this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm ben brown. our top stories... the international criminal court issues arrest warrants for vladimir putin and his children's commissioner — accusing them of war crimes over the unlawful deportation of children from ukraine to russia. the judges issued arrest warrants. their prosecution depends on international cooperation. china's president, xijinping, is to make a state visit to russia next week, for talks with president putin. turkey will start the process of ratifying finland's nato membership bid as the leaders of the two countries meet. a review of london's metropolitan police is expected to heavily criticise the force for racist, sexist and

a review of london's metropolitan police is expected to heavily criticise the force for racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour. uk passport office staff are to strike for five weeks, which could have a major impact on holidaymakers booking summer holidays. and making waves — a former professional surfer breaks the world record for the longest surf session in australia. the international criminal court has issued an arrest warrant for president vladimir putin — and the head of the russian children's commission — for alleged war crimes in ukraine. they are accused of forcibly deporting children from ukraine to russia. the icc says there are reasonable

grounds to believe mr putin bares individual criminal responsibility for such deportations, which it says started soon after moscow launched its full scale invasion nearly 13 months ago. the warrant means mr putin could be detained if he leaves the country. the kremlin has denounced the move, calling it outrageous and unacceptable. a spokesman for mr putin said russia does not recognise the jurisdiction of the international criminal court and any decisions of this kind for russia are legally null and void. ukraine's prosecutor general said it was a historic decision for his country. here is the president of the icc making the announcement. the international court has issued

——the international criminal court has issued two warrants of arrest of arrest in the ukraine situation for vladimir putin, president of the russian federation and four the commissioner of the russian from children's rights for the alleged war crimes of the deportation of children from ukrainian occupied territories into the russian federation. this is an important moment in the process ofjustice before the icc. the judges have reviewed the information and evidence submitted by the prosecutor and determined there are credible allegations against these persons for the alleged crimes. the icc is doing its part of the work. it's the court of law, the judges issued arrest warrants. their prosecution depends on international cooperation. our correspondent, anna holligan, is in the hague with exactly what the icc has done. i'm inside the icc now, and we reported here

for an interview, no advance warning of these arrest warrants given. i have a copy of the press conference here. what is really interesting as it focuses on one specific crime which is the alleged deportation of children from occupied areas of parts of ukraine by allegedly vladimir putin and as steve was saying, the commissioner for children's rights in the office of the president of the russian federation, maria belova. the first time we have come across her, but of course not vladimir putin. the arrest warrants are being kept private, confidential, but according to this press statement, he, vladimir putin, russian president, is allegedly responsible for committing these acts, jointly or with others, the statement says, and failing to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed these acts or allowed for the commission. as steve was saying, russia is not

a signatory to the icc. it is highly unlikely russia would surrender any suspects to stand trial here but this is a hugely symbolic and there has been so much talk over the last few days about a possibility of arrest warrants in the future and now it has happened much sooner than many expected. one man has made this a parity affairs office, —— he has made this a priority for his office. he visited ukraine four times and he was pictured standing in eight children's centre is owned by empty cuts and he said ——in eight children's centre is owned by empty cots and he said at the time children cannot be used as the spoils of war and these arrest warrants are testament to his committed to bring justice to the people of ukraine. here's our russia editor — steve rosenberg — with how this is being seen in moscow.

the only reaction we have heard so far has come from the spokesperson of the russian foreign ministry. what she has done is reposted a commentary that she made it yesterday about the international criminal courts. according to which she says decisions by the international criminal court have no significance whatsoever for russia. she goes on to say that russia does not cooperate with the icc and that decisions by the icc are meaningless. that has been russia's position all along. moscow does not recognise the jurisdiction of the international criminal court. also russia does not extradite its nationals, so it is impossible to imagine at the moment vladimir putin being extradited to the international criminal court. i think this is more symbolic, because what it does, this issuing of an arrest warrant, this tarnishes even more president putin's international

reputation, his image, makes him even more of a pariah than he is at the moment. remember, that in three days�* time, the chinese president, president xi, is expected in moscow for a state visit, for high—level talks with vladimir putin. he will be sitting down to talks with someone for whom there is an arrest warrant out for now with the international criminal court. oui’ our russia editor, steve rosenberg. i'm joined now by sir geoffrey nice — lead prosecutor at the trial of the former serbian leader slobodan milosevic over war crimes in the former yugoslavia. thank you very much for being with us. do you agree with that analysis from our russia editor, that this is essentially symbolic, that actually, mr putin is not going to leave

russia, he is not going to be arrested. figs russia, he is not going to be arrested-— russia, he is not going to be arrested. �* , . ., , ., arrested. as much as i admire rosenberg's _ arrested. as much as i admire rosenberg's reporting, - arrested. as much as i admire rosenberg's reporting, i - arrested. as much as i admire rosenberg's reporting, i thinkj arrested. as much as i admire i rosenberg's reporting, i think he arrested. as much as i admire - rosenberg's reporting, i think he is understating it by saying it is symbolic. first of all, we simply don't know whether the time may come when regime change in moscow may lead to a new leader who might be inclined to hand to put in over. and, who knows, i can't tell, mr rosenberg will know that better than me. but it is not symbolic. this is very, very important in an extremely valuable step taken by the icc, later than many of us would've wanted, because this says that in the opinion of their charges at this stage of the process, there is enough evidence to show that this man, president putin is criminal, that the war is and has been

criminal and that therefore he has to be treated from now on by the world as a criminal. that is very, very important. for example, it may stop any disintegration of the coalition of supporting countries. how can they depart from the support they've been given for a country led by a man who has said, in respect of the very conflict of the war, to be a criminal, much more difficult for them. consideralso a criminal, much more difficult for them. consider also the efforts being made by parliamentarians from ukraine supported by others from around the world to relieve russia perhaps by suspension of its powers in the security council of the towing motions that might otherwise be passed. if it were to be relieved of its veto power, than it would be possible, which it is in denial, for

