to protect civilians also unacceptable. in the uk, a new campaign to persuade four million people to get their coronavirus vaccine — and the pop music world mourns the death of meat loaf, the rock legend whose bat out of hell album is one of the best—selling of all time hello and thanks forjoining us. the us and russia remain at a diplomatic standoff with their military assets standing by. after months of escalating tensions — the two superpowers have been holding talks about ukraine — which nato fears is the next sovereign territory moscow wants to seize, through force. remember, it's less than a decade since russia annexed crimea. russia says it's concerned nato is sending weapons and military expertise to ukraine, and wants guarantees that the organisation will pull back from its borders. speaking after the talks in geneva — russia's foreign minister sergey lavrov said the dialogue would continue — and his country had no plans to attack ukraine. russia is understood to have more than a hundred thousand troops currently near its border with ukraine our diplomatic correspondent james landale sent this report. more russian forces on the move, surface—to—air missiles in the country's far east due to join what moscow says are military exercises near ukraine, part of the growing build—up of troops and equipment shown by images close to the border, what western powers fear may be preparation for war. but for now, the diplomacy continues, too. america's and russia's top diplomats met in geneva and at first couldn't even agree how to greet one another, with one question on everyone's lips. is an invasion likely, as president biden suggested? mr lavrov seemed to suggest it was up to the united states and later dismissed talk of invasion as hysterical rhetoric designed to provoke ukraine. what does russia want most, an unstable, dependent ukraine or a new sphere of influence in eastern europe? translation: we are not trying to get a sphere of influence, - but what nato is doing shows it considers ukraine to be a part of its sphere of influence. to the west, ukraine is an independent, sovereign nation. that means it has a right to self—determination, free from russian control, and if it wants to join nato or any other international alliance, well, that is for it to decide. russia's view is different, it sees the former soviet country as historically within its sphere of influence, and also strategically important. primarily annexed in part to protect russia's access crimea was annexed in part to protect russia's access to the black sea, crimea was annexed in part to protect russia's access to the black sea, and as for nato membership, that would be seen as a threat to russia's core security. that's why president putin wants nato to rule out ukraine ever becoming a member, and withdraw its forces from eastern europe. that is at the heart of moscow's fears, that ukraine, despite its historical and cultural links to russia, could america's secretary of state rejected these as non—starters and once again sought to deter any military action. we've been clear, if any russian military forces move across ukraine's border, that's a renewed invasion, it will be met with swift, severe and a united response from the united states and our partners and allies. there was no breakthrough at the talks here today, no deal to reduce the threat of war. but there was agreement for diplomacy to continue. the us will put forward ideas for more security co—operation next week. both sides will meet again after that. these are turbulent times. but for now, russia appears willing to continue talking, and western diplomats hope that might mean not fighting. james landale, bbc news, geneva. kurt volker is a former us ambassador to nato, who also served as the us special representative for ukraine negotiations from 2017 to 2019. he told me what he thought vladimir putin's intentions are. i think that he has made very clear demands that he wants essentially the west recognise that russia has a sphere of influence and ukraine does not have full sovereignty and can never become a member of nato and so forth and i think he is trying to assemble pieces of former russian empire that he can attach to a greater russia again. he is trying to do this on the 100th anniversary year of the founding of the soviet union. so, he is very determined. use moving forces into belarus for exercises there, it's got over hundred thousand troops surrounding the ukraine and is moving ships into the black sea that are naval landing ships. all of this should arrive in place by early february. so, i think he is ready to make a military move and using this opportunity for diplomacy that we saw today as a way to fill the time and also to see whether or not he can gain concessions without having to use military force and if he does not, he is prepared to use it. {131 and if he does not, he is prepared to use it. of that analysis — prepared to use it. of that analysis is _ prepared to use it. of that analysis is correct, - prepared to use it. of that analysis is correct, is - prepared to use it. of that i analysis is correct, is simply displaying into his hands? i think is important for the us and the west to be prepared to discuss, to trench in a's demands and constructive areas and i think diplomacy plays a role. but it cannot be diplomacy on its own. it has to be backed up by strength and with that, i think we need to be taking actions now to show that the cost to russia will be far too high if they go forward for such an invasion.- far too high if they go forward for such an invasion. what kind of actions _ for such an invasion. what kind of actions would _ for such an invasion. what kind of actions would those - for such an invasion. what kind of actions would those be? - for such an invasion. what kind i of actions would those be? what kind of actions? i of actions would those be? what kind of actions?