the ministry of defence sa s the used up. the ministry of defence says they are _ used up.p. the ministry of defence says they are spending more - used up. the ministry of defence i says they are spending more money than ever before and introducing new systems to make procurement more efficient. they also say the uk's armed forces stand ready to protect the national interests and those of the national interests and those of the uk's allies. what implications does this have for our defence? i5 the uk's allies. what implications does this have for our defence? is a critical time- _ does this have for our defence? is a. critical time. we have huge unrest around the world we have a defence equipment plan for what we should today which is not affordable. the mod has to make a very tough judgment and whoever wins the next election will have to look and make very tough decisions about what is spent on what bits of kit and whether or not we do continue to try and deliver every bit of capability thatis and deliver every bit of capability that is currently in the plan. the re ort tha

the house of commons defence select committee.think the government have got to put riiht? ,.,,,., , ., think the government have got to put riuht? , , ., ., , right? there is absolutely no doubt that we have _ right? there is absolutely no doubt that we have got _ right? there is absolutely no doubt that we have got very _ right? there is absolutely no doubt that we have got very professionall that we have got very professional armed forces and they do a tremendousjob, but the armed forces and they do a tremendous job, but the dynamics of change, the threat has changed, and our question was, are we ready for the worst of all scenarios, which is a prolonged, high intensity... russia? , , . a prolonged, high intensity... russia? , , , russia? russia, yes. would we be able to step _ russia? russia, yes. would we be able to step up — russia? russia, yes. would we be able to step up if _ russia? russia, yes. would we be able to step up if that _ russia? russia, yes. would we be able to step up if that happened, l able to step up if tha

now, in 1935, we were spending less than 3% of gdp on defence. when the war broke out , defence.ut, appeasement having failed. that shot up to 18. and in 1940, when we were fighting for our lives, it was 46. that's the disastrous cost of fighting a war. what we need to do is pay the premium to deter future aggression, and i reckon that's around about 3% at least. >> they are astonishing figures ihadnt >> they are astonishing figures i hadn't heard before. astonishing figures. can i just before i let you go, i'm going to come to the spending point with mark francois himself and the political of the sort of political side of that moment. but one thing that in a moment. but one thing that in a moment. but one thing that find really alarming is that i find really alarming is that i find really alarming is that we have outsourced some years back , army recruitment to years back, army recruitment to a firm called capita , quite why a firm called capita, quite why the armed forces aren't considered capable of doing this themselves is completely beyond me. and it is astonishing lord dann

yes, israeli defence forces _ shifa hospital is continuing. use: israeli defence forces saying that theylled 170 terrorists, in their words, at al shifa, and have detained close to 500 people who they describe as members of hamas and palestinian islamichhad, which is a movement of hamas. it bodes very badly for the israeli military offensive in gaza that there is still such heavy fighting in northern gaza, because the israeli defence forces stormed the hospital backin defence forces stormed the hospital back in november when they accused it of being a hamas command centre, something that has always been denied by hamas, and the fact that for months on they are having to go back into the area and there is an intense battle around the hospital suggests that israel's war strategy in gaza is not going according to plan. there has also been intense fighting around to other hospitals in the south of gaza, around khan younis, and the red crescent says one of its staff members has been killed inside a hospital there, so israel maintains that hamas uses health care facilities to launch attacks on

and yet the defence secretary uses l and yet the defence secretary uses it. and yet the defence secretarynce secretary uses it. the minister of— and yet the defence secretary uses it. the minister of defence - and yet the defence secretary uses it. the minister of defence has - and yet the defence secretary uses it. the minister of defence has a i it. the minister of defence has a tiktok— it. the minister of defence has a tiktok account, _ it. the minister of defence has a tiktok account, the _ it. the minister of defence has a tiktok account, the army, - it. the minister of defence has a tiktok account, the army, the l it. the minister of defence has a - tiktok account, the army, the navy, the air— tiktok account, the army, the navy, the air force — tiktok account, the army, the navy, the air force all— tiktok account, the army, the navy, the air force all of _ tiktok account, the army, the navy, the air force all of tiktok _ the air force all of tiktok accounts for the _ the air force all of tiktok accounts for the why? — the air force all of tiktok accounts for the why? they _ the air

now, in 1935, we were spending less than 3% of gdp on defence. when the war broke out , defence., appeasement having failed. that shot up to 18. and in 1940, when we were fighting for our lives, it was 46. that's the disastrous cost of fighting a war. what we need to do is pay the premium to deter future aggression, and i reckon that's around about 3% at least. >> they are astonishing figures ihadnt >> they are astonishing figures i hadn't heard before. astonishing figures. can i just before i let you go, i'm going to come to the spending point with mark francois himself and the political of the sort of political side of that moment. but one thing that in a moment. but one thing that in a moment. but one thing that find really alarming is that i find really alarming is that i find really alarming is that we have outsourced some years back , army recruitment to years back, army recruitment to a firm called capita , quite why a firm called capita, quite why the armed forces aren't considered capable of doing this themselves is completely beyond me. and it is astonishing lord dannat

