this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines at 5pm — after months of controversy and debate, germany has confirmed it will send some of its leopard two battle tanks to ukraine, and allow other countries to supply them as well. translation: we'll also provide ukraine with leopard _ 2 main battle tanks. this is the result of intensive consultation once again with our allies and international partners. and president biden is due to speak at the white house about us military support for ukraine shortly. we'll bring you his comments live. more questions for the prime minister over the tax affairs of the tory party chairman

and former chancellor, nadhim zahawi. does the prime minister agree that any politician who seeks to avoid the taxes they owe in this country is not fit to be in charge of taxpayer money? since i commented on this matter last week, more i information has come forward. and that is why i have asked the independent adviser- to look into the matter. we will take you to washington and listen to presidentjoe biden talking about ukraine. listen to president joe biden talkin: about ukraine. , . , . talking about ukraine. democrats and reublicans talking about ukraine. democrats and republicans in — talking about ukraine. democrats and republicans in congress _ talking about ukraine. democrats and republicans in congress have - talking about ukraine. democrats and republicans in congress have stood . republicans in congress have stood together. the us has worked in lockstep with our allies and partners around the world to make sure the ukrainian people are in the strongest possible position to defend their nation, theirfamilies and against the truly brutal aggression of russia. we have not

seen the likes of this in a long time. the us and europe are fully united. this morning, i had a long conversation with our nato allies. german chancellor scholz, french president macron, and the italian prime minister to continue our close coordination and our full support of ukraine because you all know i have a say for a long time, the expectation on the part of russia is we are going to break up, we are not going to stay united, but we are fully, thoroughly, totally united. ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter offences to liberate their land. they need to be able to counter russia's evolving tactics and strategy in the battlefield in the very near term. the need to improve their ability to manoeuvre in open trip and they need an enduring

capability to deter and defend against russian aggression over the long—term. the secretary of state and secretary of the military behind me are, they have been deeply, deeply involved in this whole effort. operative ability as general austin will tell you has been critical. and that's why the us has committed hundreds of armoured fighting vehicles to date, including more than 500 is part of the assistance package we announced last friday. and today, today i'm announcing that the united states will be sending 31 abrams tanks to ukraine, the equivalent of one ukrainian battalion. secretary austen has recommended this step because it will enhance the ukrainian capacity to defend its territory and achieve strategic objectives. the abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. they are also extremely complex to

operate and maintain, so we are also giving ukraine the parts and the equipment necessary to effectively sustain these tanks on the battlefield. we will begin to train the ukrainian troops on these issues of sustainment and logistics and maintenance as soon as possible and delivery these tanks in the field will take time. time that will see him we will use to make sure the ukrainians are prepared fully to integrate the abrams tanks into their defences. also close according their defences. also close according the announcement with our allies. the americans retribution will be joined by an additional announcement including that we will be ready and available and more easily integrated for use in the battlefield in the coming weeks and months from other countries. i'm grateful to chancellor scholz for providing german leopard to tanks and will lead an effort to organise the european contribution of two tank battalions for ukraine. and i want to thank the chancellor for his leadership and steadfast commitment to our collective efforts to support

ukraine. germany has really stepped up. the chancellor has been a strong, strong voice for unity, a close friend and for the level of effort we are going to continue. supporting ukraine's ability to fight off russian aggression to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity is a worldwide commitment. it's a worldwide commitment. it's a worldwide commitment. last week, germany, in germany, secretary austin convened the ukraine defence contact group for the eighth time. this group is made up of some 50 nations, each making significant contributions of their own to ukraine's integrity. each fully committed to making ukraine remain strong and independent and able to defend itself against russian threats and violence. i want to think every member of that coalition for continuing to step up. the uk recently announced that it is donating challenger to takes to ukraine. france is contributing amx

tense, armoured fighting vehicles. in addition to the leopard two tanks that germany and the us is also, germany is also sending a patriot missile battery. the netherlands is donating a patriot missile and launcher. france, canada, the uk, slovakia norway and others of our credit donated critical air systems to help secure ukrainian skies and help save the lives of innocent civilians who were literally the target, the target of a russia's aggression. poland and sending armoured vehicles in sweden donating infantry fighting vehicles. italy is giving artillery, denmark and estonia are sending howitzers and lobby are providing more stinger missiles. lithuanian providing anti—aircraft guns and finland recently announced its largest package of security assistance to date. you may remember i was asked a while ago what i think was going to happen and i said we will let vladimir putin know he will end up

with the fill—in does a nation of europe but he got the nato ionisation of finland which he never intended. together with our allies and partners we have sent more than 3000 armoured vehicles, more than 8000 artillery systems, more than 2 million rounds of artillery in a mission and more than 50 advanced multi—launch rocket systems. an anti—air defence systems, all to help counter russia's brutal aggression. and today's announcement builds on the hard work and commitment from countries around the world led by the united states of america to help ukraine defend its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. that's what this is about. helping ukraine defend and protect ukrainian land. it is not an offensive threat to russia. there is no offensive threat to russia. if russian troops returned to russia, they will be there at where they belong. this wart would be over

today. that's what we all want, and into this war. in just and lasting terms. now our teams do not permit one nation, we will not allow one nation to steal a neighbour of�*s territory by force. our terms preserve russian sovereignty and ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and honour the un charter. that if the terms we are working on. and these are the terms we all signed up for in the 143 nations voting for the united nations general assembly last october. so, the united states standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies and partners will continue to do all we can to support ukraine. what rep boudin expected europe and the us to weaken our resolve. he expected our support for ukraine to crumble with time. he was wrong. he was wrong. and he was wrong. he was wrong. and he was wrong for the beginning and continues to be wrong. we are united. america is united, and so is

