hello, you're with bbc news, live from london. a historic day as finland is to become the thirty—first member of nato — a decision prompted by russia's invasion of ukraine. former us president donald trump is in new york to face criminal charges in court. tiktok is fined over £12 million forfailing to protect the privacy of children in the uk. hello, i'm maryam moshiri. finland will become the 31st member of nato in a ceremony in brussels in the next hour. the application to join the western military alliance was prompted

by russia's invasion of ukraine. in response, moscow says the finland nato alliance increases the risk of conflict and that it will strengthen its military presence in the region. the head of the military alliance, jens stoltenberg, is calling finland's accession a historic moment. here's what he said earlier. in a few hours we will welcome finland as the slst member of our alliance. this will make finland safer and nato stronger. on this very day in 1949 the washington treaty, nato's founding treaty, was signed in washington, and it's hard to imagine a better way of celebrating our anniversary than to have finland becoming a full member of the alliance. nato's foreign ministers meet at a pivotal time for our security. we see that president putin's war of aggression

against ukraine grinds on. we will meet in the nato ukraine commission with the foreign minister where we will address how to sustain and ramp up support from nato allies to ukraine. both the urgent needs, but also i expect that allies will start to develop a more long—term programme to assist and support ukraine, to help them develop with nato allies and move from the soviet—era standards doctrines to nato standards and move closer to the euro atlantic family. so, why is this such a significant moment for both finland and nato? let's take a look back. the north atlantic treaty organization was formed in 1949 by 12 countries,

including the us, the uk, canada and france. the organisation's original goal was to challenge russian expansion in europe after world war two. it currently has 30 members, who agree to help one another if they come under attack. many of these countries are in europe, the original nato members were in western europe, though since 1997, 1a eastern european nations — those appearing in pink — have taken the decision tojoin the alliance. russia is demanding no more eastward expansion and it has opposed ukraine's request to join the alliance. finland applied to join the military bloc last year, along with its neighbour sweden. finland's membership is one of the most important moments in nato's recent history given the current war in ukraine and the fact finland is a country with a long land border with russia. let's take you to helsinki with sarkka iro, postdoctoralfellow

first, our correspondent jonathan first, our correspondentjonathan is in helsinki. —— brussels. as you say, nato founded 7a years ago, the washington treaty signed this day and then just 12 members. soon there will be 31, with the ceremony taking place behind me, the flag raised, the finnish flag raised at a ceremony which will be attended by foreign ministers from nato members who were meeting here anyway, but also the president, yen stoltenberg, the nato secretary general, and he has already said that this is a proud moment for him. he was of course, norway �*s prime minister for a moment for him. he was of course, norway �*s prime ministerfor a long time and he said he did not envisage the day when finland, would join the nato alliance. but of course, it is the war in ukraine that has changed that. and there is strategic significance in fenland joining. remember, for an ad did apply it with sweden at the same time.

finland has still not been ratified as a member by turkey and hungary, and that still has to happen. but finland join and that still has to happen. but finlandjoin in, and that still has to happen. but finland join in, that has a long border with russia, 800 miles, 1300 kilometres, so clearly, it is something that is important for the security of nato itself, but also it is something that has already provoked russia. russia, of course, its focus is on the war in ukraine, but it says this is moscow today, an escalation, finland �*s membership. i think what we will see now is how that relationship develops. for example, in some of the countries that are on the border with russia, there have been nato troops from other countries going to put an enhanced military presence, to reassure them for their own security. it is not clear whether that would happen, for example, to finland or even sweden, when and if

itjoins, but clearly there are issues that russia will be looking at stock as i say, its focus at the moment is on its long, grinding war in ukraine. but it is an important moment for nato today. jonathan, thank you. let's take you to helsinki with sarkka iro, postdoctoralfellow at the finnish institute of international affairs. this must be a big psychological change for the people in fenland, going from neutrality to a nato member within 12 months. well, yes. festival i would _ member within 12 months. well, yes. festival i would like _ member within 12 months. well, yes. festival i would like to _ member within 12 months. well, yes. festival i would like to point - member within 12 months. well, yes. festival i would like to point out - festival i would like to point out that actually we did abandon neutrality in the mid—90s byjoining the european union, so we like to talk about military nonalignment here in fenland, but yes, abandoning thatis here in fenland, but yes, abandoning that is a huge thing in fenland, and now we have to come to terms with

