allow it to join the military alliance. a ruling uk conservative politician refuses to apologise proclaiming islamists of taking control of the mayor of london. the pacific island has a new prime minister, will he continue to recognise taiwan? and up for sale, the letters behind the love triangle of patty boyd, george harrison and eric clapton. good morning. sweden has been accepted as a member of the nato defence alliance a move which germany's chancellor says strengthens the security of

europe and the world. the final obstacle overcome earlier when hungry�*s parliament ratified the move in the process started two years ago when russia's invasion of ukraine prompted sweden in neighbouring finland to apply tojoin. sweden in neighbouring finland to apply to join. swedish prime minister says that it is a historic moment. ., . historic moment. nonalignment behind. this — historic moment. nonalignment behind. this is _ historic moment. nonalignment behind. this is a _ historic moment. nonalignment behind. this is a big _ historic moment. nonalignment behind. this is a big step - historic moment. nonalignment behind. this is a big step we - behind. this is a big step we must take it seriously but it is also a very natural step that we are taking. sweden will not become _ that we are taking. sweden will not become the _ that we are taking. sweden will not become the 32nd _ that we are taking. sweden will not become the 32nd memberl that we are taking. sweden will. not become the 32nd member of nato members expected to help an ally which comes under attack. this is the moment sweden had been waiting for for almost two years. hungary's prime minister viktor orban is the closest european leader to vladimir putin. but under pressure from the us and other western countries, he paved the way for today's vital vote.

translation: this is an historic day. i it makes little stronger, swedens safer and all of us more secure. russia's full—scale invasion of ukraine was partly aimed at preventing the expansion of nato to its borders. but it had the opposite effect, with finland first and now sweden becoming nato members, giving the alliance almost full control over the baltic sea. for two centuries sweden had been militarily neutral, but the war in ukraine turned public opinion around. the threat from russia has always been very real. we're very close to it so we've always been very vulnerable. it's the right path for us. i think, yeah, in this era it's better to be part of an alliance standing independent and neutral. sweden will bring nato its modern airforce

and submarines specially adapted to the baltic sea. it gains a security umbrella backed by nuclear deterrence. the prime minister of sweden described it as a historic day for his country. from russia so far, silence. caroline hawley, bbc news. i spoke to a former us ambassador to nato. it i spoke to a former us ambassador to nato. it is about time and it _ ambassador to nato. it is about time and it is _ ambassador to nato. it is about time and it is taken _ ambassador to nato. it is about time and it is taken way - time and it is taken way too long. and because of issues that have very little to do with nato or sweden as a member of nato, they were holding it up of nato, they were holding it up and finally, the received a sweet deal and turkey was having new laws to deal with kurdish residents in sweden and in case of hungary, it was a defence agreement that was signed on friday which will bring those fighters that the reporter was talking about to

hungary and the colour they wanted but finally we got sweden into nato and it is about time.— sweden into nato and it is about time. ~ ., ., , ., about time. what does it from nato that sweden _ about time. what does it from nato that sweden is _ about time. what does it from nato that sweden is a - about time. what does it from | nato that sweden is a member and what is meant for sweden? it is a big dealfor nato, particularly if you also include finland, both applied at the same time and one of whom entered much quicker than sweden did. two, two or three big things happen, one, it now brings nato closer to russia's border remember the war with ukraine was started to prevent nato from coming closer to russia's border in one way in which you bring nato closers when you start attacking other countries and invading them. second and importantly, the baltic sea is now a nato link in every country that is a part of the baltic sea except russia is now a member of nato make it very difficult particularly in war time for the fleet that is

in st. petersburg actually be used and finally the arctic which is a point of greater strategic interest to all countries in all countries except russia, again, or nonmembers of nato and finally bringing them to serious military powers into the alliance will allow that alliance will allow that alliance to deter because that is what we're about, deter a war on the european continent. and with a 70 impact on the war in ukraine?— in ukraine? not a direct impact but it will have _ in ukraine? not a direct impact but it will have an _ in ukraine? not a direct impact but it will have an impact - in ukraine? not a direct impact but it will have an impact on i but it will have an impact on making even less that the war spreads and nato territory and i think it sets an example to the russians that if you miss behave in a way that they have, countries want to become a part of other things is ukraine and would like to be the 33rd member of nato and that was not the case before the invasion is

