i thoughtit was disgusting and i'm very disappointed in the voters of rochdale. there have been those trying to take advantage of the very human angst that we all feel about the terrible suffering that war brings to the innocent, to women and children, to advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda. on the panel tonight: annabel denham — deputy comment editor at the telegraph. and the president & founder of the eurasia group, ian bremmer. first — the latest bbc news. president biden has announced that the us is to begin humanitarian air drops in gaza, including supplies of food. earlier, the foreign secretary, lord cameron, said there must be an urgent investigation into how more than a hundred palestinians were killed while waiting for an aid delivery yesterday. the armed wing of hamas has claimed that seven hostages who've been held in gaza have died as a result of israeli bombardment.

the statement can not be independently verified. the qassem brigades named three of the hostages and said it would name the other four later. the prime minister has warned that the uk's democracy is being targeted by extremists. in a speech outside downing street, rishi sunak also warned that george galloway�*s by—election win in rochdale was "beyond alarming", as he accused the new mp of dismissing the hamas attacks on israel last october. president putin's most outspoken critic, alexei navalny, has been buried in moscow as thousands of people gathered to pay their respects. there was a heavy police presence in the russian capital, and human rights groups say dozens of his supporters have been detained. on alternatives sides of the atlantic this week, we have had two elections, that were intriguingly similar. in michigan, in a democratic primary, the size of the protest vote surpassed all expectations, over 100,00 people withheld their votes

from president biden, and instead marked the box marked "uncommitted". last night, that same wave of anger, washed over rochdale, in northern england, where the maverick socialist george galloway, returned on a free palestine platform, to beat labour in its back yard for a third time. keir starmer and rishi sunak are two cheeks of the same backside and they have both got well and truly spanked tonight here in rochdale. george galloway. a serial rebel, and strident opponent of britain's involvement in both gulf wars. he first attracted attention in 1994 after a trip to the middle east in which he saluted the iraqi dictator saddam hussein, for his strength and indefatigability. that would have done for most politicians, but not him. galloway, might not be to the taste of the prime minister rishi sunak, but he is a skilful orator and always happy to take his

fight to any corner, including the us senate. now i know that standards have slipped — now i know that standards have slipped over the last few years in washington, but for a lawyer, you are remarkably cavalier with any idea of— are remarkably cavalier with any idea ofjustice. i am here today, but last— idea ofjustice. i am here today, but last week you already found me guilty _ but last week you already found me guilty you — but last week you already found me guilty. you deduced my name around the world _ guilty. you deduced my name around the world without ever having to meet _ the world without ever having to meet a — the world without ever having to meet a single question, without ever having _ meet a single question, without ever having contacted me, without ever having _ having contacted me, without ever having written to me or telephoned me, without any contact with me whatsoever. and you call that justice — 60% of the vote in rochdale last night — went to galloway and the local independent david tully who finished second. and tonight in rochdale they were celebrating the bloody nose they had served up to the two big parties. but there have been complaints from other parties, that their candidates were intimidated.