the world. we approach the one—year mark as we do of the russian full—scale invasion of ukraine, we remain united and determined as ever in our convention our cause. these tanks are further evidence of our entering, unplugging commitment to ukraine and our confidence in the skill of ukrainian forces. as i told president zelensky when he was here, and today is his birthday, we are with him as long as it takes. ukrainians are fighting an age—old battle against aggression and domination. it's a battle america to fall proudly time and again and is about a we are going to make sure the ukrainians are well equipped to fight as well. this is about freedom. freedom for ukraine, freedom. freedom for ukraine, freedom everywhere. it's about the kind of world we want to live and in the world we want to leave to our children. so may god protect the brave ukrainian defenders of their country and keep the flame of liberty burning brightly as we can. thank you.

liberty burning brightly as we can. thank ou. ~ , ., ~ liberty burning brightly as we can. thank ou. ~ , . ~ , liberty burning brightly as we can. thank vom— thank you. why take this decision now? to germinate _ thank you. why take this decision now? to germinate force - thank you. why take this decision now? to germinate force you - thank you. why take this decision now? to germinate force you to l now? to germinate force you to change — now? to germinate force you to change her_ now? to germinate force you to change her mind on sending thanks? germany— change her mind on sending thanks? germany did not force me to change my mind. we wanted to make sure we are altogether and as we will do all along that's what we're doing right right now, thank you. shim; along that's what we're doing right right now, thank you. any response to the pence _ right now, thank you. any response to the pence disclosures _ right now, thank you. any response to the pence disclosures of - to the pence disclosures of classified _ to the pence disclosures of classified documents? - to the pence disclosures of classified documents? mel to the pence disclosures of classified documents? are the searches of— classified documents? are the searches of your _ classified documents? are the searches of your homes - classified documents? are the - searches of your homes completed? there _ searches of your homes completed? there he _ searches of your homes completed? there he goes, presidentjoe biden there he goes, presidentjoe biden not taking any more questions but confirming that the us is sending 31 of its sophisticated abrams tanks to ukraine, and that is on the back of the very significant german announcement from the german chancellor today that it is sending its leopard two tanks as well. now whatjoe biden was trying to stress there was that these are very much defensive, he said "they are only to defend and protect ukraine, these tanks, from nato countries. there is

no offensive threat to russia.". russia has called the german decision certainly blatant provocation. let's bring you more than on that german announcement because earlier on today, germinate to confirm it would send some of its leopard battle tanks to ukraine and ukrainian commanders are very much hoping that they along with those american tanks and the british tanks could help to turn the tide of the war with russia. germany will also allow nato allies like finland and poland to send ukraine their leopard tanks. like finland and poland to send russia says the move would be a "blatant provocation". here's our defence correspondent jonathan beale. western main battle tanks will soon be rolling into ukraine, including these german—made leopards. berlin had been resisting pressure, worried about escalation. but it has now relented, a significant u—turn. germany will initially supply ukraine with at least 14 leopard 2s with training for their crews

to start soon. chancellor olaf scholz told his parliament that germany would now coordinate delivery of its leopard tanks with allies. but he added his country would ensure that nato is not drawn into a war with russia. germany's decision paves the way for other european countries to do the same. poland has been seeking german permission to send 14 of its leopards to ukraine, too. the german—made tank is operated by many european nations. others are expected to follow in their tracks. that's in addition to 14 british army challenger tanks already pledged to ukraine. the us is also reported to be on the verge of a decision to supply ukraine with some of its own abrams tanks. ukraine is still unlikely to get the 300 additional

tanks it's asked for, but it could now get enough to make a difference. translation: we do everything necessary every day to fill - the deficit in tanks, and i thank everyone who supports us in this. but discussions must be concluded with decisions, decisions on real strengthening of our defence against terrorists. ukraine says it needs tanks to break the deadlock in this brutal war. in the donbas, russian forces are taking heavy casualties, but also making small gains. western main battle tanks originally designed to go up against russian armour will provide ukrainian crews with more protection, speed and accuracy. better than their old soviet—era tanks, but more complex, too. translation: of course they will be very important for us, _ but we need to teach the crews because that tank is very complicated, but it's very necessary.

ukraine will also now face a massive logistics challenge, providing fuel and spare parts for different fleets of tanks. it's also still significantly outnumbered by russian armour. modern main battle tanks alone will not win this war, but combined together with other western—supplied weapons, they could be enough to punch a hole in russian defences. russia says it is a dangerous escalation. jonathan beale, bbc news. speaking at the bundestag, german chancellor olaf scholz asked his mps to trust him and understand that his decision making will not be swayed by public pressure. and that's why we have to make very clear that we are doing everything necessary and possible to support

ukraine, but at the same time try to present an escalation of this conflict becoming a war between russia and nato. this is a principle we will always stick to. this also goes for the latest decision that german government has made. we will provide battle tanks for ukraine. this is the result of intent consultation with our allies and partners. i want to stress that it is right that we didn't allow anybody to pressure us, but that instead we replied on this close cooperation on their special issue and we will continue to do so. the united states are also sending 31 abrams tanks. that's a very good day for ukraine and for president zelenskyy who has been asking day after day really for the west to send battle tanks to ukraine to help with the war effort there and a