the case before the invasion is the case before the invasion is the case now. before the invasion, less than 50% of ukrainians wanted to join nato and now, that number is a 90% and now, that number is a 90% and one can understand why we are member of nato, you're unlikely to be attacked we live next to russia, if you're not a member of nato, you are likely to be attacked.— member of nato, you are likely to be attacked. where does that leave ukraine's _ to be attacked. where does that leave ukraine's ambitions - to be attacked. where does that leave ukraine's ambitions to - leave ukraine's ambitions to join nato? leave ukraine's ambitions to join nate?— leave ukraine's ambitions to join nato? we will see some progress _ join nato? we will see some progress for _ join nato? we will see some progress for ukraine - join nato? we will see some progress for ukraine joining | progress for ukraine joining nato injuly of course, there is no agreement among the nato allies to bring in a country thatis allies to bring in a country that is at war into the alliance because doing so would make nato as a whole party to that war and that is one thing that war and that is one thing that nato is trying to avoid but clearly, the signal being sent to ukraine that once the fighting is over, when there is a durable cease—fire, or an armistice, does not have to be a peace agreement comes as no fighting at the time, bringing ukraine into nato is something that not only ukraine but nato would also want.

prime minister rishi sunak has denied accusations of islamophobia within the ruling conservative party. rishi sunak was responding to the first time the comments of the party chairman about the mayor of london. he claimed that he was under control of islamists and told the bbc that the comments were unacceptable and wrong but insisted the conservatives do not have a problem with islamophobia. last month, he lost one of those titles deputy chairman and now has lost the other, the conservative suspending him from the parliamentary party. after he said this.— after he said this. islamists have taken _ after he said this. islamists have taken control - after he said this. islamists have taken control of - after he said this. islamists

have taken control of our i have taken control of our country but what i do believe is they have control of sadiq khan and have control of london. is khan and have control of london-— khan and have control of london. , ., ,, ., london. is talking about sadiq khan, the _ london. is talking about sadiq khan, the mayor— london. is talking about sadiq khan, the mayor of _ london. is talking about sadiq khan, the mayor of london . london. is talking about sadiql khan, the mayor of london who was a muslim in recent pro—palestinian demonstrations. he is giving our capital city away to his mates. br; he is giving our capital city away to his mates.- he is giving our capital city away to his mates. by a want to a olo . ise away to his mates. by a want to apologise for— away to his mates. by a want to apologise for the _ away to his mates. by a want to apologise for the comments - away to his mates. by a want to | apologise for the comments that have been dubbed islamophobia? they paid a hundred grand a year alongside his dayjob in parliament but his words were clumsy but he is not saying sorry it's clumsy but he is not saying sorry its popular if he is not coming out on tv or any media channels saying this is discussing what is happening on discussing what is happening f7�*i the streets in london, we should not have these graphics being placed on big ben and i will clampdown on this. if he is not saying that, then he has lost control.— lost control. ask your conservatives - lost control. ask your conservatives are - lost control. ask your i conservatives are saying lost control. ask your - conservatives are saying things that are clearly racist, anti—muslim and islamic phobic

and that is leading to an environment where it is spiralling in what they're doing is pouring petrol on the flames of islamophobia. a double act in the campaign video. ~ , ., , double act in the campaign video. , ., , , ., double act in the campaign video. ~ , ., , , ., ., video. we should be so proud of our country- _ video. we should be so proud of our country. now _ video. we should be so proud of our country. now it _ video. we should be so proud of our country. now it is _ video. we should be so proud of our country. now it is rishi - our country. now it is rishi sunak reacting _ our country. now it is rishi sunak reacting to - our country. now it is rishi sunak reacting to what - our country. now it is rishi sunak reacting to what mr| sunak reacting to what mr anderson is that since. what he said was wrong _ anderson is that since. what he said was wrong and _ anderson is that since. what he l said was wrong and unacceptable in that is why we suspended the whip and particularly the elected politicians must be careful with their words and not inflame tensions. the rishi sunak is not — not inflame tensions. the rishi sunak is not calling _ not inflame tensions. the rishi sunak is not calling the - sunak is not calling the remarks islamophobia which is prompted a debate within his party. absolutely, that is exactly anti-muslim - party. absolutely, that is exactly anti-muslim and | exactly anti—muslim and islamophobia and it definitely goes — islamophobia and it definitely goes into that category and theres— goes into that category and there's no way to deny that. as it ou there's no way to deny that. it you that there's no way to deny that. is it you that the prime there's no way to deny that. sis it you that the prime minister