and tonight the prime minister rishi sunak took the unusual step of appearing at the podium in downing st to warn that the political debate in britain — and the protests surrounding gaza — were becoming poisonous and divisive. there is no context in which it can be acceptable _ there is no context in which it can be acceptable to _ there is no context in which it can be acceptable to being _ there is no context in which it can . be acceptable to being anti—somatic troops _ be acceptable to being anti—somatic troops onto— be acceptable to being anti—somatic troops ohto big _ be acceptable to being anti—somatic troops onto big ben— be acceptable to being anti—somatic troops onto big ben in— be acceptable to being anti—somatic troops onto big ben in the - be acceptable to being anti—somatic troops onto big ben in the middle . be acceptable to being anti—somatic| troops onto big ben in the middle of a vote _ troops onto big ben in the middle of a vote on— troops onto big ben in the middle of a vote on israet— troops onto big ben in the middle of a vote on israel — gaza _ troops onto big ben in the middle of a vote on israel — gaza and - troops onto big ben in the middle of a vote on israel — gaza and there - a vote on israel — gaza and there can be _ a vote on israel — gaza and there can be no— a vote on israel — gaza and there can be no cause _ a vote on israel — gaza and there can be no cause that— a vote on israel — gaza and there can be no cause that you - a vote on israel — gaza and there can be no cause that you can- a vote on israel — gaza and there can be no cause that you can use a vote on israel — gaza and there i can be no cause that you can use to justify— can be no cause that you can use to justifv the _ can be no cause that you can use to justify the support— can be no cause that you can use to justify the support of— can be no cause that you can use to justify the support of a _ can be no cause that you can use to justify the support of a prescribed l justify the support of a prescribed terrorist _ justify the support of a prescribed terrorist group _ justify the support of a prescribed terrorist group like _ justify the support of a prescribed terrorist group like hamas. - justify the support of a prescribed terrorist group like hamas. and . justify the support of a prescribed i terrorist group like hamas. and yes, you can _ terrorist group like hamas. and yes, you can freely— terrorist group like hamas. and yes, you can freely criticise _ terrorist group like hamas. and yes, you can freely criticise the _ terrorist group like hamas. and yes, you can freely criticise the actions i you can freely criticise the actions of this— you can freely criticise the actions of this government _ you can freely criticise the actions of this government or— you can freely criticise the actions of this government or indeed - you can freely criticise the actions of this government or indeed any| of this government or indeed any government. _ of this government or indeed any government, that _ of this government or indeed any government, that is _ of this government or indeed any government, that is a _ of this government or indeed any. government, that is a fundamental democratic— government, that is a fundamental democratic right, _ government, that is a fundamental democratic right, but _ government, that is a fundamental democratic right, but no. - government, that is a fundamental democratic right, but no. you - government, that is a fundamental. democratic right, but no. you cannot use that _ democratic right, but no. you cannot use that as— democratic right, but no. you cannot use that as an — democratic right, but no. you cannot use that as an excuse _ democratic right, but no. you cannot use that as an excuse to _ democratic right, but no. you cannot use that as an excuse to call- use that as an excuse to call for the eradication _ use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of— use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of a _ use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of a state - use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of a state or- use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of a state or any kind _ the eradication of a state or any kind of— the eradication of a state or any kind of hatred _ the eradication of a state or any kind of hatred or— the eradication of a state or anyi kind of hatred or anti—semitism. there _ kind of hatred or anti—semitism. there is— kind of hatred or anti—semitism. there is a — kind of hatred or anti—semitism. there is a conversation - kind of hatred or anti—semitism. there is a conversation about. kind of hatred or anti—semitism. . there is a conversation about what is normal in both our countries on what is normal debate especially

when it applies to the middle east but the prime minister trying to reset that tonight. he seems uncomfortable about how it is going. that is absolutely right. he started out by telling the british public that enough is enough and certainly that enough is enough and certainly thatis that enough is enough and certainly that is the sentiment shared by many people up and down the country to who have seen as the prime minister has pointed out what many would regard as anti—semitic troops being spotlighted onto the side of the big ben. we have seen week by week, propounds the protesters seeking to dominate the city centre chanting extremists in anti—semitic slogans while importantly, the police have just looked on. so it is not simply the behaviour of some protesters, we hope the minority, but it is also the police in action, the perceive, and the policing of pro—palestinian protests and the calm or anti—semitic protests that we have

seen particularly in the capital. so rishi sunak tapping into a fear and alarm that is felt by people in britain today, but what he must now do is match at those words with action because we have seen far too much inaction and today what i view is a very dark day in our democracy with the return of george galloway who refused to denounce hamas to the green benches. i paiiiii who refused to denounce hamas to the green benches— green benches. i will come back to oli in green benches. i will come back to policy in one _ green benches. i will come back to policy in one second. _ green benches. i will come back to policy in one second. there - green benches. i will come back to policy in one second. there are - green benches. i will come back to. policy in one second. there are very obvious similarities in the two elections that we have seen this week, do you see the same level of divisive debate in the united states at the moment? i divisive debate in the united states at the moment?— at the moment? i certainly do. the return of george _ at the moment? i certainly do. the return of george galloway, - at the moment? i certainly do. the return of george galloway, i - at the moment? i certainly do. the return of george galloway, i agree| return of george galloway, i agree is deeply— return of george galloway, i agree is deeply disturbing. this is a man that is— is deeply disturbing. this is a man that is much— is deeply disturbing. this is a man that is much more comfortable on our tv, russian— that is much more comfortable on our tv, russian state media and expanding propaganda then he would

