this is bbc news with the latest headlines. ambulance workers go on strike today in a dispute over pay, as union leaders criticise the prime ministerfor not being willing to negotiate. this lies squarely at the door of the government. i have been negotiating for 25 years and i have never seen such an abdication of leadership as i have seen from rishi sunak. the health secretary says the three unions striking today have "refused" to work with the government at the national level. steve barclay also advised people to use common sense and avoid taking risks during the strike. so is there something you won't be doing today and do you think the government is taking the right approach to negotiations? get in touch with me on twitter @annitabbc and use the hashtag bbcyourquestions.

ukraine's president volodomyr zelensky is travelling to washington today, in his first overseas trip since war broke out. and coming up in half an hour, helen catt takes a look back on a turbulent year in british politics which featured three prime ministers and four chancellors. that's the year in politics at 9.30. hello and welcome to bbc news. tens of thousands of ambulance workers, including paramedics and call handlers, have begun strike action today across england and wales. the government say most have received a pay rise of at least 4%, but the unions say this isn't enough to keep up with the rising cost of living.

so, how could these strikes affect you? if you need to call 999, there will be staff answering calls and sending out some ambulances. all categoryi calls — classed as the most life—threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest — will be responded to by an ambulance. however, conditions which are serious but notjudged to be immediately life—threatening — which could include people who may be having a stroke — might not be immediately attended to by emergency teams. urgent problems that fit into category 3 — such as a woman in late—stage labour — will not be prioritised. this morning, the head of the unite union, one of the three unions involved in the strike, has accused rishi sunak of the worst "abdication of leadership" she has seen in 25 years. the health secretary says the unions involved have "refused" to work with the government at the national level. our health corresondent jim reed has been taking a look at the pressure facing a&e departments.

the most widespread ambulance strike in decades has gone ahead after there was no last—minute breakthrough in talks. the staggered action from three unions started at midnight across wales, the west midlands and the north of england. at 6am, it was extended to the east midlands and the south, except the isle of wight. at midday, paramedics in london willjoin the strike. ambulance staff say the dispute is about pay, which hasn't kept up with inflation, but also patient safety. it's been one of the most difficult decisions ambulance workers have had to make. the current context we work in sees delays that have caused significant patient harm, and nobody who works for the ambulance service wants to add to that harm or increase that risk. ambulance services are already under intense pressure. here in gloucester this week, long queues of vehicles

were waiting to unload patients because there was no space inside the hospital to treat them. that same problem has driven up response times across the country, with most of the services in england declaring critical incidents this week. both the government and some managers in the health service are concerned the strikes could increase the risk to patients. ambulance unions say the most serious, life—threatening callouts should not be affected. they should go ahead as usual. but other services are very likely to see some disruption. the impact will vary by region. the most serious categoryi calls, such as someone not breathing or in cardiac arrest, will be responded to, as should some category 2 calls like strokes or serious burns. but other urgent problems like a woman in late stage labour or an elderly person falling in their home might not be answered. this is going to be quite a difficult period. and there may be some delays to people but we'll make sure

that those people who need the interventions in a time critical period get that time critical care that they need. you drive first, all right, you get round there. the government says 600 troops have been trained to step in and drive ambulances, although they're not allowed to treat patients or use blue lights. i call on the trade unions to act responsibly. they've said that they will provide life threatening cover, that they will provide emergency cover. it's essential that they do so to protect patients. paramedics accept patient safety may be affected, but say strike action is still justified. they have not taken the decision to take strike action lightly. they feel they have been forced into this position because year after year, the government have failed to listen to them. ambulance staff in northern ireland also went on strike last week. while in scotland, a new pay offer has just been rejected by one union, but a strike has not

yet been called. the message today then is still to use 999 if there's a life—threatening emergency. but in some other urgent cases, expect a longer wait for help. jim reed, bbc news. let's speak to our correspondents across the uk now. in a moment, we'll speak to tomos morgan, who's in cardiff, but first katherine da costa is in coventry for us. good morning, on the picket line, which is the mood amongst those on strike today?— strike today? yes, about 30 or so ambulance _ strike today? yes, about 30 or so ambulance workers _ strike today? yes, about 30 or so ambulance workers from - strike today? yes, about 30 or so ambulance workers from the - strike today? yes, about 30 or so | ambulance workers from the unite union are here, they have been out since 6am this morning and they have got their banners and placards. they have been using their crackers and chanting. there has been quite a lot of high spirits but of course, there is anger, too. they are calling for fair pay. ambulances has been coming out. we have seen lots with blue lights attending emergencies. some of the paramedics behind me will be

