this is bbc news. i'm monika plaha. our top stories: western defence chiefs fail to agree on the provision of advanced tanks to ukraine. the americans say it's still under discussion. you may have heard the german minister of defence earlier say they've not made a decision on the provision of leopard tanks. chris hipkins is set to become new zealand's next prime minister, replacing jacinda ardern who stood down on thursday. a top un official tells the bbc she believes progress is being made towards reversing bans on women taking part in public life in afghanistan. and forget life on mars — how about life onjupiter? we report from the space mission heading for the largest planet in our solar system.

hello and welcome to bbc news. a major meeting of ukraine's allies has ended without agreement on whether to send more tanks to kyiv. representatives of around 50 countries gathered at the us airbase in ramstein in germany to discuss co—ordinating military support. germany's new defence minister denied blocking the export of its leopard tanks which kyiv has been pushing for, saying such a decision had to be carefully considered. ukraine says the tanks are needed to break the deadlock in the war. germany is under pressure to allow its leopard 2 tanks to be exported to ukraine, which isn't a member of nato. germany's new defence minister has said no decision has been made adding that berlin would not stand in the way

of exports — if its allies acted together. the uk has commited to sending 1a challenger 2 tanks to the frontline. russia has warned that providing tanks would mark an extremely dangerous escalation. here's our europe correspondentjessica parker. this is what kyiv wants, but can't yet have. german—made leopard tanks, to help defend and reclaim its territory from russia. britain has gone first in sending western main battle tanks, but it is a fraction of what is being asked for. hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds of tanks. all of us can use thousands of words in discussions. but i cannot put words instead of guns that are needed against russian artillery. defence chiefs have pledged fresh support. but berlin is still resisting pressure to release its leopard 2s. it gets to decide

where german—made tanks can go, even those bought by other countries. minister, why is berlin so hesitant on this issue? we are not really hesitating, we are just very carefully balancing the pros and cons. we are not talking just about delivering anything to anybody. this is a new kind of measure. these crowds in berlin want germany to do more, but the government has its eye on broader public opinion. the country's world war ii history still casts a long shadow, while there are fears of escalation. they've not made a decision on the provision of leopard tanks. what we're really focused on is making sure that ukraine has the capability that it needs to be successful right now.

the nato military alliance is pressing a sense of urgency. there is a need for support to ukraine, to enable them not only to survive but actually to retake territory to win this war. but there is a lot of talk about a russian spring offensive. do you think ukraine can take back territory this year? absolutely. that's the reason why nato allies and partners are providing significantly more support to ukraine. a soviet era tank in a war of today. front line ukrainian units are hungry for more modern weapons to help unfreeze this conflict. jessica parker, bbc news, in ramstein. we can now speak to constanze stelzenmuller who is a senior fellow at the brookings institution and an expert on german foreign and security policy. thank you forjoining us here on bbc. could you please put

this into context for us? how critical is it for ukraine to get this tanks from germany and what are the advantages? it is what are the advantages? it is about two _ what are the advantages? it is about two things. _ what are the advantages? it 3 about two things. getting tanks from germany and germany lifting its veto against other countries in europe, a dozen of them who own the german tanks and purchased them, passing them on to ukraine. the ukrainians, the russians are doing two things to ukraine. a campaign of terror with drones and missiles that is against civilian infrastructure and is designed to paralyse the ukrainians as much as the west. at the same time they wage a look war of attrition, a land war in the eastern provinces. and for that war of attrition not to wear out the ukrainian forces and wear out western consensus it is important to give ukrainians tanks so as to

reduce their reliance on artillery and allow the manoeuvrability. so as to get some movement. that is something that the leopard two, meant to be one of the best in the world for because it has firepower, manoeuvrability and is very agile. the firepower, manoeuvrability and is very agile-— is very agile. the foreign minister _ is very agile. the foreign minister has _ is very agile. the foreign minister has criticised - minister has criticised germany's reluctance. what is the knock—on effect here and why is appearing to be cautious?— why is appearing to be cautious? . cautious? that is anybody's . uess cautious? that is anybody's guess and _ cautious? that is anybody's guess and you _ cautious? that is anybody's guess and you should - cautious? that is anybody'sj guess and you should really cautious? that is anybody's - guess and you should really ask the chancellor about that because i can tell you that from what i am seeing from the german media and german public opinion, the german twitter sphere whatever that is worth, there appears to be unanimous befuddle meant verging on outright condonation, in fact, among, frankly, among the larger group. i believe the chancellor feels that he owes

