this is bbc news. i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines... rescue operations continue into the night in turkey and syria, as the death toll from monday's earthquakes passes 22,000. we'll earthquakes passes 22,000. have a special report quentin we'll have a special report from quentin sommerville from turkey. in the second in the third day after the second in the third day after the earthquake, they're finding a lot of people. hardly finding anyone, almost no one. this is moving from the rescue phase to recovery phase. the partner of former newcastle united footballer christian atsu tells us she's anxiously waiting for news as it's confirmed he's still missing in hatay. the rescuers are trying their best,

hard—working, day in, day out, to rescue everybody. i just feel for everybody who, like me and my children, has been in the unknown, not knowing if their family is alive or not. here, the ministry of defence sends vital aid to turkey on an raf transport plane, including much—needed medical equipment. will speak to andrew mitchell, the minister responsible for britain's aid effort shortly. the rmt rail union rejects the latest offer from national rail and train operating companies in the ongoing dispute about pay, jobs, and conditions. the uk economy at a standstill — new figures show even though we narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, there was no growth at all in the final three months of the year. two weeks since nicola bulley disappeared whilst walking her dog in lancashire, now the police are extending their search downstream.

hello, good afternoon. fears are growing for the hundreds of thousands of people in turkey and syria in need after monday's devastating earthquake. living in makeshift shelters in cars and freezing conditions, there are warnings that aid is not reaching areas fast enough. more than 22,000 people are now known to have died. syrian state media has confirmed its approved aid to rebel held areas with the help of the international red cross. meanwhile searchers are still searching the rubble for survivors with people still being brought out nearly 100 hours after

the quakes, but hopes are fading. quentin sommerville has been to a city which has seen some of the worst devastation. he spent time with rescue teams who have been working around the clock, but who now fear that time is running out to find people under the rubble. you will claim where others don't dare, deep inside the ruins of this shattered city. anything to save a life. it's been hours since anyone was found here. and still they worked late into the night. i have to be very quiet because they'll be listening to see if there's anybody alive in the buildings. they're taking huge risks, going into dangerous bases here. we are into

day five here in the realise there's almost no time left. an amateur mountaineer and professional writer, this man has taken command here. someone or something is moving inside the building, but they can't reach them. they've tried going from the front, no success. now they're going round the back of the building to see if they can find any sign of life. the floors are sandwiched tight, it's tight, but they found a way inside. 0thers tight, it's tight, but they found a way inside. others have rallied to his side, they've already saved dozens of people. 50 his side, they've already saved dozens of people.— his side, they've already saved dozens of people. so much risk, so much risk- — dozens of people. so much risk, so much risk. but— dozens of people. so much risk, so much risk. but so _ dozens of people. so much risk, so much risk. but so many— dozens of people. so much risk, so much risk. but so many people... i much risk. but so many people... when you hear... we won't stop here. how do you feel about what's

happened to your country? armageddon. armageddon. the bitter li . ht of armageddon. armageddon. the bitter light of morning _ armageddon. armageddon. the bitter light of morning lays _ armageddon. armageddon. the bitter light of morning lays bare _ armageddon. armageddon. the bitter light of morning lays bare the - light of morning lays bare the earthquake's ruin. the city is destroyed. down in amongst it, they are still working. in the past few days, he's only managed a few hours sleep. he thought there was someone still live here, a relative said they could hear something. there was no one. but there is the overpowering smell of dead bodies. in the second and third day after the earthquake, they're finding a lot of people. hardly finding anyone now, almost no one. this is moving from the rescue phase to a recovery

phase. it's very unlikely that they'll find more survivors. —— in this location. we left you 5—6 hours ago — did you find anyone else last night? ago - did you find anyone else last niuht? ., night? no. - translation: we night? n°- _ translation: we couldn't night? no. translation: we couldn't find an one, translation: we couldn't find anyone. only — translation: we couldn't find anyone. only a _ translation: we couldn't find anyone, only a dog. _ translation: we couldn't find anyone, only a dog. it's - translation: we couldn't find anyone, only a dog. it's owner. translation: we couldn't find i anyone, only a dog. it's owner was dead. 50 anyone, only a dog. it's owner was dead, ., anyone, only a dog. it's owner was dead. ., ., ,, , anyone, only a dog. it's owner was dead. ., ., , , , ., dead. so what happens now? translation: _ dead. so what happens now? translation: |_ dead. so what happens now? translation: idon't- dead. so what happens now? translation: | don't know. | dead. so what happens now? - translation: i don't know. these families are — translation: i don't know. these families are sensitive, _ translation: i don't know. these families are sensitive, they - translation: i don't know. these families are sensitive, they insist l families are sensitive, they insist people are still live under the rubble, so we keep trying to work in places where we don't find any corpses. he places where we don't find any corses. ., ., ., , ., �*, corpses. he found two of this man's children, corpses. he found two of this man's children. and _ corpses. he found two of this man's children, and even _ corpses. he found two of this man's children, and even though - corpses. he found two of this man's children, and even though it's - corpses. he found two of this man's children, and even though it's been| children, and even though it's been many days, he can't believe his wife and other child aren't still alive. the building isjust across

and other child aren't still alive. the building is just across the street, but his wife and child can't be reached even by the team. translation:— be reached even by the team. translation: i've been tearing m self translation: i've been tearing myself apart _ translation: i've been tearing myself apart for _ translation: i've been tearing myself apart for these _ translation: i've been tearing myself apart for these two - translation: i've been tearing - myself apart for these two children, going _ myself apart for these two children, going places no one else would go. he saved _ going places no one else would go. he saved my two children.- he saved my two children. tonight the search goes _ he saved my two children. tonight the search goes on, _ he saved my two children. tonight the search goes on, and _ he saved my two children. tonight the search goes on, and still- the search goes on, and still shining a light into the dark it —— darkness. quentin sommerville, bbc news. we just wejust had we just had the strong footage and of a man being rescued from a collapsed building, after 108 hours under the rubble in turkey. rescuers worked for eight hours trying to get him out. there you can see him being brought out. jubilation clearly from the workers who have tried so hard

and have succeeded in getting him out after 108 hours. there was a woman who was also pulled out alive. many days since the earthquake has happened, still moments of miraculous rescue. syria's president, bashar al—assad, made his first reported trip to affected areas since the earthquakes syrian state media has showed pictures of him in aleppo — meeting those involved in the rescue effort. president assad and his wife, asma, also visited survivors at their bedsides in hospital in the city. translation: they say that the west gave the priority to put politics - over the humanitarian situation, but this is not true. to give priority to something over another, both situations must exist. as such, the political situation exists, but the humanitarian is non—existent for the west.

