with ukraine and moldova and to grant candidate status to the country of georgia. all three nations have been pushing to join the alliance. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, called the decision "a victory for ukraine". it comes as the us approved the national defence authorization act, an $886 billion defence bill that will provide more aid to ukraine. out of this bill, ukraine will receive $300 million for security assistance. but that number pales in comparison to the billions needed to fund the war. the bbc�*sjessica parker sent this update from kyiv. the decision to open membership talks here in ukraine will be hugely welcome, of course. they applied tojoin hugely welcome, of course. they applied to join the euro right after russia's full—scale invasion although for many moving towards europe is a far longer held ideal, of values they are fighting for right now. for president zelensky is a decision he really wanted and

really needed. he has been trying to re—energise western support. don't forget, he left the us earlier this week having failed to secure some crucial defence fund and the decision in brussels was hanging in the balance because eu leaders pushed it through in a pretty bizarre fashion. the only one to oppose the plan, viktor orban left the room when the decision was made. it is a bit of the detailfor decision was made. it is a bit of the detail for now, an obstacle to overcome. while ukrainians know the road to eu membership is a long one with no guarantee of success, this is a morale boost right when they needed one. it's a crucial time for the country, as winter weather picks up and heavy fighting continues in bakhmut and avdeevka. our correspondent abdujalil abdurasulov reports from the frontline in bakhmut in the east of ukraine, where troops are under pressure because of a dwindling supply of military hardware.

in the bitter cold of winter, this deadly war grinds on, and big guns, provided by western partners, still play a crucial role. ukraine's 93rd brigade is stationed near bakhmut. they say the russians attack at least twice a day. theirjob, to stop them advancing. as the conflict turns to stalemate, ukrainian soldiers say they need the support of their international partners more than ever. it is demoralising for them to hear that, instead, america's funding for ukraine has ground to a halt. translation: if there is no support from the western i countries, then it's going to get really bad. russia will seize ukraine, then it will be the turn of the baltic states and poland. i don't think the russians will stop here.

our conversation is interrupted by orders to destroy a new target. the crew has to be quick. after a long silence, they're told to stand down and hide the howitzer. but these soldiers worry their guns will remain silent for much longer without new us funding and supplies. these are 155mm calibre artillery shells, and most western weapons and artillery systems that ukraine has received use these types of shells, and therefore the shortage of these rounds will mean that those big guns will have to fire less, and that, in its turn, will have a huge impact here on the front line. there's already a serious lack of ammunition for western weapons, and the shortage is worse for old soviet guns. the commander of this ageing soviet howitzer unit admits that they have to use shells carefully.

after loading, the crew waits for hours for the command to open fire on a high—value target. they simply cannot afford to waste ammunition on anything else. the difficult days ahead are uncertain, but these soldiers say their determination is not. abdujalil abdurasulov, bbc news, donetsk region, in eastern ukraine. president putin says there will be no peace in ukraine until russia has achieved its goals. at his first major news conference since the start of invasion, the russian president insisted that the war was going well and suggested that western support for ukraine was drying up. mr putin spent more than four hours answering questions at the choreographed event. our russia editor, steve rosenberg, was there. there haven't been many — actually, any — opportunities for western media to get anywhere near vladimir putin since his full—scale invasion of ukraine. but today, the kremlin invited

us and otherforeign media to the president's end—of—year tv extravaganza — half press conference, half phone—in. on the war in ukraine, he sounded confident. translation: there will be peace when we achieve our goals. they haven't changed. practically along the entire line of contact, our armed forces are, to put it modestly, improving their position. they are in an active stage of operation. there was a definite military theme to the show, which was broadcast by every main tv channel in russia and went on for hours. the public had plenty of questions about what the kremlin�*s still calling its special military operation, like would there be a new wave of mobilisation in russia? mr putin said no. this didn't happen last year.

the kremlin had cancelled the annual putin phone—in and his end—of—year press conference following the full—scale invasion of ukraine. the fact that the four—hour tv marathon is back reflects his growing confidence nearly two years into the war. he was asked about two americans being held in russian jails — wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich and former marine paul whelan. is a prisoner swap possible? translation: we want to do a deal, but these agreementsi should be mutually beneficial. we're in contact with our american partners on this matter. a dialogue is under way. it's not easy. i won't go into detail, but in general i think we understand each other and i hope that we will find a solution. irina was lucky — she got a question about egg prices. "you're my favourite

president," she says. but all i got, afterfour hours, was a sore arm. pity, that. i have so many questions for vladimir putin. another day, perhaps. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. live now to angela stent, senior fellow at the brookings institution and author of putin's world: russia against the west and with the rest. very good to see you again. first off, i want to get your thoughts on that press conference, the first since russia's invasion of ukraine. putin wanted to project an air of confidence, telling the russian people russia was winning this special military operation, again castigating the west for its policies and, you know, listening to questions from some "ordinary

russians" obviously preplanned and promising the price of eggs would go down and he would fix roads and things like that, and i think this is part of his pre—election campaign. i think it was very important for him to hold this press conference again. he did not hold it last year. the first is the invasion in 2022. he is building up to the election where he wants to about showing a vast of russians support him and that they believe russia is on the right path. putin saying there will be peace "when we achieve our goals." do you read that as a continuation of what we've seen? suddenly, because he articulated those goals and he said that demilitarisation of ukraine and ukraine has to remaina ukraine and ukraine has to remain a neutral country. now, no—one completely knows what he means by that but clearly he