on call and we'll have to leave the picket line and go to emergencies if they are called, because unions have agreed to respond to life—threatening emergencies. but services will be patchy across the country, depending on where you live because of what negotiations have taken place locally. even with contingency plans in place, the nhs is expecting to be extremely busy today. eight out of ten hospital trusts in england had already declared critical incidents even before today's strikes because of the pressure they are under. i can speak now to sharon graham, their general secretary of the unite union. sharon, the health secretary has criticised unions for not having a national strategy for dealing with category two because like heart attack and stroke. what is your response?— attack and stroke. what is your resonse? , ., response? every time the health secretary speaks, _ response? every time the health secretary speaks, i _ response? every time the health secretary speaks, i have - response? every time the health secretary speaks, i have got - response? every time the health secretary speaks, i have got my| response? every time the health - secretary speaks, i have got my head in my— secretary speaks, i have got my head in my hands — secretary speaks, i have got my head in my hands. i have never seen such an abdication— in my hands. i have never seen such an abdication of leadership than i have _ an abdication of leadership than i have from — an abdication of leadership than i have from rishi sunak and the health secretarx _ have from rishi sunak and the health secretary. we have negotiated

locally— secretary. we have negotiated locally all of the cover, the category _ locally all of the cover, the category one is all going to be answered and category two will be triage _ answered and category two will be triage but— answered and category two will be triage but the important thing to say is _ triage but the important thing to say is that this government has walked — say is that this government has walked away from the negotiating table _ walked away from the negotiating table. this strike didn't need to happen — table. this strike didn't need to happen. they need to get back to the negotiating table so we can get a proper— negotiating table so we can get a proper pay rise for these workers and everyone can go back to work. the government has said it cannot afford above inflation pay rises and has accepted recommendations from the independent pay review body. where do we go from here? first of all, the where do we go from here? first of all. the pay — where do we go from here? first of all, the pay review— where do we go from here? first of all, the pay review body _ where do we go from here? first of all, the pay review body is - where do we go from here? first of all, the pay review body is not - all, the pay review body is not independent and they pick and choose when they— independent and they pick and choose when they use it. but this is about choices _ when they use it. but this is about choices the — when they use it. but this is about choices. the energy companies have made _ choices. the energy companies have made £170 _ choices. the energy companies have made £170 billion in excess profit, more _ made £170 billion in excess profit, more than — made £170 billion in excess profit, more than normal profit. they could use some _ more than normal profit. they could use some of— more than normal profit. they could use some of that, £50 billion, to plu- use some of that, £50 billion, to plug the — use some of that, £50 billion, to plug the black hole and give these workers _ plug the black hole and give these workers a — plug the black hole and give these workers a 10% pay rise, that only costs _ workers a 10% pay rise, that only costs to — workers a 10% pay rise, that only costs £6 billion and have four —— have _ costs £6 billion and have four —— have £4 — costs £6 billion and have four —— have £4 billion left over, they need to make _ have £4 billion left over, they need to make the right choices and stop bucking _ to make the right choices and stop bucking profiteering and start backing — bucking profiteering and start backing the nhs.—

bucking profiteering and start backin: the nhs. ., ~ . , backing the nhs. thank you. patients are bein: backing the nhs. thank you. patients are being reminded _ backing the nhs. thank you. patients are being reminded to _ backing the nhs. thank you. patients are being reminded to only _ backing the nhs. thank you. patients are being reminded to only use - backing the nhs. thank you. patients are being reminded to only use 999 l are being reminded to only use 999 in a genuine life emergency, otherwise, use 111 or nine or the helpline. we can now hear from thomas morgan in cardiff. yes. helpline. we can now hear from thomas morgan in cardiff. yes, the gmb union are _ thomas morgan in cardiff. yes, the gmb union are striking _ thomas morgan in cardiff. yes, the gmb union are striking here - thomas morgan in cardiff. yes, the gmb union are striking here today. | gmb union are striking here today. they have about a quarter of workers working in the welsh ambulance service here today, and the strike in wales began at midnight and will last for 24 hours, until midnight tonight. unlike in parts of england, there will be barely any military involvement in wales and they certainly won't be driving ambulances like they did during covid times but they might help out in the background to a certain delay. just like in england, the welsh health minister, liam morgan, has said as well that people should only call 999 in real life threatening emergencies. but let's talk to somebody who has worked in the field for a number of years, ian

