A torch a few days before the official opening of the Winter Olympics as its going ahead despite 0lympics as its going ahead despite the four boycotts and strict covid i9 restrictions. We start with tensions on the ukraine border. Russia has been locked in a Military Standoff with ukraine, and weve now seen the first Major Movement of us forces in response. Some 2000 troops will be sent to poland and germany, and 1000 troops already in germany will go to romania. Heres The Pentagon Spokesman making that announcement. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our nato allies. The Current Situation demands that we reinforce the deterrent and defensive posture on nato� s eastern flank. President biden has been clear that United States will respond to the growing threat to europes security and stability. I want to be very clear about something. These are not permanent moves. They are moves designed to respond to the current security environment. Moreover, these forces are not going to fight in ukraine. They are going to ensure the robust defence of our nato allies. Russias Foreign Ministry has called it an unjustified and destructive move. Separately, the us also has 8500 troops on standby. Theyve been put on heightened alert to be ready to deploy at short notice as part of the nato defensive alliance� s response force. The Secretary General of the alliance says. Heres the romanian president welcoming the decision. Translation we are going through an extremely tense period in which the risks and threats to regional, european and euro atlantic security, including romanias security, have increased. There is a clear tendency to return to the policy of force and to challenge the current liberal international order, as well as the European Security architecture built after the cold war. All this is a response to a recent escalation of Russian Military activity close to ukraine. In satellite images, we can see russia has over 100,000 troops close to the ukraine border. And thats not all. These pictures are from today. Russia has also been holding large scale joint military drills with belarusian forces. Belarus borders ukraine. But the Ukrainian Foreign minister maintains that russia hasnt yet gathered enough forces to mount a full scale invasion. At this moment, my assessment of ukraine and its partners, this number and composition of forces is not sufficient for a full scale invasion. However, we keep vigilant, we keep monitoring further dynamics. I want to reiterate, ukraine calls on russia to withdraw the troops it amassed near our border, bring them back to their bases, stop intimidating ukraine and the wider euro atlantic community. Russia has denied all along that its planning to invade ukraine. It does, though, have demands. Top of the list is no nato membership for ukraine. Nato is a defensive alliance, and ukraine has sought tojoin it for years. Russia also wants nato to stop its expansion eastwards. America hasnt agreed on any of this. Lets bring in retired general mark kimmitt, who served in both the us army and the State Department under president george w bush. Thank you very much indeed for joining us. How do you assess the decision to move the 3000 Troops Eastwards . I decision to move the 3000 Troops Eastwards . ~. , decision to move the 3000 Troops Eastwards . Eastwards . I think more than an Hinu Eastwards . I think more than Anything Else eastwards . I think more than Anything Else is eastwards . I think more than Anything Else is a eastwards . I think more than Anything Else is a demonstration. It demonstrates america is one of the people on the ground to defend its nato allies but im not sure that anybody should be celebrating in ukraine based on Whatjohn Kirby said. We are not going to put them in ukraine, not going to fight in ukraine so while it may make a difference to the nato alliance, italy does not do any favour to the Ukrainian Government or the people. Do you think those trips should be going in the ukraine . I do you think those trips should be going in the ukraine . Do you think those trips should be going in the ukraine . I think thats a olitical going in the ukraine . I think thats a political decision going in the ukraine . I think thats a political decision for going in the ukraine . I think thats a political decision for anything a political decision for Anything Else. Never one to come or are we willing to defend a non nato ally against the russians was meant are we willing to shed blood for a non nato ally and for a country that most people cannot find on the map . A little decision but there are of course Military Calculations here. Do you think ukraine will be able to defend itself without american troops within the country . It really deends troops within the country . It really depends on troops within the country . It really depends on what troops within the country . It really depends on what the troops within the country . It really depends on what the russians troops within the country . It really| depends on what the russians want troops within the country . It really depends on what the russians want to do. Jealous of what the analysts say and the Government Official says, 180,000 troops is certainly enough to have a major impact against the ukrainian army. Take a look at 1939, a very small element from the german army was able to muster the french lies with actually no problem and cause a surrender in a matter of weeks. So my assessment is the ukrainians might be able to fight a Rearguard Action or perhaps partisan warfare after the fact, but if the russians are serious about this come out and they can take a majority of the country militarily if not the entire country itself. I mentioned that ou entire country itself. I mentioned that you serve entire country itself. I mentioned that you serve the entire country itself. I mentioned that you serve the us entire country itself. I mentioned that you serve the us army entire country itself. I mentioned that you serve the us army in entire country itself. I mentioned that you serve the us army in europe but you also served in the State Department to macias and the politicians and military leaders from both sides. Give us an insight into how that would work at this stage of an escalation . I into how that would work at this stage of an escalation . Into how that would work at this stage of an escalation . I think its been Sequential Stage of an escalation . I think its been sequential up stage of an escalation . I think its been sequential up at stage of an escalation . I think its been sequential up at this stage of an escalation . I think its been sequential up at this point i been sequential up at this point most of the major effort right now for better or worse is diplomatic. The president and Cemetery State that they can solve the problem without resorting to Military Force but at the same time, the military is doing planning so that as we used to say in nato, that we will defend and it prepared we will fight to win. Again that would only be in the context of nato and our article five agreements and i dont think we will conduct either defensive or offence of operations inside ukraine. find of operations inside ukraine. And beafina of operations inside ukraine. And bearin in of operations inside ukraine. And bearing in mind and bearing in mind what you know about russia and about Vladimir Putin, have our viewers around the world assess the seriousness of the point europe has reached compared to other points of tension in recent decades. Bgain reached compared to other points of tension in recent decades. Tension in recent decades. Again i think its important tension in recent decades. Again i think its important to tension in recent decades. Again i think its important to understand j think its important to understand that Vladimir Putin is not focused primarily on the external issues but its more on the internal issues inside of russia. He does have problems, he does