They also discussed chinas12 point plan to bring an end to the war in ukraine. In a Statement Issued after the meeting they said the russian side welcomes chinas willingness to play a positive role for the political and diplomatic settlement of the ukraine crisis, and welcomes the constructive proposals set forth in chinas position on the political settlement of the ukraine crisis. At the white house today, us officials took pains to point out what they think china could do to end the war. If china wants to play a constructive role here in this conflict, then they ought to press russia to pull its troops out of ukraine in ukrainian sovereign territory. They should urge President Putin to cease bombing cities, hospitals and schools, to Stop The War Crimes and the atrocities and end the war today. It could happen right now. Kirby also said that the us does not want a ceasefire in ukraine right now, because it would freeze the battle lines in their current state. As a reminder, that would mean russia would keep around 17 of ukraine thats the amount of land it currently occupies. The meeting between president s xi and putin is is the first time the two leaders have come together since russia invaded ukraine last year. Our Diplomatic CorrespondentCaroline Hawley has been looking into whats at stake. Its a visit being watched Around The World for what its global consequences could be. According to the chinese president , his meetings in moscow will give new momentum to chinas relations with russia at the expense, both countries hope, of the west. Out of this meeting with the russian Prime Minister came an invitation from president xi for President Putin to pay a return visit to china. And then, in the grandeur of the kremlin, the two leaders met for a second time, eventually Standing Shoulder to shoulder, a big morale boost for Vladimir Putin, now wanted for war crimes in ukraine after an arrest warrant last week from the International Criminal court. On several fronts, the war is not going as President Putin wanted. There is talk of some kind of chinese peace plan but what russia wants is chinese weapons to help change the course of the conflict on the ground. So far, china has only given dual use technology for fear of secondary sanctions on chinese companies. Xijinpings bottom line is that he will not abandon russia, he is not willing to see a humiliating defeat for Vladimir Putin in ukraine. And he is willing to keep providing, certainly, non military supplies that have propped up putins war machine over the last year or so. From the kremlin, china is happy to have Russian Energy at reduced rates and moscow is more and more reliant on china as a market. The war in ukraine is reshaping economic, diplomatic and political relations. Today in kyiv, a surprise but pointed visit from the japanese Prime Minister delivering a message of support for ukraine, timed to coincide with president xis trip to moscow. Against the backdrop of a war that is changing the world, these were only exercises last week, but they brought together china, russia and iran, countries trying to forge ahead with a stronger anti western alliance. Caroline hawley, bbc news. For Xijingping The Visit represents a delicate diplomatic balancing act. Our russia editor Steve Rosenberg has been looking at whats at stake. He doesnt want to damage the trade relationship with the United States and the eu, those are his biggest trading partners. On the other hand, he wants to develop his relations, his partnership with russia. For many reasons the two countries share a very big border, 4,000 kilometres. So a Good Relationship with russia makes sense. The two leaders share a similar world view, both embrace the idea of a multipolar world and standing up to us domination and the two economies, the russian and chinese economy, are complementary. Russia has raw materials, china needs raw materials. So for many reasons the partnership make sense, but it is not an equal partnership. China is very much the senior partner now and i think china is putting chinese interests first and believes that it stands to gain a lot by developing this relationship with russia. Steve rosenberg there. Well in a bit of a change of pace, we want to focus now on what didnt happen today in new york city. Donald trump was not arrested as the former president had said he would be. And mass protests did not break out as he had called for. Instead, security remains tight, and tensions remain high, over an expected indictment of mr trump in the coming days. Lets cross to our correspondent nada tawfik, whos outside the County Courthouse in lower manhattan. What more do we know about the possible timeline in these proceedings . Possible timeline in these proceedings . Possible timeline in these roceedins . ~. , proceedings . Well, david, at the moment, really, proceedings . Well, david, at the moment, really, this proceedings . Well, david, at the moment, really, this is proceedings . Well, david, at the moment, really, this is still proceedings . Well, david, at the moment, really, this is still with| moment, really, this is still with the grand jury. It is not Crystal Clear if they will want to call another witness or if they will be ready to move immediately, perhaps as soon as