the politicisation of the situation is a normal thing, but the human feeling does not exist. even now, nor in the past. for 600 years, the western occupation is based on the killing and looting of people. the bbc�*s assaf abboud is the first international journalist to report from aleppo, the historic syrian city that has suffered huge losses in the earthquake. the bbc team is travelling with the syrian government's permission in the region, and sent this report. translation: we are now. in a neighbourhood damaged by the earthquake. aleppo is the closest city to the epicentre of the earthquake. until now, around 400 people have died in the city of aleppo. hundreds of injured remain under rubble. in this area, rescue efforts are being supported by government

forces in the search for the injured. they are also working on demolishing damaged buildings, out of fear they might collapse at a later stage. around 60 buildings have collapsed, but there around 60 buildings have collapsed, but there are around 400 others that are so damaged and at risk are so damaged and at risk of collapse at any moment. reports say that some 55,000 people have lost their homes, and they are now spread across different shelters in the city. the death toll has surpassed 4,000 people in both government and rebel—held areas, and over 7,000 people are injured or unaccounted for. that's the first international journalist to a report from aleppo, in syria. the partner of the former newcastle united footballer, christian atsu, has spoken of her worry as she waits for news about him. he now plays for the turkish side

hatayspor, and is thought to have been in his home at the time of the quake. claire rupio spoke to us earlier. all i know is that currently his agent is in turkey, and he's trying to get to the place where it happened. all i know is that currently his agent is in turkey, and he's trying to get to the place where it happened. they know where the building is, and they are trying their best to rescue everybody. they know that there are still people under the rubble, but the problem is that they don't have the equipment necessary to get them out. so, he is still missing. we don't know where he is. that is just an unimaginable feeling for you to have to wake up with everyday and live with at the moment. yes. especially for my children as well. it was quite shocking, as you can imagine, if the club is confirming saying that he has

been found and alive and taken to hospital, and 11 hours later my children had to hear it from the radio saying that they still don't know where he is. so, i know that his agent is there, and they are trying their best to find him, so i trust that he will bring me the news that i can trust, that, you know, if he sees or speaks i would just appeal for the hatayspor club and the turkish authorities and british government to send out the equipment to get the people out that are still trapped in the rubble, especially for my partner and the father of my children as well. they need the equipment to get them out, they can't get there deep without the equipment, and the time is running, so... the international aid effort is growing as the scale of the disaster becomes clear. dedicated relief flights from the uk began last night — and one took off from raf brize norton in 0xfordshire this morning. emergency equipment, including a field hospital,

thousands of tents, blankets and hygiene kits are among the resources being sent. the disasters emergency committee launched its official appeal yesterday, and has so far raised more than 30 million pounds. many more communities and charities are providing what help they can too. 0ur midlands correspondent phil mackie has been to visit a charity gathering aid in birmingham. the islamic relief warehouse in birmingham is piled high with clothes and toys. it will eventually be sent to the places it's needed, but it's not what's most urgently required. we've lost communication with many team members in the first few hours... this man hasjust got a voice note update sent by his team in turkey. within our team we have 12 team members who have lost direct family members. many of them lost many direct family members. some have been recovered from the rubble, some are not recovered yet. it's hard to listen to. they have 130 permanent staff in turkey and syria, and are part of the dec appeal.

we need money, we need donations in order to get the equipment and resources they need, the emergency kits, the food, the blankets, things we have mentioned, in order to get them to, you know, some sort of normality. smaller charities have been sending material out too, but have to wait for available space on passengerflights. this is part of the first consignment of humanitarian aid going from birmingham airport out to turkey. there are three of these big pallets filled with lots of things — baby powder and women's sanitary products, blankets, medicalaid. they're heading off in a regular, scheduled flight — two go from birmingham to istanbul every day — and there will be more of these going out over the next couple of days. they will be collected in istanbul by red crescent and then distributed to the earthquake—hit areas. how old are you? are you on your own? atiq—ur rahman owns an indian takeaway in stoke—on—trent.

he was with another birmingham—based charity in syria when the earthquake struck. so, listen, go to your right, three steps. he and his team spent the first few days helping rescue people from the rubble. now, they're trying to help with a coordinated relief effort. he's back home briefly but will return at the weekend. i know there is a lot of people sending containers and things like that. when we have donations, those donations, when we buy things in bulk... so for example, if you were to buy a blanket from the shops, it might cost you £15 — but if we were to buy 10,000 blankets, they now cost £4—5, do you know what i mean? the first uk relief flight arrived in turkey this morning. parents standing outside their homes, knowing that their children are dead underneath the rubble... back in birmingham at friday prayers, many of those donating have families who have been directly affected. phil mackie, bbc news, birmingham.

