says he's optimistic about a ceasefire soon. my my hope is that by next monday, we will have a ceasefire. the bbc gets a closer look at the exhausting 5—dayjourney people fleeing fighting in sudan are making to egypt. hello, i'm caitriona perry. you're very welcome. france's president emmanual macron signaled he isn't ruling out sending western troops to ukraine, after a meeting with european leaders met in paris. macron declined to provide details about which nations were considering sending troops, saying he prefers to maintain some strategic ambiguity. it's the first time there has been such an open discussion of western nations collectively looking at providing troops to support the ukrainian military — which has struggled on the battlefield in recent months. mr macron warned russia is looking to take more terrority and presents

a danger beyond ukraine. translation: there is no consensus _ translation: there is no consensus today _ translation: there is no consensus today to - translation: there is no consensus today to send i translation: there is no - consensus today to send ground troops in an official, endorsed and sanctioned manner but in dynamic terms, nothing should be ruled out. we will do whatever it takes to ensure that russia cannot win this war. european leaders agreed to increase funding for ukraine in its war against russia. mr macron says the coalition will supply ukraine with longer—range missiles. he also says france will support a czech—led iniative to buy hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries, something france had initally been cautious to agree to. dutch prime minister mark rutte says his country will contribute 100 million euros to that czech iniative. the promise of more aid to ukraine from europe comes while any assistance from the us has stalled in congress. last month, house republicans blocked efforts to pass new funding.

president biden is calling congressional leaders to the white house tuesday as the clock ticks toward a possible government shutdown friday, and aid to ukraine remains stuck. meanwhile — sweden cleared its final hurdle to joining nato. the holdout — hungary — voted to ratify the bid almost unanimously. hungary's parliament had delayed accepting them into the bloc, following sweden's criticism of its autocratic prime minister viktor orban. but that shifted last week when orban said the two countries were now "prepared to die for each other". to learn more about the impact of swedenjoining nato, the bbc spoke to retired us army lieutenant general douglas lute who represented the us to nato from 2013 to 2017. it is perhaps the most immediate impact of that amir putin's invasion to ukraine two

years ago, that is a medley outside of ukraine proper so this is one of those huge aftershocks of putin's invasion which actually proves that his move has been counter—productive because now, while he wanted less in a tie, he got more nato. first and then announce when joining. it could still take days for sweden to officiallyjoin nato while formalities playout. the bbc�*s caroline hawley has more. 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. us presidentjoe biden used the occasion of a visit

to an ice cream shop in new york to express his hopes for a ceasefire deal in gaza. he says he believes such a breakhrough could be brokered in the next week. at least my national security advisers tell me that we are close, we are close, we're not done yet, my hope is that by next monday, we will have a ceasefire. mr biden�*s comments come a day after an active—duty us air force member set himself on fire outside the israeli embassy in washington, protesting us support for israel. 25—year—old aaron bushnell filmed the act, screaming "free palestine" as his body went up in flames. he later died at a hospital. well as desperate palestinians wait for news of a ceasefire,children were among those killed and wounded monday by israeli airstrikes on residential buildings in the southern city of rafah. it's the same city israel's prime minister says the idf will invade on the ground, promising that an invasion would bring an end to the war in weeks. the bbc�*s diplomatic correspondent paul adams has more on what israel claims an invasion of rafah

would look like. the united nations says a ground invasion of rafah would be the, quote, �*nail in the coffin�* for its ability to offer help in gaza. the agency says it's already been forced to cut its aid delivery by 50% in february at a time when humanitarian assistance is needed more than ever. the number of palestinians killed in the israel—gaza war has nearly reached 30,000, according to gaza's health ministry. this means, on average, more than 200 people have been killed each day since october 7, when hamas attacked israel, killing more than 1200, and taking more than 200 hostages. earlier, i talked about the ceasefire negotiations with senior fellow at the carnegie endowment for international peace aaron david miller. they appoint a joe biden is saying about he expects a ceasefire within the next week or so, what's changed, do you think, we heard not long ago