tomorrow into a final vote on whether they do think there is enough evidence. That would then go to the Manhattan District Attorney himself, and if he does choose to charge former president donald trump, well, lets take a look at how that would all play out. The focus right now is on this building, the office of the Manhattan District Attorney. Now, just a few steps away from here is where trumps aides and michael cohen, his former lawyer and current antagonist have been testifying to a grand jury. If the da pulls the trigger and charges former President Trump, his lawyers would likely negotiate a time for trump to turn himself in voluntarily. He would be formally booked. Meaning he would be fingerprinted, have his mug shot taken and be read his miranda rights, just like anyone else under arrest. But unlike a typical person, he will be escorted throughout the whole process by his Secret Service detail. A trial would ultimately take place at the manhattan criminal court, opening up what could be a long drawn out legal battle that could last well into, if not past the 2024 president ial campaign. So, we know it didnt happen today, we know what the procedure would be. So what happens next . Maw. We know what the procedure would be. So what happens next . So what happens next . Wow, i mean, david, i dont so what happens next . Wow, i mean, david, i dont know so what happens next . Wow, i mean, david, i dont know if so what happens next . Wow, i mean, david, i dont know if you so what happens next . Wow, i mean, david, i dont know if you can so what happens next . Wow, i mean, david, i dont know if you can see david, i dont know if you can see behind mejust how many david, i dont know if you can see behind me just how many of the worlds media have come here. Its turned into quite a spectacle, in fact, the nypd have been beefing up security, just in case there is an indictment if protests do break out. We have seen extra medal barricades being put out. All nypd officers were told to come in uniform and to be prepared today. Nevertheless, despite those calls from the former president for protest to stand up for him and to protect the country, well, we have seen actually very few people coming out in new york between trump tower here at the criminal court house, and in fact, some who are against President Trump have actually come out with signs to show their opinions. I did run into one woman who was selling some merchandise a few blocks away. All of that could certainly change if an announcement is made, but for the moment, what we see, even through some of the chats to President Trumps supporters is that even urging people to stay away from protests, saying they could be a trap. So perhaps backfiring a little bit down the former president , donald trump. Bit down the former president , donald trum. N,. , ~, all this leaves members of Donald Trumps party in something of a tricky spot when it comes to defending the former president. House republicans have been in florida for their annual Retreat Strenusously maintaining that they intended to remain focused on the issues that matter most both to the party and to voters. But as ever, mr trumps shadow has proved hard to escape, and it wasnt long before the House SpeakerKevin Mccarthy was forced to address the matter head on. It doesnt matter what side of the issue you are on, it doesnt matter if this was President Trump or if this was a democrat. It should be equaljustice in america, and stop going after people because you have political differences. 0ur north america correspondent Anthony Zurcherjoins Me now. Kevin mccarthy says the party is not distracted by the fact that donald trump might soon be charged with a crime. Republican leaders, we have seen circling the wagons, but at what point does Donald Trumps legal baggage prove a political liability for the party i wonder . Its baggage prove a political liability for the party i wonder . Its already clearl a for the party i wonder . Its already clearly a distraction. For the party i wonder . Its already clearly a distraction. Kevin clearly a distraction. Kevin mccarthy talking about how he didnt want to talk about donald trump, but thats all reporters want to talk about. We talked about the spectacle in new york. Theres also a spectacle here in washington, dc that will follow american politicians around wherever they go. It sucks all the oxygen out of the room. Now, mind you, republicans have had a lot of experience dealing with Donald Trumps distractions in the past, although i think some of them had hoped that that would end with his presidency back in 2021. 5 with his presidency back in 2021. As for the man himself, with his presidency back in 2021. As forthe man himself, he has for the man himself, he has predicted that an indictment would only serve to boost his popularity and motivate his base. A republican poll carried out by morning concerts, we can bring it up for you on the screen to match as mr trump way ahead of his rivals and his prospective rivals for the partys president ial nomination. 