earlier we spoke to david miliband, ceo of international rescue committee, and asked him about the scale of challenges as his team operates on the ground — amidst criticism of lack of effort for relief in syria. i think it's really important that we understand what the threat is now. what's called a secondary disaster is now imminent. the first disaster is now imminent. the first disaster was obvious leave the earthquake. the secondary disaster is the failure to treat the wounded and the threat to the health of the living who have survived the earthquake. people have very little infrastructure, so the actual plan needs to start with real basics. 0ne, expand the basic crossing. two, reopen the closed crossing that goes further east, down into aleppo —

that's actually a government held part of syria — but this should be done for humanitarian reasons, not political reasons. third, make sure we scale up both the cash support for people in syria, because there is a marketing area there, commercial crossings are open and people can buy things — but obviously there's a desperate need to scale up the convoys of medical supplies, hygiene supplies, some of the specially designed and quickfix shelters that you mentioned in your introduction that are being delivered to turkey. 0ne tense there were in formal settlements before the earthquake struck. so we have a massive gap between scale and need in syria, and basic conditions are not being met for a full—fledged humanitarian response.

i'm joined now by 0kke bouwman who is the syria response media director for save the children. thanks so much forjoining us. we are now seeing pictures of president assad visiting areas in north syria and one of ourjournalists reporting from aleppo about the conditions there. what is your understanding of conditions on the ground in syria? well, from reports we are getting from partner organisations that we work with in northwest syria, the situation is truly dire. in the first instance, because of the impact of this earthquake, but also because it's an area that's been in conflict for the last 12 years and already had 4 million people that needed humanitarian assistance before this earthquake struck. i think on top of that now, what we

are hearing is that the markets, the stocks are getting depleted in those areas — just today, we heard from partner organisations that were trying to procure tents and blankets, those are... very hard to come by. and i think there are some supply issues because turkey is scaling up their humanitarian effort. we also know in the middle of the winter, with lots of people out in the streets, children and theirfamilies in out in the streets, children and their families in temporary shelters huddled around the fires, we urgently need to find ways to support them. urgently need to find ways to sopport them-— urgently need to find ways to su--ort them. ., , , , support them. your line is slightly unstable, support them. your line is slightly unstable. but _ support them. your line is slightly unstable, but we _ support them. your line is slightly unstable, but we will— support them. your line is slightly unstable, but we will bear - support them. your line is slightly unstable, but we will bear with . support them. your line is slightly | unstable, but we will bear with you because we can hear you a little better now. there has been strong criticism, you'll be aware, from the white helmets, the civil defence group operating and working in the opposition held areas of northern

syria — they've criticised the united nations to they say have been too slow to act, in fear of angering some of the countries operating in the area. what do you say about that, has the united nations been to slow —— too slow? the that, has the united nations been to slow -- too slow?— slow -- too slow? the scale of this uts slow -- too slow? the scale of this puts enormous _ slow -- too slow? the scale of this puts enormous challenges - slow -- too slow? the scale of this puts enormous challenges in - slow -- too slow? the scale of this puts enormous challenges in front | slow -- too slow? the scale of this i puts enormous challenges in front of us. ina in a collapsed house and we couldn't get to them for lack of specialised equipment, acquit and we are seeing quite fortunately widely available here in turkey, where i am right now. but we are hearing in northwest syria, it's simply not available, and again, it speaks to those challenges of urgently scaling up and getting the things that are urgently needed to northwest syria.

just yesterday, i was at the border crossing where the first un convoy since the earthquake crossed, and we heard reports of another convoy crossing, and we need to encourage that and scale that up as soon as possible, and in different ways as possible. but possible, and in different ways as ossible. �* , , ~ , ., possible. but this is 5-6 days after the quake? — possible. but this is 5-6 days after the quake? yes, _ possible. but this is 5-6 days after the quake? yes, we _ possible. but this is 5-6 days after the quake? yes, we would've - possible. but this is 5-6 days after| the quake? yes, we would've loved possible. but this is 5-6 days after . the quake? yes, we would've loved to have seen it — the quake? yes, we would've loved to have seen it obviously _ the quake? yes, we would've loved to have seen it obviously much _ the quake? yes, we would've loved to have seen it obviously much sooner, l have seen it obviously much sooner, and it's not for me to answer or find out why it has taken 4—5 days since the earthquake. i think also now moving forward, we just need to make sure we do as best we can going forward. �* ., ., ., forward. ok, we'll have to leave it there. forward. ok, we'll have to leave it there- thank _ forward. ok, we'll have to leave it there. thank you _ forward. ok, we'll have to leave it there. thank you very _ forward. ok, we'll have to leave it there. thank you very much. - forward. ok, we'll have to leave it| there. thank you very much. thank ou ve there. thank you very much. thank you very much- _

the rmt rail union has rejected offers that network rail and the rail delivery group had described as their "best and final" offer in a blow to any hopes that the long—running national dispute was close to reaching its end. the decision was taken by the rmt�*s national executive committee. the industry and government had called on the union to put the offers to a members' vote. the rmt union's boss, mick lynch, said the offers were "dreadful". joining me now is our transport correspondent katy austin. where are we? well, in some ways, and almost — where are we? well, in some ways, and almost feels _ where are we? well, in some ways, and almost feels like _ where are we? well, in some ways, and almost feels like we're - where are we? well, in some ways, and almost feels like we're back- where are we? well, in some ways, and almost feels like we're back to l and almost feels like we're back to square one, really. the rmt says it spent a bit of time talking to the members and reps, and basically people of all levels... signalling staff, and also the train companies group, which represent people like guards — it says after those discussions, the committee at the head of the rmt has decided to

reject both those offers because it says they don't meet members�*s expectations on pay, job security or working conditions. the offers had both been 5% pay increase for last year and a 4% increase this year, but crucially they had been dependent on a number of changes to working practices, how things were run and set up on the railway — and the union objects to a number of those. today, mick lynch said that if the offers had been accepted, there would've been a reduction in maintenance tasks, for example, a reference to changes how maintenance teams work, which the rmt views as unsafe and network rail disagrees with that, saying they wouldn't be unsafe, and other changes to things like ticket offices, which the union says would see a lot ofjobs lost. we haven't had a reaction from every bit of the industry yet nor from the government yet, but the delivery group which represent the train companies has said it thinks