have significant internal problems with his acceptance, the weather the russian people embrace him. He has serious economic problems and serious demographic problems. So many ways, analysts think discipline may be a version the problems hes having a home. , ~ i. ,. , home. Thank you for oining us, think you home. Thank you for oining us, think you for t home. Thank you for oining us, think you for your home. Thank you forjoining us, think you for your time. Across europe, diplomacy is in high gear. Borisjohnson met the ukrainian president Zelensky In Kyiv yesterday. And this is today. Dutch Prime Minister mark rutte, also in the ukainian capital, calling for de escalation. President zelensky and i, we agreed that every effort must now be made to de escalate the dangerous situation in which we find ourselves. And i believe, we believe that the only route to a solution is through de escalation, diplomacy and dialogue. Borisjohnson has also spoken with the russian president today, and we are told the Prime Ministers stressed any russian incursion into ukrainian territory be a tragic mistake elation. But the kremlin has signalled that its not open to compromising. Translation it is worth talking to anyone. Russia, and even more so president putin, is open for communication with everyone, even with those who are utterly. Confused and dont have a clear. Understanding of whats happening in our country. Hes always ready to give i an exhaustive explanation. Lets speak to our chief International Correspondent who was live with us each evening from kyiv this week. Talk to me about american troops. With the ukrainian president like those Troops Notjust in Eastern Europe but actually inside ukraine . , ~ , ukraine . Know. Ithink they understand ukraine . Know. Ithink they understand that ukraine . Know. Ithink they understand that this ukraine . Know. Ithink they understand that this is ukraine . Know. Ithink they understand that this is not i ukraine . Know. I think they i understand that this is not on ukraine . Know. I think they understand that this is not on the cards and that this would be very provocative and we heard from Ukraine Positive for mr today who say we are not expecting other countries to fight our wars. Many made a point to emphasise that the more defensive weapons that ukraine receives from its partners in the nato alliance, the less possibility that they will be used in other words a strong ukraine militarily, politically, financially is the best deterrent against any russian aggression. Deterrent against any russian aggression deterrent against any russian an uression. � ,. , aggression. And these before we introduced you aggression. And these before we introduced you we aggression. And these before we introduced you we heard aggression. And these before we introduced you we heard from i aggression. And these before we introduced you we heard from russia saying that when reboot is always happy to give a full estimation of the russian position of a given he is and that might we see some direct talks between mr pruden and some of the relevant World Leaders . Isnieiit talks between mr pruden and some of the relevant World Leaders . The relevant World Leaders . Welt p witness with the relevant World Leaders . Welt p witness with a the relevant World Leaders . Welt p witness with a very the relevant World Leaders . Welt p witness with a very busy the relevant World Leaders . Welt p witness with a very busy man. The relevant World Leaders . Welt p i witness with a very busy man. Almost every day i will later call him up, Emmanuel Micron of france who soon makes a trip to moscow to see but are food and there has had to Telephone Calls with the russian leader and joe biden had eight Telephone Call earlier this week and borisjohnson as we have just been reporting and the only one which has not had one is president zelinski of the ukraine and it is for that reason that president zelinski said in the press conference last night with Boris Johnson in the press conference last night with borisjohnson that in the press conference last night with Boris Johnson that the in the press conference last night with borisjohnson that the norm format is one that ukraine actually supports and beliefs could have a possible role in de escalating this crisis because it brings together germany, france, ukraine, and russia and one of the only places where possibly they will talk to each other and we expect the normandy format to be meeting very soon to Start Playing its own role or trying to play a role and doing what everyone talks about but we are not seeing yet and that is to de escalate these tensions. Seeing yet and that is to deescalate these tensions. Whenever ou come deescalate these tensions. Whenever you come on deescalate these tensions. Whenever you come on outside deescalate these tensions. Whenever you come on outside source deescalate these tensions. Whenever you come on outside source we deescalate these tensions. Whenever you come on outside source we are you come on outside source we are often talking about conflict is talking about diplomatic initiatives but also like to ask you about the day to day life of the places where you are reporting from. I wonder in kyiv at the moment if i did not know about all this somatic activity, what i know that there was a Military Threat or the possibility of a Military Threat of you to miles away . Of a Military Threat of you to miles awa . ~ ,. ,. ,. , of a Military Threat of you to miles awa . ~ i. ,. ,. , away . Well you have to remember that ukraine is a huge away . Well you have to remember that ukraine is a huge country. Away . Well you have to remember that ukraine is a huge country. As ukraine is a huge country. As a Biggest Country after russia from the former soviet union, so we are a very long way away from what they would refer to as the front lines and if you are an elderly couple living in eastern ukraine, close to the russian border, your life will have been turned upside down in my colleague reported today a very sad story about a woman who basically enter her nightdress in the dead of night had to flee her home of 30 years. They feel day and not the very visible presence of the russian separatists in their area. The ukrainian president talked about yesterday it used to be a very vibrant city in the east and now it is suffering because it is very much the middle of all of these tensions. Here in kyiv, life goes on but when you speak to ukrainians, the city if you speak to ukrainians, the city if you can see behind me of such ally and beauty, the bars are full, the restaurants are doing a great business but the economy is suffering full so the currency is down even though the president spoke today that it was doing better and we heard from several prominent individuals here that investors are staying away and that explains why the president here has been telling or at least last week try to urge everyone to calm down, the crisis is no worse now than it was a year ago. As ever, thank you very much indeed. A minister in the buff assembly has told officials to stop carrying out checks on goods entering of an elephant rest of the uk but these checks were introduced and we talked about this a lot on the programme as part of the brexit deal agreed between the uk and the eu. The arrangement is made to ensure Customs Checks happen at ports and not on the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic Of Ireland. There are public in the eu and Northern Ireland being in the uk and Northern Ireland being in the uk and so outside of the European Union and so outside of the European Union and others arranged in what is called the Northern Ireland protocol and is proven deeply unpopular with and is proven deeply unpopular with a number of people including Unionist Politicians who dont want any barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the uk. Edwin poots is in the dup. Izfe edwin poots is in the dup. Ive never issued