54 support, more than double that and his nearest rival, governor rhonda santos. And massively ahead of the former Vice President , make tens, both of them have yet to announce formally that they are running. But it says a lot, doesnt it, this pulled him about Donald Trumps enduring popularity amongst his base. This was a trend that predates this recent rumour of indictment. Donald trump appeared to be extending his lead over brown to santos over the last month month and a half, in part because donald trump is running around desantis is still down in florida governing. So it is definitely going to be a challenge for anyone trying to oppose donald trump, not only because donald trump still does have a strong base of popularity within the party, but the more republicans make this liberal the party, but the more republicans make this libera make this liberal trying to indict and punish make this liberal trying to indict and punish donald make this liberal trying to indict and punish donald trump make this liberal trying to indict | and punish donald trump versus conservatives, conservatives will want to stick with donald trump because if they dont support him, well, it could be seen that they are actually helping the liberals get what they want stopping to pay for, democrats have been longing to see donald trump face legal accountability, but there are, some believe, more serious crimes for which he could have been held to account. It which he could have been held to account. ,. , account. It is interesting to see, obviously it account. It is interesting to see, obviously it is account. It is interesting to see, obviously it is whoever account. It is interesting to see, obviously it is whoever wants i account. It is interesting to see, obviously it is whoever wants to | account. It is interesting to see, i obviously it is whoever wants to go first will go first, but this generally, a lot of legal experts look at and say this is one of the lesser cases come about january six or about his handling of classified documents. Or about his handling of Classified Documente or about his handling of classified documents. �. ,. ,. , documents. Antennae, many thanks for oinini us. Documents. Antennae, many thanks for joining us my documents. Antennae, many thanks for joining us. My pleasure. In the uk, a scathing report has found that britains Biggest Police force is institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic. The review of the metropolitan police follows the murder of a 33 year old woman in south london by an off duty officer two years ago. The met� s commissioner sir mark rowley admitted the force had � let londoners down. 0ur correspondent lucy manning sent this report. Lets remember how all this began. Sarah everard walking home, kidnapped, raped and murdered by a met police officer. It shocked then, and this report is frightening, a force that is broken, failing. There is without doubt a discriminatory culture right across the metropolitan police, and i think that institutional racism, institutional sexism, institutional misogyny and homophobia are definitely present across the organisation. We think the met is not able to assure all of us that its officers are of sufficient integrity and standards to be serving police officers, so, it needs to clean itself up. The met has lost the consent to police, the report believes. It cant protect its own staff and it cant provide adequate policing for the victims of crime. For too long there has been a culture of denial about the scale of its problems. The details set out in this report of a broken force are frankly horrific. Rape evidence that had to be discarded because the fridges in Police Stations didnt work, a sikh officer who had his beard cut by colleagues, a muslim officer who found bacon in his boots and female officers routinely targeted and humiliated by their male counterparts. Couzens and carrick, the met� s murderer and rapist. Baroness casey was clear that those who have the power to arrest need to have the trust of those they police, so this needs to be a landmark moment. The commissioner was apologetic but not accepting every word of the report. Its disturbing, its upsetting, its heartbreaking and i apologise to those who have suffered as a consequence. Do you accept baroness caseys findings that the force is institutionally racist, Institutionally Misogynistic and institutionally homophobic. I accept her diagnosis about the racism, misogyny and homophobia in the organisation, and also that we have these systemic failings, management failings, culturalfailings, i understand her use of the term institutional, its not a term i use myself. Reports have come, commissioners have gone and still the met hasnt changed, the warning is this is its last chance. Ultimately, i want both my daughters to grow up in a society were not only did they have their trust in the police, but it is fundamentally safe. For too long it has failed too many, the very people who need protecting, including those just walking home. Lucy manning, bbc news. Lets take a look at some other stories making headlines Around The World. The former british Prime Minister borisjohnson has accepted that he misled parliament, over gatherings at his official residence 10 Downing Street during the covid lockdown. The gatherings gave rise to what became known as the � partygate scandal, but mrjohnson also insisted his actions were not reckless or intentional. He made the admission whilst giving