes, and for the protection of freedom from all you dell —— the protection

of freedom for all ukrainians. applause does that i want to repeat the promise i met you when we met in kyiv last april, we have your back, we were with you then, we are with you now and we will be with you for as long as it takes. freedom will prevail, peace will reign, you will win. slava ukraini. applause thank you very much. thank you very

much. thank you very much. thank you very much- slava — thank you very much. thank you very much. slava ukraini. _ crowd: slava ukraini. translation: ~ , , , ., translation: mrs president, dear, i thank ou translation: mrs president, dear, i thank you for these _ translation: mrs president, dear, i thank you for these powerful - translation: mrs president, dear, i thank you for these powerful words. | thank you for these powerful words. and i thank you for your intention, for ukraine. thank you for your principled and energetic approach that we have seen, during the struggle for europe. and the

combination is a precondition for progress, europe is lucky that in this, the biggest parliament in europe, the european parliament, a principled approach and energise approach enjoy an absolute majority. i thank you. applause representatives of europe, dear leaders of europe. all of us europeans. hundreds of millions of people on our continent combine these two statuses, representatives of europe and leaders of europe. this combination reflects our europe, in modern europe, what

europe, in modern europe, what europe is to the world. the european way of life. the european life standard, when each and everyone, when states strives to be as safe and societies strive to be open. when diversity is valued in the values of different people are united by fair equality. when borders are not violated, but you do not feel that you cross borders. when people trust and have faith in tomorrow, and are ready to go to squares to fight for their tomorrow, protesters in the present, there is

only one way forward and that is honest elections. this is our way of life. and for ukraine, it is a way home. applause. away towards home. now, iam here in now, i am here in order to defend our people's way home. of all ukrainians, of all ages and various political convictions, various social status, various religious convictions and different histories, but all of us enjoy this common european history. the ukrainian european history. the ukrainian european way of life, they tried to

annihilate it through total war. while? because after the ukrainian ukraine way of life, they want to destroy the european way of such, all 27 elements of the european way of life, of 27 countries of the european union. we will not allow the —— that. this total war that was waged by russia is not only for the territory, for a territory in this or that part of it is that there is a dictator with massive supplies and reserves of soviet weapons. iran in particular. in order to be able to fight like this, the kremlin cynically and deliberately, year

after year, step after step, was trying to eliminate and destroy what we see is her value in europe. the value of human lives has been destroyed in russia, nobody is of value except those in kremlin and have their wallets at heart. 140 million of russian citizens our bodies capable of carrying weapons, the weapons that would be on the battlefield and to keep everyone in obedience so they could become the supremacy of violence and obedience. these are the rules, instead of law there. the russian regime, not only does it hate any socialjustice and diversity, they invest in xenophobia

and are trying to make it part of normality on our continent and trying to make the inhumane realities of the 30s and 40s got —— of the 20 century reality of today. but the answer from mrs no, of the 20 century reality of today. but the answerfrom mrs no, europe are defending, we are defending from the most anti—european force of the modern world, we are defending ourselves, we ukrainians on the battlefield together with you. applause and i thank you, that we are defending it together. and we must defending it together. and we must defend ourselves. it is important not only for the state of europe, not only for the state of europe, not only for the state of europe, not only for the communities and societies in europe, no matter who we are and what we are, we always fight against this respect. and

neglect. wherever we live, we always put our faith and integrity. for whatever we dream, for our children and grandchildren, and the precondition for the streams is peace and security. applause and that is going to be, whether it is going to be possible if we do not overcome the anti—european force thatis overcome the anti—european force that is trying to steal from all of us are in europe. no, only our victory will guarantee all that. each of our european values, our victory that is going to be, that should be, that should have been, would be mandatory. dear leaders of

europe, dear president, ladies and gentlemen, dear members and workers of the european parliament here and other european institutions here, dearjournalists, dear security service workers, dearly military and army personnel, policeman, rescue workers, dearworkers army personnel, policeman, rescue workers, dear workers of municipal palaces, diplomats, teachers, professors, scientists, dear doctors, drivers, dearworkers of supermarket, industrial enterprise, business owners, smaller bed, the bank workers, energy workers and electricity grid workers, trade union workers, representatives of ngos, producers and actors, lawyers, defence lawyers, human rights defenders, the destiny of europe, the fate of europe has never depended on politicians, and that

should not be now, each and every one of us matter, each and every one of you are strong. each and every one of you is capable to impact and influence our common result, a common victory. applause and these applause were not directed to me and at me, this applause is actually, i would like to thank all of you in europe, in hundreds and towns and villages who supported ukraine in this historic battle. thank you. applause

i would like to thank you, to all of you, who have been helping, are ordinary citizens who called on leaders to increase and enhance their support, those who were on the squares, spreading truth about the russian aggression, he was not tempted by the russian disinformation, and is standing by us in ourfight for life disinformation, and is standing by us in our fight for life for europe. i thank you. applause

i thank all of us, all of you who helped ukraine with vitally important supplies, weapons and ammunition, energy equipment and fuel. thousands of items that we would not be able to endure in this total war, thank you, ladies and gentlemen and members of european parliament, and to you personally, roberto, that you with your decisions defend the european way of life steadfastly, that you defend the ukrainian european way of life —— roberta. you prove courageous decisions, and the strength of the european ambition to be a home for justice and freedom. the first day

of large—scale operation, the entirety of europe still adamant, when russian aggression was beginning to break against fighting our defence, on the sixth day of the large—scale invasion, european parliament approved a resolution not simply to support, but to prove the status of the candidate of european union for our country —— a pro. that was the condition that motivated us to be strong and to stay with the cause. applause thank you. today, during the meeting of the council, the european council, i will be able to thank personally the heads of state and

the government for the decisions that over the course of last year allowed our continent to do what the previous wave of leaders considering possible. europe relieving itself of the ruinous dependence on russian fossil fuels, the ruinous dependence on russian fossilfuels, europe cleansing fossil fuels, europe cleansing itself fossilfuels, europe cleansing itself of the corruption and influence of the russian oligarch business, europe is defending itself from the infiltration of the agents of russia's secret service, who were looking at europe as the hunting field for the opposition opponents of the russian regime. for the first time in its history, the european union is providing the military assistance at such large scale, such skill, and ics such a positive assessment of reforms in a european country that is fighting, defending itself and is modernising and reforming its institutions at the

same time. we are approaching the european union, ukraine is going to be a member of the european union, ukraine is winning. the european union is winning. applause dear friends, applause dearfriends, perhaps applause dear friends, perhaps some of you did not feel earlier the powerful, the power of the european way of life, now together, ukraine and the european union countries have made our strength of it, why is it possible? because we combine a principled and energetic approach. we all are equal, equal in representing europe, and integrity, we know that everybody is a leader

of europe in their specific lives. we do not, we are not going back in front of the enemy, we are defending, we are not losing time, we are changing ourselves and we are changing, europe will always be and remain europe as long as we are together, as long as we take care of our europe, as we take care of the european way of life. i thank all of you, i invite all of you to ukraine, glory to all ukrainians who fight, and low to ukraine. —— chlorate to ukraine —— slava ukraini. thank you so much.

applause studio: president zelensky�*s speech to the european parliament ending as it began, with a standing ovation from those gathered there to listen to them. roberta met salah, the president of the european parliament presenting president zelensky they are, as you can see, with the flag of the european union. —— roberta metsola. she said in her speech ukraine was fighting for every one's values and its future was in the eu, and she heard president zelensky himself says in his speech, ukraine is going to be a member of the european parliament. he spoke of

russia trying to, in his words, and the ukrainian way of life and the european way of life, and he made that appeal, as he has been doing, both in his visit to london yesterday and his visit to paris yesterday, those fresh appeals for allies to supply new and more powerful weapons, with a particular focus on fighterjets. countries have now pledged, allies of ukraine around the world have pledged it will deliver tanks to ukraine, president zelensky speaking now about fighterjets, and other heavy artillery. we are defending you, so

president zelensky, to the eu leaders gathered there in brussels —— said president zelensky. we can bring in a european corresponding jessica parker who is in brussels, and has been listening. give us your assessment of president zelensky�*s speech. give us your assessment of president zelensky's speech.— zelensky's speech. look, first of all, one zelensky's speech. look, first of all. one of— zelensky's speech. look, first of all, one of the _ zelensky's speech. look, first of all, one of the things _ zelensky's speech. look, first of all, one of the things to - zelensky's speech. look, first of all, one of the things to know i zelensky's speech. look, first of all, one of the things to know is| all, one of the things to know is the reception he gets. anyway, it is no surprise, but standing ovations, just before he made his address as well, he and roberta metsola, the president of the european parliament, stood side by side as the ukrainian national anthem played, the message from the eu and this visit is pretty clear, they want to show solidarity with ukraine, send a political signal that it will stick with ukraine, in terms of support, whether military aid, humanitarian aid, for as long as the conflict last. that is the message being directed at the

kremlin as well, to show western support will be steadfast. but the big question, will european countries give president zelensky what he says he really wants at the moment? that is more weapons and, of course, those fighterjets as well. did not seem to go too on that element in his address of the european parliament, but my understanding speaking to ukrainian officials, is that it is a point he will be making to eu leaders here at the summit at the european council, because of course, one of the things on ukraine's mind at the moment is this potential russian spring offensive. no one is suggesting ukraine is going to get fighterjets in time for that, there is a big question as to whether they will ever get western fighter jets. some countries clearly very hesitant, and britain now downplaying that prospect as well today, following comments from the defence secretary, but nevertheless, president zelensky clearly a man on a mission. that emphasis _ clearly a man on a mission. that emphasis on _ clearly a man on a mission. that emphasis on values, _ clearly a man on a mission. that emphasis on values, fighting, he said ukraine was fighting for

everyone's values, that russia was trying to annihilate the ukrainian way of life and also the european way of life and also the european way of life and also the european way of life. so very much that focused on being in it together. yeah, and that really ties in to, as well, ukraine's aspirations to become an eu member state. i am, the moment, just up the road from the european parliament at any eu leaders summit, where 27 member states, just to be 28 when the uk was a member, leaders come here a regular basis to have discussions to thrash out issues, sometimes they agree and sometimes they don't. president zelensky wants ukraine to be around that table, and he wants them to be around that table very soon, even within the next couple of years, by 2026 is one of the figures given. not many people i speak to in brussels think that is a realistic prospect, there are many reforms kyiv is to carry out and it is still a country at war, not in charge of all of its own territory, but i

think president zelensky really trying to emphasise those common values he says exist between ukraine and the eu as part of his other campaign, which is to try and speed up campaign, which is to try and speed up as fast as possible, get ukraine to be a fully fledged member of the eu. again, we don't know when that will happen, it could well take a long time, there are no guarantees in that process. figs long time, there are no guarantees in that process.— in that process. as we watch president — in that process. as we watch president zelensky, - in that process. as we watch president zelensky, jessica, | in that process. as we watch - president zelensky, jessica, move away from the podium, it does remain away from the podium, it does remain a tension, doesn't there. ? we have seen him greeted incredibly warmly in london, paris and here in brussels. but eu leaders will also be looking at the risk of escalation f they give nor deliver everything he is asking for —— if they give nor deliver everything he is asking for. there is a concern of escalation,

playing into russian narratives, and i think some leaders as well don't like these debates playing out on the public stage. all of schultz, the public stage. all of schultz, the german chancellor, who has clearly signalled a reluctance to send any fighter in the future —— although schultz, he did recently given on the issue of tanks, he said he does not want to get into some sort of public bidding war. i wish to speaking to the dutch prime minister mark ritter, who said he did not think these kind of discussions, it did not rule out the prospect of fighter jets went ukraine but said those discussions should be taking place behind closed doors and that is important to point out as well, in terms of why presidents president zelensky is here today, he will be in the room face—to—face with eu leaders and it's a chance for him to have those private and confidential discussions about what kind of support he wants, whether he gets the support he wants is an entirely different question

but it's certainly an opportunity for him in one of the main reasons he is here. for him in one of the main reasons he is here-— nearly 16 thousand people are now known to have died after monday's earthquakes in turkey and syria. it comes as an appeal is launched by the uk's disasters emergency committee to help those affected. two powerful earthquakes — and dozens of aftershocks — hit the region on monday causing thousands of buildings to collapse, trapping people inside. rescuers continue desperate attempts to find and free survivors. the world health organization has warned there could be a "secondary disaster" as survivors of the quakes face freezing temperatures. a political row has broken out in turkey, with the opposition blaming president erdogan for difficulties in the rescue operation. mr erdogan has accepted shortcomings but insists the situation is under control. in syria, relief efforts have been hampered by the war that has destroyed much of the country's infrastructure.

though today, the reuters news agency is reporting that the first aid convoy is en route to northern syria via the southern turkish border. but despite the difficulties, there are some extraordinary stories of hope and joy, as howard johnson reports. these british rescuers are wasting no time. within hours of arriving in antakya, turkey, they've located a 60—year—old woman, salva, buried under the rubble. davy the sniffer dog was the first to confirm she's alive. salva's son—in—law ali is overcome with emotion. "if she can get out, if she can survive, if it can really happen, it will be a miracle for us," says ali. salva's been trapped in this collapsed three—storey building for three days without food and water. dusty and dehydrated, she's finally stretchered to safety. london firefighter sarah minmagh spoke to her throughout the rescue. all of those elements

that were on top of her, we had to move by hand out of the tunnel so that we could sort of access her and do patient assessment. but, i mean, the fact that she'd been in there for nearly and a half days, was still talking, smiling the minute she saw us. but the work doesn't stop there. the world health organization has warned rescue teams of worsening and horrific conditions. temperatures are dropping in the region, with overnight averages of minus seven degrees celsius expected in gaziantep, the epicentre of the first 7.8 magnitude quake on monday, followed hours later by a 7.5 magnitude tremor. but against the odds miracles continue to happen. in worst—hit hatay, turkey, a rare moment ofjoy, as a baby is pulled from the rubble after 65 hours alone in the cold. "god is great," the rescuers cry,

as the child is carried away in a crucial thermal blanket. more aid is needed, and in generosity proportionate to the magnitude of this disaster. obviously, we're not a war zone, but we've been hit very hard. the scale of destruction is unfathomable. the land that the earthquake has covered isjust mind boggling. ten big cities. we're trying to do our best, but we're about to run out of work gloves. we're about to run out of tents for those people. in syria, a country devastated by a long and gruelling civil war, the earthquakes have compounded people's misery. cold, homeless and displaced. translation: we have been sleeping here in the truck after our building - was damaged by the earthquake. we cannot go back home as it might

collapse in case of aftershocks. we are staying here on the pavement and in the truck, my family and i left on the street. the uk's disasters emergency committee have launched an appeal in a bid to raise funds for medical aid, shelter, food and clean water. the government say they will match the first £5 million worth of donations from the public. howard johnson, bbc news. the afp news agency says that the death toll as a result of the earthquakes has now risen, sadly, to more than 17,000, 17,100 is the figure and that is being quoted. our middle east correspondent anna foster is in gaziantep, the epicentre of the biggest earthquake to hit the region. she's been telling us more about

