to all of those who gave you to all of those who gave evidence, with special thanks to the couple _ evidence, with special thanks to the couple who— evidence, with special thanks to the couple who found brianna and to the first officer _ couple who found brianna and to the first officer on the scene. i am so grateful— first officer on the scene. i am so grateful that in the last moments of her life. _ grateful that in the last moments of her life, she had the concern and kindness— her life, she had the concern and kindness from you all and i undoubtably know that you did all you could — undoubtably know that you did all you could do to help my precious child~ _ you could do to help my precious child. thank you to the majority of the press — child. thank you to the majority of the press who have reported sensitively throughout. this has meant _ sensitively throughout. this has meant a — sensitively throughout. this has meant a lot to our family and brianna's _ meant a lot to our family and brianna's friends. lastly, please have— brianna's friends. lastly, please have some — brianna's friends. lastly, please have some empathy and compassion for the families _ have some empathy and compassion for the families of the young people convicted of this horrific crime. they— convicted of this horrific crime. they too — convicted of this horrific crime. they too have lost a child and they must _ they too have lost a child and they must live _ they too have lost a child and they must live the rest of their lives knowing — must live the rest of their lives knowing what their child has done. my family— knowing what their child has done. my family and i request some healing space _ my family and i request some healing

space for— my family and i request some healing space for the next few weeks. however. _ space for the next few weeks. however, i will be back at the end ofjanuary— however, i will be back at the end ofjanuary to continue my campaigning for better mental health support— campaigning for better mental health support for young people and their families _ support for young people and their families. thank you. it's impossible to put into words at the mode — it's impossible to put into words at the mode of my child is affected made _ the mode of my child is affected made to— the mode of my child is affected made to tip i'll never stop loving her~ _ made to tip i'll never stop loving her~ wheh— made to tip i'll never stop loving her. when she was little, i remember the faces— her. when she was little, i remember the faces she would pull to make me laugh _ the faces she would pull to make me laugh the _ the faces she would pull to make me laugh. the funny dances are engraved in my— laugh. the funny dances are engraved in my memory. i knew she was going to he _ in my memory. i knew she was going to he a _ in my memory. i knew she was going to he a star— in my memory. i knew she was going to be a star and the amount of support— to be a star and the amount of support she received from followers on support she received from followers oh tiktok _ support she received from followers on tiktok proved this. she shared her tii

know— and they'd shine back at me. and i know she — and they'd shine back at me. and i know she was a beautiful girl to be proud _ know she was a beautiful girl to be proud of _ know she was a beautiful girl to be proud of. her life has been brutally taken _ proud of. her life has been brutally taken away— proud of. her life has been brutally taken away from her and she's been derived _ taken away from her and she's been derived of— taken away from her and she's been derived of the life she wanted to live _ derived of the life she wanted to live it's — derived of the life she wanted to live. it's difficult to complement how some — live. it's difficult to complement how some people can do these vile things— how some people can do these vile things in— how some people can do these vile things in the world and don't understand cruel and heartbreaking their actions can be. the impacts of brianna _ their actions can be. the impacts of brianna oscar death have notched effectively but my family. my heart bleeds _ effectively but my family. my heart bleeds every day for brianna and this will— bleeds every day for brianna and this will never go. the amount of guilt— this will never go. the amount of guilt i_ this will never go. the amount of guilt i have — this will never go. the amount of guilt i have can sometimes be unbearable. but i will ensure her memory— unbearable. but i will ensure her memory lives on in my thoughts and dreams _ memory lives on in my thoughts and dreams the — memory lives on in my thoughts and dreams. the support i have received from my— dreams. the support i have received from my fiance, lorraine, family and friends _ from my fiance, lorraine, family and friends has _ from my fiance, lorraine, family and friends has been second to none and without— friends has been second to none and without you — friends has been second to none and without you i wouldn't have got through — without you i wouldn't have got through it also the amount of work and effort — through it also the amount of work and effort the police put into getting — and effort the police put into getting brianna the justice she deserves is not gone unnoticed. all

