with you today. as prime that spot with you today. as prime minister, i visited germany 12 times, as a sign of how much i value this relationship and what a vital partnership there is between britain and germany. one of my favourite visits was when her late majesty the queen came on one of her many visits to germany and i was able to accompany her and saw in what i regard she was held here. i was delighted to see that his majesty the king's first state visit was here to germany, showing he wants to carry on his mother's incredible work in building relations between our two countries. this is my second visit to germany in the three and a half months i've been doing thisjob and i hope we have shown that this british conservative, this german green are absolutely joined british conservative, this german green are absolutelyjoined up. we have already done a joint article in

the newspapers which really pioneered what we say about the need for a sustainable ceasefire in the middle east. we help bring together the munich meeting, where european countries, america, together with gulf and arab partners talked about some of the things we must do to not only bring conflict to an end, but bring peace to the middle east. we work closely together on the issue of how we get more aid into gaza, and i completely agree with what annalena baerbock said, we must look happy option, options as we have done of delivering aid by air, as we have recently done with the jordanians, but nothing must distract us from the fact that if we ultimately want to avoid famine, disease, and help people in gaza, we need 500 trucks a day. that means more crossing points, simpler logistics, stopping sending back items that would be perfectly

harmless. it means making sure there is more of for un staff so they are able to deliver these things. this need is urgent. i made these points to the minister yesterday and i make these points again today, to urge all parties, notjust the israelis, there are others involved, principally the israelis, to make this happen and make it happen now. the other priority in middle east is how we bring about this stock to the fighting, which we want to happen now, we want this pause now, with this hostage deal now on the table, and hamas should accept it. they are now holding up the stopping of the fighting. but crucial work that annalena baerbock and i been doing is, how do we turn up because into a

permanent sustainable ceasefire without going back to fighting? what are the conditions necessary, and if we can put in place the return of hostages, new technocratic government on half of palestinian authority is, if we can set out the political horizon for the palestinian people so they concede a future where they have the dignity of statehood, and if we can reassure israel leaders of hamas, those responsible for the horrors of october the 7th will have to leave gaza and the infrastructure of terror will be taken down, if we can do those things, we can build towards notjust do those things, we can build towards not just a do those things, we can build towards notjust a permanent ceasefire, but also a solution, and we will do everything can working together to help wring that back, bring that about. in terms of ukraine, it is heartening to hear the passion with which annalena baerbock speaks about how vital it is. i think this is the test for

politicians of this generation, of this time. i do not have any doubt the ukrainians are brave enough, in their leadership, in their ability to fight and resist this appalling russian aggression. the question is for us, are we, the european countries, european community, the allies of ukraine, are we going to see this through, are we going to give them what they need, to back them with everything we have? and to be fair about this, germany has done an enormous amount. if you look at which countries have given the most militarily, diplomatically, financially, britain and germany are two of the biggest contributors. we are playing our part but we both know we must ask ourselves and all of our allies, what more can we do, what more ammunition can be provided, what extra production can

we invest in, what weapons do we have to help the ukrainians in this fight? and we have been discussing this today. and there is the question about what we can do in terms of medium and longer range missiles. i make this point, because it is a sovereign decision for every country, but in terms of what britain has done, i know what we have given to the ukrainians has helped them resist this appalling invasion and fight back against russian aggression. to all of those in germany and beyond, around the continent and the world who want to cnn to this conflict, to see a peaceful settlement, to see peace on our continent, i agree, peaceful settlement, to see peace on our continent, iagree, but peaceful settlement, to see peace on our continent, i agree, but you get peace through strength, by demonstrating that putin cannot win, by helping ukrainians get what they need on the battlefield, because they are fighting for a country,

which has been illegally invaded, and we must do everything we can to resist that aggression. we have discussed all aspects of this conflict, the other things we can do, the sanctions to stop entries feeding putin's war machine, the way we can use the assets that have been frozen, and britain is keen on this, to help finance the reconstruction of ukraine and help them in their efforts. we have also come alongside those things, had bilateral discussions about everything from business and trade to climate and people, to defence and also the issue of immigration, which is something affecting all countries in europe, in particular the need to smash the evil people smuggling gangs that are delivering this trade in misery, where people get into fragile rubber boats and cross the