be on _ expanding propaganda then he would be on any— expanding propaganda then he would be on any left or right western media — be on any left or right western media free press anyone that is not prepared to condemn hamas as a terrorist organisation has very little place in a western democracy. thea;r organisation has very little place in a western democracy. they have freedom of— in a western democracy. they have freedom of speech, _ in a western democracy. they have freedom of speech, but _ in a western democracy. they have freedom of speech, but it - in a western democracy. they have freedom of speech, but it is - freedom of speech, but it is a problem _ freedom of speech, but it is a problem when someone like that is elected _ problem when someone like that is elected. having said that, it is clear— elected. having said that, it is clear in— elected. having said that, it is clear in both my country and in your country— clear in both my country and in your country that — clear in both my country and in your country that the information war is treing _ country that the information war is treing won — country that the information war is being won by the palestinians. they may not— being won by the palestinians. they may not have the allies into the military— may not have the allies into the military support, they may not have any money, — military support, they may not have any money, but certainly populations around _ any money, but certainly populations around the _ any money, but certainly populations around the world are much more sympathetic to the palestinians and in part. _ sympathetic to the palestinians and in part, that is because this war has now— in part, that is because this war has now killed over 30,000 palestinians in more than

just this week, minister after minister coming on the airways, failing to call out anti—muslim hate or islamophobia or whatever you want to call it, does it ring hollow when steve bannon is calling out tommy robinson a hero in front of the former prime minister liz truss and she does not contradict him? certainly i think that is problematic for the prime minister as were remarks made by lee anderson for me deputy chairman of the conservative party towards sadiq khan. i think it has ignited fresh debate over whether we ought to be

using the term islamophobia in british political discourse, but many people would view that as something akin to a blasphemy law and which only applies to the muslim faith. so i feel as if we are entering into dangerous territory. at the moment, this may partly explain why rishi sunak this evening talked in addition to discussing and expressing his profound concerns over anti—semitism in britain today, also talked about the rise of the far right. however, i think we need to be a little bit wary of treating those as two distinct groups. let's not forget, for instance, the british national party under leadership of nick griffin was, was accused, consistently, of being anti—semitic. so if you were to do a venn diagram, there is more overlap between those two. thea;r venn diagram, there is more overlap between those two.— between those two. they stand quite close together. _

between those two. they stand quite close together. in _ between those two. they stand quite close together. in just _ between those two. they stand quite close together. in just a _ between those two. they stand quite close together. in just a quick - between those two. they stand quite close together. in just a quick word l close together. in just a quick word on policy, the prime minister on our sites and i said we will redouble our support for the prevention programme to stop young minds being poisoned by extremism and we will demand that universities stop extremist activities on campus which i know is a specific problem and the united states. i'm told they are talked about redefining extremism perhaps in the next week or so. is that the way to get to the bottom of this? is there a similar debate in washington? ihlat this? is there a similar debate in washington?— this? is there a similar debate in washington? this? is there a similar debate in washinuton? ., ., , ., , washington? not really. certainly in terms of the — washington? not really. certainly in terms of the middle _ washington? not really. certainly in terms of the middle east _ washington? not really. certainly in terms of the middle east crisis, - terms of the middle east crisis, what _ terms of the middle east crisis, what you're doing is creating much more _ what you're doing is creating much more extremism, much more radicalism, _ more extremism, much more radicalism, overwhelmingly the israeli — radicalism, overwhelmingly the israeli population, left and right is in agreement that hamas needs to be destroyed in the military campaign needs to continue, irrespective of the civilian casualties, overwhelmingly, the palestinian population across the middle _ palestinian population across the middle east, notjust in the occupied territories are only growing _ occupied territories are only growing in their support for radical alternatives. because the two state