how the search and rescue teams are trying to find people — and to help survivors. this heavy machinery is starting to arrive in number, mainly in the big cities like this one, it has to be said. when you think about the rural villages, the towns which are as badly affected, it is so much harder to get equipment like that there. but here, you are starting to see these big recovery operations, where they're sweeping away this rubble with big moving machinery, looking for bodies, essentially, is what they are doing. whenever you see a scene like this one, and you see the diggers and earth movers, that means they don't believe anybody is alive in that building any more. it is a very different operation when they think there are survivors. it's more careful, a lot quieter, more painstaking. because of the conditions here, because of the cold after three days, anybody still alive in these collapsed buildings, their chances are far slimmer, purely because of the conditions that they are surviving in. if you look at these buildings and realise how many people are now displaced, many on the streets, they gather around fires

to try and keep warm. there are some buildings, for example petrol stations, shops, lobbies of hotels that might still be open, where you see people in, wrapped in blankets and duvets, where they need a little bit of shelter. there are some people now in tents, where some of the emergency response has got through, but the problem is the long term, those buildings, some of them you can see clearly structurally unstable, uninhabitable, theymight be sagging, huge cracks, and soom look fine, but they all need to be looked

and you need a long—term plan with what to do with all those people who are now left homeless in these relate difficult and dangerous conditions. our middle east correspondent tom bateman is in adana in southern turkey. extremely cold overnight, heavy snowfall in parts of syria, so really affecting the humanitarian effort now, and here, as you can see, this work has been going on through the night. when we were here yesterday, there were more bodies being pulled from this rubble. they have made quite a lot of progress on getting down through the various levels, but all of this, of course, creates extremely anxious moments for relatives and neighbours who have still been camped out around here, day and night, eversince

have still been camped out around here, day and night, ever since the earthquake came. it is painstaking work, talking to the rescue workers about how precarious it is, you can see the height they are working out, and there is always the fear of secondary collapses. it is when you look into the rubble, when we arrived, they were pulling out prayer mats and a child's car seat, those everyday items that are such a terrible reminder of everything that has been destroyed here. in terms of adana itself, there is power, communications, this is still something of a hub for the wider humanitarian effort. the residents here are still suffering, but because it is notjust the collapsed buildings, but buildings around, many of them are deemed unsafe, and so people have been evacuated. we

were at a tented encampment yesterday, turkish troops putting up structures to house people, there are still many homeless. that was tom bateman _ are still many homeless. that was tom bateman reporting _ are still many homeless. that was tom bateman reporting from - are still many homeless. that was tom bateman reporting from the l tom bateman reporting from the turkish city of adana. well, the world's largest expat turkish community is in germany, people there have been gathering supplies of food, warm clothes and other essentials to send to the earthquake zone. here, the disasters emergency committee, a coalition of charities, hasissued committee, a coalition of charities, has issued or is issuing an emergency appeal to help the people of turkey and syria, and of course many other organisations and charities and faith groups in the uk gathering aid together as well. let's speak now to hussain hashim, faith leader of the ramadan mosque in london. thank you so much forjoining us today, and we reporting just a moment ago there was figures on the death toll, rising all the time,

sadly, now, according to officials, over 17,000 people, sadly, now, according to officials, over17,000 people, more sadly, now, according to officials, over 17,000 people, more than sadly, now, according to officials, over17,000 people, more than 17,000 have lost their lives in this disaster. what is the community there doing to try to help? well, first of all. _ there doing to try to help? well, first of all, the _ there doing to try to help? well, first of all, the community - there doing to try to help? well, first of all, the community has . there doing to try to help? -ii first of all, the community has been in total shock, and emotions are really high at the moment. london is home to a large turkish and kurdish community from south—east turkey, and we have lots of syrian people, and we have lots of syrian people, and there is a large turkish cypriot community, and everyone is absolutely dismayed at what they have seen on tv. what the community has done in the last few days is come together and have designated areas for people to bring donations. it has been so overwhelming at the moment, all these donation sites are now closed to the public because there is such a huge amount of items that have been left at these places, and now we are looking at transportation of these via the

turkish embassy, through turkish airlines, and other affiliated turkish charities working in the uk. so it is working out the logistics of getting all that aid, there was essentials which people have so kindly donated, getting it to where it is needed most. tell us more about how you are trying to sort that. ~ ., ., , ., that. well, we have lots of volunteers _ that. well, we have lots of volunteers going _ that. well, we have lots of volunteers going to - that. well, we have lots of volunteers going to the - that. well, we have lots of- volunteers going to the mosques, going to the community centres, the council of turkish cypriots association in the uk, the turkish cypriot community in north london, our mosque, the ramadan mask, and several turkish must in and around london, have asked volunteers to come in, but it has been so overwhelming that people are just leaving things outside in the street, and we have had to turn people back and make an announcement they cannot take any more items, and we are asking people to make voluntary financial donations to charities who are helping on the ground in turkey and syria. and

ground in turkey and syria. and presuming. _ ground in turkey and syria. and presuming, given the size of the community there in your area, we are talking about some of the people getting involved in this aid effort you have family and close friends in the affected areas. can you tell us some of the stories, give a sense of how they have been trying to contact them? , ., , , , ., ~' how they have been trying to contact them? , ., , , , ., ~ ., them? yes, we have been speaking to --eole them? yes, we have been speaking to peeple have — them? yes, we have been speaking to peeple have lost _ them? yes, we have been speaking to people have lost multiple _ them? yes, we have been speaking to people have lost multiple members i them? yes, we have been speaking to people have lost multiple members ofj people have lost multiple members of family and friends in the south—east of turkey and of course northern syria, and it has had a terrible effect on the community, because they feel helpless. the turkish cypriot community has very close links with the south—east of turkey, they have lost several young students who were on vacation, and a volleyball tournament, so this has caused lots and lots of high emotions within the community, everyone trying to do something and help, and peoplejust feel everyone trying to do something and help, and people just feel helpless. and as well as these initial response, are you looking at a longer term aid effort as well, once

people get through these initial stages, you know, if they can manage to, having survived, good dismay, both the earthquake and the freezing conditions there in the region at the moment? they will need a lot of help in the longer term as well, won't they?— won't they? they will we were discussing _ won't they? they will we were discussing this _ won't they? they will we were discussing this today, - won't they? they will we were discussing this today, it - won't they? they will we were discussing this today, it is - won't they? they will we were l discussing this today, it is going to be a long process, and it could take months and even years for that area to regenerate again, and it is going to cause a lot of trauma as well. we have health issues, people have lost family businesses, houses, property, everything is gone. the community needs to get together to help. we ask the united kingdom government to give as much help as they can. we government to give as much help as the can. ~ , , ., government to give as much help as the can. ~ , they can. we wish you well with your efforts. we are going to show you the seen live now as those desperate attempts

to find survivors continues in these zones affected by the earthquakes. diyarbakir here in turkey, and as you can see from the pictures, people picking through the rubble using their hands, shovels. as anna foster, a middle east correspondent, was saying, in the areas where you are seeing larger equipment and vehicles being brought in, that means officials are pretty sure that no—one is left surviving, but here and in many other parts of turkey, you will see groups of search and rescue teens working like that, picking through the rubble, holding out hope that there are survivors beneath the collapsed buildings. the picture from syria a little trickier to establish, although we are hearing that the first aid convoy is

arriving in syria, in the north of syria now, via the southern turkish border. in the uk, the fire brigades union has postpone a new strike after receiving an improved pay offer. zoe conway updated us on what was going on behind the scenes. in total, what we're talking about is a 12% increase over two years. i mean, in some ways this shouldn't come as so much of a surprise, because they are clearly good negotiators, because 20 years ago they managed to get a 16% pay rise, so this is, as i say, 12%, but clearly the fire brigades union is still concerned that this is below inflation, because inflation at the moment is 10.5%. so they are notjumping forjoy about this offer, but they are going to put it to their members, they have suspended strike action. let's see whether the

membership to vote for it. and does this potentially set a precedent for other public sector pay disputes? not necessarily. it could put political pressure on the government to act, the health unions could for instance say, look at what is happening in the fire service. but it is a different negotiation, done very much at the local level, there were representatives of the different fire services around the country negotiating directly with the unions, ministers managed to stay out of it, and what does not exist within the sector is a pay review body, which the government says is an independent body, although unions dispute that, which sets pay for health workers and teachers. so it is a different kind of negotiation, and arguably, politically, it was easier to get to this point because central government didn't have to go into the argument about inflation. zoe conway, thank you very much.

the number of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen, according to latest nhs england figures. let's get more on these figures and the picture they paint with our health correspondent katherine da costa just put those latest figures in context for us.— just put those latest figures in context for us. , , context for us. yes, there has been a significant — context for us. yes, there has been a significant improvement - context for us. yes, there has been a significant improvement in - context for us. yes, there has been a significant improvement in some | context for us. yes, there has been i a significant improvement in some of these emergency figures. if we look at patients with suspected heart attack or stroke, they waited on average 32 minutes for an ambulance, down from one hour and a half in december, it is the best performance for19 december, it is the best performance for 19 months, but still nearly double the time it should take. if we look at a&e, 72% of patients were treated or discharged within four hours, up from a record low of 65% from december, the best performance since may last year, but still a way off the target of 95%. more than

140,000 patients waited overfour hours for a bed on the ward once the decision had been made to admit them, down 17%, but still one of the worst on record. if we look at waiting list for routine treatment, the figure did rise slightly to 7.2 million by the end of december, modelling suggests it will stay roughly where it is before beginning to fall. these figures for ambulance response times are an improvement, but there is still a long way to go. nhs england said despite the pressures in the health service, nhs staff were still continuing to work flat out to deliver the best care for patients. flat out to deliver the best care for patients-— flat out to deliver the best care for patients. katharine da costa, thank ou for patients. katharine da costa, thank you very — for patients. katharine da costa, thank you very much. _ the government risks undermining plans to ban no—fault tenant evictions, unless if fixes a backlog of cases in the court system, a report out today warns. the cross—party levelling up, hosing and communities committee says that the proposals could be too easily exploited by bad landlords and become a back door to no—fault evictions.

joining me now from westminister isclive betts mp, who chairs the committee. hello to you, thank you for your time today. so your report raises a number of concerns, the ones we have just highlighted about no—fault erections, also you highlight threats to private rentals because of the increase in holiday lets, and you're concerned about the impact on accommodation for students in the private rental sector. and all of this, you say, links back to backlogs in the courts. i was not going to be fixed?— backlogs in the courts. i was not going to be fixed? well, what we have said is _ going to be fixed? well, what we have said is that _ going to be fixed? well, what we have said is that abolishing - have said is that abolishing no—fault erections is the right step for the government take, we welcome that, and of course there will still be a need for tenants to be evicted if they do not pay their rent or they engage in anti—social behaviour, which really has a detrimental effect on their neighbours, or of course tenants may

want to challenge landlords over a failure to carry out necessary repairs to keep the property in a safe condition. all those things are likely to end up in the courts in future, and the courts system we now cannot cope with the housing cases it has got, or a to do so in many months, ratherthan it has got, or a to do so in many months, rather than weeks, and that is not acceptable. if a landlord is waiting for rent and a tenant is refusing to pay, waiting for water coming to the roof to be fixed, they don't want to wait months and months to get before a judge and a decision to get before a judge and a decision to be made, so let's have a specialist housing court that can look at these issues, perhaps like the small claims court, where you can get a quick decision without the need to necessarily have lawyers on both sides dragging the process out. the picture you paint is our people being caught in this sort of limbo for very long periods. precisely, exactly. you have also welcomed plans to introduce legally binding

decent homes standards rules, but you are worried that there might be difficulties enforcing that. a big problem we have identified as a lack of capacity, lack of officers to go around and enforce these conditions. typically, what happens for most authorities at present, they only go to look at a problem when a tenant contact them. that does link back to no—fault erections, because many tenants are frightened to report repairs because they are frightened they will be evicted. so that should change, so tenants have to come forward to make complaints, but councils are very short—staffed and going in and actually doing the surveys, the inspections, and then enforcing the proper standards. so this is great, but then you need the enforcement officers and environmental health officers and environmental health officers trained and ready to do the work, and what we said there is that

more money needs to come from councils, taking civil action against landlords, getting fines paid to them, but courts need to be realistic in imposing fines, and all too often they are giving paltry fines for serious offences, or the council spends thousands of pounds taking the case to court.— taking the case to court. thank you very much- — the new deputy chairman of the conservative party, lee anderson, has clashed with a bbc radio presenter over accusations of dishonesty. during an interview with bbc radio nottingham's verity cowley, mr anderson was asked about a video of him setting up a doorstep encounter during the 2019 election campaign. he responded by asking the presenter ten times whether she'd ever told a lie. there is a worry by some that you might be a bit dishonest.

no, not really. i mean, have you ever told a lie? we are not here to talk about me. we are here to talk about you. no, no, i asked a question, have you ever told a lie? well, i'll tell you what i'm talking about when talking about dishonesty, that video that you did what you asked a friend to pose as a swing voter. have you ever told a lie? but we are not talking about me. i'm not... let's have a balanced conversation. have you ever told a lie? well, i've not asked somebody to pretend to be somebody that they are not. i've not asked somebody to pretend... have you ever told a lie? yes or no answer. what i'm saying is, i've never asked somebody to pretend to be something that they are not just to further my campaign. i've not asked somebody... i am asking you whether that is dishonest. mr anderson also challenged the idea that anyone earning between £30,000 and £35,000 needed to use

a food bank. this comes after the ashfield mp made headlines last year for saying people needed to learn how to cook and budget properly, rather than use food banks. you don't believe people who say they need to use them? you bring them to me. _ they need to use them? you bring them to me, verity, _ they need to use them? you bring them to me, verity, you - they need to use them? you bring them to me, verity, you get- they need to use them? you bring them to me, verity, you get a - them to me, verity, you get a fireman or a nurse and bring them to me, we will do it on the show. qm. me, we will do it on the show. ok, that is interesting. _ me, we will do it on the show. ok, that is interesting. i— me, we will do it on the show. ok, that is interesting. i will _ that is interesting. i will challenge _ that is interesting. i will challenge you _ that is interesting. i will challenge you right - that is interesting. i will challenge you right now| that is interesting. i will i challenge you right now to that is interesting. i will - challenge you right now to find a firefighter or a nurse here that is using a foodbank, and i will give you a year to find one, and i dare say you cannot find one. and if you do, we can work together with that person and look at why they need to use a foodbank.

police have extended their search for nicola bulley to cover a longer stretch of the river wyre in lancashire into which officers believe she has fallen. the 45—year—old went missing while walking her dog in st michael's on wyre, 13 days ago. the search area now extends as far as morecambe bay. the entertainment giant disney has announced it'll be laying off 7,000 employees, in ceo bob iger�*s first major decision since he was asked back to lead the company late last year. the lay—offs follow similar moves by other us tech giants which have laid off thousands of workers as the economy sours and companies dial back a hiring spurt that began during the height of the pandemic. us officials say that at least four previous spy balloons have drifted over american sites of interest to china, the latest shot down by us fighterjets on friday, sparking an angry reaction from beijing, which insisted it was for civilian use.