it to the german electorate to be prudent. there was a poll yesterday that had for the first time a majority of respondents saying they were for the delivery of tanks and 43 saying they were against. that is a very, very slim margins and i suppose the chancellor does not feel empowered. my response to be well, that is the kind of situation where you need to lead and the very least you can do is not stop other allies from passing their tanks on. it is not the result that ukraine was hoping for. when does that leave ukraine now? we shouldn't forget that ukraine has gotten a huge amount of heavy weaponry already before this conference and in the ramstein conference the americans alone promised another... iforget the another... i forget the billion, another... iforget the billion, it isjust another... iforget the billion, it is just so another... iforget the billion, it isjust so much, but dozens of fighting vehicles

and the germans and the americans together have promised patriots and the germans armoured personnel carriers and the americans are sending vehicles, all of which is usefulfor the land sending vehicles, all of which is useful for the land warfare in the east. that said, i have a sneaking suspicion that this is not germany's last word. we have a glorious tradition of saying we will not do anything until five minutes past 12 at which point we will do it. losing reputation along the way. but that is the way we very often operate and i sense that the new defence minister of germany who has been in office now for two days, he has dropped some hints that he thinks there is room for manoeuvring for the transfer. thank you very much for your time. anti—abortion activists are rallying in washington for the 50th annual "march for life" calling for further

restrictions on the termination of pregnancies. it's the first such event since the supreme court overturned the roe v wade decision that had recognised a woman's right to abortion. nomia iqbal reports. there are thousands of people here from different backgrounds and a religion of religious schools, churches and organisations, people from all different agents that make ages. normally they go straight to the sim —— supreme court but it is symbolic that they have come to congress. there are to 13 republican lead states that have a near total ban on abortion and there are still legal challenges going on elsewhere. so much is here say their work is still yet to be done, there is still more that they want to achieve. resident biden issued a proclamation today and to read you what he said, he said that never before

has the supreme court taken away a right so fundamental to americans and he said his administration will continue through executive actions to do everything it can to protect access to contraception and abortion services in america. chris hipkins is set to replace jacinda ardern as new zealand's prime minister after being the only nominee for labour party leader. hipkins is expected to be confirmed as the new leader— by a meeting of labour's 64 lawmakers — or caucus — on sunday. he is currently the minister for the police, education, public service, and serves as leader of the house. let's now speak to dr lara greaves, a senior lecturer in new zealand politics at the university of auckland. thank you very much forjoining me on bbc news. first of all, tell us a little more about chris hipkins and what has been the reaction to this news in new zealand.— the reaction to this news in new zealand. chris hipkins is

thou~ht new zealand. chris hipkins is thought of— new zealand. chris hipkins is thought of a _ new zealand. chris hipkins is thought of a as _ new zealand. chris hipkins is thought of a as a _ new zealand. chris hipkins is thought of a as a minister- new zealand. chris hipkins is| thought of a as a minister who fixes everything. he has been given a lot of rehab portfolios and a hard work load including paying a key role in our covid response. he is a bit of a meme, he can make a joke at himself, his misspoke during the covid response saying that people should go out and spread their legs instead of stretch their legs instead of stretch their legs instead of stretch their legs and that has become a bit of a running joke. he is known as a hard worker and is well liked but even the reaction, one reporter was showing people his photo on the beach and people still don't really know much about him. they know who he is but they do not know much about him. what happens next and what exactly is the process for he officially becomes leader? what happens tomorrow is the caucus, all the labour party mps meet and they will have the official vote that it is not contested so we do not expect anything untoward to happen. two—thirds of them need to vote to confirm the leadership and we are also looking to see who we will have