is not been willing to use the description? we is not been willing to use the description?— is not been willing to use the descri tion? ~ , description? we will be meeting with him this — description? we will be meeting with him this week— description? we will be meeting with him this week and - description? we will be meeting with him this week and putting i with him this week and putting our to— with him this week and putting our to him. is with him this week and putting our to him-— with him this week and putting our to him. is it islamophobia? and the prime _ our to him. is it islamophobia? and the prime minister- our to him. is it islamophobia?j and the prime minister should: afford it is. and the prime minister should: afford it is— afford it is. the reason that he won't — afford it is. the reason that he won't is _ afford it is. the reason that he won't is because - afford it is. the reason that he won't is because he - afford it is. the reason that he won't is because he is i afford it is. the reason that| he won't is because he is so weak he won't is because he is so wea < . ., ., , weak but in nottinghamshire this week and, _ weak but in nottinghamshire this week and, lee _ weak but in nottinghamshirel this week and, lee anderson, people were not quite so sure it's straightforward. and it's straightforward. and opinion. _ it's straightforward. and opinion, but _ it's straightforward. and opinion, but it's - it's straightforward. and opinion, but it's a - it's straightforward. and opinion, but it's a free—speech country — opinion, but it's a free—speech country if— opinion, but it's a free-speech count . ., country. if i said what he said in my workspace _ country. if i said what he said in my workspace i _ country. if i said what he said in my workspace i would - country. if i said what he said in my workspace i would be l in my workspace i would be sacked. i in my workspace i would be sacked. ., ., ~' in my workspace i would be sacked. ., ., ~ ., sacked. i do not think that it all. and this _ sacked. i do not think that it all. and this isn't _ sacked. i do not think that it all. and this isn't just - sacked. i do not think that it all. and this isn'tjust about| all. and this isn't 'ust about one all. and this isn't 'ust about m». h all. and this isn't 'ust about mp. the _ all. and this isn't 'ust about one mp, the two _ all. and this isn'tjust about one mp, the two biggest i one mp, the two biggest political parties of westminster and parliament itself are finding themselves contorted by the furious arguments provoked by the israel hamas war.

presidentjoe biden hopes the cease—fire could hope to start by the beginning of next week and a halt to the fighting and release of israeli hostages and gossip. this is what he said to reporters. mr; gossip. this is what he said to reporters— gossip. this is what he said to reporters. my national security adviser says — reporters. my national security adviser says we _ reporters. my national security adviser says we are _ reporters. my national security adviser says we are close - reporters. my national security adviser says we are close but l adviser says we are close but it is not done yet. but my hope is that by next monday we will have a cease—fire. those comments follow strong words from the head of the united nations. antonio gutierrez said nothing justified what he called the collective punishment of the palestinian people and accused member states of turning a blind eye to international law and israeli military has not presented the work cabinet with a plan for the evacuation of palestinian civilians from rafa. previously warning israel that an offences without proper planning would be a disaster and with more on that here is the diplomatic correspondent. paul adams.— the diplomatic correspondent. paul adams. although we know

what was that _ paul adams. although we know what was that today _ paul adams. although we know what was that today is - paul adams. although we know what was that today is that - what was that today is that they have presented this plan to the cabinet and will consist of two parts and one will be the evacuation of an excess of the evacuation of an excess of the million or need million people from rafa and head of any ground operation in the operation itself. in other words, if slightly mirror what we saw in gaza city where a prelude to ground operations and the israelis attempted to tell people to leave and that some cases, pointed to the routes they should take and direct particular neighbourhoods to leave at certain directions. none of that has started to appear and all of that presumably will be in this plan but at the moment, we do not see any signs of the plan being implemented in my hunchis plan being implemented in my hunch is that an operation to take rafa is still potentially