edwin poots is in the dup. Ive never issued a edwin poots is in the dup. Ie never issued a formal instruction edwin poots is in the dup. I� 2 never issued a formal instruction to secretary to haul all checks not in place on the 31st Of December 2020 from midnight tonight and im preparing a paperfor from midnight tonight and im preparing a paper for Executive Consideration in the nearfuture preparing a paper for Executive Consideration in the near future to seek agreement on a way forward. Thank you. Seek agreement on a way forward. Thank yon seek agreement on a way forward. Thank ou. �. ,. , thank you. Already getting reaction to this with reuters thank you. Already getting reaction to this with reuters reporting thank you. Already getting reaction to this with reuters reporting that i to this with reuters reporting that the irish for ministry asked in a decision by a Northern Ireland minister to stop or checks is effectively a breach of International Law and the government source telling the bbc. Both sides of her possibly to resolve this in here is more from our ireland correspondent emma vardy. Our ireland correspondent emma vard. ,. Vardy. Other parties in executive here are a vardy. Other parties in executive here are a pretty vardy. Other parties in executive here are a pretty angry vardy. Other parties in executive here are a pretty angry about vardy. Other parties in executive| here are a pretty angry about this and what here are a pretty angry about this and what it here are a pretty angry about this and what it essentially does is go against and what it essentially does is go against the original brexit deal that the against the original brexit deal that the uk government signed up to with the that the uk government signed up to with the eu and the whole point of that really with the eu and the whole point of that really of those new irish sea border that really of those new irish sea Border Checks was to avoid other checks Border Checks was to avoid other checks over the irish land border here checks over the irish land border here on checks over the irish land border here on the island of ireland. But of course here on the island of ireland. But of course those i receive order checks of course those i receive order checks have always been really Dislike Checks have always been really dislike by unionist feeling that it cuts them off and the rest of the uk and that cuts them off and the rest of the uk and that it� s unfair for Northern Ireiand and that it� s unfair for Northern Ireland in terms of having a new trading ireland in terms of having a new trading border over the irish sea and the trading border over the irish sea and the dup in particular has been looking and the dup in particular has been looking at and the dup in particular has been looking at every which way it can to oppose looking at every which way it can to oppose them. And the Agriculture Minister oppose them. And the Agriculture Minister has been hinting that he could minister has been hinting that he could just minister has been hinting that he could just simply order his department to stop carrying out these department to stop carrying out these checks into not he has taken that steu these checks into not he has taken that step. And he argues that he has leal that step. And he argues that he has legal advice that he can do this. Thats legal advice that he can do this. That� s the politics of what does this mean that� s the politics of what does this mean of course for Northern Ireiand this mean of course for Northern Ireland and their Ports Equipment Inputs ireland and their Ports Equipment Inputs border set they are in difficult inputs border set they are in difficult positions and will they now have to just wave lloris through who turn now have to just wave lloris through who turn up now have to just wave lloris through who turn up without the new paperwork was meant or will they argue paperwork was meant or will they argue that paperwork was meant or will they argue that they are still legally obliged argue that they are still legally obliged to carry out the checks here was that obliged to carry out the checks here was that we brought her for the deputy was that we brought her for the deputy first minister Michelle 0weill deputy first minister michelle o� neill of sinn fein saying she does not believe this is lawful so that appears not believe this is lawful so that appears to contradict the advice that the appears to contradict the advice that the minister has had some wood actually that the minister has had some wood actually means in the ground and northern actually means in the ground and Northern Ireland just is not clear yet. Northern ireland ust is not clear et. � ,. ,. , yet. Im interested in one more thin. Yet. Im interested in one more thing the yet. Im interested in one more thing. The whole yet. Im interested in one more thing. The whole or yet. Im interested in one more thing. The whole or one yet. Im interested in one more thing. The whole or one of yet. Im interested in one more thing. The whole or one of the l thing. The whole or one of the standoffs around Northern Ireland and brexit was the eu desire to protect its Single Market. If these checks are not happening, does that undermine any arrangement that is in place via the Northern Ireland protocol . Place via the Northern Ireland rotocol . ,. , protocol . Exactly. The eu would an ue protocol . Exactly. The eu would argue then protocol . Exactly. The eu would argue then that protocol . Exactly. The eu would argue then that single protocol . Exactly. The eu would argue then that Single Market i protocol . Exactly. The eu would argue then that Single Market is| protocol . Exactly. The eu would argue then that Single Market is not printed argue then that Single Market is not printed it argue then that Single Market is not printed it all and you could send anything printed it all and you could send anything across the irish sea and say tested anything across the irish sea and say tested for Northern Ireland and then he say tested for Northern Ireland and then he can carry on into the repuhiic then he can carry on into the Republic Of Ireland which is effectively in the Single Market if it does effectively in the Single Market if it does not comply with those rules and yes it does not comply with those rules and yes the it does not comply with those rules and yes the Single Market, is not secure and yes the Single Market, is not secure in and yes the Single Market, is not secure. In practice of course northern secure. In practice of course Northern Ireland and the uk have been Northern Ireland and the uk have been members of the eu for many years been members of the eu for many years so been members of the eu for many years so the moment there is not really years so the moment there is not really a years so the moment there is not really a difference in any standards, but if the principle of it. Because that you will argue this is a legal it. Because that you will argue this is a legal agreement and this is what is a legal agreement and this is what the is a legal agreement and this is what the uk government signed up to now you what the uk government signed up to now you have the dup acting effectively unilaterally insane this has not effectively unilaterally insane this has not had a negative approval here and we has not had a negative approval here and we don� t like it and we� ve always and we don� t like it and we� ve always been angry about it so now we are going always been angry about it so now we are going to always been angry about it so now we are going to look at it from all of the perspective and say we� re just going the perspective and say we� re just going to the perspective and say we� re just going to halt it. So you� ve got the legal advice on this but you� ve also ot legal advice on this but you� ve also got the legal advice on this but you� ve also got the wider political agreements and the ramifications