hello, i'm ben thompson. this is outside source. britain's prime minister visits the border force , as he pleges to crackdown on migrants , who enter the uk on small boats. people must know that if they, here illegally, it will result in there at the tensioned and swift removal. rishi sunak calls his plan necessary and fair , but charities have labelled it cruel and new low of the government. also in the programme. hundreds of thousands take to the streets , as union's vow to bring france to a standstill , over a controveral pension reform. and beijing hits out at washington , accusing the us of trying to contain, encircle and suppress

china. let's start with a big story here in the uk. the home secretary has set out her plans for a crackdown on migrants arriving on small boats from france. the government wants to stop asylum—seekers from crossing the english channel. earlier today, the prime minister visited the port of dover — where he met with staff in a control room monitoring those arriving in vessels via illegal routes. and later on, he spoke from downing street. there is nothing compassionate or fair about us being not able to help the truly most vulnerable people around the world because our system is being overwhelmed by people who were jumping the queue, and coming here illegally, and they are not the most vulnerable. they are travelling through multiple safe european countries, they are paying people thousands of pounds to get here. so, i want to move to a system

where we break that cycle. and let's hear now from the home secretary suella braverman. they will not stop coming here until the world knows that if you enter britain illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed. removed back to your country, if it's safe, or a safe country, a safe third country, like rwanda. that is precisely what this bill will do. that is how we will stop the boats. so let's take a closer look at the proposed legislatoin. the plan will prevent those arriving illegally from claiming asylum — they'll be detained on arrival. and it will block them from seeking citizenship or re—entering the uk. you also heard the home secretary mention rwanda there. that's because of a policy in place aimed at deporting some asylum seekers to the african country. it's been mired in legal

challenges though — so no one has been sent there so far. let's hear now from the labour opposition. this is the shadow home secetary yvette cooper. what will happen when people leave 28 day detention? would you make people destitute, so they just wondered the streets in total chaos? torture victims, afghan interpreters, families with children. or will she put them into indefinite taxpayer—funded accommodation? never returned anywhere because they don't have the agreements with europe in place, neither returned, nor given sanctuary, never having their case resolved. just forever in aslyum accommodations and hotels, she may not call it the asylum system, but thousands of people will still be in it nevertheless. let's take a look at some of the numbers. nearly 16,000 migrants crossed the channel to britain in 2022 —

that's according to government figures. that's up from around 300 in 2018. more on this from the migration 0bservatory — a thinktank here in the uk. it's very difficult to see how. i mean, the uk detention state at the moment has a calf wristed capacity for 2500 individuals. well, last year, we saw around 45,000 people entered by small boat. so, clearly, that would have to be substantially upscaled to be able to detain people in those numbers. i think they would have to be detained because they are being threatened with deportation. it wouldn't be sufficient to house them in hotels or local communities because there would be a high risk of absconding. the plan also relies on the co—operation of the uk's neighbours — particularly france. jean—paul mulot is a councillor for the hauts—de—france region , which includes the port of calais. what i hope is that the british pm and emmanuel macron will take the measure of the problem

with signing a new treaty. a bilateral treaty to rule the, actually, the addressing of what is happening on the channel on ourjoint border. we cannot keep going with a local regulation. that cannot really work. it might help, but it will not solve the problem. this is our correspondent in france — lucy williamson — in calais. from the conversations that we've been having the announcement today has not been much of a deterrent for people here in the camps. they remember the announcement of the rwanda policy last year and remember the anxiety had caused for some of them and they remembered the fact that no one has actually been sent to rwanda. so a lot of them conclude that these kind of policies either will not happen or will not happen to them. and by way of illustration i want to tell you about a young man

from sudanese man that we spoke to the said to me he would rather be in prison in the uk than free here in france. i think that gives you some idea that many people here have had to rationalise risk in order to end appear but i do think there is a sense that as long as there is a window of hope than many people are going to stay committed to their plan to get to the uk whatever the potential consequences might be. other european countries have also been grappling with a surge in migrant arrivals in recent years. for example — italy received over 13,000 migrants on small boats in the first two months of this year alone. and last year, prime minister meloni was elected partly on a promise to reduce migrant arrivals. in terms of policy, italy taly has adopted a much tougher stance in recent months — including making it harder for aid agencies to rescue migrants lost at sea. beth gardiner—smith is the chief executive of the refugee charity safe passage uk. thank you for being with us. the

plainest minister outlining his plans today and said if you come here illegally you cannot claim asylum or stay in the uk. he says it's tough but fair. [30 asylum or stay in the uk. he says it's tough but fair.— it's tough but fair. do you agree? absolutely _ it's tough but fair. do you agree? absolutely not. _ it's tough but fair. do you agree? absolutely not. what _ it's tough but fair. do you agree? absolutely not. what is _ it's tough but fair. do you agree? absolutely not. what is -- - it's tough but fair. do you agree? absolutely not. what is -- or- it's tough but fair. do you agree? | absolutely not. what is -- or what absolutely not. what is —— or what this legislation does is drive crosses through the fundamental and support to seek the right for protection. and the refugee protection. and the refugee protection itself. what the government is saying is to vulnerable refugees who, in most cases, don't have time to flee with papers or obtain a visa, or a visa to cross borders. they're basically saying we will never give you protection or the security you need deserve. and, we expect other countries to do that for us instead of step by deporting you to third countries or expecting countries like rwanda to take on our

responsibility as a nation to offer sanctuary to these referees —— michael refugees. this is the most draconian legislation we have seen recently anywhere in the world towards refugees. this is not who should we should aspire to be as a nation. ~ ., ., , nation. what the government is sa in: is nation. what the government is saying is the — nation. what the government is saying is the manner _ nation. what the government is saying is the manner in - nation. what the government is saying is the manner in which . nation. what the government is - saying is the manner in which these migrants are arriving. coming on boats illegally. that is what they have an issue with and save the you use that method which is facilitated by illegal gangs or people smugglers, that would not be your route into the uk. {iii smugglers, that would not be your route into the uk.— route into the uk. of course, that is the only — route into the uk. of course, that is the only way — route into the uk. of course, that is the only way most _ route into the uk. of course, that is the only way most refugees - route into the uk. of course, that l is the only way most refugees have to reach the uk and claim protection. there is no way to claim asylum if you are outside of the uk. you have to be on uk shores to claim protection as a refugee. the safe routes that could be the alternative, either don't exist for the majority of refugees or don't

function properly. for example, afghans who, as we know, many have been put at risk by the taliban take over, they, the ukjust resettled 22 afghans last year. afghans make up one of the largest proportions of refugees coming across by boat to the uk at the moment. because they have no safe way to come to the uk to seek protection and reunite with family, which many of them have here in britain. we ask the prime minister if you really believe that people shouldn't be taking these dangerous journeys, people shouldn't be taking these dangerousjourneys, what people shouldn't be taking these dangerous journeys, what are you offering them instead? either moment it is nothing. the prime minister said today they tried everything else. they have not. they have not opened the safe, alternative routes to allow refugees to come to the uk in a way that is safe and orderly and allows them to claim asylum here

in britain. we and allows them to claim asylum here in britain. ~ ~' ., and allows them to claim asylum here in britain. ~ ~ ., ., _ , in britain. we know that system isn't working- — in britain. we know that system isn't working. it _ in britain. we know that system isn't working. it is _ in britain. we know that system isn't working. it is creaking - in britain. we know that system | isn't working. it is creaking under the demand in some respects. 16,000 people entered the uk via general crossings last year and is up from just 302,018. the systemic cannot cook because of the sheer number of arrivals. . , cook because of the sheer number of arrivals. ., , ., arrivals. that is not true. the system cannot _ arrivals. that is not true. the system cannot cook- arrivals. that is not true. the system cannot cook because | arrivals. that is not true. the - system cannot cook because there hasn't been the same energy invested in trying to fix the system, and trying to reduce the asylum backlog. take decisions on peoples asylum claims quickly and fairly. these are not extraordinary numbers. countries countries right across the world deal with far more asylum claims and far more claims for protection each year than we do. the problem is, the government has been focused on those very real issues, such as the very few decisions which are made on peoples asylum claims every year, and instead focusing on so—called