evidence to mp5, ahead of a televised appeared in parliament on wednesday. The United Nations says Gang Violence in haiti has lead to the deaths of more than 530 people since the start of the year. The uns � human rights 0ffice says 200 people were killed in the first two weeks of march alone. Officials say the clashes mainly took place in the capital, port au prince. Violent protests in france have continued for a fifth day as president macron is meeting allies and deciding his next move. His government narrowly survived no confidence motions and despite facing fury over his controversial pension reforms. Police made hundreds of arrests while some unions have stepped up their strikes. The president is due to give a rare televised interview on wednesday. Facing years long Waiting Lists at home, a growing number of british patients are venturing abroad in order to undergo surgery. Social Media Advertising has led to a spike in Weight Loss Surgery in turkey where treatment can be booked but a bbc investigation has revealed a catalogue of complications we warn you that this report does contain some graphic images. Last year, stacey travelled to turkey for Weight Loss Surgery that reduced the size of her stomach. Right, were just going to do a little test. As a mum to two young children, and having had a heart attack, she wanted the operation to avoid Health Problems in later life. One of the main driving things was, you know, i did this before i became a drain on the nhs, before i had any Major Medical problems. But on her return to the uk, she suffered a massive blood clot. She continues to receive treatment for it on the nhs. Id been assured i was absolutely fine, i had a fit to fly note. Two days later, i turned over in bed and one of my wounds just burst open. It was, you know, the bed was full of pus, blood. Horrible. Stacey regrets her choice of clinic, but not having the surgery. My advice would be do your research, massively, you know . Dontjust stop at, you know, peoples before and after photos. Whilst that is incredible to see and everybody wants a bit of that, there is a bigger picture. Her doctor says shes not alone. We have seen a significant rise in patients going to turkey for private bariatric procedures. And hes increasingly treating serious complications as a result. What weve seen is that some patients have flown home and then straight up to our Emergency Hospital in cramlington, not truly understanding the surgery they have had done and the risks they have actually taken. Weight loss surgery abroad is marketed heavily on social media. Here at ten stone six, and she was 17 stone ten. It gets mixed reviews. I dont ever see me getting better. Ifeel like ive ruined my life. But provides a short cut to surgery which people might wait many years for on the nhs. Our investigation has spoken to patients who have had serious complications from botched surgery carried out in turkey. 0ne even had her entire stomach removed. We have also found out that seven people have died in the last four years after travelling to turkey for Weight Loss Surgery, and weve learned that the number of surgeries on the nhs has fallen by a third in england since covid. While investigating, we heard concerns that women who were not obese were being operated on in turkey. We decided to ask 27 clinics if they would accept patients at normal bmi levels. Six clinics accepted women for surgery who werent overweight at all. And some of those that didnt even encouraged women to gain weight to enable them to be accepted. A leading british doctor says this is reckless. I think to tell patients to put on weight so they can meet a particular Weight Threshold so they can then have Weight Loss Surgery, i think thats just wrong. Interest in going to turkey for Weight Loss Surgery shows no sign of waning. The government says it takes obesity seriously and those travelling abroad need to consider the risks. Monika plaha, bbc news. Back here in the us, teachers in americas Second Largest School District are staging a three day strike. The union that represents teachers and staff maintains that many of them make little more than minimum wage. Its seeking a 30 percent pay rise. More than 420,000 students have been affected by the dispute. Bus drivers, Cafeteria Workers and custodians are also among those striking. The hollywood actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, has appeared in a court in utah, in connection with a Skiing Accident which left a 76 year old man suffering brain and rib injuries. Retired optomestrist Terry Sanderson alleges he was hit from behind by the star, back in 2016. She claims it was he who was at fault. 