this will have in duhiin and the ramifications this will have in dublin and london and brussels. Turkey has blamed greece after 12 migrants were found frozen to death in a field near the border. Its thought the migrants were trying to enter greece from turkey, a way into the European Union that can be dangerous and has caused major disagreements between the two countries in the past. Turkeys Interior Minister tweeted. The land border between greece and turkey is marked by a river with a fence on the greek side. The bodies were discovered near the Turkish Border town of ipsala. Ece goksedef is from the bbc� s turkish service. Those migrants were found on the greek and Turkish Border and the mayor has been a statement saying they found 11 bodies and they were frozen to death and they found another migrant who died in the hospital. And they actually blamed greece, the greek authorities push them back into the river after they arrived on the greek border. But greece kept silent for a couple of hours and then the Greek Migration minister has rejected all the blame coming from turkey. He said they are false propaganda and he called on turkey to stop the migrants who make such dangerous journeys and he said that these migrants never made it to the greek border, that the great Border Police and Security Officers could not push them back. But there are either side saying no evidence to confirm their claims yet. But we should also remember that Human Rights Watch previously traced dozens of Migrants Testimony and were told they were acting push at public authorities into turkey but this is the first time turkey blames greece for pushing the migrants back. What has greece said in response . The only answer came after a couple of hours from the greek members are minister. He rejects all blame from turkey and he says they are false propaganda and he says these migrants never made it to the greek border and they were not pushed back by the greek officers. Turkey actually has been blaming greece for pushing the migrants back for a couple of years now, and greece has a couple of times, many times, the greeks heritage and all claims. Greece has been known to push migrants back . That have documented. It has been. Dozens of migrants and testified that and they were interviewed by Human Rights Watch and other foundations who were working on the migrants and we have actually some pictures of the migrants as these markets of their pushback by greek authorities and before their pushback, they had their stuff with them and their clothes were taken by them and their clothes were taken by the greek border control. For the First Time Since the taliban seized power in afghanistan, some public universities have reopened, allowing female students to return to the classroom. Girls remain barred from secondary schools even though boys were allowed to return last september. There are conditions for the university return. They must wear the hijab, although they were always doing this. Classes must be segregated by gender with female students entering via separate doors. And the curriculum must be based on islamic principles. The Talibans Deputy minister of culture and information heres Yogita Limaye in kabul. In six provinces in this country which have warmer weather, universities have reopened, and we have been speaking to students there, and from some areas, we are being told that female students have been allowed to go back to university. In some areas, were being told that boys are going to their classes in the morning and girls are going to their classes in the evening. In some places where the facilities are available, there are segregated classrooms and different entries for men and women. Ive also been speaking to female University Students here in kabul. Universities in this city, in this province are not yet open, but they are saying that looking at the developments today, theyre feeling hopeful. Of course, at the moment, secondary schools across the country remained barred for girls except for a few provinces. On that front, the taliban have been saying that when spring term opens in march, girls will be allowed to go back to secondary schools as well. But it remains to be seen if that is actually going to happen. Ive been speaking to taliban leaders in the last few days, and ive asked them that before the 15th of august, these schools were open, so whats the problem . Why arent girls able to go Back To School . Theyve talked about there being logistical issues. So, theyre trying to figure out transport for girls to get from their homes to the schools. Theyve talked about payment of salaries to teachers. Foreign funds that were driving the economy of this country have stopped since the 15th of august, so they are having issues paying salaries. But one thing that leaders said was quite interesting. He talked about how this society is very conservative and if they move very fast on womens issues, they fear a backlash. And he actually said, you know, our government might fall. So those are the considerations for the talibans end. Publicly, however, they have said that they are committed to womens rights, that they are not against women going to school or to work. At the moment, though, weve had universities opened in six provinces, female students being allowed there, but secondary schools in most of afghanistan, girls arent allowed to go to school and women are still not being allowed to go to work except for in the Public Health and security sector. Speaking to the bbc, nobel prize laureate and womens education activist Malala Yousoufzai insisted that citing religion and culture are no more an excuse for restricting girls and women from education. Thanks for the activism of Women In Afghanistan who are protesting on the streets that there has been pressure build up against the taliban to listen to the voices of afghan women and girls and ensure that their rights are protected. We can no longer hear the same old excuses that were used two decades ago when the name of islam was misused for their own personal benefits. And we know that islam allows women to have the right to work, the right to education, and it is time for the taliban to know that they are running out of excuses. And we know that in our culture, there� s other traditions, but that does not mean that women are denied their rights to work, to education, and i� m a strong woman and i have the right to complete my education. And, yes, there are social norms in so many societies and so many cultures, but right now, we� re in a position where we can challenge those norms and i remind people that its humans, it� s us who make these cultures and norms and it� s us who can change them. So, ithink, you know, we cannot use that excuse any more. We have amazing role models from the afghan community, from the Muslim Community who have completed their educations, who have established and built a career in politics and journalism, in science and in other fields as well. I will see un a couple of minutes time. Good evening. Our very mild spell of early february weather is set to continue, at least for the next 2a hours or so. Things will eventually turn colder later this week. But this is how we ended the day on wednesday, Beautiful Sunset there in gloucestershire. Weve got a few clear spells lasting through the course of tonight, but most of us reasonably cloudy, certainly staying mild and frost free tonight. Some rain moving into the north west. Weve had a warm front today, which has moved its way gradually eastwards across the uk, so were all in this warm sector. Mild air with us, quite a lot of low cloud producing some patchy drizzle here and there, particularly close to coasts and hills in the west. More persistent rain for northern and western scotland at times, and some showers into Northern Ireland as well. Further south and east, most places dry, perhaps a few showers close to the english channel, and temperatures staying between about 7 9 degrees into thursday morning. So, thursday starts on that reasonably mild, mostly dry note. Probably a little bit more in the way of sunshine breaking through that cloud more widely compared to what we had on wednesday, but still a few showers perhaps for parts of southern scotland, Northern England into wales for a time through the morning. Then most places dry and fine for a good part of the day, but the breeze increasing ahead of this cold front moving into the north west. Now, we could see gusts of 50 60 mph with those squally winds with the arrival of that front. 