you are watching bbc news, i am annita mcveigh. hello. it was another fairly chilly start to the day for some of us, a touch of frost around, but things will gradually turn milder through the next few days and into the weekend too. sunny spells for most of us today, but we've got some blustery wintry showers in the north—west, particularly for western scotland. you can see the proximity of the ice bars here blowing in those showers. meanwhile, further south, high pressure is building behind that front that just brought a bit more cloud and drizzle through the morning, but that's clearing away from the south coast through into the afternoon. so sunny spells across much of the uk, then, but we've still got that feed of showers coming in across the north and north—west of scotland, where it's going to be windy, up to about 60mph gusts of wind, but much lighter winds further south. top temperatures today, somewhere between about 7—11

degrees north to south for most of us, but up towards lerwick, just four celsius there, so we're still in that cold air. so through this evening and tonight, then, what we'll see is more cloud toppling its way in from the north, so bringing slightly milder conditions for scotland, northern ireland, northern england as well, with some outbreaks of rain in the north—west here, whereas further south where we keep those clear skies again, we're going to see a touch of frost, could be as low as about minus four or minus five in the countryside first thing tomorrow, perhaps the odd misty patch around. but high pressure anchored to the south of the uk, we have got a weather frontjust moving in towards the north, but it's also bringing with it some milder air, so you can see the yellow colors returning to the map on friday, just moving their way north to south, that milder air. so a cold start, yes, in the south, but there will be some sunshine on friday. further north, more cloud from the word go and some rain across the west of scotland. through the day, then, best of any sunshine probably for parts of eastern scotland and eastern england too. we could see temperatures here up to about 13 for aberdeen, for instance, but generallyjust struggling to get out of single figures further south.

that milder air stays with us into the weekend as well. we've got high pressure in charge, but there is quite a lot of cloud reallyjust trapped underneath this area of high pressures, so although it's looking dry and settled, not too much sunshine around, a few breaks in the cloud, perhaps eastern england and eastern scotland seeing the best of them, but generally a fair amount of cloud just drifting around under that high pressure. but look at those temperatures, 12 or 13 degrees. so certainly a little bit warmer than it has been. and a similar day on sunday, still high pressure in charge, so largely dry and settled across the uk. lighter winds than we've seen of late in the north. temperatures perhaps not quite as warm, around about 9—12 degrees. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11: recue efforts continue as over 17,000 people are now known to have been killed following monday's earthquakes in turkey and syria. the world health organization warns that without shelter, water, fuel or electricity, many more people who have survived the quakes but lost their homes could die. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky takes his plea for fighter jets to european union leaders after his surprise visit to the uk yesterday. translation: ukraine is going to be a member of— translation: ukraine is going to be a member of europe, _ translation: ukraine is going to be a member of europe, ukraine - translation: ukraine is going to be a member of europe, ukraine that i translation: ukraine is going to be a member of europe, ukraine that is | a member of europe, ukraine that is winning _ planned strike action

by firefighters is postponed after employers make a new pay offer to be considered by union members. and the new deputy chairman of the conservative party, lee anderson, clashes with a bbc radio presenter over accusations of dishonesty. have you ever told a lie? well, i've not asked somebody to pretend to be somebody that they are not. i've not asked somebody to pretend... have you ever told a lie? yes or no answer. and we'll her more about a study of killer whales reveals that mothers make a lifelong sacrifice for their sons. hello and welcome. we begin this

hour with the continuing devastation in turkey and parts of syria. over 17,000 people are now known to have died after monday's two earthquakes. it comes as an appeal is launched by the uk's disasters emergency committee to help those affected. two powerful quakes and dozens of aftershocks hit the region on monday, causing thousands of buildings to collapse, trapping people inside. rescuers continue desperate attempts to find and free survivors. the world health organization has warned there could be a "secondary disaster" as survivors of the quakes face freezing temperatures. meanwhile a political row has broken out in turkey, with the opposition blaming president erdogan for difficulties in the rescue operation. mr erdogan has accepted "shortcomings", but insists the situation is under control. he has attacked the opposition for

trying to make political capital out of the crisis. in syria, relief efforts have been hampered by the war that has destroyed much of the country's infrastructure. though this morning, the reuters news agency is reporting that the first aid convoy is en route to northern syria via the southern turkish border. there is a un crossing point there. but despite the difficulties, there are some extraordinary stories of hope and joy — as howard johnson reports. these british rescuers are wasting no time. within hours of arriving in antakya, turkey, they've located a 60—year—old woman, salva, buried under the rubble. davy the sniffer dog was the first to confirm she's alive. salva's son—in—law, ali, is overcome with emotion. "if she can get out, if she can survive, if it can really happen, it will be a miracle for us," says ali. salva's been trapped in this collapsed three storey building for three days without food and water. dusty and dehydrated, she's finally stretchered to safety.

london firefighter sarah minmagh spoke to her throughout the rescue. all of those elements that were on top of her, we had to move by hand out of the tunnel so that we could sort of access her and do patient assessment. but, i mean, the fact that she'd been in there for nearly and a half days, was still talking, smiling the minute she saw us. but the work doesn't stop there. the world health organization has warned rescue teams of worsening and horrific conditions. temperatures are dropping in the region, with overnight averages of minus seven degrees celsius expected in gaziantep, the epicentre of the first 7.8—magnitude quake on monday, followed hours later by a 7.5—magnitude tremor. but against the odds miracles continue to happen. in worst—hit hatay, turkey, a rare moment ofjoy,

as a baby is pulled from the rubble after 65 hours alone in the cold. "god is great," the rescuers cry, as the child is carried away in a crucial thermal blanket. more aid is needed, and in generosity proportionate to the magnitude of this disaster. obviously, we're not a war zone, but we've been hit very hard. the scale of destruction is unfathomable. the land that the earthquake has covered isjust mind boggling. ten big cities. we're trying to do our best, but we're about to run out of work gloves. we're about to run out of tents for those people. in syria, a country devastated by a long and gruelling civil war, the earthquakes have compounded people's misery. cold, homeless and displaced. translation: we have been sleeping

here in the truck after our building i was damaged by the earthquake. we cannot go back home as it might collapse in case of aftershocks. we are staying here on the pavement and in the truck, my family and i left on the street. the uk's disasters emergency committee have launched an appeal in a bid to raise funds for medical aid, shelter, food and clean water. 14 charities, these are the largest uk based charities such as oxfam, the red cross and save the children, they are all there working on the ground, distributing food, water, helping people survive. the urgency, of course, is to scale up humanitarian aid assistance, and that is happening as we speak. so we will start to see more people being helped. but we can only do that if we raise as much funds as possible, and that's why we are urging people, please give what you can. the government say they will match the first £5 million worth

of donations from the public. howard johnson, bbc news. our middle east correspondent anna foster is in gaziantep, the epicentre of the biggest earthquake to hit the region. she's been telling us more about how the search and rescue teams are trying to find people and to help survivors. this heavy machinery is starting to arrive in number, mainly in the big cities like this one, it has to be said. when you think about the rural villages, the towns which are as badly affected, it is so much harder to get equipment like that there. but here, you are starting to see these big recovery operations, where they're sweeping away this rubble with big moving machinery, looking for bodies, essentially, is what they are doing. whenever you see a scene like this one, and you see the diggers and earth movers, that means they don't believe anybody is alive in that building any more. it is a very different operation when they think there are survivors. it's more careful, a lot quieter, more painstaking.

because of the conditions here, because of the cold that after three days, anybody still alive in these collapsed buildings, their chances are far slimmer, purely because of the conditions that they are surviving in.

this is not a displaced persons

camp, — this is not a displaced persons camp, this _ this is not a displaced persons camp, this is a supermarket car park _ camp, this is a supermarket car park the — camp, this is a supermarket car park. the people are mostly slipping out the _ park. the people are mostly slipping out the open. they can sleep in the carsn _ out the open. they can sleep in the cars.~ age — out the open. they can sleep in the cars.~ age is— out the open. they can sleep in the cars,. age is being distributed, you can see _ cars,. age is being distributed, you can see hot — cars,. age is being distributed, you can see hot soup and bread. there is some _ can see hot soup and bread. there is some medicine being givena rent given a rent to people here. but the reality— given a rent to people here. but the reality is, _ given a rent to people here. but the reality is, it — given a rent to people here. but the reality is, it is cold here, it was -1 reality is, it is cold here, it was -i tast— reality is, it is cold here, it was -i last night _ reality is, it is cold here, it was —1 last night. this is reality, they are burning — —1 last night. this is reality, they are burning firewood to keep warm. there _ are burning firewood to keep warm. there is— are burning firewood to keep warm. there is no— are burning firewood to keep warm. there is no electricity or heat, little — there is no electricity or heat, little no — there is no electricity or heat, little no running water either so sanitation — little no running water either so sanitation is an issue so that will cause health concerns with the risk of disease — cause health concerns with the risk of disease spreading. the reason people _ of disease spreading. the reason peopte are — of disease spreading. the reason people are in this car park is because _ people are in this car park is because they can avoid the fear of buildings — because they can avoid the fear of buildings collapsing. the next one looks _ buildings collapsing. the next one looks like — buildings collapsing. the next one looks like it's about to go over. there _ looks like it's about to go over. there is— looks like it's about to go over. there is perhaps one building is not

damaged _ there is perhaps one building is not damaged if— there is perhaps one building is not damaged if you look at the front of the supermarkets, you can see the front _ the supermarkets, you can see the front of— the supermarkets, you can see the front of this — the supermarkets, you can see the front of this building has fallen away. people's lives and hopes still there _ away. people's lives and hopes still there lrut— away. people's lives and hopes still there but who knows how long that building will last for. you can hear the sirens — building will last for. you can hear the sirens. they stopped about 2:30am — the sirens. they stopped about 2:30am last night and started again at 5am _ 2:30am last night and started again at 5am. this is help trying to get into the — at 5am. this is help trying to get into the city and it is struggling because — into the city and it is struggling because there are trafficjams all the way— because there are trafficjams all the way along there. the reality is on day— the way along there. the reality is on day four, — the way along there. the reality is on day four, if you're trapped inside — on day four, if you're trapped inside the _ on day four, if you're trapped inside the building and living through— inside the building and living through hell but if you made it out and you _ through hell but if you made it out and you survived, these people are not doing _ and you survived, these people are not doing much here. quentin somerville there. let us hear from a correspondent in the south of turkey — correspondent in the south of turkey. extremely cold overnight,

sub zero _ turkey. extremely cold overnight, sub zero temperatures, —5, heavy snowfall— sub zero temperatures, —5, heavy snowfall in— sub zero temperatures, —5, heavy snowfall in parts of northern syria as well _ snowfall in parts of northern syria as well. that is affecting the humanitarian effort. as you can see, this work— humanitarian effort. as you can see, this work has — humanitarian effort. as you can see, this work has been going on through the night _ this work has been going on through the night. when we were here yesterday, more bodies were pulled from the _ yesterday, more bodies were pulled from the rubble. they have made progress — from the rubble. they have made progress in — from the rubble. they have made progress in getting through the various— progress in getting through the various levels, all of this creates extremely— various levels, all of this creates extremely anxious moments for relatives— extremely anxious moments for relatives and neighbours who are still camped out around here, day and night, — still camped out around here, day and night, ever since the earthquake came _ and night, ever since the earthquake came it _ and night, ever since the earthquake came it is _ and night, ever since the earthquake came. it is painstaking work. we were _ came. it is painstaking work. we were talking to a couple of rescue workers _ were talking to a couple of rescue workers who talked about how precarious it is. it is also very dangerous— precarious it is. it is also very dangerous and you can see the height they are _ dangerous and you can see the height they are working at, there is always they are working at, there is always the fear— they are working at, there is always the fear of— they are working at, there is always the fear of secondary collapses. when _ the fear of secondary collapses. when you — the fear of secondary collapses. when you look into the rubble, they were pulling out prayer mats and a childmakasi is when we arrived. it

is those _ childmakasi is when we arrived. it is those everyday items which are a terrible _ is those everyday items which are a terrible reminder of everything that has been _ terrible reminder of everything that has been destroyed here. in terms of the town— has been destroyed here. in terms of the town itself, things are functioning well for the rest of the population, there is power and communications. this is still a hub for the _ communications. this is still a hub for the wider humanitarian effort but residents are still suffering because — but residents are still suffering because it is notjust the collapsed buildings _ because it is notjust the collapsed buildings but the buildings around many— buildings but the buildings around many of— buildings but the buildings around many of them are deemed unsafe so people _ many of them are deemed unsafe so people have been evacuated. turkish troops _ people have been evacuated. turkish troops were — people have been evacuated. turkish troops were putting up quite a few structures— troops were putting up quite a few structures to try and help people, there _ structures to try and help people, there are — structures to try and help people, there are many people homeless. let's speak now to doctor karam shaar, political economist and scholar at the middle east institute. you are living in new zealand,

having escaped from turkey as a political opponent. it must be very hard to look at these pictures when you see how much damage has been done by natural disaster on top of the disaster caused by civil war? it is very painful indeed. you would think syrians have had enough following the uprising which started in 2011 and over for hundred thousand casualties but even now, with the natural disasters, you can see what a method is to claim all humans are equal. not even when it comes to the most vulnerable people who are the syrians here, they are not receiving equal attention. when you look at western companies who have the capacity to send help, the vast majority are only sending help to turkey only. the un could not

even access north—west syria. that is more than 72 hours since the earthquake began and the chances are no one is still alive under the rubble, 72 hours after the beginning of the earthquake. you look at the uk and the eu, the us and mexico, australia, india, all sent search and rescue teams to turkey which is admittedly hit a bit harder than syria but they could have crossed to syria. but no one cares. are you sure it is that no one cares or because of the safety risk in what is still a just cannot take the risk without the un they to broker the agreements which ensure safety. cannotjust put its volunteers or employees at risk because they could find themselves not because of a further earthquake but because it

could become a target? i further earthquake but because it could become a target?— could become a target? i actually disauree. could become a target? i actually disagree. this _ could become a target? i actually disagree. this is _ could become a target? i actually disagree. this is a _ could become a target? i actually disagree. this is a frozen - could become a target? i actually| disagree. this is a frozen conflict. and the only aggression is happening over the past 2—3 years actually happened from shelling by the syrian regime and russian forces. otherwise, there are basically no military confrontations and there are many groups that could guarantee the safety of search and rescue teams from other countries, even if we forget about that, what about eight and eardrops. we understand the only crossing authorised by the un is no longer accessible but what about drops from the sky. there are military operations, these skyjobs do happen all the time, when there is interest in political will, they do happen. not a single drop happens

in north—west serve # syria where you have for .5 million people stuck in there. do you have for .5 million people stuck in there. ~ you have for .5 million people stuck in there. i. ~ , , ., in there. do you think this should be done and _ in there. do you think this should be done and just _ in there. do you think this should be done and just ignore - in there. do you think this should be done and just ignore the i be done and just ignore the syrian government? —— 4.5 million people. even egypt, which is an ally of the regime, did send a team into the rebel—held occupied part on humanitarian grounds. rebel-held occupied part on humanitarian grounds. egypt was the only country — humanitarian grounds. egypt was the only country which _ humanitarian grounds. egypt was the only country which was _ humanitarian grounds. egypt was the only country which was able - humanitarian grounds. egypt was the only country which was able to i humanitarian grounds. egypt was the only country which was able to send l only country which was able to send a few people who could reach north—west syria. that said no aide from the un and other search and rescue teams. when you look at regime held syria regions, it is not much better. people are basically held hostage to the assad regime and they are struggling with the amount of eight they received because it is virtually nonexistent. it was