deterrence policies that we know will not reduce peoples, people taking dangerous journeys to receive uk, and practice. this is a political choice that the government has made and it's made the decision to focus on the wrong problem. thank ou beth to focus on the wrong problem. thank you iteth for — to focus on the wrong problem. thank you beth forjoining _ to focus on the wrong problem. thank you beth forjoining us. _ hundreds of thousands of people are holding rallies across france , on a sixth day of strikes over president macron's controversial pensions reform. the government say up to one—point— four— million people joined the protests, which have been organised in more than 200 towns and cities. the biggest demonstration is under way in paris. police say around 60 to ninety—thousand protesters have gathered in the french capital. there have been some

clashes with police , who have fired several rounds of tear gas , but the protests have been largely peaceful. elsewhere, this was is the scene in rennes in the west of the country. bin collectors, teachers, lorry drivers and utility workers are also among those taking strike action today. the head of the cfdt union explained why people were taking to the streets. translation: this anger. the central anger. the anger of the working world faced with an unfair reform is still as powerful as ever. it is manifesting itself today in an even more powerful way in the streets. let's look at what they're striking about. france's retirement age is currently 62. that's the same as in sweden, portugal and greece. but much lower than many countries in western europe. the average retirement age across the european union is 65. italy and germany have moved towards raising the official retirement age to 67, as has the uk. the french government says raising the pension age to 64 will bring in an extra 19.5 billion dollars,

nearly 18 million euros, by 2030. in the lead—up to tuesday, unions had promised to bring the country to a standstill fuel deliveries have been blocked from all french refineries , according to union officials , including those run by totalenergies and esso—exxonmobil. strikes have also affected regional and high—speed trains, halting four of the five in operations , and metro services have also been cancelled. this was the scene at paris charles de gaulle airport. both easyjet and ryanair warned of delays and cancellations due to french air traffic control staff walking out. and many other industries will be hit by the walk—outs. here's what one supermarket employee had to say. translation: people are fed up. people are exhausted. people see around them, there are plenty of colleagues who don't even make it to the current legal retirement age. how can we expect them to make it to 6a?

for us, at 64, for the years to come in our children, what each would it be? 66? i think the government hasn't taken everything into account. but the government does not seem to agree. ministers insist their reform plan is essential to ensure the pension system does not go bust. yesterday prime minister elisabeth borne said: i can understand that not many people want to work two more years but, she went on, it was necessary to ensure the viability of the system. but it is not clear that the government has the votes to get the changes through the national assembly. macron's centrist alliance consists of about 250 mps so the government needs to win over opposition politicians to reach 289 votes, or convince some to abstain to get to a majority. as a last resort, the government can over—rule parliament and pass the law by decree. but such a move risks generating a political crisis.

the protests are taking place as the french senate resumes its examination of the government's pension reform bill. they will debate the plan this week as the centrist government looks to find a compromise with the conservatives to push the bill through. for more on all this i'm joined by gaelle martinez, national secretary of the union solidaires. thank you for being with us. talk to me about what you're hoping to achieve with these protests that have brought friends, as we saw, to a standstill in many parts? goad a standstill in many parts? good evenina. a standstill in many parts? good evening. what _ a standstill in many parts? good evening. what we _ a standstill in many parts? good evening. what we want - a standstill in many parts? good evening. what we want to - a standstill in many parts? (limb. evening. what we want to achieve is that we want the government to stop with this reform, and to restore the previous. not anything else. we don't want to work until 64 years enjoy. the publishing doesn't want to work until 64 years old. so, we want the government to stop, and we will keep on being on strike. we

will keep on being on strike. we will keep on demonstrating in the streets, like today. more than 3 million people were on the streets today, so we will keep on. the retirement _ today, so we will keep on. the retirement age _ today, so we will keep on. the retirement age is _ today, so we will keep on. the retirement age is currently 62. many other european countries have already made a move that france is also trying to adopt, moving closer to 65, as we mentioned, or other countries like the uk, italy and germany are moving to 67. when we talk about pension reforms, we talk about fairness. people believe they paid in and they should get retirement at the proper age. we are living longer. why should the pension age not rise to? the situation _ pension age not rise to? the situation is _ pension age not rise to? tue: situation is different pension age not rise to? tte: situation is different in pension age not rise to? tt2 situation is different in other countries. maybe swedish people would say no that maybe if they had at this time they would've maybe

protested like french people are doing today. yes, maybe we live longer but we know that living in good health decreases. because of working conditions that are really difficult, we know that life is difficult. we all know the difficulties with inflation and everything, so, maybe, sometimes, we live longer but we know that many people die before he gets into retirement age. we know that many people arrive at 62 and, we think, that 62 is too much. right at 62 you are not in good health and we just want to live and not survive. we just want to live in good health and enjoy the last years of our life. the government is determined to push

these plans through and says the viability of the system rests on being able to afford pensions for people and they need to raise the age to pay for it. how confident are you that the process will actually deliver your aims? this you that the process will actually deliver your aims? this movement is historical. deliver your aims? this movement is historical- the _ deliver your aims? this movement is historical. the population _ deliver your aims? this movement is historical. the population is- historical. the population is against the reform. something like 70% of the population is against it. the strikes and the demonstrations and the marches all around the country are historical. we know today and the days before also, there were demonstrations and marches everywhere, even in small towns. so, we will push the pressure on the government until they take off the reform. we are confident, really confident, and we will decide

more options. really confident, and we will decide more options-— really confident, and we will decide more options. gaelle martinez from france thank _ more options. gaelle martinez from france thank you. _ now to china, where the country's top leaders have issued a rare attack on the us, accusing it of trying to "contain, encircle and suppress" china and warning that if washington doesn't change course, there's a risk of conflict. here's the country's new foreign minister — ching gung — speaking on the sidelines of the annual meeting of china's parliament in beijing: translation: the united states claims to be competing to win - against china rather than seeking conflict. but in fact, the united states's so—called competition is total containment and suppression. a zero—sum game in which you die and i live. the united states's perception and views of china are seriously distorted. they regard china as the primary rival and the most consequential

international challenge. it follows rare direct criticism of the united states by chinese president xi jinping on monday in a speech behind closed doors to business leaders. he said "western countries led by the us have implemented all—round containment, encirclement and suppression" of china which have brought "unprecedented, severe challenges to our country's development". let's get the reaction of our asia pacific editor, celia hatton, to the chinese leader's language: shocking language, really, when it's coming directly from the mouth of president gigi xi jinping, coming directly from the mouth of president gigi xijinping, the most powerful man in china. it was surprising to read those words coming out of his mouth that i had to double check it was his name attributed to these quotes. in my career of watching china, 20 years now, i've never seen them used, or

any chinese leader, you such direct language into a single out the united states and place so much blame on the united states on what is going wrong inside china. very shocking language from president gigi xijinping today. a reminder of some of the areas of friction between the us and china. tensions were strained last month, when the us shot down a suspected surveillance balloon. china's foreign minister says the incident was an accident and accused the us of overreacting. earlier this year, an american warship sailed through the taiwan strait between taiwan and the chinese mainland, prompting criticism from beijing. the us and the philippines last month agreed to resume joint patrols in the disputed south china sea, and struck a deal to give us troops access to four more military bases in the philippines. there are also tensions over chinese tech and in particular this, the chinese—owned video app tiktok. a bipartisan group of 12 us senators is today introducing legislation that would give the government new powers to ban the app and other foreign—based technologies if they're seen to pose national security threats.