channel, many dying in the process, and what we can do to smash the gangs and sees the boats and stop this from happening in the first place. we discussed a number of other bilateral issues and, of course, discussed where i started that important issue of the euro is coming up soon, and i'm delighted to be offered this invitation, and what games we can look forward to. it makes me reflect on the last time i watched a football match, where chelsea play bayern munich, it was 2012, during the g8 conference and i remember particularly, because chancellor merkel and i were very caught up in the game, and at one point, the president said, this is not properfootball. point, the president said, this is not proper football. secondly, point, the president said, this is not properfootball. secondly, can we please get back to work with i remember the former chancellor, who like me was very diligent, said

cannot possibly get back to work and must watch the game. on that occasion, i am glad we did, but it will be a delight to come back to germany and watch one of those games. as a country that has hosted a few of these tournaments, i wish you the best, it will be an enormous festival of football, a great moment for germany and i hope a great moment for all of the uk national teams who will play in the tournament. thank you very much. translation: politico will be the first question. my translation: politico will be the first question-— first question. my first question is addressed to _ first question. my first question is addressed to german _ first question. my first question is addressed to german foreign - addressed to german foreign minister. you made the point very clear in your statement. long—range weapons might also have to be taken

into consideration. do you think german government will show some movement on that, we speak out on this? will you exert more pressure? it will be subject to a debate in the reichstag next week. the recent remarks by chancellor _ the reichstag next week. the recent remarks by chancellor olaf - the reichstag next week. the recent remarks by chancellor olaf scholz i remarks by chancellor olaf scholz about _ remarks by chancellor olaf scholz about his — remarks by chancellor olaf scholz about hisjustification not to send terrorists. — about hisjustification not to send terrorists, about british soldiers in ukraine, _ terrorists, about british soldiers in ukraine, to what extent are those remarks _ in ukraine, to what extent are those remarks but — in ukraine, to what extent are those remarks put british soldiers at risk miss— remarks put british soldiers at risk miss an _ remarks put british soldiers at risk miss an did — remarks put british soldiers at risk miss an did you suggest in your discussions today, you mentioned long—range weapons, proposal that british— long—range weapons, proposal that british soldiers could programme and supervise _ british soldiers could programme and supervise missiles for the use by ukraine, — supervise missiles for the use by ukraine, or— supervise missiles for the use by ukraine, orare you perhaps supervise missiles for the use by ukraine, or are you perhaps also going _ ukraine, or are you perhaps also going to — ukraine, or are you perhaps also going to suggest when you meet the chancellor? translation: ., , , .,

translation: your first question, i do understand _ translation: your first question, i do understand your _ translation: your first question, i do understand your great _ translation: your first question, i do understand your great interest i translation: your first question, i do understand your great interest in | do understand your great interest in this question, but as he may know there are subjects you do not discuss in public on the public seem, this might also be relevant for the second part of your question. i would like to underline what is required are a range of weapons, howitzers, for example, which we have supplied at an early stage to ukraine. we have recently decided to provide further howitzers to ukraine. you may be aware of the fact that the federal government is asking itself day after day what we can do on top of what we have already done to support ukraine against the aggression. continuously consult with our partners, providing support with some of them, working with them because that is the most efficient way of going about it. harmonising your decisions, and thinking about long—range weapons,

anti—aircraft systems, artillery, ammunition, we tend to be most efficient when we plan together, therefore vast part of our discussion today focused on the question of how we can address this question of how we can address this question of how we can address this question of procuring and making available capabilities to ukraine, but also beyond will have to be addressed within nato and how nato can improve its performance financially. we know we will need much money to go into that, but with regard to enhancing our efficiency and probability. i do regard to enhancing our efficiency and probability.— regard to enhancing our efficiency and probability. i do not make any comment about _ and probability. i do not make any comment about british _ and probability. i do not make any comment about british troops, - and probability. i do not make any. comment about british troops, that has been set out by the prime minister on many occasions, i have nothing to add to that. on long—range fire, this is a matter for german government to decide. i can only speak for britain and the fact that we have found, with the weapons systems we have supplied to the ukrainians, it has helped them defend themselves from this terrible aggression. we should pay tribute to