from prime minister netanyahu that himars was put on the table was delusional. it’s that himars was put on the table was delusional.- table was delusional. it's a combination _ table was delusional. it's a combination of _ table was delusional. it's a combination of things. - table was delusional. it's a combination of things. i i table was delusional. it's a i combination of things. i think that himars, senior leadership were below ground or maybe even rougher is feeling pressure with the campaign. they have softened their demands. at least in this in the stages that of asking for hundreds if not thousands of palestinian security prisoners. and they will end up with far fewer. i think that the israeli government is under significant pressure, clearly from hostage families and from the war cabinet, many have been pushing for a hostage deal, we have benjamin netanyahu is not a sole actor. any longer when it comes to israel's war or how the war is to be conducted so, combination of pressure, we have the best opportunity and the best chance since mid—november of seeing a

limited release of hostages, 45 —— 45 days of monetary and paws, tamaree ceasefire that the walwa continue after. what do ou the walwa continue after. what do you think — the walwa continue after. what do you think is _ the walwa continue after. what do you think is a _ the walwa continue after. what do you think is a likelihood - do you think is a likelihood that all of the hostages are still alive?— still alive? the israeli calculations _ still alive? the israeli calculations is - still alive? the israeli calculations is that i still alive? the israeli i calculations is that there still alive? the israeli - calculations is that there are 134 of them, either kill it 7 october during the kemar�*s research died in captivity. it's clear for the elderly, there may actually be a child odd to include for the women hostages. civilian hostages who are not trained for such a thing. i think every day, it adds pressure in terms of trying to sink the release aside again, another reason, another pressure point on the israeli government to do a limited exchange and that is what this will be. tom maas will keep 50 female idf

soldiers as insurance for what i think will be the ultimate trade which will be release of all the hostages for a large numbers of palestinian civilians and a permanent hostility. i don't think the government, any israeli government, any israeli government would agree to a permanent sensation of facilities are in the coming weeks. ~ ., ., ., weeks. when other have a million people _ weeks. when other have a million people crammed i weeks. when other have a i million people crammed into rougher at the moment. a manager in crisis as it is across gaza but israel confront an intention to lodge a grand invasion around the start of ramadan, is a deadline sharpening the focus as well, do you think? i sharpening the focus as well, do you think?— do you think? i think you are 10096 do you think? i think you are 100% right- _ do you think? i think you are 10094. right. | _ do you think? i think you are 10094. right. | think— do you think? i think you are 10096 right. 1 think that - do you think? i think you are 10096 right. 1 think that if. do you think? i think you are| 100% right. i think that if you and up with a humanitarian pause, temporary ceasefire for six weeks, if the administration calculation that they can somehow break the momentum for a large—scale comprehensive return to combat

and the israelis. ijust don't see how, given the neutrally reconcilable objectives, israel adesanya point and hamas senior leadership, huggable and up with a permanent sensation of hostility, they are determined to killed before leading plans i could takes of the 7 october attacks. and a matter how long it takes them, whether they are in gaza or extricated on side, the israelis will continue to do that and you will have the, right now, the problem of crew or white maintains security control in order to prevent new legislation and another 7 october so, . .. legislation and another 7 october so,..._ legislation and another 7 october so, . .. october so,... just to “ump in there briefly * october so,... just to “ump in there briefly on that h october so,... just to jump in there briefly on that point, i october so,... just to jump inj there briefly on that point, do you expect to see a shift in president biden �*s approach to all of this, what is that temporary ceasefire happens i know, we were seeing him coming increasing pressure, and

election in here and dissatisfaction with the us support for israel? i dissatisfaction with the us support for israel?- support for israel? i don't know. even _ support for israel? i don't know. even before i support for israel? i don't know. even before 7 i support for israel? i don't i know. even before 7 october, ten months, he dealt with the most extreme right—wing government and israel was not a single issue in which she was prepared to impose a cause of consequence are now in your foot five, six months of what and 11 is available that the president slow cancelled restrict military systems didn't do that. change body posture, in new york, abstained or voted for a un security concert, didn't do that, create a public frame in which she would argue that the people of israel, that the israeli government is undermining the values and interests that have cemented the us relationship, didn't do that so, i think the calculation and investment trip, they invested so much and right now, he needs benjamin netanyahu to a centre for the