20 30 mph even further south as well, so its turning increasingly breezy later on thursday. Still mild with those temperatures for most in double figures, but turning colder from the north west later on. So, weve got that rain on this cold front, which is going to sink its way southwards and eastwards as we head through thursday night and on into friday. So, a plunge of colder air moving in behind that to start off your friday morning. Weve still got the rain and perhaps a bit of sleet and snow even just on the rear edge of that for a time, clearing away from the south east, and then more wintry flurries moving in from the north west. Sunny spells then and wintry showers, and some of this sleet and snow even down to lower levels in the north west. Drier for the south and east, but a colder day across the board, with temperatures between about 4 9 degrees for most of us. Looking ahead towards the weekend, and were going to see High Pressure sitting to the south of the uk. Weather fronts trying to topple in from the north, but this one looks like itlljust sit across the central swathe of the uk for a time as we head on into sunday. Its the Dividing Line between milder and drier conditions further south, things still looking rather unsettled and turning a little bit colder further north. Bye for now. Hello, im ros atkins, this is 0utside source. Us are sending 3000 troops to Eastern Europe as it stepped up preparations for a possible russian invasion of ukraine. Invasion of ukraine. These are not permanent invasion of ukraine. These are not permanent hooves, invasion of ukraine. These are not permanent hooves, they invasion of ukraine. These are not permanent hooves, they are invasion of ukraine. These are not. Permanent hooves, they are moves designed to respond to the current security environment. Moreover, these forces are not going to fight in ukraine. Us troops will be sent to bolster defences in germany, poland and romania with a move being called the structure. In the uk, Northern Ireland has announced that is stopping checks on goods arriving from the uk, challenging the uks brexit deal with the eu. Also three more tory mps have submitted letters of the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson. ,. , johnson. The domestic and international johnson. The domestic and International Challenges i l johnson. The domestic and International Challenges i think now require a new leader and that is why ive submitted a letter. Lots to talk about, Guinea Bissau said it is following another coup, it is the ninth attempted one since 1980 with 11 people dying in this attack. Tensions continue to escalate around what border with the us has now made its first major move ordering the deployment of 7000 more troops to bolster nato forces in Eastern Europe. 2000 of them sent to poland and germany which will be deployed from the military base. Then troops in germany will be shifted to romania, russia has called the whole thing unjustified and destructive. Use the Us Department spokesman speaking in the last few minutes. These are about a deterrent and defensive measures, these are measures that we have spoken to in broad strokes, over several weeks, noting that given what we are seeing, the amassing troops, the rhetoric, the history, that is at here, it is only prudent for us to take the in the past several weeks to provide defensive assist to our ukrainian partners. Cut as we have done every day this week, lets speak to our assistant from washington, how do you assess this latest decision . Latest decision . Well, these troops that they are latest decision . Well, these troops that they are the latest decision . Well, these troops that they are the kind latest decision . Well, these troops that they are the kind you latest decision . Well, these troops that they are the kind you have that they are the kind you have combat that they are the kind you have combat punch but new deployments i think a combat punch but new deployments i think a more symbolic than anything and they think a more symbolic than anything and they had been previewed already so what and they had been previewed already so what the administration is saying is they so what the administration is saying is they are so what the administration is saying is they are wanting to reassure the allies is they are wanting to reassure the allies in the is they are wanting to reassure the allies in the Eastern Europe worrying allies in the Eastern Europe worrying about the movements who knew ukraine could spillover worrying about the movements who knew ukraine could spill over the borders knew ukraine could spill over the borders and those states that Request Borders and those states that Request Reinforcements out there responding to the request and more than that, responding to the request and more than that, what the Pentagon Administration is trying to do is send administration is trying to do is send a administration is trying to do is send a message that this is taking responsibilities with nato very seriously and that if mr putin makes any reward seriously and that if mr putin makes any reward the allies, there will be resistance any reward the allies, there will be resistance and so far, it is you that resistance and so far, it is you that is resistance and so far, it is you that is under threat, not poland or romania that is under threat, not poland or romania but we know it is wider than that because mr putin has made quite fiercely that because mr putin has made quite fiercely want and is unhappy with nato fiercely want and is unhappy with nato Security Arrangements in your, so this nato Security Arrangements in your, so this is nato Security Arrangements in your, so this is very much a message i think so this is very much a message i think that so this is very much a message i think that united want sent to him. In think that united want sent to him. In terms think that united want sent to him. In terms of think that united want sent to him. In terms of the idea of american troops being inside ukraine, i was struck by how explicitly statements were today about the fact that will not happen. Yes, they were quite clear about that, that there would be no troops being sent to ukraine and that is consistent with what the president and administration said all along, that they are not sending forces to ukraine, ukraine is not a nato ally so there is no obligation to do so but they also would not want to have any kind of direct conflict with russia through ukraine and that is obviously a consideration as well, and they dont want to increase tensions by sending troops to ukraine that is one of the things that president putin has complained about, saying the western Military Assessment threatening to russia they dont to follow through on any of those kinds of concerns but they are very much saying, we are allies and we have the right to protect our allies, and we will not back down on the principles. Finally, what is the politics of this . They dont agree on any one thing on an average day in order to, on any one thing on an average day in orderto, are on any one thing on an average day in order to, are they aligned . There is a wing of in order to, are they aligned . There is a wing of the in order to, are they aligned . There is a wing of the republican in order to, are they aligned . Ii22 is a wing of the Republican Party trump loyalist to