as a deputy leader, it may be office pacific woman deputy labour party leader so we watch that quite closely. generally we can expect them to vote to confirm that. if for some reason that did not happen then it will turn into a lot of drama and maybe the worst case scenario for the party and a negative effect on the country generally. negative effect on the country aenerall . �* negative effect on the country generally-— negative effect on the country aenerall . �* . . , generally. and he certainly has bi shoes generally. and he certainly has big shoes to — generally. and he certainly has big shoes to fill. _ generally. and he certainly has big shoes to fill. what - generally. and he certainly has big shoes to fill. what do - generally. and he certainly has big shoes to fill. what do you | big shoes to fill. what do you think will be his biggest challenges coming up? it is incredibly — challenges coming up? it is incredibly huge _ challenges coming up? it 3 incredibly huge shoes to fill and he acknowledges that as well because jacinda ardern has international staff power that we cannot see chris hipkins of the new zealand leader in the next four years having the same star power. he also represents a fresh start for the party who have been struggling lately. we have been struggling lately. we have an election on october 14, a general election between him and the right who are currently leading in the polls. his challenges to get to know new zealanders and to present a fresh package that will help to

combat economic issues that we face around the cost of living and that is his key challenge now, to get out there. thank ou now, to get out there. thank you very _ now, to get out there. thank you very much _ now, to get out there. thank you very much for _ now, to get out there. thank you very much for your- now, to get out there. thank you very much for your time | you very much for your time here on bbc news. the scottish transport tycoon dame ann gloag has been charged with human trafficking offences, along with her husband david mccleary and two other members of their family. the bbc has been told that the 80—year—old philanthropist and founder of stagecoach was charged after voluntarily attending a police station on thursday. the claims are believed to relate to people who were brought to scotland as part of her charity work with the gloag foundation. all four strongly deny the charges against them. you are watching bbc news, the main story this hour: western defence chiefs fail to agree on the provision of advanced tanks to ukraine — the americans say it's still under discussion. chris hipkins is set to become new zealand's next prime minister, after being

the only candidate nominated by the governing labour party to replace jacinda ardern. let's turn to afghanistan now, where a top un official believes progress is being made towards reversing bans on women taking part in public life. last month the taliban banned all women from working for aid agencies — the latest in a series of restrictions on the rights of women and girls. amina mohammed, the un deputy secretary general, has been in afghanistan for talks with the taliban. she's been travelling with our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. a space to call their own. their own shops, run by afghan women for afghan women. but a new taliban edict shut down a training programme here. all of us cried. this, their response.

all night we cry. these four women, all university—educated, lost theirjobs, the life they knew and loved. our future is very dark. it's not bright. do you see any light? no. we're here because we really want to hear your voices. that's why the un's second in command is here — amina mohammed, its most senior woman. trying to change taliban government edicts barring women from most work places and education. that's why she headed to the southern province of kandahar to meet some of the most conservative taliban leaders. we're going to use this to push the door wider and not allow to it close. and not allow it to close, because it would close on the women of afghanistan, and that's just not an option we will leave on the table.

the council of islamic scholars, explaining their strict interpretation of women's rights within islam. so strict it's been criticised by many islamic countries. ms mohammed, a muslim herself, made her case too, in a man's court. amina mohammed, how did it go? tough. tough? tough. as in, no meeting of minds? i think that there is a distance to be covered. we've come little closer to understanding better why they took the decisions. and there is some hope, but it's tough. so when we sat down i asked — what gives you hope? i think there are many voices we heard which are progressive in the way that we would like to go, but there are others that really are not.