the fact that we are not only defending our own national territory and people, we are also defending the whole transatlantic community. we talk about the fact that things obviously have changed in terms of where finland is, the geopolitical situation, since the war in ukraine things have moved for tiktok. how is the country coping with the change now, and how does it view itself in terms of its place in the geopolitical world in the coming years —— things have moved for finland. years -- things have moved for finland. ~ ., , ., , finland. we will always have this lona finland. we will always have this long border— finland. we will always have this long border with _ finland. we will always have this long border with russia - finland. we will always have this long border with russia and - finland. we will always have this long border with russia and we l finland. we will always have this - long border with russia and we have learnt how to deal with the russians over the centuries, but now we are taking a step towards the west. the last final step, you could say, by joining the transatlantic community. i believe that finland will be a trustworthy partner in nato, and that will affect our national defence as well. all the plans that

we do, the command and structure, and maybe one day, you know, the kind of commitments that we give for the alliance. �* , kind of commitments that we give for the alliance-— the alliance. let's talk about consensus — the alliance. let's talk about consensus and _ the alliance. let's talk about consensus and political - the alliance. let's talk about l consensus and political parties within finland. 0f consensus and political parties within finland. of course, there is at the moment consensus for this, forjoining nato, for what it means militarily and what it means geopolitically, but do you think that support will continue, moving forward? , ., , ,, forward? historically speaking, there was not _ forward? historically speaking, there was not always _ forward? historically speaking, i there was not always consensus. forward? historically speaking, - there was not always consensus. in there was not always consensus. in the years before the war in ukraine, actually we had a polarisation between the left and the right, but now that the attack by russia on ukraine, that has united on this issue. there was no polarisation and there was huge consensus between political parties at the moment, and i think that will last years to come because we always know that we will because we always know that we will be the neighbour of russia, and that national unity, we have to count on that. but you are correct in pointing out that as he is to come, that will bear some costs on us, and

i think there will be questions and debates on assets and military capabilities as well, and in those terms, we might see a differing use, and it will be interesting to see whether we are going to have such huge public support in years to come for the nato member ship. thank you ve much for the nato member ship. thank you very much indeed _ for the nato member ship. thank you very much indeed for— for the nato member ship. thank you very much indeed forjoining - for the nato member ship. thank you very much indeed forjoining us - for the nato member ship. thank you very much indeed forjoining us and l very much indeed forjoining us and it is good to talk to and get you the programme. donald trump is spending the night in new york — at trump tower — before appearing in court later. these are live pictures from manhattan. a quiet day so far but lots of security around the trump tower. mr trump is set to make history once again — this time as the first president of the united states to be charged with a criminal offence. the charges relate to money paid to a porn star to keep quiet about an affair before the 2016 election. the judge has ruled that pooled media will be allowed to take

still pictures in the courtroom just before the hearing gets underway but tv cameras will only be allowed in outside corridors. security measures will be in place with the authorities expecting demonstrations by the president's supporters and opponents. let's get the latest from nada tawfik in manhattan. donald trump kept a low profile as he arrived in new york on the eve of his history—making court appearance, staying in at his penthouse in trump tower to confer with his attorneys. but on social media, it was a different story. he slammed the case against him as a witch hunt, and he called on the district attorney, alvin bragg, to resign. his call for mass protests failed to gain traction. but on fifth avenue outside of trump tower, a few supporters and critics turned out. trump is the first former president charged with a crime, a fact that has put him back in the spotlight. he shouldn't even be charged with a misdemeanour in this case

and they're charging him with a felony. oh, my god, they really don't like this guy, they're really afraid of him. i think it's amazing and it's beautiful that finally- the institutions are doing - what they're supposed to do. i think we're all. witnessing history. i'm here out of a sense of duty and gratitude. in 2016, donald trump became president and he told the american people, the working people of america, "i've got your back." now he's in peril, he's being persecuted, ifelt i had to come in to let him know i got your back, mr president. us news channels aired wall to wall coverage of his journey as the secret service escorted him to new york. camera and news helicopters captured every moment from mar a lago past a street of supporters cheering him on, to his flight on his private boeing 757 aircraft into laguardia airport. as trump was taking off, officials in new york held a press conference with this warning

