here in the uk leaked footage, appears to show downing street officials joking about a covid christmas party the prime minister insists never took place. and the list of words most mangled by the newsreaders in 2021. and this grammy winners surname is one of them. good evening. it is almost 80 years to the day the united states declared war onjapan, following the attack on pearl harbour — which, in the current context, might serve to remind the white house that peace can't always be guaranteed or preserved from a position of weakness. so today's virtual summit with president putin presented the american president with his highest—stakes meeting so far. what could he and his nato allies put in front of the russian president to change his calculus on ukraine? here is the national security adviser, speaking just a short time ago. there was a lot of give and there was some finger wagging but the president was crystal clear about where the united states stands in all of these issues. there is a lot of work to do in the days ahead. as we pursue diplomatic channels we will also prepare for all contingenciesjust as he had been doing for weeks now including to the preparation of specific responses to russian escalation should they be required. russia has massed on overwhelming force on the borders of ukraine. the recent us intelligence findings, suggest there are already 90,000 russian troops in position, maybe twice that number arebeing readied for an invasion. however, the intelligence also suggests president putin has not yet made up his mind. today, the white house told him there would be a huge cost for russia. more punitive sanctions are certainly on the table, in relation to russia's energy and banking sectors. but they have also impressed on the russians, that an invasion of ukraine would precipitate, a much bigger nato presence in the region, more troops on russias border. in recent years, america's footprint in europe has been shrinking. and, although president biden scrapped plans to withdraw 12,000 american troops from germany, the approximate figures, which amount to some 70,000 troops, is far smaller than the 400,000 that were spread across europe at the height of the cold war. so will it work. i'm joined by lt col alexander vindman, a decorated us officer. he fled ukraine with his family at the age of three and later became a soldier in the us army. you may recall that in 2019 he was star witness in the impeachment inquiry into president trump. good to have you on the programme. i wonder if i could get your thoughts on what you have just heard from jake other than the national security advisor. do this sort of things he is talking about do they suggest to you that they might have changed the minds of the russians? i am skeptical about whether there is really all that much that can change the minds of the russians. i think their largest calculus is going to be based on the probability of success inside ukraine. can they reach their objective as their military and political objectives with little to no cost internally meaning on the ground with typical casualties and what would be the consequences of that action? i think there is a formula that his administration could settle on with the european allies and with nato and the eu and the uk that could try to challenge russia's calculus that this would be an easy operation. part of that might be a significant sophisticated military capabilities and antiarmor and coastal defense but that by itself based on the overwhelming force you identified is not going to be sufficient. it is going to take sanctions and it's going to take sanctions and it's going to take other military build—up and assurance measures to eastern european allies that the us would be there to support article five and these are not dynamics still russians want, they don't want presence in europe and it's going to take some engagement, some meeting of the minds and our way to address neutral security concerns, not the unilateral concerns or demands of the russians making right now but bilateral concerns, the concerns that our eastern european allies have about significant long—standing increased posture by the russians. all of that together may have an impact. all of that together may have an im act. ~ ., ., all of that together may have an im act. ~ . ., , impact. the ukrainian defense minister said _ impact. the ukrainian defense minister said today _ impact. the ukrainian defense minister said today that - impact. the ukrainian defense minister said today that if - impact. the ukrainian defense l minister said today that if there was an invasion it would be a massacre. period ukrainians are better armed than they were in 2014 when russia to crimea. what is in president putin's minds because clearly he will know that, why does he think the risk is worth taking perhaps? he think the risk is worth taking erha s? ~ . , he think the risk is worth taking erha 5? ~ ., , ., he think the risk is worth taking erha s? . ., , ., , perhaps? what we see now is the continuation _ perhaps? what we see now is the continuation of _ perhaps? what we see now is the continuation of a _ perhaps? what we see now is the continuation of a project - perhaps? what we see now is the continuation of a project that - perhaps? what we see now is the continuation of a project that he l continuation of a project that he started 2014 and it was a campaign to achieve a failed state in ukraine one that russia has a veto over and their direction can prevent them from integrating the rest and keep the door open for integration with russia and they have not been successful. putin thought he did enough with the annexation of crimea and i were in eastern ukraine and in spite of these going confrontations ukraine has been making significant progress send out the ecs ukraine slipping through his fingers and for me that seems to be the biggest calculus that will drive whether he goes and tries to achieve his objective of a failed state ukraine and what the consequences and costs might be and all affect amounts to a pretty significant probability of military complication. the largest confrontation since world war ii as you said a crushing force that could really be devastating on this military product — population. joke military product - population. jake sullivan was _ military product — population. jake sullivan was asked in our skin that's why the strong economic measures that he talks up, why they did not work in 2014 and by they think they might work in 2021. and he said they were measures on the table that they did not consider in 2014, what do you think those measures are? i 2014, what do you think those measures are?