solution _ alternatives. because the two state solution is — alternatives. because the two state solution is not happening for them and that— solution is not happening for them and that is— solution is not happening for them and that is leading to a lot of support— and that is leading to a lot of support for more extreme positions among _ support for more extreme positions among muslims around the world who vastly— among muslims around the world who vastly outnumbered the jewish population. in the united states, i was talking to the norwegian prime minister. _ was talking to the norwegian prime minister, one thing they did in their— minister, one thing they did in their country was in the band to cell phones, smartphones in schools. for “18s _ cell phones, smartphones in schools. for u18s. algorithmic thinking is making — for u18s. algorithmic thinking is making this much worse and that would _ making this much worse and that would be — making this much worse and that would be useful step for the americans and the british to take. the nordics are in front on that one _ the nordics are in front on that one. , . ., ., the nordics are in front on that one. , _, ., ., ., one. there is conversation going on at the moment _ one. there is conversation going on at the moment the _ one. there is conversation going on at the moment the education - one. there is conversation going on | at the moment the education talking about that just last week —— education secretary. president biden admits the negotiations for that second humanitarian pause in gaza have been complicated by the chaos that unfolded yesterday, in northern gaza. hese were the scenes as hundreds of palestinians, many of them living on animal feed, crowded a convoy of food trucks that were heading north. the idf says on "no occasion did they intentionally fire on people trying to get aid". most of the 112 people killed, they said, were either crushed or run over by the trucks

trying to escape. thousands of gazans - dispensed upon the trucks. some began violently- pushing and even trampling other gazans to death, _ looting the humanitarian supplies. the tanks that were there to secure the convoy saw the gazans - being trampled and cautiously tried to disperse the mob- with a few warning shots. the un has called for an independent investigation into conflicting accounts that israeli officials have given so far. it is reported that many of the victims had gunshot or shrapnel wounds. the british foreign secretary david cameron said the details were, "horrific and must not happen again." but he also set it in the wider context: "we can't separate what happened yesterday from the inadequate aid supplies. in february only half the number of trucks crossed into gaza that did in january. this is simply unacceptable. israel has an obligation to ensure that significantly more humanitarian aid reaches the people of gaza.

lord cameron said there are a series of bottlenecks that need addressing. tonight at his meeting with the italian prime minister georgia meloni president biden announced the us would begin air dropping aid into gaza to circumvent the many problems that exist. coming days, we're going tojoin with our friends injordan and others on friday and airdrops of additional food and supplies into ukraine and seek to continue to open up other avenues into ukraine, including the possibility of a marine corridor to deliver large amounts of humanitarian assistance in addition to expanding deliveries by land. as i said, we're going to we're going to insist that israel facilitate more trucks and more routes to get more and more people the help they need. no excuses, because the truth is, aid flowing to gaza is nowhere nearly enough now. it's nowhere nearly enough.

we should clarify in the president's remark he was talking about dropping aid into gaza and not ukraine. it is not the all—encompassing solution, dropping aid by air because you cannot monitor who gets it or how it is distributed, but at least it may just the liver create chronic problems we are seeing at the moment. . . problems we are seeing at the moment._ biden l problems we are seeing at the | moment._ biden is moment. -- alleviate. biden is riuht. moment. -- alleviate. biden is right- there — moment. -- alleviate. biden is right. there are _ moment. -- alleviate. biden is right. there are no _ moment. -- alleviate. biden is right. there are no excuses - moment. -- alleviate. biden is| right. there are no excuses that americans— right. there are no excuses that americans were not on this four months — americans were not on this four months ago. he has been incredibly cautious— months ago. he has been incredibly cautious in— months ago. he has been incredibly cautious in what he has said publicly— cautious in what he has said publicly about his friend, netanyahu and they— publicly about his friend, netanyahu and they do not trust each other, they do— and they do not trust each other, they do not— and they do not trust each other, they do not like each other, but the us is— they do not like each other, but the us is the _ they do not like each other, but the us is the most important israeli ally and — us is the most important israeli ally and he has been helping his private — ally and he has been helping his private pressure would make a difference. it has made not one iota of difference. the israelis have agreed — of difference. the israelis have agreed in — of difference. the israelis have agreed in said yes, and we will send more _ agreed in said yes, and we will send more aid _ agreed in said yes, and we will send more aid in — agreed in said yes, and we will send more aid in and they have lied about it. more aid in and they have lied about it they— more aid in and they have lied about it they said —