for more on this, we can speak to deborah seligsohn — assistant professor of political science at villanova university. there are strong words i wonder who they're aimed at directly. t there are strong words i wonder who they're aimed at directly.— they're aimed at directly. i think one of the _ they're aimed at directly. i think one of the main _ they're aimed at directly. i think one of the main audiences - they're aimed at directly. i think one of the main audiences for i they're aimed at directly. i think i one of the main audiences for any

leader is their domestic audience. i think that is going to be the primary audiencejust as think that is going to be the primary audience just as it has been for most us statements on china by the administration are mostly aimed towards our congress and media environments domestically. so, i think, given the fact that the perception in china is that the us is playing tough with china this is an indication for the domestic audience that china also plans to play tough. the audience that china also plans to play tough-— play tough. the warnings of confrontation _ play tough. the warnings of confrontation and _ play tough. the warnings of confrontation and conflict. i j confrontation and conflict. i wondered, too, how much we can read into those and home real estate that there is? t into those and home real estate that there is? ., ~' into those and home real estate that there is? ., ~ ., ., there is? i do think we are an increasingly _ there is? i do think we are an increasingly scary _ there is? i do think we are an increasingly scary time - there is? i do think we are an i increasingly scary time between there is? i do think we are an - increasingly scary time between the us and china. neither country seems willing to look or give the other the benefit of the doubt or look at each other�*s statements for less than the worst interpretation. we

are seeing that again in terms of the foreign ministers interpretations of us statements. so, there is heightened tension and, given that these are two of the most powerful nations on earth, i think thatis powerful nations on earth, i think that is very scary.— powerful nations on earth, i think that is very scary. relations to our stranue that is very scary. relations to our strange right _ that is very scary. relations to our strange right now. _ that is very scary. relations to our strange right now. i— that is very scary. relations to our strange right now. i wonder - that is very scary. relations to our strange right now. i wonder how. that is very scary. relations to our l strange right now. i wonder how you characterised this fate of relations historically. where are we in terms of these countries seeing eye to eye right now? t of these countries seeing eye to eye riaht now? ~ , , of these countries seeing eye to eye riahtnow? ~ , , right now? i think this is as bad as it is been in _ right now? i think this is as bad as it is been in decades. _ right now? i think this is as bad as it is been in decades. you - right now? i think this is as bad as it is been in decades. you know, l it is been in decades. you know, even after the nato bombing of the chinese embassy where the chinese were furious, certainly we heard language as strong as this. it's not that we haven't before, but there was still interested in both countries, and some sense that there

was a way to rebuild relations. right now, at the chinese see the us as trying to contain it, and when you look at language from the us that we're trying to shape the strategic relationship around china. i don't know how you define that other than as a way of describing containment. i think the chinese have always been nervous about this language about competition. i think we could have come up with a way to talk about competition in a good way after all, things like trade should be about competition, but we've gotten ourselves in a really difficult situation where both countries are being very combative. in a couple of sentences deborah because time is tight for some is it politics or economics? tt because time is tight for some is it politics or economics?— politics or economics? it is both. we are economic _ politics or economics? it is both. we are economic competitors . politics or economics? it is both. | we are economic competitors and politics or economics? it is both. -

we are economic competitors and both countries are struggling to figure what their economic future but they are also both worried about each other�*s political positions. tt is other's political positions. it is aood to other's political positions. it is good to have _ other's political positions. it is good to have your— other's political positions. it is good to have your programme. thank you forjoining us deborah. hello. we've seen some lovely weather watcher pictures of the snow coming through today, but it has been causing disruption and it will continue to cause disruption over the coming few days. different parts of the country, though, with many seeing some potential transport delays and cancellations, there's even stranded vehicles, we're looking at that much snow. power cuts with the ice and the blizzards — the warnings are numerous there on the website. and we're fairly confident it'll be snow, because we're all in the arctic air now. so the snow showers have certainly been coming down, too, very low levels across scotland through the course of the day. we'll continue to see that through this evening. overnight, northern ireland, across northern scotland, down the east coast, as well. and increasingly so, actually, tonight we could see a light smattering in southern areas, and then, again tomorrow.

5—10cm through tomorrow afternoon and evening, it's likely to cause some disruption. and then, on thursday, different areas again, really, midlands, north wales, northwards to scotland, quite widespread disruptive snow and blizzards. as for the rest of this evening and overnight, the showers will continue across northern scotland, around the coast, elsewhere. this is the area of rain turning to snow in that cold air, so we could have a light covering by the time we wake up in southern parts in the morning. certainly very icy and where we've had the showers, as well, because it looks set to be widely cold overnight, frosty — the coldest night of the year so far, particularly for scotland, —13 or —14. but a crisp and a sunny start — although there'll still be a few snow showers, as you can see in the north, and then, we start to turn our attention to the south.

tomorrow evening with not much, as you see across the southwest southern england and east anglia. that will cause disruption as much as five to ten cm. this nexus to a deep area of low pressure with wins combined could be windy anyway tomorrow evening the south but we could have gail's and all around this small moving band of snow but stopped northern ireland parts of england northern scotland and into north wales as well. pretty nasty weather.

hello, i'm ben thompson. this is outside source. britain's prime minister visits the border force, as he pleges to crackdown on migrants who enter the uk on small boats. people must know that if they come here illegally, it will result in their detention and swift removal. rishi sunak calls his plan necessary and fair, but charities have labelled it cruel and new low for the government. also in the programme... hundreds of thousands take to the streets, as union's vow to bring france to a standstill over a controveral pension reform. and the clamour for eurovision tickets — the event sold out in just 90 minutes, after tickets

when on sale earlier today. let's get more now on the uk government's plans stop migrants coming to the country on small boats. its new "illegal migration bill" puts a duty on ministers to detain and deport anyone who enters the country illegally, though the government has admitted the bill does "push the boundaries of international law". well, the number of people crossing the channel in small boats has soared in recent years. our analysis editor ros atkins looks at how the government has attempted to deal with the issue and the challenges it faces. crossing the channel in small boats like these has been the focus today. and let's put this in context, starting with net migration, it was 504,000 in the year tojune 2022. that's the difference between the overall number of people entering the uk, by all legal means, and those leaving. this was the highest annual total on record.

bear in mind when we look at arrivals by small boat. now last year, 2022, that figure was 45,000. that is ten times smaller than the net migration figure. but the small boats number has risen in recent years. in 2018, it was 300. now most of those people arriving by small boats will claim asylum. they say they fled their home country in search of shelter and protection. and the highest number of applicants last year came from albania, followed by afghanistan, iran, iraq and syria. and right now, two thirds of all applicants will wait at least six months for a ruling. now, in december, the government took action. it introduced measures to tackle the gangs it says are responsible for albania being at the top of this list. it says since then, 500 albanians have been sent back. the government also says it wants asylum seekers to come to the uk by what it calls safe and legal routes.

we know there are already schemes for some people from ukraine, afghanistan and hong kong and these schemes have contributed to that record net migration figure we saw earlier. but organisations such as the refugee council argue that for most people seeking asylum there aren't safe and legal routes available. it's also useful to compare the uk with other european countries. the most recent data we have for this is 2021. here it is. germany is top of that list. france and spain next, all received more asylum applications than the uk, italy and others receive fewer. now we know measures to stop the boats are a priority for rishi sunak�*s government. for the moment, the most recent data shows the numbers continue to go up, though they're a small fraction of overall migration. ros atkins, bbc news. now to ukraine, which has vowed to find the russian soldiers

who apparently killed an unarmed ukrainian prisoner of war. graphic footage of the murder has emerged online. at the beginning of the video, a voice in russian says off—camera, "film him". then the soldier says "glory to ukraine" before being shot dead. we're showing just part of this video — but a warning you may still find it distressing. gunfire there's uncertainty about the identity of the soldier. but a spokesman for the eastern ukrainian armed forces has told this programme who they believe him to be. according to preliminary information, unarmed soldiers shot by russian war criminals were from the brigade. the final answer will be given by a relevant examination.