symbolic. they are struggling even to get fuel to let the cranes work so they could lift and clear much of what is happening in regime held syria because of the brutal response of the assad regime to the uprising and also the corrupt regime, western countries no longer have faith in sending aid to syria through damascus because much of it will be siphoned off, and that is understandable. however, ithink understandable. however, ithink undersuch understandable. however, ithink under such circumstances we should try our best to deliver aid even if we knew that half of it would be lost, instead of allowing the people to die under the rubble, and direct all the attention to neighbouring countries. ., ~ all the attention to neighbouring countries. ., ,, , ., all the attention to neighbouring countries. ., ~' , ., , . all the attention to neighbouring countries. ., ,, , . ., countries. thank you very much for “oininu us countries. thank you very much for joining us from _ countries. thank you very much for joining us from new _ countries. thank you very much for joining us from new zealand, i joining us from new zealand, particularly given the time difference as well. we are most grateful to talk to you. ukraine's president,

volodymyr zelensky, has told the european parliament that his country is fighting to protect europe's way of life, which russia wants to destroy. mr zelensky received several standing ovations on his first visit to brussels since moscow's invasion of urkaine. he has made a series of visits, the first at the uk yesterday, then to paris and now to brussels. he told meps that russia wants to return the world to the inhumanity of the 1930s and 1940s, and said, we are defending ourselves and you. at a summit later, mr zelensky will be making a fresh appeal for his allies to swiftly supply new and more powerful weapons, particularly fighter jets. translation: the russian regime not onl hates translation: the russian regime not only hates any — translation: the russian regime not only hates any social— translation: the russian regime not only hates any socialjustice, _ translation: the russian regime not only hates any socialjustice, they i only hates any socialjustice, they invest— only hates any socialjustice, they invest in— only hates any socialjustice, they invest in and are trying to make it

normality— invest in and are trying to make it normality in — invest in and are trying to make it normality in our country and are trying _ normality in our country and are trying to— normality in our country and are trying to make the inhumane times of earlier— trying to make the inhumane times of earlier in_ trying to make the inhumane times of earlier in the 20th century relevant today _ earlier in the 20th century relevant today but — earlier in the 20th century relevant today. but we know that we are defending, ukrainians on the battlefield, together with you. applause and i thank you. we are defending it together— and i thank you. we are defending it together and we must defend it, not only for— together and we must defend it, not only for the — together and we must defend it, not only for the communities and societies, _ only for the communities and societies, we will always fight against — societies, we will always fight against this respect and neglect. we

will always keep faith in our integrity for our children and grandchildren. the precondition for these _ grandchildren. the precondition for these dreams is peace and security. volodymyr — these dreams is peace and security. volodymyr zelensky there in brussels. britain's foreign secretary and defence secretary are in italy today for discussions with the government there. our correspondent ben wallace had this to say —— ben wallace had this to say. to say -- ben wallace had this to sa . , ., ., z: z: ., say. they have given over 200 tanks alread , say. they have given over 200 tanks already. and — say. they have given over 200 tanks already, and the _ say. they have given over 200 tanks already, and the differences - say. they have given over 200 tanks already, and the differences knew. say. they have given over 200 tanks| already, and the differences knew us when you are on the receiving end of which tank. the reality is that britain knows what ukraine needs, and is very happy to help in many

ways trying to achieve the effect. we are trying to look at what we can deliver. so i think in the here and now what we will focus on is the effect that ukraine needs, which is air support, effect that ukraine needs, which is airsupport, orsupport to effect that ukraine needs, which is air support, or support to moving troops, and that can be done in other ways. striking in the deep, in other ways. striking in the deep, in other words ukraine needs to get after the command and control parts and the logistical parts of russia, not in russia, but in ukraine. how can it do that? and at the moment thatis can it do that? and at the moment that is met by deep firing munitions, and it is close air support which is either delivered by attack helicopters or indeed at the moment by others which are armed, so those same effects can be done in potentially a different weight without taking months, which of course gifting fighterjets would take. course gifting fighter 'ets would take. �* ~ . .. course gifting fighter 'ets would take. �* . ., ., ~' course gifting fighter 'ets would take. �* . ., ., ,, ., take. ben wallace there talking to james landale- — take. ben wallace there talking to james landale. our— take. ben wallace there talking to james landale. our political- james landale. our political correspondentjonathan beale is with

me. this debate has not gone away, has it? it hasn't. we have had a fresh appeal from it hasn't. we have had a fresh appealfrom ukraine's president and we will hear more of that in the coming days. but if there is anybody who could have given fastjets to ukraine, it is ben wallace, he is the man who has been leading the charge on tanks, encouraging other countries to do the same. if it was an easy answer, i'm sure he would have done the same with jets, but there are huge practicalities, which is why he said there will be no immediate transfer, he would not be ruling it out, but when you look at the practicalities, training pilots on differentjets, then you have whole issues around the cuts to the defence force in britain, and they

are committed to things like air policing in estonia and the baltic states, they have got to police uk airspace as well, typhoon jets, they have committed a squadron to qatar, so there are commitments all over the place that the uk has at the moment, there are about 20 typhoons which are due to be retired, the first tranche from the 90s essentially, the oldest aircraft, 25 years old or so. theoretically you might be able to give those, but then you are looking at supply chains, training engineers. at the end of the day, the jet ukraine really wants is the f—16, which is like the leopard of the skies, it is basically a ubiquitous one that is used by many different countries, and there are hundreds more of those than typhoons, so huge practicalities, and people are tapping at the glass ceiling, and it hasn't broken yet. bud tapping at the glass ceiling, and it hasn't broken yet.— tapping at the glass ceiling, and it hasn't broken yet. and 'ust one last

brief thought — hasn't broken yet. and 'ust one last brief thought on i hasn't broken yet. and 'ust one last brief thought on this. i hasn't broken yet. and just one last brief thought on this. is _ hasn't broken yet. and just one last brief thought on this. is there i hasn't broken yet. and just one last brief thought on this. is there a i brief thought on this. is there a kind of strategic reason why there might be a reluctance? is it still the worry that we will find ourselves dragged into the conflict directly? i ourselves dragged into the conflict directl ? ~' ., directly? i think whenever you throw a new weapons _ directly? i think whenever you throw a new weapons system, _ directly? i think whenever you throw a new weapons system, there i directly? i think whenever you throw a new weapons system, there is i a new weapons system, there is always going to be the concern about russia's reaction, but we have crossed that threshold so many times now that i don't think sending fast jets is going to cause world war iii. what would be the bigger issue would be if russia loses, how would they react. we have already had and it doesn't look likely that the uk will be sending jets any time soon, but they are still, talking about sending long—range missiles, so that is one to look out for, and the

feeling clearly from ben wallace is that can do some of the tasks that a fast jet can that can do some of the tasks that a fastjet can do. that can do some of the tasks that a fast jet can do-_ fast jet can do. jonathan beale, thank you _ fast jet can do. jonathan beale, thank you so — fast jet can do. jonathan beale, thank you so much. _ the new deputy chairman of the conservative party, lee anderson, has clashed with a bbc radio presenter over questions about his integrity. lee anderson was asked by radio nottingham's verity cowley about a video of him out canvassing during the 2019 election campaign. he appeared to get someone he knew to pose as an anti—labour swing voter, for cameras to film. he was challenged about the incident in the interview. there is a worry by some that you might be a bit dishonest. no, not really. i mean, have you ever told a lie, verity? but we're not here to talk about me, we are here to talk about you. i asked the question, have you ever told a lie? well, i will tell you what i am talking about when i am talking about dishonesty, i'm talking about that video you did what you asked a friend to pose

as an anti labour swing voter. have you ever told a lie? but we are not talking about me. no, no, let's have a balanced conversation. have you ever told a lie? well, i've not asked somebody to pretend to be somebody that they are not. have you ever told a lie? i have not asked somebody to pretend. so, verity, have you ever told a lie? it is a yes or no answer. what i am saying is i've never asked somebody to pretend to be something that they are not just to further my campaign. have you ever told a lie? and i am asking you whether that is dishonest? interesting approach to the question being put their on radio nottingham, in a sense counteracting the criticism by offering a challenge, not necessarily answering the question. i'm not completely sure that question is going to go away because of course he is now deputy

chairman of the conservative party, so one of his roles as campaigning, and in a previous life, previous stage of his career in political affiliation, i think i'm right in saying he was an agent for another political party, because of course those were the times of the great political flux. those were the times of the great politicalflux. we those were the times of the great political flux. we also those were the times of the great politicalflux. we also have those were the times of the great political flux. we also have a question mr anderson was asked about, this is from an interview that came up originally in an interview with the spectator magazine which is about the death penalty, but he was also asked in this interview about something that he had said about the idea that anyone earning between £30,000 and £35,000 a year needed to use a food bank. this comes after the ashfield mp made headlines last year for saying people needed to learn how to cook and budget "properly", rather than use food banks. i don't think anybody that is earning £35,000 should be using a foodbank... even though nurses, firefighters, people with jobs are saying they need to use this, you don't believe them? no.

you bring them to me, verity, you get a fireman and a nurse in ashfield and bring them to me and we can do it on the show. ok, ok. that is interesting. i would challenge it. i would challenge you right now to find a firefighter or a nurse in ashfield that is using a foodbank. i will give you a year to find one. i dare say you cannot find one and if you do find one, we can work together with that person and work out why they need to use a foodbank. ben wright is our political correspondent. lee anderson is a fascinating example of a politician who was once in the labour party but ended up in the conservative party not least because of the whole brexit and the referendum campaign and all the rest of it. he is an old political hand. just because he hasn't been in westminster long, he has been in politics a long time. what do you make of this interview and also the remarks to the spectator magazine about the death penalty?

interesting. he was a former labour councillor, former coal miner, stood for the tories in 2019 in the aftermath of brexit in one of those classic redwall seats, ashfield in nottinghamshire. he won, entered parliament and has been making headlines ever since. he has had said several controversial things, from criticising the use of food banks to remarks about the england football team taking the knee in protest at racism, something that he didn't approve of at the time. he is gaining a reputation very fast in his short parliamentary career for saying things that other mps simply wouldn't, and it adds to his dossier of remarks, the remarks made to the spectator before he was appointed deputy chairman of the conservative party, and he was asked if he would support the reintroduction of the death penalty, something that was abolished in the uk more than 50 years ago, and he said it should

come back. he says nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed. he is once again saying things, as i said, that other mps wouldn't, because they don't agree with him. on that, it is interesting, i was looking at some of the polling. four in ten britons according to a poll last year do support the reintroduction of the death penalty, and it is clear that a majority of conservative voters think that is a good idea, far more than labour voters, and i think that is the key to why rishi sunak has appointed lee anderson in this role. i think there must be a feeling in number 10 that he could be a very effective spokesman for the party as it looks ahead to the local elections in may and the general elections in may and the general election which will happen within two years. rishi sunak, the prime minister who gave him thejob, was on a visit to call this morning, and he was asked about lee anderson's latest comments. that he was asked about lee anderson's latest comments.— latest comments. that is not my view, that _ latest comments. that is not my view. that is _ latest comments. that is not my view, that is not _ latest comments. that is not my view, that is not the _ latest comments. that is not my l view, that is not the government's view, _

view, that is not the government's view, but — view, that is not the government's view, but we — view, that is not the government's view, but we are united in this party— view, but we are united in this party in — view, but we are united in this party in wanting to be absolutely relentless in bearing down on crime and making — relentless in bearing down on crime and making sure people are safe and feel safe, _ and making sure people are safe and feel safe, and that is why we need to tighten — feel safe, and that is why we need to tighten up sentencing laws for the most — to tighten up sentencing laws for the most violent criminal so they spend _ the most violent criminal so they spend longer in prison and we are on our way— spend longer in prison and we are on our way to— spend longer in prison and we are on our way to having 20,000 more police officers _ our way to having 20,000 more police officers on _ our way to having 20,000 more police officers on our streets, and giving these _ officers on our streets, and giving these officers more powers to tackle crime: _ these officers more powers to tackle crime, whether it is stop and search, — crime, whether it is stop and search, we _ crime, whether it is stop and search, we are giving officers stop and search — search, we are giving officers stop and search powers because we want to make _ and search powers because we want to make sure _ and search powers because we want to make sure people are safe, they feel safe, _ make sure people are safe, they feel safe, and _ make sure people are safe, they feel safe, and that is what we are doing. so, unsurprisingly, the government will not be bringing back the death penalty. labour has criticised rishi sunak for being weak penalty. labour has criticised rishi sunakfor being weak in penalty. labour has criticised rishi sunak for being weak in what they say was not standing up to lee anderson's nonsense. but say was not standing up to lee anderson's nonsense.- say was not standing up to lee anderson's nonsense. but as i said, rishi sunak — anderson's nonsense. but as i said, rishi sunak clearly _ anderson's nonsense. but as i said, rishi sunak clearly knew _ anderson's nonsense. but as i said, rishi sunak clearly knew exactly i rishi sunak clearly knew exactly what he was doing when he appointed him to the role. the chairman is greg hands, who is a long—standing minister, represents a london seat, a former banker, he will be the main man in the party operation as it

thinks about those coming elections. but it is clearly felt that lee anderson could be a very effective winkmann. anderson could be a very effective winkmann— winkmann. fascinating prospect, isn't it? lten _ winkmann. fascinating prospect, isn't it? ben wright, _ winkmann. fascinating prospect, isn't it? ben wright, our - winkmann. fascinating prospect, isn't it? ben wright, our political| isn't it? ben wright, our political correspondent, thank you very much. talking about lee anderson, mp for ashfield. time now for the weather with sarah. hello. it was quite a chilly start to the day, a touch of frost around for some of us. things will gradually turn a little bit milder over the next couple of days — and a lot of dry weather on the cards, too. we have got some blustery showers feeding in across the north west of scotland today, a little bit wintry over the higher ground, but they're tending to ease away. still some icy stretches, though, possible around here. furthersouth, most places looking dry. this morning's cloud clearing to the south and this afternoon we'll see temperatures, most of us, about 9—10 degrees, butjust a little colder across the north of scotland where we've got the wind blowing as well. into this evening and tonight, then, we've got more cloud filtering in across parts of scotland, northern ireland and northern england. some outbreaks of drizzly rain around here. further south, though, we will keep the clear skies, so again, a touch of frost, could be minus 3, minus 4 degrees

in the countryside first thing. so through the day tomorrow, then, blustery again in the north with some rain for the north—west of scotland. best of the sunshine for central and eastern parts of england, i think, through the day. but it will be milder than recent days, especially in the north, with temperatures about 9—13 degrees. bye— bye. in hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. recue efforts continue as over 17,000 people are now known to have been killed following monday's earthquakes in turkey and syria. the world health organization warns that without shelter, water, fuel or electricity, many more people who have survived the quakes but lost their homes could die. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky takes his plea for fighter jets to european union leaders after his surprise visit to the uk yesterday. planned strike action by firefighters is postponed after employers make a new pay offer

to be considered by union members. and we'll hear more about a study of killer whales which reveals that mothers make a lifelong sacrifice for their sons. sport and time for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. hello again and apologies for cutting you off yesterday morning because of president zelensky's visit. lt because of president zelensky's visit. ., , ., . ., visit. it was not personal. we are well used — visit. it was not personal. we are well used to _ visit. it was not personal. we are well used to it _ visit. it was not personal. we are well used to it here. _ visit. it was not personal. we are well used to it here. bringing i visit. it was not personal. we are j well used to it here. bringing you news today, this is about the company that backed the failed european super league which has returned with a new format. apparently up to 80 teams competing, real madrid, barcelona and juventus were among 12 teams which announced

a breakaway league last year but the move collapsed within 48 hours after an outcry by fans, governments and players. now the sports management company has released a ten point manifesto saying it is time for change with a new league which would contain 60—80 teams, with 40 matches per season and continue to claim domestic leagues. in response france's league has responded. this is what they have tweeted. that is spain, i should say. the super league is the wolf of red to red riding hood. expect more reaction during the day. united states forward alan morgan

has become the latest voice to criticise reports that saudi arabia tourism authority would sponsor the women's world cup this summer. speaking to reporters she said she found the news bizarre. earlier this month, the co—hosts australia and new zealand asked fifa to clarify the situation urgently. j new zealand asked fifa to clarify the situation urgently.— the situation urgently. i think it is bizarre that _ the situation urgently. i think it is bizarre that fifa _ the situation urgently. i think it is bizarre that fifa has - the situation urgently. i think it is bizarre that fifa has looked l the situation urgently. i think it| is bizarre that fifa has looked to have _ is bizarre that fifa has looked to have a _ is bizarre that fifa has looked to have a saudi sponsorship for the women's — have a saudi sponsorship for the women's world cup when i, myself, would _ women's world cup when i, myself, would not _ women's world cup when i, myself, would not be supported and accepted in that— would not be supported and accepted in that country sol would not be supported and accepted in that country so ijust do not understand it. in that country so i 'ust do not understand it._ in that country so i 'ust do not understand it. onto cricket and australia were _ understand it. onto cricket and australia were bowled - understand it. onto cricket and australia were bowled out i understand it. onto cricket and australia were bowled out for l understand it. onto cricket and i australia were bowled out for 177 runs in the opening day of the test match against india.