0ur los angeles correspondent, sophie long, sent us this report. Used to appearing on the red carpets of hollywood and the silver screen, today Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in court as the defendant. She is being sued over a Skiing Accident on the slopes of diao valley, accused of a human hit and run. This is the case of Terry Sanderson versus Gwyneth Paltrow. Beginning trial here today. Would you please swear in thejurors, and if you could stand and raise your right hand . Retired optometrist, Terry Sanderson, 76, claims miss paltrow was skiing Out Of Control and hit him from behind, knocking him out and causing a brain injury before skiing off and leaving him injured in the snow. Ms paltrow says he hit her before apologising and telling her he was fine. The court heard that Gwyneth Paltrow considered herself to be an intermediate skier, but mr sandersons lawyer said she had hired multiple instructors and had hit him hard, causing his body to smash into the ground, breaking four of his ribs and giving him a concussion. He said she then bolted down the mountain without saying anything. The court was told that for a year following the incident, mr sanderson had displayed symptoms of a persistent brain injury and would encounter problems for the rest of his life. The case continues. Sophie long, bbc news, los angeles. And before we go, politics took a back seat to the arts at the white house this afternoon. President biden bestowed the National Medal of arts on 12 luminaries and institutions. They included the music icons Bruce Springstreen and gladys knight, and the actresses mindy kaling and julia louis dreyfus. The Billie Holiday theatre and the International Association im david willis. Thank you for watching world news america. Hello there. For most of us, march so far has been a very soggy affair. In fact, at cambridge, weve already recorded more than two and a half times the rainfall wed normally expect in a typical march. This figure valid up to 9 00 on tuesday morning. But one place where it has been drier than normal is the north of scotland. 33 a third of the normal rainfall has fallen at kirkwall in 0rkney, but all of us are set to see more rain over the next few days. Wednesday starting off with this frontal system pushing eastwards that will bring some heavy and persistent rain, strong winds following behind. In fact, gales for a time across western and central parts of scotland, which could give rise to some coastal flooding when combined with high tides. Through the day on wednesday, heavy rain for the northern isles. Another clump of heavy showers moving across the north of mainland scotland and it will turn into a sunshine and showers day for just about all of us. The showers becoming most frequent in the west later in the day where the winds will stay very gusty, but it will be a blustery day for just about all of us. Mild, although perhaps not quite as mild as it has been across the north of scotland. Now, as we head through wednesday night and into thursday, well see further showers or longer spells of rain pushing from the west towards the east, some clear spells in between. It takes us into another sunshine and showers day for thursday with some more persistent rain then drifting across the Channel Islands and towards the south of england later in the day. Again, mild temperatures north to south, 8 to 15 degrees. Now through thursday night this little frontal system here will graze the south east corner, bringing some persistent rain. Low pressure, certainly remaining in charge into friday. We will see bands of showers pushing eastwards. These showers are likely to be heavy. Some of these showers will contain some hail and some thunder, some sunny spells between the showers staying quite breezy, particularly down towards the south. And again, that mild theme continues 8 to 14 degrees. Now we head into the start of the weekend with low pressure firmly in charge, but as this low starts to drift eastwards, we begin to change the wind direction. Well start to bring the winds down from the north, particularly across northern parts of scotland. Well also have this band of rain, but maybe some hill snow starting to mix in with that as the day wears on. Further south, it stays mild. Again, its a story of sunny spells and showers. But lets focus on this band of cloud and rain and some hill snow that is tied in with this Weather System here. And as that pushes southwards, as we get into sunday, well, these northerly winds really kick in and we will see some colder air pushing across the country. Now, i think most of any wintriness in these showers will be over high ground across central and southern parts. We could see some snow to quite low levels across scotland, particularly in northern scotland. I think it will be a struggle, though, to get snow to low levels for most of us given these afternoon temperatures. But it certainly is going to feel a little bit chillier, particularly given a brisk northerly winds. Now for next week, for the start of the week, this area of High Pressure builds in. So that will dry things out. Well stick with chilly weather for a time, but then frontal systems return from the atlantic and that is likely to bring a return of milder but wetter weather for the end of the month. So looking ahead to next week, a chillier interlude, a slightly different feel. There could be some wintry showers, but then its likely that wetter and milder weather will return. Hello, im maryam moshiri. Youre watching the context on bbc news. Borisjohnsons defence ahead of televised grilling of partygate is published. He accepts he misled parliament over covid rule breaking parties in Downing Street, but denies he did it on purpose. In the us police on alert ahead of the possible arrest of former president donald trump. Well be finding out more about alvin bragg