has been here working for 30 years. i wonder if you could explain, really, how things got to this point for you, really, how things got to this point foryou, how really, how things got to this point for you, how things have changed and got harder, in your opinion?- got harder, in your opinion? things have significantly _ got harder, in your opinion? things have significantly changed - got harder, in your opinion? things have significantly changed over - got harder, in your opinion? things have significantly changed over the | have significantly changed over the years, insofaras have significantly changed over the years, insofar as health and well—being, the amount of pay that takes place, the lack of support and funding that goes on from national and uk governments, and we end up with a situation now where we are finding more and more staff are being impacted with their lifestyle and well—being, for lack of funding. so they are going to food banks and they are ending up buying cheaper food, which in turn impacts upon their health and well—being. the absenteeism is higher, the turnover of staff is higher. it has a direct effect on what we can do for the public. effect on what we can do for the ublic. ., , ., effect on what we can do for the ublic. . , ., ., ., ,., public. have you thought about leavin: public. have you thought about leaving the _ public. have you thought about leaving the profession? - public. have you thought about leaving the profession? i havel leaving the profession? i have thou~ht leaving the profession? i have thought on — leaving the profession? i have thought on several— leaving the profession? i have thought on several occasions. leaving the profession? i have - thought on several occasions about leaving the profession but i appreciate and enjoy the core job in itself. the way things have turned out over the last few years with the hospital pressures and so forth has

come to the point now where i feel that we must be doing something soon to support the nhs, otherwise it is not going to be here and i am going to be at a point where i am going to need that service sometime in the future and it is not going to be there for me.— future and it is not going to be there for me. ., , ., ., there for me. one more question to ou there for me. one more question to you before — there for me. one more question to you before i — there for me. one more question to you before i turned _ there for me. one more question to you before i turned to _ there for me. one more question to you before i turned to nathan, - there for me. one more question to you before i turned to nathan, howl you before i turned to nathan, how difficult a decision was it for you today? i difficult a decision was it for you toda ? ., , , today? i found it very, very difficult. — today? i found it very, very difficult. i _ today? i found it very, very difficult, i have _ today? i found it very, very difficult, i have been - today? i found it very, very difficult, i have been in - today? i found it very, very difficult, i have been in thej difficult, i have been in the service 30 years and never has it come to this point. now it has come to the point where we are going to have to suffer a little pain, and i mean us, as in the staff and the general public, to maintain the service so that in the long term we have the ambulance service. nathan, talk ruickl have the ambulance service. nathan, talk quickly about _ have the ambulance service. nathan, talk quickly about the _ have the ambulance service. nathan, talk quickly about the numbers, - have the ambulance service. nathan, talk quickly about the numbers, i - talk quickly about the numbers, i guess it is not as dramatic as some of the strikes we saw yesterday with the nurses, tell us a little bit about the reasons for that? so the reason for that _ about the reasons for that? so the reason for that is _ about the reasons for that? so the reason for that is that _ about the reasons for that? so the reason for that is that all - about the reasons for that? so the reason for that is that all of - about the reasons for that? so the reason for that is that all of our i reason for that is that all of our members — reason for that is that all of our members have a choice whether to respond _ members have a choice whether to respond to— members have a choice whether to respond to life—threatening calls or not. respond to life—threatening calls or not the _ respond to life—threatening calls or not. the majority have said that they— not. the majority have said that they are — not. the majority have said that they are going to do that, which has left us _ they are going to do that, which has left us with— they are going to do that, which has left us with only a couple of people left us with only a couple of people