— kind of actions? i would apply sanctions _ kind of actions? i would apply sanctions now _ kind of actions? i would apply sanctions now and _ kind of actions? i would apply sanctions now and offered - kind of actions? i would apply sanctions now and offered to | sanctions now and offered to lift them if russia does not invade and say extortion itself is an acceptable and we will be applying the draconian sanctions effective immediately. i would sanctions effective immediately. iwould be sanctions effective immediately. i would be sending much greater amounts of armament and trainers to ukraine so they can best defend themselves and with national assistance on that as well. i would put us and other allied needles forces —— nato forces. and also ship them to the black sea and they would be able to challenge the russian dominance of the black sea and perhaps assist the ukraine if they are attacked. d0 assist the ukraine if they are attacked. , ., , , assist the ukraine if they are attacked. ,, , , , attacked. do you see this is auoin attacked. do you see this is going to — attacked. do you see this is going to a _ attacked. do you see this is going to a military - attacked. do you see this is i going to a military conclusion? i think putin is determined. let's get some of the day's other news british counter—terrorism officers have been given more time to question two men arrested in birmingham and manchester in connection with last week's siege at a synagogue in texas. a british man, malik faisal akram, took several hostages during the 10—hour standoff — which ended when he was shot dead by police. a court in new york has sentenced a former associate of donald trump's ex—lawyer, rudy giuliani, to a year in prison for violating campaign finance law. igor fruman is also alleged to have helped mr giuliani to search for damaging information onjoe biden before he was elected president. stock markets in the us have suffered their worst week in nearly two years, with technology stocks especially hard hit. friday was the fourth successive day of significant falls. analysts say investors are worried that the federal reserve is likely to raise us interest rates. in yemen, aid agencies say at least 70 people have been killed after an airstrike by the saudi—led coalition hit a detention centre in the north of the country. it's been almost 7 years since the saudi coalition — backed by the us, and the uk — intervened in yemen's civil war. but houthi rebels — backed by iran — still control most of the country. all sides have been accused of abuses, including the killing of civilians. our international correspondent orla guerin reports — and a warning, some viewers may find it upsetting. another dawn in yemen. find it upsetting. more destruction revealed in the cold light of day. prisoners were held here by houthi rebels, including african migrants just trying to transit through yemen. some were among the dead. in this province, the houthi heartland, they dug for survivors with their bare hands. but this was a massive air strike. the death toll is still climbing. the saudi led coalition, which is backed by britain, says it will investigate fully. after a night of devastating strikes, the un secretary—general criticised both the houthis, who carried out an attack on monday, and the coalition. any bombardment that targets civilians or that is not careful enough to protect civilians, is of course also unacceptable. what we need is to stop this vicious circle in which things keep escalating one after the other. but on the ground, war has the momentum. this was the port of data. this was the port city. the houthis say the coalition hit a telecommunication centre, knocking out the internet across yemen. incredibly, this man was brought out alive. at the hospital, a desperate attempt to revive a child. and a heart—rending loss. aid agencies say three children were killed playing football as the air strikes rained down. the houthis sparked the latest escalation with this deadly cross—border attack in the united arab emirates, a partner in the coalition. in the yemeni capital sanaa today, they staged a show of strength. here is the reality that confronts the coalition. after seven years of air strikes, it has failed to dislodge the houthis from these streets. but now, once again, it is bringing knights it is bringing nights of terror and death to yemeni civilians. orla guerin, bbc news. levels of coronavirus are falling in the uk — but the government is still facing the challenge of how to persuade more than four million people to take up the offer of a vaccine. bbc analysis shows that younger people continue to be the most reluctant to be fully vaccinated, with almost a third of 18 to 29 year—olds not having had the first two jabs. our health editor, hugh pym reports. a vaccination campaign with a difference. and you could and up with long covid, which is no fun. and you could end up with long covid, which is no fun. team halo videos have had more than 250 million views. please don't play this russian roulette with your life. they're focused on debunking vaccine misinformation. let's talk about long covid. dr bnar talabani is one expert working on the project, from her home in cardiff. she aims to reassure people that the vaccine is safe. evelyn, whose identity we are protecting, is in her 30s and lives in southern scotland. she has a family history of rheumatoid arthritis and although she wants the jab, she is worried. we always talk about medicines and try to work out what hopefully won't trigger off an autoimmune response in myself. and that's what makes me nervous about the covid—19 jab. there's no evidence to say that you will get rheumatoid arthritis or any autoimmune disease if you have the vaccine. i think a lot of the times, people don't have access to accurate information, and knowing how to tell the difference between what's nonsense and what's misinformation and what's accurate is very difficult. elite sports players have been under the spotlight over their vaccination status. at worcester warriors rugby club, they're now well ahead of an 85% target set for leading english clubs. guidance was offered to those players who had early doubts. i think with anything, there's always reluctance until you give them the facts. and that's what we do with anything, whether it's rugby—related or medical—related. and i think that's all we did. players are always curious. among the over—60s, more than 90% have had their first two doses, but as you go down the age groups, that falls away quite noticeably. that's why younger people