weeks away because you have to remember there are at an intensive negotiations to bring about a cease—fire and the americans want to see that in place before the start of ramadan which is just under two weeks' time and there is a growing suggestion that we might sue the before we see an assault on rafa and prime minister benjamin netanyahu hinted at the possibility of the adjuster to.— hinted at the possibility of the adjuster to. this is bbc news. a woman who live stream trysts of killing a cat and brutally attacked a man leaving them to drown in the river has been jailed for 2h years in prison. 26—year—old scarlet blake was out on the streets and looking for a victim before meeting jorge

michael gove of to rework that among the few places in the world were homeowners pay for a lease for a specified number of years and any residences they feel exploited by high service charges. points deducted for a breach of premier league financial rules reduced and it has been counted from ten points to six of an appeal by the club and the punishment had been the biggest in the prerelease history and left fighting relegation. live with bbc news. a new prime minister and could have implications for the wider region. the pacific nation is one of only 12 countries in the world formally recognising taiwan and they have official insisting taiwan

belongs to china. but now, tuvalu is a new prime minister and there's been speculation and there's been speculation and concern that it may switch its allegiance just like its neighbour, did last month. should taiwan be worried? i spoke to the ambassador of tuvalu and we spoke about what was discussed. he tuvalu and we spoke about what was discussed.— was discussed. he assured me that the relations _ was discussed. he assured me that the relations between - that the relations between taiwan— that the relations between taiwan and tuvalu remain solid and robust _ taiwan and tuvalu remain solid and robust and continue to grow _ and robust and continue to row. ~ , ., ~ grow. why do you think there speculation — grow. why do you think there speculation in _ grow. why do you think there speculation in the _ grow. why do you think there speculation in the first - grow. why do you think there speculation in the first place | speculation in the first place that tuvalu might switch its allegiance to beijing? i that tuvalu might switch its allegiance to beijing? allegiance to bei'ing? i think it is allegiance to beijing? i think it is discouraging _ allegiance to beijing? i think it is discouraging because i allegiance to beijing? i think i it is discouraging because when speculation aroused during tuvalu _ speculation aroused during tuvalu and we believed that there — tuvalu and we believed that there was someone is a

political— there was someone is a political motivator and calculator to manipulate this information to undermine our friendship. but i'm very certain— friendship. but i'm very certain that i mentioned of the relations— certain that i mentioned of the relations between taiwan and tuvalu — relations between taiwan and tuvalu remain solid, robust and continues— tuvalu remain solid, robust and continues to grow.— continues to grow. only have three diplomatic _ continues to grow. only have three diplomatic allies - continues to grow. only have three diplomatic allies left i three diplomatic allies left and the latest to acknowledge the government of beijing and how concerned are you about the situation? we how concerned are you about the situation? ~ ., how concerned are you about the situation? ~ . ., situation? we have great concern _ situation? we have great concern over _ situation? we have great concern over these - situation? we have great| concern over these issues situation? we have great - concern over these issues and the allies— concern over these issues and the allies in the pacific are very— the allies in the pacific are very important to us and for the recognition, taiwan is a sovereign _ the recognition, taiwan is a sovereign state and also unwavering support of taiwan participation in the reason why the model of cooperation with

our ally— the model of cooperation with our ally in the pacific has set ”p our ally in the pacific has set up a — our ally in the pacific has set up a good _ our ally in the pacific has set up a good practice and example which _ up a good practice and example which demonstrates that it is viable — which demonstrates that it is viable by— which demonstrates that it is viable by doing so to prevent authoritarian expansionism from penetrating into the pacific and — penetrating into the pacific and promote regional peace, stability— and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity. you're _ stability and prosperity. you're one of the official taiwanese ambassadors in the world and how do you go about persuading countries sting on your side and the political incentives that they can offer compared to taiwan? i incentives that they can offer compared to taiwan?- compared to taiwan? i think that i compared to taiwan? i think that i was — compared to taiwan? i think that i was sure _ compared to taiwan? i think that i was sure do _ compared to taiwan? i think that i was sure do my - that i was sure do my experience and tuvalu based on the wider— experience and tuvalu based on the wider range of substantial cooperation, but we have done in tuvalu _ cooperation, but we have done in twain-— of in tuvalu. police in pakistan of recommended _ in tuvalu. police in pakistan of recommended a -

