this is bbc news. welcome, if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: the us secretary of state says china is considering supplying weapons and ammunition to russia for its war against ukraine. we have seen them provide non—lethal support to russia for use in ukraine. the concern that we have now is based on information we have that they are considering providing lethal support. borisjohnson urges rishi sunak not to drop the northern ireland protocol bill — as speculation mounts of a compromise over post—brexit arrangements. a uk—based iranian broadcaster which has covered anti—government protests in iran extensively says it's had to suspend its operations in the uk following threats

against its journalists. the 76th annual british academy awards take place in london later — with the german—language film, all quiet on the western front, leading the field with m nominations. the us secretary of state antony blinken has alleged that china is considering supplying weapons and ammunition to russia for its war against ukraine. he was speaking to cbs news after meeting china's top diplomat wang yi on the sidelines of the international security conference in munich. he said he'd warned mr wang of consequences if material support was provided to moscow. mr blinken told cbs that chinese firms were already providing non—lethal aid for russia's invasion.

he was asked if support given to the mercenary group, wagner, amounted to military support for moscow. there is open source reporting that chinese companies are providing. surveillance equipment to that mercenary group, the wagnerl group, fighting in ukraine. does the us consider this to be providing military. support to russia? we've been concerned from day one about that possibility. in fact, if you go back to the very first conversations that president biden and president xi had about russia's war of aggression against ukraine just a couple of weeks into the war, president biden shared with president xi our deep concern about the possibility china would provide lethal support to russia in this effort, as well as engage in the systematic evasion of sanctions. and the reason for that concern was just weeks before the aggression, you'll remember that president xi and president putin had a meeting in which they talked

about a partnership with no limits. and we were concerned that among the lack of limits would be chinese support for russia in the war. we've been watching this very closely. to date, we have seen chinese companies and of course, in china, there's really no distinction between private companies and the state, we have seen them provide non—lethal support to russia for use in ukraine. the concern that we have now is based on information we have, that they're considering providing lethal support. and we've made very clear to them that that would cause a serious problem for us and in our relationship. lethal support. what would that entail? what are you thinking? weapons. that's ammunition. primarily weapons. primarily... there's a whole gamut of things that that fit in that category. everything from ammunition to the weapons themselves. earlier, our correspondent jenny hill told me that china has also been in the spotlight. china has been a huge focus here.

you know, that is because for the duration of this year long war now many of these particularly western leaders gathered here have considered china's positioning within this conflict is crucial. let's not forget china has refused to condemn russia's full—scale invasion of ukraine and during the last year, ties between moscow and beijing have deepened economically, even politically, you could argue. there are those here who hoped that china might be persuaded to use its not inconsiderable influence with vladimir putin to end this war. many actually think china has been a bit of a restraining hand when it comes to the threats from moscow about the use of nuclear weapons, for example. china actually during this conference has announced it has got a plan for peace which it intends to give us details about later in the coming week.

but then we hear this morning from washington and this will really send a shiver down the spine of many senior diplomats who have worried this might be the case for some time, that china might be considering sending weapons to russia for use in ukraine. that, of course, shifts things in a very different direction. china has also been a focus because as many of the world leader said or intimated in their speeches, if vladimir putin wins this war, that might well embolden other countries and they are talking about china as one example, to do something similar so there is a sense of nervousness around what china might do with taiwan were vladimir putin to win this war and that again is one of the reasons we had seen such unequivocal message in coming out from western leaders' speeches over the past couple of days. they want to support ukraine because they believe it is the right thing to do, but they are concerned about the consequences — the wider ramifications of a victory

in ukraine foeradimir putin. the former british prime minister — borisjohnson — has intervened in the effort to reform post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland. rishi sunak is trying to agree a new settlement with the eu, amid unrest among members of his parliamentary party. mrjohnson has warned mr sunak not to abandon legislation he introduced that would give the government powers to unilaterally scrap parts of the deal. i spoke earlier to our political correspondent, tony bonsignore. there are already very complicated issue to like the european court of justice and the amount tax you should have on the so—called green lanes, and goods that come from great britain into northern ireland and stay in northern ireland but beyond all this, of course, is as we have talked about, he needs to sell this to not only his own mps but