and i think that it is a struggle within them to bring those that are not forward too. there are many who believe, many afghan women, some even in the united nations, who believe that when the taliban say "until further notice" it means never. they say the taliban haven't and won't change. what do you say to that? well, i always have hope, because by agreeing to that is that i've just written off 23 million people in this country. that's not acceptable to me, and i will fight until we make sure they're included. because if we give up on the women of afghanistan, how many other women are we going to give up on when it gets too hard? the taliban — still not recognised by any government, under sanctions — say they should be brought into the international community. the message from envoys like ms mohammed is: first, demonstrate your commitment to international norms, including women's rights. lyse doucet, bbc news, kabul. labour has called for

the conservative party chair nadhim zahawi to be sacked, following reports in the guardian, unverified by the bbc, that he has paid a penalty to the tax authorities as part of a settlement related to his tax affairs. layla nathoo has been explaining mr za hawi's background. he was a successful businessman before he went into politics. he was one of the co—founders of the polling company yougov, and the questions centre on whether mr zahawi tried to avoid paying tax by using an offshore company to hold shares in yougov. now, the sun on sunday had reported he'd agreed to make a seven—figure sum payment to the tax authorities to settle a dispute — and today, the guardian have reported that as part of that settlement, he's agreed to pay a penalty, taking the total tax bill, according to the paper, to almost £5 million. now we have not been able to verify those claims, but a spokesman for mr zahawi did not deny the reports of a tax settlement when asked.

he's been asked for a comment on the latest claim of a penalty, but has so far not responded. but he has previously said that mr zahawi's taxes are properly declared and paid in the uk. but remember that nadhim zahawi was formerly chancellor very briefly last year, when he was in charge of setting the country's taxes. he was the education secretary, he still attends cabinet meetings today in his current role, so this does put him under pressure. labour say his story doesn't add up, and they're calling for him to be sacked. the news about mr zahawi emerged on the same day it was confirmed that the prime minster has been fined by lancashire police for not wearing a seatbelt. rishi sunak removed his belt to film a social media video while travelling in the back of a car. the social media influencer andrew tate and his brother tristan are to stay in custody until 27 february after a romanian court extended their police detention. the pair are being held

while police investigate allegations of trafficking and rape, which they both deny. meanwhile, teenage girls have told the bbc how the brothers contacted them online, apparently using a standard formula. our correspondent lucy williamson sent this report from bucharest. andrew tate and his brother tristan still draw the spotlight, even behind the walls of a romanian detention centre. today, bucharest�*s main court extended their detention for another month, until 27 february. the tates' lawyers said prosecutors had not presented any new evidence. any evidence prosecutors may have against andrew tate or his brother is still a well—guarded secret. neither man has yet been charged. but their public image has been complicated by criticism over the things they say, and the way they behave online. daria was 16 when she says

she received a private message on instagram two years ago from andrew tate's account. it read, simply, "romanian girl," followed by a strawberry emoji. it was very obvious we were high school girls. we had our high schools in our bio and everything. i feel like he was just trying to find girls that seemed as innocent or naive as possible, in my opinion. daria, who's now at university in the uk, says it's important she speak out, because so many young men idolise andrew tate. this is a big problem, because we can't wake up in 20 years with, like, two million andrew tates. in a video, andrew tate outlined his method for approaching women online. sometimes, cos like i said, intrigue, i'll put a completely pointless emoji on the end. some cherries, or an orange, or a strawberry. because it doesn't mean anything. he also recommends asking a woman, "why do i never see you,

where are you hiding?" 99% of them say, "i'm not hiding," he explains. this woman had an exchange that seems to follow this script. she showed me messages, apparently from andrew's brother, tristan, sent when she was 17 years old. as andrew tate predicts, she replies, "i didn't hide." translation: | knew - he was writing the same thing to a lot of girls, including a friend of mine. he used the same approach, always starting the conversation with exactly the same line — "you're beautiful." in publicity for his online courses in manipulating and exploiting women, andrew tate has said his job was to "meet a girl, sleep with her, "get her to fall in love with me to the point