the alleged killer or killers — who are not seen in the clip — have not been identified. this is the response of the ukrainian president. volodymyr zelensky says, "we will find the murderers". the exact location of the execution is still being verified. but according to ukrainian officials, the soldier had been captured near the eastern city of bakhmut, where fierce fighting is ongoing. the city, close to areas occupied by russia, in ukraine's eastern donbas region, has been under siege for months. russian forces have been advancing on bakhmut — but ukraine's military leadership has promised to keep fighting for the city. that pledge followed reports of preparations being made for a withdrawal, but that has now been ruled out by president zelensky. meanwhile, the european commission — together with poland — is set to launch a new initiative aimed at tracing ukrainian children abducted and taken to russia since the invasion. the number of those abducted is unclear. here's the former prime minister

of ukraine, arseniy yatsenyuk. this is a new kind of war crime and crimes against humanity that russia has started to commit. as of now, the situation is much more complicated and very difficult. so going back to the numbers, we don't know yet the exact numbers — so we need to de—occupy the territory and to figure out how many ukrainian kids have been stolen actually by the russian regime. in a report published last month, yale university researchers identified at least 43 camps and other facilities where ukrainian children are held. nathaniel raymond, from the yale school of public health's humanitarian research lab, has told the bbc they estimate at least 6,000 children either have been or are currently in russia's custody. now we know that number is low. the ukrainian government number is 16,000. several weeks ago, russia itself, with the un security council,

said they have as many as 400,000 children sheltering in russia — but you have to take that number with a grain of salt because that number is based on all children, including those who were accompanied, that have been in russia. but right now, we know that there is at least 6,000, and as many as 16,000 for sure. let's cross now to mykola kuleba, a former ukrainian ombudsman for children and is the head of the "save ukraine" non—government organisation. thank you for being with us on outside source. we heard there about the difficulty and really determining the number of children affected— what's your assessment of quite how many children have been sent to russia and are struggling, or are difficult to find their whereabouts to bring them home? tt’s whereabouts to bring them home? it's a whereabouts to bring them home? tt�*s a horrible situation — for me, it's

notjust a horrible situation — for me, it's not just war a horrible situation — for me, it's notjust war crimes, but genocide of ukrainian children. since 2014, i've been a commissioner of human rights was president poroshenko, and then with president zelensky. and my monitoring says it's more than 1.5 million ukrainian children now living in occupied of the russian federation. but they live with their families and several thousand kids are unaccompanied. and how many children were kidnapped in mariupol, where russians killed their parents? nobody knows, but through the yale university search, we knowjust about 6000 verified children through our state government research, more than 16,000 — but we have many more children who really every day suffer

the russian federation, because russia have a strategy to indoctrinate ukrainian children. just one week ago and are occupied territories in kherson region, i found tomes of freshly printed russian books for russian schoolchildren, which were printed in moscow last year. to me, russia procured this invasion and indoctrination of ukrainian children, and this strategy was not just from last year, but the last 100 years of the ukrainian war... first the soviet union, then of the 2014 in it's first and a second. it's tragic for ukrainian children. we werejust looking at it's tragic for ukrainian children. we were just looking at pictures of what we to be those camps in russia where children were taken to. given

some sense about how this happened, how were these children able to be taken out of ukraine and taken to russia? i understand some were forcibly removed, but some were given an option — if you can call it an option — to get on a bus to take them to safety, but those buses took them to safety, but those buses took them to safety, but those buses took them to russian camps. yes. them to safety, but those buses took them to russian camps.— them to safety, but those buses took them to russian camps. yes, from the russian propaganda, _ them to russian camps. yes, from the russian propaganda, we _ them to russian camps. yes, from the russian propaganda, we hear- them to russian camps. yes, from the russian propaganda, we hear about. russian propaganda, we hear about the forced evacuation — "we rescued children from war zones," but it's a lie, because a forcibly deported and kidnapped the children. it's like to agree educational camps, but it's especially to convert them from ukrainian to being russian children. and they have a clear strategy of how to do this — because during the occupation, many parents lived in bad conditions, no water or

electricity, the shillings, and they were afraid for their kids. and one day, the schoolteacher called, "oh, we have a very good programme and your child can be recreated of, like a summer camp" — at the same time in the russian federation, it was a competition between different russian regions over who will bring more ukrainian children. and many were deported by the russian federation, and after the occupation of territories, russian officials told them, "we will not send your children back," so we provide rescue missions and return ukrainian children back from russian territories.— children back from russian territories. ., ,, ., , territories. thank you for being with us on _ territories. thank you for being with us on outside _ territories. thank you for being with us on outside source. - territories. thank you for being i with us on outside source. thank territories. thank you for being - with us on outside source. thank you so much. well, we often report the statistics about casualties from the war in ukraine, but rarely do we hear

about what happens to those who've injured in the conflict. the bbc has been given access to one hospitial in lviv in western ukraine, where the wounded are given specialist rehabilitation treatment. a warning, you may find some parts of this report from our ukraine correspondent james waterhouse upsetting. this is when illya pylypenko's war ended. his tank had just gone over a mine in the southern kherson region last september. he holds on as his comrades take him to safety. illya suffered burns across a third of his body and seriously injured his leg. the journey for wounded soldiers is a long one. in lviv, western ukraine, thousands end up at this rehabilitation centre.

in this war of old, injuries from explosions or shells are the most common. while illya is one of many, it's been an isolating six months. translation: i had many surgeries, a skin graft and three _ operations on my leg. there was a search for doctors, hope for a specialist who may be able to save my leg. then there was disappointment and then some hope, because losing a limb is not the end. illya is learning to look ahead. but his next chapter is unlikely to be from the front line. thousands of injured soldiers find themselves in hospitals like this across ukraine and that is putting a real strain on the country's health system. the fighting, or the brutality of it that they've come from, is unimaginable.

but a return to a fuller life is possible. on a cold kyiv morning is a perfect case in point. we last saw hlib stryzhko in may, when he was being treated for a broken pelvis and jaw after he returned from captivity. he's also lost vision in one eye and has been told his military days are over. instead, he helps other veterans. translation: my country, | my troops, the marines need the best of the best. deep inside, i still feel guilty i'm not in the forces. but i can be effective even when i'm not in military uniform. every ukrainian bears some of this invasion's weight. where there is hurt, there is some healing — despite everything. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv.

stay with us on outside source. still to come: fans across europe battle for a place, as tickets to the eurovision song contest sell out in just 90 minutes. the charity age uk is calling for anyone with a pre—payment energy meter to be able to have it removed for free. it says half—a—million older households have such meters, which are more expensive than paying for gas and electricity via direct debit. colletta smith reports. so the noodles have just been placed into boiling water... everyone here is keen to stay warm, have a chat and learn how to cook without spending a fortune. get stuck in. jackie's here with her pals judy, madge and joe. but while they all pay by direct debit, jackie's gas is on a pre—payment meter — and her gas costs more as a result. it isn't fair.

everybody should be paying the same amount. but, you know, that's the way it goes at the moment. i've spoken to so many different people of all different ages who've moved into a house with a pre—payment meter or had one installed, and they've had real difficulty getting it reversed again — and that's what age uk want to change. the regulator ofgem are spending the rest of this month reviewing the way meters are installed, and they're examining tougher rules for switching those in financial difficulty. but they and energy suppliers have told me that allowing people who already have a meter to choose to switch off it could leave millions of pounds in unrecoverable debt, which everyone else would have to pay for. but age uk think it's too dangerous not to allow people the option to switch away from pre—payment. i went to somebody�*s house, and they told me that they were cooking a roast dinner for their wife and himself. they weren't cooking anything. i saw in their fridge, there was no food.