the crime of aggression to be passed for investigation and ultimately trial by the icc, something many in the world to regard as the most appropriate crime with which putin should be charged. also making it quite clear now how he is regarded in that court as a potential criminal, as a criminal, means that it is going to be possible for a final and definitive decision to be made early on about who is in the right and who is in the wrong so far as this war is concerned. who has the moral right, who is in the moral wrong. and that is much more important than people realise, because by setting it at an early stage when this fighting stops, ukraine will be able to move forward. it won't have to live as the poor muslims of the former yugoslavia and bosnia have had to live at 25 years of trials that failed to determine anything. this

is much more than symbolic. find failed to determine anything. this is much more than symbolic. and we have “ust is much more than symbolic. and we have just been _ is much more than symbolic. and we have just been hearing _ is much more than symbolic. and we have just been hearing in _ is much more than symbolic. and we have just been hearing in the - is much more than symbolic. and we have just been hearing in the last - have just been hearing in the last few minutes from the international criminal court chief prosecutor with some details about these allegations that the arrest warrant is based on, and the chief prosecutor saying this is the first concrete step. other investigations are continuing, but this, according to reuters, they are saying that the allegation is that hundreds of children were taken from ukraine to russia, and that they've since been given for adoption in the russian federation. but this is quite a narrow specific kind of charge. is that the best way to do this legally? because obviously, many people around the world would say there are plenty of other things that you could charge vladimir putin with in terms of some of the horrors and atrocities we have seen in ukraine. i and atrocities we have seen in ukraine. ~ ., , and atrocities we have seen in ukraine. ~ . , ., , ukraine. i think that is a very good issue to raise, _ ukraine. i think that is a very good

issue to raise, mr _ ukraine. i think that is a very good issue to raise, mr brown, - ukraine. i think that is a very good issue to raise, mr brown, and, - ukraine. i think that is a very good | issue to raise, mr brown, and, first of all, note that doing this to children qualifies potentially under both crimes against humanity and war crimes. it is also, if the necessary mental state can be proved in the mind of putin, it is also something that may be charged ultimately as genocide, because transferring of children is one of the five methods and five only by which genocidal intent may be manifest in crimes. so, don't underestimate or understate the significance of this particular alleged crime. however, it is true to say, as your question implies that there may be other crimes also revealed, for example, what about the mass destruction of civilian property which could be charged as a war crime and quite possibly as a crime against

humanity, and i noticed, just like everybody else looking at the internet to see what is going on, the new york times seems to suggest that that may be either an existing or future charge to be that that may be either an existing orfuture charge to be brought that that may be either an existing or future charge to be brought to. and what about the killing of civilians in the courts of the widespread and systematic, as it may be shown to be, attacks on civilian property. so, yes, there are other crimes that may very well be in the mind of the prosecutor at the moment, and may in due course be on an arrest warrant because they are in contemplation for the indictment. so a good first step, pity it didn't come earlier, but it has a great effect and is of extreme importance in my view. effect and is of extreme importance in my view— effect and is of extreme importance in my view. very good to talk to you and net in my view. very good to talk to you and get your— in my view. very good to talk to you and get your analysis. _ in my view. very good to talk to you and get your analysis. thank - in my view. very good to talk to you and get your analysis. thank you - in my view. very good to talk to you and get your analysis. thank you so | and get your analysis. thank you so much, sir geoffrey, the lead prosecutor at the trial of the former serbian leader. thank you. you are most welcome. the news out of the icc has happened as china announces its president —

xijinping — will visit russia next week to hold talks with president putin. beijing and moscow say the two men will discuss strategic cooperation. beijing is currently promoting a plan it says can bring a negotiated end to the war in ukraine. however, china's neutrality has been questioned, as beijing continues to maintain close ties with moscow. the announcement for the state visit was made by the foreign ministry in beijing. take a listen. translation: during his state visit to russia, president xi jinping - will have an in—depth exchange of views with president putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern. china will uphold its objective and fair position on the ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks. here's our china correspondent —

stephen mcdonell — on what beijing might want from this trip. nato has created considerable expectation that this visit by xi jinping might lead to some sort of a breakthrough in terms of promoting peace in the war between russia and ukraine. now, the reasons for that are that beijing does have some sway with moscow, and some would say considerable sway. beijing says it's a neutral player in the war and therefore it could become an honest broker, and also, the chinese government has just come off the back of brokering this deal which saw saudi arabia and iran resumed diplomatic relations, so people are thinking, you know, if you can get those two together, could beijing also do the same thing in terms of the war between russia and ukraine? now, the problem is that some analysts would say,

is it really in china's interests to stop the war if we consider the most cynical potential possibility? in a way, russia is doing china's dirty work. it is challenging the west, it is making the best eat up all of these military resources it has and actually furthering beijing's geopolitical goals. that said, of course, it has also disrupted trade, and china did have good relations with ukraine before the war started. so, for those reasons, people might say it wants to have peace. steven mcdonald there in beijing. one of the effects of the russian invasion is to make russia's neighbours seek tojoin invasion is to make russia's neighbours seek to join nato. turkey says it's decided to start the process of ratifying finland's application to join nato after long delays. but it says more talks are needed about sweden's bid. president recep tayyip erdogan says finland has kept the agreement the three countries made last year,