to anyone planning to protest. while there may be some rabble rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple — control yourselves. new york city is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger. it's here in this courthouse where donald trump will answer to the criminal charges against him, notjust as a defendant, but a presidential hopeful. 2024 may feel like a long way off, but the dynamics of this case are already shaping the race for the white house. nada tawfik, bbc news, new york. live now to the us state of newjersey, where we can speak to lauren wright. she's a political scientist at princeton university and author of "star power: american democracy in the age of the celebrity candidate". and none so much more a celebrity candidate than donald trump. let me ask you this, what do you think is

going through his mind right now? i don't think he is happy about this. in fact, there has been a lot of reporting from the guardian to the new york times, indicating that he is very anxious personally about these charges, and he would prefer not to have them. i don't think that is surprising at all. what he does with this, and how he spins it this evening in his big speech in palm beach, is an entirely different matter. i think if it is a candidate that can get through this and fight their way through this, and maintain their way through this, and maintain the base of support they already have, it is donald trump. he isjust simply not held to the same standards that traditional politicians are, and i write about that a lot in my book, about his entertainment skill set. absolutely, and ou entertainment skill set. absolutely, and you were _ entertainment skill set. absolutely, and you were talking _ entertainment skill set. absolutely, and you were talking about - entertainment skill set. absolutely, and you were talking about the - and you were talking about the support he gets, and part of that support he gets, and part of that support is money, campaign money, and donation money. 0ver support is money, campaign money, and donation money. over the last few days, he has received seven or $8 million in the last few days

alone, since that indictment was announced. what does that tell you about the way that support for the former president trump works? this is a reall former president trump works? ti 3 is a really important point because afterjanuary the 6th, he raised hundreds of millions of dollars, and you know, i have been arguing with american news anchors all week about the political implications of this. ijust the political implications of this. i just don't see how the political implications of this. ijust don't see how being indicted by a grand ijust don't see how being indicted bya grandjury ijust don't see how being indicted by a grand jury helps your path to the white house. but that is entirely different than saying he can survive this political scandal. you say you have been arguing with us networks, so what is the opposing arguments being put to you? that this will arguments being put to you? twat this will absolutely benefit him politically, and i think surviving a politically, and i think surviving a political scandal is entirely different than benefiting from one. i don't think i can see how this will build his level of support. i think he will keep what he already has baked in, which is 30% — 40% of republicans. it may be enough to win

the primary, but expanding that support, getting undecided voters, and then in the general election, appealing to moderate voters and even some conservative democrats, i don't see how this helps at all. find don't see how this helps at all. and the republican response customer what is your view on that? there has been a bit of a split within the party, in terms of how that response has been moving forward. ilosieiiii. party, in terms of how that response has been moving forward.— has been moving forward. well, i think both _ has been moving forward. well, i think both republicans _ has been moving forward. well, i think both republicans and - has been moving forward. well, i - think both republicans and democrats are getting too excited about this, and on the republican side, even before we saw exactly what the charges are, and we won't see until later today, charges are, and we won't see until latertoday, people charges are, and we won't see until later today, people were saying, this is politically motivated. i understand the politics surrounding that, and it may be a good campaign move. this is certainly the case, to rally around the president if there is one, i think they will have to changejune is one, i think they will have to change june eventually, is one, i think they will have to changejune eventually, especially his opponents in the 2024 primary.