and the next lucky winner is 123! cheering there are no easy wins when deciding what happens next. there we go, i told you it was going to be fast! but the government and the regulator are under pressure to protect prepayment customers better. colletta smith, bbc news, in trafford. this is outside source, live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... britian's prime minister says controversial new legislation to swiftly deport migrants arriving by boat is the only way to deter illegally immigtation. you may remember how a decade or so ago, the tomb of king richard iii was found beneath a car park in leicester, in central england. well, archaeologists have now made another major

discovery just 50 yards away. it's a roman shrine, buried beneath a former graveyard — next to leicester cathedral. our midlands correspondent phil mackie has been given special access to the site. deep beneath leicester city centre, they've been uncovering 2,000 years of history. so we've been excavating here for about nine months now... matthew morris is excited. and he's the man who unearthed the remains of richard iii, in a car park barely 50 metres away ten years ago. in this corner, eight metres underground and right next door to leicester cathedral, they've made an important discovery. these are our sort of special artefacts that we've had out so far. so a lovely, intact roman hairpin. that's incredible. but then this is our star find at the minute. this, we're pretty certain, is going to be the base of a roman altar. it may not look much, but this is likely to have been part of a subterranean shrine. most of it's buried underneath modern leicester. this was a rare

opportunity to excavate. it's because the cathedral�*s building a new visitor centre. they knew it would be interesting, but didn't know how much they'd find. there's always been a tradition that leicester cathedral was built on a roman temple. we're now finding a roman building that looks like it might have a shrine status to it. so some sort of element — private worship, maybe. but maybe there's a retention of memory through the centuries from that roman building to the cathedral being built on top of it. they knew the area had been a graveyard for centuries, but they didn't know exactly how long. well, they've found over 1,000 sets of human remains. there are three more buried here. these were around 1,000 years old. so from around the 11th century and at the end of the dig, these human remains will be taken away and ultimately reburied by the cathedral. these two children were buried much earlier than that. they're probably from the early anglo—saxon period, maybe 8th century. that gives the archaeologists more evidence of what happened

after the romans left leicester. this 3d image shows the excavation at the end of the dig, but now the work's complete, its all being filled back in again. phil mackie, bbc news, leicester. breaking news to bring to you related to the screen, strike action was planned in the uk on the railway network, the main rmt union that's been at the centre of this dispute for many months now says it has suspended all of its industrial action that was planned for four dates over the easter weekend. the 16th and 18th of march, the 30th of march, and the 1st of april where the latest dates in a long series of disruptions to the uk's real network. that was strike action related to pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions. but as you can see there, the rmt says it's now

suspended those strikes after it's received a new offer from the employer. so one would assume it's a higher pay offer, allowing those strikes to be called off. we will get the latest for you here on bbc news. speaking of something entirely different... have you managed to get your hands on tickets for the eurovision song contest in liverpool in may? if you have, then you've done pretty well. the event sold out in just 90 minutes, when tickets went on sale today. it's the first time the uk has hosted the contest for 25 years. here's our eurovision reporter daniel rosney. of course, we're hosting it on behalf of ukraine, who won last year's competition. but because of the ongoing invasion there, it was deemed too dangerous. so because of that, the uk government has set aside 3,000 tickets for ukrainians now living in the uk as a result of the war in ukraine, and the government will give further information about how those ukrainians will be able to get tickets in the future. —— in the nearfuture. in a sign of the huge demand,

new figures show a surge in hotel prices in liverpool during the contest. prices are up an average of 233% for the week of the event, compared with the same month in 2022. and hotel prices are 255% higher on the day of the final itself. superfans across europe are counting down the days. let's get a flavour of the excitement. hello, everybody! iceland calling! spain calling! this is germany calling. hi there, from armenia. and i gotjedward to sign it. it's the eurovision . logo, with this heart. they were so lovely, by the way. hello, i'm stephan, from sweden! there's no denying i may be rooting for italy right now. ijust ironed it! you don't want to have, | like, crumpled—up flags! it's infectious. let's talk to marie smith and michael lord — a couple who met through their love of eurovision and who have also

managed to bag tickets for this year's semi—finals and finals. so many questions to you both, but thanks for being on the programme. first of all, congratulations for getting your hands on the tickets, how did you manage it?— getting your hands on the tickets, how did you manage it? well, we are art of the how did you manage it? well, we are part of the uk — how did you manage it? well, we are part of the uk fan _ how did you manage it? well, we are part of the uk fan club, _ how did you manage it? well, we are part of the uk fan club, and we - part of the uk fan club, and we entered a ballot which basically is a raffle ticket, and it depends on whether you're given the opportunity to buy the ticket. so michael pulled 113 out of the hat, which means that he managed to get both of us, because we are back paired, tickets for the live semifinals, and also the final. t for the live semifinals, and also the final. ., ., . a ., the final. i wanted to check that ou the final. i wanted to check that you definitely — the final. i wanted to check that you definitely got _ the final. i wanted to check that you definitely got two, - the final. i wanted to check that you definitely got two, because | the final. i wanted to check that i you definitely got two, because it's no good if you only got one for the pair of you. no good if you only got one for the pair of you-— pair of you. know, it's no good if ou're pair of you. know, it's no good if you're not _ pair of you. know, it's no good if you're not sitting _ pair of you. know, it's no good if you're not sitting together, - pair of you. know, it's no good if l you're not sitting together, either. so michael, tell me, you met through your love of your vision. how did

that work?— that work? well, we both independently _ that work? well, we both independently used - that work? well, we both independently used to . that work? well, we both independently used to do j that work? well, we both - independently used to do shows on the local_ independently used to do shows on the local hospital radio, and when we found — the local hospital radio, and when we found we had a shared passion for eurovision. _ we found we had a shared passion for eurovision, we did a special show to commemorate the fifth anniversary of eurovision. _ commemorate the fifth anniversary of eurovision, and we got together to organise _ eurovision, and we got together to organise that and have been together ever since _ organise that and have been together ever since. he organise that and have been together ever since. ., ., ever since. he moved in and then never moved _ ever since. he moved in and then never moved out. _ ever since. he moved in and then never moved out. laughter - never moved out. laughter you can get _ never moved out. laughter you can get rid _ never moved out. laughter you can get rid of— never moved out. laughter you can get rid of him - never moved out. laughter you can get rid of him now, | never moved out. laughter - you can get rid of him now, marie. talk to us about how your vision brought you together, its also known for bringing so many people together, its a celebration around the world. what do you like most about eurovision? tt’s the world. what do you like most about eurovision?— about eurovision? it's got everything. _ about eurovision? it's got everything, really. - about eurovision? it's got everything, really. it's- about eurovision? it's got i everything, really. it's such about eurovision? it's got - everything, really. it's such a diverse community — we've been to a couple different contests, we went to lisbon and tel aviv, and it's actually fans getting together — doesn't matter what your songs are, whether it's good or bad — they all

celebrate each other, "oh, we are from europe, we are from australia," you know, you meet outside and are seen each other the's songs. you're all coming together, so all the fans are together. so it's like, a mixture. tt are together. so it's like, a mixture-— are together. so it's like, a mixture. ., , �* ., ., , mixture. it doesn't matter who wins, it's not like — mixture. it doesn't matter who wins, it's not like a — mixture. it doesn't matter who wins, it's not like a football— mixture. it doesn't matter who wins, it's not like a football competition i it's not like a football competition where _ it's not like a football competition where you've got people rivalling each other, you just enjoy the contest — each other, you 'ust en'oy the contest. �* , , . ~ each other, you 'ust en'oy the contest. �* , , ., ~ ., each other, you 'ust en'oy the contest. �* , , .,~ ., ., each other, you 'ust en'oy the contest. �* ,, .,~ ., ., , contest. and speaking of who wins, michael, contest. and speaking of who wins, michael. who _ contest. and speaking of who wins, michael, who is _ contest. and speaking of who wins, michael, who is your _ contest. and speaking of who wins, michael, who is your money - contest. and speaking of who wins, michael, who is your money on - contest. and speaking of who wins, michael, who is your money on thisj michael, who is your money on this year? michael, who is your money on this ear? �* r' �* . year? 0... asked me when i've heard the british entry. _ year? 0... asked me when i've heard the british entry. laughter - the british entry. laughter i think sweden _ the british entry. laughter i think sweden has - the british entry. laughter i think sweden has a - the british entry. laughter i think sweden has a couple| the british entry. laughter | i think sweden has a couple of the british entry. laughter - i think sweden has a couple of good songs _ i think sweden has a couple of good sonus. ., ., i think sweden has a couple of good sons, ., .,, i think sweden has a couple of good sons. ., ., songs. norway, as well, norway - i think fans are _ songs. norway, as well, norway - i think fans are favouring _ songs. norway, as well, norway - i think fans are favouring norway - songs. norway, as well, norway - i think fans are favouring norway at l think fans are favouring norway at the moment, but that could change because finland hasjust come the moment, but that could change because finland has just come out. this weekend is the final of the swedish, so they are very good