while sweden still hadn't handed over people he called terrorists. turkey has delayed ratifying the bids of the two countries — saying they haven't done enough to combat kurdish militant groups. here's mr erdogan announcing the development a short time ago. translation: we have decided to start the protocol of finland'sj accession to nato in our parliament. i wish that this decision will be good for our countries and our alliance. the turkish president. speaking in belgium, the secretary general gave his reaction to the latest developments on this. i welcome toda 's developments on this. i welcome today's decision _ developments on this. i welcome today's decision to _ developments on this. i welcome today's decision to move - developments on this. i welcome today's decision to move ahead l developments on this. i welcome i today's decision to move ahead with the ratification of finland's membership in nato. this will strengthen finland's security. it was strength in sweden's security

and it will strengthen nato. i hope that the turkish grand national assembly will vote to ratify as soon assembly will vote to ratify as soon as possible. i'm joined now by kurt volker, the former us ambassador to nato. he also served as a us special representative for ukraine under donald trump. thank you very much for being with us. can i ask you first about nato and its expansion. turkey seems to have a stranglehold, really, and whether finland and sweden can join. nato makes decisions only by consensus. so every country has to agree. turkey being one of the key nato members, and it is great that it is going to move ahead with and then. it is still trying to squeeze little bit on sweden both on the kurdish issue, where they view sweden as providing some kind of sanctuary for kurdish terrorist

groups, and it's also him to put pressure on united states on aircraft as well. they are going to stretch this out a little bit longer and also make clear to the turkish public that the president is tough on kurdish terrorism in the advance to the upcoming election. it’s a to the upcoming election. it's a complicated — to the upcoming election. it's a complicated picture. _ to the upcoming election. it's a complicated picture. other- to the upcoming election. it's aj complicated picture. other less complicated picture. other less complicated is this international arrest warrant we have had for the russian leader, vladimir putin, from the international criminal court. what do you make of that? we discussed earlier on whether really thatis discussed earlier on whether really that is a symbolic move because putin is unlikely to leave russia, unlikely to put himself in a position where he ever could be arrested. . he position where he ever could be arrested- -_ position where he ever could be arrested- -— position where he ever could be arrested. . he is not going to do that willingly — arrested. . he is not going to do that willingly or _ arrested. . he is not going to do that willingly or easily. - arrested. . he is not going to do that willingly or easily. i - arrested. . he is not going to do that willingly or easily. i think i arrested. . he is not going to do that willingly or easily. i think it| that willingly or easily. i think it is an important symbolic step. it establishes that russia is guilty of war crimes. put is pertinent to note not personally responsible. it establishes that this crime of abducting children has taken place and been documented, which as your

guest earlier said, could contribute to them finding that russia has actually engaged in genocide, so these are very significant steps, even though it is not likely to lead to put in�*s physical arrest anytime soon. i5 to put in's physical arrest anytime soon. , ., to put in's physical arrest anytime soon. , ., ., ,, ., soon. is that embarrassing term of this development, _ soon. is that embarrassing term of this development, as _ soon. is that embarrassing term of this development, as far _ soon. is that embarrassing term of this development, as far as - soon. is that embarrassing term of this development, as far as china i soon. is that embarrassing term of| this development, as far as china is concerned? as we were seeing, chinese president is just about to go to moscow to meet mr pruden on this state visits, and rb have the international criminal court issuing an arrest warrant for mr putin. i think russia's entire behaviour in this conflict is embarrassing to china. they signed a strategic cooperation agreementjust before russia decided to invade ukraine. they have conducted the war and a horrific manner, targeting civilians, targeting civilian infrastructure, committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and they are failing, they are losing at this. so china would like to be in a position where it is acting from a

position where it is acting from a position of strength. it still has his ambitions to reabsorb taiwan, and russia's behaviour, frankly, is and russia's behaviour, frankly, is a nuisance for china as it tries to pursue more strategic agendas. irate pursue more strategic agendas. we have heard from the united states. it is worried that china may be thinking about sending weapons to russia to help with the work in ukraine. do you think that is possible or likely? irate ukraine. do you think that is possible or likely? we cannot rule it out. of course _ possible or likely? we cannot rule it out. of course it _ possible or likely? we cannot rule it out. of course it is _ possible or likely? we cannot rule it out. of course it is possible. - it out. of course it is possible. they do have weapon systems and ammunition that are compatible with what russia has. but frankly i don't think it is in china's own interest to do that. i think china wants to avoid coming under any kind of sanctions from the us or europe. it doesn't want its ambitions on taiwan equated with russia's aggression with ukraine. it doesn't support russia's taking territory from sovereign independent member states of the un. so it is deliberately trying to position itself as a neutral country and this and trying to position itself as an honest broker aiming at peace talks, and

its peace proposals starts with the idea of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is really a finger pointed at russia. very good to talk to you. thank you for being with us on bbc news. former us ambassador to nato. thanks so much. the latest in north korea now, broadcasting images of an intercontinental— broadcasting images of an intercontinenta , . ,, intercontinental ballistic missile test fired on _ intercontinental ballistic missile test fired on thursday, - intercontinental ballistic missile test fired on thursday, the - intercontinental ballistic missile | test fired on thursday, the lunch took place while they are conducting joint military drills. pyongyang described the exercise as provocative and aggressive. the test missile landed in the sea east to the korean peninsula without any further incident. at least eight people have been killed in northern india after the roof of an agricultural storage building collapsed. it was being used to store tonnes of potatoes. the cause has not yet been established.