the family— deserves is not gone unnoticed. all the family liaison officers have been _ the family liaison officers have been extremely supportive through the process and understood the emotionaljourney that's been emotional journey that's been experienced. emotionaljourney that's been experienced. i also want to express my gratitude to pc andy chadwick and the paramedics tried all they could to try— the paramedics tried all they could to try and — the paramedics tried all they could to try and save by daughter. we spoke _ to try and save by daughter. we spoke a — to try and save by daughter. we spoke a few days before she was taken _ spoke a few days before she was taken from me and went to meet each of the _ taken from me and went to meet each of the it— taken from me and went to meet each of the. it brings me every day to know— of the. it brings me every day to know that — of the. it brings me every day to know that i'll never get the chance again~ _ know that i'll never get the chance again i_ know that i'll never get the chance again. i wish i'd been there to again. iwish i'd been there to protect— again. i wish i'd been there to protect her but that's something i must _ protect her but that's something i must live — protect her but that's something i must live with. this suffering from this horrific— must live with. this suffering from this horrific incident should never happen— this horrific incident should never happen and i hope no other family ever experiences the torture this can iiring — ever experiences the torture this can brina. , ., , ever experiences the torture this can brina. , , ., ., can bring. this has been one of the most distressing _ can bring. this has been one of the most distressing faces _ can bring. this has been one of the most distressing faces the - can bring. this has been one of the most distressing faces the cps - can bring. this has been one of the most distressing faces the cps had | most distressing faces the cps had to deal— most distressing faces the cps had to deal with. — most distressing faces the cps had to deal with, the _ most distressing faces the cps had to deal with, the planning, - most distressing faces the cps had to deal with, the planning, the - to deal with, the planning, the violence — to deal with, the planning, the violence at _ to deal with, the planning, the violence at the _ to deal with, the planning, the violence at the age _ to deal with, the planning, the violence at the age of - to deal with, the planning, the violence at the age of the - to deal with, the planning, the. violence at the age of the killers are beyond _ violence at the age of the killers are beyond belief. _

violence at the age of the killers are beyond belief. brianna - violence at the age of the killers are beyond belief. brianna was. are beyond belief. brianna was subject— are beyond belief. brianna was subject to _ are beyond belief. brianna was subject to a _ are beyond belief. brianna was subject to a printed _ are beyond belief. brianna was subject to a printed and - are beyond belief. brianna was. subject to a printed and ferocious attack— subject to a printed and ferocious attack and — subject to a printed and ferocious attack and was _ subject to a printed and ferocious attack and was stabbed _ subject to a printed and ferocious attack and was stabbed 28 - subject to a printed and ferocious attack and was stabbed 28 times| subject to a printed and ferocious i attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad _ attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad daylight _ attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad daylight in _ attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad daylight in a _ attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad daylight in a public— attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad daylight in a public park. - broad daylight in a public park. girl x _ broad daylight in a public park. girl x and _ broad daylight in a public park. girlx and boy— broad daylight in a public park. girl x and boy y _ broad daylight in a public park. girl x and boy y appear - broad daylight in a public park. girl x and boy y appear to - broad daylight in a public park. | girl x and boy y appear to have broad daylight in a public park. - girl x and boy y appear to have been a deadly— girl x and boy y appear to have been a deadly influence _ girl x and boy y appear to have been a deadly influence on— girl x and boy y appear to have been a deadly influence on one _ girl x and boy y appear to have been a deadly influence on one another. a deadly influence on one another and turned — a deadly influence on one another and turned what _ a deadly influence on one another and turned what might— a deadly influence on one another and turned what might have - a deadly influence on one another. and turned what might have started out as _ and turned what might have started out as dark — and turned what might have started out as dark fantasies _ and turned what might have started out as dark fantasies about - and turned what might have started out as dark fantasies about murder| out as dark fantasies about murder into a _ out as dark fantasies about murder into a realitv — out as dark fantasies about murder into a reality. the _ out as dark fantasies about murder into a reality. the pages— out as dark fantasies about murder into a reality. the pages and - out as dark fantasies about murder into a reality. the pages and pages of whatsabb— into a reality. the pages and pages of whatsapp messages _ into a reality. the pages and pages of whatsapp messages between i into a reality. the pages and pagesl of whatsapp messages between the two, of whatsapp messages between the two. planning — of whatsapp messages between the two. planning and _ of whatsapp messages between the two, planning and plotting - of whatsapp messages between the two, planning and plotting to - of whatsapp messages between the two, planning and plotting to kill. two, planning and plotting to kill people. — two, planning and plotting to kill people. talking _ two, planning and plotting to kill people, talking of— two, planning and plotting to kill people, talking of murder, - two, planning and plotting to kill. people, talking of murder, torture and cruelty. — people, talking of murder, torture and cruelty, where _ people, talking of murder, torture and cruelty, where very— people, talking of murder, torture and cruelty, where very difficult i people, talking of murder, torture and cruelty, where very difficult to read _ and cruelty, where very difficult to read the — and cruelty, where very difficult to read. the messages— and cruelty, where very difficult to read. the messages provided - and cruelty, where very difficult to read. the messages provided a i read. the messages provided a terrifying — read. the messages provided a terrifying inside _ read. the messages provided a terrifying inside into _ read. the messages provided a terrifying inside into the - read. the messages provided a terrifying inside into the minds| read. the messages provided a . terrifying inside into the minds of two defendants. _ terrifying inside into the minds of two defendants. however, - terrifying inside into the minds of two defendants. however, they. terrifying inside into the minds of. two defendants. however, they also provided _ two defendants. however, they also provided us— two defendants. however, they also provided us with _ two defendants. however, they also provided us with detailed _ two defendants. however, they also provided us with detailed planning l provided us with detailed planning of the _ provided us with detailed planning of the attack — provided us with detailed planning of the attack and _ provided us with detailed planning of the attack and the _ provided us with detailed planning of the attack and the intent - provided us with detailed planning of the attack and the intent to - of the attack and the intent to cover— of the attack and the intent to cover it — of the attack and the intent to cover it up _ of the attack and the intent to cover it up. the _ of the attack and the intent to cover it up. the crown - of the attack and the intent to - cover it up. the crown prosecution service _ cover it up. the crown prosecution service of— cover it up. the crown prosecution service of the _ cover it up. the crown prosecution service of the right _ cover it up. the crown prosecution service of the right a _ cover it up. the crown prosecution service of the right a charge - cover it up. the crown prosecution service of the right a charge of- service of the right a charge of murder— service of the right a charge of murder for— service of the right a charge of murder for both _ service of the right a charge of murder for both the _ service of the right a charge of. murder for both the defendants. service of the right a charge of- murder for both the defendants. they