sense among many ukrainians is that this could actually turn the tide of the war with a spring offensive. let's get the latest from our washington correspondent well we just heard from the president himself. german is sending us tanks now, the united states are sending it stinks to, or at least 31 of them. , ., ., , _, ., of them. they have finally come down on the side of — of them. they have finally come down on the side of deciding _ of them. they have finally come down on the side of deciding to _ of them. they have finally come down on the side of deciding to send - of them. they have finally come down on the side of deciding to send as - on the side of deciding to send as you say 31 of these abrams tanks. they are huge beasts of tanks, 60 odd tonnes of them. they're going to send effectively a battalions worth of tanks. it's going to take a few months for them to get there because they are being funded through a mechanism here which involves them being purchased rather than being taken from pentagon stocks, but the training and for ukrainians on those strengths will start straightaway we are told. that could take some time because they are enormously complex

pieces. it because they are enormously complex ieces. ., , _ because they are enormously complex ieces. ., , , , because they are enormously complex ieces. ., , , because they are enormously complex ieces. ., , pieces. it does say this has been done in coordination _ pieces. it does say this has been done in coordination with - pieces. it does say this has been i done in coordination with germany. there was a lot of speculation that germany was looking for cover from the americans, saying if we are going to send our german tanks we need you the americans to send your tanks too. so it doesn't look like it's only us. to tanks too. so it doesn't look like it's only us— tanks too. so it doesn't look like it's only us. to her certainly been intense diplomatic— it's only us. to her certainly been intense diplomatic activity - it's only us. to her certainly been i intense diplomatic activity between washington and berlin over the last month. we know thatjoe biden and chancellor schulte have spoken several times. chancellor schulte have spoken severaltimes. i chancellor schulte have spoken several times. i think it's possible to deduce from that that there has been a level of coordination, a level as you say of the sort of political cover. the germans didn't want to be the people who escalated this all on their own by allowing the leper tanks to be used from poland, and from its own territory. so this coordination, it does reinforce the message the americans have been making all along which is that unity is important. on this. that message may have been turned around and handed back to them on a

plate. if we're going to do it, then you need to do it as well. it is a significant escalation, ben. these are effectively, with these tanks from here in the tanks from europe and the other forms of tanks that are being supplied, 270 choose, you're looking at three battalions of tanks plus hundreds of armoured personnel carriers and fighting vehicles being injected straight into the ukrainian arsenal. that will allow them to fight much more effectively in open territory and of course with that much expected offensive from the russians they want to get their hands on some of these vehicles as soon as possible. nato becoming ever more deeply embroiled in this war. and joe biden was at pains to stress, because moscow has said all of this is a provider patient, joe biden very keenly stressed to the user weapons to defend and protect ukraine he

said. they don't pose a threat to russia. if russia gets its troops out of ukraine, then they won't be threatened at all.— threatened at all. yes, and i think that's interesting _ threatened at all. yes, and i think that's interesting if you're - threatened at all. yes, and i think that's interesting if you're on - threatened at all. yes, and i think that's interesting if you're on the l that's interesting if you're on the other end of one of those tank guns. i don't defensive in nature. they are designed to help you move about in open territory. the tanks are often and regularly use to take back territory. so they are notjust offensive weapons by any means. i suspect what the president is sort of pushing here that is the idea that this is not about ukrainian and expansion in anything like that. these tanks will be used within ukraine's board he is obviously. if russia moved out then there will be no need for them whatsoever. that seems sort of this message all the way through. but he has said and he keeps saying that america is in this for as long as it takes. i think you can see from this deployment that it's going to take months to happen. and so that commitment seems to be

still there that even if these things are a long way down the line, america is still up for making a contribution. and the associated costs. , . ~ contribution. and the associated costs. , ., ,, contribution. and the associated costs. , ., , contribution. and the associated costs. ., ., costs. gary, thank you. gary donahue our washington _ costs. gary, thank you. gary donahue our washington correspondent - costs. gary, thank you. gary donahue our washington correspondent fair - our washington correspondent fair with the latest. americans are sending 31 of their abrams battle thanks to ukraine. > the prime minister has faced more questions about the tax affairs of the tory party chairman and former chancellor nadim zahawi. at prime minister's questions in the commons, the labour leader sir kier starmer accused rishi sunak of being hopelessly weak in not sacking mr zahawi. the prime minister said an investigation is under way to establish all the facts; mr zahawi says he's confident he acted properly. our political correspondent david wallace lockart reports. there are no prizes for guessing

what was going to come up at prime minister's questions this afternoon. are you going to have to sack your party chairman, prime minister? the conservative party chairman nadhim zahawi is facing questions about his previous tax affairs. in the commons last week mr sunak suggested the issue had been dealt with. mr speaker, my honourable friend has already addressed this matter in full and there is nothing more that i can add. but since that response it has emerged that nadhim zahawi paid a penalty while he was chancellor as part of a multi—million pound settlement with hmrc. the prime minister has asked his ethics adviser to investigate whether the ministerial code has been broken. mr zahawi is confident he has acted properly throughout — a difficult backdrop for the man taking questions in the commons today. anybody watching would think it's fairly obvious that someone who seeks to avoid tax can't also be in charge of tax. yet for some reason, the ppime minister can't bring himself to say that or even acknowledge the question. now, last week, the prime minister

told this house that the chair of the tory party had addressed his tax affairs in full, and there was nothing to add. this week, after days of public pressure, the prime minister now says there are serious questions to answer. what changed ? since i commented on this matter last week, more information, including a statement... including a statement by the minister without portfolio, has entered the public domain, which is why it's right that we do establish the facts. i believe in proper, due process. that's why i appointed an independent adviser and that's why the independent adviser is doing hisjob. the prime minister said no issue was raised with him when he appointed nadhim zahawi. he can't even deal with tax avoiders in his own cabinet, is he starting to wonder if this job is just too big for him? the difference between him and me is that i stand