— 2014, what do you think those measures are? i think that's true. there's plenty _ measures are? i think that's true. there's plenty of _ measures are? i think that's true. there's plenty of room _ measures are? i think that's true. there's plenty of room to - measures are? i think that's true. | there's plenty of room to escalate up there's plenty of room to escalate up the ladder and this would be blocking since transactions basically cutting russia out of financial transactions and preventing the flow and the ability to secure debt although russia has a massive wealth fund at the moment somewhere over $650 billion and i think sanctions could be an important tool and they have had an impact and they have suppressed economic growth or gdp output by about a percent since they were put in place but the russians have learns to delete those. it is going to be sanctioned and it's going to be the provision of legal aid and it's going to be a change in posture in europe, the kind of security dilemma and this idea of your adversary taking measures that they believe are defensive that you perceive as offensive, these types of things at the russians are trying to avoid altogether can change russia plus plus calculus. recited toniuht russia plus plus calculus. recited tonight with _ russia plus plus calculus. recited tonight with a _ russia plus plus calculus. recited tonight with a look _ russia plus plus calculus. recited tonight with a look back _ russia plus plus calculus. recited tonight with a look back in - russia plus plus calculus. recited| tonight with a look back in history, 80 years tomorrow america into the second world war and at that point it was perceived to be weak. is america week today and whose fault is that? i america week today and whose fault is that? ~ , , ~ .., , is that? i think believes america is weak. i disagree _ is that? i think believes america is weak. i disagree with _ is that? i think believes america is weak. i disagree with that - weak. i disagree with that assessment. this country is this country is as strong as it's ever been. in spite of enormous internal divisions and hyper polarization. yes, that's a challenge and that's what he thinks makes the rest week. he's acting from the perspective of opportunity, it is an opportunity that the us is distracted internally and distracted by this hyperfocus on china and he has in regards to oil europe has its own issues and he proceeds opportunity but in fact this is the most powerful alliance that they had ever been. you think the crisis is — that they had ever been. you think the crisis is part _ that they had ever been. you think the crisis is part what _ that they had ever been. you think the crisis is part what is _ the crisis is part what is precipitated by what's happening in washington over the last four years? absolutely. i think that's a thought in my mind that putin might take action in spite of seeking for president biden to show him to be weak and in a way kind of continued to muck around him politics. that's pure conjecture but i can imagine these intelligence folks are not seeking ways to continue to undermine and became his administration and continued to sell discord like he so successfully bid in 2016 with a massive campaign to interfere in us domestic elections. thank you for coming on the programme. at this time last year britain was in the grip of a second wave of the covid pandemic. london was put into tier three measures, there were tight restrictions which banned any gathering of two or more people. christmas parties or lunches, were off limits, if they were planned as primarily social activities. but did downing street stick to its own rules? in recent days a string of senior ministers have been forced to deny reports there was a downing street party to which 40 or 50 people had been invited. but tonight, itv news has got hold of a leaked recording that shows downing street staffjoking about this supposed party, just four days after the event is alleged to have taken place. the recording you are about to hear, is a rehearsal for downing street's proposed daily briefings. the person at the podium, is the then spokesperson allegra stratton — the person posing as the reporter is the adviser to the prime minister ed 0ldfield. joining me now is jackie green. her mum beryl harris passed away from coronavirus on the 18th of december — the same night as the party. thank you for coming on the programme. you have seen the video, what do you see him up? i programme. you have seen the video, what do you see him up?— what do you see him up? i think it's totally reprehensible _ what do you see him up? i think it's totally reprehensible actually. - what do you see him up? i think it's| totally reprehensible actually. when i first saw it, i totally reprehensible actually. when ifirst saw it, i had no words totally reprehensible actually. when i first saw it, i had no words to totally reprehensible actually. when ifirst saw it, i had no words to be honest, and it took a little while to actually sink in as to what i was watching and i think this is indicative of a bigger problem within the government that they think that they are above the rules and they can do exactly what they like and the fact that this party happened and i think it did happen from everything that i've seen this party happened on the day that my mother died of covid—19 in hospital on her own. he mother died of covid-19 in hospital on her own-— on her own. he said he needed to watch it several _ on her own. he said he needed to watch it several times, _ on her own. he said he needed to watch it several times, as - on her own. he said he needed to watch it several times, as it - on her own. he said he needed to watch it several times, as it had l watch it several times, as it had because it takes a few watches to actually understand what's going on, but what do you understand that she is saying in the responses that she gives? i is saying in the responses that she lives? ~ . is saying in the responses that she lives? ~' ., ., is saying in the responses that she lives? ~ ., ., , gives? i think there are two things that i took from _ gives? i think there are two things that i took from it. _ gives? i think there are two things that i took from it. the _ gives? i think there are two things that i took from it. the flippancy l that i took from it. the flippancy of which he was dealing with an incredibly serious subject where many families have lost people to covid—19 and many families have been affected by covid—19. but the other things that i took from that was an embarrassment. she really did not know how to handle a question that had been on an actual interview i know we have had signs of that now but i think the world would be appalled. i but i think the world would be a- alled. , ,,, but i think the world would be a- alled. , , but i think the world would be analled. , ,, appalled. i suppose downing street will sa and appalled. i suppose downing street will say and this _ appalled. i suppose downing street will say and this is _ appalled. i suppose downing street will say and this is rated _ appalled. i suppose downing street will say and this is rated wiggle - will say and this is rated wiggle room is for the prime minister that this is a business meeting at which there was wine and cheese. the difficulty for them is that she says when she asked this question there was no social distancing and she prevaricate over whether it was a party or a business gathering. find party or a business gathering. and very quickly _ party or a business gathering. fific very quickly at the party or a business gathering. e'"ic very quickly at the top party or a business gathering. el"ic very quickly at the top of the clip she laughed and said he said i went home. whether it was a business meeting or not, to me it's irrelevant. the circumstances that appear to have taken place very clearly indicate a party and it may have started as a business meeting i don't know. but everything i've seen and every interview i've seen mps have been trying to evade any questions about that party at all. and to me it'sjust questions about that party at all. and to me it's just disgraceful. absolutely disgraceful behavior. we put our trust in the government of this country and we expect high standards. i this country and we expect high standards. . this country and we expect high standards-— this country and we expect high standards. ., , ., standards. i am sorry for your loss but i'm grateful— standards. i am sorry for your loss but i'm grateful you _ standards. i am sorry for your loss but i'm grateful you came - standards. i am sorry for your loss but i'm grateful you came to - standards. i am sorry for your loss but i'm grateful you came to talk i standards. i am sorry for your lossl but i'm grateful you came to talk to us. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: the us actor jussie smollett tells a court his alleged assault by two men was not a "hoax". the uk government has admitted a series of failings in the years leading up to the grenfell tower disaster and apologised to the victims of the fire. at the public inquiry into the tragedy, a barrister representing the government said it was "deeply sorry" for its past failures in overseeing building safety. jason beer qc addressed the inquiry earlier today. the department is deeply sorry for its past failures in relation to the oversight of the system that regulated safety in the construction and refurbishment of high—rise buildings. it also deeply regret the past failures in relation to the superintendence of the building control bodies which themselves have a key role in ensuring the safe construction and refurbishment of such buildings. it apologizes to the bereaved residents and survivors of the fire for such failures. the most senior civil servant in the british foreign office's said today he regrets continuing his summer holiday while afghanistan was falling to the taliban. sir philip barton continued his holiday for 11 days after the taliban seized kabul, returning only the day before the uk ended its evacuation of civilians. sir philip told a committee of mps today he didn't think his presence would have led to more people being evacuated. but, according to a junior member of the foreign office team, who has since turned whistle—blower, the operation within the foreign was chaotic, dysfunctional and lacking amu proper leadership. raphael marshall said up to 150,000 afghans applied to be evacuated — fewer than 5% received any assistance. and some of those left behind said mr marhsall had since been murdered by the taliban. here's our diplomatic correspondent james landale. this was kabul airport last summer as thousands sought to flee the advancing taliban. amid chaotic scenes, britain and other western powers tried to evacuate those they could, but according to a whistle—blower, there was chaos in london, too. the foreign office crisis centre was handling requests from people fearing the taliban because of their links to the uk. raphael marshall said the process of choosing who could be evacuated was dysfunctional. he said up to 150,000 people applied for evacuation, but he estimated fewer than 5% of these people have received any assistance. it is clear that some of the those left behind have since been murdered by the taliban. 0ne weekend in august, when these afghans were trying to get up, mr marshall said there was too few staff, and on saturday, he was the only one monitoring the cases and emails. mr marshall said there was too few staff, and on saturday, he was the only one monitoring the cases and emails. he said staff lacked expertise in afghanistan and soldiers brought in to help couldn't access computers. we knew many afghans struggled to get in touch with the foreign office. this evidence tells us what was going on inside, and it's a story of a system that wasn't working. mps wanted to know why. if this isn't failure, what is? we declared a crisis. we went through the process of putting more people in and we had more than a thousand people. who were the 500? some in the crisis centre. as for going on holiday at the time... if i had my time again, i would have come back from leave earlier. mr marshall singled out dominic raab, who said delayed taking decision is alme 5 until he had all the facts. he suggested he did not understand the situation. a claim mr raab denies. we are not talking about days, | but several hours to make sure that we had the facts and actually that is, i would suggest, - a reasonably swift turn around and in terms of presentation, i of course with the volume of claims coming in, - i make no apology for saying i needed the clear facts- for each case so we could make swift decisions. - the prime minister visiting a prison said today the evacuation was an outstanding military achievement and the foreign office and officials had done an outstanding job. of course, sometimes decisions took hours longer than we wanted, but you have to be careful about how you do it. it was still an astonishing thing to get 15,000 people airlifted out of kabul in harrowing circumstances. what both government and whistle blower agree is that not must have people were evacuated in the summer and there are many afghans with links to britain who have yet to leave and still face danger. the us actorjussie smollett has denied he staged a racist, homophobic attack against himself. the former empire star testified in court that "there was no hoax" and he stood by the claims he had made to police that he was attacked by two assailants wearing ski masks near his apartment in central chicago. prosecutors argued the actor staged the incident two years ago to create some publicity that would help his career. 0n the stand, jussie smollett rejected the testimony of two brothers — seen here buying ski masks — that he paid them to carry out the attack. he said the $3,500 cheque he paid to them was for a meal and a work—out plan. police released body cam footage on the night of the supposed attack, where smollett still appears to have a noose around his neck seven hours after the incident. smollett told the court he didn't realise that noose was there until he got home. i'm joined now byjudge david erickson, who is currently a senior lecturer of law at chicago—kent college of law. i'm trying to grasp what we are seeing here because it seems to me the prosecution have witnesses and they have evidence and from jesse smiley if you have this out right denial that any of this took place, what will this come down to? i think that we be jacked _ what will this come down to? i think that we be jacked - _ what will this come down to? i think that we be jacked - trial _ what will this come down to? i think that we be jacked - trial has - that we be jacked — trial has developed in the presentation put out a very strong case in terms of the video and seven witnesses and the video and seven witnesses and the police officers that testified to the 3000 hours of investigation and the videos that are also there in addition to that there are numerous e—mails back and forth betweenjussie numerous e—mails back and forth between jussie smollet and numerous e—mails back and forth betweenjussie smollet and a two state witnesses, the two brothers from nigeria. he took the stand and his defense at this point i seem to bejust an outright his defense at this point i seem to be just an outright denial that it didn't happen. and it was understand for a long time today a total of five hours on direct examination in about two and a half hours of cross examinations on the judge