also to convince the people, the businesses and the politicians of northern ireland. this morning we heard from penny mordaunt the commons leader speaking to my colleague saying, look, forget about a commons vote. that is not important. what is important is this get buy in from all the parties in northern ireland which is, frankly, easier said than done. and also, i don't think she can completely and the government can't completely ignore a commons vote because it may be coming in a matter of days. and, as you say, you know, already noises being made, for example, from boris johnson. it being made, for example, from boris johnson. , , being made, for example, from boris johnson. ,, , , johnson. it is significant because what he is _ johnson. it is significant because what he is doing _ johnson. it is significant because what he is doing is _ johnson. it is significant because what he is doing is mobilising . johnson. it is significant because what he is doing is mobilising onj what he is doing is mobilising on behalf of a number of mps. we've got this deal. there's been this piece of legislation called the northern ireland protocol bill, very controversial, still working its way through parliament and this is essentially a threat by the uk to rip up the deal that borisjohnson

signed in 2019 and what he said today, what his team, sources, whatever you want to call it, what they are saying today is don't do it. , ., ., ., ., they are saying today is don't do it. even if you agree a deal you still need _ it. even if you agree a deal you still need that _ it. even if you agree a deal you still need that in _ it. even if you agree a deal you still need that in your - it. even if you agree a deal you still need that in your back- it. even if you agree a deal you i still need that in your back pocket so this_ still need that in your back pocket so this was— still need that in your back pocket so this was put to the commons leader_ so this was put to the commons leader penny mordaunt and the suggestion this is particularly heipfuh — suggestion this is particularly helful. , , ., suggestion this is particularly helful. ,, ., , ., suggestion this is particularly helful. , , ., , ., ., helpful. this is what she had to sa . i helpful. this is what she had to say- i don't _ helpful. this is what she had to say. i don't think _ helpful. this is what she had to say. i don't think this _ helpful. this is what she had to say. i don't think this is - helpful. this is what she had to say. i don't think this is an - say. i don't think this is an entirely — say. i don't think this is an entirely unhelpful - say. i don't think this is an - entirely unhelpful intervention. i think_ entirely unhelpful intervention. i think the — entirely unhelpful intervention. i think the prime minister were to -ive think the prime minister were to give credit to predecessors for enabling — give credit to predecessors for enabling us to get this fire. we have _ enabling us to get this fire. we have the — enabling us to get this fire. we have the bill and the command paper that was_ have the bill and the command paper that was produced at the time and in part it _ that was produced at the time and in part it is _ that was produced at the time and in part it is because of that that we are now— part it is because of that that we are now able to have these negotiations and the eu is talking about— negotiations and the eu is talking about things that previously it said it would _ about things that previously it said it would not talk about. it is about things that previously it said it would not talk about.— it would not talk about. it is not unhelful it would not talk about. it is not unhelpful for— it would not talk about. it is not unhelpful for boris _ it would not talk about. it is not unhelpful for boris johnson - it would not talk about. it is not unhelpful for boris johnson to l it would not talk about. it is notl unhelpful for boris johnson to be unhelpful for borisjohnson to be saying to rishi c make you better not wash down my breaks at deal, you better not drop my bill at a sensitive time and he is trying to get something over the line. it is a