more aid in and they have lied about it. they said they would change the military— it. they said they would change the military patterns of the attacks on the ground and that has not happened either~ _ the ground and that has not happened either. americans are more frustrated. but biden looks weak today— frustrated. but biden looks weak today and lord cameron looks weak today~ _ today and lord cameron looks weak today. anyone suddenly saying, now we have _ today. anyone suddenly saying, now we have to _ today. anyone suddenly saying, now we have to provide humanitarian support— we have to provide humanitarian support when we have gotten to a point _ support when we have gotten to a point of— support when we have gotten to a point of absolute desperation for 2 million _ point of absolute desperation for 2 million plus palestinians on the ground — million plus palestinians on the ground in— million plus palestinians on the ground in gaza, this is a serious problem — ground in gaza, this is a serious problem it— ground in gaza, this is a serious problem. it is the vulnerability for joe biden— problem. it is the vulnerability for joe biden in the election year as well, _ joe biden in the election year as well, not — joe biden in the election year as well, notjust the joe biden in the election year as well, not just the fact that he joe biden in the election year as well, notjust the fact that he is on the — well, notjust the fact that he is on the wrong site internationally, increasingly many people in his own party— increasingly many people in his own party are _ increasingly many people in his own party are getting fairly upset about this. , , ., , ., ., party are getting fairly upset about this. ,, ., , ., ., ., this. this is done immense damage to us relations — this. this is done immense damage to us relations in — this. this is done immense damage to us relations in that _ this. this is done immense damage to us relations in that part _ this. this is done immense damage to us relations in that part of _ this. this is done immense damage to us relations in that part of the - us relations in that part of the world and probably uk relations as well. but still, last night in the un security council of the americans vetoed a statement condemning what happened. the uk actually did vote for it, ia did. do you get the sense that the statement today from lord cameron which was strongly worded was perhaps a response to what went on in the anger and frustration they

feel privately? i on in the anger and frustration they feel privately?— feel privately? i think that is absolutely — feel privately? i think that is absolutely right. _ feel privately? i think that is absolutely right. the - feel privately? i think that is| absolutely right. the foreign secretary and his resolve when it comes to the idf�*s actions in gaza has weakened significantly since the invasion by israel following the october the 7th attacks. in terms of events this week, you have to absolutely emphasise that they were reports that the hamas won health industry is not a reliable source and it is in the interest of hamas to weaken western result by exaggerating the scale of devastation that is being rots in gaza. certainly, it is proven itself very effective in this regard. we started this discussion this evening talking about how a by election in britain essentially turn into a vote on gaza. despite the fact that britain has no influence on the outcome of this conflict. thatjust speaks to the growing pressure, the

intensity of the pressure which is now being placed on political leaders in the uk on both sides to call, if not for a permanent cease—fire, than a prolonged one. a humanitarian cease—fire that would allow aid to get into the region which western leaders are concerned is simply inefficient, insufficient among surging fears of starvation in the north of the territory. i just the north of the territory. i 'ust want to bring fl the north of the territory. i 'ust want to bring you i the north of the territory. i 'ust want to bring you a i the north of the territory. i 'ust want to bring you a line i the north of the territory. i 'ust want to bring you a line ofh the north of the territory. ijust want to bring you a line of breaking news from our correspondent in new york who has spoken to the un secretary—general spokesperson. reactions on this, a un team visiting al schieffer hospital met with those among injured yesterday while seeking life—saving aid in the west of gaza city, they observed a large number of gunshot wounds among patients who were getting treatment —— al shifa. the team did not examine the bodies of those killed, they say that the un's first mission was to al shifa because it is the