by my values and my principles, even when it is difficult. rishi sunak is sticking with nadhim zahawi, for now, but the future of the tory party chairman is tied up with any conclusions reached by the prime minister's independent ethics adviser. opposition mps don't want to wait for that, they're trying to turn up the pressure right now. at a misty westminster, the ultimate fate of nadhim zahawi is not entirely clear. the point at which rishi sunak will have to make a decision draws nearer. david joins me live now from westminster. this is a row thatjust won't go away, will it? westminster. this is a row that 'ust won't go away, will mi won't go away, will it? that's riuht. won't go away, will it? that's right- we _ won't go away, will it? that's right. we saw _ won't go away, will it? that's right. we saw him _ won't go away, will it? that's right. we saw him refer- won't go away, will it? that's right. we saw him refer to i won't go away, will it? that's| right. we saw him refer to the won't go away, will it? that's - right. we saw him refer to the prime minister's questions last week when he said that redeems since howie had addressed the matter in full. of course since then, he's asked his independent ethics adviser to launch an investigation into all of this because only at the weekend it appears did rishi sunakfind out

that part of nadeem to hollies settlement with hmrc included paying a penalty. now labourare settlement with hmrc included paying a penalty. now labour are suggesting that the prime minister is weak, perhaps adjusting if he hadn't been told that he should be dismissing for chairman of the conservative party. but i don't think rishi sunak had gone down that avenue today that would be calling him a strong leader, because let's remember rishi sunak hasn't been put prime minister for a long time full—time he's already lost over some text he sent to previous cheap party. the deputy prime minister, who is currently under investigation over billing obligations but he denies any role doing. so this is perhaps a mechanism by which rishi sunak can get this problem out his independent adviser what he calls following due process. we can see what comes back there and ultimately it may give him

a more politically palatable route to keeping the teams howie and the conclusions of that investigation are such that he feels he can keep them in position. important to point out is where were starting to hear questions coming now from the labour party about richie sue ask own background, asking if he's ever had to pay a penalty to each mrc himself. downing street not wanting to get into that, saying tax affairs are a private matter and something that they should be commenting on. but it will be interesting to see if that line hones if more and more questions come about all of this. but certainly a politically difficult situation for rishi sunak to be talking about that for the second week in a row in his previous tax affairs, we should say nadeem saw how he does believe he's behaved appropriately for all of this. thank you david. with the leaders there

from westminster. an asylum seeker from afghanistan has been sentenced to 29 years for murdering a bournemouth man in an argument over an e—scooter. a man was found guilty at salisbury crown court on monday of stabbing 21 year old tom roberts in march last year. a court heard he'd previously shot dead two people in serbia. from bbc south today, michele cross was outside the court. the court here had heard how this man had arrived in december 2019. he claims he was 14 at the time and treated as a child needing care, attending schools in bournemouth and foster carers who have described him as volatile with everyone. the jury was shown footage of an altercation between the defendant and someone else moments before the incident backin else moments before the incident back in march last year as well as a photo he had posted of a knife on

tick—tock. the court had heard how 21—year—old thomas roberts from bournemouth was killed. he tried to act as a peacemaker when his friend got into a fight with the defendant over an e scooter. at the time of his arrest, he was told the authorities he was 16. it was determined in court that his actual age was 21. he admitted stabbing roberts but denied intending to cause serious harm. on monday, he was found guilty of murder. now it was found guilty of murder. now it was after that verdict that it was revealed to the authorities have actually discovered he had shot two people in serbia back in 2018. he was convicted of murder in his absence. passing sentence today, on judge noto said that this isn't about the defendant, it's about thomas roberts and the indescribable pain and loss suffered by his

family. sentencing this defendant to life with a minimum term of 29 years before any question of parole. dorset police made the statement outside the court.— dorset police made the statement outside the court. matters relating to the defendants _ outside the court. matters relating to the defendants background - outside the court. matters relating to the defendants background and| to the defendants background and previous _ to the defendants background and previous convictions have been shared — previous convictions have been shared with relevant agencies to ensure _ shared with relevant agencies to ensure appropriate reviews are carried — ensure appropriate reviews are carried out and areas for learning identified — carried out and areas for learning identified. gf carried out and areas for learning identified. . ., , identified. of course it the immigration _ identified. of course it the immigration minister - identified. of course it the l immigration minister robert identified. of course it the _ immigration minister robert general has said that the home office will carry out a full investigation over any red flags missed in this case. it's time to check out the latest weather forecast for you with ben rich.

this band of rain has been sleeping its way south. as this rain clears we will take a lot of that cloud missed and work away. most of us will start thursday morning with clear skies overhead, a few showers in eastern areas and temperatures overnight getting quite close to freezing. maybe dropping below in a few places. enter tomorrow some showers across eastern parts of scotland eastern part of england to but there shouldn't be too many of those. most places will be dry. northwest england and wales and the southwest of england should be a dry day with sunny spells and temperatures pretty much wherever you are seven, eight, or 9 degrees. friday another largely friday, dry across the south as we go through the weekend least mostly dry, but further north across part of scotland we will see some wet and windy weather on sunday.

