with zeinab badawi in the ukrainian capital kyiv. hello, i'm zeinab badawi.global questions from kyiv, the capital of ukraine. the build—up of russian troops near its border with ukraine has raised fears that moscow wants to extend its influence in former soviet states, such as ukraine. in this second edition of global questions from kyiv, we ask what is putin's game in his backyard? applause. hello and welcome to the mystetskyi arsenal cultural centre here in kyiv. let me tell you who is on my panel, who will be taking questions from our audience here. deputy prime minister of ukraine is olha stefanishyna. she has been very much the international face of the ukrainian government during this current crisis. kristina kvien is the charge d?affaires, that's the acting d'affaires, that's the acting ambassador for washington, here in kyiv. carl bildt is a former swedish prime minister and one of europe's leading statesmen, and professor sergey radchenko is a russian—born political scientist based in europe. that is our panel. welcome to you all. give them a round

hello, welcome to global questions with me, zeinab badawi, from kyiv, the capital of ukraine.he government here has been monitoring the intense talks between russia and the west very anxiously. have the negotiations this week defused the tensions on the ukraine—russia border, where moscow has been amassing troops? or is it the start of a new cold war? applause welcome to the mystetskyi arsenal cultural centre here in kyiv. let me tell you who is on my panel, who will be taking questions from the audience here. the deputy prime minister of ukraine is olha stefanishyna. although ukraine was not party to the talks this week, she has been presenting the government's position. kristina kvien is the acting ambassador for washington here in ukraine. carl bildt is a former swedish prime minister and one of europe's leading statesman. and professor sergey radchenko is a russian—born political scientist based in europe. that is our panel. welcome to you all. give them a round of applause. applause and remember, you too can join the conversation. it's #bbcglobalquestions. got a lot to ge

now on bbc news, it's time for take me to the opera, with zeinab badawi.been an opera fan for decades, and i'm on a mission to share my passion and introduce you to some of the big names today and superstars of tomorrow — and ask how they're responding to the changing world of opera. cecilia bartoli, the italian mezzo soprano who originally wanted to be a flamenco dancer, and brings flair and a female perspective. peruvian—born tenor juan diego florez, whose first ambition was to be a pop singer and brings rock—star appeal. two of the leading lights in opera. but how are they helping to define its future? we also meet a couple of rising stars — south african soprano masabane cecilia rangwanasha. she says opera needs greater diversity. and french tenor benjamin bernheim, who welcomes the use of technology, alongside the power of live performance. let me take you to the opera. i'm keen to ask juan diego florez and cecilia ba rtoli, two of the most loved and respected stars in opera today, about how they're trying to ensure that opera harnesses the power of i

hello, welcome to global questions with me, zeinab badawi, from kyiv, the capital of ukraine.he buildup of russian troops near the border with ukraine has raised fears of oscar wants to extend its influence in former soviet states such as ukraine. —— moscow. we ask what is putin's game in his backyard? applause . hello and welcome. let me tell you who is on my panel and taking questions from our audience. deputy prime minister of ukraine is olha stefanishyna. she has been the international face of the ukrainian government during this covenant government. she is the acting ambassador for washington, kristina kvien. carl bildt and sergey radchenko. that is our panel. welcome to you all. give them a round of applause. and remember you canjoin the round of applause. and remember you can join the conversation. we're going to a couple of questions to kick off with. russian troops under the border, _ russian troops under the border, is _ russian troops under the border, is that _ russian troops under the border, is that an - russian troops under the i border, is that an attempt russi

now on bbc news...it�*s time for take me to the opera — with zeinab badawi i've been an opera fan fori'm on a mission to share my passion and introduce you to some of the big names today and superstars of tomorrow — and ask how they're responding to the changing world of opera. cecilia bartoli, the italian mezzo soprano who originally wanted to be a flamenco dancer, and brings flairand a female perspective. peruvian—born tenor juan diego florez, whose first ambition was to be a pop singer and brings rock—star appeal. two of the leading lights in opera — but how are they helping to define its future? we also meet a couple of rising stars — south african soprano masa bane cecilia rangwa nasha. she says opera needs greater diversity. and french tenor benjamin bernheim, who welcomes the use of technology, alongside the power of live performance. let me take you to the opera. i'm keen to askjuan diego florez and cecelia bartoli, two of the most loved and respected stars in opera today, about how they're trying to ensure that opera harnesses the power of innovation to secure its future. ope

i'm zeinab badawi. welcome to global questions from kyiv, the capital of ukraine.d its influence in former soviet states such as ukraine. in this second edition of global questions from kyiv, we ask what is putin's game in his backyard?

welcome to hardtalk with me, zeinab badawi. my guest is somebody who can claim to be one of south america's best—known global icons. she knows the continent well. born in peru, raised in chile, she was also schooled in bolivia and has lived in venezuela. isabel allende is not only an acclaimed novelist, she's also known for her political writings. her uncle was salvador allende, the chilean democratic leader who was ousted in a coup by general pinochet in 1973, forcing isabel and herfamily to flee to neighbouring venezuela. her books have been translated into more than a0 languages, including her latest novel, violeta. how does she use her own life to inform her work, and how does she interpret political trends across latin america? isabel allende, in california, welcome to hardtalk. now, i can see your book there, your latest one, violeta, behind you, and it depicts an old woman, violeta, writing a letter to her grandson. now, your... camilo. your book came out at a time when we were all experiencing covid, and it's set in 192

welcome to hardtalk with me, zeinab badawi.inent well. born in peru, raised in chile, she was also schooled in bolivia and has lived in venezuela. isabel allende is not only an acclaimed novelist, she's also known for her political writings. her uncle was salvador allende, the chilean democratic leader

and coming up later this hour, wejoin zeinab badawi for take me to the opera.d afternoon and welcome to bbc news. secondary schools in england have been told that children should wear face coverings in classrooms — to help stop covid disrupting the new term. the move brings england in line with the rest of the uk. unions have welcomed the advice — while also warning that staff shortages could once again lead to some children being taught at home. sanchia berg reports. in scotland, pupils have been wearing masks as they learn with the windows open for the last few months. the picture is similar now in northern ireland and wales. next week, english secondary school students will follow suit as the government tries to reduce the spread of covid—19 in schools. around half of children over 12 have been double jabbed — not enough to keep the virus out. the face coverings is very much a short—term measure, simply until the 26th of january when it will be reviewed because we recognise it is not something many children will want to wear. it recognises the priority of en

global questions has travelled to the country's capital kyiv where zeinab badawi and her panel of politicianseat. he was beaten in straight sets in the final of the sydney classic by russia's aslan karatsev — who ranks number 20. next up for the 34—year—old scot is melbourne — and the australian open. england's cricketers have collapsed with the bat against australia at the ashes in hobart. they were dismissed for 188 in their first innings in the final session of the second day. australia lead the series 3—0. here in the uk, the coastguard is celebrating a major anniversary. it was founded exactly 200 years ago. luxmy gopal reports. search and rescue. for 200 years, the coastguard has been searching, rescuing and saving lives. it's such a feeling to be able to help people who've really been at a really low point, and just make that situation at the time a little bit better for them to bear, and then long—term it means somebody goes home who maybe wouldn't have done. originally set up to combat smuggling, her majesty's coastguard was formally established on the 15th of january, 1822. newsreel