cambodia has put on display a collection ofjewellery cambodia has put on display a collection of jewellery which cambodia has put on display a collection ofjewellery which has returned to the country after spending decades overseas. the culture ministry says the pieces have priceless cultural heritage. items along with several sculptures taken from cambodia during the conflict and genocide carried out under the regime in the 1970s. a former professional australian surfer has broken the world record for the longest surf session. blakejohnston has eclipsed the previous mark of 30 hours and ii minutes at the cronulla beach in sydney, and is still going. he's raising money for youth mental health projects and said he felt "pretty cooked" after catching more than 500 waves. i am joined by shaun tomson — he's a former world surfing champion, named one of the ten greatest surfers of all time, who is in santa barbara, california. congratulations to you on that accolade. what do you make of this feet? it's pretty extraordinary, isn't it? , , ., ., ., isn't it? every year i do a fundraiser— isn't it? every year i do a fundraiser here - isn't it? every year i do a fundraiser here and - isn't it? every year i do a fundraiser here and i - isn't it? every year i do a i fundraiser here and i catch isn't it? every year i do a - fundraiser here and i catch 100 waves and it takes me about four

hours, and it is really physically demanding. so to go right through the night and also to be out there at night with the ever present fear of sharks is certainly something that one has to overcome mentally. his whole mission was to really raise awareness for mental health issues. so it's really wonderful what he's doing. i think the world is suffering from this malaise of stress, anxiety, depression and disconnection. it's really uplifting and inspiring. ithought disconnection. it's really uplifting and inspiring. i thought it was an awesome achievement. eclipsing that revious awesome achievement. eclipsing that previous record _ awesome achievement. eclipsing that previous record of _ awesome achievement. eclipsing that previous record of 30 _ awesome achievement. eclipsing that previous record of 30 odd _ awesome achievement. eclipsing that previous record of 30 odd hours, - awesome achievement. eclipsing that previous record of 30 odd hours, i - previous record of 30 odd hours, i can do 30 seconds, to be honest, what are the key qualities you need? how much of this is strength? how much is scale? how much is endurance? i much is scale? how much is endurance?— much is scale? how much is endurance? i think it's mainly strength. _ endurance? i think it's mainly strength, endurance - endurance? i think it's mainly strength, endurance and - endurance? i think it's mainly - strength, endurance and absolute commitment. and overcoming fear. when you are sitting out there at night, i have served at the

outbreak. the very first surfing event held at night was held at that same venue and while i was in the water at night, they started playing the jaws theme because there is a load of sharks in australia. so i think it is wonderful what he is doing. it is fun but it is also very physically demanding, and i think he certainly raised awareness. his father died of suicide, so i think he certainly raised awareness around the world about mental health issues and about empowerment and also inspiration. to and about empowerment and also insiration. ., ~ , inspiration. to think it is inspiring _ inspiration. to think it is inspiring other _ inspiration. to think it is inspiring other people? | inspiration. to think it is - inspiring other people? surfing is pretty popular around the world. is it becoming more popular?- it becoming more popular? surfing has loecome _ it becoming more popular? surfing has become very, _ it becoming more popular? surfing has become very, very _ it becoming more popular? surfing has become very, very popular. . it becoming more popular? surfing| has become very, very popular. it's going to be in the olympics for the second time, the paris olympics that are upcoming next year, and i think it is certainly going to inspire more people to get out there and get in the water, surfing, while people might perceive it as a solitary sports, it is also a community support. he's out there and it's got a lot of corporate guys to come out in the water with him to enable him to raise nearly a quarter of a

million us dollars.— to raise nearly a quarter of a million us dollars. really good to talk to. million us dollars. really good to talk to- sean _ million us dollars. really good to talk to. sean thompson - million us dollars. really good to talk to. sean thompson there, i million us dollars. really good to - talk to. sean thompson there, former world surfing champion, one of the ten greatest surfers of all time, a privilege to speak to you. you have been watching bbc news. hello there. it's a case of mixed fortunes for many for the remainder of the day and for the start of the weekend as we see a case of sunny spells and scattered showers. it's been a rather grey and gloomy start across kent this morning, as you can see from the puddles. quite significant sharp showers here. further north and east in county durham, we've had beautiful blue sky and sunshine and it's likely across north—east england we could see the highest temperatures for the remainder of the afternoon. this is the story as you can see, sharp showers easing away from the south—east and a cluster of showers developing, more widespread to northern ireland which will gradually push their way up through through south—west england and wales for the remainder of the afternoon.

so it is an afternoon of mixed fortunes, sunny spells and scattered showers continue for most. a mild story with the wind coming from a southerly direction, so generally those temperatures between 13 and i6 degrees. slightly cooler in the far north of scotland. it's a messy mix as we go through the night and we keep quite a lot of cloud around, we continue to see some showers from time to time, some of them quite heavy but the cloud will act like a blanket and prevent those temperatures falling too far. it will be a mild start to the weekend and temperatures widely between five and nine degrees. low pressure controls the story for the time being. the first half of the weekend will stay pretty unsettled and this weatherfront could bring more persistent rain by the end of the day in the far north—west. once again it is sunny spells and scattered showers. starting off pretty grey and gloomy across the south—east and with the lighter winds on saturday, some of these showers could be quite slow moving. once again, can't rule out the odd rumble of thunder. temperatures will be at around 13 or ia degrees, not quite as warm as friday.

more persistent rain into northern ireland, western scotland as we go through the middle part of the afternoon as well. now in terms of that rain, it is going to continue to track its way steadily northwards over to the northern isles and the winds will pick up. on the back edge of that we could see for a time some snow. shouldn't cause too much of an issue. that will ease away on sunday. sunday will be a quieter day as a ridge of high pressure builds. a good deal of dry weather, fewer showers around before cloud and rain arrives into northern ireland by the end of the day. top temperatures for sunday afternoon ranging from six to ia degrees. take care.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm ben brown. our top stories... the international criminal court issues arrest warrants for vladimir putin and his children's commissioner — accusing them of war crimes over the unlawful deportation of children from ukraine to russia. the judges issued arrest warrants. their prosecution depends on international cooperation. china's president, xijinping, is to make a state visit to russia next week — for talks with president putin. turkey will start the process of ratifying finland's nato membership bid as the leaders of the two countries meet.