"where she'd do anything i say, and then "get her working on webcam "so we could become rich together." with the tates now starved of the spotlight themselves, police have until the end of february to sift their potential crimes from their public image. lucy williamson, bbc news, bucharest. scientists from the european space agency are putting the final touches to a pioneering mission tojupiter�*s icy moons, in the hope they may find primitive signs of life. our science editor rebecca morelle reports. bleak yet beautiful. the giant moons ofjupiter, covered in a thick crust of ice, but hidden beneath, hints of vast oceans where life could thrive. now a mission is getting ready to make an epic journey to study them. at airbus in toulouse in france, engineers are putting the finishing touches to the spacecraft. it is called thejupiter icy moons explorer, orjuice. this is a number of scientific instruments

that we have onjuice. they range from a radar that will see beneath the ice to lasers creating 3d models of the surface and high resolution cameras. these oceans could sustain the necessary conditions necessary to support the emergence of primitive forms of life in these oceans, and it is this environment that we want to further investigate. juice will travel more than four billion miles before it arrives at its destination in eight years' time. the spacecraft will visit three ofjupiter�*s moons. it will fly around ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system. its ocean could contain more water than all of the earth's oceans put together. it will also study callisto, whose ancient surface is covered in craters. this moon could harbour life, but that is not as likely as on europa, where the spacecraft will be trying to spot plumes of water vapour erupting from beneath its icy crust. i don't think we are

expecting to go there and find schools of fish in the ocean — but to be honest with you, we really don't know, and i think that is it. we are at the very beginning of our understanding and ourjourney towards understanding the habitability of these environments. the next step now is to pack the spacecraft up ready for its launch in april. scientists hope we will finally discover what lies beneath the surface of these mysterious moons, and whether it is possible for life to exist elsewhere in our solar system. rebecca morelle, bbc news, toulouse. fascinating stuff. one of the oldest stones in history —— gravestones in history will go on display in oslo. it was discovered in eastern norway backin discovered in eastern norway back in 2021 and was discovered with lettering carved between

200 a.d.. most of the road stones are dated to 800 a.d. or later. you are watching bbc news. —— rune. hello. overall the weekend for most of us is going to remain pretty cold. we have also had some snow recently, here is a beautiful picture from wales, wonderful wintry scene. across the north—west of the country is actually going to be a little more mild through the course of the night, particularly around the western isles of scotland and northern ireland, a southerly breeze here, cloudy with splits and spots of rain, seven in stornaway by 6am on saturday, six in belfast. elsewhere across the country the blue colour indicating the frost. the reason for this temperature different is actually this tongue of milder air that is streaming in from the southern climates, and you can see it is in place across ireland, scotland, the north—west of

england and wales. north —— towards the sea will be colder. let's summarise the weekend with this tongue of our coming from the south. south and eastern parts of the country will stay in the cold air, it will stay in the cold air, it will be sunny. north—western areas will be often cloudy. spitz and spots of rain and quite a bit milder. here is the picture first thing on saturday, the weather front hugging north—western areas of the uk, the southerly breeze elsewhere across the country, we have sunny, crisp and cold weather. could be some mist and fog lingering into the afternoon across parts of the midlands and northern england. typical temperatures here around 4 degrees, around nine orso around 4 degrees, around nine or so and the western isles of scotland. let's look at the weather map on sunday, high pressure in charge of the weather in the south—east of the country, but in the north—west there, you can see whether front affecting scotland which actually might also affect the irish sea coast, western fringes of wales and also the far south—west of england. hearing that southerly wind, temperatures could actually make double figures at

least in one or two spots. further east or south—east you are, the temperatures will be quite a bit lower, so look about struggling in london, norwich and hull, only around two or 3 degrees above freezing, so really quite a raw day for some of us on sunday. here is monday's weather map, high pressure in charge of the weather, all the way from western europe through central europe into russia as well, so lots of fine weather. and there is an indication that here in the uk the temperatures will recover a little bit as we go through the course of the week, perhaps making double figures in some spots. that's it from me, have a good weekend.

this is bbc news, the headlines: a major meeting of ukraine's allies has ended without agreement on whether to send more tanks to kyiv. representatives of around 50 countries gathered at the us airbase in ramstein in germany to discuss co—ordinating military support. new zealand's minister for police and education, chris hipkins, is expected to become the country's next prime minister. he's the only candidate nominated by the labour party to replace jacinda ardern. he faces fighting a general election in october which polls indicate labour could struggle to win. the european space agency is preparing to send a spacecraft to study three ofjupiter�*s moons in one of its most ambitious missions yet. the craft will use scientific

instruments to give us our best ever view of the moons, and to assess whether they