contenders as well. congratulations to ou contenders as well. congratulations to you both — contenders as well. congratulations to you both for— contenders as well. congratulations to you both for getting _ contenders as well. congratulations to you both for getting those - to you both for getting those tickets, have a great time when you get there, maria and michael, lovely to talk to you. that's outside source. hello. we've had some lovely weather watcher pictures of the snow coming in today, but it has caused disruption, and it will, snow will cause more disruption, ice as well over the coming few days. different areas seeing the snow on different days but many will see that snow and it'll cause problems, as much as vehicles being stranded and power cuts as the winds whip up as well. there are numerous warnings in force for the coming few days. they're all on our website, and it is likely to be snow and ice because we're all into this arctic air now. a blast right the way down from the north. so, as these weather fronts approach, they'll turn to snow. they certainly have done during the today, and that threat remains of snow, particularly northern scotland, 1—2 for the east coast and northern ireland. but we could also see a smattering in the south tonight, and increasingly snow later tomorrow right across the south, including the southeast,

as much as 5—10cm of snow, which will cause problems, disruption and a widespread snow event then into thursday, further north across parts of wales, northern england, northern ireland, and into scotland. we'll be firming up on the details, but potentially a lot of snow, perhaps more than we've seen for some time. the snow showers continue to come across the north through this evening, and then, this weather system perhaps just gets a little bit more active through the early hours and might give a light covering to some in the morning — or by morning, i should say. and it'll be ,icy as well, where we've had the showers and where we have that mixture of rain on the coast but snow inland overnight. the coldest night of the winter so far, particularly across scotland, —13 or —14, but a sparkling start, plenty of sunshine around. ice, obviously a concern, particularly where we have the showers and they'll continue to fall across the northern isles, northern scotland, perhaps fewer northern ireland and eastern areas. but it's another cold, dry and sunny day for many except the south. here we've got that next weather front gathering. initially is some rain,

but turning to snow over bodmin, dartmoor, exmoor, certainly over the south wales valleys, turning heavier as it moves into south eastern areas tomorrow evening. and we've got more to come, as you can see across the south, west, southern england, the south midlands and east anglia. that will cause some disruption, as much as 5—10cm. and then this is the next system, a deep area of low pressure. so those winds combined, it'll be windy anyway tomorrow evening in the south, but we could have gales under this all around this slow moving band of snow, which will linger, we think northern ireland, parts of northern england, scotland and into north wales as well. pretty nasty weather.

hello, i'm ben thompson. this is outside source. britain's prime minister visits the border force as he pleges to crackdown on migrants who enter the uk on small boats. people must know that if they, come here illegally, it will result in there at the tensioned and swift removal. rishi sunak calls his plan necessary and fair, but charities have labelled it cruel and new low for the government. also in the programme. hundreds of thousands take to the streets as unions vow to bring france to a standstill over a controversial pension reform. and beijing hits out at washington — accusing the us of trying to contain, encircle and suppress

china. let's start with a big story here in the uk. the home secretary has set out her plans for a crackdown on migrants arriving on small boats from france. the government wants to stop asylum—seekers from crossing the english channel. earlier today, the prime minister visited the port of dover — where he met with staff in a control room monitoring those arriving in vessels via illegal routes. and later on, he spoke from downing street. there is nothing compassionate or fair about us being not able to help the truly most vulnerable people around the world because our system is being overwhelmed by people who were jumping the queue, and coming here illegally, and they are not the most vulnerable. they are travelling through multiple safe european countries, they are paying people thousands of pounds to get here. so, i want to move to a system

where we break that cycle. and let's hear now from the home secretary suella braverman. they will not stop coming here until the world knows that if you enter britain illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed. removed back to your country, if it's safe, or a safe country, a safe third country, like rwanda. that is precisely what this bill will do. that is how we will stop the boats. so let's take a closer look at the proposed legislatoin. the plan will prevent those arriving illegally from claiming asylum — they'll be detained on arrival. and it will block them from seeking citizenship or re—entering the uk. you also heard the home secretary mention rwanda there. that's because of a policy in place aimed at deporting some asylum seekers to the african country.

it's been mired in legal challenges though — so no one has been sent there so far. let's hear now from the labour opposition. this is the shadow home secetary yvette cooper. what will happen when people leave 28 day detention? wil she make people destitute, so they just wondered the streets in total chaos? torture victims, afghan interpreters, families with children. or will she put them into indefinite taxpayer—funded accommodation? never returned anywhere because they don't have the agreements with europe in place, neither returned, nor given sanctuary, never having their case resolved. just forever in aslyum accommodations and hotels, she may not call it the asylum system, but thousands of people will still be in it nevertheless. let's take a look at some of the numbers. nearly 46,000 migrants crossed the channel to britain in 2022 — that's according to government figures. that's up from around 300 in 2018. more on this from the migration observatory —

a thinktank here in the uk. it's very difficult to see how. i mean, the uk detention state at the moment has a capacity for 2500 individuals. well, last year, we saw around 45,000 people entered by small boat. so, clearly, that would have to be substantially upscaled to be able to detain people in those numbers. i think they would have to be detained because they are being threatened with deportation. it wouldn't be sufficient to house them in hotels or local communities because there would be a high risk of absconding. the plan also relies on the co—operation of the uk's neighbours — particularly france. jean—paul mulot is a councillor for the hauts—de—france region, which includes the port of calais. what europa said, and emmanuel macron will take the measure of the

problem with signing a new treaty, actual treaty to rule the everything what's happening on the channel on ourjoint border. we cannot keep going with a local regulation. that cannot really work. it might help but it will not solve the problem. here's our correspondent in calais, lucy williamson. from the conversations that we've been having the announcement today has not been much of a deterrent for people here in the camps. they remember the announcement of the rwanda policy last year and remember the anxiety had caused for some of them and they remembered the fact that no one has actually been sent to rwanda. so a lot of them conclude that these kind of policies either will not happen or will not happen to them. and by way of illustration, i want to tell you about a young man from sudanese man that we spoke to the said to me he would rather be in prison in the uk than free here in france.