but the defence, the problem we face in defence, the problem we face in defence is an immediate threatt, let's for example. all right, let's try mark littlewood. he's the director of popular conservatives. mark >> well, nana, you might find that we're all going to vociferously agree in terms of this big debate, but it's as we've just heard, it's not a straight binary choice when forced to make one. >> i did say tax cuts because i think that taxation is now so horrifically high in the british economy that we've got to reduce taxes to try and incentivise work. and we're not really doing that. but when we actually are looking at things we want to spend more on, and i'm concerned that defence spending is not sufficiently high for our needs. and you would have thought the defence of the realm is basically the first priority of government expenditure, the number one priority. well, i, i agree with what's just been said. let's try and find some cuts elsewhere . and we've got to cuts elsewhere. and we've got to get off this argument that if we identify of spending identify an area of spending

but we in the defence budget.e's very well aware of the very poor state of uk defence generally, we do have problems with procurement, as you say. we have a real manpower crisis . we have lots of crisis. we have lots of platforms that are far too old, and we're having to throw good money after bad to keep them going. so there are lots of issues that unfortunately can only resolved by further only be resolved by further funding and fairly urgently as well , mr hunt funding and fairly urgently as well, mr hunt talks about sometime vaguely in the future, but defence has a long tail. it takes a long time to build a warship. is a 1020 year project. these things can't be solved overnight, so we need to act urgently . urgently. >> do you think, pete, looking back on it. and i know the navy is your speciality. do you think the £8 billion we spent on those two great big aircraft carriers, was that actually a mistake? i don't know, i think they're a really important strategic asset. >> the problem is we haven't spent enough

as we have been reporting, israel's defence minister to as we have been reporting, israel's defence ministerrael's defence minister to is actually already in washington. he has said since we saw those events at the un security council at he will tell the white house israel will operate against hamas everywhere including in places where we have not yet been. a reference there to rafah and he has already gone on to say we have no moral right to stop the war in gaza until we return all the hostages home. of course the defenceman is in washington. supposed to be a delegation heading to washington to discuss perhaps tactics around the plan to go into rafah. that delegation has now been pulled as a direct response to the us not vetoing that resolution at the un security council, something the un security council, something the white house has already said is disappointing. those are some of the latest lines coming as we get more reaction to what we have seen at the un security council. the uk has blamed china for being behind what it says were two malicious cyber campaigns, targeting democratic in

russia is interested in seeing how ouraerospace, defence works.interested in seeing how our aerospace, defence works. if we try and overreact they will learn too much about our readiness to face such attacks which we don't want. this is a complicated situation. indeed. thank you for explaining that to us. i know you monitor the region and the war in ukraine at the moment is high on the agenda. what more can you tell us about the attack on sevastopol quiz mac yellow mac the objective was a military one to destroy russian ships. there mac the objective was a military one to destroy russian ships.— to destroy russian ships. there was a military goal— to destroy russian ships. there was a military goal on _ to destroy russian ships. there was a military goal on that. _ to destroy russian ships. there was a military goal on that. the - to destroy russian ships. there was a military goal on that. the other i a military goal on that. the other thing was to keep morale high, especially in the west. we get used to some messages that ukraine is using becaus

of gdp on defence..— government's aspiration is to spend 2.596 of gdp on defence. there is an u wards 2.596 of gdp on defence. there is an upwards trajectory. _ 2.596 of gdp on defence. there is an upwards trajectory, i _ 2.596 of gdp on defence. there is an upwards trajectory, i cannot - 2.596 of gdp on defence. there is an upwards trajectory, i cannot give - upwards trajectory, i cannot give you the exact date because it is as economic conditions allowed but we are working to a plan. but economic conditions allowed but we are working to a plan.— are working to a plan. but mps say the mod's problems _ are working to a plan. but mps say the mod's problems are _ are working to a plan. but mps say the mod's problems are not - are working to a plan. but mps say the mod's problems are not new . are working to a plan. but mps say l the mod's problems are not new and are actually getting worse. theresa may is to stand down as an mp at the next general election. she has represented maidenhead in berkshire sinc

defence budget— defence and double the defence budget right now, from this year ohwards. — budget right of gdp to defence spehdihd — standard of 2% of gdp to defence spending. this is important for nato security— spending. this is important for nato security and to burden sharing. we are increasing the numbers of conscripts, strengthening civil defehce — conscripts, strengthening civil defence and reintroducing civilian service _ defence and reintroducing civilian service. we have been prepared for this task— service. we have been prepared for this task for— service. we have been prepared for this task for quite a while. i am very— this task for quite a while. i am very pleased to take this very final step _ very pleased to take this very final step. sweden isjoining nato, it is not step. sweden isjoining nato, it is hot the _ step. sweden isjoining nato, it is hot the end — step. sweden isjoining nato, it is not the end of something. it is the beginning — not the end of something. it is the beginning of something new. i look forward _ beginning of something new. i look forward to— begi