but democrats have been cheering and jeering this, and you know, that is a little bit risky politically, too. that makes it easier for republicans and trump supporters to rally around the president, and it might feed into the sense that there is a political component to this. lauren wriuht, political component to this. lauren wright. good _ political component to this. lauren wright. good to — political component to this. lauren wright, good to get _ political component to this. lauren wright, good to get you _ political component to this. lauren wright, good to get you on - political component to this. lauren wright, good to get you on the - wright, good to get you on the programme. thank you so much for joining us on bbc news. thank you. let's ta ke let's take you back to those live shots hit nbc news and we are across this story as it happens. today we are expecting donald trump, after he wakes up in trump tower, has his breakfast, may be takes a few phone calls with his family, friends, lawyers, who knows how his day is going to begin, but we know how it is going to go. he will make his way to lower manhattan is the first us president to appear in court charged with a criminal offence. we are

across this throughout the day. as you can see here, there is a live page on the bbc website. i want to show you this, donald trump is dominating the front pages of those us papers, and you can see the new york post is the first front page that our live reporter has shown us. it is a big apple circus as trump faces arrest. all the other papers in the us on our live page. it's a place to be if you are not here with me. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. it isa it is a fantastic, fantasticjob. it is journalism it is a fantastic, fantasticjob. it isjournalism in real time. these stories are happening in front of you, and you are trying to interview the key players, you are navigating

through live pictures, you are, in a sense, guiding the audience through, trying to make sense of what you are seeing. we are living in an extraordinary time the news, in terms of the magnitude of stories. but does notjust the heavy lifting, there is science and technology, trends, culture, sport, and what you are trying to do constantly is to blend all of that, the interesting stuff, the stuff that people are talking about, the fun stuff, you are trying to blend that into your shows. i love news, i'm a real news junkie, and when i think back as a kid at school, i was the one that was watching budget programme live on my own, obviously, but now you get to be actually doing it. i love thisjob, it is perfect for me. you're live with bbc news. tiktok has been fined (tx gfx) 12 point 7 million pounds by the uk data watchdog for failing to protect the privacy of children. an investigation conducted by the information commissioner's 0ffice found the video sharing app breached data protection law between 2018 and 2020.

live now to our technology reporter, alasdair keane. this dates back to 2018 —— 2020, when tiktok was quite a new app and it was largely used by young people. the information commissioners office has said that there were up to 1.4 million under 13 is in the uk using the platform and that goes against the platform and that goes against the policy that tiktok had itself. as a result, they say that the parents did not consent to them being on the platform and their data being on the platform and their data being used. there is also a complaint that the platform did not share enough information about how data was used, and what it was being used for. in quite a strong

statement from the ico they say that potentially means that harmful content was shown to those under 13 is. that is against the policy of tiktok and tiktok themselves so they don't agree with the fine, and they say they have lots of practices in place to try to prevent the under 13 is from being on the platform. tt’s is from being on the platform. it's not the first time that we have had tiktok on the news in recent times, there has been a lot of controversy over it on government telephones in various countries, including in the uk. , , , ., ., various countries, including in the uk. , , ., uk. yes, this is another blow in what has recently _ uk. yes, this is another blow in what has recently been - uk. yes, this is another blow in what has recently been quite i uk. yes, this is another blow in what has recently been quite a | uk. yes, this is another blow in i what has recently been quite a lot of blows for tiktok, which is a hugely popular app right around the world. in america, there are quite loud calls currently, particularly in congress, asking for it to be banned. that's because of concerns that it could be used by china to spy that it could be used by china to spy on people who have it on their devices. again, something tiktok denies. at that claim is because the 3pp denies. at that claim is because the app is owned by a chinese company.

but yes, tiktok saying they won't use it to spy, and putting in place different practices, they say, to try to safeguard it. but it is an app try to safeguard it. but it is an app that comes under a lot of scrutiny, notjust for privacy concerns, but also because of the way it works on an algorithm. it serves up videos that it thinks its users want to consume, and there are sometimes concern shared that it is serving up videos that might not be suitable for all of those who get them. . ~ suitable for all of those who get them. ., ~ i. ., ., now, a story that will be welcome news for so many seasoned travellers in the uk and around the world — london city has become only the second british airport, after teeside airport, to scrap the current rules on liquids in hand luggage increasing the limit from 100 mililitres to two litres. katy austin reports. change is arriving. restrictions on what can go in cabin baggage came in in 2006, after a plot to bring down flights was uncovered. now, any liquids must be in containers of