hello this is bbc news with me, ben brown. the headlines — after months of controversy and debate germany has finally confirmed it will send some of its leopard two battle tanks to ukraine and allow other countries to supply them as well. more questions for the right minister of the tax affairs of former chancellor nadeem sowerby. does the prime minister agree that any politician who seeks to avoid the taxes ao any politician who seeks to avoid the taxes a0 in this country is not

fit to be in charge of taxpayer money? fit to be in charge of taxpayer mone ? ,, . _, ., , money? since i commented on this matter last — money? since i commented on this matter last week _ money? since i commented on this matter last week more _ money? since i commented on this matter last week more information | matter last week more information has come _ matter last week more information has come forward. that is why i have asked _ has come forward. that is why i have asked the _ has come forward. that is why i have asked the independent adviser to look into— asked the independent adviser to look into the matter.— asked the independent adviser to look into the matter. hundreds of amazon workers _ look into the matter. hundreds of amazon workers in _ look into the matter. hundreds of amazon workers in the _ look into the matter. hundreds of amazon workers in the uk - look into the matter. hundreds of amazon workers in the uk walk . look into the matter. hundreds of. amazon workers in the uk walk out for the first time overpay. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport center. four spectators at the australian open have been questioned by police after russian flags were waved and security guards allegedly threatened. russian and belarussian flags have been banned by the tournament. on court though novak djokovic, doing what he does, he is through to semi finals with a straight set win over russia's andrey rublev. with a straight set win over andy swiss was watching.

with a straight set win over a with a straight set win over grand entrance for the favourite a grand entrance for the big favourite novak djokovic has looked unbeatable in melbourne and yet against he at times cut a frustrated figure. annoyed first by a heckler in the crowd. and later by his own coach the slightly bemused. whatever his feelings there was no doubt in his feelings there was no doubt in his form as djokovic showed just why he's won this tournament a mere nine times with a devastating display. whatever he did well, djokovic did it better. his watching fan club was certainly enjoying it as he cruised to the first set 6—1. while his opponent battled on victory was just a model of time. djokovic wrapping up straight sets and if he keeps playing like this can anyone really got them? this man will certainly hope so. the un—seated tommy pole.

up hope so. the un—seated tommy pole. up against the american bell shelton, a 20—year—old college student who's never been abroad before this tournament. he was clearly keen to extend his trip. although shelton took a set it was ultimately pole who took the match. the best result of his career. but djokovic next up is fair to say he'll need an even better one. anti—swiss, bbc news. and alfie hewett reached the semi—finals the of the australian open men's wheelchair singles by beating gordon reid before the british pair made a winning start to the defence of their doubles title. there's a familiar tale of penalty heartbreak. england are out of the hockey world cup after they blew a two goal lead to lose to germany in a shootout in their quarterfinal in india. patrick gearey was watching. sporting fate seemed often to throw england together with germany. once again the two nations shared a narrow path. england initially

proved better in tight spaces. although it was clear here was that they had scored. you have to slow it down to appreciate the skill and setting it up. it got better still in the third quarter. entity corner and an aunt so special, 2—o control. but this is germany, two and a half minutes remaining in with one englishman off the field they scored. cue the big finale. a chaotic energy took over. in english green card. here a germany penalty stroke. he found the rig acquired column. that was the comeback, now for the flashbacks. england beat germany in a shootout. germany did what germany does. and a set history hung heavy over ansell. he scored early and i would have to do so again. a new setting for a familiar ending. manchester united are heading to nottingham forest for their league cup

semi—final first leg clash as united remain in contention on 4 fronts this season. however, the club have not won a trophy since 2017, but their manager erik ten haag says they shouldn't get ahead of themselves. i have to look at my career, to win some trophies. it is munificent, especially for the fans, it is so great and i think the fans here have so much experience, especially the older ones. in this period, manchester united didn't win trophies and it is too long ago. we have to do everything to bring a trophy in. that's all the sport for now. let's ta ke let's take it back to a top story tonight. the news from germany which confirmed it will send some of its leopard two battle tanks to ukraine. ukrainian commanders are hoping that those tanks could turn the tide of the war with russia. germany is also

going to allow very significantly nato allies countries like finland and poland to send to ukraine they are leopard to tanks as well. russia says the whole idea is a blatant provocation was up in the last hour of so we have learned from president joe biden that the united states will be sending 31 of its abrams tanks and also training ukrainian troops in how to use them. thank you very much for being with us. what is the big picture here? suddenly ukraine is going to be getting a lot of tanks. it might take months for them to arrive and the troops to be trained. but how will it use them and what difference will it make? i but how will it use them and what difference will it make?— difference will it make? i think it will make a _ difference will it make? i think it will make a very _ difference will it make? i think it will make a very big _ difference will it make? i think it will make a very big difference. l will make a very big difference. ukraine, it's quite clear they will try to mount another counter offence in the spring. they must do so if

they want to retake the territory. the tanks are essentially part of this. ukraine counter offences in september was very successful but the russians were downgraded, where he and a lot of casualties. it consolidated their position. in order to break through those positions you need a have read structure and tanks are an integral part of that heavier, denser force at the ukrainian army will need. the russians presumably know all this was that they are ready, they are waiting and there's even talk they are going to launch their own offensive in the spring. it is in an important moment. it's in an pertinent moment for german foreign and defence policy. the idea, it's some notion the provision of about 130, hundred and 50 tanks, somewhere in that range from europe and the