access to care for those that will come down to it for this cherry that it did they believe the evidence and what they've said in terms of being approached by him to do this or if they believejussie smollet�*s denials and it becomes a crease of credibility in the hard part here for anyone watching the trial is there are no cameras in the courtroom and thejudge there are no cameras in the courtroom and the judge made the decision not to allow cameras are everything you hear from decision not to allow cameras are everything you hearfrom me or any other analyst at this point will come from his medium. it other analyst at this point will come from his medium. it does not seem to prosecute _ come from his medium. it does not seem to prosecute as _ come from his medium. it does not seem to prosecute as good - come from his medium. it does not seem to prosecute as good as - come from his medium. it does not seem to prosecute as good as he i come from his medium. it does not seem to prosecute as good as he isj seem to prosecute as good as he is managed to catch him in la but at the end of the dayjurors tend to be stories they can get their head around in one of the defenses that jussie smollet put down easy pay this money if you have thousand pounds which is a lot for a personal trainer because he wanted him to source a herbal stairway from nigeria that he could not get in america, is that the kind of thing that a jury reacts to?— that a jury reacts to? they could acce -t that a jury reacts to? they could accept the _ that a jury reacts to? they could accept the detection _ that a jury reacts to? they could accept the detection and - that a jury reacts to? they could accept the detection and i - that a jury reacts to? they could accept the detection and i and i that a jury reacts to? they could | accept the detection and i and he set himself up fairly and i don't think he understood what was going to happen down the line and he said originally that the two men that approached him with the facemasks on at two o'clock in the morning in the coldest day of the year at 2am were white men and that he later told and that's what he told the police and he later to produce their complexion was pale and went on good morning america and he told robin roberts that they were the two black men and two brothers that assaulted him and he was positive of that. six. two brothers that assaulted him and he was positive of that.— he was positive of that. six counts of disorderly _ he was positive of that. six counts of disorderly conduct _ he was positive of that. six counts of disorderly conduct by _ he was positive of that. six counts of disorderly conduct by getting i of disorderly conduct by getting fake accounts to the police, what does that carry, what sort of sentence?— does that carry, what sort of sentence? ., , ., , ., sentence? one to three years in a penitentiary _ sentence? one to three years in a penitentiary or— sentence? one to three years in a penitentiary or probation. - sentence? one to three years in a penitentiary or probation. my - sentence? one to three years in a i penitentiary or probation. my guess is he would get probation with some kind of conditions including a great deal of community service.- deal of community service. thank ou. the deal of community service. thank you- the judge — deal of community service. thank you. the judge said _ deal of community service. thank you. the judge said he _ deal of community service. thank you. the judge said he will - deal of community service. thank you. the judge said he will be - deal of community service. thank. you. the judge said he will be here you. thejudge said he will be here in closing arguments tomorrow and we will bring you any verdict as and when it happens. we will focus on that key summit that has taken place today between president biden and president putin and we will see and discuss whether any of the things that president biden put down our changing minds in russia. hello. it will remain pretty wild and windy for some of you as we go through into tonight. some of the strongest gusts today from storm barra have been across some western coasts. these are some of the daytime gusts we have seen. 86 mph into the evening at aberdaron in gwynedd. the storm itself is going to start to decay during the next 24 hours, the but you can see what a potent feature this is. position this hook of cloud is a telltale sign of a pretty deep and quite stormy low pressure system. bore the brunt across parts of southwest ireland, but it's going to slowly move eastwards as we go through the night and gradually start to weaken. but as we head into the end of the day, strongest of the winds, wales, parts of southwest england, through the channel islands and up towards the far northeast of scotland. blustery for a time, but winds falling lighter in scotland, northern england later. some slow—moving showers here, but you can see around that area of low pressure some batches of showers and longer spells of rain, particularly across parts of western wales. it'll feel cold enough for a bit of sleet and snow over the hills, plus if you get any clear skies for long enough, there could be frost or ice on the ground into the morning. but the big picture, storm barra, as we go into wednesday, is of low pressure which has now ground to a halt across the uk, but slowly starting to weaken. strongest of the winds around the peripheries, so again, shetland, parts of wales and towards the southwest is where we see the strongest of the winds, widespread gales here. bit blustery elsewhere — lightest winds, northern england and across scotland. mixture of sunshine and showers for wednesday, but some longer spells of rain still possible across parts of wales and northern ireland, and a chilly day for all. those showers, longer spells of rain continue to revolve around what's left of storm barra as we go through into wednesday evening and overnight, but it decays further into thursday, and with those isobars starting to become less numerous, it means the winds will be lighter. it means a greater chance of frost and fog thursday morning. a lot of dry weather on thursday, some sunny spells and a bit of cloud across scotland, northern ireland. one or two showers, but turning wider. weakening weather front goes in. temperatures in single figures for most, and another cool day as we go through into friday. showers most prominent in the west, but by saturday, it looks like cloudy conditions will come in. rain in the north and west, and something milder, and that will gradually push northwards across most areas as we go into sunday. latest weather warnings for storm barra remain online. this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. president biden expresses concerns about russian troops massing on ukraine's border in rare talks with president putin. the turkish lira has lost nearly half its value against the dollar in just one year. we'll examine if president erdogan has played a role in its decline. and the australian actress rebel wilson talks to the bbc about fame, fertility, and food. lets return to our top story. the virtual summit between the two presidentjoe biden and vladimir putin, which took place this afternoon — with ukraine top of the agenda. —— the two presidents. in the last few hours, us officials have told members of congress that us officials have now received assurances from germany the new nordstream 2 