less than 100 millilitres, or put in a clear plastic bag and laptops must be taken out. at london city airports, high—tech machines at security mean that rule has ended. how about the things in my bag? i have come prepared with my toothpaste and might deodorant in a plastic bag. you toothpaste and might deodorant in a lastic baa. ., ., �* ., , ., plastic bag. you don't need a small lastic ban plastic bag. you don't need a small plastic bag any _ plastic bag. you don't need a small plastic bag any more, _ plastic bag. you don't need a small plastic bag any more, you - plastic bag. you don't need a small plastic bag any more, you can - plastic bag. you don't need a small plastic bag any more, you can have all your liquids outside of the bag. i will put those back in. and these large liquids, well over 100 millilitres, can i take those through?— millilitres, can i take those throu~h? , ., ., , through? they would have been, skated but _ through? they would have been, skated but now _ through? they would have been, skated but now you _ through? they would have been, skated but now you can - through? they would have been, skated but now you can take - through? they would have been, skated but now you can take up i through? they would have been, l skated but now you can take up to two litres in a bottle. fight! skated but now you can take up to two litres in a bottle.— two litres in a bottle. and finally, la to -. two litres in a bottle. and finally, laptop- again. — two litres in a bottle. and finally, laptop. again, that _ two litres in a bottle. and finally, laptop. again, that stays - two litres in a bottle. and finally, laptop. again, that stays in - two litres in a bottle. and finally, laptop. again, that stays in the i laptop. again, that stays in the ban. laptop. again, that stays in the ioag- everything _ laptop. again, that stays in the bag. everything remains- laptop. again, that stays in the bag. everything remains in - laptop. again, that stays in the bag. everything remains in the| laptop. again, that stays in the - bag. everything remains in the bag and it aoes bag. everything remains in the bag and it goes straight _ bag. everything remains in the bag and it goes straight through. - bag. everything remains in the bag and it goes straight through. so, i and it goes straight through. so, through it goes. we can't actually film the new ct scanners for security reasons, but they do provide an advanced 3d image of everything in the bag. passengers we spoke to had noticed a difference. it is so much easier, to be honest,

because _ it is so much easier, to be honest, because normally you have to take everything — because normally you have to take everything out and have a clear bag. if it everything out and have a clear bag. if it works _ everything out and have a clear bag. if it works is — everything out and have a clear bag. if it works is going to be much quicker. did it seem quicker? yes, it did because i didn't have to take my laptop out. for it did because i didn't have to take my laptop out-— my laptop out. far less queueing, eve bod my laptop out. far less queueing, everybody getting _ my laptop out. far less queueing, everybody getting everything - my laptop out. far less queueing, everybody getting everything in i my laptop out. far less queueing, i everybody getting everything in and out of _ everybody getting everything in and out of the _ everybody getting everything in and out of the bag is again, so it's a lot easier~ — out of the bag is again, so it's a lot easier-— out of the bag is again, so it's a lot easier. ., , , , lot easier. the level of processing now through _ lot easier. the level of processing now through the _ lot easier. the level of processing now through the x-ray _ lot easier. the level of processing now through the x-ray is - lot easier. the level of processing now through the x-ray is even - lot easier. the level of processing i now through the x-ray is even more now through the x—ray is even more secure _ now through the x—ray is even more secure than — now through the x—ray is even more secure than it— now through the x—ray is even more secure than it was _ now through the x—ray is even more secure than it was previously. - now through the x—ray is even more secure than it was previously. in- secure than it was previously. in terms _ secure than it was previously. in terms of— secure than it was previously. in terms of throughput _ secure than it was previously. in terms of throughput we - secure than it was previously. in terms of throughput we can - secure than it was previously. in terms of throughput we can now secure than it was previously. in- terms of throughput we can now got 37 -- _ terms of throughput we can now got 37 -- 30% _ terms of throughput we can now got 37 -- 30% more _ terms of throughput we can now got 37 —— 30% more through— terms of throughput we can now got 37 —— 30% more through them - terms of throughput we can now got i 37 —— 30% more through them privacy. before _ 37 —— 30% more through them privacy. before the _ 37 —— 30% more through them privacy. before the pandemic _ 37 —— 30% more through them privacy. before the pandemic came _ 37 —— 30% more through them privacy. before the pandemic came along, i 37 —— 30% more through them privacy. before the pandemic came along, the i before the pandemic came along, the uk aimed to have it in place by the end of last year. now, the government has told all major uk airports to have it byjune 2024. currently, most do still have the liquids restrictions that we are all used to. , , , ., used to. this is the beginning of the end for— used to. this is the beginning of the end for that _ used to. this is the beginning of the end for that annoying - used to. this is the beginning of the end for that annoying 100 i the end for that annoying 100 millilitre restriction. passengers do need to check if the airport is on the way out and the way back going to have this rule, or are you