although not _ we put into defence? yes, i think we do. although not a _ we put into defence?h not a great _ we put into defence? yes, i think we do. although not a great deal- do. although not a great deal of credibility coming from belgium and the track record of the belgians in this. he is essentially right, that if we don't stop the russians in ukraine, there will be a higher price to play later. president akron has been making the same point. controversially in france, they are trying to get french people to understand there is going to be a greater sacrifice needed now in order to stop worse to come later. i have to say that european politicians and i include british politicians and i include british politicians in this are not making this case really to their publics that we are effectively needing to step up our defence spending considerably at a time of all sorts of other domestic pressures on spending because if we don't do that then russia, if they don't attack other countries, will be seeking to undermine them, destabilise them and there will be greater costs to co

that was his defence.about russian hackers and what they are able to do with the ai deep fix, i rememberthe they are able to do with the ai deep fix, i remember the special counsel investigation russian interference investigation russian interference in 2016, the find was that there was a farm in moscow pumping out all these bots and now you can presumably do all of this much more cheaply and with fewer people will stop this thing is, when i was in paris. ~ ., , stop this thing is, when i was in paris. ~ . , . , ., stop this thing is, when i was in paris. . . , . , . . paris. when i was in paris, i read a book called — paris. when i was in paris, i read a book called the _ paris. when i was in paris, i read a book called the wizard _ paris. when i was in paris, i read a book called the wizard of _ paris. when i was in paris, i read a book called the wizard of coming, l paris. when i was in paris, i read a| book called the wizard of coming, it was wonderful, i recommended, because it was all about how putin

minister.— defence minister.efence minister. let's see what happens, as - defence minister. let's see what happens, as you - defence minister. let's see what happens, as you say, | defence minister. let's see - what happens, as you say, john hannah, former security adviser to dick cheney. the us is warming down a warning that northern rafah could face famine during week. thejobs were dropped into the first time on monday. supplies consisted of water, rice, cooking oil and other items. israel says it is opening new routes to let aid through and is israeli chief in charge of a co—ordination says there is no shortage of food. our middle east correspondent lucy williamson has been covering the crisis from the border stop the crisis from the border stop the report contained some distressing images of malnourished children from the start. gaza's border fence divides more thanjust land. on one side, food supplies. on the other — sick, malnourished children. agencies say israel is blocking aid. israel says the only holdu

regarding a defence motion to dismiss the indictment against former president trump.rump attorney stephen saito argued the former president's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss were protected speech. >> it is unconstitutional to force and accuse the president of of the -- former president or anyone else to stand trial on protected speech. it's not just that he lied over and over and over again as the council points out by listing the instances in the indictment it's that each of those was employed as part of criminal activity with criminal intentions. >> this was indeed the first hearing of the georgia trump case since march 15th 1 special prosecutor nathan wade resigned from the case as a condition for district attorney fania willis to continue prosecuting it. >> he was more involved than think with witnesses and negotiating plea agreements. for important work but it's not the kind of stuff we would see in the courtroom and arguments day in day out. i don't anticipate, you know, anything really changing in terms of how the district attorney presents their cas

there is no defence against it and i cannot i no defence against it and i cannot accept _ no defenceve seen 45 years of peace. the gentleman— would have seen 45 years of peace. the gentleman in— would have seen 45 years of peace. the gentleman in the _ would have seen 45 years of peace. the gentleman in the fair— would have seen 45 years of peace. the gentleman in the fair isle - the gentleman in the fair isle sweater. i the gentleman in the fair isle sweater. ~ , the gentleman in the fair isle sweater. ,, , ., the gentleman in the fair isle sweater. ,, , . . , sweater. i think it is a necessary evil. sweater. i think it is a necessary evil- one _ sweater. i think it is a necessary evil. one would _ sweater. i think it is a necessary evil. one would hope _ sweater. i think it is a necessary evil. one would hope that i sweater. i think it is a necessary evil. one would hope that it - sweater. i think it is a necessary evil. one would hope that it will| evil. one would hope that it will never _ evil. one would hope that it will never be — evil. one would hope that it will never be used

is currently a deputy chair at the centre for defence strategies think—tank. for coming in the l programme-_ i thank you for coming in the - programme._ i just thank you for coming in the _ programme._ ijust want programme. good evening. i 'ust want to ask you first — programme. good evening. i 'ust want to ask you first of h programme. good evening. i 'ust want to ask you first of all h programme. good evening. i 'ust want to ask you first of all about _ to ask you first of all about munition, artillery shells, air defence systems, how desperate is the need and requirement from ukraine right now?— the need and requirement from ukraine right now? obviously, it is desperate- — ukraine right now? obviously, it is desperate. you _ ukraine right now? obviously, it is desperate. you sought _ ukraine right now? obviously, it is desperate. you sought this - ukraine right now? obviously, it is desperate. you sought this attack| desperate. you sought this attack and note the kyiv is one of the most protected cities in ukraine because we have all the government here and