pipeline — which links russia with europe — would be turned off indefinitely in the event of a russian invasion. the americans and their allies are desperate to turn the screw on president putin, before he presses the button on any invasion plans. evelyn farkas is an national security adviser who served as deputy assistant secretary of defence for russia, ukraine, and eurasia. good evening to you. do you think there's a diplomatic way out of this? , ,, �* , there's a diplomatic way out of this? , «e �* , ., there's a diplomatic way out of this? , «e �*, ., ., ., this? there is, i think it's a good move that _ this? there is, i think it's a good move that they _ this? there is, i think it's a good move that they had _ this? there is, i think it's a good move that they had a _ this? there is, i think it's a good move that they had a good - move that they had a good conversation and it sounds like president biden laid out some very concrete costs that the russian government, military and people would have to absorb if they did have to make another military incursion into ukraine. but it's hard to tell at this point in time whether it's fully succeeded in deterring vladimir putin from taking any further military action. we will have to see. 50 any further military action. we will have to see-— have to see. so he may waive her, but why do — have to see. so he may waive her, but why do you — have to see. so he may waive her, but why do you think— have to see. so he may waive her, but why do you think he feels - have to see. so he may waive her, but why do you think he feels so . but why do you think he feels so strongly about ukraine —— waiver? this goes back to moscow. for the russian president who likes his autocratic, kleptocratic system, he sees the opportunity for democracy and a new model of economic free economy potentially evolving in ukraine as a threat to him. in addition to that, he believes strongly in a sphere of influence, he believes russia should reestablish the old soviet space — and that means that ukraine has to come under russian control. now he doesn't have to get this by military force, he can get it through diplomacy if that's what he wants. of course the problem is that the of course the problem is that the west — europe, the united states, the international community — will not give him ukraine on a silver platter diplomatically. it not give him ukraine on a silver platter diplomatically.— not give him ukraine on a silver platter diplomatically. it seems to me that part _ platter diplomatically. it seems to me that part of — platter diplomatically. it seems to me that part of that _ platter diplomatically. it seems to me that part of that is _ platter diplomatically. it seems to me that part of that is getting - platter diplomatically. it seems to i me that part of that is getting some sort of commitment from the us that ukraine will never be accepted into the nato fold. is that even likely, will anyone —— is anyone actually discussing realistically ukraine becoming part of nato? ida. discussing realistically ukraine becoming part of nato? no, vladimir putin threw that _ becoming part of nato? no, vladimir putin threw that out _ becoming part of nato? no, vladimir putin threw that out there _ becoming part of nato? no, vladimir putin threw that out there as - becoming part of nato? no, vladimir putin threw that out there as a - becoming part of nato? no, vladimir putin threw that out there as a way i putin threw that out there as a way to seemingly have some sort of grievance that he could level at the west in some way that he could maybe divide us. but the reality is we are today in a compromised position. what is that — in 2008, the nato membership told the ukrainian government they could become a member of nato. but we've kicked the can down the road, we essentially told the ukrainian government not anytime soon, and the world, including vladimir putin, knows this. so it's a non—issue — he's just raising as a way of saying he doesn't want the west to get more influence with ukraine, and he certainly doesn't want a strong democratic ukraine on his border. there seems to be a concern that the minsk negotiations, the step—by—step process has stalled, and ukraine as well as russia's probably to blame for that. are there any confident steps that could be taken to bring russia back into the fold? yes. steps that could be taken to bring russia back into the fold? yes, but i don't russia back into the fold? yes, but i don't think— russia back into the fold? yes, but i don't think russia _ russia back into the fold? yes, but i don't think russia wants - russia back into the fold? yes, but i don't think russia wants to - i don't think russia wants to take any of those steps. certainly the russian government has a road map, as you said, in the minsk agreement, they can withdraw all russian forces backin they can withdraw all russian forces back in ukraine. so it's reallyjust moving those forces out back into russia that'll certainly help confidence. that'll help them pay as much attention is when russia threatens ukraine again. the point jake sullivan _ threatens ukraine again. the point jake sullivan made _ threatens ukraine again. the point jake sullivan made in _ threatens ukraine again. the point jake sullivan made in the - threatens ukraine again. the point jake sullivan made in the last - threatens ukraine again. the point jake sullivan made in the last hour was that if there was an invasion, than obviously the us would be magnifying its presence in eastern europe, on the borders of poland and romania. do you think if the russian troop deployment on the ukrainian border remains they are in the new year and grows border remains they are in the new yearand grows in border remains they are in the new year and grows in size, do you think they'll take that action anyway? i think they will. i think if the russians don't pull their forces back to what's a regular deployment for them on the border of ukraine, then there will be incredible pressure from the nato allies, the eastern nato allies to boost forces, including us forces, inside nato territory. so i think it was very smart of president biden to make that point to his counterpart. goad that point to his counterpart. good to net that point to his counterpart. good to get your — that point to his counterpart. good to get your expertise _ that point to his counterpart. good to get your expertise thanks for coming on. a third woman who says the paedophilejeffrey epstein sexually abused her has been giving evidence at the ghislaine maxwell trial in new york. the woman, who is testifying under her first name carolyn, described how ms maxwell arranged for her to be abused by the convicted sex offender when she was just 14 years old. ghislaine maxwell has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of sex trafficking and other charges. let's speak to our correspondent in new york nada tawfik. this is the third of the four accusers that's been on the stand today, and she was friends with one of the most prominent accusers, with virginia roberts, the accuser of prince andrew?