reminder to _ get something over the line. it is a reminder to the _ get something over the line. it is a reminder to the eu _ get something over the line. it is a reminder to the eu thereby - get something over the line. it is a reminder to the eu thereby that i get something over the line. it is a reminder to the eu thereby that they have to _ reminder to the eu thereby that they have to get over but ultimately, does _ have to get over but ultimately, does not — have to get over but ultimately, does not really about what boris johnson — does not really about what boris johnson or any members of the house of commons _ johnson or any members of the house of commons think about a deal. it is what _ of commons think about a deal. it is what the _ of commons think about a deal. it is what the people of northern ireland think _ what the people of northern ireland think |_ what the people of northern ireland think. ~' what the people of northern ireland think. ~ , . ., what the people of northern ireland think. ~ , _, ., think. i think the second part of that is definitely _ think. i think the second part of that is definitely true _ think. i think the second part of that is definitely true but - think. i think the second part of that is definitely true but i'm i think. i think the second part of| that is definitely true but i'm not sure about the first and i'm not sure about the first and i'm not sure she will be saying that in few days. sure she will be saying that in few da 5. ., . ., , , days. particularly if it is winning over those _ days. particularly if it is winning over those kind _ days. particularly if it is winning over those kind of _ days. particularly if it is winning over those kind of recalcitrant l over those kind of recalcitrant backbenchers, particularly those who feel very, very strongly about this issue of the european court of justice having the final say on cases that are in dispute between europe and uk over these inspections and all the rest of it. presumably, the latent fear is that this is, a good chance for borisjohnson to put up good chance for borisjohnson to put up or shut up. if the government persists and tries to scrap their c finds a way to the commons to mobilise his supporters. we have the

potential of these to see a rebellion.— rebellion. are potentially significant _ rebellion. are potentially significant rebellion - rebellion. are potentially significant rebellion but i rebellion. are potentially l significant rebellion but we rebellion. are potentially - significant rebellion but we don't know how much because if we get this commons vote this week it is going to be another one of those set pieces that political hacks like me love but the last ones we saw, really, ran 2019 when there is any sort of threat of jeopardy really, ran 2019 when there is any sort of threat ofjeopardy but things are so different now so this will be a test. how powerful are what are called the european research group, the more hardline breaks at supporting mps? it may be that rishi sooner decides this is the time to test them and maybe, just maybe, this is maybe the time we discover they're not as powerful as they used to be. bereaved syrian families in turkey are desperately trying to return their loved ones to syria so they can be buried on home soil. many crossed the border to escape the syrian civil war but clung to the hope of returning home one day. the bbc�*s correspondent is at a border crossing in southern turkey with families where repatriation efforts are under way. a warning her report contains distressing images from the start.

wailing. a mother's painful farewell to her loved ones. "take good care of each other", she tells them. the bodies of aisha's three children and two grandchildren are in these bags. they died when their building collapsed in the turkish city of antakya. her and her husband, along with their four—year—old granddaughter, are the only survivors. they are now sending them across the border to syria to be buried on homeland. the family left idlib to take refuge in turkey, hoping for a fresh start. already broken by years of civil war, they are now completely shattered. wailing. translation: we fled the war but died in the earthquake. - we have been here since early

morning and in just a few hours, we have seen six trucks taking bodies across this border into syria. the police tell us this is a massive operation for them. they are working day and night to help this crossing. back in antakya, about a0 kilometres from the border this is all that's left of aisha's front room. ali was just recently engaged to one of aisha's daughters. he was on a video call with her when the earth started shaking. translation: i didn't know it would be the last - time i would see her. when the earthquake happened, she looked at me with fear. i saw her running. she got up while still holding the phone. but then the network went down and electricity was cut off. like many here, ali has had to put his grief on hold. he's part of a team of syrians helping other syrians

find their loved ones. but a big part of their homeland has also been devastated by the earthquake, and they are left fending for themselves. translation: we should think about syria. - they don't have electricity or clean water. their houses have been devastated by the bombs and now the earthquake. of course we accept what comes from god, but i should tell the world — enough. for aisha, there is one more heartbreak to come as the family finally recovered the last person they were looking for — the body of their son—in—law ten days after the earthquake. the family of the former us presidentjimmy carter says he's decided to spend his remaining time at home — after a series of short stays in hospital. the carter center said the 98 year—old would receive hospice care. mr carter has suffered

from recent health issues, including a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. joining us now is cbs news correspondent cristian benavides. thank you very much forjoining us. you are in georgia which is where the carter story began almost 100 years ago and where we now know it will come to its natural end. goad will come to its natural end. good morninu. will come to its natural end. good morning- that _ will come to its natural end. good morning. that is _ will come to its natural end. good morning. that is absolutely - will come to its natural end. (emf. morning. that is absolutely right. at least according to that statement from the family. it is almost incredible to think about this because former president carter has really defied the odds so many times. you mentioned beating cancer and then coming back at aged 95 and at that age, continuing to build homes with habitat for humanity so villa quite an incredible story as