were both _ murder for both the defendants. they were both equally— murder for both the defendants. they were both equally responsible - murder for both the defendants. they were both equally responsible in- were both equally responsible in planning — were both equally responsible in planning the _ were both equally responsible in planning the killing _ were both equally responsible in planning the killing and - were both equally responsible in planning the killing and carrying| were both equally responsible in. planning the killing and carrying it out. planning the killing and carrying it out in _ planning the killing and carrying it out in the — planning the killing and carrying it out. in the trial, _ planning the killing and carrying it out. in the trial, the _ planning the killing and carrying it out. in the trial, the defendants. out. in the trial, the defendants tried _ out. in the trial, the defendants tried to — out. in the trial, the defendants tried to blame _ out. in the trial, the defendants tried to blame each _ out. in the trial, the defendants tried to blame each other- out. in the trial, the defendants tried to blame each other to - out. in the trial, the defendants- tried to blame each other to absolve themselves — tried to blame each other to absolve themselves. the _ tried to blame each other to absolve themselves. the jury— tried to blame each other to absolve themselves. the jury is _ tried to blame each other to absolve themselves. the jury is clearly- tried to blame each other to absolve themselves. the jury is clearly seen| themselves. the jury is clearly seen their explanations _ themselves. the jury is clearly seen their explanations for— themselves. the jury is clearly seen their explanations for the _ themselves. the jury is clearly seen their explanations for the lies - themselves. the jury is clearly seen their explanations for the lies that i their explanations for the lies that they were — their explanations for the lies that they were this _ their explanations for the lies that they were. this has _ their explanations for the lies that they were. this has been - their explanations for the lies that they were. this has been a - their explanations for the lies that i they were. this has been a difficult prosecution — they were. this has been a difficult prosecution not _ they were. this has been a difficult prosecution not least _ they were. this has been a difficult prosecution not least because - they were. this has been a difficult prosecution not least because of. they were. this has been a difficult. prosecution not least because of the two very— prosecution not least because of the two very young _ prosecution not least because of the two very young people _ prosecution not least because of the two very young people that - prosecution not least because of the two very young people that were - prosecution not least because of the two very young people that were on| two very young people that were on trial for— two very young people that were on trial for the — two very young people that were on trial for the most— two very young people that were on trial for the most serious _ two very young people that were on trial for the most serious offence i trial for the most serious offence known _ trial for the most serious offence known in — trial for the most serious offence known in criminal— trial for the most serious offence known in criminal law. _ trial for the most serious offence known in criminal law. it - trial for the most serious offence known in criminal law. it has- known in criminal law. it has involved _ known in criminal law. it has involved using _ known in criminal law. it has involved using a _ known in criminal law. it has involved using a number- known in criminal law. it has involved using a number of. known in criminal law. it has- involved using a number of measures to ensure _ involved using a number of measures to ensure that — involved using a number of measures to ensure that the _ involved using a number of measures to ensure that the defendants - involved using a number of measures to ensure that the defendants could i to ensure that the defendants could participate — to ensure that the defendants could participate fully _ to ensure that the defendants could participate fully in _ to ensure that the defendants could participate fully in the _ to ensure that the defendants could participate fully in the trial- to ensure that the defendants could participate fully in the trial and - participate fully in the trial and enable — participate fully in the trial and enable them _ participate fully in the trial and enable them to— participate fully in the trial and enable them to give _ participate fully in the trial and enable them to give their- participate fully in the trial and - enable them to give their evidence. the crown— enable them to give their evidence. the crown prosecution _ enable them to give their evidence. the crown prosecution service - enable them to give their evidence. i the crown prosecution service would like to _ the crown prosecution service would like to thank— the crown prosecution service would like to thank the _ the crown prosecution service would like to thank the family _ the crown prosecution service would like to thank the family of _ the crown prosecution service would like to thank the family of brianna i like to thank the family of brianna for the _ like to thank the family of brianna for the courage _ like to thank the family of brianna for the courage and _ like to thank the family of brianna for the courage and dignity- like to thank the family of brianna for the courage and dignity they. for the courage and dignity they have _ for the courage and dignity they have shown _ for the courage and dignity they have shown throughout - for the courage and dignity they have shown throughout these . have shown throughout these proceedings _ have shown throughout these proceedings. we _ have shown throughout these proceedings. we hope - have shown throughout these| proceedings. we hope today's have shown throughout these - proceedings. we hope today's bird it brings— proceedings. we hope today's bird it brings some — proceedings. we hope today's bird it brings some solace _ proceedings. we hope today's bird it brings some solace and _ proceedings. we hope today's bird it brings some solace and our- proceedings. we hope today's bird it| brings some solace and our thoughts and sympathies— brings some solace and our thoughts and sympathies remain _ brings some solace and our thoughts and sympathies remain with - brings some solace and our thoughts and sympathies remain with them i brings some solace and our thoughts and sympathies remain with them at| and sympathies remain with them at this difficult —