in tuvalu. police in pakistan of recommended a female l in tuvalu. police in pakistan - of recommended a female officer for a medal of bravery after she protected a woman from a mob in a blasphemy row, mistaken forforces of from a mob in a blasphemy row, mistaken for forces of the koran, she was saved after police escorted her to safety and this is the moment when she spoke to the angry mob. translation: i have served you as a police officer in this| area for a year now, and no—one has had any complaints. i have dealt with three cases like this, and you should trust me now — let me handle this. police officers described would have been to the bbc. it is have been to the bbc. it is interesting _ have been to the bbc. it is interesting we _ have been to the bbc. it is interesting we are - have been to the bbc. it s interesting we are looking at the mob that is been charged because of political assumptions and you cannot actually pin the responsibility on a particular person so when the mob is taking

responsibility and its collective responsibility, who are charge after the incident has taken place? so, we realised how bad it was getting and then there was a store nearby, stove nearby the cafe and the first thing the crowd would do is probably put fire in to set fire to the cafe. so, we had to get her out of that particular situation there and then and we realise the extent of how bad it had gotten and this started hitting the car and as we drove off, the mob was shouting slogans and following us and still we reach the main road. to following us and still we reach the main road.— the main road. to the united states, the main road. to the united states. and _ the main road. to the united states, and air _ the main road. to the united states, and air man - the main road. to the united states, and air man has - the main road. to the united states, and air man has died| states, and air man has died after setting himself on fire in protest of the war in gaza.

the us air force is 25—year—old erin was an active duty air man. after he dust himself in liquid and said to the light outside the israeli embassy in washington. the video of the incident was posted online in which he could be heard saying i am carrying out an extreme act of protest adding that he would not be complicit to genocide. also in the us, supreme court hearing has begun which could fundamentally alter how social media platforms operate. 0ursocialamerican correspondent explains. socially, politically and economically. the two laws brought forward by the state of florida and texas are designed according to the republican politicians who supported them to correct when they see as a

kind of silicon valley liberal leaning bias on tech platforms and they pointed to the deep platforming of donald trump afterjanuary six of the us capitol and the attempt to regulate political speech more widely and the laws would curtail or at least severely limited the ability of tech platforms to continue to police content in that way and at the heart of the argument in front of the supreme court was a simple question, what our social media platforms anyway, are they like newspapers free to decide what does and doesn't go on the pages are the more to telecommunications companies with thejob of telecommunications companies with the job of connecting speakers to listeners and posters to the consumers of those posts. the lawyers for social media companies say if they are merely the latter and have no editorial rights of what goes on on the platforms

come the internet will quickly degenerate into a cesspool of hate speech, misinformation and of political extremism. and the lawyers for texas and florida argued that the claim by social media companies to have a free—speech right of control of themselves as a cloak with which they can deny the free—speech rights of the users and they disagree with. and it is difficult to preempt the supreme court decision but if the court recognises that there were some difficulties in allowing big corporations this power to control what does and doesn't go online, there was the exhibit they preferred for the exhibit they preferred for the few they gave power to state governments like texas and florida are the national government would be even more problematic and that really would be a challenge to the principle of free speech. by the way, a decision is expected byjune. to one of the most

famous love triangles in pop history. eric clapton and george share some of the beatles and the love triangle with pattie boyd. love letters from both the stars, she was the musical inspiration for george harrison's classic song and for eric clapton's wonderful tonight in layla. george harrison and pattie boyd. they were one of the 60s couples. i started working when i was about 17, 18 as a fashion model. then one day my agent phoned and said that i'd got a part in the beatles film. pattie boyd — she first met george harrison on the set of a hard day's night, and 60 years on she's selling the letters and mementos of that relationship — and the love triangle with eric clapton. and here's this letter, with the tiniest writing imaginable...