role more than extra defence spending, perse. 0f coordinating role more than extra defence spending,are a country that borders russia or borders were russia may think its boundaries should be, you will perhaps be more concerned and that may be more of a pressure. that is not honestly apply to uk.— is not honestly apply to uk. thank ou for is not honestly apply to uk. thank you for that _ is not honestly apply to uk. thank you for that. the _ is not honestly apply to uk. thank you for that. the israel _ is not honestly apply to uk. thank you for that. the israel prime - you for that. the israel prime minister netanyahu has agreed to injerusalem, where tension — and worse — are normal, there is always the consolation of religion. this ramadan, many of those ending a day of prayer at the aqsa mosque were palestinian israelis, around a fifth of israel's population. israel, citing security, restricts access to jerusalem for palestinians from the occupied west bank. just down the road, palestinian christians were deep in their celebration of easter, walking to the old city from the garden

on defence. it comes to spending on defence-— it comes to spending on defence. ., ~ , ., , . defencek you very much, katie silver. _ eric zheng, the president of american chamber of congress from shanghai. certainly, it is a brief report, a little bit shorter than prior years but a very pragmatic approach to reviving the economy with very much a focus on how to stimulate growth and certainly 5% is not a small number, and when you look at the overall gdp, last year, 126 trillion rmb, if you target 5% of that 6.3 trillion rmb, that is equivalent of a mid—sized country and that ——126 trillion rmb, if you target 5% that 6.3 trillion rmb, that is equivalent of a mid—sized country and that will contribute again probably 30% of the global growth this year so it is a reasonable number and based on provincial budgets from 3a provinces and municipalities, it is a reasonable target. we are certainly very happy to see that number confirmed today. a reasonable number and target but it is down from the 5.2% from the year before. does that point to the challenges china is facing? certainly the work

labour have given the defence short shrift.— defence short shrift.ift. i would say they were unambiguously racist| defence short shrift. i would say - they were unambiguously racist and sexist, clearly beyond the pale. this is notjust about rudeness, to is totally unacceptable remarks and i think anyone who reads them would come to that conclusion.— come to that conclusion. labour have been joined — come to that conclusion. labour have been joined by _ come to that conclusion. labour have been joined by the _ come to that conclusion. labour have beenjoined by the liberal— come to that conclusion. labour have been joined by the liberal democratsj been joined by the liberal democrats in calling for conservative to return the donations of mr hester which were vast. he gave the conservatives £10 million last year. there is no sign of those donations been returned. this morning mr hester�*s defence was reiterated by a cabinet minister. abs, hester's defence was reiterated by a cabinet minister.— cabinet minister. a critical point here as i cabinet ministe

james heappey defence minister. guy, is defence minister. he's a guy, is it?el defence minister. he's a guy, is it?certain barrel defence minister. he's a guy, is it?certain defeat. barrel defence minister. he's a guy, is it?certain defeat. use barrel of certain defeat. use a military metaphor. so he's pulled ripcord. off pulled the ripcord. he's off 10,000 majority. >> he's his because in >> he's lost his seat because in a up he's getting a new a shake up he's getting a new seat. he also divided by four. he's his 40s. he's a young he's in his 40s. he's a young man. honourable. former man. he's honourable. a former armed officer, absolutely armed forces officer, absolutely . so i would say an exemplary parliamentarian. number 61 of the tories to leave 1 in 6 tory mps elected in 2019 are now leaving at the end of this election . it looks like looks election. it looks like looks like a panic measure. maybe that all that number are going or they all have individual reasons. james heappey is doing it for his family. but i would say that this is the last planned el

indeed, let's see what _ the defence minister.hat happens. - the defence minister. indeed, let's see what happens. john l let's see what happens. john hannah, former adviser to vice president dick cheney, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. russian president vladimir putin says the deadly attack on a concert hall in moscow on friday was carried out by islamist extremists, but maintains that ukraine was involved — it's an accusation care have describes as absurd. at least 139 people were killed in the atrocity for which the islamic state group claimed responsibility. four people have been charged with terrorism and three remanded in custody. a report by our writer editor steve rosenberg. a warning, it contains images some viewers may find distressing. —— russia editor. in court, the men russia says committed mass murder. four suspects. battered. bloodied. and, in one case, barely conscious. all four were charged with terrorism. just days after this. islamic state had been quick to claim it was behind the attack on the crocus city

our defence ministry _ goal. what does that look like? our defence ministry has _ goal.l. what does that look like? our defence ministry has done a - goal. what does that look like? our defence ministry has done a long i defence ministry has done a long paper and what does the victory look like. the peace strategy that president zelensky has come up with has all the elements. accountability, going back to its borders, by russia. all of it that i can't really list here about the point is we have to have a goal to win otherwise it is going to be more difficult for all of us. and coming to the us, if you think back to history then in the 19305 and 405, our economies, europe and america were not so interlinked as we are now. 45 states out of 50, the main export or investment partner is europe. american companies are earning 2.7 times more in europe than they are earning in asia. not talking about china but asia. so if something happens in europe so that all of europe goes into war, then it definitely has a huge effect on america, like also history has shown. it america, like