germany for the fact they have done a huge amount in terms of weapons supply and diplomatic and also financial support to ukraine. if you add up all of those things, britain and germany, they are two of the biggest contributors. we have a proud record and asking ourselves what more we can do, but others should also ask that question. i make one point on this escalation issue, which comes up a lot. i think the history of this is clear. at every stage, it has been said that if you give anti—tank weapons to the ukrainians, that is escalation. no it wasn't. if you give long—range artillery on long—range fires to the ukrainians it is escalation. it isn't. it is clear, if you are helping a country defend itself from illegal and completely unjustified

aggression, there should be nothing to stop you helping that country to fight back, to recover its territory. as long as we are not in a situation where a nato soldier is killing a russian soldier, we are not causing escalation. we are allowed ukraine to defend itself. we must be really clear on that. —— we are allowing ukraine defend itself. to pick up on that point, are you actively— to pick up on that point, are you actively pushing german behind—the—scenes to send those missiles — behind—the—scenes to send those missiles to— behind—the—scenes to send those missiles to ukraine, because you clearly— missiles to ukraine, because you clearly think that would be the right— clearly think that would be the right thing to do miss i must also ask about — right thing to do miss i must also ask about the luftwaffe link. the german — ask about the luftwaffe link. the german government said they believed trust amongst allies is unbroken. is that true _ trust amongst allies is unbroken. is that true ordeal agree with ben wallace, — that true ordeal agree with ben wallace, your conservative colleague, who said germany is pretty— colleague, who said germany is pretty penetrated by russian intelligence? and to the foreign

minister. — intelligence? and to the foreign minister, to push you on the tourist missiles, _ minister, to push you on the tourist missiles, are — minister, to push you on the tourist missiles, are you trying to persuade your chancellor to changes mind on this issue _ your chancellor to changes mind on this issue and will heat succeed? and on— this issue and will heat succeed? and on the — this issue and will heat succeed? and on the leak, your ambassador said there — and on the leak, your ambassador said there was no need to apologise for what _ said there was no need to apologise for what happened, do you agree? let me for what happened, do you agree? me start. i do for what happened, do you agree? let me start. i do not want to play into the hands of some russian narrative about divisions between allies. what i see, 119 days into thejob, is incredible unity between allies, incredible unity between allies, incredible unity between allies, incredible unity in nato, which has just got larger with the addition of finland and sweden. i contrast in many ways what i saw in 2014 when we dealt with the incursion of russia into crimea, and there was not such unity then. today there is incredible unity between britain, germany, france, america and across

europe in helping ukraine fight office aggression. we will have areas where we want to discuss what more we can do, what more we can help and those discussions will be had in private and those are the sort of discussions you would expect. when it comes to the long—range weapons, i can only speak for britain's experienced how effective these weapons have been in helping ukraine fight office illegal aggression. it is worth thinking about the specific issue of the fact that a year ago, ukraine could not export through black sea. the economy was suffering, ukraine is a massive exporter of agricultural produce and the fact that now, through their own efforts, not through their own efforts, not through some un reindeer, their own efforts, they have pushed the russian navy back across the black sea and are able to exporter green,

almost the entirety of their harvest from last year, and that is growing their economy, boosting their ability to defend themselves, it is ability to defend themselves, it is a huge success story for ukraine should celebrate. translation: ido i do not want to play into some putin narrative. there is great unity between us. translation: ~ ., ., ., unity between us. translation: ., ., , translation: more than two years auo, translation: more than two years aao, i said translation: more than two years ago, i said something _ translation: more than two years ago, i said something and _ translation: more than two years ago, i said something and were - ago, i said something and were standing herejust as i am now and i would not have thought it conceivable i would have to say this at any given point in time. the world had changed, because it is inconceivable to us that we would be forced to think about a war of aggression or speak about a war of aggression or speak about a war of aggression in europe. we awoke in the morning and the world had changed. therefore, overnight, completely new questions came up.