referral hospital in the vegas and apparently had been preplanned, but they saw with their own eyes, the scale of the injuries of those brought in, about 200 of whom, from 700 injured were hospitalised. of the time the teams visit, they said that they had also received bodies of more than 70 people killed yesterday. so they are confirming in that report and this is directly from the un secretary—general�*s office that these people were shocked. —— a shot. i office that these people were shocked. -- a shot.— office that these people were shocked. -- a shot. i do not have access to — shocked. -- a shot. i do not have access to that _ shocked. -- a shot. i do not have access to that evidence _ shocked. -- a shot. i do not have access to that evidence i - shocked. -- a shot. i do not have access to that evidence i am - shocked. -- a shot. i do not have access to that evidence i am not l shocked. -- a shot. i do not have. access to that evidence i am not in the position— access to that evidence i am not in the position today to tell you that ifeel— the position today to tell you that i feel confident whether the idf, is really— i feel confident whether the idf, is really defence forces encountered what happened is accurate or false. i am what happened is accurate or false. i am sure _ what happened is accurate or false. i am sure that there will be very close _ i am sure that there will be very close scrutiny of that report and comments — close scrutiny of that report and comments from governments around the world in— comments from governments around the world in very— comments from governments around the world in very short order. what i can say— world in very short order. what i can say is— world in very short order. what i can say is that when a population is at the _ can say is that when a population is at the point — can say is that when a population is at the point of utter desperation because — at the point of utter desperation because they have no access to aid,

no access— because they have no access to aid, no access to — because they have no access to aid, no access to humanitarian support, then there — no access to humanitarian support, then there is a broader responsibility of those who are refusing — responsibility of those who are refusing to allow that aid in. it is a reality — refusing to allow that aid in. it is a reality. hamas must be condemned. they are _ a reality. hamas must be condemned. they are operating in civilian areas. — they are operating in civilian areas, operating in schools, operating in hospitals and they certainly— operating in hospitals and they certainly are responsible for holding _ certainly are responsible for holding their own population hostage, but that does not in any way obviate the accountability of the farm — way obviate the accountability of the farm work powerful, far more militarily— the farm work powerful, far more militarily capable israeli to ensure palestinian civilians have the capacity— palestinian civilians have the capacity to live and survive. they have _ capacity to live and survive. they have not— capacity to live and survive. they have not availed themselves in any way of— have not availed themselves in any way of that— have not availed themselves in any way of that accountability in my view _ way of that accountability in my view or— way of that accountability in my view or in— way of that accountability in my view or in the view of the international community. that is the problem _ international community. that is the problem here. international community. that is the problem here-— problem here. look get a statement from the israelis _ problem here. look get a statement from the israelis that _ problem here. look get a statement from the israelis that if _ problem here. look get a statement from the israelis that if and - problem here. look get a statement from the israelis that if and when i from the israelis that if and when it appears over the next hour from that report from the un secretary—general office. we will take a quick break. you are watching bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news.

a man who murdered his ex—partner and her new boyfriend after lying in wait for them at a house in huddersfield — has been told he will never be released from prison. marcus osborne was handed a whole life order for the killings of katie higton and steven harnett in may last year. the government's spending watchdog says the uk will pay at least 370 million pounds to rwanda as part of its plan to relocate asylum seekers there. up to a 150,000 pounds will also be paid for each person sent to the east african country — over a five—year period. labour says the new figures are a "national scandal". police forces are failing to record the ethnicity of many people reported missing — bbc analysis suggests. in almost a fifth of all missing persons incidents in england and wales in a twelve—month period — there was either no ethnic group recorded or the individual�*s ethnicity was marked "unknown". the home office told bbc news it was funding a report into the issue. you're live with bbc news.