are seen as a key target group for the continued vaccination programme. it was really confusing. some wanting to start a family have questions. these new mums at the bundle baby class said it wasn't a straightforward decision, but they did get vaccinated while they were pregnant. lots of friends were saying that i shouldn't have the vaccine because i was pregnant and that it might harm the baby. a lot of the research and the data that was out there, even when you're speaking to a gp, it didn't seem like there was a lot of robust information. when i turned 13 weeks, so got to the second trimester, i immediately went to get the vaccine and i'd been waiting to get the vaccine, actually. i was actually having arguments with my husband about it because he was keen for me not to, and to wait, because he was worried about the impact on the baby. he wasn't sure and i was upset with him because i'd been doing a lot of research. some countries are making vaccination compulsory. for now, the approach in the uk is dialogue, but there's clearly more work to be done to convince those who still don't want the jab. hugh pym, bbc news. this is bbc news — the headlines. the us and russian foreign ministers have held talks in geneva to try to ease tension over the build—up of russian troops on the border with ukraine. aid agencies say an air strike by the saudi—led coalition on a prison in yemen has killed dozens of people and wounded many more. there are growing concerns for women in afghanistan protesting against the curbing of their rights under the taliban, after at least two were reported abducted in night raids. neighbours told that bbc that one of them, tamana paryani, was taken from her apartment by armed men along with her two sisters. other women who took part in the same protest have said that they are in hiding. the taliban has removed the right of most afghan women to work and study — it denies being responsible for the abductions. quentin sommerville reports from kabul. women chant. in body and spirit, afghan women are under attack from the taliban. here, fighting for the right to work, to education, they are pepper—sprayed by taliban fighters at this protest last week. "women have value", they shout. "it takes raw courage to stand up to armed men who want to take away almost everything you've achieved in life". "please help! "the taliban have come to my house. my sisters are at home", pleads tamana, one of the protesters, days later. "we don't want you here now", she screams. tamana has been missing for two days now. we went to her home to try and find her. neighbours say women were taken away from here by armed men. you can see a footprint, a bootprint on the door. three women were taken away, and they still haven't returned. friends and family say they haven't heard from them either. other women protesters were targeted that night. another is missing. still, the taliban denies it took them. if they had detained them, they would say we have detained them, and that is their allegation and they will go to the court to defend themselves. this is something legal. but they are not detained and they are making such fake scenes and shooting films in order to seek asylum abroad. but tamana's friends tell a different story. translation: i told her as soon as possible, leave your home. i take this more seriously. you are in danger. when i got home, a friend, also a protester, i don't want to mention her name, she was crying that tamana had been arrested by the taliban and that she had released a video on social media. since the fall of the last government, afghan women say increasingly, they are prisoners in their own home. they can't come out and do shopping, they can't visit friends and family, and those that do raise their voice in protest are facing increasing intimidation from the taliban. over the last 20 years, afghan women have cast off cultural and family prejudice to live freely. it's decades of progress the taliban now want to rip away. quentin sommerville, bbc news, kabul. the new zealand navy has started distributing humanitarian aid to the people of tonga following last weekend's volcanic eruption and tsunami. the un estimates that more than 80% of tonga's population has been affected — about 84,000 people. at least three people have died. the un says they remain �*seriously concerned�* about access to safe water for some 50,000 people throughout the country with many areas coated in a thick layer of volcanic ash. new zealand�*s defence minister, pee—nei hen—ar—rae, says the navy ships have arrived in tonga just in time. it was one of the challenges that the poor communication lines between here and tonga, making sure that we could respond in a timely manner. but two of the vessels are there now and the third is already set sail in the early hours of this morning here in new zealand to make sure that they can continue to respond to their need at this time. the navy divers in the equipment on the ground or at least under the ground or at least under the water has shown that the ports as well as the shipping lanes are open and they have been unaffected by the irruption and the synonymy. so thatis irruption and the synonymy. so that is good news for what is going into tonga and on the ground, however, we have reports of certain areas having for ash and others the bit of a light dusting and what�*s become quite clear now is that infrastructure and in particular, agricultural soils have now been contaminated by salt water and this is going to be a significant issue as we look towards supplying more food and more water to tonga and we will have to have these handled in the long term. the british member of parliament who alleged this week that fellow rebel mps have been subject to blackmail is to meet with the metropolitan police to discuss the matter. the telegraph newspaper has reported that william wragg has sought the meeting with police. here�*s our political correspondent, ben wright. you it�*s very secretive one. a lot of people who afford party discipline. william alleged that conservatives have threatened to withhold public money investments from constituencies of some in were threatening to try to bring down borisjohnson. he is one of seven tory and of call for the prime minister to quit and said that it could amount to blackmail. and he confirmed that after speaking with the map, to discuss this, the police may not go to investigate but it certainly ups the ante around the story. so far, he has not produced any evidence to back up this claim in the business secretary says even though these are very serious allegations, they are unsubstantiated. but, this comes as number ten tries to shore up the prime ministers position as head of the expected report into the parties that we all expect to be published next week. tributes have been pouring in for the us rock star meat loaf, who has died at the age of 7a. in a career spanning six decades — he was known for his operatic voice and theatrical stage presence. our arts correspondent david sillito takes a look back at his music and life. # like a bat out of hell, i�*ll be gone when the morning comes. ..