one cricketer was stumped one run short of his century. india's captain is looking good on 56 not out. and england have dismissed the new zealand 11 for 310 on the second and final day of their warm up match in hamilton. it comes ahead of the first test against new zealand next week and stuart broad looks likely to join week and stuart broad looks likely tojoinjames anderson in week and stuart broad looks likely to joinjames anderson in attack. he had missed the tour in pakistan due to paternity leave but saw a day of solid match practice in hamilton. rory mciiroy says he is playing the best golf of his career as he prepares to tee off at the phoenix open. the major winner has been on great form recently after winning the dubai desert classic two weeks ago and he is back on the top of the rankings and he says he feels like he is the world's top player. j’m

he is the world's top player. i'm -la in: he is the world's top player. i'm playing well _ he is the world's top player. i'm playing well and i feel i consistency wise, i have been as good _ consistency wise, i have been as good as— consistency wise, i have been as good as i— consistency wise, i have been as good as i have been ever in my career~ — good as i have been ever in my career~ i— good as i have been ever in my career. i said at the end of last year— career. i said at the end of last year i — career. i said at the end of last year i feel— career. i said at the end of last year i feel i, as complete of a player— year i feel i, as complete of a player as _ year i feel i, as complete of a player as l _ year i feel i, as complete of a player as i ever have if you look at my statistical categories, there are no glaring — my statistical categories, there are no glaring weaknesses. i worked really _ no glaring weaknesses. i worked really hard not to become a more well—rounded player. ithink really hard not to become a more well—rounded player. i think the results — well—rounded player. i think the results speak for themselves as well _ results speak for themselves as well. ., , ., , ., ., well. that is all the sport for now but there is _ well. that is all the sport for now but there is a _ well. that is all the sport for now but there is a story _ well. that is all the sport for now but there is a story breaking i well. that is all the sport for now but there is a story breaking on l well. that is all the sport for now l but there is a story breaking on the bbc sport website, the warriors have withdrawn their application to play championship next season, they will reap brand the club. more of that about the worcester warriors on the website. ., ~

about the worcester warriors on the website. ., ,, , ., , . let's return to our main story this morning — the devastating earthquakes that struck syria and turkey. we've been reporting about people's frustrations in turkey at how slowly the government has responded to this disaster. big debate about the earthquake tax which was introduced in 1999 which was used to fund work to get help to the scene if there was a disaster. apparently that has not materialised. apparently that has not materialised. many took to social media to voice their anger. well, now we are hearing that for at least 12 hours twitter was actually blocked on major turkish mobile providers. we can speak now to our europe regional editor paul moss. what happened to the service? the criticism that was on twitter fell into two categories, first people were on twitter complaining

about response, where was it and why was it taking so long? there were certain areas which felt they were ignored. a town with an arab minority speaking area said we have nothing as always. a lot of this spilled into social media but crucially a lot is looking back to 1999, the last major earthquake and the promises made. this earthquake tax you mentioned which was to pay for special response teams to be set “p for special response teams to be set up and buildings to be retrofitted to make them more secure but crucially, last time they found buildings had not been built properly, building regulations ignored, there was a suggestion of corruption. this would not happen again. again, everyone looking at the buildings can see some are standing intact and right next to them are collapsed buildings. this criticism was being made on twitter

and people were very angry. llhtiii and people were very angry. until twitter mysteriously _ and people were very angry. until twitter mysteriously stopped in turkey. twitter mysteriously stopped in turke . ~ ., twitter mysteriously stopped in turke .~ ., twitter mysteriously stopped in turke . ~ ., ., ,, twitter mysteriously stopped in turke . . ., ., ,, , , turkey. what happened then? firstly the turkish police _ turkey. what happened then? firstly the turkish police announced - turkey. what happened then? firstly the turkish police announced they i the turkish police announced they had arrested people for the post they had put on social media, they said they were spreading misinformation and it could cause panic. this infuriated a lot of human rights campaigners and opposition politicians. but also its annoyed the emergency services because twitter was notjust an outlet for criticism. in natural disasters social media has an important role, it can be used by emergency services to communicate to people, do you need shelter? are you hungry, here are places you can be advised. suddenly they did not have that which caused major anger towards the turkish government. as i said, people were being arrested, even as people were in the rubble

trying to get out, the turkish authorities were arresting people. some might suggest the priorities were strange. twitter has seemed to come back but there are conditions. we have had as stated by the turkish government as well as elon musk, the deputy infrastructure minister has said we have demands to twitter that a clear and strong cooperation on this and false reports, we want measures against any content that could damage public order and security. to be fair, the turkish government point is there has been a natural disaster and misinformation can be very dangerous, it can cause panic or cause people to go to the wrong place. for distribution or whatever? absolutely. however cynics have another view, there are elections coming soon. these are

expected to be very close and critics have said the turkish government did not want criticism like that appearing in the lead up to an election and clamped down on it smartly and only allow twitter back providing material which might upset public order is kept off the social media platform.— upset public order is kept off the social media platform. thank you very much _ social media platform. thank you very much for— social media platform. thank you very much for revealing - social media platform. thank you very much for revealing what i social media platform. thank you very much for revealing what is i very much for revealing what is going on behind—the—scenes. it is very important about how these communication channels function in places like this and what the priorities are. thank you very much. the number of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen, according to latest nhs england figures. although the numbers remains below the recent record high, an estimated 7.20 million people were waiting to start treatment comepared to 7.21 million in october, which was the highest number since records began in august.

figures also highlight the areas within the health service where pressures have eased significantly during january. joining me now to talk about the latest nhs england figures is max warner, research economist at institute for fiscal studies. he specialises in the health service and in the numbers. what is your initial take, and in the numbers. what is your initialtake, having and in the numbers. what is your initial take, having looked at the figures when they appeared this morning? figures when they appeared this mornin: ? ,., ., ., ., ., morning? good morning. you are riaht, morning? good morning. you are right, relatively _ morning? good morning. you are right, relatively positive - morning? good morning. you are right, relatively positive for- morning? good morning. you are right, relatively positive for the l right, relatively positive for the nhs, in terms of the waiting list, the numbers for december at the same as october and november so waiting lists have flatlined at 7.2 million which is remarkable went for the last 2.5 years they have risen steadily so there is progress there. forjanuary we have the numbers for emergency care and again a lot progress. reduction in ambulance times. average waiting time for a

stroke and similar incidents for an ambulance last year was 1.5 hours and january that she was half an hour so some real progress. but this is still much worse than the nhs would like it to be.— is still much worse than the nhs would like it to be. picking up on the ambulance, _ would like it to be. picking up on the ambulance, that _ would like it to be. picking up on the ambulance, that is _ would like it to be. picking up on the ambulance, that is an i the ambulance, that is an extraordinary reduction, is it clear from the figures how this has been achieved? was itjust ever so much illness affecting medical staff as well, so ambulance drivers when on the road so had they magically created new ambulance drivers or have we all stopped getting ill? it is so dramatic. lt is have we all stopped getting ill? it is so dramatic.— is so dramatic. it is not yet clear entirely what — is so dramatic. it is not yet clear entirely what happened. - is so dramatic. it is not yet clear entirely what happened. we i is so dramatic. it is not yet clear l entirely what happened. we would expect things to improve as winter eases. the nhs always faces winter pressures with cold and flu and covid on top. it remains unclear. the key thing with ambulance, even a

small change can have a huge effect on the average waiting time so even small improvements make big reductions in time waited. let me ask ou reductions in time waited. let me ask you about _ reductions in time waited. let me ask you about the _ reductions in time waited. let me ask you about the context - reductions in time waited. let me| ask you about the context because the government announced an nhs recovery plan one year ago which was post—pandemic, getting back to and improving on how the health service worked in those halcyon days, which they feel like before covid struck. how does these figures play into the prospects of the government meeting its ambitions, or ambitious targets or aspirations?— or aspirations? yes, they were not formal targets. _ or aspirations? yes, they were not formal targets. so _ or aspirations? yes, they were not formal targets. so yes, _ or aspirations? yes, they were not formal targets. so yes, last i or aspirations? yes, they were not formal targets. so yes, last year i formal targets. so yes, last year they publish their plan regarding they publish their plan regarding the backlog, which is the waiting list. in some areas we have done

really well. some of the targets focused on long waiters so for example by the summer of last year they wanted to eliminate weights of more than two years. they have done that. the next target is eliminate weights of 1.5 years by april. we think that is possible but challenging. the latest figure shows the number of people waiting more than 1.5 is more than 12%. they want to eliminate and a couple of months. the other thing was increasing total treatment volumes so treating more people from the waiting list will increase the numbers treated. in december, the nhs treated 5% fewer people on the waiting list and in 2019. december is a hard month for the nhs but last year as a whole, the nhs but last year as a whole, the nhs but last year as a whole, the nhs treated fewer patients on the nhs treated fewer patients on the waiting list and until it can mmp the waiting list and until it can ramp that up it is unlikely waiting

lists will start reducing dramatically.— lists will start reducing dramatically. lists will start reducing dramaticall. ., ~' , lists will start reducing dramaticall . ., ,, , . dramatically. thank you very much. just to bring — dramatically. thank you very much. just to bring you — dramatically. thank you very much. just to bring you some _ dramatically. thank you very much. just to bring you some breaking i just to bring you some breaking news, this is from the northern ireland secretary, he has announced a further delay to this schedule for northern ireland assembly elections. he is extending the deadline for the formation of a new northern ireland executive. rememberthe formation of a new northern ireland executive. remember the dup withdrew from the executive which led to the collapse of the devolved government in northern ireland, services being run by the civil servants at the moment. it was all to do with the argument over the european protocol. negotiations continue with the european commission about that. you can read into this what you like but the formal announcement is the deadline forforming the the formal announcement is the deadline for forming the executive will be extended untiljanuary 18 next year. that means elections

could only be scheduled after that date. so they have been given another ten months and they can potentially take some of the pressure of the dup. if a resolution is fine to the protocol then the dup would be prepared to serve on the executive but elections might be the only way out of this impasse for the northern ireland devolved administration. if we get more reaction, we will bring that to you. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has told the european parliament that his country is fighting to protect europe's way of life — which russia wants to destroy. mr zelensky received several standing ovations, on his first visit to brussels since moscow's invasion of urkaine. he accused russia of wanting to return the world to the inhumanity of the 1930s and 1940s and said "we are defending ourselves and you". at a summit later, mr zelensky will be making a fresh appeal for his allies to swiftly supply new and more powerful weapons, particularly fighter jets. daniel sleat is the director of research at tony blair's institute

for global change. he is also a former special adviser to jack straw who was foreign secretary. good to have you in the studio, thank you. let us talk about this weapons appeal. we heard from her defence correspondent that there are real practical concerns which mean it is hard to deliver. there are also concerns about the impact this might have on the conflict. what is your take on where that debate is going and whether allies of ukraine can keep on the same page because in some ways it is remarkable they have remained in the same page for so long? j remarkable they have remained in the same page for so long?— same page for so long? i think the bi est same page for so long? i think the biggest concern — same page for so long? i think the biggest concern with _ same page for so long? i think the biggest concern with the _ same page for so long? i think the biggest concern with the conflict i same page for so long? i think the biggest concern with the conflict is the mismatch between what the western allies saying they want to happen in ukraine and what they're

actually providing on the ground. we have seen that with european leaders this week saying russia cannot be allowed to win in ukraine but i think we are unlikely to see commitments of supplies. so the key thing, looking at western support is what the international support for ukraine saying what they want to happen as much by the commitment to make it happen. there are strategic concerns about that strategy but without a unified position it is difficult to deliver aid to ukraine. there are indications of not meeting the objectives you talk about in the sense of perhaps enhancing a sense in russia that it can get away with this and diminishing morality in ukraine which is living with the day—to—day consequences. presumably one ukraine to be part of the european union, they have to think

about that long term as well. yes. about that long term as well. yes, there is a careful _ about that long term as well. yes, there is a careful balance - about that long term as well. ya: there is a careful balance between what the russian position is likely to be. the biggest issue on morale is what ukraine is hearing western leader saying what they want the outcome to be and matching that with what they are seeing on the ground, the commitment with tanks which are yet to arrive and long—range missiles which are yet to arrive. the commitment on fighter tap —— fighterjets which may take some time to arrive. but the russian offensive has already been launched so i think that morale element of ukraine saying that western support is being matched by action is the critical element. latte is being matched by action is the critical element.— is being matched by action is the critical element. we have been here before, president _ critical element. we have been here before, president zelensky - critical element. we have been here i before, president zelensky mentioned the 1930s and 40s because the western powers made a decision to compromise on the independence of countries on continental europe in