in regards to ukraine, it has been quite the week here in europe. first a statement from the french president, that european countries had not ruled out sending western troops to ukraine. quickly slapped down by the german chancellor olaf scholtz. who in turn was accused of a "flagrant abuse of intelligence" after divulging details of british supplies to ukrainians. mr scholz said germany would not become �*directly involved', as britain and france had become, by sending storm shadow missiles. tobias ellwood, former chairman of the commons defence committee, said the german chancellor was trying to distract from his own reluctance, to arm ukraine with the german long—range missiles known as taurus. translation: a weapon which isn't even the most powerful one — a himars rocket launcher achieves a lot more than a taurus — which has a 500 km range and which, if used wrongly, can reach a concrete target

somewhere in moscow... is a weapon where the question "what are we going to do with it and how should it be used," can not be decided just like that with self—encouraging slogans. none too surprisingly, the russian presidentjumped on it, warning that boots on the ground would cross a red line that would trigger nuclear armageddon. the headline on the front of the ft none too encouraging. what is going on at a time when everyone is talking about western unity they are all lagged loggerheads.— unity they are all lagged loggerheads. unity they are all lagged lonerheads. ., . . , loggerheads. not so much western uni as it loggerheads. not so much western unity as it is _ loggerheads. not so much western unity as it is western _ loggerheads. not so much western unity as it is western division. - unity as it is western division. quite an extraordinary peak for europe in terms of its response to the war in ukraine and let's not forget, it is facing the spectre of a trump presidency at the end of the year where us support for ukraine could be moved or produced significantly where he was support for nato may also waiver or be pulled or reduced significantly. so it is an extraordinary, what we have

seen so far, this route between olaf scholtz and emmanuel macron speaks to the division between the two leading powers in europe. and of course, the speech of putin which shows the russian president to be enfolded further, no doubt by the division, what we heard was this off—the—cuff remark by olaf scholtz the german chancellor, perhaps, trying to distract from germany's increasing isolationist foreign policy from its failure to provide support to ukraine that the west side i guess the germans would say to that, we have sent 17 times as much as fred says sent.- to that, we have sent 17 times as much as fred says sent. they have not even much as fred says sent. they have rrot even sent _ much as fred says sent. they have not even sent a _ much as fred says sent. they have not even sent a billion _ much as fred says sent. they have not even sent a billion of _ much as fred says sent. they have not even sent a billion of kit - much as fred says sent. they have not even sent a billion of kit and i not even sent a billion of kit and yet they are grandstanding saying, we are leading from the front end they are not. we are leading from the front end they are not-— we are leading from the front end the are not. ., ~.,. ., ., , we are leading from the front end the are not. ., ., ., , ., they are not. emmanuel macron has a lona they are not. emmanuel macron has a long history — they are not. emmanuel macron has a long history of — they are not. emmanuel macron has a long history of grandstanding. - they are not. emmanuel macron has a long history of grandstanding. we - long history of grandstanding. we are very familiar with that in europe now. you are right that

germany is the largest provider of military support to ukraine in europe but i don't think you can credibly claim to offer any kind of leadership when it comes to that conflict. in fact that it is just a position between olaf scholtz and germany's support in terms of military support and thought leadership where i was on the other hand you have emmanuel macron with phil to step up. just hand you have emmanuel macron with phil to step op— phil to step up. just a bit squeezed- _ phil to step up. just a bit squeezed. there - phil to step up. just a bit squeezed. there is - phil to step up. just a bit squeezed. there is the i phil to step up. just a bit - squeezed. there is the other side, the american side, hakeem jeffries the american side, hakeem jeffries the democrat majority leader in the house said today that they will give cover to mikejohnson if he brings this to the floor. that is significant deal? this to the floor. that is siunificant deal? . ., , , significant deal? of course it is. let's not significant deal? of course it is. let's rrot do _ significant deal? of course it is. let's not do putin's _ significant deal? of course it is. let's not do putin's work- significant deal? of course it is. let's not do putin's work for - significant deal? of course it is. | let's not do putin's work for him. you now— let's not do putin's work for him. you now have george galloway in the uk for— you now have george galloway in the uk for that _ you now have george galloway in the uk for that. the reality is we still have _ uk for that. the reality is we still have unity— uk for that. the reality is we still have unity among the nato. in support— have unity among the nato. in support for ukraine. the most important _ support for ukraine. the most important news over the last month has been _ important news over the last month has been the europeans, the germans, the french, _ has been the europeans, the germans, the french, the dutch, everyone sgueezing — the french, the dutch, everyone squeezing the heck out of hungary to