letters such as this, addressed to "dearest l". it was from eric clapton, laying bare his feelings. "l" stood for the name he chose for her, layla. # layla, you got me on my knees...# but it's notjust letters. this painting, which will go on public display on march the 15th, is also part of the story. what are we looking at? so we are looking at layla. this is layla ? this is layla, the original artwork used for the cover of derek and the dominos' layla and other assorted love songs. and it's notjust the painting. it's the fact that we have the letters... we have the letters — "dear layla," "dear l," that is eric clapton declaring his love for layla. she shows it to george... she shows this letter to george harrison? she shows this letter to george harrison because she doesn't know who it's from. she says, "look at this weird fan letter." wonderfultonight, layla, something — the songs inspired by this love triangle. these letters are more than just keepsakes. this is rock history.

david sillito, bbc news. # and i'll say, "yes, you look wonderful tonight...# japan's moon lander that survived the harsh lunar night with freezing equipment two weeks on earth, the freezing equivalent to two weeks on earth. space agency says there was a command sent to the lender and receiving back it was put into sleep mode after an awkward landing injanuary lifted solar panels facing the wrong way and unable to generate power. we will live to see if you get more pictures from that as it returns. thank you forjoining us on newsday. goodbye for now. hello there. it does look like the rest of this week will remain very changeable. things are set to turn a bit more unsettled now for the next few days. we've got this first frontal system, one of many, pushing its way southwards

and eastwards during the course of tuesday. so a wet and windy start across scotland, northern ireland, some snow on the hills briefly. england and wales starts cold and frosty, some mist and fog, some early brightness, but the cloud will build as this front pushes southwards and eastwards. as it weakens, there will be barely anything on it. but brightening up for scotland and northern ireland through the afternoon with sunny spells, scattered, blustery showers, these wintry on the hills. winds will be quite a feature in the north and the west, lighter winds further south and east, so we've lost that cold, raw feel that we had on monday across southern and eastern areas. temperature—wise, i think around 6—9 celsius. now, as we head through tuesday night, that weather front clears away from southern areas. it turns drier with clearer skies, light winds, so another chilly night to come across central and eastern areas.

but the next frontal system will be working to the west later on. but a chilly start to wednesday, some areas of frost and fog likely. but for the middle part of the week, things will turn a bit milder across the whole country, but wetter and windier with it. now, the milder air will be in this wedge between the warm and the cold front, but it will bring stronger winds and outbreaks of rain as it pushes across the country during the course of wednesday. so this is how wednesday starts — chilly, early brightness, a bit of mist and fog. the clouds build up, the rain and the wind splash their way northwards and eastward through the course of the day, with those temperatures beginning to lift somewhat, particularly across southern and western areas. so we're looking at around 10 to maybe 13 degrees for wednesday afternoon. it doesn't last, though, because cooler air will be moving in behind this area of low pressure. thursday, the last day of february, looks unsettled, very blustery across the northern half of the country. weather fronts across england and wales will bring outbreaks of rain. scotland and northern ireland

seeing the brightest of the conditions, with lots of showers here, but they will be turning increasingly wintry as things turn cooler in the north and the west, the last of the double figures across the south—east. and then as we head into the first four days of march, things remain unsettled with low pressure nearby. we'll see showers or longer spells of rain, there will be some sunshine around, but it will be chilly both by day and by night.

the us supreme court is considering a case that could change how social media firms moderate content online.

and with artificial intelligence set to disrupt jobs, companies are now turning to retraining workers. hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm steve lai. the us supreme court heard arguments in two lawsuits today which could shape the way america regulates social media. at issue are laws in texas and florida that put restrictions on how platforms like facebook, youtube and x police online material. 0ur north america business correspondent michelle fleury filed this report. what can people say, hear or read online? for several hours, justices from america's highest court questioned aspects of legislation passed in florida and texas that limits what social media platforms can do to moderate content. now, these laws were introduced after the siege of the capitol onjanuary 6, which led to former president donald trump being removed from several social media networks. supporters of the law argued that it was necessary to prevent censorship of conservative users,