— prince andrew? that's right, christian. — prince andrew? that's right, christian, and _ prince andrew? that's right, christian, and that's - prince andrew? that's right, christian, and that's a - prince andrew? that's right, christian, and that's a point| prince andrew? that's right, - christian, and that's a point that the defence really latched onto, that it was virginia roberts as she was known then who introduced carolyn to jeffrey epstein. was known then who introduced carolyn tojeffrey epstein. carolyn says it started when she was 14, her boyfriend whom she knew at that time was friends with virginia roberts, and virginia roberts asked her if she wanted to make some money by massaging a wealthy friend of hers. carolyn describes how she came from a troubled home, her mother was an alcoholic addicted to drugs, and she herself had dropped out of school fairly young. so for her, she thought, yeah, let me go gain some extra cash in my life. she said she didn't understand at that point that the massages were anything more than just that. but she said when she went to epstein's mansion, it was allegedly claimed maxwell who instructed roberts to go upstairs and show her what to do. and she said involved massaging jeffrey epstein and then she sat on a couch as carolyn and mr epstein had six. she went back to mr epstein's home 100 times until she became too old at the age of 18, allegedly. and she spoke about billing maxwell's role specifically, that she was the one to arrange meetings and transportation, along with another assistant, and she said that ghislaine maxwell allegedly touched her breasts. so she has testified, there's been an intense cross—examination from the defence who've looked at her past statements to the fbi and two civil lawsuits that she had in 2008 againstjeffrey epstein and another woman from his staff. and the defence really honed and at that point that she didn't mention ghislaine maxwell by name in any of those interviews. a counter argument was that the interviews and the lawsuit were not about billing maxwell specifically, and that's why her name did not come up. lest we foruet, her name did not come up. lest we forget, ghislaine _ her name did not come up. lest we forget, ghislaine maxwell - her name did not come up. lest we forget, ghislaine maxwell is - her name did not come up. lest we forget, ghislaine maxwell is a - her name did not come up. lest we forget, ghislaine maxwell is a very| forget, ghislaine maxwell is a very wealthy woman and there's been lots of focus on where that money has come from — what has the prosecution made of that? come from - what has the prosecution made of that?— made of that? lets go back to o enin: made of that? lets go back to opening statements, - made of that? lets go back to | opening statements, christian, that's part of the motive from the prosecution as they allege that ghislaine maxwell wanted to keep epstein happy, wanted to do everything to stay in his orbit because she had become accustomed to a life of luxury, but after her father had died in the uk and her family's name was disgraced, she in new york and needed a new person to kind of maintain that luxurious lifestyle. so the prosecution is not just talk about the motive, but showing evidence, large wire transfers from jeffrey epstein's account to maxwell's account. at one point, 18 million, at another point, the 5 million, than 7 million where they allege she went and got a green helicopter under the name erica lane. there's been this issue of her finances from the beginning, opaque finances from the beginning, opaque finances and where she's getting her money because she was deemed it to be a flight risk by the judge as she attempted to get bail, the prosecution always talking about this idea of where she's getting the money, if she's hiding how much she really has and how much she was reliant on jeffrey really has and how much she was reliant onjeffrey epstein to maintain that luxurious lifestyle. thank you very much. mark meadows, donald trump's chief of staff, has, again, decided not to testify in person before the congressional committee investigating the attack on the capitol injanuary. his lawyer said mr meadows was ending an agreement to co—operate because he now believed the committee would not respect boundaries concerning executive privilege. french police have arrested a saudi national suspected of involvement in the murder of journalist jamal khashoggi. the man was arrested at an airport in paris as he attempted to board a plane to riyadh. a saudi official claimed it was a case of mistaken identity. mr khashoggi was killed inside the saudi consulate in istanbul in 2018 and his body dismembered. in turkey, opposition parties have renewed calls for early elections amid growing economic instability, following a historic fall in the value of the turkish lira. the currency has lost 47% of its value against the dollar this year, to become one of the worst—performing currencies in the world. annual inflation has reached 21%, according to official figures. some experts have blamed president erdogan, saying his economic policies are reckless. from istanbul, our international correspondent 0rla guerin reports. runaway inflation and a plunging currency. it's been falling so fast it's hard to keep track. for turks, the exchange rate makes painful reading. the lira doesn't go far these days. many are counting their pennies. this is kasimpasa, the istanbul neighbourhood where president erdogan grew up, traditionally one of his strongholds. yilmaz sees the prices and walks on by. he has to borrow to survive and he is furious with the president. these days, when the president utters a word about the economy, the lira nosedives. he insists that cutting interest rates will curb inflation. most experts believe the opposite. if he gets success by using this new model, i think he will get a nobel prize. this professor of finance says the president's policy is a costly mistake. i'm sure that it will not work, this new model. we will lose days and days, years and years, and i am so sad for the young people in turkey. they are getting more poor and they are losing all their dreams. as losses accumulate, the turkish leader has told his people not to panic. some are still putting their money on him, according to this man, a gold dealer in istanbul's grand bazaar for the past 30 years. here is what awaits those who oppose the president. a reception committee of riot police. even for demonstrations as small as this. chanting the turkish leader is secure for now but he is dropping in the polls as the lira drops, and he is facing elections in 2023 — or sooner, if opposition parties get their way. 0rla guerin, bbc news, istanbul. still to come: just months on from the major climate summit in glasgow, the world's biggest banks are still backing their fossil—fuel clients. we'll discuss next. another storm is sweeping in from the atlantic. this one is called storm barra, and it has already knocked out power for thousands of people in northern ireland and wales. it's not expected to be as bad as storm arwen 11 days ago, but forecasters are predicting snow blizzards and strong winds, with gusts of up to 80 mph. the island of ireland was the first to be hit. 0ur correspondent emma vardy has sent this report. before first light, the west coast of ireland began to feel the angry weather. schools were closed in 12 counties and around 49,000 homes and businesses lost power. as the storm travelled eastwards, it brought down trees across northern ireland and incredibly no one was injured as the scaffolding was ripped away from a building in londonderry landing on a passing car. fortunately the scaffolding that fell fell onto a nearby wall, which prevented more serious injuries and the occupants of the vehicle managed to escape themselves by crawling out the windows and doors. this was northern ireland's carrickfergus castle. usually a scenic spot for a stroll by the sea — but not today. 