far as any updates from the family at this moment, it is still early. it is about 6am so we haven't heard any updates but the family did ask for statement and of course, we are all here in planes. this is a small town. about 600 people live here and he truly is the fixture of the town and for the rest of the country he is presidentjimmy carter but here he isjustjimmy and everyone in this community knows him and loves him and it is quite heartbreaking for them to be going through this at this time. ., ~' ., for them to be going through this at this time. ., ~ ., , this time. you know, it is in the natural nature _ this time. you know, it is in the natural nature of _ this time. you know, it is in the natural nature of things - this time. you know, it is in the natural nature of things that - this time. you know, it is in the | natural nature of things that this will come to pass but it is hard for a community, isn't it? that has presumably weathered unprotected jimmy and rosalynn carter for such a long time through the vicissitudes of office. he was a controversial figure as president and a lot of americans to look back very badly on his one term in office, democrats who say it was not forjimmy carter

messing up we would not have got ronald reagan and all kinds of people have a go at him but through good times and bad, the people of plains have always stayed by him. as a local employer and just as a man who has a presence even at baptist church every sunday, i think i had on one podcast a few years back you can hear him teaching at the sunday school for the children on a morning. that would have been well into his 90s. morning. that would have been well into his 90s— into his 90s. yeah, he did that and continue to — into his 90s. yeah, he did that and continue to do _ into his 90s. yeah, he did that and continue to do that _ into his 90s. yeah, he did that and continue to do that for _ into his 90s. yeah, he did that and continue to do that for many - into his 90s. yeah, he did that and | continue to do that for many years. in fact, people who would stop here in plains would stop at that baptist church and take pictures with him because he was such an accessible person if you came to plains, georgia. it was not hard to find jimmy carter here and you mentioned how controversial he was politically backin

how controversial he was politically back in 19 80 during his presidency but you think about what he dedicated his life to following that presidency, to building homes and helping humanity and i think that is what has really stuck with people outside of georgia as well regardless of what people think of him politically, they know that he was a person that had a good heart and that he dedicated the rest of his life and continue to do that, for many, many years, to helping others. . , for many, many years, to helping others. .,, , , ., , , for many, many years, to helping others. , , ._ others. there has, presumably, as et, been others. there has, presumably, as yet, been reaction _ others. there has, presumably, as yet, been reaction from _ others. there has, presumably, as yet, been reaction from the - others. there has, presumably, as yet, been reaction from the white | yet, been reaction from the white house but we know that president biden is close to the characters both the president and first lady are close to the characters. he referenced in very directly, of course, and his campaign to become president. he has spoken to him regularly and he has also, they have a joint history, don't they, in washington in the late 70s? ajoint history, don't they, in washington in the late 70s? yeah, definitel . washington in the late 70s? yeah, definitely. well, _

washington in the late 70s? yeah, definitely. well, you've _ washington in the late 70s? yeah, definitely. well, you've got - washington in the late 70s? yeah, definitely. well, you've got to - definitely. well, you've got to think, they both sort of came up together and what is really interesting aboutjimmy carter is that really he was sort of a relative unknown until you went to new hampshire and knocked on doors, knocked on doors until he won this primary and people are asking, jimmy who? that was the question back then and i think following that, jill biden also coming up in that time, they really truly did endorse each other and more than anything even now, presidentjoe biden in touch with the family, with the carter family even though no public statement has been made and just a reminder that the initial statement from the carterfamily reminder that the initial statement from the carter family was that they would like privacy so you have to wonder, you know, are theyjust sort