poland is of course a member of the nato defence alliance.vincent mcaviney has the latest. in the early hours of sunday morning, ukrainians were awoken by multiple explosions across the country, prompting many to seek safety in shelters once again. a national alert was issued with the ukrainian military saying its air defence systems were engaged in repelling the attack. kyiv has been targeted. a military spokesperson said a dozen russian missiles had been destroyed over the capital and its vicinity. there have been no reports of casualties or major damage as a result of these attacks. the north—western border region of lviv has also come under fire. the mayor of lviv said the city had been spared, however around 20 missiles and seven attack drones had been launched against the broader region, targeting critical infrastructure. neighbouring poland says it has activated its air force to ensure the safety of polish airspace. russia is observing an official day of mourning today, following friday's attack on a concert hall outside moscow. presid

do you think a defence think he knows how a defence cuts? had that conversation. that is, if i have not had that conylikeition. that is, if i have not had that conylike the. that is, if i have not had that conylike the word that is, if i have not had that conylike the word ont is, if i have not had that conylike the word on the if i have not had that conylike the word on the street, you like the word on the street, james, i think hinted he may james, i think has hinted he may in weeks and months to come, have more to say . so really, have more to say. so really, ultimately, that's got to come from him. i think . but in the from him. i think. but in the meantime, he was a very widely regarded armed forces minister, and he's he's a loss to the ministry of defence . ministry of defence. >> if we widen out from james heappey to robert halfon, these are two individuals middle are two individuals as middle ranking respected ranking but well respected ministers, both by labour and the i think both , the tory party. i think both, who may have been h

a russian—installed official reported a major ukrainian attack overnight and said that air defences had ten missiles over the crimean port of sevastopol. these are the images from social media showing the moment of the attack on the city. according to reports, at least two targets were hit — russia's black sea fleet special comminucations centre and another military unit in sevastopol. we are verifying this information. this comes following a night of air strikes on the capital kyiv and the western city of lviv. the mayor of the capital vitali klitschko said there were several explosions. these images we received show of an explosion of a missile seen on the kyiv skyline, confirming ukraine's statement that air defence systems repelled much of the attack. in lviv, close to the polish border, there's been damage to critical infrastructure. the polish army have issued a statement — saying that they want answers from russia after a missile violated the airspace for under a minute — before adding that poland's airspace is now safe. israel's defence minister is heading to washington as the p

we coming to on defence.out 300 showed a decline of about 300 £300 on capital spending £300 million on capital spending on defence. and i did ask him, does that mean you're not going to anywhere near hitting the to get anywhere near hitting the 2.5% of gdp target for defence spending? here's what we to say. >> we will need to spend more on defence. you know , the world is defence. you know, the world is a very volatile and dangerous place. very place. britain has a very special global vocation alongside america. we're one of the two countries that have done more than anyone else to maintain peace and security. since the second world war, 2.5% of gdp, we've said that we want to increase it to 2.5% of gdp as soon as it's economically possible to do so, but there's a lot of things we have to work out, in particular, what we would spend any extra money on. if you look at the war in ukraine, you can see that drones have become incredibly important. so we need to do that. we need to reform our defence procurement ,

the israeli defence _ of the war so far. the israeli defence minister _ of the war so far.ce minister yoav - of the war so far. the israeli i defence minister yoav gallant of the war so far. the israeli - defence minister yoav gallant is heading to washington, after the vice president kamala harris said it would be a huge mistake to move into rafah with any military operation. tell us what to expect from his visit. , _, , ., tell us what to expect from his visit. , , ., ., ,, visit. this comes at a time when us - israel relations _ visit. this comes at a time when us - israel relations are _ visit. this comes at a time when us - israel relations are restrained. . — israel relations are restrained. their defence minister will be asking for continued us military assistance to keep fighting the war in gaza and also to prepare, we understand, for any possible escalation with the powerful armed hezbollah in lebanon, but he is going to meet different american officials and criticism for applied military offensive in wrapper in the south of the gaza strip where you have about 1.5

is to spend 2.5% of gdp on defence. you the exact date because we've always said it's as the economic conditions allow. but the point is, we're working to a plan. but mps say the mod's problems aren't new, and are actually getting worse. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bbc news, bring you different stories from across the uk. i for many of us, artistic swimming is something we only see at the olympics but across the country, it's very much alive and kicking. here in cheltenham, sisters sam and sarah, they've been involved in the sport for most of their lives, winning competitions and now setting up this new club. just really passionate about the sport of artistic swimming and we want to share that with as many people as possible. so, from the age of seven all the way up to, we've got swimmers in their 50s, we're just trying to make possible for as many as people to come and do the sport as we can. it's the fun aspect. i think, when anyone goes swimming, they're always doing handstands and throwing

defence secretary grant troops. defence secretary grant shappsis troops. defence secretary grant shapps is here to show his support. >> i would say back home most people are unaware here of this enormous nato exercise. not just large, the biggest since the cold war . cold war. >> 20,000 are taking part in operation steadfast defender, with another 70,000 from all 32 nato allies. it's designed to send a very clear message to the russian president don't push us too far. >> putin's end game is to carry on expanding russia. you don't have to take my word for it. it's what he's said himself many times. nato isn't trying to expand into other people's territory . we are simply here to territory. we are simply here to defend our values of freedom and sovereignty and democracy. we should be proud of what these guys have been doing here, making sure we can exercise together. most importantly of all, sending a very clear signal to putin or any other despotic leader that we will stand up for ourselves and don't try it on. >> with russia's war in ukraine now in its thi

the prosecutors got these documents into the defence team's hands.s that are relevant to this case were quite modest. it has nothing to do with election interference. frankly the charges here are about covering up, from the american public, a sordid sex scandal by falsifying documents. the election interference charge go to donald trump, not to this prosecutorial team. looking at other court proceedings today involving the former president, he was supposed to post a half billion dollar bond in a civilfraud case. on appeal the judge on that trial said $175 million, only $175 million, would be acceptable. is that what usually happens or was that a surprise? i think it came as a surprise to many people. it was a decision that was issued in a short order without any reasoning from the presiding justice and four otherjudges. and essentially it is a conservative decision. this is a 1—of—a—kind civilfraud judgement against an ex—president. the amounts of money are staggering. although the court didn't give its reasoning, perhaps we could speculate that beca

if we are going to. spend more money on defence as i believe _ spend more money on defence as i believely growing economy. every decision i take will be a prudent and responsible long—term decision, we were discussing the fiscal rules and although i do not agree that we should — although i do not agree that we should change the fiscal rules because — should change the fiscal rules because i think people would interpret that as britain losing control— interpret that as britain losing control of its finances, i strongly agree _ control of its finances, i strongly agree that — control of its finances, i strongly agree that we need a long—term approach. — agree that we need a long—term approach, that's what you will see from _ approach, that's what you will see from what — approach, that's what you will see from what i — approach, that's what you will see from what i announce in the budget and what _ from what i announce in the budget and what we do and tax will be linked — and what we do and tax will be linked to— and what we do and tax will be linked to that and i make no secret as a cons

ukraine is facing shortages of ammunition and air defences. is now in what he called a "pre—war" era. mr tusk said the continent had not faced such uncertainty since 19115. he said nobody on the continent would feel safe if russia defeated ukraine. president putin says he has no plans to attack a nato country. 0ur eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford is in kharkiv. well, the authorities here in ukraine are calling this missile terror by russia. they're talking about a deliberate and cynical attack on ukraine's energy infrastructure, and that is having an impact in many regions. seven regions are now experiencing power blackouts, including here in kharkiv in the northeast, where we are now, where power is rationed. so essentially in the residential sector, you can be without electricity for up to 6 hours a day. it's supposed to be scheduled. sometimes it happens without notice. it is affecting life here. i think these are attacks that are aimed at morale, but it also, in fact, it is also affecting industries. so factories are struggling

defence mean, defence spending is.on just how much the national debt is taking up in of debt is taking up in terms of national expenditure. yet we live in very unstable world live in a very unstable world right now, and you would think that they would prioritise things defence. of course, things like defence. of course, you what, will money you know what, will that money go know, what will the go on? you know, what will the conflicts the future look conflicts of the future look like. and sort of like. you know, and we sort of think these in think about these things in terms of, you know, equipment and but i think now, and armoury. but i think now, you know, with technology, i mean, we'll see lot more in mean, we'll see a lot more in terms deception and fakery terms of deception and fakery and will be spent and more will have to be spent on intelligence. yeah. >> will have to be >> and they will have to be investment intelligence investment in intelligence and technology, in this technology, won't they, in this modern t

are . playing defence trying to clean it up, playing defence trying to clean it up. kind — playing defenceyou. playing defence trying to clean it i up, kind of like joe biden if you go off script. — up, kind of like joe biden if you go off script. the _ up, kind of like joe biden if you go off script, the staff— up, kind of like joe biden if you go off script, the staff cringing - up, kind of like joe biden if you go off script, the staff cringing whenl off script, the staff cringing when biden— off script, the staff cringing when biden says — off script, the staff cringing when biden says something _ off script, the staff cringing when biden says something and - off script, the staff cringing when| biden says something and they're going _ biden says something and they're going like. — biden says something and they're going like. oh. _ biden says something and they're going like, oh, god, _ biden says something and they're going like, oh, god, why- biden says something and they're going like, oh, god, why would i biden says something and they'rel going like, oh, god, why would he have _ go

they will particularly be talking about defence.wo president in the capital. let's go straight to our correspondent in prague. tell us about what the two gentlemen are going to be talking about today, specifically this issue of ammunition for ukraine. a number of issues on the agenda, but chief among them is this issue of ammunition for ukraine. he is said to be very impressed, both with the czech president, and also this proposal, this czech initiative to procure up to 800,000 rounds of artillery ammunition for ukraine from countries outside of the european union. they would essentially act as middlemen find that ammunition, and getting it to ukraine with those purchases, that procurement, funded by various eu and nato allies. especially now that france has dropped its opposition to these shells being sourced from outside the eu. he is said to be impressed with the idea, but unlike a number of other countries, denmark, canada, belgium, the netherlands, and most recently lithuania, what we have not heard yet from france is a concret