0ur camera equipment hasjust succumbed to the effects of the storm. i'm now doing this on my phone. some of the strongest gusts here today have been recorded on northern ireland's east coast, up to 76 mph, and every now and again cars going past here are just getting swamped by sea water. storm barra in belfast put a dampener on festivities as the christmas market had to be closed. across the irish sea, high winds and snow battered scotland, which brought avalanche warnings in the cairngorms and travel disruption, which is likely to continue into tomorrow. i think that was the bravest selfie i've seen this week. just a few weeks ago, i was in glasgow at the cop 26 summit to interview mark carney, the former governor of the bank of england, who is now the un's special envoy on climate change. he was there to announce the worlds biggest players in the finance industry would pledge trillions of dollars to ensure the worlds biggest economies moved away from fossil fuels. it was billed as a transformation of the global system, climate change they said would be a key consideration in nearly all big financial decisions in the future. but the ink is barely dry on that agreement, and already the world's biggest banks are once again pouring money into the biggest polluters. in total, global banks have pumped almost $250 billion in bonds to the fossil fuel companies this year. bloomberg news, who have investigated sastp morgan chase, the leading arranger of bonds for oil, gas and coal companies, has underwritten $2.5 billion in deals for companies like gazprom, in just the last two months. and that is but one example. so what to make of it all? nick mabey is the chief executive and founder of e3g, a nonprofit european organisation dedicated to accelerating the transition to sustainable development. and he's a good friend to me during the cop26 summit. did we expect by now, something more immediate or a sign that it would not be business as usual? ~ ., , ., , sign that it would not be business as usual? ~ .,, ., , , , ., as usual? well, obvious everybody to the companies _ as usual? well, obvious everybody to the companies would _ as usual? well, obvious everybody to the companies would change - as usual? well, obvious everybody to the companies would change quickly, j the companies would change quickly, but the reaction shows people were not surprised to see the banks aren't really living up to their pledges yet. it's not sustainable to invest all money in oil and gas, and these companies have said they're going to align with the science. so they'll have to hold those pledges, because they said they would come back within two years and show that they were on track. so the clock is ticking for them to show they are serious. ~ . �* , ticking for them to show they are serious. ~ ., �* , ., , , serious. what's really interesting about this report _ serious. what's really interesting about this report that _ serious. what's really interesting about this report that bloomberg serious. what's really interesting - about this report that bloomberg did is that they say there was real tension now developing in the board boardrooms of the biggest banks. you have executives focused on sustainability, arcing with the commercial bankers, and the people who have to bring in the profits on the money. so it's a balance clearly between climate goals and the bank. when you talked to these financial executives, do you sense that tension? , , , ., _ executives, do you sense that tension? , , , ., tension? yes, because obviously a lot of these _ tension? yes, because obviously a lot of these banks _ tension? yes, because obviously a lot of these banks don't _ tension? yes, because obviously a lot of these banks don't face - tension? yes, because obviously a lot of these banks don't face a - tension? yes, because obviously a lot of these banks don't face a lot| lot of these banks don't face a lot of risk, but they leave the risk with us in terms of too much fossil fuel assets. and that's why the uk government is introducing a requirement for banks to have transition plans, which shows how they'll be consistent with their climate targets. in everybody we expect to have these over the next few years, because it's less of an argument. there'll be benchmark where you can measure what you shouldn't be doing, and it'll be clear to the outside world and to your investors — again, this isn't the bank's money, it was the investors money and they want to see sustainability as well. the investors money and they want to see sustainability as well.— sustainability as well. the head of m morgan _ sustainability as well. the head of j.p. morgan said _ sustainability as well. the head of j.p. morgan said it's _ sustainability as well. the head of j.p. morgan said it's important. sustainability as well. the head of| j.p. morgan said it's important our clients take steps to the carbonised, but we also need to put capital on the table for the commercialisation of those solutions. so the argument being that the big polluters need help for this transition? that puzzles me, these fossil fuel companies, this transition? that puzzles me, these fossilfuel companies, do this transition? that puzzles me, these fossil fuel companies, do they need more help in order to bring in sustainable solutions? i need more help in order to bring in sustainable solutions?— sustainable solutions? i can't see that gazprom _ sustainable solutions? i can't see that gazprom will _ sustainable solutions? i can't see that gazprom will be _ sustainable solutions? i can't see that gazprom will be the - sustainable solutions? i can't see| that gazprom will be the forefront of the clean energy revolution. if they want to invest in clean technology, there plenty of companies out there. if they want to invest in a company that's transitioning, they should ask to see its plan and put conditions on the money to make sure it goes to the money to make sure it goes to the clean side of the business, not the clean side of the business, not the unsustainable fossil side of the business. 0therwise the unsustainable fossil side of the business. otherwise they are part of the problem, not the solution. that's why there's this movement towards making sure if companies are staying there transitioning, people want to see a plan and a link to investment patterns. because otherwise, none of the investors i talk to will believe a company is serious unless it sees those things in place. we serious unless it sees those things in lace. ~ e' , serious unless it sees those things in lace. ~ «e , ., . in place. we will keep watching, we'll see if _ in place. we will keep watching, we'll see if there's _ in place. we will keep watching, we'll see if there's more - we'll see if there's more seriousness. good to talk to you again, thank you.