have sorta followed his path of these anti interventionist and pro russian sentiments and they are saying, what do we care about ukraine . What is that to us and why should the allied by ukraine and not russia and that sort of thing, but the Majority Response is a bipartisan one that something needs to be done and that a show of force needs to be had, that there needs to be clear and that there needs to be clear and that we are working on nato and that is the sort of traditional republican position, when it comes to security, there is a lot of agreement and the republicans would like to see stronger action now, even before there is some kind of Military Action by president putin, if indeed there would, they want to see pre emptive action, and they are all on the same page, though the majority are, about needing to have a strong response. I majority are, about needing to have a strong response. A strong response. I suggest you lirht u a strong response. I suggest you light up again a strong response. I suggest you light up again tomorrow, a strong response. I suggest you light up again tomorrow, thank i a strong response. I suggest you i light up again tomorrow, thank you as everfor your help. Light up again tomorrow, thank you as ever for your help. Lets talk about uk politics. Borisjohnson is facing more calls to resign. Three more conservative mps have called for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister. One of them , the former minister Tobias Ellwood , has been speaking to the bbc. Weve had how many weeks and months to show repair and actually introduce the changes that would all have the ability to improve the Decision Making in number ten and yet here we Havejimmy Savile mentioned in the very, very debate thatis mentioned in the very, very debate that is a response to the sugrue report and that is not showing the contrition i think the nation wants to see. It is absolutely right that we praise the Prime Minister with his energy and enthusiasm that got us up to this point but the domestic and International Challenges i think now require a new leader and that is why i have submitted a letter. That mean sending why i have submitted a letter. That mean sending a why i have submitted a letter. That mean sending a letter. That is the senior conservative and it is one of no confidence, a 5k are sent, that sparks a vote on the leadership and does not mean he would be out of a job but would have to contest the leadership election. At the moment, the number of letters confirmed to have gone and is nowhere near 5a, make that clear but another one who has sent a letter and said he cannot reconcile the pain and sacrifice that the vast majority of the British Public during lockdown with the attitude and activities of those working in downing street, and the third person tweeted, Standards In Public Life Matter and this time i can no longer support the Prime Minister with his actions and mistruths overshadowing the extraordinary work of so many ministers and colleagues. In response, the Culture Secretary also took to twitter to say the defining mission of the Prime Minister and the government is to level up the whole of the uk only very day we are setting out steps to make this happen, a handful of egos want to make it all about them. It is not really helping their constituents, she says. Speaking to helen kat in westminster, does not seem like they are getting on, does it . Ida. Westminster, does not seem like they are getting on, does it . Are getting on, does it . No, this is are getting on, does it . No, this is a an interesting are getting on, does it . No, this is a an interesting thing, are getting on, does it . No, this is a an interesting thing, these a an interesting thing, these letters, it is the way the Conservative Party has this mechanism for triggering a vote of no confidence in your leader and nobody knows apart from sir graham brady, how many letters have gone in, and they are aware that they have put a letter in, nine of those are some way short of the 5a and of course 5a in a way for conservative mps, they need to think about it and 54 mps, they need to think about it and 5a is one vote of no confidence. For that to then actually result in the Prime Minister, that would need 54 of the Conservative Party in parliament and conservative mps which i believe is 182 vote to remove him and that is a much, much higher bar to set. Me remove him and that is a much, much higher bar to set. Higher bar to set. Me predecessor was challenged higher bar to set. Me predecessor was challenged and higher bar to set. Me predecessor was challenged and are higher bar to set. Me predecessor was challenged and are very higher bar to set. Me predecessor l was challenged and are very excited about the number of letters that was needed to trigger a vote being reached but then quite quick one. Under the rules, if the Prime Minister in this case one is a vote of confidence from Swati Connie Cannot be challenged for another year or so if borisjohnson were to face a vote of confidence and will to win it, he would be safe in his job for another year. To win it, he would be safe in his job for another year. Thank you very much indeed. Job for another year. Thank you very much indeed, we job for another year. Thank you very much indeed, we will job for another year. Thank you very much indeed, we will speak job for another year. Thank you very much indeed, we will speak to job for another year. Thank you very much indeed, we will speak to you i much indeed, we will speak to you soon, im sure. Staying focused on uk politics. As you may have seen. Borisjohnson has been widely criticised , including within his own party , for a statement he made on tuesday in parliament. He accused the labour leader keir starmer , a former director of Public Prosecutions , of failing to prosecute the sexual predatorjimmy savile. Theres no evidence for this claim. And keir starmer said this earlier. Theirs is the party of winston churchill. 0ur party stood together as we defeated fascism in your. Now their Leader Stands in the House Of Commons parroting the Conspiracy Theories of violent fascists to try and score cheap political points. He knows exactly what he is doing. It is time to restore some dignity. And this was the response of the Prime Minister. I this was the response of the Prime Minister. , this was the response of the Prime Minister. ,. , minister. I am informed that in 2013, minister. I am informed that in 2013. The minister. I am informed that in 2013, the right minister. I am informed that in 2013, the right honourable minister. I am informed that in 2013, the right honourable gentleman apologised and took full responsibility for what had happened on his watch and i think the peak of that was the right thing right to speak of that was the right thing to do. ,. , 4. Speak of that was the right thing to do. ,. , in 2012 keir starmer commissioned a report into Whyjimmy Savile was not prosecuted. gfx the bbc reported its findings in 2013 was not prosecuted. The bbc reported its findings in 2013 opportunities to prosecute jimmy savile for sex offences were missed because police and prosecutors did not take allegations seriously in response to the report, mr starmer said i would like to take the opportunity to apologise for the shortcomings in the part played by the Crown Prosecution Service in these cases but the cps has told the bbc there is no reference within the report to any involvement from the director of Public Prosecutions in the Decision Making in the case. And heres nazir afzal, a former chief prosecutor who worked with keir starmer when he was in charge of the Crown Prosecution Service. The critical decision that was wrong in that case, the original investigation was that police told each of the victims there was no other victim. So they did not know there were three others in of course each of them then said, i dont want to find any witness box in my own facing jimmy savile