israel must deal and i suspect that for whatever broader peace initiative, the administration plans to invalidate the coming months so, again, i don't see a public bridge coming in the administration and the government.— administration and the government. administration and the covernment. ~ ., ., , government. we will wait to see what happens — government. we will wait to see what happens when _ government. we will wait to see what happens when the - government. we will wait to see what happens when the peace i what happens when the peace deal comes over the next week on side. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at a top story in the uk now: the former deputy chair of the conservative party has refused to apologize, after comments that many have taken as islamophobic. lee anderson was suspended from his party on friday, after claiming that london mayor sadiq khan was under the control of islamists. he was speaking in reference to the numerous pro—palestinian ralliest that have taken place across london in recent months. britain's prime minister said the comments were wrong and unacceptable — but stopped short of describing them as islamophobic. i have been very clear that

what he said was wrong, unacceptable and that's why we suspended that and it's important that everybody but particularly elected politicians are careful with their words and do not inflame tensions. labour leader sir keir starmer took issue with that response, saying tht mr sunak lacked the "backbone" to call out islamophobia — adding that the prime minister is �*too weak�*. the controversy has revived broader questions about islamophobia within the conservative ranks. in 2019, the party launched an inquiry into how it handles discrimination claims, following allegations of islamophobic behaviour. you're live with bbc news. turning now to the war in sudan, where millions of civilians have fled the country as the 10—month civil war rages on. it's now believed that nearly half a million of them are now legally registered as refugees with the unhrc in egypt. but authorities there have tried to stem the flow of sudanese entering by imposing strict visa restrictions ? resorting in people being smuggled across the border. bbc arabic obtained exclusive footage of people making the perilous journey ? and spoke to some of

the refugees and asylum seekers who say their ordeal is not over once they arrive. bbc arabic s mohamed osman reports. ourof our of the four and ina and in a thousand kilometres journey being smuggled across the border energy.

mohamed osman reporting there. let's speak now to cindy courville, former us ambassador to the african union and previously senior director for african affairs at the national security council. thank you for being with us on bbc news. the us named an envoy to sue dan, what difference will his appointment made to the type of situation where seen described there? overseeing the process of the inner agency. to coordinate the

information, to assess what funding is available to support the people on the ground and the people on the ground and the conflict especially those, the conflict especially those, the refugees as well as the internally displaced people. now, he will report directly to the secretary of state, i think one, it's important that we have a special envoy but i think that the challenges, how much power does have to make a decision in a moment's time or does he have to go back through the chain of command with the secretary so, i think it depends on what that how dynamic the relationship is. i dynamic the relationship is. i have 8 million people have been displaced in sudan since the conflict broke out and the human rights chief said there was evidence of reports of various war crimes and humanitarian crimes carried out there, you expect to see some

independent investigations taken independent investigations ta ken place? independent investigations taken place?— independent investigations taken lace? ~ ~ , taken place? well, i think they want to, taken place? well, i think they want to. the — taken place? well, i think they want to, the challenge - taken place? well, i think they want to, the challenge is i taken place? well, i think they want to, the challenge is what | want to, the challenge is what ices do they have on the ground? since you have these two major factions who are equally militarily on, the economy is weakened so, the challenge will be to have arcs is on the ground. for people to investigate, you cannot do it unless the two parties are willing so, the challenge that i see at this special on will haveis i see at this special on will have is how soon you can get out of the region, what is his relationship establishing his relationship establishing his relationship with the african heads of state in the region and how much resources they can prove to better the african union and the regional agencies. union and the regional agencies-— union and the regional auencies. ., agencies. on that point, the un secretary-general _ agencies. on that point, the un secretary-general antonio i secretary—general antonio guterres that they cannot be militarily and to this conflict that there has to be peace

negotiations through peace talks, what's the likelihood of that happening? ok. talks, what's the likelihood of that happening?— that happening? ok, the likelihood _ that happening? ok, the likelihood can _ that happening? ok, the likelihood can be - that happening? ok, the likelihood can be good i that happening? ok, the l likelihood can be good but that happening? ok, the i likelihood can be good but it is an arduous process, it would require some shuttle diplomacy. it will also still require that the secretary of state be a party to this because he has the full authority of the president widened to make decisions. so, it dependsjust how much power they have delegated to them this time but when i look at the announcement which i totally welcome, he is there to coordinate us policy on sudan. it looks like it is more inside washington but he does have the ground with the great lengths. again, to different environments, do different environments, do different cultures and ethnic groups and the power and the ability of both sides to