a review of london's metropolitan police is expected to heavily criticise the force for racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour. uk passport office staff are to strike for five weeks, which could have a major impact on holidaymakers booking summer holidays. sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's . olly foster. for the third season in a row, chelsea will face real madrid in the champions league knockout stages, and they could then face mancheser city in the semi—finals. chelsea beat real in the semi—finals

two seasons ago on the way to winning the trophy, but were knocked out in the quarters last season, as real went onto become european champions themselves, and they will meet again in the last eight next month with the blues at home for the second leg. manchester city have drawn six—time european champions bayern munich in the quarters — and will pley the first leg at the etihad . when they last played each other in the competition in 2014 , guardiola was in charge of the german champions. the other two quarters sees inter milan face benfica, and it's an all italian tie with ac milan facing runaway serie a leaders napoli. the semifinal path has also been made. if cheslea and city both win, they will play each other former player michael brown was on the football news show today and was asked about that chelsea real tie.

chelsea are going to have to find something possibly different to what they have been doing in the premier league. we have seen how they have struggled and limped across, not necessarily scoring goals and he cannot decide on his team selection. this is real madrid, and it didn't look like they were going to get through but a wonderful return and we are really looking forward to the game. manchester united will meet spanish side sevilla in the quarterfinals of the europa league. sirjim ratcliffe — the uk's richest man — was at old trafford for talks over a possible takover of the club. here's our sports editor dan roan the saga over the potential takeover of manchester united has been running for several months, but the last 24—hour is has been a really crucial stage in this journey. yesterday we saw the qatari bid and arrive here at old trafford

further talks with bankers and united chiefs. we are told it went well. it lasted about ten hours. sheik yasin did not turn up in person but his senior advisers did. sirjim ratcliffe, british billionaire, owner and founder of ineos, as you can see. this morning, as he arrived and went into old trafford where the players arrived here. at the stadium, later he went for a tour into the megastore. didn't seem to purchase anything, not yet anyway. he is desperate to own the club and he has supported it since being a boy. that's what separates him and marks him apart from the qatari delegation that was here yesterday. patrick vieira has been sacked by crystal palace after a run of 12 matches without a win. they've scored just five times in that time and lost at brighton on wednesday, their third defeat in a row. they last won a game on new year's eve. even though they are twelfth in the premier league they are just

three points above the relegation places and face the league leaders arsenal away on sunday. the final race of this year's cheltenham festival isjust under way. but the main highlight of the last four days saw the willie mullins trained galopin des champs, claim the gold cup, he was the pre—race favourite, heavily backed at 7—5, trained galopin des champs, claim the gold cup, he and jockey paul townend rode him clear of bravemansgame to win by seven lengths. it's the third time in five years that townend and mullins have won the gold cup. joy for the irish on st patrick's day ididn't i didn't realise how much pressure i put myself under until he came to the part and still had a bit to go and we were on the third or fourth position. it's when you cross the line, the really was absolutely there. it was, just, i couldn't get

over it. i was amazed at how much pressure i put myself under and you got me out of trouble. lots more cheltenham reaction on the bbc sport website and al the details of those european draws didn't mention the europe conference league, west ham will face belgians gent and that's all the sport for now. our top story... the international criminal court has issued an arrest warrant for president vladimir putin — and the head of the russian children's commission — for alleged war crimes in ukraine. they are accused of forcibly deporting children from ukraine to russia. ukraine's presidential chief of staff andriy yermak lauded the decision as "only the beginning". here's our diplomatic correspondent james lansdale who is in kyiv with the latest. the key point about this is the international criminal court has chosen to focus on president

putin. the court could have focused on lots of other military commanders on the russian side who have bombed civilians, schools, hospitals, residential areas, all of which are accused of being war crimes. instead, what the court has done, it has chosen to focus on two things. one, the deportation of children, which is, you know, considered a war crime. but also specifically on the responsibility of notjust the children's commissioner but president putin himself. the court says the reason they are doing it is to try and deter this happening at the moment. they say this crime is ongoing at the moment and by going public with these declarations of the warrants, they are trying to deter further crimes taking place. whether that succeeds or not remains to be seen. so i think the significance of this is, you are right, it is very unlikely that president putin is going to leave russia and place

himself in a location where he could be arrested. but at the same time, this is a signal from the international community that what is taking place in ukraine and has taken place in ukraine is against international law. and the court is making the allegation that president putin is responsible for that. as you say, the foreign ministry in moscow is saying that this is nothing to do with them, they say the decisions of the international court have no meaning for our country. this is the spokeswoman. she says that russia is not a party to the rome statute to the international criminal court. there is no obligations and russia does not cooperate with this body, and so on. not surprisingly, the ukrainians have taken a different position. they have made it clear they welcome this. the chief prosecutor, i am looking for the quote here, has said very specifically that the world has received a signal that the russian regime is criminal.

that's what they say, and they will be held accountable. that is really significant to the ukrainians. they have been demanding a process of accountability to start. they know it will be a long game, they know any form of justice will take many, many years. if you go back to the conflict in the former yugoslavia, it took decades before some people were prosecuted on some people were convicted. the ukrainians are happy that at least the process is starting. international criminal courts would operate independently has issued an indictment for appalling crimes against children. whilst they

operate independently. it's important the international community support them and give them the tools for thejob. community support them and give them the tools for the job. on monday i'll be meeting with my dutch opposite number and other countries around the world to give them the support to give them the support and care for the victims and we hope, have accountability for those appalling crimes. i have accountability for those appalling crimes.— have accountability for those appalling crimes. i want to come back to the _ appalling crimes. i want to come back to the alleged _ appalling crimes. i want to come back to the alleged crimes - appalling crimes. i want to come back to the alleged crimes in - appalling crimes. i want to come back to the alleged crimes in a i back to the alleged crimes in a minute. what does that mean for president putin? are we going to seaman courts are behind bars one day? seaman courts are behind bars one da ? �* , ., ., , seaman courts are behind bars one da?., day? it's going to be, i suspected, a lona day? it's going to be, i suspected, a long journey- — day? it's going to be, i suspected, a long journey. people _ day? it's going to be, i suspected, a long journey. people say - day? it's going to be, i suspected, a long journey. people say that. a long journey. people say that about yugoslavia and rwanda and many of those people respond for the carnage ended up in the dark of a court. i think in the short term it would be very hard for president putin to move around the world because there are countries party to the icc who will be duty—bound to arrest them. what's really important right now is that those members of the international community who have supported the icc step up to the

plate and make sure they have the investigative support and technical support and investigation support with witnesses and that is what will be doing in london with the dutch and all of our colleagues around the world. d0 and all of our colleagues around the world. ,, and all of our colleagues around the world. i. , . , and all of our colleagues around the world. , . , and all of our colleagues around the world. i. , . , .,, ., world. do you expect this was no chance is world. do you expect this was no change is move _ world. do you expect this was no change is move question - world. do you expect this was no change is move question mark i l change is move question mark i expect rhetoric. but change is move question mark i expect rhetoric.— change is move question mark i expect rhetoric. but at the end of the day we _ expect rhetoric. but at the end of the day we have _ expect rhetoric. but at the end of the day we have seen _ expect rhetoric. but at the end of the day we have seen it before i expect rhetoric. but at the end of. the day we have seen it before with other violent despots and dictators. in the end, a large number of them cannot sit out indictment or international court against the worse crimes against them on into. we have a bit more detailfor the allegations. saying that russia and president putin were complicit in the deportation of at least hundreds of children taken from orphanages and children's care homes in ukraine and children's care homes in ukraine and many of these children, we

allege, says the international criminal court was a curator, has since been given up for adoption in the russian federation. that is the essence of that charge from the international criminal court. let's speak to former uk ambassador to russia, andrew wood. what do you make of this arrest warrant for the mayor putin question mark is he ever going to be bothered? he's not was to leave russia is he? i bothered? he's not was to leave russia is he?— russia is he? i imagine he won't leave russia. _ russia is he? i imagine he won't leave russia. i— russia is he? i imagine he won't leave russia. i do _ russia is he? i imagine he won't leave russia. i do think - russia is he? i imagine he won't leave russia. i do think he - russia is he? i imagine he won't leave russia. i do think he is - leave russia. i do think he is absolutely guilty in this. he started the war and he certainly approved this sort of move. he in his own way deserves to go to court

whether he will do it or not i do not know but it is an important if not know but it is an important if not vital move ofjustice. there were thousands of children's deported. were thousands of children's deported-— were thousands of children's deorted. ~ ., ., ~ ., , deported. what do you think it means for putin in terms _ deported. what do you think it means for putin in terms of— deported. what do you think it means for putin in terms of his _ deported. what do you think it means for putin in terms of his global- for putin in terms of his global standing diplomatically? there are many countries who haven't come out against russia, horse art of sitting on the fence, if you like. with that make difference to them question mark we have the chinese president going to russia next week for the state visit with resident putin and note president putin has an arrest warrant on his head. i note president putin has an arrest warrant on his head.— warrant on his head. i think, perhaps. _ warrant on his head. i think, perhaps. they _ warrant on his head. i think, perhaps, they would - warrant on his head. i think, perhaps, they would ignore l warrant on his head. i think, | perhaps, they would ignore it warrant on his head. i think, - perhaps, they would ignore it or deny it or something like that. they would smooth it over on the surface, i think. anyone that has children knows how terrible it is to have them stolen from you to be given to

russian families who not trying to make ukrainian children that they've adopted russian. i don't think it's possible for anyone not to feel a measure of guilt. there was a major force displayed of russian greatness displayed recently in which some of the children were degraded, literally, by the person who is said to have rescued them an order to say thank you. one of them did oblige, a bit nicely, but at the end she said the truth, she burst into terrible tears. d0 the truth, she burst into terrible tears. , ., the truth, she burst into terrible tears. ,, ~' the truth, she burst into terrible tears. i. ~ , ., ~ tears. do you think this will make much difference _ tears. do you think this will make much difference to _ tears. do you think this will make much difference to what - tears. do you think this will make much difference to what the - tears. do you think this will make i much difference to what the russian people think of vladimir putin? will president putin say this is another trick by the west? or will some

people in russia think our leader has been accused of these were crimes and there is an arrest warrant out for him? i crimes and there is an arrest warrant out for him? i imagine they would very much — warrant out for him? i imagine they would very much rather— warrant out for him? i imagine they would very much rather not - warrant out for him? i imagine they would very much rather not agree l warrant out for him? i imagine they | would very much rather not agree or understand. but i don't think the accusation will go without some sort of generation for their attitudes. at least four russians in mariupol for example who were party to the hull business of evacuating children from that city. —— mariupol. huge losses, deaths and barriers and so on. they can honestly know about this and believe that it never

happened. this and believe that it never happened-— this and believe that it never ha ened. �* ~ ., ., happened. andrew wood, a former british ambassador _ happened. andrew wood, a former british ambassador to _ happened. andrew wood, a former british ambassador to russia i happened. andrew wood, a former british ambassador to russia thank you for your time. over 175,000 patient appointments and procedures had to be cancelled in england whenjunior doctors went on strike this week, figures out have revealed. that makes it the most disruptive nhs strike yet this winter. our health editor hugh pym is here. this is a straight that has obviously caused a lots of disruption. we're talking about england only. disruption. we're talking about england only-— disruption. we're talking about encland onl . ~ ., ., ., england only. what are the details? then, es england only. what are the details? then. yes the _ england only. what are the details? then, yes the junior _ england only. what are the details? then, yes the junior doctors - england only. what are the details? then, yes the junior doctors went i england only. what are the details? | then, yes the junior doctors went on strike for three days and for 2h hours each day. so, it was always going to have an extensive impact. the result was that senior doctors consultants had to be deployed into emergency and urgent care because thejunior emergency and urgent care because the junior doctors walk—out affected those areas as well. a lots of

non—urgent work have involved junior doctors so the net result was a number of cancellations of procedures and appointments that was just released by an england just over 175,000. they are saying it is unprecedented because in the current wave of any strikes, a total ofjust over 140 thousands cancellations took place because of the other union accidents since december with the endless work and nurses etc. they're saying it's a big impact. they're saying it's a big impact. the nurses medical association is saying it would have a big impact but they feel the need to make their points over pay the stock their argument is that patients have already had to put up with a list of cancellations so, if this happens, it underlines the point. patients who have had cancellations and appointments put off would have been very unhappy about it. you

appointments put off would have been very unhappy about it.— very unhappy about it. you talk about the _ very unhappy about it. you talk about the other _ very unhappy about it. you talk about the other health - very unhappy about it. you talk about the other health workers| very unhappy about it. you talk i about the other health workers who have been on strike like nurseries, ambulance workers and support. they've had a new the offer and we are we to see the impact of that and if it will and their action and assigns are looking good on that. in terms of thejunior assigns are looking good on that. in terms of the junior doctors. where are we with their action? for something — are we with their action? for something on _ are we with their action? fr?" something on the other health unions are going to put that offer that was made by the government for had seven england, they would recommend all but one. so possibly most drake's splendour. that's not a foregone conclusion but will have to wait on the results of the ballots on that. junior doctors are involved in a different pay negotiation structure and they have called for a 35% pay rise to make up for inflations impact going back over a decade or so. the government said that is completely underfor so. the government said that is completely under for the move so. the government said that is completely underfor the move but because the bme have not caused for any further strike steve barclay the

hud secretary said he is prepared to meet them for talks. they say they're prepared to meet him so there will be a meeting next week but i think you can characterise it as talks about talks to see if they can get around some of the preconditions mr barkley said he's only able to offer the same deal to the other unions which is a one off payments and then five per cent or so next year. at least there will gets around the table and some form next week. . ~ gets around the table and some form next week. ., ~ , ., ,, ., ., ~ next week. thank you. shoot pmr editor has editor. _ a major review of london's metropolitan police is expected to heavily criticise the force for racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour. baroness casey was appointed to examine the met�*s standards and internal culture after the murder of sarah everard by wayne couzens, a serving policeman. the bbc has been told the review — published next week — will be extremely bad for britain's biggest police force. our special correspondent, lucy manning, has been talking to former partners of police officers — who say the met fails

to deal with abusive officers in its ranks. sirens. they used to be in uniform, until they were convicted. since wayne couzens was arrested, more met police officers have been sentenced, many for sexual offences or violence against women. the force has faced criticism it can't deal with complaints against its own officers. i think it's easier to let these police officers stay than try and get rid of them. sally — not her real name — was the partner of a met police officer. they met when he investigated a crime she was the victim of. last year, she told the met he'd domestically abused her, and misused police powers. how do you feel that they have dealt with him, given the fact he is a police officer? well, they haven't dealt with him, have they? he's still working. he's still getting paid. he's still going to

get his full pension. get everything he asked for. he is now going through the met�*s misconduct system, on restricted duties. i think, 100%, if he had attacked me and he wasn't a police officer, he would have been arrested, and taken and carted off. where are you on being able to trust the met? i don't. i don't trust the police at all. and i do not understand why we report allegations against police to other police officers. there is no place in the police service for an officer like him. absolutely not. the met boss has accepted he is unable to sack hundreds of officers, and the bbc understands the casey review next week will heavily criticise the way the met tolerates wrongdoing and puts its own people ahead of the public. do you believe the head of the met when he says they are going to do better?

no, sorry. prove it. prove it by actions. don'tjust stand there and give us a load of old words. we want proof that you're going to act on those words. you're brought up to believe the police are there to protect. the police should be there to protect. that's what we pay taxes for. but theyjust seem to protect themselves. natalie claims her ex—husband, a met officer, coercively controlled her. she struggled to find the right avenues to complain to the force to get them to take action. her words are spoken by an actor to protect her anonymity. i've been in police stations. i've spoken to policewomen who squeezed my arm and looked compassionate, and told me this time it would be sorted, you know? it was unacceptable. you know, then like i said, you hear nothing. and it then makes him worse. he's bolstered by this, isn't he? he's enabled, and protected.

what more do you think the met needs to do now? own up. i think they need total reform. we will take the most robust action against officers that are found to have committed these crimes. the re—vetting of officers has been stepped up. i recognise we are in a bad place. but we are committed, and absolutely determined, to turn that around, and we are going to do so. i completely understand that people will often feel nervous or hesitant to go to the police to report a crime committed by the police. but it's clear it's notjust about a few officers who've been sentenced. the entire force will face serious accusations of racism, misogyny and homophobia. its reputation and ability to regain trust in serious doubt. lucy manning, bbc news. passport office workers across england, scotland and wales are to strike for five weeks in an escalation of a dispute over pay, pensions, and job security.

more than 1,000 members of the pcs union will take part in the action from early april. the union has warned it's likely to have what it calls a "significant impact" on the delivery of passports this summer. i am nowjoined in the studio by travel and aviation journalist and analyst, sally gethin. selleck, first of all what sort of industrial action is this? this selleck, first of all what sort of industrial action is this?- selleck, first of all what sort of industrial action is this? this is a roblem industrial action is this? this is a problem that has _ industrial action is this? this is a problem that has been _ industrial action is this? this is a problem that has been rumbling | industrial action is this? this is a i problem that has been rumbling on for about six months. the civil servants that stop the passport offices complain they are not getting paid enough. the government has offered 2.4% but they want 10% and betterjob security. the government is saying it will cost £2.4 billion and is unaffordable. there stalemate. the problem now is that although the strike dates are to start in early april, in reality there is industrial action being taken place already. there are staff walking out and cancelling appointments, for example. so, already this will have an ongoing

effects on passport applications. that is what people watching this are going to be worried about, questions aren't a question mark if they need to go they have some really are the days are spring holidays coming up. what would be the impact on them? that holidays coming up. what would be the impact on them?— holidays coming up. what would be the impact on them? at this point in time we are — the impact on them? at this point in time we are not _ the impact on them? at this point in time we are not sure _ the impact on them? at this point in time we are not sure how— the impact on them? at this point in time we are not sure how old - the impact on them? at this point in | time we are not sure how old impact. at the moment, the government says it will have contingency plans in place to allow the requisite ten weeks turnaround time to stop and of course, that could get extended if, and how, the government manages this potential crisis. so, for people with an at home. their options would normally be if they are concerned to use the passport advice line or go for a fast—track option with their passport. all of those land in same trouble zone, if you like, with the same workers. the question is, has the government putting conditions he plans that allow people to use those hotlines and alternatives to speak

their passwords up? so hotlines and alternatives to speak their passwords up?— hotlines and alternatives to speak their passwords up? so we don't know their passwords up? so we don't know the answer to — their passwords up? so we don't know the answer to that _ their passwords up? so we don't know the answer to that at _ their passwords up? so we don't know the answer to that at the moment. i the answer to that at the moment. adding to the confusion. there are several passport offices around the uk but the one in london hasjust moved. uk but the one in london has “ust moved. , . ~ moved. exactly. so mid-march. a coule of moved. exactly. so mid-march. a couple of days _ moved. exactly. so mid-march. a couple of days ago _ moved. exactly. so mid-march. a couple of days ago in _ moved. exactly. so mid-march. a couple of days ago in fact - moved. exactly. so mid-march. a couple of days ago in fact it i moved. exactly. so mid-march. a| couple of days ago in fact it moved all its passport operations to dock land in london. that's quite a distance away from the centre of london. the concern is if people think they could turn up in person to resolve these could they be at the right place to resolve their passport issues? sell the right place to resolve their passport issues?— the right place to resolve their passport issues? sell it. good to talk to very _ passport issues? sell it. good to talk to very much _ passport issues? sell it. good to talk to very much indeed. - passport issues? sell it. good to talk to very much indeed. thank| passport issues? sell it. good to i talk to very much indeed. thank for watching. you've been watching bbc news. —— sally. hello there. spring daffodils in full bloom now right across the country, but what we could do with is some spring like weather. well, for some, we had that today.

in fact, in northeast england it was a mild and often quite sunny day as depicted by this weather watch watcher in northumberland. it was a different story, though, elsewhere. we did have some sharp thundery downpours, a rainbow in the sky across falkirk with some threatening looking skies here. now, if we take a look back at the cloud and the rain radar from recent hours, you can see just how widespread those showers have been today, but, at the same time, there's also been some sunny spells as well. and that's the story as we go through the night, tonight and into tomorrow with low pressure anchored out to the west, feeding in plenty of showers from the west through the night. so, we keep quite a lot of cloud around that's going to prevent those temperatures from falling too far. but it does mean a messy mixture of showers as we go through the night. those temperatures will hold up at around 5—9 degrees for most. we start off tomorrow on a rather cloudy note, for many, a mild note and, once again, it's going to be a case of sunny spells and scattered showers. light winds as well on saturday, so i suspect if you catch a shower, they could linger for quite some time.

they should be fairly interspersed. top temperatures around 14 or 15 degrees, not out of the question. but yes, some of those showers, once again could be heavy and thundery. more persistent rain into northern ireland and western scotland by the latter stages of the afternoon. here we'll look at around 9 or 10 degrees, but noticeably colder in the northern isles. and as that area of low pressure gradually starts to ease away, the winds will pick up through the evening and overnight and swing back around to a northerly. and that means on the back edge, we could see a little bit of snow across the northern isles. temperatures to greet us first thing on sunday morning, a little bit lower. so a chillier start, but hopefully a crystal clear blue sky sunshine at morning on sunday. very nice indeed. gradually, we'll see cloud developing out to the west as rain will start to push it in by the end of the afternoon. but not a bad mothering sunday in prospect. temperatures generally between 8—14 degrees, once again, a little bit cooler in the northern isles. so just to sum up this weekend,

saturday will be a case of sunny spells and scattered showers better on sunday.

today at six, an arrest warrant is issued for the russian president vladimir putin by the international criminal court. it accuses vladimir putin of war crimes since his invasion of ukraine — including the deportation of children to russia. the judges have reviewed the information and evidence submitted by the prosecutor, and determined that there are credible allegations against these persons for the alleged crimes. moscow says it doesn't recognise the court — we'll ask what happens now. also tonight: racist, sexist and homophobic — the metropolitan police is expected to be highly criticised in a damning new report.