— rebel wilson made her name in hollywood as a comedy actress. now a producer and director, she's fought her way to the top in an industry still dominated by men. in an interview for the bbc 100 women series, she's been talking to nomia iqbal about why she went on a "year of health" in 2019, i had, like, four pretty successful movies come out. and i'd done all this amazing stuff career—wise. but then in the next year, all i did was just lose 80lbs. and, like, the attention that gets... it was insane. ..is way more than being in an academy award nominated film, and producing my first movie, and doing all this stuff. can i read you one headline? yeah, sure. "rebel wilson has a bond girl moment in an incredible curve—hugging swimsuit." wow. how do you feel about that? i never thought i would be described anywhere near a bond girl. how do you feel about those sorts of headlines about your weight loss? so, is that what a woman has to do in the world, isjust lose weight to, like, get attention? i know what it's like to be a woman who was essentially invisible to most people because of not being seen as traditionally beautiful or whatever. even though i was still very confident being bigger, and loved myself, you know, would rock a red carpet, but i knew deep down inside, some of the emotional eating behaviours i was doing was not healthy. like, i did not need a tub of ice cream every night. that was me, you know, numbing emotions using food, which wasn't the healthiest thing. was that dealing with fame? i think it was. i think it was dealing with not being a natural performer and having to perform almost every day. and just things that i hadn't kind of processed or dealt with in my life. that was manifesting as emotional eating. but what i tried to do is just share just enough that hopefully people can understand some of the struggles i've been through. so i've been sharing things about fertility, or talking about a health transformation, emotional eating, and what i suffered going through that, is ultimately to try to help people. and the fertility issue that you've talked about, that's really personal and intimate. i was diagnosed when i was like 20 with something called polycystic ovarian syndrome, which made sense, like, that i gained a lot of weight rapidly with that. and i'm still trying on the fertility journey, even though, like, it is emotional and you get hopeful and then your hopes are dashed. and so i feel for any woman going through it. it would be great if i had my own children. i am the healthiest i can be, i'm going to try and what will happen will happen. plenty more on the 100 women series on the bbc�*s website. us newsreaders have to get our head round a lot of words. some of them easy, others less so. and now a company in the us, which provides captions and subtitles for real—time events on tv and in courtrooms, has compiled this year's most mispronounced words. apparently we all say "cheugy" wrong. i had no idea what it meant to be honest. i'm told it means something naff or passe. and it's pronounced "ch00—gee". grammy award—winning singer—songwriter billie eilish — that's eye—lish. and virtually everyone is having trouble with "omicron". 0mee—cron. hello. conditions through the week ahead won't be quite as stormy as some experienced on tuesday. that was brought about by quite an active jet stream, this big dip in thejet stream a pretty fast one, towards this region here, where it sort of changed direction and changed speed. it helped to suck to life this area of cloud. this massive hook was storm barra — the strongest of the winds on that hook pushing in to the west of ireland. but of course it did have an impact across the uk, and that area of low pressure pushed its way eastwards, weakening a little bit as we go into the start of wednesday, but it's still there. the jet stream's moved to the north a bit now and it's become stranded, so it's not moving anywhere quickly. lighter winds across parts of scotland, northern england, certainly compared with tuesday, but the strongest winds will be around the edges, into shetland, parts of ireland, towards the south—west of england, wales and also across the channel islands. now, for many it will be a day of sunshine and showers, but we could see some longer spells of rain through northern ireland into wales, and of course with temperatures still in mid—single figures, on the hills we could see some sleet and snow. now, you can see that circulation is still with us as we go through wednesday night and into thursday. it's just weakening and the light winds turning lighter, and with some gaps around we could see some mist, some fog, also some frost to take us into thursday morning. it will be a rather chilly start once again, but for many a bright start. this is the chart, then, for thursday. there you go, there's the remnants of what was storm barra. a little bump here, a ridge of high pressure, which keeps things fairly quiet for the day, compared to what we've seen through tuesday and wednesday. so for thursday, lighter winds. there will be some cloud around with a few showers, particularly scotland into parts of northern england, but there will be some good sunny spells for many before an approaching and weaker weather front than we have been used to so far this week works its way into northern ireland, wales and the south—west later, with outbreaks of rain. temperatures still in single figures for most. there's that weather front pushing its way eastwards through the night and into friday. going to drag in north—westerly winds as it clears for friday, so it's going to be another cold start, but a bright start for many. sunshine and showers sort of day, especially across northern and western areas, and with that cooler air in place, a greater chance of some hail, sleet and hill snow. further south and east you are, any early rain clears — should be a dry and sunny one for you, even if it's a little bit on the chilly and still fairly breezy side at times. and then this bump again, another ridge of high pressure builds in through friday night into saturday. that's going to lead to clearer skies, a cold start to saturday, particularly across some eastern areas, where you see the best of the early sunshine, some frost around, but cloud quickly pushing eastwards, turning any sunshine hazy, and outbreaks of rain developing across much of scotland, northern ireland, and through these western parts of england and wales. the odd shower further east, but look at the temperature difference, 6 celsius in the east, 12 in the west, a sign of south—westerly winds, milder air pushing in for the weekend. that will be across southern areas through saturday night into sunday, and then eventually walking its way back northwards through sunday. sunday, though, through the far north, will start bright but frosty, but that milder air will push its way northwards, more cloud and rain. so it's going to be a bit of a damp weekend i think for some in western scotland, northern ireland, and some light rain or drizzle across some western parts of england and wales. the best of the driest and brightest weather east, temperatures back into the teens. an then as we go into next week, the jet stream strengthens again, but it pushes to the north of us this time, so in comparison to what we've seen this week, it's further north, which means low pressure systems are further north of us, allowing high pressure to build a bit more across other parts of south—western europe, and that means winds coming our way will be generally from a west or south—westerly direction. not awfully warm, but certainly compared with this week it will feel milder, but they're coming off the atlantic — there's going to be bands of rain at times, and still some blustery winds, but nowhere near as strong as storm barra.