in the old system? for now, this is a very small number of airports. where they are in place, the new rules should take some of the hassle out of holidays. katie austin reporting. let's look at some of the day's other news. sir richard branson's rocket company, virgin 0rbit, has filed for bankruptcy in the us after failing to secure new investment. the satellite launch company halted operations weeks ago but it hopes to find a buyer for the business. almost all wet wipes containing plastics will be banned as part of a new government strategy to clean up england's water. the plan will also see water companies ordered to bring forward £1.6 billion of investment to reduce sewage spills into rivers and tougher regulations, including potentially unlimited fines, for pollution incidents. british boxer amir khan has been

banned for two years after an anti—doping test revealed the presence of 0stirine. the drug has similar effects to testosterone and was found in his system following his fight against kell brook in february 2022. while khan retired from boxing in may, he accepted he broke anti—doping rules but said it was not intentional. an independent tribunal accepted that argument, ruling out "deliberate or reckless conduct" by the 36—year—old. footage has been shared by chester zoo, capturing the moment its sumatran tiger cubs take a first adventure out of their den. here's twins alif and raya playing together. the pair, who are just two months old, were spotted enjoying some rough and tumble under the watchful eye of mum kasarna. stay with us here on bbc news.

plenty more to come from me and the team so don't go anywhere. hello. well, let's see how the weather is looking for the rest of the day. for most of us, actually, not bad at all. bright, if not sunny weather, particularly across england and wales. not necessarily the case in scotland and northern ireland. we're closer to a weather front here and, in fact, rain is expected in some areas if it hasn't reached you already. but england and wales is under the influence of high pressure. you can see it here close to denmark and this sort of nose shape stretching towards the southwest. talking about noses, also high pollen levels across parts of england and wales through the course of today. and these levels will vary as we go through the rest of the week. now here, the temperatures, end of the afternoon

typically 11 to 14 degrees. here's that thick of cloud and the outbreaks of rain reaching northern ireland, western and northern scotland, perhaps a few spits and spots of rain through the early hours reaching wales too. but the bulk of england should be dry and clear into the evening and overnight. and once again a touch of frost on the way, particularly across east anglia and the south east. elsewhere it is going to be mild because we are close to weather fronts. in fact, the weather fronts are right over us. when you're in between weather fronts like this, that means there's a fair amount of mild air stuck. so tomorrow, wednesday, we're calling ita mild, damp, cloudy day for many areas across northern and western parts of the country. you can see that weather front makes more progress northwards, not so much eastwards. so it does look as though in norwich and in london it should be dry for the bulk of the day on wednesday. let's have a look at thursday. the weather front will have swept through the country. behind it, more of a northwesterly breeze. so things are going to feel a little bit cooler on thursday, a bit more sunny spells around

and notice a few showers dotted around in the wake of that weather front, which will be sweeping through wednesday night into thursday. and then friday, the weekend and into next week, it does look as though we pick up these south—westerlies that is going to draw in much milder air from the south. the weather will settle down as well. so if we look at the outlook, it does look as though things are going to turn quite a bit milder —14,15,16 degrees. possibly the high teens across the south of the country. a little bit more changeable further north. bye— bye.

it's this is bbc news, the headlines... finland is set to become the 31st member of nato in a ceremony due to be held in brussels today. former us president donald trump is in new york to face criminal charges in court. the british government says funding for the social care workforce in england has been halved. and tiktok is fined over £12 million for failing to protect the privacy of children in the uk. the british government has confirmed that funding promised to develop the social care workforce in england has been halved. in 2021 the government promised "at least" £500 million for reforms.

that money was to be spent on training places and technology over three years.