passengers and rmt members might be dismayed that the union leaders didn't give members an official vote to decide on these offers. it points out that they had removed some things from a previous version of the offer, particularly driver only operation where drivers would open the doors, not guards. it's quite difficult really now to see where things will go from here. the rmt union has said it does want meetings with the industry to try and work on a negotiated settlement— but it also said today it's seeking an unconditional pay offer, which of course isn't what the industry has talked about so far. so we will see if further meetings and talks can happen, and whether there is any way forward. ., ~ happen, and whether there is any way forward. ., ,, , ., the uk has narrowly avoided falling into recession according to new figures, after the economy saw zero growth between october and december last year. the economy is in recession when it

contracts for two consecutive three—month periods — and it did shrink betweenjuly and september last year. it usually means the economy is performing badly, with companies making less money and cutting jobs, leaving the government with less tax revenue. the bank of england still expects a recession this year, but it will be shorter and less severe than previously thought. here's our economics correspondent andy verity. the world cup lifted the economy in november, but it also meant premier league matches were put off — one reason for a bigger than expected drop in the economy in december. while over three months it didn't shrink but stayed flat, brewers say pubs are struggling to make money. what we saw in 2022 is over 32 pubs a month shut and, you know, if the economy continues in the same vein this year, we may see that trend continue. overall, the economy beat gloomy predictions three months ago that we'd now be in recession, but in consumer facing services

like this gift shop, activity dropped in december by 1.2%. we've just had our quietest january ever, so we've had to make lots of cuts within the business, and that has affected some of my team members, and i've just got this real sense that consumer confidence is at an all—time low, there is a lot of self—preservation going on — we've noticed a huge drop—off in footfall, and it is that not seeing people walking through the door that is really making a difference and impacting our sales. in normal times, the economy, meaning all the goods and services we produce — every haircut, every bus ride we take, every car we make — that grows, but in a recession it shrinks across the economy, and over time. there is no official definition, but the rule of thumb is if it shrinks for two three—month periods in a row, we can call it a recession. this is what has happened to the economy over the past two years. after dipping in the third lockdown it grew back very rapidly, but ever since then economic growth has been slowing down, and you can

see, in the last six months, at best it has been flat. the government pointed out that last year the uk economy grew faster than any other major economy, up by 4%, drawing this response from labour. i hope these numbers are a wake—up call to the government, because the economy is flatlining along the bottom. we are the only major g7 economy that is still smaller than it was before the pandemic, and zero growth is not a success. the government now urgently need to put in place a real plan for economic growth, as well as tackling the cost of living crisis that is affecting so many families and pensioners right now. an unexpectedly rapid drop in the price of wholesale gas has cut the cost to the government of subsidising energy bills from an estimated £97 billion last autumn to less than 40 billion now, yet households still face a jump in energy cost in april of 50%.

the bbc asked the chancellor whether the savings could be used to help households. we constantly keep the help we can give families under review, but if you are saying, do i think we will have the headroom to make a major new initiative to help people, i don't think the situation will have changed very significantly from the autumn statement, which was just three months ago. the bank of england is now forecasting weak growth this year, rather than a long slump, but hat doesn't mean household fortunes have improved. millions of workers are still going through what is expected to be the sharpest drop in disposable incomes in nearly 70 years. andy verity, bbc news. joining me now is the deputy director of the independent economic research group, the national institute for economic and social research, stephen millard. good afternoon to you. so we've avoided going into recession, but there was no growth in the last few months, it's not a rosy picture, is it? �* , ., .,

months, it's not a rosy picture, is it? a ., ., ,. it? it's not a rosy picture indeed. unfortunately, _ it? it's not a rosy picture indeed. unfortunately, it's _ it? it's not a rosy picture indeed. unfortunately, it's looking - it? it's not a rosy picture indeed. unfortunately, it's looking to - unfortunately, it's looking to continue like that through 2023. we are forecasting growth in the year of .2%, which really is not too much— and that's after another contraction in the first quarter of the year. contraction in the first quarter of the ear. ,, , ., contraction in the first quarter of the ear. ., ., , ., , the year. spell out for us what this means in practical— the year. spell out for us what this means in practical terms, - the year. spell out for us what this means in practicalterms, what- the year. spell out for us what this i means in practical terms, what does it mean for businesses, for household income?- it mean for businesses, for household income? well, what it means is the _ household income? well, what it means is the businesses - household income? well, what it means is the businesses are - means is the businesses are struggling, they are shrinking, they are less able to produce output. at some point, that will lead to an increase in the unemployment rate. at the same time, households are already struggling as a result of the cost—of—living crisis, and indeed, they are running down savings and we think again that a yearfrom now, one in four households will run out of savings. the bank of england is forecasting that the economy will go into

recession, although they are now saying it'll be less severe than previously thought. how is that likely to impact people, how will the situation be different from what it is now when that happens? i don't think it'll be — it is now when that happens? i don't think it'll be noticeably _ it is now when that happens? i don't think it'll be noticeably different, . think it'll be noticeably different, in a way. although we skipped going into recession at the end of last year, it was still the case that there were a very large number of households that were struggling, and that won't get better. and that's the point, really, that without any serious economic growth, then things will not get better. whether the economy contracts or grows by a little bit, it's really besides the point. little bit, it's really besides the oint. ., �* , little bit, it's really besides the oint. . �* , , little bit, it's really besides the oint. . �*, , point. that's interesting, so we get hunu u- point. that's interesting, so we get hung up on — point. that's interesting, so we get hung up on whether— point. that's interesting, so we get hung up on whether we _ point. that's interesting, so we get hung up on whether we are - point. that's interesting, so we get hung up on whether we are in - point. that's interesting, so we get hung up on whether we are in a - hung up on whether we are in a recession or not, but you suggest it's a technicality?— it's a technicality? yes, in a way that particular _ it's a technicality? yes, in a way that particular definition - it's a technicality? yes, in a way that particular definition is, - it's a technicality? yes, in a way that particular definition is, and| that particular definition is, and what really matters is how