us. the notion that that in and of itself is a game changer i think should be sceptically treated. not late to he at least is you actually save the russians can see this coming. they've already consolidated their position. tanks are a very important weapon system. the russians used them badly, they lost about a thousand tanks last year. it's a very important moment but it's not going to transform the kind of operational picture in the country. you say the russians use they are tanks badly. i remember that at the start of the war, they were being ambushed left right and center. what is the secret to using tanks well in warfare? how should the ukrainians use what they are being given by germany and america and other countries? i got being given by germany and america and other countries?— and other countries? i got to be careful, and other countries? i got to be careful. i'm _ and other countries? i got to be careful, i'm not _ and other countries? i got to be careful, i'm not a _ and other countries? i got to be careful, i'm not a general- and other countries? i got to be careful, i'm not a general but i and other countries? i got to be i careful, i'm not a general but one of the key areas in contemporary warfare with the ubiquitous of the ability of drones is you've got to have local air superiority. you've

got to prevent the enemy having ears air superiority. got to prevent the enemy having ears airsuperiority. using got to prevent the enemy having ears air superiority. using drones on top of the tank. it makes tanks totally vulnerable both to air strikes and artillery and rocket attacks. the key is to ensure the tanks operate under the aircraft and also drones and that you move them forward under that protection. ukrainians have shown themselves very adept in terms of their campaign over the last ten -11 of their campaign over the last ten — 11 months. i suspect they will use those tactics very effectively. the wider point _ those tactics very effectively. the wider point is _ those tactics very effectively. the wider point is that germany was pretty reluctant to do this. america was quite reluctant as well. does it look to you as though nato countries are getting more and more deeply embroiled in this war in ukraine and that it embroiled in this war in ukraine and thatitis embroiled in this war in ukraine and that it is therefore becoming ever more dangerous for the world? the russians more dangerous for the world? tue russians have more dangerous for the world? tte russians have articulated more dangerous for the world? he

russians have articulated some concern about provocation. i'm not sure i stay that way. the fact is that nato with the us, uk and poland have completely supported president zelensky from the outset of the war. they provide some very serious weapon systems. rocket systems etc. air defence systems, patriot systems. the provision of tanks is an extension of god. in and of itself i don't think it will have an x dilatory of fact. what might have an effect if the counter offence in the spring is extremely successful, the spring is extremely successful, the ukrainians are able to repeat the ukrainians are able to repeat the success of september and push through towards crimea, for instance or towards lujan city i think at that point the putin government, the russian armed forces, i think at that point we will be a quite

difficult moment in terms of potential escalation. it's the operational context rather than the weaponry that will determine any escalation. ,., ., ., weaponry that will determine any escalation. ., ., ,, ., ., escalation. good to talk to you from the university _ escalation. good to talk to you from the university of— escalation. good to talk to you from the university of warwick. _ escalation. good to talk to you from the university of warwick. thank - escalation. good to talk to you from | the university of warwick. thank you for your time. the university of warwick. thank you foryourtime. staff the university of warwick. thank you for your time. staff at amazon are staging theirfirst for your time. staff at amazon are staging their first strike. members of walked out of the country doing a companies warehouse in coventry and what they're calling it advisory 50s pens at our pay rise. some workers say robards treated better than they are. amazon, which doesn't recognise unions in the uk says it does offer a competitive pay levels. our employment correspondent has this report. amazon workers being stopped at the picket line as they arrive for work. they're being asked to join the first ever strike at an amazon warehouse. more than 300 employees here in coventry could take

part in this action. they're working for a multi—million pound organisation that is raking in profits still and not willing to share those profits to ensure that those workers are able to live decent lives. they can't afford to heat their homes, they can't afford to pay their bills orfeed theirfamilies. it's got to the point where enough is enough and they're taking strike action. they're striking over pay. the company gave them a 50p pay rise in august, taking the minimum pay rate to £10.50 an hour. the union says the rate should be £15 an hour, arguing that the company's profits boomed during the pandemic as did the bank account of billionaire founderjeff bezos. we don't want his boats or his rockets. we just want to be able to live. darren and garfield work at the coventry site and are leading today's action. we just want a decent wage. we're on our feet for ten hours a day, we get told off if we get caught leaning or sitting. you get warnings.

the coventry site is similar to this amazon centre in essex. garfield and darren say their work is monitored and they have to meet targets. the pressure is intense. as soon as you come in the building you're tracked and then you go on to your station where as soon as you log on they know exactly where you are in the building. they know how often you're scanning and if you haven't scanned within a certain time they will come and speak to you. they both say they've been questioned by managers for taking too long to go to the toilet. sometimes it may take two, three minutes to get the toilet. heaven forbid you get there and all the cubicles are full and then of course you have to use the toilet and come back and that could be 15, 18 minutes in the process and they will then question you, what were you doing? it sounds like you feel you're being treated like robots. i wish we were treated like robots because they're treated better. they get a team of technicians. they get people to look after them.

amazon says their pay is competitive and in a statement said... amazon does not recognise trade unions in the uk so there's not much hope of any pay negotiating happening soon but darren is undeterred and feels it is his duty to stand up for the workforce. these people need someone who's not frightened, i've been bullied before and i'll be bullied again and i'm still standing. i'm in this for the long run. zoe conway, bbc news. the funeral has been held for a woman who was shot on christmas eve in a pub in

wallasey. 26—year—old ellie edwards was not the intended target of a gunman who opened fire at the lighthouse pub. connor chapman, who's 22, has been charged with murder and is due to stand trial injune. the vicar in charge of today's service said he hoped the funeral would be a celebration of ellie's life, which shouldn't be defined by how she died. nick garnett reports the church is very close to where the shooting happened on christmas eve. elle edwards was shot dead on christmas eve, just about ten to midnight. she had been celebrating in the pub when there was a shooting outside, a hail of bullets were fired and she was hit in the head and died shortly afterwards. a man has been charged with the murder and will appear in court in liverpool injune later this year. today, though, was a time to celebrate her life. her short life, as the vicar who was carrying out the service called it. father tim edwards welcomed