and sympathies remain with them at this difficult time. _ the crown prosecution service ending those statements outside manchester crown court and praising the family for their courage and dignity nick garnett, our correspondent, is outside court, and some moving statements there from brianna's parents. statements there from brianna's arents. . statements there from brianna's arents. , . , ., parents. yes, the family going back into court before _ parents. yes, the family going back into court before they _ parents. yes, the family going back into court before they go _ parents. yes, the family going back into court before they go home - parents. yes, the family going back| into court before they go home later on. comments from both brianna's mother and father. her mother said brianna was larger than life, funny and fearless, we miss her so much. to know how scared she must have been when she was loaded that part will haunt me forever. prior to the trial, i had moments i felt sorry for the defendants but, know what i

know now, i have no sympathy and i'm glad they will spent many years in prison. she thanked the police and cps and the trialjudge had made specific reference to the jury for the work they had done in coming to their decision. she said, they have made the right decision. i understand how difficult this was for you all. the passers—by who tried to help brianna as she lay dying, she said, i'm so grateful, in the last moments of her life, she had concern at kindness and i know you did all you could for her. she went on, asking for people to have sensitivity and compassion for the families of those who carried out the crimes, and she said they too have lost a child and will have to live their lives knowing what they have done. brianna bosco father struggled visibly as he spoke. he said, it's impossible to put into words how her murder has affected me, she shared her tiktok videos