finance this war is the challenge.— finance this war is the challenue. ., ., ., challenge. you mentioned out that awareness _ challenge. you mentioned out that awareness to _ challenge. you mentioned out that awareness to this, i challenge. you mentioned out that awareness to this, we've | that awareness to this, we've seen starvation of so many people, the threat of famine, 8 million people displaced, 80% of the hospitals i've closed according to the who and the conflict affected areas, why does a situation in sudan not be getting the same international attention as the war that we are seeing in gaza, israel and ukraine and russia as well? ~ , ., as well? well, it is a matter of resources. _ as well? well, it is a matter of resources. i— as well? well, it is a matter of resources. i will- as well? well, it is a matter of resources. i will come i as well? well, it is a matter of resources. i will come to | of resources. i will come to their defence and say, the intent of the administration is equally as passionate, the challenge with the biden administration, if it has conflicts going on on multiple as you clearly identifying so, therefore the ability that the personnel and resources and you half to calculate which one has the greatest chance of success,

i think the actors in the east africa situation because of the african leaders, i think is a really good chance of success. however, we support them financially and again, this depends on the us congress right now which is not financing anyone at this time so, the biden administration is just in a very, very tough position. but, iwill see just in a very, very tough position. but, i will see the height and minds are there and with it, the us professionals, diplomats or there on the spot so if we can get the money and resources and work with our international partners who are already on the ground and work with our regional partners who i think are, with our support, can put enough, i won't say pressure, incentive for these two genera was to come to the table. ~ �* ., . ., ., table. we'll watch out for that. thank _ table. we'll watch out for that. thank you - table. we'll watch out for that. thank you so i table. we'll watch out for that. thank you so much | table. we'll watch out for i that. thank you so much for

joining us on bbc news. m1; joining us on bbc news. my pleasure- — back here in washington. the us supreme court appeared skeptical that state governments have the power to set rules for how social media platforms curate their content. the case could have major implications for freedom of speech online. at the heart of the debate is the first amendment — with the court looking at whether the constitution protects social media platforms to moderate their own sites — or prohibits censorship of unpopular views. chiefjustice john roberts said: here's more from our jon sudworth. this is one of the landmark supreme court cases with huge implications for america. politically and economically. the two laws brought forward by the states of florida and taxes are designed, according to the republican politicians who supported them, to correct what they see as a kind of silicon valley liberal leaning bias on tech platforms, they point to

that the platforming of donald trump after the january the six timing of the us capital and the attempts to regulate political speech more widely. the laws would curtail or a least severely limit the ability of tac platforms to pull these content in that way. at the height of the argument in front of the supreme court this morning was a simple question, what are social media platforms anyway? are they, like newspapers, free to decide what doesn't doesn't go on their pages are there more again to telecommunications companies with a job simply of connecting speakers to listeners, to posters, to the consumers of those close, the lawyers for the social media companies said that if they are million the latter, if they have no editorial rights to control what goes on these platforms on the internet would very quickly to generate into cesspool of hate speech, of

misinformation and of political extremism, on the other hand, the lawyers for texas and florida argued that the claim but social media companies to have a free—speech right of control themselves is a cloak by which they can deny the free—speech rights of the users they disagree with. it's difficult to pre—empt the supreme court decision but, if they call recognised that there were some difficulties with allowing big corporations, this power to control what doesn't doesn't go online, there was some sympathy, many observers felt for the view that given the power instead to state governments like texas and florida or international governments would be even more problematic. governments would be even more problematic— problematic. stay with us on bbc news- _ 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 considers 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 cases today which could change the way america regulates social media content. at issue are laws in texas and florida that put restrictions on how platforms like facebook, youtube and x police online material. michelle fleury sent this report. for several hours, justices from the highest court questioned aspects of legislation passed in florida and texas that limit what social media platforms can do to moderate content.