the uk and australia have signed a new defence agreement which will make it easier for their defenceountries. —— move on to our next story in the meantime. the warning, there's a flash photography. work together in areas such as undersea warfare and develop a joint climate action plan. in a news conference shortly after signing the agreement, australia's deputy prime minister richard marles highlighted its significance. the agreement we have signed todayis the agreement we have signed today is very practical, but is also very tiring. it does reflect the relationship which has become much more strategic, which has been much bigger national security dimension. here's uk defence minister grant schapps speaking in canberra. we strongly and powerfully believe in our cooperation was seen _ believe in our cooperation was seen our— believe in our cooperation was seen our nations and we want to be dependent, and you mentioned defence. _ be dependent, and you mentioned defence, we have the literal group — defence, we have the literal group that is now proactive in this region, permanently. we

we manage our defence procurement, think we manage our defence procuralsort, think we manage our defencelso a question about how we do business in the future. our defence procurement, i think , most people would , i think most people would agree, actually mess. and agree, is actually a mess. and maybe like the end of maybe if you like the end of life care for our equipment, it's that conversation it's part of that conversation as well. >> em— >> i mean, michael was saying that there's a lot of wastage in the ministry defence. the ministry of defence. >> the money is not >> you know, the money is not going to the to the right places. >> well, i think there's we actually spend quite a lot of money on defence. i was money on defence. and i was looking some i mean own looking at some i mean my own service was the army. i was just looking at some, some figures. we got about . 157 looking at some, some figures. we got about. 157 main we have got about. 157 main battle tanks in, in our, in our, on our inventory of good quality at battle tanks. but the poles have got nearly five times that many.

the israel defence forces have — limitations. the israel defence forces have been _ limitations.nce forces have been poised - limitations. the israel defence forces have been poised to . forces have been poised to enter rougher and continue its defensive. talk us through the impact in terms of diplomacy and the relationship between israel and egypt. —— rafah. it israeland egypt. —— rafah. it presents a number of complications. it will cause the relationship between egypt and israel to deteriorate for a variety of reasons. most of which have to do with the palestinian population. one million palestinians that have been displaced now seek refuge in rafah. the egyptians are worried that one million people will move into the sunday if israel moves into rafah. that worried for three reasons. the first reason is hamas might use civilians and move into sinai and they are ready battling groups there and they do not want to have additional militants. the second reason is the egyptians are worried if they use egyptian soil to launch attacks against israel or against israeli forces in gaza,

germany's defence minister boris pistorius announced the package.es 10,000 rounds of ammunition and 200 military vehicles. pistorius�*s announcement comes as the us, ukraine's main supporter in staving off a russian invasion, struggles to pass a $60 billion aid package of its own. but germany's defence minister said he has no doubt about the reliability of the americans. and speaking in germany, us defence secretary lloyd austin reaffirmed that message as he met with us allies and ukrainian officials. today, ukraine's survival is in danger, and america's security is at risk, and they don't have a day waste, and we don't have a day to spare either. so i leave here today fully determined to keep us security assistance and ammunition flowing, and that's a matter of survival and sovereignty for ukraine, and it's a matter of honour and security foramerica, and, make no mistake, putin is watching, the world is watching and history is watching. 0ur berlin correspondent jessica parker had this analysis of mr austin's comments. i think lloyd austin's trying

as you know, the defence have been asking for far less, just 5—6 years.atis will take further, but for today, that is the number handed down by thejudge. that is the number handed down by the we ., , the judge. remind our reviewers, because we _ the judge. remind our reviewers, because we are _ the judge. remind our reviewers, because we are talking _ the judge. remind our reviewers, because we are talking about - the judge. remind our reviewers, because we are talking about the | because we are talking about the liens of dollars, take us through what this meant actually did in terms of the fraud and money laundering —— billions of dollars. sam bankman—fried was the crypto golden boy, founder of ftx exchange where customers could trade dollars and pounds for crypto currency and he assured those customers, as his ftx was collapsing was safe but when customers went to withdraw funds in november 2022 they were not there in the jury had found that it had been moved to an investment fund and that sam bankman—fried used that money to enrich himself and his inne

ever even though they have jurisdiction over the defences, they are moving the defence industrial strategyding to the level that would need to be because ofjurisdiction problems and sovereignty and you would hope that people would start to appreciate the sense of threat and some cohesion and understanding of those in eastern europe and the baltics and scandinavia and the level of threat they feel because they can see now and it is still unlikely that they can see a path to where a major war with russia would happen in the next three to five years and they may be without your support of european nato allies have to bear the burden.— to bear the burden. thank you for our time to bear the burden. thank you for your time this _ to bear the burden. thank you for your time this evening. _ to bear the burden. thank you for your time this evening. you're - your time this evening. you're watching bbc news. this is kathleen's last virtual checkup. she has been recuperating and getting care at home after hospital admission.— and getting care at home after hospital admission. they are polite, there ar