with me, i was so proud of her, i looked into her eyes at they'd shine back at me. she was a beautiful girl to dip how can people do these things? the impact affects our whole family. i will ensure her memory lives on in my thoughts and dreams. i hope no otherfamily experiences the torture this can bring. the senior investigating officer said this was a senseless murder by two teenagers with an obsession with murderjust wanted to see what it felt like. brianna trusted the female and was betrayed by someone she thought of as a friend. to sum up, but the defendants in this case who were 15 at the time, 16 years old now, been found guilty at manchester crown court of the murder of 16—year—old brianna ghey. flick of 16-year-old brianna ghey. nick garnett at of 16—year—old brianna ghey. nick garnett at manchester crown court. we are going to washington, where the us secretary of state, antony blinken, is giving a press conference. in

blinken, is giving a press conference.— blinken, is giving a press conference. ., , , conference. in the face of seemingly intractable. — conference. in the face of seemingly intractable, as _ conference. in the face of seemingly intractable, as vice _ conference. in the face of seemingly intractable, as vice president, - conference. in the face of seemingly intractable, as vice president, he i intractable, as vice president, he had to oversee the end to the iraq war. as president, he entered the longest war in america but history, in afghanistan. he had secured and extent a truce in the yemen conflict. he is bringing that same focus to bed right now. across every, a man has been more effective because of the steps we have taken to build a more strong, agile and diverse state department. we continue the efforts in 2023. in partnership with congress, and i know this department participated in 106 hearings this year, which is a record. we secured the authorities to rapidly... established a new bureau to elevate and integrate work on security across diplomacy picked up on security across diplomacy picked up we had hundreds of positions and created dozens of new courses and

professional developed opportunities. we established something. we boosted access to student payment programmes and for family members among many of the steps to invest in the department's greatest resource, its people. we are at a reflection point for our country and the world. what we do, what we fail to do in this moment will have profound consequences for decades to come. the stakes could not be clearer. if we want to deliver on the issues which affect the lives of the american people, we have to keep investing in ourselves, in our network of allies and partners, in our ability to stand up to challenges and to do that we need congress to pass the president additional national security funding request. here are benefits if

congress passes this. fellow our businesses, our workers, congress passes this. fellow our businesses, ourworkers, our congress passes this. fellow our businesses, our workers, our allies and partners, people around the world who are looking united states to lead. here are hooch is if we fail, moscow, tehran, beijing. if we come up short, it won't be our adversaries and competitors to stop us, it will be ourselves. before turning to youthful questions, let me say this. i want to take a moment to thank each and everyone of you for those present in the room and those outside perhaps listening in. this has been an extraordinarily dangerous year for the press around the world. many killed, many more wounded, hundreds detained,

attacked, threatened, injured, simply for doing theirjobs. and yet you have persisted. you stayed at it. and i am immensely gratefulfor that. two of the reporters here today with whom i have clocked a few miles this past year, efforts to ask tough questions, often multipart, and get accurate and timely information to people around the world is a true public service. it is vital that you continue to do that because it's so important to everything all of us care about, informing and engaged citizens, truth, accountability, democracy, and you do it in a way that humanises people in an ever more demonised world. sol humanises people in an ever more demonised world. so i am profoundly

grateful to you for the role you do, evenif grateful to you for the role you do, even if i don't always show it. i'm happy to take any questions. thank ou, mr happy to take any questions. thank you, mr secretary, _ happy to take any questions. thank you, mr secretary, and _ happy to take any questions. thank you, mr secretary, and happy - you, mr secretary, and happy holidays _ you, mr secretary, and happy holidays i_ you, mr secretary, and happy holidays. i know that this is intended _ holidays. i know that this is intended to be a year in review, but i intended to be a year in review, but i have _ intended to be a year in review, but i have to _ intended to be a year in review, but i have to ask— intended to be a year in review, but i have to ask about two issues of the day. — i have to ask about two issues of the day, pressing issues, one, what can you _ the day, pressing issues, one, what can you tell— the day, pressing issues, one, what can you tell us about the deal that's— can you tell us about the deal that's been struck with venezuela to release _ that's been struck with venezuela to release detained americans, and, two, _ release detained americans, and, two. at _ release detained americans, and, two. at the — release detained americans, and, two, at the un security council, right— two, at the un security council, right now. — two, at the un security council, right now, if there isn't another delay— right now, if there isn't another delay or— right now, if there isn't another delay or soon, that there will be a vote on— delay or soon, that there will be a vote on this — delay or soon, that there will be a vote on this gaza israel resolution. what _ vote on this gaza israel resolution. what will— vote on this gaza israel resolution. what will it— vote on this gaza israel resolution. what will it take, for what does the united _ what will it take, for what does the united states need to see in such a resolution— united states need to see in such a resolution for it not to veto it and, _ resolution for it not to veto it and. if — resolution for it not to veto it and, if that can't be done and you end up— and, if that can't be done and you end up vetoing it, are you not concerned _ end up vetoing it, are you not concerned that the number three parity— concerned that the number three parity that you mentioned in your