# meat loaf, bat out of hell. a sweat—drenched rock—and—roll epic that turned the man born marvin lee aday into one of the biggest—selling rock stars in the world. there have been many tributes. among them, cher, who sang with him on dead ringer for love, bonnie tyler, and from i�*d do anything for love, lorraine crosby. # i would do anything for love # i�*d never lie to you, and that�*s a fact... we just gelled. we gelled perfectly. and obviously, that's why the song went the way it did. so, every time i think of meat loaf, i think about being in the studio with him. you just knew. you knew it was going to be great, you know. i'm sorry, i'm getting... you knew, you just knew instinctively that the album was going to be huge. # i would do anything for love, but i won�*t do that...#. born in dallas, his mother was a teacher and singer, his father a policeman, and his childhood was tough. he was an alcoholic, and he�*d always beat me up as a kid. threw me through a plate—glass window, threw me through a door. his escape was acting and musicals. he got a part in hair, and then the rocky horror picture show. bat out of hell was a project he�*d been working on for years with the writerjim steinman. the rock establishment was scornful, but the fans — especially in britain — loved it. # praying for the end of time. # it�*s all that i can do...# this famous performance on the old grey whistle test was where it all took off. but its huge success, and the pressures it brought, almost killed him. that was then followed by lawsuits and bankruptcy. he claimed that years went by without him making a dime out of it, but nothing would ever top bat out of hell, a glorious, over—the—top, emotional battering ram, a rock—and—roll masterpiece. # ..hell...#. scientists say the plant enset — known as the �*false banana�* — could be a new source of food for millions of people facing food shortages caused by climate change. its banana—like fruit is inedible, but the stems and roots can be used to make porridge and bread. you�*ll find much more on all the stories we�*re covering on our website — updated 2a hours a day — including the latest on the situation in ukraine. just head to bbc.com/news — or download the bbc news app. you can reach me on twitter — i�*m @ lvaughanjones. hello. it looks like the weather is taking part in dryjanuary, noticing the rain on the way this weekend, nor indeed no significant rain on the way this weekend, nor indeed into the start of next week. there isn�*t going to be a huge amount of this either. blue skies and sunshine this weekend. cloud is going to win out across most places. temperatures edge a little bit higher. you�*ll notice that most northern ireland and scotland, especially in northern scotland, so, what�*s going on? high pressure close by. that is why we are having a lot of dry weather. around it, bringing in a lot of dry weather. a touch of it in northeast scotland, patchy in wales and england, where he had any clear spells overnight. and a chance for some early mist and fog patches. you can see the extent of the cloud across the uk for saturday. just a few brighter breaks here and there. they are most likely across eastern parts of scotland and england, whereas towards northwest scotland, we are going to see some outbreaks of rain, and it is breezy are here, but it is also my order — 11 degrees in stornoway. temperatures elsewhere a little higher than they were on friday. overnight and into sunday, quite a bit of cloud around a few breaks in that cloud here and there where they occur, the chance of seeing a touch of frost. there will be some mist and fog patches developing towards southern areas, where the winds are light, and they could well be slow to clear a few spots on sunday. there is a weather front edging closer towards northwest scotland as the day goes on. it doesn�*t look as if we will see much in the rain until sunday night. ahead of it, still some patchy rain. the winds going to pick up here. gales is developing in the western isles. light winds elsewhere. a lot of cloud around, just a few sunny spells. if anything on sunday, temperatures would just come down a little bit. by mid week, we are going to see developing weather system heading our way. here it is, and mainly through wednesday night, we will see an area of rain moving its way southwards, weakening as it does so. and behind that, high pressure building back in again but for a time later in the week, there will be some brighter skies around. that�*s your weather. this is bbc news, the headlines the us and russia have held what they called �*frank�* talks on tension over ukraine. with more russian troops gathering on the ukrainian border — washington has warned any invasion will be met with a swift, severe and united response. concern is growing for the welfare of female protesters in afghanistan with reports that some may have been abducted during nightime raids. the taliban denies it is behind the abductions. more than 100 people have been killed or wounded in an air strike by the saudi—led coalition in yemen. a detention centre was hit in saada, a stronghold of the rebel houthi movement. thousands of people in the capital sanaa have protested against the attacks. stars including cher, boy george and bonnie tyler have led tributes to the singer meat loaf. the rock legend died at the age of 7a.