the hope if we offer them the spots and pressure on the company —— my country to concede to germany, we will prevent and it did not work. arguably it made things worse. some people say it about time to build up weapons systems. can we draw any kind of analogy? i understand why president zelensky is doing it but there's always a danger of plucking something from history and seeing if you do this, that will happen again. in many ways, the big lesson from that period was the need at the time for a clear unified western position which the nazi regime could look at and take seriously. thea;r which the nazi regime could look at and take seriously.— and take seriously. they exploited the difference. _ and take seriously. they exploited the difference. yes. _ and take seriously. they exploited the difference. yes. i _ and take seriously. they exploited the difference. yes. i would i and take seriously. they exploited j the difference. yes. i would prefer to to the difference. yes. i would prefer to go listen _ the difference. yes. i would prefer to go listen to _ the difference. yes. i would prefer to go listen to the _ the difference. yes. i would prefer to go listen to the actual— the difference. yes. i would prefer to go listen to the actual strategyl to go listen to the actual strategy but for the ukraine to look at the european stance and us stance and see a clear unified position where we set out a realistic end to the

war and match it with the commitment is needed to deliver it, that is the key parallel. is needed to deliver it, that is the key parallel-— is needed to deliver it, that is the ke arallel. ., ., ., key parallel. how worried are people that this could _ key parallel. how worried are people that this could bleed _ key parallel. how worried are people that this could bleed into _ key parallel. how worried are people that this could bleed into other- that this could bleed into other areas of conflict, i am thinking of countries like moldova? i went there for an election and you had bus—loads of people arriving from a self—declared region, an area which the moldovan government does not control but they cent on candidates to vote. an extraordinary situation to vote. an extraordinary situation to watch. countries like georgia where people are worried about pressure from russia. you don't need to have a hot water like ukraine for countries to be undermined. yes. to have a hot water like ukraine for countries to be undermined. yes, on a stratetic countries to be undermined. yes, on a strategic level— countries to be undermined. yes, on a strategic level a _ countries to be undermined. yes, on a strategic level a right _ countries to be undermined. yes, on a strategic level a right to _ countries to be undermined. yes, on a strategic level a right to be - a strategic level a right to be concerned, russia obviously has ambitions to extend its influence in that region. looking at the last year and what has happened in

ukraine, there is a sense of realism about what russia says its ambitions are and what it can practically do on the ground. on a practical level, it is slightly less of a concern because russia failed to make progress in ukraine but it has that strategic ambition and western allies have to think of that strategic plan and where we the line. �* ., . strategic plan and where we the line. . , , line. baltic countries, there is real tension _ line. baltic countries, there is real tension within _ line. baltic countries, there is real tension within them, i line. baltic countries, there is real tension within them, of l line. baltic countries, there is i real tension within them, of the status of the russian speaking minority communities. i remember talking to the former president of lithuania or latvia about this. the concern that people were getting discriminated against. it is easy to build that sense of resentment up and divide the country by influencing it from outside, social media is the obvious example but pointing out what is happening in

ukraine, is a fear in the west about how russia fright —— fights on several fronts and are not all military? several fronts and are not all milita ? , ., , several fronts and are not all milita ? , ., military? yes, it has far-reaching capabilities _ military? yes, it has far-reaching capabilities on _ military? yes, it has far-reaching capabilities on different - military? yes, it has far-reaching capabilities on different levels. it| capabilities on different levels. it is important we recognise many people in russia oppose the war. there were far bigger protest than i anticipated, very brave people going out on the streets. hopefully, at some point the conflict will end and we will be in a better position diplomatically with russia, a different regime in different relations and to keep that going at some point. relations and to keep that going at some point-— some point. daniel, a special adviser, thank _ some point. daniel, a special adviser, thank you _ some point. daniel, a special adviser, thank you very i some point. daniel, a special adviser, thank you very much some point. daniel, a special. adviser, thank you very much for joining us on bbc news. time for a look at the weather. hello. it was another fairly chilly start to the day for some of us, a touch of frost around, but things will gradually turn milder through the next few days and into the weekend too. sunny spells for most of us today,

but we've got some blustery wintry showers in the north—west, particularly for western scotland. you can see the proximity of the ice bars here blowing in those showers. meanwhile, further south, high pressure is building behind that front that just brought a bit more cloud and drizzle through the morning, but that's clearing away from the south coast through into the afternoon. more cloud this evening filtering and across scotland and northern ireland, some outbreaks of drizzly rain. furthersouth ireland, some outbreaks of drizzly rain. further south we keep the clear skies, a touch of frost, —3 through the countryside. bluster again in the north with rain in the north—west of scotland. best of the sunshine for central and eastern england but milder than recent days, especially not with temperatures 10-13 . especially not with temperatures 10—13. goodbye. goodbye.

this is bbc news. the headlines... rescue efforts continue as over 17,500 people are now known to have been killed following monday's earthquakes in turkey and syria. the world health organization warns that without shelter, water, fuel or electricity, many more people who have survived the quakes but lost their homes could die. translation: we were terrified and left our homes- _ translation: we were terrified and left our homes. our— translation: we were terrified and left our homes. our home _ translation: we were terrified and left our homes. our home fell i translation: we were terrified and left our homes. our home fell into i left our homes. our home fell into ruins so we came here, but the conditions remain difficult. we don't have enough blankets and there are 20 children here. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky takes his plea for fighter jets to european union leaders after his surprise visit to the uk yesterday. translation: ukraine is going to be

a member of the european union. i ukraine is... that is winning. planned strike action by firefighters is postponed after employers make a new pay offer to be considered by union members. the new deputy chairman of the conservative party — lee anderson — clashes with a bbc radio presenter over accusations of dishonesty. have you ever told a lie? well, i've not asked somebody to pretend to be somebody that they are not. have you ever told a lie? i've not asked somebody to pretend... have you ever told a lie? yes or no answer. and we'll her more about a study of killer whales reveals that females make a lifelong sacrifice for their male offspring.

hello, and a warm welcome to bbc news. good to have your company this afternoon. we begin with the ongoing crisis in turkey and parts of syria. over 17,000 people are now known to have died after monday's earthquakes in turkey and syria. it comes as an appeal is launched by the uk's disasters emergency committee to help those affected. two powerful earthquakes — and dozens of aftershocks — hit the region on monday causing thousands of buildings to collapse, trapping people inside. also setting off a debate about things like building standards. when one building collapsed and another didn't. rescuers continue desperate attempts

to find and free survivors. as the time goes on, the fear of people surviving in those conditions... it has been bitterly cold the last couple of nights. the world health organization has warned there could be a "secondary disaster" as survivors of the quakes face freezing temperatures. a political row has broken out in turkey — with the opposition blaming president erdogan for difficulties in the rescue operation. an election is expected three months or less away. the president has led turkey for the last 20 years as prime minister and then president. he is under pressure because of events this week. he had already been under pressure because of the state of the economy. mr erdogan has accepted "shortcomings" but insists the situation is under control. he has attacked the opposition for trying to make political capital, he says, out the crisis. in syria, still hampered by the ongoing devastation caused by the civil war

which destroyed much of the infrastructure of the country, there are only limited operations and limited opportunities to get help through. though this morning, the reuters news agency is reporting that the first aid convoy is en route to northern syria via the southern turkish border. that will hopefully happen in the next few hours. but despite the difficulties, there are some extraordinary stories of hope and joy — as howard johnson reports. these british rescuers are wasting no time. within hours of arriving in antakya, turkey, they've located a 60—year—old woman, salva, buried under the rubble. davy the sniffer dog was the first to confirm she's alive. salva's son—in—law, ali, is overcome with emotion. "if she can get out, if she can survive, if it can really happen, it will be a miracle for us," says ali. salva's been trapped in this collapsed three storey building for three days without food and water.

dusty and dehydrated, she's finally stretchered to safety. london firefighter sarah minmagh spoke to her throughout the rescue. all of those elements that were on top of her, we had to move by hand out of the tunnel so that we could sort of access her and do patient assessment. but, i mean, the fact that she'd been in there for nearly and a half days, was still talking, smiling the minute she saw us. but the work doesn't stop there. the world health organization has warned rescue teams of worsening and horrific conditions. temperatures are dropping in the region, with overnight averages of minus seven degrees celsius expected in gaziantep, the epicentre of the first 7.8—magnitude quake on monday, followed hours later by a 7.5—magnitude tremor. but against the odds miracles continue to happen. in worst—hit hatay, turkey,

a rare moment ofjoy, as a baby is pulled from the rubble after 65 hours alone in the cold. "god is great," the rescuers cry, as the child is carried away in a crucial thermal blanket. more aid is needed, and in generosity proportionate to the magnitude of this disaster. obviously, we're not a war zone, but we've been hit very hard. the scale of destruction is unfathomable. the land that the earthquake has covered isjust mind boggling. ten big cities. we're trying to do our best, but we're about to run out of work gloves. we're about to run out of tents for those people. in syria, a country devastated by a long and gruelling civil war, the earthquakes have compounded people's misery. cold, homeless and displaced.

translation: we have been sleeping here in the truck after our building i was damaged by the earthquake. we cannot go back home as it might collapse in case of aftershocks. we are staying here on the pavement and in the truck, my family and i left on the street. the uk's disasters emergency committee have launched an appeal in a bid to raise funds for medical aid, shelter, food and clean water. 14 charities, these are the largest uk based charities such as oxfam, the red cross and save the children, they are all there working on the ground, distributing food, water, helping people survive. the urgency, of course, is to scale up humanitarian aid assistance, and that is happening as we speak. so we will start to see more people being helped. but we can only do that if we raise as much funds as possible, and that's why we are urging people, please give what you can. the government say they will match the first £5 million worth

of donations from the public. howard johnson, bbc news. as i mentioned earlier, the world health organisation as i mentioned earlier, the world health organization is warning of what it calls a "secondary disaster". we can take a look some pictures shot yesterday in syria. these give an indication potentially of the problems that may lie ahead. this is a makeshift camp for people displaced by the earthquake. it's in idlib in north—west syria. there is every indication of how cold it has been and the winter sunshine will not have done much to raise the temperature is there. the issueis raise the temperature is there. the issue is keeping people warm. the tents and shelter are one way of doing it. food is another. blankets and coats and jumpers, anything else that can be supplied, is a third option. but none of them are definite solutions to this problem of relocating, rehousing people,

which could go on for months and months. sadly, even longer because the existing state of the infrastructure in syria. we are going to talk now to... first we are going to hearfrom we are going to talk now to... first we are going to hear from the world health organization, warning that thousands of people are in a similar position and are living without shelter or basic facilities. the who is concerned they may be in great danger despite surviving the initial earthquake. latte danger despite surviving the initial earthtuake. ~ ., ., danger despite surviving the initial earthquake-— danger despite surviving the initial earthtuake. ., ., ., ., earthquake. we are getting a lot of --eole earthquake. we are getting a lot of people now — earthquake. we are getting a lot of people now with — earthquake. we are getting a lot of people now with infections. - people now with infections. unfortunately a lot of illnesses that i spread as people i grouping up that i spread as people i grouping up together or whatever else, the cleanliness of the facilities are, as you can imagine, very stretched. the appeal, i guess, is clear. we need as much support as possible. we are here, we have been here since the onset of the crisis in syria, so our operations are quite

comprehensive, and it has put us in a unique position where we have been able to come up with the winterisation that is going on because of the sub zero position is that we are working with, we already had existing supplies in place so we have been able to upscale, we need to upscale. all aid agencies are looking to upscale because that will be the priority at such a stage. and to continue the work that is going on. there has been an inquiry into war crimes in the country into democracy since the start of the civil war. we are going to speak to a scholar in brazil. he works as a specialist on human rights. there is a call for a competitive ceasefire to allow aid workers to access more parts of the country still affected by both the earthquakes and the conflict. it is good to speak to you again. i'm sorry it is in such circumstances. we heard this morning, or at least there was a report suggesting that

one small relief operation provided by egypt might be getting through over the next few hours into syria. presumably with the best will in the world, one visit, it will be a drop in the ocean. why is it not possible, given this is a natural disaster which is nothing to do with the conflict, for aid agencies not tojust go straight the conflict, for aid agencies not to just go straight into syria? j tojust go straight into syria? i think the first aspect is that the security council decided to have won only cross over to syria. there is one cross—border, you see obstacles. we are seeing this conflict on the third day of this disaster. i think it is a demonstration to give military aid in countries without a war. in a country in a state of conflict, after 12 years, it

demonstrates very clearly that it is time to overcome all of the political obstacles. why only a convoy? because of the political aspects and ongoing conflict. i think that the earthquake reveals dramatically the need to begin urgently to build a ceasefire that is completely absent of all of the member states at the moment. in terms of the attitude of the syrian authorities, a lot of countries won't deal with the assad regime, they refused to recognise the legitimacy of it because of the civil war and the way that those who initially protested were treated. but is there a danger that i kind of adherence to a position of principle

can actually cause real humanitarian damage? i was talking an hour ago to a man who was one of those protesters, who fled and is now living in new zealand. and he said, look, if they are worried about corruption, worried about the black market, betterto corruption, worried about the black market, better to send in aid, lose half of it because half of it will get through. half of it because half of it will get through-— half of it because half of it will get through. yes. i think it is a moment and — get through. yes. i think it is a moment and i'm _ get through. yes. i think it is a moment and i'm very - get through. yes. i think it is a moment and i'm very happy i get through. yes. i think it is a i moment and i'm very happy that get through. yes. i think it is a - moment and i'm very happy that syria has activated the civil protection mechanism of the european union. 19 countries of the european union have decided to send some support during this crisis. i think that despite the economic sanctions that several countries have imposed, i think that is the moment that, there is an obligation, a duty of countries

giving aid. i obligation, a duty of countries giving aid-— obligation, a duty of countries ttivin aid. ., ., ., ., giving aid. i am going to ask you 'ust to giving aid. i am going to ask you just to pause — giving aid. i am going to ask you just to pause a _ giving aid. i am going to ask you just to pause a moment - giving aid. i am going to ask you just to pause a moment while i giving aid. i am going to ask you| just to pause a moment while we giving aid. i am going to ask you i just to pause a moment while we say goodbye to our viewers on bbc two. let's continue with our audience on the bbc news channel because i think your point is fascinating. is there any way that that pressure could be applied? is it a matterfor the un security council to now say, look, convene a meeting and say, actually, we effectively direct that because of this humanitarian crisis, because of this humanitarian crisis, because of the scale of it, some of those things will not apply for the period of trying to offer humanitarian relief? i of trying to offer humanitarian relief? ~ , ~ relief? i think it is -- i think this tragedy _ relief? i think it is -- i think this tragedy is _ relief? i think it is -- i think this tragedy is a _ relief? i think it is -- i think this tragedy is a window i relief? i think it is -- i think this tragedy is a window of i this tragedy is a window of opportunity because you see the difficulty to give humanitarian assistance. five armies are

operating. this is impossible. that is everything that i heard from the people there in syria. it is very clear that it is the work of genius. if you have another tragedy it will be the same problem. what we can do that the commission tries to invite member states that are present in this war or have influence in this war to begin this war or have influence in this warto begin to this war or have influence in this war to begin to work for a ceasefire. and i think the first step is that to go over the sanctions and bring aid, bring support to the victims of this tragedy. and in your introduction, i heard also that there is probably a second crisis if the survivors are not to receive food, shelters. this