opening. — parity that you mentioned in your opening, the coalition building, will be — opening, the coalition building, will be damaged very badly? the us is already— will be damaged very badly? the us is already isolated internationally on this— is already isolated internationally on this issue and another veto, are you not— on this issue and another veto, are you not concerned another veto will further _ you not concerned another veto will further isolate us? so, you not concerned another veto will further isolate us?— further isolate us? so, on venezuela. _ further isolate us? so, on venezuela, let _ further isolate us? so, on venezuela, let me - further isolate us? so, on venezuela, let me say - further isolate us? so, on l venezuela, let me say first, further isolate us? so, on - venezuela, let me say first, we further isolate us? so, on _ venezuela, let me say first, we have no higher priority than doing everything we possibly can to bring our fellow citizens out of harms way, to make sure they are safe and secure if they get in any trouble overseas, including if they are arbitrarily detained. we have secured the release in the last couple of years nearly three dozen americans who were arbitrarily detained. that is work that continues every single day in any place around the world where americans are being wrongfully imprisoned or detained. this has

been a priority for us broadly and also when it comes to venezuela and we want to make sure that our fellow americans are released. we are also focused on political prisoners in venezuela, intro to ensure their release. what i can say in this moment is this. we have a lot of work going on on both those fronts. and we hope to have some good news to share, probably later today. and we hope to have some good news to share, probably latertoday. for now, that is all i can share with you. on the un security council vote, you are right, this is going on as we gather here. continue to engage extensively and constructively with a number of countries to try and resolve some of the outstanding issues in this security council resolution, but the purpose of the resolution, as stated by the countries that put it forward, is to facilitate and help

expand humanitarian existence getting to gaza, and we fully support that. the us, from day one, has, i would argue, done more than any other country to ensure that could happen. my first trip to the region after october seven, we on getting agreement to start getting humanitarian assistance into gaza and a few days later that started with the opening of rafah. that was necessary but very much insufficient we began to expand that. in the last couple of days, you have seen again, as a result of the work many of us have done over the last several weeks, another opening crossing opening, so that goods are not unexpected but increasing the capacity to get goods into gaza but now goods are going directly into gaza, in addition we have commercial products. we have made sure that we

have a sustained delivery of fuel at levels that the humanitarian community tells us are necessary to ensure that desalination plants, sewage systems, telecoms, trucks, hospitals can be powered and can function. of course, we continue to work on this every day, for example, making sure that, once assistance gets in, it can move around and be distributed safety and security with predictable roots, times and access. we have been at the forefront of these efforts and we want to make sure that the resolution, in what it calls for and requires, actually advances that effort and doesn't do anything that could hurt the delivery of humanitarian assistance. that is what we are focused on and we are engaged in very good faith with other countries and are working intensely. i have been on the fence about this for the last couple of

days. i hope we can get a good place. to the last part of your question, i would say this. what i am seeing from day one is that countries throughout the region as well as countries around the world want to work with us and are looking for american leadership in this crisis, even countries that may disagree with us on certain issues that have come to the fore. that's been a common refrain. i have been latterly in the region multiple times in notjust israel but virtually all our partners and others, including turkey to we have been on the phone is constantly including this week with all of our partners, and the common refrain is they are looking for american leadership and we are working to provide that.