i think that gives you some idea that many people here have had to rationalise risk in order to end up hear but i do think there is a sense that as long as there is a window of hope than many people are going to stay committed to their plan to get to the uk whatever the potential consequences might be. beth gardiner—smith is the chief executive of the refugee charity safe passage uk. what this legislation does is really drive a coach and horses through the fundamental principle of the right to seek protection. in the refugee convention itself, essentially what the government is saying is to vulnerable refugees who, in most cases don't have time to flee with papers, don't have time to obtain a visa or the ability to obtain a visa to cross borders. they are effectively saying we will never give you protection, we will never

give you protection, we will never give you protection, we will never give you the security that you need and deserve. and actually, we expect other countries to do that for us instead. by deporting you to their countries or expecting countries like rwanda had to take on our responsibility as a nation to offer said a priori to these refugees. this is some of the most draconian legislation toward refugees that we've seen anywhere in the world recently. this is not who we should aspire to be as a nation. the government _ aspire to be as a nation. the government is _ aspire to be as a nation. the government is saying here it is the manner in which these migrants are arriving, coming about illegally. that is what they have an issue with. they are saying if you use that method, one that is facilitated by illegal gangs and people smugglers then that will not be your route into the uk. but smugglers then that will not be your route into the uk.— route into the uk. but of course that is the _ route into the uk. but of course that is the only _ route into the uk. but of course that is the only way _ route into the uk. but of course that is the only way that - route into the uk. but of course that is the only way that most i that is the only way that most refugees have to reach the uk and claim protection. there is no way to

claim protection. there is no way to claim asylum if you are outside of the uk for that you have to be on uk shores to claim protection as a refugee. the safe routes that could be the alternative of either don't exist for the majority of refugees or don't function properly. to give you an example, afghans who as we know, many have been put at risk by the taliban takeover. the uk settled just 22 afghans last year. afghans make up one of the largest proportions of refugees coming across by boat to the uk at the moment. and because they have no safe way to come to the uk to seek protection and to reunite with family, which many of the maths here in britain. we ask the prime minister, if you really believe that people shouldn't be taking these dangerous journeys that what are you offering them and said? at the moment it's nothing. the prime

minister said today they tried everything else. they have not. they have not opened a safe alternative route to allow refugees to come to the uk in a way that is safe, orderly and allows them to claim asylum here in britain. another line on that story that we've been bringing you in the last half—hour here in the uk, news of the british trade union as announced at strike action that affects the railways will not go ahead for the pets after receiving a new pay offer. that pay offer still needs to go to a vote so it is not agreed to, not a done deal yet. you'll know that that dispute has a wide transport strikes in the uk over recent months. some process did not progress in those negotiations but as yet no word from these companies whether they will accept the deal although they have called off immediate strike actions. staying

with that theme... staying with that theme... hundreds of thousands of people have been holding rallies across france on a sixth day of strikes over president macron's controversial pensions reform. the govenment says one point one million people joined the protests, which have been organised in more than two—hundred towns and cities. the biggest demonstration is under way in paris. police say around sixty to ninety—thousand protesters have gathered in the french capital. there have been some clashes with police who have fired several rounds of teargas but the protests have been largely peaceful. elsewhere, this was is the scene in rennes in the west of the country. bin collectors, teachers, lorry drivers and utility workers are also among those taking strike action today. the head of the cfdt union explained why people were taking to the streets. translation: this anger. the social anger. the anger of the working world faced with an unfair reform is still as powerful as ever. it is manifesting itself today in an even more powerful way in the streets.

let's look at what they're striking about. france's retirement age is currently 62. that's the same as in sweden, portugal and greece. but much lower than many countries in western europe. the average retirement age across the european union is 65. italy and germany have moved towards raising the official retirement age to 67, as has the uk. the french government says raising the pension age to 64 will bring in an extra $19.5 billion or 18 billion euros, by 2030. in the lead—up to tuesday, unions had promised to bring the country to a standstill. fuel deliveries have been blocked from all french refineries according to union officials — including those run by totalenergies and esso—exxon mobil. strikes have also affected regional and high—speed trains, halting four of the five in operations and metro services have also been cancelled. this was the scene at

paris charles de gaulle airport. both easyjet and ryanair warned of delays and cancellations due to french air traffic control staff walking out. and many other industries will be hit by the walkouts. here's what one supermarket employee had to say. translation: people are fed up. people are exhausted. people see around them, there are plenty of colleagues who don't even make it to the current legal retirement age. how can we expect them to make it to 64? for us, at 64, for the years to come in our children, what each would it be? 66? i think the government hasn't taken everything into account. guy martinez is national secretary of the union solidaires. what we want to achieve is we want the government to stop with this reform and to withdraw the reform. that's not anything else. wejust don't want to work until 64 years

old. the population doesn't work until 64 years old. we want the government to stop and we will keep on being on strike, we will keep on demonstrating in the streets like today. more than 3 million people were on the streets today. we will keep on. were on the streets today. we will kee on. ., keep on. the retirement age currently _ keep on. the retirement age currently 62, many - keep on. the retirement age currently 62, many other- keep on. the retirement age - currently 62, many other european countries have already made a move that france is trying to adopt moving closer to 65, as we mentioned. other countries including the uk, italy and germany moving to 67. whenever we talk about pension reform we talk about fairness, people feel they paid in so they should get a payout when they reach retirement age. but the truth is, we're living longer. so why should they pension age not rise to? that’s they pension age not rise to? that's not because — they pension age not rise to? that's not because the _ they pension age not rise to? that's not because the situation is - they pension age not rise to? that's not because the situation is worse i not because the situation is worse in other countries, that we want to

do the same. maybe if you ask swedish people now they would say if they had realised at this time they would maybe protest like french people do today. yes, maybe a little longer but we know that living in good years decreases because of working conditions that are really difficult. we know that life is difficult. we know that life is difficult. we know that life is difficult. we all know the difficulties with inflation and everything. maybe sometimes we live longer. but we know that many people die before getting to retirement age. we know that many people arrive at 62 and we think that 62 is too much. arrived at 62 not in good

health, wejust much. arrived at 62 not in good health, we just want to live and not survive. we want to live in good health and enjoy the last years of our life. health and en'oy the last years of our life. ., , our life. the government is determined _ our life. the government is determined to _ our life. the government is determined to push - our life. the government is determined to push these i our life. the government is - determined to push these plans through. it has says the whole viability of the system rests on being able to book for pensions for people and that means they need to raise the age to save the money to pay for it. how confident are you that the protest will actually deliver your aims?— that the protest will actually deliver your aims? that the protest will actually deliver our aims? , ., , deliver your aims? this movement is historical. deliver your aims? this movement is historical- the _ deliver your aims? this movement is historical. the population _ deliver your aims? this movement is historical. the population is- historical. the population is against the rree forum. something like 70% of the population is against it. —— against reform. the strikes and demonstrations and marches all around the country, we know that they are off today but the days before also they were demonstrations and marches

everywhere, even in small towns. we will push the pressure on the government until it is off the reform. we're confident, really confident. we will decide more action. stay with us on outside source — still to come. tough words from china —— beijing lables of a catastrophic conflict. the numbers of dead and wounded defied belief. the worst terrorist atrocity on european soil in modern times. th atrocity on european soil in modern times. , , ., ., , times. in less than 24 hours the soviet union _ times. in less than 24 hours the soviet union lost _ times. in less than 24 hours the soviet union lost in _ times. in less than 24 hours the soviet union lost in elderly - times. in less than 24 hours the soviet union lost in elderly sick| soviet union lost in elderly sick leader and replaced them with a dynamic figure 20 years his junior. we heard these gunshots in the gym and came _

we heard these gunshots in the gym and came out firing. god, we were all petrified. and came out firing. god, we were all petrified-— and came out firing. god, we were all petrified. james earl ray age 41 sentenced to _ all petrified. james earl ray age 41 sentenced to 99 _ all petrified. james earl ray age 41 sentenced to 99 years _ all petrified. james earl ray age 41 sentenced to 99 years and - all petrified. james earl ray age 41 sentenced to 99 years and do - all petrified. james earl ray age 41 sentenced to 99 years and do for. sentenced to 99 years and do for parole _ sentenced to 99 years and do for parole when _ sentenced to 99 years and do for parole when he _ sentenced to 99 years and do for parole when he is— sentenced to 99 years and do for parole when he is mighty- sentenced to 99 years and do for parole when he is mighty traveli parole when he is mighty travel from a methodist— parole when he is mighty travel from a methodist jail— parole when he is mighty travel from a methodist jail to _ parole when he is mighty travel from a methodist jail to a _ parole when he is mighty travel from a methodist jail to a state _ a methodist jail to a state prison in a car— a methodist jail to a state prison in a car convoy _ a methodist jail to a state prison in a car convoy.— in a car convoy. paul, what's it feel like to _ in a car convoy. paul, what's it feel like to be _ in a car convoy. paul, what's it feel like to be married - in a car convoy. paul, what's it feel like to be married at - in a car convoy. paul, what's it. feel like to be married at last was that it feels fine, thank you. what now, will a change of much life, do you think? t now, will a change of much life, do ou think? ., �* now, will a change of much life, do you think?— you think? i don't know, i've never been married _ you think? i don't know, i've never been married before. _ this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... britian's prime minister says controversial new legislation to swiftly deport migrants arriving by boat is the only way to deter illegally immigtation.