is the point. _ not to receive food, shelters. this is the point, absolutely. the point of the world health organization is making. i will pause you again if you don't mind staying with us just for a moment. you don't mind staying with us just fora moment. iwant you don't mind staying with us just for a moment. i want to bring you some pictures to our viewers at home of the town of hatay, which i think is in turkey. these are live pictures, they give you a sense. look at that building just leaning, almost as if it is a toy building that a kid has knocked over in irritation, leaning at an angle with the front slid off, and it looks like the whole thing could give way at any moment. yet, other buildings are intact. what that points to is something that is happening... we heard it in the last hour that has been happening on social media, a wave of anger and frustration that people thought they were promised a whole process beginning with the earthquake of 1999. so far, more people died in that but let's reserve judgment about whether this

will sadly be a higher death toll. they talked about... i am sorry, i am grabbed by the impact of the immense power of that image. they talked about and earthquake tax. people paid it. it was billions of pounds, billions of dollars, turkish lira. it should have been used to retrofit buildings, to invest in the emergency services and disaster relief for emergencies because turkey, as in syria, as in other parts of that region, sit on fault lines which means earthquakes are a real and present danger. not a yearly one but a regular one. you will know from your part of the world how devastating... i am thinking about the mexican earthquake, for instance, and i'm thinking about how devastating these events can be and how their impact can last for years afterwards. what is your reflection on the challenge that they will face, turkey and

syria, to try to rebuild or at least start restoring some normality to people in the coming months. about people in the coming months. about turke , people in the coming months. about turkey. even — people in the coming months. about turkey. even i— people in the coming months. about turkey, even i praise _ people in the coming months. about turkey, even i praise the _ people in the coming months. .�*5.j�*,f7l,ii turkey, even i praise the solidarity were so many. 3 million refugees in syria can talk about turkey. in syria, what i like to say is that those photos that you are showing, they saw the photos of syria in war. that is what is happening. what happened with the earthquake is what was happening during 11 years in syria. this collapse of buildings, this impossibility of surviving. i think that, of course, the notion of recovery from the disaster of the earthquake. i think the issue of

recovery is something that member states must begin because this war has to fit in a certain way. it is contrary to precisely one of the three places, the north—west of syria where they have the epicentre of the earthquake. i think it is a good moment to begin how we can stop this war and how we could begin creating conditions for the recovery after this terrible earthquake.- this terrible earthquake. paulo pinheiro, chair _ this terrible earthquake. paulo pinheiro, chair of _ this terrible earthquake. paulo pinheiro, chair of the - this terrible earthquake. paulo pinheiro, chair of the un i this terrible earthquake. paulo l pinheiro, chair of the un assyria commission, which has been running now for the whole life of this terrible elevating conflict more than a decade, thank you very much for speaking to us on bbc news. thank you very much. latte

for speaking to us on bbc news. thank you very much.— for speaking to us on bbc news. thank you very much. we are still seeint thank you very much. we are still seeing some _ thank you very much. we are still seeing some pictures, _ thank you very much. we are still seeing some pictures, this - thank you very much. we are still seeing some pictures, this time i thank you very much. we are still i seeing some pictures, this time from turkey, from diyarbakir, on the very eastern edge of the earthquake zone. the zone of immediate impact. there was shock waves beyond that but in terms of the impact that has led to collapsed buildings and so on. i mentioned also the question of building standards. there has been a long—standing concern in turkey that there was corruption at different stages in some of the building projects, that people didn't put up buildings that should have been to the standard they were putting up. our regional editor was telling us an hour ago that people wanted to know on social media why one building was standing at the building was standing at the building directly next to it, with the same impact, had completely collapsed, virtually disintegrated. and that is a question which i think will be a very awkward one for the government, even if it is nothing to do with the current government, it

is bound to come up in the course of the election campaign. interesting that the president said the election campaign could well be his last. in other words, the last time he will put himself up for election and if he wins he will do one more term and if he loses it will be the end of an extraordinary political career. let's talk about the question of the impact of this in terms of its seismological impact, what it tells us about the geology of that part that overlap between europe and asia. let's speak now to ziggy lubkowski, seismic expert at arup — a firm focused on developing sustainable built environment. what are your thoughts when you see the pictures coming out of the last few days from turkey in particular? well, it's really very sad. unfortunately, earthquakes such as

this, and i think back to when i went out to turkey back in 1999 for that earthquake and the indian ocean tsunami and the earthquake and tsunami and the earthquake and tsunami impact, we see this on a recurring basis, unfortunately. and recurring basis, unfortunately. and with this particular part of turkey that has been affected, how vulnerable is it too earthquakes? in other words, vulnerable is it too earthquakes? in otherwords, how vulnerable is it too earthquakes? in other words, how much of the consideration should it be in the construction of any buildings in that part of the country?- construction of any buildings in that part of the country? well, if we look at _ that part of the country? well, if we look at it _ that part of the country? well, if we look at it historically - that part of the country? well, if we look at it historically we i that part of the country? well, if| we look at it historically we know that there have been big earthquakes that there have been big earthquakes that have affected the region. i mean, if we go back to 1138, the city of aleppo, 100 kilometres south in syria, over 200,000 people lost their lives and there have been other events. we know we are sitting directly on a plate boundary. we

have the eastern fault where the earthquake, the two earthquakes have struck and there is junction with the fault that passes through syria, lebanon, and into israel. it is a significant region of seismic activity equivalent to california or japan but that is recognised in the latest seismic design codes in turkey and also the slightly older design codes used in syria. itlral’hat turkey and also the slightly older design codes used in syria. what can be done? two _ design codes used in syria. what can be done? two questions _ design codes used in syria. what can be done? two questions obviously i be done? two questions obviously kind of really simple to me. one is, what do you do to make a building at least more earthquake safe than it might otherwise be? secondly, is it possible to retrofit? t0 might otherwise be? secondly, is it possible to retrofit?— might otherwise be? secondly, is it possible to retrofit? to answer your first question... _ possible to retrofit? to answer your first question... what _ possible to retrofit? to answer your first question... what we _ possible to retrofit? to answer your first question... what we try -

possible to retrofit? to answer your first question... what we try and i possible to retrofit? to answer your first question... what we try and do is ensure that most buildings are what is known as life safe so people can get out. and we do that through ensuring that the building is as ductile or elastic as possible. it can absorb the energy of the earthquake. we may see damage particularly in the beams and the walls. we don't really want to see damage in the columns because that is holding the building up. if that is holding the building up. if that is done correctly in the design stage and correctly in the construction stage and is properly supervised, then we can have buildings that perform well. in terms of retrofit, yes, we can retrofit buildings, but if we think about retrofit, that is very costly and very long process. often what we find, because earthquakes happen on

a geological timescale, so the last big one that occurred in this region was several decades ago so there will be a lot of old buildings which will be a lot of old buildings which will predate the latest codes, the latest thinking. so there is that part of concern. and then there is the concern as to how those buildings are actually designed and built, the newer ones, to get adequate performance. but we know, and we go two may be christchurch in new zealand and the 2011 quake, lots of destruction but actually a relatively minor loss of life. and we see that we get good performance in higher income countries. in low income countries, it is harder to achieve that same level of performance, and there is a myriad of reasons and i really wouldn't want to say it is this or that

reason, but there are engineers who will be going out to gatien tap and syria —— to gaziantep and syria and understand what they can do better in future. it understand what they can do better in future. ., , understand what they can do better in future. ._ ., , in future. it may not be the immediate _ in future. it may not be the immediate thing _ in future. it may not be the immediate thing on - in future. it may not be the l immediate thing on people's in future. it may not be the - immediate thing on people's minds when they see this humanitarian crisis and demands but it is the thing it could prevent people going through this again in another few years. for now, thank you very much, ziggy lubkowski, seismic expert. our middle east correspondent anna foster is in gaziantep — the epicentre of the biggest earthquake to hit the region. she's been telling us more about how the search—and—rescue teams are trying to find people — and to help survivors. this heavy machinery is starting to arrive in number, mainly in the big cities like this one, it has to be said. when you think about the rural villages, the towns which are as badly affected, it is so much harder to get equipment like that there.

but here, you are starting to see these big recovery operations, where they're sweeping away this rubble with big moving machinery, looking for bodies, essentially, is what they are doing. whenever you see a scene like this one, and you see the diggers and earth movers, that means they don't believe anybody is alive in that building any more. it is a very different operation when they think there are survivors. it's more careful, a lot quieter, more painstaking. because of the conditions here, because of the cold that after three days, anybody still alive in these collapsed buildings, their chances are far slimmer, purely because of the conditions that they are surviving in. i saw them first hand visiting the epicentre. if you look at these buildings and think of how many people are displaced, the numbers are in the tens of thousands. at the moment

people are on the streets and they gather around fires to try to keep one. there are some buildings, for example petrol stations, shops and lobbies of hotels that might still be open, where you see people wrapped in blankets and duvets where they need a little bit of shelter. there are some people now intense, where some of the emergency response has got through, but the problem is long term and those buildings because some of them, you can see that they are clearly structurally on table —— unstable. they might be sagging, filled with huge cracks. some of them equally will look perfectly fine from the outside but they all need to be checked, looked at, to make sure they are safe, and then you need to have a long—term plan of what to do with all of those people who are now left homeless in these really, really difficult and dangerous conditions. that is anna foster reporting from the height of the earthquake zone in

gaziantep. let me bring you an update was that we are hearing good news for industrial action at the moment. we have a suspension first of all of the fire brigade union action which i think i'm right in saying would have applied in england, wales and northern ireland while they consider a revised offer from the employers. we now have news from the employers. we now have news from the employers. we now have news from the national education union that a planned strike by teachers in wales, which would have taken place on valentine's day, five days' time, has been postponed after a fresh pay for. that has come on in the last few minutes from the national education union. the strike in wales, which if you have children at school in wales, you probably have ringed on your diary for something other than your romantic celebration with your other half. that strike is now off. does not mean it won't be at a later date, but they are considering a new pay offer and will then decide whether or not they make a recommendation to accept. it is under and they will presumably

decide whether or not it is worth putting it out to the membership for a final decision. but the strike in wales in february the 14th has been postponed because of a new pay offer. the new pay offer has also led to the postponement of industrial action by the fire brigade union for england, wales and northern ireland. more news at half past. first the weather. hello. it was quite a chilly start to the day, a touch of frost around for some of us. things will gradually turn a little bit milder over the next couple of days — and a lot of dry weather on the cards, too. we have got some blustery showers feeding in across the north west of scotland today, a little bit wintry over the higher ground, but they're tending to ease away. still some icy stretches, though, possible around here. furthersouth, most places looking dry. this morning's cloud clearing to the south and this afternoon we'll see temperatures, most of us, about 9—10 degrees, butjust a little colder across the north of scotland where we've got the wind blowing as well. into this evening and tonight, then, we've got more cloud filtering in across parts of scotland, northern ireland

and northern england. some outbreaks of drizzly rain around here. further south, though, we will keep the clear skies, so again, a touch of frost, could be minus 3, minus 4 degrees in the countryside first thing. so through the day tomorrow, then, blustery again in the north with some rain for the north—west of scotland. best of the sunshine for central and eastern parts of england, i think, through the day. but it will be milder than recent days, especially in the north, with temperatures about 9—13 degrees. bye— bye. hello, this is bbc news

with the headlines. recue efforts continue as over 17,500 people are now known to have been killed following monday's earthquakes in turkey and syria. the world health organization warns that without shelter, water, fuel or electricity, many more people who have survived the quakes but lost their homes could die. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky takes his plea for fighter jets to european union leaders after his surprise visit to the uk yesterday. planned strike action by firefighters is postponed after employers make a new pay offer to be considered by union members.

and we'll hear more about a study of killer whales reveals that mothers make a lifelong sacrifice for their sons. the ukrainian president is in brussels this afternoon. he told the european parliament that his country is fighting to protect the european way of life as well as its own. he says russia wants to destroy the western way. he received several standing ovations from meps, this is his first visit to brussels, only his first visit to brussels, only his first visit outside the country since the invasion. he accused russia of wanting to return old the world to the inhumanity of the 1930s

and 40s, talking to audiences of countries that were occupied by the nazi regime. he said we are defending ourselves injune. he will be making an appeal to allies to supply more and powerful weapons and fighterjets. translation: the russian regime not only hates any of social— justice and diversity — they invest in xenophobia and are trying to make it part of normality on our continent. and trying to make the inhumane realities of the '30s and the '40s of the 20th century a reality today.

but the answer to that, for us, is no. no, europe. we are defending from the most anti—european force of the modern world. we are defending ourselves. we ukrainians are on the battlefield together with you. and i thank you that we are defending it together, and we must defend ourselves and it's important not only for the states of europe, not only for the communities and societies in europe, no matter who we are and what we are. we always fight against disrespect and neglect. wherever we live, we always put ourfaith in integrity for whatever we dream for our children and grandchildren, and the precondition for these dreams is peace and security. let us talk to a german member of the european parliament. gabrielle,

it is very good to speak to you on bbc news this afternoon. what did you make of the speech and in particular what is the resonance for years a german politician of the analogy that president zelensky was drawing with the situation now and with situation that existed in europe in the 1930s in the run—up to the second world war? goad the second world war? good afternoon- — the second world war? good afternoon. it _ the second world war? good afternoon. it was _ the second world war? good afternoon. it was really i the second world war? good afternoon. it was really a i the second world war? good i afternoon. it was really a historic moment today with the visit of president zelensky in the european parliament and the house of european democracy. he emphasised rightly the joint european history we have and i think the main message from his speech also is we are part of europe and we want to be part of the european union. we share the same values, we defend the same values and recount on you a further force

apart for the processing of becoming apart for the processing of becoming a member. that was very clear and outspoken. in a parliament that always supported the ukraine here. so i perceived it as a european citizen very much and that we might also be entering a new phase here where we talk a lot more about rebuilding when the war is over and the next steps afterwards. it is lovel to the next steps afterwards. it is lovely to think _ the next steps afterwards. it is lovely to think of _ the next steps afterwards. it is lovely to think of when the war is over but it does not look like any time soon, his message seemed to be your all saying as european leaders your all saying as european leaders you are on our side, you are supporting us but what you're saying and delivering, there is a mismatch. if you really want us to win and be secure in our borders as an

independent nation, a viable nation, not bullied into submission, you have to your words with your actions. he seems to think there is actions. he seems to think there is a shortfall, do you think there is a shortfall? latte a shortfall, do you think there is a shortfall? ~ .., , a shortfall, do you think there is a shortfall? ~ .. , ., shortfall? we can see that indeed the words and _ shortfall? we can see that indeed the words and actions _ shortfall? we can see that indeed the words and actions are - shortfall? we can see that indeed the words and actions are not the | the words and actions are not the same and it is very important to have signals and supportive words but what counts is what is delivered. this is also the point of view that we have in germany where we say we are not only talking but are delivering on that will be important that this is on the same line here. but i think also president zelensky was also grateful for the support that he received from europe and that is also a

tremendous support, as much as it is also from my country. for tremendous support, as much as it is also from my country.— also from my country. for the chancellor, _ also from my country. for the chancellor, i— also from my country. for the chancellor, i think— also from my country. for the chancellor, ithink i _ also from my country. for the chancellor, i think i am i also from my country. for the chancellor, i thinki am right, \ also from my country. for the - chancellor, ithinki am right, are chancellor, i think i am right, are you from the chancel�*s party? yes, yes. ijust want you from the chancel�*s party? yes, yes. i just want to make sure. you from the chancel�*s party? yes, yes. ijust want to make sure. —— chancellor's party. 50 you are part of the coalition, chancellor schultz has come under some criticism, there has come under some criticism, there has been an announcement at british challenger tanks are being sent was a push to help chancellor schultz to make the announcement. what is the dilemma for your chancellor, what has made him reluctant to go yes, immediately, what is his holding him back, is a history of conflict or a more prosaic?— back, is a history of conflict or a more prosaic? no. i think he is a different character, _ more prosaic? no. i think he is a different character, he _ more prosaic? no. i think he is a different character, he is - more prosaic? no. i think he is a different character, he is not - more prosaic? no. i think he is a different character, he is not big | different character, he is not big on words but begin delivering and

not proclaiming something where he can be sure that he can deliver. you can be sure that he can deliver. you can take him on his word and that is his message sol can take him on his word and that is his message so i do not see a dilemma. but i see that everyone that made big announcements also have to deliver here.— have to deliver here. gabrielle, an mep who is _ have to deliver here. gabrielle, an mep who is chairman _ have to deliver here. gabrielle, an mep who is chairman of _ have to deliver here. gabrielle, an mep who is chairman of that - mep who is chairman of that important committee in the european parliament, i should say vice president of the socialist democrat group in brussels, thank you very much, lovely to talk to you. thank ou. the government risks undermining plans to ban 'no fault�* tenant evictions, unless if fixes a backlog of cases in the court system, a report out today warns.the cross—party levelling up, hosing and communities committee says that the proposals could be "too easily exploited by bad landlords and become a backdoor to no—fault evictions". joining me now is charlie trew, head of policy at the housing and homelessness

charity, shelter. as if we needed to provide, be reminded of the challenges that the housing sector is facing, we have an announcement of a significant rise in homelessness on the streets in london. the mayor said it is caused by the cost of living crisis. this challenge of how people meet the rent, and whether their landlord might feel because of their pressure to pay their bills they might need to pay their bills they might need to get a tenant out and get somebody who will pay more insight, it is really acute in the sector at the moment? it really acute in the sector at the moment? , ., ., ., really acute in the sector at the moment? ., ., , moment? it is a ma'or problem right now. struggling — moment? it is a ma'or problem right now. struggling to _ moment? it is a major problem right now. struggling to pay _ moment? it is a major problem right now. struggling to pay rent, - moment? it is a major problem right now. struggling to pay rent, people| now. struggling to pay rent, people are finding they cannot find somewhere to move on. rents have shot up and are at their highest ever. there has also been our ia3%

increase in the number of repossessions using section 21, that is no fault eviction. so we are seeing a number of people being evicted and taken out of their homes going up and everyday we hear about desperate families on helpline. we want these no fault eviction is kicked out. but this means they can be kicked out for daring to complain about poor conditions and because the landlord wants to cash in on rising rents which means many people are struggling and finding it very hard to find somewhere and going on that will increase homelessness. the government said it wanted to get rid of section 21 orders, which are in effect no fault breaks in the tenancy which a landlord can impose. the committee understands why but it

is worried unintended consequences, especially in the student sector, what do you make of it? the government _ what do you make of it? the government has _ what do you make of it? ire government has promised multiple times to ban no fault eviction is and they have promised to deliver rental reform which is meant to help people by making sure they cannot be evicted for no reason. they have to go to court to say why they want to evict someone. the tenant might be behind rent or buy because they need to sell the property. what the committee is concerned about is if the government waters down the reasons why you have to give a reasons why you have to give a reason for evicting someone and basically create a method of evicting someone by other means, you could see the section 21 by other means and you could see people being evicted for no reason even though they have claimed to cite reasons.

it is critical that these white paper reforms are committed to fully and there is a national register so tenants know who their landlord is, whether the property is up to speed with its gas safety register. we are seeing tenants complaining about damp or mould or unsafe conditions in their homes and then being evicted with these section 21 notices in revenge evictions. 16% of renters have no savings whatsoever, suddenly being kicked out because a landlord sees an opportunity to cash in. these are creating massive problems for people and it will increase homelessness unless we introduce proper renter reform to make sure the sector is regulated. there is also this question for landlords, we desperately need more people to offer rental properties

and things like changes in these kind of rules might be a disincentive because there can be a legitimate reason for somebody getting a tenant out, you could be suddenly hit by massive care bills or you need to sell property to come up or you need to sell property to come up with money to do it and you cannot do it with a sitting tenant, there can be legitimate reasons, can't they?— there can be legitimate reasons, can'tthe ? , , . there can be legitimate reasons, can'tthe? , , . , can't they? yes, absolutely which is wh the can't they? yes, absolutely which is why the white _ can't they? yes, absolutely which is why the white paper _ can't they? yes, absolutely which is why the white paper and _ can't they? yes, absolutely which is why the white paper and reformed l why the white paper and reformed puts out these reasons and allows landlords to evict people for these reasons such as they need to sell property if there is a family incident or the tenant is behind on their rent. so these rules will not change that at all, landlords can still effect but they just change that at all, landlords can still effect but theyjust have to give it a reason. we need to realise why we're here and this is the result of a failure to build genuinely affordable social were

rental is tied to income. that is why people are stuck renting in private homes that are increasingly of worse quality, they have no security and can be evicted with no reason. if people cannot build a firm foundation in their lives, people cannot move on in their school, they might have to change schools, and also people feel too scared to complain when there is a problem in their home which is threatening their life because they could be evicted for no reason. it also means they can challenge a rent increase. when people get evicted, we see there are finding it harder and harder to find somewhere. we need to introduce a register of reform bill to protect renters. we need to raise housing benefits to help people pay rents right now because people are struggling and we need to get on with building a new generation of good quality social

housing so we do not have the situation where renters cannot afford a safe and secure home. charlie true, thank you very much for being with us on bbc news. darren edwards from shropshire has become the first person in a wheelchair to complete the world marathon challenge. mr edwards, a former army reservist, kicked off the challenge in antarctica on 31 january and completed seven marathons on seven continents in a week. he has raised £50,000 during the challenge. darrenjoins us, how are you feeling? aha, challenge. darren 'oins us, how are you feeling?— you feeling? a little bit tired. it hit me on _ you feeling? a little bit tired. it hit me on the _ you feeling? a little bit tired. it hit me on the flight _ you feeling? a little bit tired. it hit me on the flight home - you feeling? a little bit tired. it hit me on the flight home last l you feeling? a little bit tired. it - hit me on the flight home last night and this morning how fatigued i actually was. until then, you are still on the go and you're trying to

do everything in quick succession in that week that you just pull yourself through it. once you stop and get back into a proper bed for a good night's sleep, you wake up the next morning and realising how tired you are. and sol next morning and realising how tired you are. and so i should imagine? yes, and sore, sore arms and shoulders, they are hurting today. how did the wheelchair stand up to it, you must put quite a lot of pressure on your equipment as well as your body?— as your body? yes, with antarctica beinu the as your body? yes, with antarctica being the first _ as your body? yes, with antarctica being the first marathon _ as your body? yes, with antarctica being the first marathon of- as your body? yes, with antarctica being the first marathon of the - being the first marathon of the seven, the toughest first and there were so many unknowns about the surface whether it would be compact snow, how cold it would be. we looked at options to make it as foolproof as possible so i had an off road custom—built for me which would stand up to the tests of antarctica in terms of all those

variables you cannot control. then i use that same piece of equipment for the remaining six so it was a little bit overkill for the six marathons. it looked like it could conquer the world and it did i guess but it was perfect for antarctica because if i turned up in what i sit on day to day i would have got one foot along the way and be in stock and done .2 rather than 22 miles. it is the way and be in stock and done .2 rather than 22 miles.— rather than 22 miles. it is a fantastic — rather than 22 miles. it is a fantastic achievement - rather than 22 miles. it is a fantastic achievement and l rather than 22 miles. it is a fantastic achievement and i rather than 22 miles. it is a - fantastic achievement and i hope you are right and proud of it and i hope you will be celebrating, you have earned it. it is fantastic you raise the money, how do you hope it will be used? ., ., , the money, how do you hope it will be used? ., j~:: :: :: :: be used? the target was 80,000 -ounds be used? the target was 80,000 pounds and _ be used? the target was 80,000 pounds and hopefully _ be used? the target was 80,000 pounds and hopefully we - be used? the target was 80,000 pounds and hopefully we can - be used? the target was 80,000 pounds and hopefully we can still| pounds and hopefully we can still make headway towards that because that will be for injured veterans learning to ski with a para— sports team. it was not a random figure.

that is the cost of teaching 50 newly injured service men and women to ski because for me, i had a climbing accident six years ago which change my left —— life and left me with a spinal injury, paralysed from the chest down. the charity got in touch two years after that same do you want to fly out to norway and learn to ski in a different way? and i did. it was the first time post injury i was back in the mountains on snow and not stock for the first time and i realised how important it was to try and reconnect with the first time. and connect with nature regardless of disability. —— and not stuck for the first time. so i realise how important it will be in the first 12 months post injury, i was always really keen to find a way to give back and who knew it but doing seven marathons in seven days on seven

continents was the way to do that. it made the task a bit easier because even in the tough moments when it was —20 in antarctica or in the heat and humidity of brazil, it was the reason why. it mitigated any temptations to give up even in those tough moments. iuruie temptations to give up even in those tough moments-— tough moments. we are so glad you did it as we — tough moments. we are so glad you did it as we are _ tough moments. we are so glad you did it as we are sure _ tough moments. we are so glad you did it as we are sure you _ tough moments. we are so glad you did it as we are sure you are, - did it as we are sure you are, everyone who knows and loves you must be hugely proud of what you have done. congratulations from us. you mentioned brazil and antarctica, south africa, spain and elsewhere. i hope you get that target, if anyone deserves that you do. thank you for joining us.

it's that time of year when many families go to farm parks to see the new lambs — but one ewe in lincolnshire has baffled her visitors. she's given birth to triplets, who are all separate breeds — none of which are the same as their mum's. linsey smith went along to find out more. the arrival of lambs is nothing new. but staff here got a surprise when one ewe gave birth. we had a set of triplets born that we were expecting dorsets. however, the first one popped out, was brown and white. dorsets aren't brown. so we had a bit of a head scratcher to figure out how on earth that could happen. last summer we had some fencing work done, and for less than two days we put the rams in with the ewes just so they were out the way of the fencer. and obviously, she took full advantage of them.

or, he did. oh, he did, yes! the second two were also not white, and they came from our other ram. we have a herdwick out in the field with his flock of ewes, he was in there as well, and he is the dad to two of them. it was a bit of a surprise, yes! yes, you heard that right. her triplets not only have different dads, but they're different breeds — and different breeds to her. oh, wow! that's. . .joyous, isn't it? i would like that to happen. i think that's really fascinating, i've never heard of that before. not a bad surprise. very colourful. but how unusual is this? molly is a veterinary surgeon. rarely do you see it looking quite as dramatic as that, because most farms will use the same breed of ram and therefore all their lambs will look similar. but actually the research shows that about 30% of twins and about 50% of triplets are sired from more than one dad.

molly said their crossbreed genes will make them stronger. for nathan and the team, the only stronger thing they're planning is some reinforced fencing. linsey smith, bbc news. just some breaking news from the church of england synod, it has backed the proposal to bless same—sex couples, effectively enforcing the compromise that had been agreed. a decades—long study of killer whales off the north pacific coast has revealed that raising sons is an exhausting experience for their mums — with the research suggesting they are a lifelong burden — as our science correspondent victoria gill has been finding out. the closest of bonds. in killer whale family life, offsprings stay

by their mother's side for years. but sons are particularly dependent on mum, remaining with her well into adulthood. mothers even feed their much larger adult sons fish. really interesting just how important that bond is. we visited this area of the north pacific coast with these researchers five years ago and discovered what decades of studying the killer whales here had revealed. following generations of orcas showed the scientist how vital older killer whale mothers and grandmothers are to their pod, but this new research has shown that close family bonds come at a cost to females. mothers supports their adult sons throughout their life, the support they provide carries a significant cost, they are less likely to have future calves after they have had a son, so put another way, when mothers have a son, they are more likely to stop reproduction. the scientists think that mothers invest so much energy in their male

offspring because the biggest, oldest males tend to father most of the new calves in a killer whale group. but as well as an insight into the complex close—knit lives of these intelligent marine mammals, the findings could help to protect them. this population, the southern residents, is at risk of extinction from pollution and overfishing of the salmon they rely on. understanding how much it costs to care for the next generation of orcas is an insight into what these magnificent mammals need in order to survive. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello. it was another fairly chilly start to the day for some of us, a touch of frost around, but things will gradually turn milder through the next few days and into the weekend too. sunny spells for most of us today, but we've got some blustery wintry showers in the north—west, particularly for western scotland. you can see the proximity of the ice bars here blowing in those showers. meanwhile, further south,

high pressure is building behind that front that just brought a bit more cloud and drizzle through the morning, but that's clearing away from the south coast through into the afternoon. so sunny spells across much of the uk, then, but we've still got that feed of showers coming in across the north and north—west of scotland, where it's going to be windy, up to about 60mph gusts of wind, but much lighter winds further south. top temperatures today, somewhere between about seven to 11 degrees north to south for most of us, but up towards lerwick, just four celsius there, so we're still in that cold air. so through this evening and tonight, then, what we'll see is more cloud toppling its way in from the north, so bringing slightly milder conditions for scotland, northern ireland, northern england as well, with some outbreaks of rain in the north—west here, whereas further south where we keep those clear skies again, we're going to see a touch of frost, could be as low as about minus four or minus five in the countryside first thing tomorrow, perhaps the odd misty patch around. but high pressure anchored to the south of the uk, we have got a weather frontjust moving in towards the north, but it's also bringing with it some milder air, so you can see the yellow colors

returning to the map on friday, just moving their way north to south, that milder air. so cold start, yes, in the south, but there will be some sunshine on friday. further north, more cloud from the word go and some rain across the west of scotland. through the day, then, best of any sunshine probably for parts of eastern scotland and eastern england too. we could see temperatures here up to about 13 for aberdeen, for instance, but generallyjust struggling to get out of single figures further south. that milder air stays with us into the weekend as well. we've got high pressure in charge, but there is quite a lot of cloud reallyjust trapped underneath this area of high pressures, so although it's looking dry and settled, not too much sunshine around, a few breaks in the cloud, perhaps eastern england and eastern scotland seeing the best of them, but generally a fair amount of cloud just drifting around under that high pressure. but look at those temperatures, 12 or 13 degrees. so certainly a little bit warmer than it has been. and a similar day on sunday, still high pressure in charge, so largely dry and settled across the uk. lighter winds than we've seen of late in the north. temperatures perhaps not quite as warm, around about 9—12 degrees. bye for now.

today at one, british charities launch an appeal for those hit by the turkey and syria earthquakes with the number of dead now exceeding 17,000. in the desperate attempts to rescue victims, moments of exhilaration fuel the hope that survivors can still be found. there are some babies. i have two nephews here, and i'm not sure if they are living or not. but there is still some hope, because their house, their room is not totally collapsed. we'll have all the latest from our correspondents on the ground. also this lunchtime: ukraine's president zelensky meets eu leaders, telling them russia is the most anti—european force in the world. significant improvements in some nhs ambulance waiting times in england

in the run—up to christmas — they fall by an hour.