ensure _ squeezing the heck out of hungary to ensure 50 _ squeezing the heck out of hungary to ensure 50 billion going to ukraine this year. the europeans are providing _ this year. the europeans are providing more and overall economic support— providing more and overall economic support for— providing more and overall economic support for europe to ukraine than the americans are. the united states has had _ the americans are. the united states has had more political division over that, _ has had more political division over that, but— has had more political division over that, but in— has had more political division over that, but in the last few weeks, there _ that, but in the last few weeks, there has— that, but in the last few weeks, there has been much more support among _ there has been much more support among republicans rank and file and democrats _ among republicans rank and file and democrats to try and ensure that something happens to ensure, maybe not 65— something happens to ensure, maybe not 65 billion, as billion is the most — not 65 billion, as billion is the most recent number, getting that military— most recent number, getting that military aid from the us in 2024. the overwhelming story is a still that the support is there. we will be riaht that the support is there. we will be right back- — hello there. february in england and wales was the mildest on record, but the first day of march has brought something quite chilly. a lot of showers, too, for england and wales. and in norfolk, we had some hail in those showers as well. and again, we've seen a bit more snow over some of the higher hills — here in derbyshire, a very slushy mix earlier on today. we've got cold air in place right

the way across the uk. we're going to stay in cold air through the weekend as well. and with that cold air, we've got low pressure in charge, which is why we're seeing this wet weather with some winteryness over the hills. that weather front has been taking some rain and hail, snow across northern england. that's moving away, but heading its way into scotland overnight tonight. the same time, we'll see a northerly wind bringing showers into northern ireland and some wet weather developing in the south east of england, pushing into the midlands and other eastern parts of england. that could keep temperatures just above freezing. but it's touch and go. it will be a cold and frosty start for many, i think, on saturday morning, especially where we have the clearer skies. but through the weekend, we do stay in this cold air, and it's on saturday that we'll see most of the showers or longer spells of rain. drier picture on sunday, but more mist and fog around. and there will be some frosty mornings, as we've seen already. we've got this wetter weather on saturday across the south east of england, moving through east anglia, the midlands, up into northern england. also some wet weather and some hill snow for northern parts of scotland. that northerly wind keeps those cold

showers across northern ireland, wales in the southwest, the midlands and the south east of england should improve during the afternoon with some sunshine, but those temperatures aren't really improving from today. again, we're going to be around 7—8 degrees fairly widely. that low pressure is still with us. it's tending to drift northwards and weakening, hence something a bit drier. but this weather front is not far away. it looks like at the moment it's bringing rain through the north sea and up towards the northern isles. we're going to start with a bit more mist and fog, central, southern england, the midlands and northern england lifting and brightening up with some sunshine. a bit cloudy though, i think, for scotland and the odd shower out across these western areas. but many places will have a dry day, i think, on sunday with some light winds, hence the mist and fog. those temperatures still struggling to seven or eight degrees — below par for this time of the year. now, heading into next week, we start with a bit of rain around, particularly towards western areas. but crucially, it does become drier, but it also becomes less cold as well.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. after several stinging defeats — could running as an independent help nikki haley snatch the republican nomination from trump?

we will talk about that not sure that headline made sense. elon musk, is suing openai for breach of contract. the billionaire entrepreneur says the us firm is now putting profit before its founding principle of developing ai responsibly. mr musk, who helped set up the firm, says microsoft has ploughed billions into open ai, and has in effect turned it into a subsidiary. the two companies deny the claim but us regulators are investigating the parameters of microsofts investment. mr musk left openai in 2018 to set up his own rival. he has warned before, that the unfettered use of generative artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat. microsoft just bought microsoftjust bought one of the emergent ai companies in france this week. they are already under investigation over competition law. do you think microsoft is starting