also the prosecutor of that in south east at the time said these women are not about to give evidence and that was the view taken by the police, that was a critical decision taken before he was even. So i didnt know it, keir starmer didnt know it, it was dealt with as likely as it should be, as it always is done by policy and as soon as he got made aware of it, was afterjimmy saviles death. Keir starmer change everything, we changed in guidance, policy and in the three years that followed before he left and when i left, i think when we left, we had the highest Conviction Rate and that is his legacy. Ii Conviction Rate and that is his lea. ,. , ~. , Conviction Rate and that is his lea. ~. ,. , legacy. If you fight like to read what reality legacy. If you fight like to read what Reality Check legacy. If you fight like to read what Reality Check is legacy. If you fight like to read what Reality Check is included, | legacy. If you fight like to read what Reality Check is included, you can find that on the bbc web, you see dot com flash news. Now. Some cricket news for you. Englands managing director ashley giles that follows on from england was disastrous 4 0 ashes defeat of one in 2021 generally, losing nine of the 15 test matches, after losing the 15 test matches, after losing the ashes, ashley giles said he feels the responsibility of losing the series and it looks like he is taking that and will be standing down from his senior role for english cricket after that very disappointing mens cricket tour of australia where they lost four of the five test against the aussies. Stay with me, in a few minutes, we will at some about a few times, this in africa, Guinea Bissau form the latest takeover on tuesday. The uk government wants to close the gap between rich and poor parts of the uk, called the Levelling Up Strategy and includes raising levels of attainment and is of improving Public Transport and high speed broadband. You pot alex forsyth. Beyond westminster, gedling is one of those places some might say has been overlooked. So, at this local allotment, the idea of growth in neglected parts of the country is welcome, though cautiously. It looks good on paper, and there� s some nice little slogans and sound bites in it, i but the level of cynicism that there is around right now with politics and the present i government, who knows . This group has been paying attention. Nottinghamshires one of the places in line for more powers from westminster, possibly a mayor like those in london or greater manchester, all part of a plan to give places like this more political and economic clout. So, are they convinced . The things that people have been talking about like the electrification of the Railway Line Up To nottingham, hs2, theyve disappointed before the things even started. We� ve seen wishlists before. We need actual, how is this going to happen . The government does have a list. Better transport is one of 12 missions. 0thers more homeowners, improving education outcomes, better broadband, with fixed targets and pledges to keep track of progress. Ministers are trying to turn a slogan into a strategy, shed light on whats lacked clarity. This country wont achieve its full potential until every individual and community achieves everything of which theyre capable. Our economy has been like a jet propelled by only one engine. Now we need to fire up every resource we have. And the economic prize from levelling up is potentially enormous. Labour, though, says this Planjust Repackages Old Ideas and spends money already announced that wont undo years of austerity. Ministers scurrying around whitehall, shuffling the deck chairs, cobbling together a Shopping List of recycled policies and fiddling the figures. Is this really it . Many communities have been made big promises, not least places that voted tory in 2019. There has been a lot of political focus on places like gedling in the midlands and north. Now some in rural and coastal areas are warning they cant be overlooked. The government says this is about improving opportunity for everyone, but acknowledges that will take time. We live in a beautiful newsroom. Ali us is in your preparation for a possible russian invasion of ukraine. Lets turn to Guinea Bissau in west africa. Its one of the poorest countries in the world. 2 million live there. And on tuesday it became the seventh country in africa to face a coup in 18months. This is how it started. Gunfire erupted near the president ial palace as the president and Prime Minister chaired a Cabinet Meeting inside. Were told the attackers were dressed in civilian clothing. Local media reported at least six deaths two of them were guards. This was the president afterwards. Today we face an assault. You are in the middle of the council and is the mother of all the members including the Prime Minister and you are attacked heavy weaponry for a duration five hours. But now everything is under control and one thing i can assure you there is no outside that is linked to this attempt. It is an isolated what it is also linked to the people we thought. Is also linked to the people we thou. Ht. , is also linked to the people we thou ht. ,. , thought. This is not the first time this has happened thought. This is not the first time this has happened with thought. This is not the first time this has happened with at thought. This is not the first time this has happened with at least. Thought. This is not the first time i this has happened with at least nine attempt in this one country since 1980. And this is the un secretary this week. This isnt the first time. There have been at least nine Coup Attempts or coups in the country since 1980. This has caused alarm beyond Guinea Bissau. This is the un Secretary General. It is for us to say that it is the, there it is for us to say that it is the, there has it is for us to say that it is the, there has been multiple occasions it has happened and our strong populace for so has happened and our strong populace for sojust has happened and our strong populace for sojust about to has happened and our strong populace for so just about to devour and tour the Constitutional Order to in place in the the Constitutional Order to in place in the democratic context of today . Guinea bissau. Guinea bissau isnt alone. Since 2020, military leaders have toppled governments in these five countries in africa. 114 million are now ruled by soldiers whove illegally taken power. It started with mali, in august 2020. Soldiers on Pick Up Trucks arrested the president in the capital and forced him to resign in the first of two coups in mali in a year. They accused him of failing to protect people from islamist militants. Then in march 2021 a coup was foiled in niger, two days before the new president was sworn in. A month later, in neighbouring chad the president whod been in powerfor 30 years died in battle. The army appointed his son to replace him in violation of the constitution. And this was guinea in september. Residents woke up to gunfire in the capital. There were rumours the president had been detained. Confirmation came in this tv address. Government is this all. Land holders will be closed one week and we will then see what will happen with our air borders. That was in 2021 and this continued into 2020 excess coup in Burkina Faso Injanuary and then an attempted coup in the Guinea Bissau in total, six successful coups in africa in 18 months, un Secretary General is calling an epidemic of twos and there are reasons why this is happening with new york im saying it is contagious and highlights a number of factors major security threat, vital humanitarian disasters and millions of young people having the prospect it says, all of those things mean people are fed up with their government. The Financial Times on another point, putting one expert in every with the failure to deliver democracy pushing africans to welcome kus. 0rnella Moderan is the head of the Sahel Programme at