left because they are all out on call already we left because they are all out on call alread— left because they are all out on call alread . , ., . ., , call already we have seen a couple of ambulances _ call already we have seen a couple of ambulances out _ call already we have seen a couple of ambulances out and _ call already we have seen a couple of ambulances out and as - call already we have seen a couple of ambulances out and as you - call already we have seen a couple of ambulances out and as you can | call already we have seen a couple i of ambulances out and as you can see behind me, there are three and there is usually 11 ambulance base there. it has got to be around that figure, plus the _ it has got to be around that figure, plus the cars on top of that. as you can see, _ plus the cars on top of that. as you can see, there are very few remaining. can see, there are very few remaining-— can see, there are very few remaininu. ., ,., ., , , remaining. the other potential issue a . ain is the remaining. the other potential issue again is the bed _ remaining. the other potential issue again is the bed blocking _ remaining. the other potential issue again is the bed blocking in - again is the bed blocking in hospitals. you may have staff stuck at hospital, unable to relieve themselves before their shift. yes. themselves before their shift. yes, we have had _ themselves before their shift. yes, we have had reports _ themselves before their shift. yes, we have had reports of— themselves before their shift. yes, we have had reports of that this morning. — we have had reports of that this morning, the night cruise that were due to _ morning, the night cruise that were due to finish this morning were still there. due to finish this morning were stillthere. i don't due to finish this morning were still there. i don't know whether they have — still there. i don't know whether they have been released yet but clearty, — they have been released yet but clearty, a — they have been released yet but clearly, a 12 hour shift, and add two, _ clearly, a 12 hour shift, and add two. three. _ clearly, a 12 hour shift, and add two, three, four hours on top of that— two, three, four hours on top of that and — two, three, four hours on top of that and that is a regular occurrence now.- that and that is a regular occurrence now. . ~ , ., ., ., occurrence now. thank you, nathan and ian, occurrence now. thank you, nathan and tan. as — occurrence now. thank you, nathan and tan. as l _ occurrence now. thank you, nathan and tan. as i say. — occurrence now. thank you, nathan and ian, as i say, the _ occurrence now. thank you, nathan and ian, as i say, the strike - occurrence now. thank you, nathan and ian, as i say, the strike is - occurrence now. thank you, nathan and ian, as i say, the strike is due i and ian, as i say, the strike is due to last until midnight tonight and another union in wales will have the results of their ballot release tomorrow, whether or not they will

be voting for industrial action as well in wales in the future. thomas morgan, thank you, from cardiff, and catherine da costa in coventry. let's speak now with our chief political correspondent nick eardley. good morning. criticism from the unions certainly seems to be coalescing around a government's approach to talks and we heard that pretty striking comment from sharon graham from the unite union this morning, saying she has never seen such an abdication of leadership, her words, from a prime minister, in 25 years. how much pressure does a statement like that put the prime minister and indeed the health secretary under? i minister and indeed the health secretary under?— secretary under? i don't think there's any — secretary under? i don't think there's any doubt _ secretary under? i don't think there's any doubt that - secretary under? i don't think there's any doubt that there l secretary under? i don't think| there's any doubt that there is pressure to come up with an answer on this but it feels like the government is digging in as well. it feels like it is all actuallyjust a big ramping up of the rhetoric about him is to blame for this this morning. the health secretary has been accusing unions of "making a

conscious decision" to inflict harm on patients. that is a message you hear from others privately in government as well, who say that the decision of unions to go on strike todayis decision of unions to go on strike today is one that is putting patients at risk and is not justified. at the same time, you have the unions say on, one, that there is an abdication of responsibility, two, that the government is not taking this seriously because they have not discussed pay, and to take the example of one union, it said that if there were any deaths today as a result of the strike action, it would be squarely at the government's door. now, there were talks between the unions and the health secretary yesterday but they didn't really go anywhere because pei was not on the table. this was what the health secretary told bbc breakfast about what went on. well, i was so concerned about the risk of uncertainty on the day from having local arrangements and individual decisions taken in call centres