households are doing. and as we all know, the poorer households in our society at them and are really struggling, and indeed it's about thinking about how to help these households through the current cost—of—living crisis, and indeed how to create growth — those are the two things that chancellor will need to be thinking about in his budget in march. flan to be thinking about in his budget in march. ., ,, to be thinking about in his budget in march. ., i. , ., , , in march. can you give us any better news? well. — in march. can you give us any better news? well. i _ in march. can you give us any better news? well, ithink— in march. can you give us any better news? well, i think a _ in march. can you give us any better news? well, i think a lot _ in march. can you give us any better news? well, i think a lot of - in march. can you give us any better news? well, i think a lot of it - news? well, i think a lot of it will de-end news? well, i think a lot of it will depend on what _ news? well, i think a lot of it will depend on what happens - news? well, i think a lot of it will depend on what happens in - news? well, i think a lot of it will depend on what happens in the i depend on what happens in the budget. 0ne depend on what happens in the budget. one thing we've been pushing for is an increase in public investment — we want that held at 3% of gdp, rather than reducing overtime. without investment going in, may be an uptick in business confidence, we might then start seeing some growth. and the other bit of good news is that inflation is coming down — although prices will remain high, they won't keep rising at the same amount, and at

sometime in the next year or two, wage growth will catch up with that. thank you for speaking with us. a passenger plane has been forced to make an emergency landing on the west coast of scotland after firing one of its wings. a video filmed by a passenger shows flames emerging from underneath the wing. bbc scotland's laura pettigrew, who was on board, said the sound seemed to be louder than normal after touching down. it was met by cruz from the fire and rescue service and no one was injured —— by cruz mack. time for the sport with chetan. we start with ukraine's president who said it would be a manifestation of the violence of russian and

belarusian athletes can compete at next year's 0lympics. he's been speaking to a virtual summit of sports ministers. lithuania's sport minister says more than 30 countries including britain support a ban, whilst poland's sports minister believes russian and belarusian athletes should compete under a refugee flag. the international olympic committee is exploring a way for athletes from russia and belarus to take part under a neutralflag — but volodymr zelensky says they have "no place" in paris following the invasion of ukraine. russia is a country that stands everything with blood, even their white flag. it must be recognised in particular, at the level of the international olympic committee. the international 0lympic international olympic committee. the international olympic committee needs honesty, honesty. it has unfortunately lost honesty, honesty

that will help stop the russian terror and bring peace closer next to manchester city. pep guardiola says he's convinced the club will be found innocent after being charged with more than 100 breaches of the premier league's financial rules. an independent panel's now investigating. at his press conference earlier, the city boss says it feels like they've already been condemned and sentenced, and he believes the other 19 clubs are conspiring against them. they opened a president right now —— precedent _ they opened a president right now —— precedent. they have to be careful in the _ precedent. they have to be careful in the future because many clubs can make _ in the future because many clubs can make suggestions, and there are a lot of— make suggestions, and there are a lot of clubs — make suggestions, and there are a lot of clubs that can be accused, like we — lot of clubs that can be accused, like we have been accused, without maybe _ like we have been accused, without maybe being innocent. do like we have been accused, without maybe being innocent.— like we have been accused, without maybe being innocent. do you suspect that this is been _ maybe being innocent. do you suspect that this is been driven _ maybe being innocent. do you suspect that this is been driven by _ maybe being innocent. do you suspect that this is been driven by the - that this is been driven by the clubs? this is been driven by the other clubs? {iii clubs? this is been driven by the other clubs?—

other clubs? of course. it's the premier league. _ other clubs? of course. it's the premier league. why - other clubs? of course. it's the premier league. why do - other clubs? of course. it's the premier league. why do you i other clubs? of course. it's the - premier league. why do you think? i don't know- — premier league. why do you think? i don't know- i — premier league. why do you think? i don't know. i don't _ premier league. why do you think? i don't know. i don't know. _ premier league. why do you think? i don't know. i don't know. you - premier league. why do you think? i don't know. i don't know. you have l don't know. i don't know. you have to go— don't know. i don't know. you have to go to _ don't know. i don't know. you have to go to the — don't know. i don't know. you have to go to the ceos and all these kind of people _ england captain 0wen farrell will wear the number 10 shirt in their second six nations match against italy at twickenham on sunday. it means harlequins fly—half marcus smith drops to the bench. there've been questions about the compatability of smith and farrell playing in the same side following england's defeat in the opening match against scotland last weekend. henry slade returns from injury tojoin 0llie lawrence in the centre, while jack willis comes into the back row. 0h when's got a fantastic skill set. -- owen — 0h when's got a fantastic skill set. -- owen hes— 0h when's got a fantastic skill set. —— owen. he's superb. _ 0h when's got a fantastic skill set. —— owen. he's superb. the - oh when's got a fantastic skill set. —— owen. he's superb. the abilityl oh when's got a fantastic skill set. l —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change _ —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change the _ —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change the way _ —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change the way the _ —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change the way the team _ —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change the way the team is - —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change the way the team is set - —— owen. he's superb. the ability to change the way the team is set up . change the way the team is set up within— change the way the team is set up within the game _ change the way the team is set up within the game is _ change the way the team is set up within the game is also _ change the way the team is set up within the game is also great - within the game is also great

flexibility _ india have extended their first innings lead to nearly 150, taking control on day two of the first test agianst australia — a meeting of the world's top two sides in nagpur. it's been built on a century from captain rohit sharma and unbeaten 50s from ravindra jadeja and axar patel, while australia spinner todd murphy has taken five wickets on his debut. india have finihed the day on 321—7 — a lead of 144 runs. and don't forget, the women's world cup t20 tournament is under way in cape town. england play their first match against west indies tomorrow afternoon. hosts south africa are currently taking on sri lanka in the first match of the competition. there's commentary on bbc radio five sports extra and text coverage there's commentary on bbc radio five sports extra and text coverage on the website and app — that's bbc.co.uk/sport. but that's ll the sport for now. back to you, mike thanks very much, chetan. —— back to you reeta. more now on the relief efforts for turkey and syria