of thinking, well, we want to make a statement but we also want to respect the wishes of the family for now. in respect the wishes of the family for now. . , respect the wishes of the family for now. ., , , ., ., ., ~ now. in plains, georgia, thank you so much for— now. in plains, georgia, thank you so much for being _ now. in plains, georgia, thank you so much for being with _ now. in plains, georgia, thank you so much for being with us. - now. in plains, georgia, thank you so much for being with us. if - now. in plains, georgia, thank you| so much for being with us. if you're interested in hearing the story of jimmy carter's presidency that podcast i was referring to as the washington post. it goes to every president and the carter one is particularly interesting because of that relatively recent archive of him talking to youngsters about his faith at a baptist church in plains. a uk—based iranian broadcaster, iran international, says it's had to suspend its operations in the uk after threats against its iranianjournalists. the network says it's faced a significant escalation in state—backed threats from iran. the 24—hour channel will continue its output from its washington dc offices instead. one of the channel's editors described the nature of the threats against his london colleagues. what we heard from the police was that the amount of the threats was so much that, actually, the security concerns mounted and it was not possible to maintain

the security of the personnel. we know that this has not been a single issue, this has been a continuous effort against iran international, the metropolitan police said that there have been 15 kidnapping and assassination attempts which were formed which probably they were aimed at iran international. to scotland now — where the first two candidates to replace nicola sturgeon as leader of the snp — and the country's first minister — have put their names forward. they are the current scottish health secretary humza yousaf, and the former minister ash regan. ash regan is a8, and resigned from the government in october in protest against a law which would make it easier for transgender people to legally change their gender identity. speaking to the sunday mail newspaper, she said: we need a new direction

and we need to reprioritise. we need to bring back unity, draw a line under certain things and move past them. i believe i am the person to do that. the electorate expect the scottish government to focus on things that are important to them. that means the nhs which is still struggling to get back on its feet after the pandemic. scottish health secretary humza yousaf, who supports the gender recognition bill, also declared his intention to stand saying he had the experience needed to govern. he said: i've thought hard about it and i've decided to put myself forward as scotland's next first minister. i'm doing it because the top job requires someone who has experience and i have been trusted by nicola sturgeon with some of the toughestjobs in government. i believe independence is needed now more than ever especially after a decade of austerity. i'm joined now by our scotland correspondent catriona renton.

thanks very much for being with us. talk as to what is happening with this contest so far because we have the rules but we still don't have all the names? irate the rules but we still don't have all the names?— the rules but we still don't have all the names? we don't have all of the names — all the names? we don't have all of the names yet- _ all the names? we don't have all of the names yet. for— all the names? we don't have all of the names yet. for sure. _ all the names? we don't have all of the names yet. for sure. at - all the names? we don't have all of the names yet. for sure. at the - the names yet. for sure. at the moment we have the first two names, the health secretary and a former minister. but were looking at other names. the finance secretary is on maternity leave but has been known to be talking about considering putting her heart in the ring and one of the one seen as a main contender. angus robertson he used to lead the party at westminster. he is expected to put his name forward. the justice secretary is expected to put his name forward. thejustice secretary keith brown is in the frame. the youngest minister who became a minister on herfirst day at holyrood. she may also put her heart in the ring and another name being mentioned is neil gray. a

range of candidates that could come forward. i think the way this contest is now looking and looking to shape up is whether it is going to shape up is whether it is going to be a continuity election carrying on the legacy of nicola sturgeon or if it is going to be for change if you look at characters like kate forbes or ash regan coming from a different angle and looking at change and growth whereas were looking at, you know, humza yousaf has been a stalwart in nicola sturgeon's cabinet for some time. it looks like cow that are shaping up but it is all about independence, it is all about whether the dial has shifted on that and the discussion that will be happening within the party is whether or not we'll be looking at people looking for a gradual approach, looking at people looking for a gradualapproach, or looking at people looking for a gradual approach, or perhaps may be going for that de facto referendum. all of these things will no doubt be shaken up over the next couple of weeks as we go over the next five weeks as we go over the next five weeks we will hear with the reader will be. . ~' ,, �* weeks we will hear with the reader will be. ., 4, i. ~ ., will be. thank you. and we will hear from here stammer_ will be. thank you. and we will hear from here stammer alive _ will be. thank you. and we will hear from here stammer alive at - from here stammer alive at lunchtime.