quite different from what you would have expected in a democracy based on coalition agreements. what makes politics so strong, what makes politicians, those holding critical responsibility in democracies, is traced to the fact that we are able to review what we have decided and done so far and to call into question some decisions we may have taken, and to set out on a brave path that leads us to future. and there may be points that we have not beenin there may be points that we have not been in total agreement, where we have had different views, but we have had different views, but we have been venturing into new ground, doing things we have never done before and coming from different vantage points, but we have been completely reviewing our new approaches. with our partners and on the basis of those reviews, we have

taken decisions together in the spirit of unity and a sense of determination. i believe that to be one of the most important lessons that my colleague just pointed out. the unity and determination has made our strength as partners at the sight of ukraine in the face of this brutal war of aggression, russian aggression. i do understand what motivates your question but we will not allow anyone to drive a wedge between us. we are talking about a hybrid war, hybrid weapons are being used in the ukraine, a war of grain waged against poorest countries in the world, and they are using strategic means, aim to destabilise democracies. studio: that is the german foreign minister talking alongside lord cameron, british foreign minister. they had the second of their

strategic dialogues in berlin today. some of the details you had there, a message of unity, questions being asked about the leaked call between high—level german military officials. they were refusing to be drawn on that but discussed conversations they have had today on ukraine, annalena baerbock talking about the need for humanitarian and economic reconstruction. david cameron sang potentially frozen assets as a result of sanctions, talking about the need to provide weaponry. they also discussed gaza, david cameron saying they were still urging all parties to make a ceasefire happen, humanitarian pause, one they hoped would not only be as temporary ceasefire but could turn into something longer lasting. annalena baerbock talking about the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of

hostages, talking about hamas and the fact they were still holding people, she said, make no mistake, these people we're dealing with are terrorists. she also spoke about israel's settlement policy and the fact you settlements were approved just yesterday and she said that continues to pour oil on the and described it as legally unacceptable and must be retracted. we will continue to listen to that but you got the main points from that discussion that came from the second strategic dialogue held between the foreign ministers of uk and germany. that is the latest from berlin. you are watching verified live on bbc news. british woman whose mother's murdoch led to a scheme which allows people to check the police whether their partner has history of abuse has worn lives are a risk due to —— whose lives are at risk.

maddy wood was just ten year's old when her mother, clare, was strangled by an ex—boyfriend , leading to the initative known as clare's law. let's speak to live now to nicole jacobs — the domestic abuse commissioner for england and wales. thank you forjoining us. we appreciate your time. we heard today there is real concerns about how this law is working, whether or not it is proving fitful purpose. —— fit for purpose. what is your perspective? for purpose. what is your --ersective? ., ., perspective? unfortunately maddie and claire's and, _ perspective? unfortunately maddie and claire's and, who _ perspective? unfortunately maddie and claire's and, who brought - perspective? unfortunately maddie and claire's and, who brought thisl and claire's and, who brought this to light, told us we don't have an implementation of this scheme anywhere near fit for purpose. we have information across all 43 courses where we can see huge variations, so you can have a right to ask where you are asking proactively about a history of domestic abuse or a right to know, where police and partners know about information that ought to be disclosed. in both cases, there are

huge amount of variation, quite startling, with some of the best forces during this at 70% of the time of the way down to 10%. it is not the variation that would be tolerable in terms of the safety needed for domestic abuse victims. do we know why it is taking so long and some cases? we do we know why it is taking so long and some cases?— and some cases? we know this has been in place _ and some cases? we know this has been in place and _ and some cases? we know this has been in place and the _ and some cases? we know this has been in place and the domestic- and some cases? we know this has i been in place and the domestic abuse act clarified this statutory guidance. it is simply down to leadership. you can see in forces, some of this came about because police inspectorate was looking at this variation and warning forces about it, and many police leaders simply said, i must be honest, we are not doing things well enough, it is a mistake on our part and that is at least the kind of leadership we

need to turn things around. and it comes to very simple things like resourcing a small, modest team who would be dedicated to these kind of disclosures, and also making sure that police are linked well enough to the domestic abuse community, especially if the eight munication —— especially communication and support for the victim. this takes effort, like anything, but that is what we expect of the police, this is our legislation. thanks to family of claire... is our legislation. thanks to family of claire- - -— of claire... and it could save lives. of claire... and it could save lives- 0f _ of claire... and it could save lives. of course. _ of claire... and it could save l lives. of course. perpetrators of claire... and it could save - lives. of course. perpetrators of domestic abuse _ lives. of course. perpetrators of domestic abuse are _ lives. of course. perpetrators of domestic abuse are minimised l lives. of course. perpetrators of i domestic abuse are minimised and they deny and blame others for their abuse. they will not be the people who will be truthful to their current partner about a history of abuse, and that, of course sometimes