it involves some pretty big thinkers on uk defence.onal security adviser, lord robertson, the former nato's secretary general. they say in this report that the regular army and reserve forces have shrunk far below national critical mass. we need to spend money so that we have a force that can prepare for high intensity warfighting. how much pressure is on the chancellor come this autumn budget to spend more money on uk defence? there's a lot of pressure to spend more on uk defence. this is something that the uk really shares with other european countries and something that has come out quite a lot in nato conversations because of the ongoing russian invasion of ukraine. and we've seen that even the additional budget that's been promised in the integrated review refresh is essentially eaten up. if you look at what the uk needs to spend additionally on archives, what it needs to spend on replenishing stock that has gone in support to ukraine. and so i understand why these calls for additional defence spending come from, but it also comes

you threw me out from _ defence of the union. you threw me out from warrow _ defence of the union.out from warrow was - defence of the union. you threw. me out from warrow was elected! his reputation was forged in opposition to the good friday agreement. opposition to the good friday agreement-— agreement. i've got the framework _ agreement. i've got the framework document i agreement. i've got the . framework document here. agreement. i've got the - framework document here. that's what we think of the framework document! how are you.- what we think of the framework document! how are you. today is not his first _ document! how are you. today is not his first political _ document! how are you. today is not his first political exit. - not his first political exit. with regret, i have resigned from the ulster unionist party... from the ulster unionist party- - -_ from the ulster unionist pa , . ., ., ., party... his defection to a rival party _ party... his defection to a rival party eventually - party... his defection to a rival party eventually led l party... his defection to a i ri

but i believe he will give a statement today, or the ministry of defence.is a nato territory and nato should also react. poland is not the only country whose airspace is being violated. romania has had the same problem with russian drones that crash in their territory. this is also a dire situation. the question what could we do. there are some proposals to shut down russian missiles in the ukrainian airspace and radar stations detect missiles coming too close to the polish border should have been shut down, that was the proposal. this is a risky scenario. this could lead to escalation. the other problem is that russia is also interested in seeing how our air defence system works, all those electronic signals being emitted are being recorded and tracked and russians are looking for some countermeasures. if we overreact they will learn too much about our readiness to face such attack which we don't want. it is a consecrated situation.— attack which we don't want. it is a consecrated situation. indeed. thank ou for consecrated situation. indeed. thank you for

we were listening to the us secretary of defence lloyd austin.ut congress hasn't freed up the funds for the much—needed hardware ukraine wants. yes, the us republicans, or some are blocking the funds, so the biden administration and lloyd austin are hamstrung in what they can provide. they have tried to deliver 60 billion of aid to ukraine but that is not happening. we are in a strange position where europe is basically providing the main amount of military aid to ukraine, and that is going through, but ukraine is suffering from shortages of things like ammunition, missiles and armoured vehicles. what a german institute which tracks aid said is in orderfor europe institute which tracks aid said is in order for europe to fulfil the gap by dismissing us aid, it would need to double the pace and extent of military aid delivery. there's a huge gap still to fill, the meeting now is not only of european countries, there are other nato countries, there are other nato countries, some countries in africa, japan, australia and new zealand. they are trying

there will be shocked of course amongst the defence. we heard from erin, our correspond in.d five years, so it is markedly different to that. and you got a sense of why it was markedly different from what the judge said in terms of his comments, but in terms of the trial, the judge pointed out comments from his former girlfriend, zeroing in onjust what he actually knew, what the motivation was here?- he actually knew, what the motivation was here? yes, and the 'udue motivation was here? yes, and the judge came — motivation was here? yes, and the judge came back— motivation was here? yes, and the judge came back in _ motivation was here? yes, and the judge came back in his _ motivation was here? yes, and the judge came back in his summing i motivation was here? yes, and the| judge came back in his summing up motivation was here? yes, and the i judge came back in his summing up at the end there, came back to some of the end there, came back to some of the things that she said, caroline emerson. she was the ceo who was in charge of his hedge fund. and he claimed all the way thr

russia's defence ministry says that overnight its air defence systems brought down 35 ukrainian dronesons, including moscow. drones also started a fire at an oil refinery in the krasnodar region, and these images are from the belgorod region which the ministry said had come under attack from ukrainian rockets; the governor said a teenage girl died when a shell hit a residential building. 0ur eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford has this analysis on these attacks from the ukrainian capital kyiv. and certainly there has been an intensification of attacks by russia and ukraine around this election over the three—day period. and of course, in the run up to it, i'd say it's pretty much war as usual here, frankly. russia has been launching missiles and drones targeting cities like kharkiv in the north and 0desa on the black sea. and 0desa on the black sea in the last day or so and overnight. russia is saying that drones from ukraine are being launched at targets there, reaching as far as moscow, we understand, and also krasnodar in the south of the country. the accusation is it's an