following monday's earthquake and a uk appeal to help survivors has raised over £30 million in its first day. it comes as the first shipments of british aid — including thousands of thermal blankets or survivors — have begun arriving in turkey. let's talk now with foreign office minister, sir andrew mitchell, who isjoining us from his constituency in sutton coldfield. thanks so much forjoining us, sir andrew. just bring us up—to—date with the uk relief effort so far. well, when the awful disaster struck, we immediately approached the turkish government to ask what we could do to help in this time of desperate need for so many of their citizens. what they asked for was the expertise of the british search and rescue service, and also for some emergency medical advice and support. we were quite quickly able to dispatch 77 experts in search and rescue together with state—of—the—art heavy lifting kit,

and that plane left at the time we hoped and arrived. the four sniffer dogs and those 77 have been deployed, working to rescue people trapped, and assist the turkish authorities. they are doing a brilliantjob. we also got money through to the white helmets in syria, which was much more difficult to operate than southern turkey. the white helmets, having previously been the civil defence grouping in the war in syria, were really the first responders on the ground that people could turn to after the earthquake struck there. with that money that we managed to get through, they were able to fuel their vehicles and provide basic health and shelter and food and water to the people who are rescued.

sorry to interrupt, but can you say how much money you got through? we how much money you got through? - got what they required, in two trenches mac, £3 million. we will support them further if that is required —— two tranches. across the border now, flowing trucks from the united nations. they are funded in part through the fund set up through britain to work in these sort of circumstances. that was the early part. yesterday, a plane from the ministry of defence, from the air force, took down 4000 equipment... more will go this weekend and we will be sending tents from dubai in

the region. we are absolutely on top of what is required. the point i'd like to make tonight is through the disasterfor like to make tonight is through the disaster for emergency committee appeal, people across britain have donated in the first day over £30 million, and the government is a matching 5 million, taking the figure as of tonight above 32 million. this is a tremendous tribute to british generosity in these circumstances. i think our citizens expect us to be there first, and britain can always be relied on in these terrible circumstances to do everything possible to alleviate the suffering that we see on our television screens now this week, which will intensify in the profound cold in the days ahead. flan intensify in the profound cold in the days ahead.— the days ahead. can i ask you another question _ the days ahead. can i ask you another question about - the days ahead. can i ask you | another question about syria? another question about syria ? because another question about syria? because that obviously has been a much more difficult area to get aid

to, given the civil war, given the fact that many areas are in rebel controlled area. the white helmets have been very critical of the united nations, saying they simply haven't got any relief through at speed. are you sympathetic to what they have to say?— they have to say? well, people cau~ht they have to say? well, people caught up _ they have to say? well, people caught up in — they have to say? well, people caught up in this _ they have to say? well, people caught up in this sort _ they have to say? well, people caught up in this sort of - they have to say? well, people | caught up in this sort of diversity ten quite rightly to articulate deep concerns about any delay. that's one reason why britain moves so swiftly to provide money for the sort of thing i described, to ensure that the white helmets can be as effective as possible. we funded them in the past, and we want to support very strongly what they are one of the few groups who could do. the complaints about the united nations stem from the difficulty of getting across the border into

syria. there were four crossings, one available, other three were closed as a result of the chinese and russian veto at the united nations. also, that one crossing was also closed for a period of time because of the earthquake and damage to roads and infrastructure. that is now open in a restricted way, and today, large number of trucks loaded with support from the united nations have been able to get across. i should emphasise that martin giffords, the un emergency humanitarian coordinator, is there on the ground making sure that the relief effort is across the border into syria as effective as it can possibly be. into syria as effective as it can possibly be— possibly be. but this is part of the relief effort _ possibly be. but this is part of the relief effort for _ possibly be. but this is part of the relief effort for the _ possibly be. but this is part of the relief effort for the survivors - possibly be. but this is part of the relief effort for the survivors who | relief effort for the survivors who are having to endure bitterly cold temperatures. they have no shelter, little in the way of warm clothing,

but this aid is part of the relief effort and not of the rescue effort because this is six days after the quakes. in because this is six days after the auakes. ., , . ., quakes. in syria, it is much more complicated _ quakes. in syria, it is much more complicated to — quakes. in syria, it is much more complicated to get _ quakes. in syria, it is much more complicated to get support - quakes. in syria, it is much more i complicated to get support through, because this is ungoverned space. there's very little civil authority there, and it's extremely hard to operate. that is why we empowered the white helmets, who are there on the white helmets, who are there on the ground and have this experience from before to intervene with effect as soon as possible. but you are right, the aid effort inevitably is very frustrated, but the british money being raised from the generosity all across the country through the appeal will be used by ngos, local international, there on the ground, will get support through as quickly as possible. {lilia

the ground, will get support through as quickly as possible.— as quickly as possible. ok, very aood to as quickly as possible. ok, very good to talk _ as quickly as possible. ok, very good to talk to _ as quickly as possible. ok, very good to talk to you. _ as quickly as possible. ok, very good to talk to you. thank - as quickly as possible. ok, very good to talk to you. thank you | as quickly as possible. ok, very i good to talk to you. thank you so much, sirandrew good to talk to you. thank you so much, sir andrew mitchell. friends of nicola bulley are making fresh attempts to find information on her whereabouts, two weeks since she went missing. police believe she fell into the river, and searches for her have been extended out to sea. all day, her friends have all day, herfriends have made fresh attempts to find out information on her whereabouts. police believe she fell into the river, and searches for her have been extended out to sea. 0ur correspondent nick garnett reports. two weeks ago, nicola bulley spent the morning getting her children ready for school and taking the dog for a walk. nicola was seen by a fellow dog walker at ten to nine, and then again at ten past nine in a field further along the river bank. at 9:20am, police have now established her phone was left on a riverside bench. 13 minutes later, her phone was found, along with her dogs harness, but nicola had disappeared. police think that she fell down into the river and drowned. but it's a theory. there's no actual evidence for it.