mourners to the church, a funeral cortege of white horses pulled a carriage that was carrying her coffin. the vicar, jeff staples, told the short service that this was a celebration, he told of conversations that he had had with her father, they had talked about their love of the lake district, how they have loved to go walking together. reverend staples also went on to say he was aware of the sentiments that were being felt in the community at the moment — sadness and grief, anger, fear, shock and bewilderment. he went on to say, we are in an emotional fuzz, where nothing feels solid, we don't know whether to laugh or cry or shout or be silent. and the family have also thanked neighbours and family and the people who live in the wallasey village area who came today, for their love and support and the messages that they have sent to the family, which they say have been some comfort to them in this, what they say,

is a terrible, terrible time. wales is to become the first nation in the uk to international licence scheme for tattoo artists and body pierces. welsh authorities say it follows cases in the last decade of young people needing hospital treatment and even surgery after going to unlicensed practitioners. it's hoped the move will help reduce infections and poor working practice. for more on this lets speak tojules lee, owner ofjules tattoos in canarfon in north wales. thank you so much for being with us. do you welcome this move, the sort of tighter regulation? t do you welcome this move, the sort of tighter regulation?— of tighter regulation? i think that is fantastic that _ of tighter regulation? i think that is fantastic that something - of tighter regulation? i think that is fantastic that something like . is fantastic that something like this is happening. i think it is something that should have started way earlier. remember that we do work with peoples health and we're

actually piercing the skin. so if there's a barrier against any disease it has to be regulated. i think that fantastic news. t disease it has to be regulated. i think that fantastic news.- think that fantastic news. i was sa in: in think that fantastic news. i was saying in the — think that fantastic news. i was saying in the introduction - think that fantastic news. i was| saying in the introduction some people have had to go for medical treatment, even surgery when things have gone wrong. that is a worry. i suppose there are cowboys out there who just don't do it very well. there are a lot of people that are on registered. theyjust do it from home, they don't need any biohazard requirements that we all know you want to take yourjob seriously. you know that you are going to do something to a person that could potentially harm them. so it has to be highly regulated. these people are from an artistic point of view, these people should know what to do

from the health point of view. share from the health point of view. are ou from the health point of view. are you surprised this hasn't been done before, this tighter regulation of the industry? tt’s before, this tighter regulation of the industry?— the industry? it's actually not surprises _ the industry? it's actually not surprises me _ the industry? it's actually not surprises me but _ the industry? it's actually not surprises me but makes - the industry? it's actually not surprises me but makes me | the industry? it's actually notj surprises me but makes me a the industry? it's actually not - surprises me but makes me a bit... it something very serious. you can get hepatitis b, c, hiv, so many things. you can have a blood poisoning from this. you are piercing peoples skin so it has to be highly, highly regulated. tt is be highly, highly regulated. it is business booming? are more and more people in your experience wanted to have tattoos and body piercings? certainly over the past 15 years it has become mainstream. now more than ever we should all work together and

ensure that categories, will come in years about the licensing. definitely. you're embracing it but will it be more red tape for you? t don't think so. if you take your work seriously i think that you are going to welcome these regulations. because it's something very extreme, very serious. so i definitely welcome it and i know a lot of tattoo artists as well that are going to be really happy that this is put in place. going to be really happy that this is put in place-— is put in place. great to talk to ou. the singerjustin bieber has sold his share of the rights to all his music for a reported figure of $200 million. bieberjoins a growing group of artists who have cashed out on their catalogues.

hipgnosis songs capital now own a share in his catalogue of 290 songs, and every time any one of those songs is played in public, the company will get paid. let's talk more about that. lisa, a lot of other people have done this, haven't paid? artists like fleetwood mac and so on with huge back catalog. he's quite young to be selling his for an astronomical amount of money.— selling his for an astronomical amount of money. this is a surprise. bob amount of money. this is a surprise. itoh dylan. — amount of money. this is a surprise. itoh dylan. neil— amount of money. this is a surprise. bob dylan, neilyoung, _ amount of money. this is a surprise. bob dylan, neilyoung, david - amount of money. this is a surprise. bob dylan, neilyoung, david bowie| bob dylan, neilyoung, david bowie members of fleetwood mac sold their catalog. it is quite rare for someone, 28, 29 is quite rare for you to sell your catalogue at that age. but then he is one of those rare kind of wanted a generation of artists. he's been around for quite

artists. he's been around for quite a long time. 280 artists. he's been around for quite a long time-— artists. he's been around for quite alonutime. j~:: , ., �*, .,, a long time. 280 songs, that's a big catalor. a long time. 280 songs, that's a big catalog- s200 _ a long time. 280 songs, that's a big catalog. $200 million. _ a long time. 280 songs, that's a big catalog. $200 million. is— a long time. 280 songs, that's a big catalog. $200 million. is that - a long time. 280 songs, that's a big catalog. $200 million. is that a - catalog. $200 million. is that a bargain or is that overpriced? what is your calculation? this bargain or is that overpriced? what is your calculation?— is your calculation? this is the ramble, is your calculation? this is the gamble. right? _ is your calculation? this is the gamble, right? at— is your calculation? this is the gamble, right? at the - is your calculation? this is the gamble, right? at the minute| is your calculation? this is the - gamble, right? at the minute lots of people selling their catalog, royalties raise in streaming and probably get more. it's a bit of a gamble at the minute. obviously, lots of people are selling it at high price. if it's overvalued, if he offered $2oo high price. if it's overvalued, if he offered $200 million at the minute to date, nature it may 1oo minute to date, nature it may 100 million. there is this fear of missing out. if you don't sell it now it might be worth half as much in a couple years' time. the risk with younger artists for someone like fleetwood mac, you know that originalfans like fleetwood mac, you know that original fans of fleetwood mac are