by members, that i met them yesterday to discuss the escalation process because i thought it was important that we had the opportunity on the day to escalate issues where patient safety risk was materialising, and so that ambulance management are able to work closely with local union leaders to address those. of course, if you are calling people to respond to life—threatening emergency calls from the picket line, that creates further volatility as well. so that is what i was discussing with the unions, so that we can focus, which is my absolute focus, on patient safety. the unions say there was never a specific request from a nationwide deal when it came to dealing with emergency cases. i'vejust deal when it came to dealing with emergency cases. i've just seen a tweet from unison, one of the unions involved, which says, they are utterly shocked and the accusations are a destruction from the government's own failings. it all feels like the relationships are getting worse rather than better,

and at a time when some people would have been hoping that maybe there was a way out of this crisis. {lilia was a way out of this crisis. ok, thank you. _ was a way out of this crisis. ok, thank you, nick _ was a way out of this crisis. 0k, thank you, nick eardley, our chief political correspondent. let's speak to stephen raven. he's been a paramedic with the west midlands ambulance service for the last eight years but is on strike today. thank you forjoining us. i wonder, first of all, how much soul—searching you did before you actually got to this point today? it's. .. actually got to this point today? it's... it is not something that anybody who works in the health care profession takes lightly. when i respond today, when i go into work this evening, i will be responding to those emergencies. the truth is that the blame does lie with the government. the delays are already there. the impediment to me being able to do myjob effectively is already there. i went to a patient yesterday who had waited 18 hours and they asked me when i arrived, is this a strike day? no, this is the

nhs. this is where we are at. i am under such personal and emotional pressure every moment that i do my job that the pressure to take the strike action is not one i have taken lightly at all.— strike action is not one i have taken lightly at all. when you talk about personal — taken lightly at all. when you talk about personal and _ taken lightly at all. when you talk about personal and emotional- about personal and emotional pressure, what do you mean by that? well, thejob pressure, what do you mean by that? well, the job that i pressure, what do you mean by that? well, thejob that i do impacts me notjust emotionally but physically. i have been assaulted. i have had mental health issues just because of the job i do. mental health issues just because of thejob i do. but i continue to do thisjob because the reward thejob i do. but i continue to do this job because the reward at the end of it is greater than those things that i have suffered. the shifts that i do are 12 hours, technically, but i don't stop buying on six o'clock, if i am still looking after a patient, whether it is parked outside a hospital or managing them at home, i stay and do myjob. the way the system is at the moment, i am doing excessive hours. so when i return home, i am too tired to interact with my family. i can't plan to do anything. the

impact on my family is huge. i can't say, i will pick the kids up from school or i will meet them for a meal out or something during my shift run because i cannot guarantee that i will be there. that is a huge impact on me personally and emotionally.— impact on me personally and emotionall. ., ,, . ., , emotionally. the health secretary has uraed emotionally. the health secretary has urged the _ emotionally. the health secretary has urged the unions _ emotionally. the health secretary has urged the unions to _ emotionally. the health secretary has urged the unions to look- emotionally. the health secretaryl has urged the unions to look ahead to next yea r�*s has urged the unions to look ahead to next year's pay review rather than focusing on what he called an immediate uplift now. what is your response to that? we immediate uplift now. what is your response to that?— response to that? we waited ten ears on response to that? we waited ten years on promises _ response to that? we waited ten years on promises of— response to that? we waited ten years on promises of weight - response to that? we waited ten years on promises of weight forl response to that? we waited ten - years on promises of weight for next years on promises of weight for next year and every time there has been a pay review that they have chosen to ignore, notjust in the health service, across all the public sector, but they seem very content to take the pay review panel award pay rises to them every year. we cannot believe and trust in this government. i admit i voted for them on a couple of occasions but this situation is just not tenable. we are promised a future and it is just not there. the nhs has been chopped

back, cut into, made harder to do ourjobs because of less and less funding. i wouldn't trust these guys with my dog, never mind my family. stephen raven, thank you very much for talking to us. let me tell you that the level of disruption during today's strike varies on where you live. you can use the interactive tool on the bbc website to find out which unions are on strike at your local ambulance service. visit the bbc news website for more details. let me bring you a couple of the comments that you have sent me on this story already. this one on twitter says, "i think this is scary. 0ut twitter says, "i think this is scary. out of all the strikes, this one deserves government spending. the nhs has been falling for years and needs immediate transformation. although i don't believe they should be allowed to strike, i do back pay rises and funding for the nhs." this one says, "the government certainly isn't taking the right approach,

they are just isn't taking the right approach, they arejust being isn't taking the right approach, they are just being bullish. the whole point of a negotiation is to negotiate, not refused to talk about one of the reasons for the strike. the independent pay review is not set in stone." please keep your comments on this story or any of the stories we are covering today coming into me on twitter. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky says he's on his way to the united states, in his first trip abroad since the russian invasion in february. us media had reported he was travelling to washington, and in the last hour on twitter, mr zelensky confirmed the trip. "on my way to the us to strengthen resilience and defense capabilities", he said. "i will also have a speech at the congress and a number of bilateral meetings." we've also had confirmation of the trip from the white house too. in a statement it added, "president biden will announce a significant new package of security assistance to help ukraine". let's go to kyiv now

and our correspondent hugo bachega. talk to us not only about the symbolism of this trip but also its practical significance.— practical significance. good morning- — practical significance. good morning. yes, _ practical significance. good morning. yes, it _ practical significance. good morning. yes, it is - practical significance. good morning. yes, it is very - practical significance. good - morning. yes, it is very significant because this is the first foreign trip by president zalevski since the beginning of the war. the us is ukraine's most important ally in terms of the financial and military support that washington has been giving. an important day and a very busy day for president zalevski in washington. he will be meeting president biden at the white house. president biden at the white house. president biden at the white house. president biden will announce a package with military assistance and i think the key thing is that the us will be announcing that it is sending patriot missiles to the ukrainians. this is a sophisticated defence system. the ukrainians say they need it to protect the country from those russian air strikes. for weeks, we have been talking about

those missiles, those drones that russia has been using to target this country's essential infrastructure, leaving millions of people without electricity, heating and water as temperatures plummet below freezing in many parts of the country. very important development announcement that will be made by president biden later today. then—president zelensky will be addressing the us congress and i think he will be making the case for more help and more aid. i think in congress there is opposition, especially from some republicans, who have criticised the level of support that is being given by the us to ukraine. so i think president zelensky will use this opportunity to highlight and talk about the damage and the destruction that this war has caused here in ukraine, and to highlight the need for more help. ukraine, and to highlight the need for more help-— ukraine, and to highlight the need for more help. thank you for “oining us. let's get the reaction

from the us from cbs news correspondent jarred hill. hugo in kyivjust alluding to the fact that some republican voices are raising questions over the amount of money that the us is spending on helping ukraine. so when president zelensky arrives, do you think that he is hoping, that he might be able to change the hearts and minds on the republican side with regards to that? ., ~ ., . ., , that? you know, the timing certainly seems to show— that? you know, the timing certainly seems to show that _ that? you know, the timing certainly seems to show that that _ that? you know, the timing certainly seems to show that that is _ that? you know, the timing certainly| seems to show that that is something thatis seems to show that that is something that is happening here because again, this is at a time where congress is in the middle of approving some economic packages which would include more aid to ukraine but it is also at a time where injust a matter of ukraine but it is also at a time where in just a matter of weeks, really, power in the house of representatives here in the us is going to shift from democrat control to republican control, and there is a growing faction of republicans who are more outspoken when it comes to the questions that they have regarding the level of aid that the us is continuing to send to ukraine,

how long that should last, if it should be a different level of that assistance, especially as inflation in the united states continues to hit a lot of folks at home in their pockets as well. so we are expecting to hear something from president zelensky, really talking about why this is important, continuing this fight against russia. as we have seen, some members of the democratic party state not just seen, some members of the democratic party state notjust because this is against russia itself but they say this is a fight for democracy. thank ou for this is a fight for democracy. thank you forjoining _ this is a fight for democracy. thank you forjoining us. _ i'm joined now by the ukrainian disinformation and security analyst maria avdeeva, who's in kyiv. thank you forjoining us. first of all, your take on why this trip is happening and why now? we all, your take on why this trip is happening and why now? we have seen that russia has — happening and why now? we have seen that russia has changed _ happening and why now? we have seen that russia has changed tactics - that russia has changed tactics drastically in recent weeks and months, because after their