we will not know that history, but when we do and certainly when the lease and key partners, social care, others know about this history, they must be proactive and use the powers we have given them to keep victims say. we have given them to keep victims sa . ., ~' we have given them to keep victims sa . ., ~ , ., we have given them to keep victims sa. . ., ., we have given them to keep victims sa. .~g ., ., , say. thank you for 'oining us. i really appreciate _ say. thank you forjoining us. i really appreciate it. _ an important law, clare's law, and an important bbc investigation as well. thank you forjoining us, nicole. you can go to bbc news website and read more about that story, notjust about claire's story and what maddie is doing to help, but more about how that law actually works and how it could potentially

save lives if it is implemented properly. lots more to come on the programme, so stay with us here on bbc news. hello. this afternoon's weather is looking dry for the bulk of the country. cloud will vary a lot, though, from place to place. we have seen some mist and low cloud loiter across parts of the midlands, like here in shropshire. the best of the sunshine generally today is once again across western areas, although there are a few breaks in the cloud across the south, as well. sunny skies, then, across parts of highlands of scotland today. a lovely picture from the nairn area sent by weatherwatcher rothesay. thanks for that. there's a vanishingly small chance of catching a shower today across parts of england, and wales, for the vast majority of the country, just stays dry. keeping a lot of cloud, though, across eastern areas of scotland, eastern areas of england, with still some mist patches loitering throughout the afternoon in to parts of coastal aberdeenshire. overnight tonight that feed of cloud will continue to affect the north sea coast

of england and scotland, probably a few clearer spells for a time across the south, a few patches of rural frost are possible, but otherwise temperatures generally a degree or so less cold than it was last night. on into friday's forecast, low pressure to the south—west, high pressure to the north—east, the pressure gradient, the isobars squeezing together a bit more closely. and so, it's going to be a windier day. it's the isobars and the pressure gradient that make the winds blow in the first place. the strongest winds will be up and to the west of high ground. the uk's only named wind, the helm wind, will be blowing across fell and into cumbria, gusts could reach around 40 or maybe 50 miles an hour, up into the west of high ground. so it will be quite a blustery kind of day and that wind will make it feel a little bit cooler. on into the weekend, the low pressure to our south still influencing our weather, still bringing the threat of some patches of rain. probably the greatest threat will be across parts of wales, south—west england and northern ireland

through the course of saturday. north—west scotland favoured for staying dry with some sunshine. eastern scotland will probably have quite frequent showers working into the hills, so it could turn out to be quite a wet day here. some bright or sunny spells coming through and temperatures for the most part around about average for the time of year. on into sunday's forecast, again, there is the threat of seeing some rain at times, but it won't be raining all day. the rain is likely to be patchy in nature, the best of any sunshine again, probably towards the north—west of scotland. that's the forecast for now.

live from london. this is bbc news. we'll have a special report from eastern ukraine, where villagers near the front line are bracing themselves against advances by russian troops. the british and german foreign ministers meet in berlin — with ukraine and gaza at the top of the agenda. crucial work that annalena and i have been doing is to say how do we turn a pause into a permanent, sustainable ceasefire without going back to the fighting? mediators hope to achieve a ceasefire in gaza before ramadan, but negotiations stall as hamas' delegation leave cairo. it'sjoe biden's final state of the union address before the us election — a chance to woo voters ahead of his rematch with donald trump.

red bull suspends the woman who accused the team principal, christian horner, of inappropriate behaviour. hello, i'm anna foster, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. in the last hour, germany's foreign minister has said ukraine should be supplied with "more long—range weapons". annalena baerbock was speaking at the end of a meeting with britain's foreign secretary lord cameron. he said he believed you achieve peace "by demonstrating that putin cannot win." his visit to berlin comes days after russian media published in ukraine itself, russian forces are advancing in the east, and many who live there are packing their belongings, and moving away. ukraine says its forces are holding on, but in the donetsk region, several villages have been captured after invading forces took the town of avdiivka and there are fears more settlements could follow. james waterhouse has been to meet

families living just behind the frontline.