protesters take to the streets of france —— over government plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 64. now to china, where the country's top leaders have issued a rare attack on the us, accusing it of trying to "contain, encircle and suppress" china and warning that if washington doesn't change course, there's a risk of conflict. here's the country's new foreign minister — ching gung — speaking on the sidelines of the annual meeting of china's parliament in beijing. translation: the united states claims to be competing to win - against china rather than seeking conflict. but in fact, the united states's so—called competition is total containment and suppression. a zero—sum game in which you die and i live. the united states's perception and views of china are seriously distorted. they regard china as the primary rival and the most consequential international challenge.

it follows rare direct criticism of the united states by chinese president xi jinping on monday in a speech behind closed doors to business leaders. he said... let's get the reaction of our asia pacific editor, celia hatton, to the chinese leader's language. shocking language, really, when it's coming directly from the mouth of president xijinping, the most powerful man in china. it was surprising to read those words coming out of his mouth that i had to double check it was his name attributed to these quotes. in my career of watching china, 20 years now, i've never seen them used, or any chinese leader, you such direct language into a single out the united states

and place so much blame on the united states on what is going wrong inside china. very shocking language from president xi jinping today. a reminder of some of the areas of friction between the us and china. tensions were strained last month, when the us shot down a suspected surveillance balloon. china's foreign minister says the incident was an accident and accused the us of overreacting. earlier this year, an american warship sailed through the taiwan strait between taiwan and the chinese mainland, prompting criticism from beijing. the us and the philippines last month agreed to resume joint patrols in the disputed south china sea, and struck a deal to give us troops access to four more military bases in the philippines. there are also tensions over chinese tech, and in particular this, the chinese—owned video app tiktok. a bipartisan group of 12 us senators is today introducing legislation that would give the government new powers to ban the app and other foreign—based technologies if they're seen to pose

national security threats. deborah seligsohn is an assistant professor of political science at villanova university. i university. think we really are in an increasingly i think we really are in an increasingly scary time between the us and china. neither country seems willing to at any moment give the other the benefit of the doubt or look at each other's statement for less than the worst interpretation. we're seeing that again in terms of foreign ministers interpretation of us statements. there is heightened tension for that and given that these are two of the most powerful nations on earth, i think that's very scary. nations on earth, i think that's very scary-— nations on earth, i think that's ve sca . ., ., , , very scary. relations between the two are particularly _ very scary. relations between the two are particularly strange - very scary. relations between the two are particularly strange rightl two are particularly strange right now. i wonder how you would characterise the state of relations historically, where are we in terms

of these two countries seeing eye to eye right now? t of these two countries seeing eye to eye right now?— eye right now? i think this is as bad as it's _ eye right now? i think this is as bad as it's been _ eye right now? i think this is as bad as it's been in _ eye right now? i think this is as bad as it's been in decades. - eye right now? i think this is as i bad as it's been in decades. even after the belgrade bombing, the chuck bombing of the chinese embassy with the chinese were furious with the certainly referred language is strong as this, it's not like we haven't before but there were still some interest in both countries and some interest in both countries and some sense that there was a well dues way to build relations. and right now the chinese see the us is trying to contain it. when you look at language from the date you asked that we're trying to shape the strategic relationship around china, i don't know how you define that other than a way of describing containment. i think the chinese have always been nervous about this language about competition. i think

we could have come up with a way to talk about competition in a good way for them after all, things like trade should be about competition. but we've gotten ourselves in a really difficult situation where both countries are being very combative. now, if you wanted a ticket for this year's eurovision song contest in may you had to be quick today. the tickets for all 9 shows being staged in liverpool sold out in just 90 minutes. our arts correspondent david sillito reports i love your eurovision. ever since i was ten years old. and the big day arrived. the countdown to eurovision tickets going on sale. i am nervous. one minute left. ifeel like i am going to pass out.

i'm in! and he was in to the queue. we will come back tojosh later, because he was one of thousands trying to get a ticket for liverpool, which is hosting eurovision because it is felt ukraine is currently too dangerous. yes! and this woman who lived in liverpool succeeded. ok, i feel relieved now. and another heading to experience this, long—term eurovision fan, sasha. that was one of the most stressful experiences - of my life but over an hour later we finally got in. however, they were the lucky ones. all tickets sold out in record time. it's been really competitive. a lot of crashing on ticketmaster, so i think there will be a lot of disappointed people that you have to remember there's a lot happening in liverpool anyway, so whether you have a ticket or not, i would encourage you to come to the city and see what we have to offer. oh, my god, i've gota map.

oh, my god, i've got a map. meanwhile, back atjosh's. oh, my gosh. oh, my god, ithink i'm going to cry. yeah, i got a vip package! oh, my god, i'm going to have a heart attack. a dream come true until he tried to put in his security code. something went wrong and... too late. tickets for the grand final have now sold out, that's what it says. what can you do? something might happen, you never know. he was very understanding. good luck to everyone who got their tickets. an alligator believed to have been stolen from a zoo in texas 20 years ago has been returned after being discovered at a nearby home. take a look at this, the 8—foot creatures thought to be taken either as an acre of hatchling for the founder of

the city of austin before being taken back to animal world zoo. hello. we've had some lovely weather watcher pictures of the snow coming in today, but it has caused disruption, and it will, snow will cause more disruption, ice as well over the coming few days. different areas seeing the snow on different days but many will see that snow and it'll cause problems, as much as vehicles being stranded and power cuts as the winds whip up as well. there are numerous warnings in force for the coming few days. they're all on our website, and it is likely to be snow and ice because we're all into this arctic air now. a blast right the way down from the north. so, as these weather fronts approach, they'll turn to snow. they certainly have done during the today, and that threat remains of snow, particularly northern scotland, one or two for the east coast and northern ireland.

but we could also see a smattering in the south tonight and increasingly snow later tomorrow right across the south, including the southeast, as much as 5—10 centimetres of snow, which will cause problems, disruption and a widespread snow event then into thursday, further north across parts of wales, northern england, northern ireland and into scotland. we'll be firming up on the details, but potentially a lot of snow, perhaps more than we've seen for some time. the snow showers continue to come across the north through this evening and then this weather system perhaps just gets a little bit more active through the early hours and might give a light covering to some in the morning or by morning, i should say. and it'll be icy as well, where we've had the showers and where we have that mixture of rain on the coast but snow inland overnight. the coldest night of the winter so far, particularly across scotland, —13 or —14, but a sparkling start, plenty of sunshine around. ice, obviously a concern, particularly where we have the showers and they'll continue to fall across the northern isles, northern scotland, perhaps fewer northern ireland and eastern areas. but it's another cold, dry and sunny day for many except the south. here we've got that next

weather front gathering. initially it is some rain, but turning to snow over bodmin, dartmoor, exmoor, certainly over the south wales valleys, turning heavier as it moves into south eastern areas tomorrow evening. and we've got more to come, as you can see across the south, west, southern england, the south midlands and east anglia. that will cause some disruption, as much as 5—10 centimetres. and then this is the next system, a deep area of low pressure. so those winds combined, it'll be windy anyway tomorrow evening in the south, but we could have gales under this all around this slow moving band of snow, which will linger, we think northern ireland, parts of northern england, scotland and into north wales as well. pretty nasty weather.

this is bbc news. we will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hours straight after this programme. child: the day before war started wasjust like any other. _ we played with our friends and ate with our families. that night was the last time our dreams were peaceful. in them, fireworks danced, lighting up the skies. but we woke to explosions.