nevertheless, a specialist search team volunteered to help, and using sonar equipment, combed the bottom of the river in the village, but nothing was found in the stretch of river they were working in. if nicola was in that river, i would have found her. i can guarantee you that. she wouldn't have... we would have found her. and she's not there in that section of the river up there. for family and friends it's been two weeks of hell. we still have hope. we've got two beautiful little girls that need their mummy home, but, again, the community is united again today, we're coming out in force just to give one last push that somebody driven past two weeks ago perhaps hasn't seen the news for whatever reason, and sheds a little bit of light on the situation. police have consistently called this a missing persons inquiry. there's no evidence of a crime, but that's not stopped some people thinking otherwise. social networks are awash with conspiracy theories. there have even been wannabe detectives coming to buildings like this,

breaking into them and starting to search through them. police say they've thoroughly searched everywhere in a one—mile radius and will take action against anyone found making offensive comments online. they've also issued what are called dispersal orders against anyone committing anti—social behaviour. despite the police's thorough search, there is one blind spot. so, this is the only path out of this whole area that's not covered by a cctv camera. so, if she came out of this way, where did she go at this point? if you turn round and look here, it's a busy road, hundreds of cars were going past here at nine o'clock on a friday morning. and since then, the police have tracked 700 vehicles going past at the time nicola went missing. with there being no sign of nicola at st michael's on wyre, the search has been widened downstream. but instead of a small, meandering river, the wyre estuary — well, it's huge. from here, the river becomes the sea.

the police are now tasked with searching the inlets and marshland. two weeks after nicola bulley went missing, the mystery surrounding her disappearance continues. nick garnett, bbc news, lancashire. her partner paul has been speaking to channel 5 news about her disappearance. he says he's sure she didn't fall into the water. ., , ,., ., , he's sure she didn't fall into the water. ., , ., , ., , water. for me, personally, and this is 'ust m water. for me, personally, and this isjust my opinion — water. for me, personally, and this isjust my opinion - _ water. for me, personally, and this isjust my opinion - i'm _ water. for me, personally, and this isjust my opinion - i'm personally i isjust my opinion — i'm personally 100% convinced it's not the river. people don'tjust vanish into thin air. it's absolutely impossible. something has happened. something has happened. my plea now is personally, i want every house, every garage, every outbuilding, the

land scrutinised. i wanted all searched and scrutinised. every piece of it. i'm just pleading with them, please, anything. no matter how tiny, just please come forward with it. please. that could be the key to finding her. the family, we're not bothered about anything else. there's nothing else. the only thing is we just have to find her. we want to know what happened. pauli we want to know what happened. paul ansell, the partner of nicola bulley.

a recent investigation by the times found that agents for british gas had broken into vulnerable people's homes. miniatures have been demanding betterfrom energy demanding better from energy suppliers. demanding betterfrom energy suppliers. —— ministers. rachel moffat is coordinator at bristol energy network. afternoon to you. what difference was meant to people? it's good to have some attention on this issue. energy companies cannot cut off supply to customers, but if they're on pre—made it metres, they end up self disconnecting. iltrui’hat they're on pre-made it metres, they end up self disconnecting. what else can energy companies _ end up self disconnecting. what else can energy companies do? _ end up self disconnecting. what else can energy companies do? are - end up self disconnecting. what else can energy companies do? are therej can energy companies do? are there other ways that they can get people

onto a different form of monitoring? there's no doubt that this is an debt that needs to be paid, but this is just unaffordable for so many people. 0ver is just unaffordable for so many people. over 6 million people are struggling in the uk with energy bills, and we need to find a central government and 0fgem need to be involved in a way of making sure if vulnerable customers cannot pay their bills, they need to be supported elsewhere because they can't have people going in cold homes. we're already seeing such a huge impact on the nhs. cold homes create loads of problems, and it will cost us more in the long run. how did they classify people as vulnerable? i how did they classify people as vulnerable?— how did they classify people as

vulnerable? ., _, ., , ., , vulnerable? i would encourage people to rerister vulnerable? i would encourage people to register for — vulnerable? i would encourage people to register for something _ vulnerable? i would encourage people to register for something called - vulnerable? i would encourage people to register for something called the i to registerfor something called the priority services registered. energy companies have these, but so did the district network operators like national grids. these are registered so that energy companies can identify who the vulnerable customers are. there's a variety of different reasons that make us vulnerable. it could be to do with age, it could be due to various conditions or disabilities or mental health problems. there's lots of things that can be defined as vulnerable. more and more people are vulnerable. more and more people are vulnerable in the current situation. what more would you like to see ministers doing?— what more would you like to see ministers doing? there 'ust has to be a complete * ministers doing? there just has to be a complete assessment - ministers doing? there just has to be a complete assessment of- be a complete assessment of support at the moment. the energy bill support scheme that's running at the moment is the money that everybody is getting, £67 a month. that's finishing in march and we need to make sure there's more there to support vulnerable customers. that

energy bill support scheme, if you are in a prepayment metre, that's being sent out by letter and voucher code. we know about one in five of those vouchers have not been redeemed. those vouchers have not been redeemed-— those vouchers have not been redeemed. ., ,, , ., , . redeemed. thank you very much. rachel moffat _ redeemed. thank you very much. rachel moffat there. _ hogwarts legacy, a big—budget video game set in the harry potter universe, is released today. but although it's one of the most anticipated titles of the year, it is being boycotted by some — who want to make a stand against the authorjk rowling's public comments on policies relating to transgender people. the bbc�*s gaming correspondent steffan powell has more. it's surprising, given the level of interest in this world of wizards, witches and wands over the years, that a fully fledged big budget gaming adaptation has taken this long to be made.