the uk's most prestigious film awards ceremony — the baftas — is taking place tonight, and for the first time it will be televised live. it'll be hosted by the actor richard e grant. 0ur entertainment correspondent, lizo mzimba, has been taking a look at the runners and riders. this german language version of all quiet on the western front contrasts the youthful fervour of a young recruit with the reality of war. it leads with 1a nominations, including best picture and best director for edward berger. does it have a resonance with what we're seeing happening around the world today? i think it does, even though i'd like to hope that the film would have also connected with an audience without it. and of course we never planned to have it be so horribly relevant, because we made the film long before the ukraine war. at the other end of the spectrum with ten nominations, the imaginative fantasy everything everywhere all at once has wowed awards voters. it's up for best film, and it stars michelle yeoh, with ke huy quan also recognised.

ijust don't like you no more. but perhaps the favourite to do best overall tonight is the banshees of inisherin, the story of two feuding friends. it's up for ten awards, including best film and best british film. you do like me. while its two stars... i don't. ..brendan gleeson and colin farrell are also nominated. cate blanchett has been picking up award after award for her portrayal of an under—pressure conductor in the film tar. many expect her to continue that a winning streak this evening. the biggest film of the last few years, avatar�*s sequel, the way of water, might have been a hit with audiences, but it's only up for two awards, best sound and best effects. the evening will also remember her majesty the queen, had a close association with bafta. the tribute will be led by dame helen mirren, who of course won a bafta and an oscar for playing her

in the film, the queen, in 2006, and who also met her majesty on a number of occasions. in 2013 she received an honorary bafta, recognising her long—standing support for the creative industries. lizo mzimba, bbc news. let's ta ke let's take a look at the weather now. it was certainly worth getting up now. it was certainly worth getting up early this morning for the beautiful sunrise that many of you enjoyed early on. this was one of our weather watcher pictures sent in from brighten thanks tojoe. and another one from the north—east of england. thanks for sending us that. for most parts of the country does going to be brighter compared with yesterday. a few more sunny spell to go around but thicker cloud heading into scotland. weather fancy will bring heavy and persistent rain and

it is going to get quite windy through the afternoon. gusts up to 50 mild an hour. though there is quite a bit of cloud still across england and wales there will be some bigger gaps in the clouds are a bit more sunshine to go around. a mail today. temperatures 11—13. overnight it is going to get really windy once again for a gust of 50—70 mph. strong enough to bring some localised disruption here with the band have been edging into scotland is well associated with those strong winds. forthe is well associated with those strong winds. for the south words, the windy pick up overnight. bringing cloudy weather into western portions of england and wales with a few patches of drizzle. a very mild night and quite a few, temperatures will stay in double figures. looking at the weather picture into tomorrow, we've got our weather

front stretch across scotland bringing outbreaks of rain. cooler air across the far north of scotland but with cooler conditions at least you will see some bright or sunny spells for 0rkney, shetland and parts of the highlands. for the south—west we've got that mild flow of south—westerly winds. a few patches of drizzle to start the day across western areas but through the day, there will be a lot of dry weather and bright sunny spells coming through at times that are very mild across parts of eastern england. 16 degrees in norwich and 8 degrees above average for the time of year. there is mild south—westerly winds are back with us again on tuesday but extending northwards across scotland so temperatures across northern scotland will be advising. 13 degrees, for example, in aberdeen. 0ften degrees, for example, in aberdeen. often the weather was going to be cloudy on tuesday but some bright

sunny spells breaking through from time to time. there will be a change in the weather pattern as we head to the middle part of the week. we lose the middle part of the week. we lose the south—westerly wind and swell for the north—westerly winds bringing cooler conditions. i say cooler and actually temperatures on wednesday will be closer to average for the time of weather to turn a bit brighter later in the week.

this is bbc news, the headlines... the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has alleged that china is considering supplying weapons and ammunition to russia for its war against ukraine. he said he'd warned china's top diplomat of consequences if material support is given to moscow. nearly a year on, ukrainians fearing a new russian attack continue to cross into neighbouring poland — nearly four million travelled there in the first three months after the invasion. the former british prime minister — borisjohnson — has intervened in the effort to reform post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland.