a regime survival package. the regime survival package is how the russians are internally describing a group of capabilities that ranges from personal protection for partner leaders, information operations to boost their popularity domestically, a range of economic protections against western sanctions for how they might be behaving, and this provision of quite capable military forces to allow them to go after their internal opponents. footage of wagner in action is rare... but what we can see is how they wanted to be portrayed. this was the trailer for a russian—funded action film called the tourist. it depicts a group of mercenaries bearing a striking resemblance to wagner, fighting what it calls

terrorists in the central african republic, training localforces and helping the population. what the film maybe doesn't show is the vast mineral wealth the mercenaries extract in return. that strategy, making operations self—financing, has been standard russian practice for years, but this time with wagner 2.0, there's something else. what we are now observing is that the russians are notjust trying to pay for their operations via these mechanisms, but to strategically displace western control and access to critical minerals and resources. and so in mali, for example, they have been working with the ministry of mines to rewrite the mining code in niger, to rewrite the mining code. in niger, and this hasn't occurred yet,

but the russians are endeavouring to gain a similar set of concessions that would strip french access to the uranium mines in the country. for years, france had a significant military presence in west africa. in 2022, operation barkhane, as it was known, ended. countries like mali expelled their former colonisers with the promise of russian support. currently in west africa and mainly in the sahel, people are frustrated. they believe that the western model of democracy that was imposed on them at the beginning of the 1990s has failed and that they are getting poorer and poorer while western countries are making the most of the natural resources that is rightfully theirs. so turning to russia is an act of defiance. it's an attempt to get western countries and the rest of the world to rethink the relationships

with these countries and to start listening to the demands and the needs of the people who live there. it's important to remember there's a difference between the ambition of a policy and its implementation, but the ambition here could be staggeringly cynical. so asymmetrical warfare is very important to the russians who don't have really the conventional forces that can ever defeat the west. and so they're looking at ways in which they can use social media, the politics, internal political divisions in western societies, as a means of creating unrest and weakness on the part of the west and diverting the west away from what the russians are doing on the battlefields of ukraine and elsewhere. and one of the really kind of resonant, i think, issues here in the last few years has been mass migration from africa and from the middle east into europe, which has created this kind of populist right—wing

backlash, people like viktor orban in hungary and so on, and i think that is where they're coming from. i think this is part of their thinking, the russians, in terms of this type of warfare going forward. in the central african republic, there is a monument dedicated to russian soldiers. it was here that the local military paid tribute to yevgeny prigozhin after his death. not everyone who crossed paths with wagner would have had such positive memories of the mercenaries. but it's now clear that their actions here were the blueprint for russia's expansion in africa and its ever—growing influence. that's all from us tonight. victoria is here tomorrow. goodbye.

spain's interior ministry confirmed to us a man had been shot several times. they wouldn't confirm it was mr kuzminov, but his identity has been widely reported in spanish media who say he was shot, then run over in this garage. spanish officials say the body was found with false documents. we've searched the internet for traces of a new identity. we can't find any social media use since kuzminov left russia. last night, russian television talked again of betrayal. this commander says, "god will now be kuzminov�*s judge,

and that retribution will find him." but a number of questions remain unanswered tonight about who exactly killed maksim kuzminov and whether this could be another extrajudicial murder of a russian on foreign soil. nick eardley, bbc news. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the chief inspector of borders and immigration, david neal, has been sacked. a home office statement said he had breached the terms of his appointment. it comes after he was quoted in a publication which says the uk border force failed to check the occupants of hundreds of private jets arriving last year. mr neal's contract had been due to expire next month. the sentence of the man found guilty of stabbing three people to death in nottingham last year is to be reviewed. valdo calocane was given an indefinite hospital order

on the basis of diminished responsibility. the attorney general, victoria prentis, said the sentence was "unduly lenient". relatives of the victims have welcomed the announcement. the national trust is reopening the farne islands, off the northumberland coast, to visitors for the first time in two years. the bird sactuary is home to about 200,000 seabirds, including puffins and arctic terns. it had been closed because of an outbreak of avian flu. you're live with bbc news. surgeries have been delayed and hospitals have turned away patients after more than 1,600 doctors in south korea went on strike on tuesday. junior doctors are protesting the government's plans to introduce more trained physicians into the system. observers say doctors oppose the prospect of greater competition. south korea has a highly privatised health care system —

more than 90% of hospitals are private. its doctors are among the best—paid in the world, with the average specialist at a public hospital receiving £159,000 a year — a salary far exceeding the national average pay. there are currently only 2.5 doctors per 1,000 people — the second lowest rate in the 0ecd group of nations after mexico. on monday, nearly 6,500 interns and residents tendered their resignation letters — that's about half of the junior doctor workforce. of that group, about 1,600 doctors failed to turn up to work. they're protesting a proposal by president yoon suk yeol to increase the annual medical school intake by adding an additional 2,000 medical school placements. the president's policy has proven very popular with the public, with polls showing up to 80% support. he condemened the protest saying trainee doctors must not hold people's lives hostage. translation: protecting people's lives and health is the reason -

the government exists. and it is the most basic constitutional duty. therefore, the government has a duty to efficiently manage medical resources to protect people's lives and health. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines... the wikileaks founderjulian assange has begun his latest attempt to fight his extradition to the united states. he's wanted in the us for disclosing secret military files more than a decade ago. if he fails, assange will have exhausted all appeal routes in the uk and will enter the process of extradition. nikki haley says she won't drop out of the presidential race even if she loses in south carolina. the republican presidential candidate has vowed to remain in the race, regardless of the outcome of saturday's south carolina primary, where she is badly trailing donald trump. a livestock ship blamed for causing a foul smell that's engulfed the south african city of cape town is departing for iraq.

an animal welfare group, which assessed the cattle on board, described conditions as �*abhorrent�*.the cows have been on the ship for more than two weeks — and several have been euthanised due to injuries. it's been a season of discontent for farmers around the world — with thousands staging demonstrations in countries including the czech republic, poland and india — and with more expected. the reasons for the revolts are different and unique to each country, but they are united in their frustration. meghan owen brings us pictures from the protests. we're only a few weeks into 2024, and yet we've seen farmers from all over the world turn out to protest — from quiet fields to busy city streets. and the scenes have been pretty dramatic. we've seen fires outside the eu headquarters in brussels, main routes into paris blocked... ..tear gas fired at protesters in india, and even cows brought to the pope's prayers at the vatican. most of this yea r�*s protests

have been concentrated in europe and india. but the complaints are wide—ranging — from carbon—cutting targets, fuel prices, inflation, bureaucracy, and ukrainian grain imports. so let's hear from some of those farmers themselves. translation: we're constantly hit with restrictions _ regarding ecology — restrictions that we have to meet. translation: our lands are gone, our rights are gone. _ they do not give us the rights, even when we demand them. translation: the issue i face is excessive bureaucracy. - i have to fill in - forms all the time. and there are more protests to come. here, we see indian farmers bringing in cranes and diggers ahead of another march to the capital. spanish farmers are also protesting on wednesday. all in the hope that, in such a fast—moving world, they won't be left behind. a treat for the beatles fans —

because this year marks 60 years since the band's first single �*love me do' was released in the us — kicking off the worldwide phenomenon known as beatlemania. and now the group are being honoured with their own biopics — all four of them. the oscar winning director sir sam mendes who made recent blockbusters such as skyfall and 1917 will be making four separate films about the bands meteoric rise from the perspective of each member. but fans of the fab four will have to wait as the films are not scheduled for release until 2027. i'm joined now by executive editor of variety — brent lang. rent, good to speak to you about this today, tell us a little bit more about who is involved in these films. , ., ., ., films. they are little more than questions _ films. they are little more than questions than _ films. they are little more than questions than answers, - films. they are little more than questions than answers, but. films. they are little more than questions than answers, but it | films. they are little more than l questions than answers, but it is one of the more unique and unorthodox film projects that i've ever seen an ounce, so it is sam

mendes, it is going forward with the support of the surviving beatles and the errors of those who are no longer with us. and it's a very ambitious project to have four films that are released, told from the perspective of the different band members and the studio has been a little bit vague about how that will work. they say at a later date we'll find out the cadence of those releases but it's a very ambitious project but also one with great potential. project but also one with great otential. ~ , ., , ., project but also one with great otential. ~ , ., i. project but also one with great otential. ~ , ., �*, ., potential. why do you say it's a risky venture — potential. why do you say it's a risky venture than, _ potential. why do you say it's a risky venture than, i _ potential. why do you say it's a risky venture than, i mean - potential. why do you say it's a risky venture than, i mean the | risky venture than, i mean the beatles are pretty much an institution in the entertainment world. if institution in the entertainment world. , ., institution in the entertainment world. ., world. if you make one film then it fails, then — world. if you make one film then it fails. then you _ world. if you make one film then it fails, then you have _ world. if you make one film then it fails, then you have three - world. if you make one film then it fails, then you have three more . fails, then you have three more films that you need to release. so that's why studios tend to not get too far ahead of themselves when they are coming to some kind of franchise and the budgets are going to be pretty expensive just in terms of licensing the music alone. so

it's pretty risky, even last summer you had mission impossible film, mission impossible dead reckoning part one, that disappointed in the box office and there is still a part two that needs to be released that's quickly been rechristened something else. so you know, it could be musical biopic�*s about musical legends have done quite well at the box office recently from a case in point the recent bob marley film, movies like bohemian rhapsody, the eltonjohn biopic, there is more on the horizon, michaeljackson biopic, amy winehouse biopic, it could just be the right film to meet the moment but definitely a risky one.— but definitely a risky one. yeah, elvis as well, _ but definitely a risky one. yeah, elvis as well, you _ but definitely a risky one. yeah, elvis as well, you can _ but definitely a risky one. yeah, elvis as well, you can add - but definitely a risky one. yeah, elvis as well, you can add it - but definitely a risky one. yeah, elvis as well, you can add it to l elvis as well, you can add it to that list. there are four beatles though, i suppose the risk is as well that some of those films might be more popular than others. itrefoil well that some of those films might be more popular than others. meiji be more popular than others. welll think, no offence _ be more popular than others. welll think, no offence to _

be more popular than others. welll think, no offence to sir _ be more popular than others. welll think, no offence to sir ringo, - think, no offence to sir ringo, but paul and john's �*s instalments might be more popular than the george and ringo once. find be more popular than the george and rinao once. �* ., i. be more popular than the george and rinao once. �* . ,, ringo once. and are you looking forward to _ ringo once. and are you looking forward to these _ ringo once. and are you looking forward to these films _ ringo once. and are you looking forward to these films being - ringo once. and are you looking i forward to these films being made, do you think there is an appetite for them? do you think there is an appetite forthem? i’m do you think there is an appetite for them? �* ., ., ~' do you think there is an appetite for them? �* ., ., ~ ., ., ., for them? i'm looking forward to movies that _ for them? i'm looking forward to movies that don't _ for them? i'm looking forward to movies that don't feature - for them? i'm looking forward to movies that don't feature people for them? i'm looking forward to i movies that don't feature people in spandex and capes, so i am all for this. . ~ spandex and capes, so i am all for this. ., ,, , ., spandex and capes, so i am all for this. ., ,, i. spandex and capes, so i am all for this. ., ,, . �* �* this. thank you so much brent, we'll have to see — this. thank you so much brent, we'll have to see more _ this. thank you so much brent, we'll have to see more news _ this. thank you so much brent, we'll have to see more news comes - this. thank you so much brent, we'll have to see more news comes out i have to see more news comes out that we can get excited about, brent lang, executive editor at variety. now any wine lovers out there look away now.... a spanish winery has lost the equivalent of 80,000 bottles of its high—end red wine after someone broke in and emptied their vats. a spokesman for cepa 21 said the 60,000 litres of horcajo and malabrigo was worth around

2.7 million dollars. the news continues here in bbc news. hello. with the ground saturated across most parts of the uk right now, the prospect of more rain is only going to enhance the risk of flooding over the next few days. and rain it will be, also accompanied by some stronger winds as well. now, rainfall totals for the next two days shows that all of us will see that wetter weather. but it's these darker colors and the bright greens in the west, which shows the highest rainfall totals on the hills — over 50 millimetres — and where it is actually linked into this strip of cloud which stretches all the way from the caribbean towards us, bringing up airfrom the mid—atlantic. so it's again mild air. so even after that initial dip in temperatures, by the start of wednesday morning, it is going to be milder there but a pretty wet, miserable rush hourfor many. driest and brightest weather across orkney and shetland, rain's with you through the afternoon, but it's a day

for some of you where the second half of the day is much better than the first. northern ireland brightening up by lunchtime. bright conditions developing across scotland, northern and western england and wales will stay cloudy. east anglia, the south east and in the channel it will stay pretty wet. a windy day across the board. winds touching gale force. and even though it will be mild on the face of it, 11 to 13 degrees, it's that wind which will temper the feel. now that first batch of rain gets out of the way, but it still links into some more persistent rain around the english channel through the night and into thursday morning. another batch of pretty lively downpours will work the way in from the west, and that will be dividing line between the milder air that sits there through the night in the south—east and something colder to the north and west with some frost and ice. and that colder air will gradually push its way in as we go through into thursday, pushing across all parts of the uk as rain gradually clears its way eastwards and it'll push us back really to the way february should feel now. it's a mild start for much of england wales outbreaks of rain of england wales, outbreaks of rain heavy at times strong winds developing

through the english channel. the rain does edge out of the way british skies showers will develop and there'll be a mixture of rain, hail and also a bit of sleet and snow over the hills, too, with temperatures by the end of the afternoon in mid to high single figures, to high single figures. cold start to friday as well compared to what we've been used to. but again, it'll be a day of sunshine and showers. some of you have a better chance of staying dry than you will do over the next few days. but when the showers form again, they'll be on the heavy side, quite lively and will be wintry over the hills just about anywhere. stay with the cooler conditions into the weekend. there will be some dry and bright weather. there'll be a few showers scattered around to take care. there'll be a few showers scattered around too. take care.

welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. when donald trump said he would let russia do whatever the hell it wanted in nato member states that were not prepared to pay their defence bills, he set alarm bells ringing right across europe. add to that the politicking in washington, which is blocking further us assistance to ukraine, and there is a growing, urgent sense that europe needs to get serious about its own security. my guest is bulgaria's prime minister, nikolai denkov. is the eu's poorest nation, where pro—russian sentiment is significant, one of europe's weakest links?