but after years of being on the wish list of many a harry potter fan, it's finally here... take this. find them. ..giving players the opportunity to zoom around on a broomstick, learn to cast spells and explore the famous castle, fighting and dodging adversaries along the way. we leave our legacy in your hands. interest is high, records have been broken in the lead up to release, with 1.3 million people at one point watching early previews being played online. but not everyone's happy, arguing that supporting the game is backingjk rowling's public statements about the trans community. they say those views are transphobic and have caused harm to trans people. playing the game, they say, legitimises them. this goes beyond justjk rowling making money. by buying the game, you're sending a clear message that you see this new game takes priority over the lives of trans people. jk rowling has previously said that she supports trans rights, but she doesn't believe transgender people should have access

to single—sex spaces. a lot to absorb on your first day... the development team behind the game say that the creator of the wizarding world was not involved in making it, and today people are looking forward to playing. for me, it was really. hard to not be excited. this is a world and a universe that j i grew upjust falling in love with.| it was my escape. i do think that this whole _ controversy has kind of overshadowed what is an amazing experience. the title has received positive reviews for its gameplay and is expected to be one of the biggest sellers of 2023. steffan powell, bbc news. breaking news for you. the rmt rail workers union, mark harper has issue

a statement saying the rmt�*s rejection is a kick in the teeth for passengers across the country. the rmt's passengers across the country. the rmt�*s on members —— owned members are now being blocked from having a say on their own future. he goes on to say, the leaders should have had the courage to allow their own members to have the chance to vote on their own pay and conditions. rather than making that decision for them behind closed doors. he goes on, "it is time for those leaders to face the realities. 0ur railways are not financially sustainable and reform is essential." "i have played my part, i have met union leaders. the real minister and ifacilitated regular meetings between all parties." "we guaranteed fair and reasonable offers on pay and reform." right, let's go back to our

main story on the earthquakes in turkey and syria. the deputy prime minister... the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, who's being investigated after claims that he bullied staff, has told the bbc he's confident he behaved professionally at all times. this is about the earthquakes. mr raab is the subject of eight formal complaints, covering his time at three different government departments. i'm not going to comment on the anonymous reports in the media. my experience is that they're mostly incorrect. i'm confident that i've behaved professionally at all times, and of course i called for the inquiry, and i'll respect it. a cross—party group of mps has demanded investigation where a school handed a racially aggravated assault on monday. criticising the way that staff at thomas and david couegein

way that staff at thomas and david college in ashford dealt with the attack —— attack —— comments knyvett. 211—year—old girls and five others have been arrested. —— two 11—year—old girls. 11—year—old girls. more now on the earthquakes, and every day we hear stories of people searching for missing family members and friends. 0ne people searching for missing family members and friends. one of them includes the former newcastle united footballer christian atzu. he still unaccounted for. earlier, we spoke to his partner, who told us of her worry as she waits for the news. we can speak now to one of his friends. he's the former chelsea and garner player —— going —— ghana.

he's the former chelsea and garner player -- going -- ghana.— player -- going -- ghana. thank you for havin: player -- going -- ghana. thank you for having me- _ player -- going -- ghana. thank you for having me. as _ player -- going -- ghana. thank you for having me. as you _ player -- going -- ghana. thank you for having me. as you can see, - player -- going -- ghana. thank you for having me. as you can see, it's i for having me. as you can see, it's been a very, very disturbing news. i've been here with my club come up and when the earthquake happened, i... i tried to keep busy with work, but i knew my friend was there and i've been in touch with his people and try to get most information and hoping that he's keeping well and hopefully there's something they can do to rescue them.— do to rescue them. where are you s-ueakin do to rescue them. where are you speaking to _ do to rescue them. where are you speaking to us _ do to rescue them. where are you speaking to us from? _ do to rescue them. where are you speaking to us from? i'm - do to rescue them. where are you | speaking to us from? i'm speaking do to rescue them. where are you i speaking to us from? i'm speaking to ou cu s speaking to us from? i'm speaking to you guys from _ speaking to us from? i'm speaking to you guys from turkey. _ speaking to us from? i'm speaking to you guys from turkey. i'm _ speaking to us from? i'm speaking to you guys from turkey. i'm here - speaking to us from? i'm speaking to you guys from turkey. i'm here with l you guys from turkey. i'm here with my club. i think all lives are very important in my heart goes out to

the people of turkey and syria. i share my sympathies to the victims�* families. share my sympathies to the victims' families. ~ , ., ., , share my sympathies to the victims' families. ~ i. .,, , , ., ,, ., families. when did you last speak to christian? i — families. when did you last speak to christian? i haven't _ families. when did you last speak to christian? i haven't heard _ families. when did you last speak to christian? i haven't heard from - families. when did you last speak to christian? i haven't heard from him| christian? i haven't heard from him in a while- — christian? i haven't heard from him in a while- i— christian? i haven't heard from him in a while. i can't _ christian? i haven't heard from him in a while. i can't recall— christian? i haven't heard from him in a while. i can't recall the - christian? i haven't heard from him in a while. i can't recall the last - in a while. i can't recall the last time we spoke. we've been messaging back and forth a few months ago, so when it happened, i reached out to his people. i called his phone. it was ringing, but no one was speaking, so i reached out to his people to find out what was going on. ~ ., people to find out what was going on. . . ., ., ., ., ., on. we are going to have to leave it there, but on. we are going to have to leave it there. but we _ on. we are going to have to leave it there, but we appreciate _ on. we are going to have to leave it there, but we appreciate you - there, but we appreciate you speaking to us. thank you very much for watching. you've been watching bbc news.

today at six — hope and despair in turkey and syria, as the painstaking search for survivors goes on after the quakes. we follow one rescuer and his team, among the tangled ruins of apartment blocks in the increasingly desperate search for signs of life. 0n the second and the third day after the earthquake they were finding a lot of people. they are hardly finding anyone now, almost no—one now. and tonight, we report from inside syria after the quakes. one of the first international journalists allowed into aleppo. also on the programme... the uk avoided falling into recession last year, but the chancellor warns we're not out of the woods.

as friends of missing nicola bulley issue a new appeal