successful development for ukraine on the battlefield, where russia has nothing to do now, russia started to bombard and shower ukraine with missiles, targeting ukrainian critical infrastructure and trying to make suffering of the civilians greater and to plunge ukraine into darkness and into cold. we know that because of these attacks, every piece of ukrainian generating capacity and infrastructure was damaged. to confront this, ukraine needs, just critically needs more weapons that will allow ukraine to defend the sky and to defend, air defence systems, modern air defence systems which ukraine lacks and which it critically needs. that is why these patriot system that are

discussed, they will be supplied ukraine, are so important right now. tell is a bit more and i should say four viewers benefit, you are talking about the attacks on info structure, your own home is without power so you come to a local library i believe in order to do this interview with us today. what difference do you think, what strategic difference do you think those patriot missiles will make or can make? mil those patriot missiles will make or can make? �* ., ., , ., can make? all other allies have su lied can make? all other allies have supplied ukraine _ can make? all other allies have supplied ukraine with _ can make? all other allies have j supplied ukraine with weapons, can make? all other allies have - supplied ukraine with weapons, and ukrainian people are very grateful for this but this is not enough. what we have now is not enough to defend all ukrainian cities because the territory of ukraine is so large and ukraine needs more air defence systems, especially for big cities like kyiv 0desa, kharkiv, dnipro, which are under constant russian attacks, the last attack was the tents in a row and we are anticipating more. just several days

ago, kyiv, where i am now, was attacked by drones and still, many people, many residents in kyiv are without electricity, without internet connection, without water supply. so all of this new weapons and new packages of help to ukraine are critical to defend ukrainian cities and to defend civilian population because this is now the target, the objective of russian war, not military ukrainian capabilities but civilians. thank ou for capabilities but civilians. thank you forjoining _ capabilities but civilians. thank you forjoining us. _ a congressional committee has voted to release a summary of donald trump's tax returns from 2015 to 2021 — that's during his time as us president and presidential candidate. mr trump has refused to make his tax returns public, and although presidential candidates aren't legally obliged to do that, it's convention that they do.

it's one of the last moves of the democratic—led house of representatives before republicans take control in two weeks. members of the scottish parliament resume a debate this afternoon on proposals aimed at simplifying and speeding up the process to change gender legally. young people aged 16 and 17 will be allowed to change their legal gender, after the scottish government rejected moves to keep the minimum age at 18. the government says the legislation will ensure dignity for trans people, but critics describe it as a threat to women and girls. the scottish parliament was due to discuss and vote on more than 150 proposed amendments last night, but it had only dealt with about 64 of the amendments by 11pm. with the session finally finishing shortly after midnight when the lights in the chamber — which are on a timer — went out. elon musk has said he will resign as twitter�*s chief executive,

once he's found what he described as "someone foolish enough to take thejob". the billionaire promised to abide by the result of a twitter poll, which asked users to vote on whether he should step down from the role. mr musk says he will still run the software and server teams after his replacement is found. now it is time for a look at the weather forecast with carol. good morning. good morning. it has been quite a mild start for most of us. a couple of bands of rain pushing southwards across england and wales, and they will slowly clear and we have a lot of showers coming in across scotland, northern ireland and northern england, some of which are heavy and thundery. in between, we are looking at some sunshine and evenin are looking at some sunshine and even in between the showers we should see some bright skies. it is also windy across the north and west and these are the temperatures, 5-11. this and these are the temperatures, 5—11. this evening and overnight, that area of low pressure in charge of our weather at the moment drifts eastwards. the wind will ease and many of the showers but we have a band of cloud and rain coming in

across southern counties, murky conditions around it and windy across southern counties of england. tomorrow, this band of cloud and rain will start to break up and ease up. behind ita rain will start to break up and ease up. behind it a lot of dry weather and a fair bit of sunshine. fewer showers and not as windy as it will be today. by the end of the day, the cloud will be for getting in the south, heralding the arrival of the next band of rain and tomorrow's temperatures, 6—12. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: ambulance workers go on strike today in a dispute over pay as union leaders criticise the prime ministerfor not being willing to negotiate. this lies squarely at the door of the government. i have been negotiating for 25 years and i have never seen such an application of leadership as i have seen from rishi sunak. an abdication of leadership as i have seen from rishi sunak. ukraine's president volodomyr zelensky is travelling to washington

today in his first overseas trip since war broke out.