leadership and we are working to provide that-— leadership and we are working to rovide that. ,, ., ., ., provide that. quickly on gaza, how would ou provide that. quickly on gaza, how would you characterise _ provide that. quickly on gaza, how would you characterise the - provide that. quickly on gaza, how would you characterise the talks i provide that. quickly on gaza, how| would you characterise the talks on a new _ would you characterise the talks on a new hostage deal for a pause? is that imminent? are you making progress? — that imminent? are you making progress? do we end this year with much _ progress? do we end this year with much of— progress? do we end this year with much of the — progress? do we end this year with much of the world blaming the us and israel— much of the world blaming the us and israel or— much of the world blaming the us and israel or seeing it as america's war also? _ israel or seeing it as america's war also? its _ israel or seeing it as america's war also? it's hurting america's image in the _ also? it's hurting america's image in the world — also? it's hurting america's image in the world and there is a stalemate in ukraine and no new aid package _ stalemate in ukraine and no new aid package. the fighting goes on in sudan _ package. the fighting goes on in sudan i— package. the fighting goes on in sudan. i wonder if there is any way in which _ sudan. i wonder if there is any way in which you — sudan. i wonder if there is any way in which you are rethinking strategy or have _ in which you are rethinking strategy or have some ideas on how to change the dynamics on any of those conflicts _ the dynamics on any of those conflicts. the dynamics on any of those conflicts— conflicts. on the question of hostages — conflicts. on the question of hostages and _ conflicts. on the question of hostages and a _ conflicts. on the question of hostages and a pause, - conflicts. on the question of hostages and a pause, this i conflicts. on the question of| hostages and a pause, this is something we very much would like to see happen. as you know, we were

instrumental in getting the first humanitarian pause that facilitate the release of 110 hostages. israel has been very clear, including this was yesterday, that it would welcome returning to a pause and the further release of hostages. the problem has been and remains hamas. they're in it —— they were nicht on commitments they made in the first pause for hostage releases and the question is whether they are in fact willing to do this. it's something we would welcome, and i know israel would welcome, and i know israel would welcome it and i think the world would welcome it. we will see what they choose to do. we remain actively engaged in seeing if we can get a pause about on and hostages moving out again of garces. that is something we are on every day. more broadly, i think what is important

to always remember is that, crucially, none of the challenges we are dealing with are like flicking a light switch, and you suddenly get total success in the course of a day, a week, a month. it's almost always a process. and a constant effort to get to a better place. talking about ukraine a short while ago, very important to put this in context, as i said at the outset, if you look at where we were in february 2022 and where we are now, well, february 2022, when the russians went in, most people were predicting they'd make pretty quick work of ukraine and succeed in erasing it from the map. that has failed and it's failed first and foremost because of the courage of the ukrainian people but also because of the leadership we provided in making sure, with dozens of countries around the world, that

ukraine had what it needed to succeed in repelling the russian aggression and now we are engaged in an effort to help ukraine stand on its own two feet, democratically, militarily, economically, not only dealing with the current challenge that russia continues to pose but setting it up for the longer term, and a lot of very important and good work has been done and continues to be done on that. militarily, we have 30 countries around the world now that are helping, including the us, that are helping, including the us, that are helping ukraine build a future force with which they can deter aggression and defend against it if it comes in the future, and we are extensively engaged on trying to bring private sector investment and activity it is ukraine so it can thrive economically, and having some real success there, and that creates a virtuous cycle, where investment comes in, the tax base goes up and increasingly ukraine can pay for itself. of course, we are working to

deepen democratic reforms and help ukraine combat corruption, which is necessary for getting that investment to flow and also for ukraine to be a strong democratic state going forward. we just had the eu opening accession talks. all of that takes time and effort, but we are in a place were not only have we help ukraine repel russian aggression but we are putting it in aggression but we are putting it in a place where it can stand on its own, strongly on its own, and succeed and thrive in the future. when it comes to sudan, we have been actively engaged there as well in trying to end the horror of the civil war between two military groups, the saf and the rsf, and as recently as about a week ago, we helped get an agreement that the two

leaders, generals, would meet and commit to a ceasefire. now, that still has to happen and we are pressing to make sure that it does, but this is the product of day in, day out work by our diplomats as well as many others around the world, including the african union, and other partners. we have talked about israel and gaza. let me say this. we believe that, as we said from the outset, israel has not only a right and to defend itself and to try and make sure that october the 7th never happens again any other country in the world, faced with what israel suffered on october the 7th, would do the same thing. we have also said that we have been very clear that how israel does it matters tremendously. and there,

too, we have been deeply engaged with them to maximise protection for civilians and maximise humanitarian assistance and minimise harm. one of the things that's striking to me is that, understandably, everyone would like to see this conflict and as quickly as possible, but, if it ends with hamas remaining in place and having the capacity and stated intent to repeat october the 7th again and again, that's not in the interest of israel, its not in the interests of the region, it's not in the interests of the world. and what is striking to me is that, even as again we hear many countries urging

the end to this conflict, which we would all like to see, i hear virtually no one saying, demanding of hamas that it stop hiding civilians, that it lay down its arms, that surrender. this is over to renault if hamas does that this would have been over a month ago, six weeks ago, if hamas had done that, and how could it be that there are no demands made of the aggressor and only demands made of the victim? so it would be good if there was a strong international voice pressing hamas to do what's necessary to enter this, and again that could be tomorrow. —— to end this. i am enter this, and again that could be tomorrow. -- to end this. i am sorry tomorrow. -- to end this. i am sorry to insist on —

tomorrow. -- to end this. i am sorry to insist on this, _ tomorrow. -- to end this. i am sorry to insist on this, and _ tomorrow. -- to end this. i am sorry to insist on this, and i _ tomorrow. -- to end this. i am sorry to insist on this, and i know - tomorrow. -- to end this. i am sorry to insist on this, and i know you - to insist on this, and i know you have _ to insist on this, and i know you have just — to insist on this, and i know you have just given answers, but you are very careful — have just given answers, but you are very careful publicly as to what you say on _ very careful publicly as to what you say on the — very careful publicly as to what you say on the israel gaza conflict and hamas— say on the israel gaza conflict and hamas conflict. you mentioned palestinians... you mentioned a gap between _ palestinians... you mentioned a gap between the intent at the result. so i am wondering at this stage, that -ap i am wondering at this stage, that gap appears, to me at least, to be widening _ gap appears, to me at least, to be widening and as to what extent are you going — widening and as to what extent are you going to allow that to widen even _ you going to allow that to widen even more? is there a red line for you? _ even more? is there a red line for you? in _ even more? is there a red line for you? in a — even more? is there a red line for you? in a sense, regarding the israeli — you? in a sense, regarding the israeli response to hamas. | you? in a sense, regarding the israeli response to hamas. i would sa this. israeli response to hamas. i would say this- it — israeli response to hamas. i would say this- it is _ israeli response to hamas. i would say this. it is clear _ israeli response to hamas. i would say this. it is clear that _ israeli response to hamas. i would say this. it is clear that the - say this. it is clear that the conflict needs to move to a lower intensity face, and we expect to

see, in honesty, a shift to more targeted operations with a smaller number of forces that's really focused in on dealing with the leadership of hamas, the tunnel network and a few other critical things. as that happens, i think you will see as well the harm done to civilians also decrease significantly. we have said all along we have these conversations almost every day, that it is vitally important how israel conducts its operations. focus on minimising harm to civilians, getting assistance to them. and the last couple of months

have been gut—wrenching, when you see the suffering of men, women and especially children in gaza. that affects each of us. it affects me very deeply, which is why i was so intent upon completion quickly, effectively and doing everything possible to minimise the harm to those who are caught in crossfire hamas is making. and, again,... lie hamas is making. and, again,... us secretary of state, antony blinken, giving his review of the year, focusing very much on the israel gaza war, saying the us continues to believe israel has an obligation to both remove hamas and minimise the civilian toll.

live from london. this is bbc news. a new resolution is set for a vote in at the united nations security council in an effort to bring help to civilians in gaza. two teenagers are found guilty... donald trump cannot run for president in a state, he says he will appeal to the us supreme court. uk inflation falls to 3.9% — the lowest rate in more than two years. ——and colorado's top court rules that donald trump cannot run for president in the state. hello, i m samantha smith, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. hopes are rising of at least a temporary pause in the fighting in gaza with a series of diplomatic initiatives under way. a vote is expected on a new security council resolution shortly. the text released a short time ago calls for extended humanitarian pauses and aid corridors.

the leader of hamas, ismail haniyeh, has arrived in cairo for talks