the institute for Security Studies , a not for profit specialising in conflict and governance in africa. Shes in the mali capital, bamako. Are there other patterns or similarities between these countries youve identified how are the new leaders received why are we seeing so many . Why are we seeing so many . Thanks for havin why are we seeing so many . Thanks for having me why are we seeing so many . Thanks for having me i why are we seeing so many . Thanks for having me. I do why are we seeing so many . Thanks for having me. I do think why are we seeing so many . Thanks for having me. I do think that why are we seeing so many . Thanks for having me. I do think that the for having me. I do think that the multiplication of coups we are seeing are related to a regional environment so there are specific challenges related to the thing in the sahara were there as a form of exasperation from the people to not elected government and actually deliver against this context. That is one thing and the other is frustration, popular frustrations around the dysfunction of the government and political systems. They empathy is across the west african region, on what i would call the procedural size of democracy, with a lot of focus on elections, they need to focus on what happens between the interims public policy. The inability of states to actually deliver against the demands is one of the dreaded factors behind most of the dreaded factors behind most of the dreaded factors behind most of the coups we have seen in the region. Of the coups we have seen in the reuion. ,. , , of the coups we have seen in the reuion. , , region. The problem is the issues that ou region. The problem is the issues that you describe region. The problem is the issues that you describe building region. The problem is the issues that you describe building up that you describe building up democracy between elections is not something that is easily done so tell me how you feel individual governments or International Bodies like the African Union should respond to i think the key element should be to really focus on national coups. And there is a. As you call it contagion and the environment sees this kind of Health Related comparisons but beyond what seems to express, in fact there are specific cases and it was essentially about a President Tweaking The Constitution in order to stay in power for a term and these are things that are regional blocs like the echo has or the eu ship, and in the case of. , the general Election Security context, the at dated 20 calls it. It is a political crisis which is unfair and not transparent for the parliamentary elections in march and april of this year so there are specific things that can be done in terms of electoral reforms to make sure the next election make sure they do not document events are started at the Winter Olympics invasion despite the fact we are so many days away from the Opening Ceremony. Carling had to start the engine on the very first match of the game, you use channel with china also winning the open gate at has also begun the front of the thought was carrying through the Capital Beijing and china correspondent is now. Binding is the old site of the shogun steelworks, this Industrial Area has been transformed from the raging Winter Olympics and it is now to be the site of the big event and that thing thing behind me is the big air structure. It is also the last stage of the Olympic Torch Today and the last point where the torch travel and this thought really hasnt been lie what weve seen before, for example, it did not move through the city with normal crowds of people watching it like there has been an 0lympics gone by. It is a much more scaled down event only three days leading up to the Opening Ceremony and only having invited spectators there. , famous people have been carrying and you had an astronaut, a former chinese athlete and also the famous basket i passed the flame on to the greek ambassador. Remember, you can get more reports from me and the outside source team and lots of places on the bbc if youre in the uk, you can find the music of iplayer. Go to the categories, click on these and you can see at their Audio Versions each week via the bbc sounds at and get that through your smart speaker, too, and as well as that, there are lots and lots of videos from us on the bbc news website, bbc had not come slash news and if those arent. Arent. Good evening. Our very mild spell of early february weather is set to continue, at least for the next 2a hours or so. Things will eventually turn colder later this week. But this is how we ended the day on wednesday, Beautiful Sunset there in gloucestershire. Weve got a few clear spells lasting through the course of tonight, but most of us reasonably cloudy, certainly staying mild and frost free tonight. Some rain moving into the north west. Weve had a warm front today, which has moved its way gradually eastwards across the uk, so were all in this warm sector. Mild air with us, quite a lot of low cloud producing some patchy drizzle here and there, particularly close to coasts and hills in the west. More persistent rain for northern and western scotland at times, and some showers into Northern Ireland as well. Further south and east, most places dry, perhaps a few showers close to the english channel, and temperatures staying between about 7 9 degrees into thursday morning. So, thursday starts on that reasonably mild, mostly dry note. Probably a little bit more in the way of sunshine breaking through that cloud more widely compared to what we had on wednesday, but still a few showers perhaps for parts of southern scotland, Northern England into wales for a time through the morning. Then most places dry and fine for a good part of the day, but the breeze increasing ahead of this cold front moving into the north west. Now, we could see gusts of 50 60 mph with those squally winds with the arrival of that front. 20 30 mph even further south as well, so its turning increasingly breezy later on thursday. Still mild with those temperatures for most in double figures, but turning colder from the north west later on. So, weve got that rain on this cold front, which is going to sink its way southwards and eastwards as we head through thursday night and on into friday. So, a plunge of colder air moving in behind that to start off your friday morning. Weve still got the rain and perhaps a bit of sleet and snow even just on the rear edge of that for a time, clearing away from the south east, and then more wintry flurries moving in from the north west. Sunny spells then and wintry showers, and some of this sleet and snow even down to lower levels in the north west. Drier further south and east, but a colder day across the board, with temperatures between about 4 9 degrees for most of us. Looking ahead towards the weekend, and were going to see High Pressure sitting to the south of the uk. Weather fronts trying to topple in from the north, but this one looks like itlljust sit across the central swathe of the uk for a time as we head on into sunday. Its the Dividing Line between milder and drier conditions further south, things still looking rather unsettled and turning a little bit colder further north. Bye for now. This is bbc news. The headlines at 8pm. The government outlines its levelling up plans more housing, jobs, better transport and education to tackle regional inequalities. Labour says they fall far short of whats needed. It shifts power and opportunity towards the north and midlands, scotland, wales and Northern Ireland. It guarantees increased investment in overlooked and undervalued communities. Seriously, is this it . The sum total of our ambition for our coastal and industrial towns, our villages and our great cities is a History Lesson on the rise of the roman empire. A third tory mp announces hes submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister today, as pressure grows on Boris Johnsons leadership