still going to listen to that. you're betting on whether future generations of teens, twentysomethings are going to be listening to beaver. so fans who grew up with beaver, including my teenage daughter will probably always listen to beaver. nobody knows and that's a gamble. t5 always listen to beaver. nobody knows and that's a gamble. is this auoin to knows and that's a gamble. is this going to set _ knows and that's a gamble. is this going to set a _ knows and that's a gamble. is this going to set a precedent - knows and that's a gamble. is this going to set a precedent quiz - knows and that's a gamble. is this going to set a precedent quiz butl knows and that's a gamble. is this i going to set a precedent quiz but do you think younger artists are going to try and cash in?— to try and cash in? younger artists have it is usually _ to try and cash in? younger artists have it is usually producers - to try and cash in? younger artists have it is usually producers and i have it is usually producers and songwriters. coleman harris sold his for $100 million and people said then that was insanity. because what new generation will be listening to those songs? there isn't that many artists with that much catalog. if someone is offering that money sell now. , ., ., ., " someone is offering that money sell now. , ., ., ., ~ .,

humans can understand gestures used by chimpanzees to communicate with each other in the wild according to new research. scientists from the university of st andrews asked volunteers to watch videos and translate the animal's sign language. the results indicate that this form communication may be the origin of our own language. here's our science correspondent victoria gill. grooming builds bonds of friendship... our closest living relatives. social, intelligent primates that communicate without speaking. and it seems that we humans can tune into this silent gesturing language. researchers who have spent years observing great apes closely in the wild have recorded a whole gesture dictionary — dozens of signals, expressions and movements that chimps and bonobos use to communicate. by showing videos of these

gestures to volunteers, scientists discovered that more than half the time, people are able to understand the message that a wild chimp or bonobo is trying to convey. here is how a chimpanzee says "groom me, please". and this is a bonobo silently demanding food from a companion. some gestures are easier for us to understand than others. this display is apparently flirtation. but the fact that we can derive meaning from these gestures suggest they provided a foundation for our own language. our last common ancestors with bonobos and chimpanzees probably used quite similar gestures. and these gestures may then have gone on to scaffold the evolution of human gesture and human language as we know it now. gorillas, orangutans and other great apes also use some of these same signals. it is something that people who work with these primates tune into every day. gesture is so important to great apes. all of the little ways they need

to regulate their social interactions in these amazingly complex social worlds they live in. it's the sort of communicative grease that gets all of that working. these gestures and our abilities to interpret them, the researchers say, sends a scientific message about how our own language evolved. victoria gill, bbc news. good evening. some places have been a lot brighter than others today across the south and east of england. it was a real struggle to brighten the skies. it stayed grey, murky and damp, and as a consequence, it stayed very chilly, just 2—3 degrees in places. contrast that with the situation further north. a little bit of sunshine overhead for a weather watcher in argyll and bute. we can pick out all those different types of weather on the satellite picture. this haze of cloud here, that's all the low cloud that stuck around in the south—east. this bright white cloud, a band of rain behind that. that's why we had the clearer skies. and through tonight,

that band of rain clears southwards, and with it all the low cloud, mist and murk. so, clear skies overhead for most as we get into the start of tomorrow morning, some showers across eastern parts of scotland, eastern england and temperatures generally hovering around freezing, perhaps dropping below freezing in one or two spots. so, patchy frost tomorrow morning, but it should be a bright start, certainly brighter than today across southern parts of england and a good part of wales. some showers through the day across eastern scotland to eastern england, but they will be few and far between. most places will be dry, certainly for northern ireland, south—west scotland, north—west england, wales and the south—west are dry. sunny day temperatures between 7—9 degrees now into friday. could be a few fog patches across england and wales. they will tend to clear. then for england and wales, it's patchy cloud and sunny spells. northern ireland, southern and eastern scotland staying mainly fine, but some cloud into the north—west later ahead of this frontal system. now that weather front will push its way a little further southwards as we get into saturday. not much rain left

on it by this stage. just a band of cloud for parts of northern england, wales, getting down into the midlands. maybe the odd spot of rain further north, extensive cloud for much of northern ireland and western scotland, some brightness for eastern scotland and also some sunshine across parts of southern england. now, for the south on sunday, this area of high pressure will keep things largely dry. but further north, this frontal system pushing in will bring some outbreaks of rain, some quite heavy rain for a time in the north—west of scotland, tending to ease as it pushes further south and east. but the winds will really be strengthening as well. gales for exposed spots in the north and the west of scotland. further south, mainly dry with lighter winds and a mild day, highs of 10—11 degrees.

today at six. after much soul searching and debate, germany confirms it will send battle tanks to ukraine. berlin had been under intense pressure to provide the leopard 2 vehicles, and the chancellor had this message for germans, concerned russia may retaliate. translation: there are a lot of people in this country - who are worried about such a decision, and the dimensions such a weapon entails. that is what why i would like to tell these people here and now. trust me, trust the german government. president biden hasjust announced the us will also provide ukraine with tanks. so how could all this, affect the war? we'll be live in washington, russia and berlin.

also tonight.