has in sight regime change, a government that is pro—russian, and taking more territory. there is nothing he said today that would lead one to believe he is willing to sit down at the negotiating table and negotiate with the president zelensky. we negotiate with the president zelens . ~ , ., zelensky. we were trying to read between _ zelensky. we were trying to read between the _ zelensky. we were trying to read between the lines. - we did here putin sayjust before that "unless they want "to come to terms peacefully." and pro—putin russian mp said to the bbc earlier that russia is "ready to negotiate," adding "we need security guarantees and we will get it on the " battlefield or by negotiations. we are ready to do both." do you think that is simply words? . , ., , ., , words? that is mainly words. what does — words? that is mainly words. what does he _ words? that is mainly words. what does he mean - words? that is mainly words. what does he mean by - words? that is mainly words. i what does he mean by security guarantees? presumably that ukraine will agree to remain neutral and that it will accept the annexation of the four

territories, none of which russia fully controls. yes, you hear somewhat different signals from different people but i do not think that putin would be ready to negotiate with ukraine either than on his own terms. he said this press conference was a show of confidence for president putin. do you think the gravel scepticism particularly in the us has bolstered president putin? it has definitely fuelled his confidence. if you watch the russian talk shows and no, they are just gloating over the fact that zelensky was not able to secure all the assistance he came to washington for, that many people in the republican party do not want to support ukraine anymore, so this clearly has fed into his self—confidence and i think he is a belief from the beginning is a belief from the beginning is that he could outlast the west, that the longer the war went on the more ukraine

fatigue would set in and you now think major debates within the united states about giving the united states about giving the full range of assistance to ukraine. europe has a signal somewhat differently. the eu decision today and voting on more assistance but still the right voices in europe also calling for ending support to ukraine. this is definitely in his own mind reinforce what he has always believed that the west will not stick with this forever. �* . , , , west will not stick with this forever. �* , , , ., forever. always interesting to talk ou. forever. always interesting to talk you. thank _ forever. always interesting to talk you. thank you _ forever. always interesting to talk you. thank you so - forever. always interesting to talk you. thank you so much l forever. always interesting to i talk you. thank you so much for joining us. let's turn to some important news around the world. the presidents of venezuela and guyana have agreed to not use force to resolve their border dispute. they will work according to international law instead. the agreement was reached after a two—hour meeting between presidents nicolas maduro and ifraan ali. the aim was to avoid an escalation following a referendum earlier this month in which most venezuelans supported mr maduro's plans to take over essequibo. that's an oil—rich region controlled by neighbouring guyana.

actor andre braugher died of lung cancer after being diagnosed with the disease several months ago. that's according to his publicist, who confirmed the details to the bbc. the 61—year—old died on monday. the two—time emmy wnner was best known for his roles as captain ray holt in brooklyn nine—nine and detective frank pembleton on homicide: life on the street. a state memorial service has been held at sydney's famous opera house for entertainment legend, barry humphries. the comedian, actor and creator of the beloved character dame edna everage died in april following complications from hip surgery. fellow comedians joined in the tributes. king charles sent a personal message to be read out at the service. new york commuters were delayed on thursday morning by a bull on the tracks in nearby newjersey. no word on how the bull got loose or where it came from. 0fficials eventually captured the bull and transported it in a trailer to safety. newark�*s public safety director says the bull will be sent to a local animal sanctuary. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at a story making

headlines in the uk. an english boy who was missing for six years has been found. alex batty of 0ldham was 11 when he disappeared on vacation with his mother and grandfather in spain. but authorities say, on wednesday morning, the now 17—year—old was found in france, east of toulouse. in 2018, his grandmother, who was his legal guardian, told the bbc she believed alex's mother and grandfather had taken him to a live with a spiritual community in morocco. it has been an absolute nightmare. knowing you might not ever see him, the grandson that you love so much, you might not see him ever again. the whereabouts of the boy's mother and grandfather aren't known, and police say they're wanted in connection with his disappearance. a police source says the boy, who'd been living in france for two years, had been taken to a police station by a concerned motorist. a local journalist says he was spotted walking along the road by a driver who picked him up. he appeared in good health and didn't say

he'd been mistreated. you're live with bbc news. the israeli defence minister warned the war with hamas could last several more months, while the prime minister again vowed "absolute victory". that comes as us national security adviserjake sullivan met with israeli prime minister netanyahu to talk about protecting civilians and a possible timetable for ending the war. the us says it wants the conflict over "as soon as possible" but is not "dictating terms to the israelis". meanwhile, the bombing and fighting continues. this is the aftermath of a strike in rafah in the south of the gaza strip. the hamas—run health ministry says, at least 2a people were killed in air strikes on two houses. here's our middle east correspondent hugo bachega with the latest. we had two messages following those talks with greg sullivan in israel, first from the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu again said the war

was going to continue until what he described as absolute victory. he said the goal was the destruction of hamas and also to guarantee the release of the hostages who remain in captivity in gaza, more than 100 people. the second message came from the israeli defence minister who said, again, that destroying hamas was a key military objective. he said this wasn't going to be easy and that the israeli military needed more time. now, jake sullivan talked about a new phase in the war, with more targeted and precise attacks, but there were no details of a possible timeline. now, the israelis are under pressure amid mounting civilian casualties in gaza and also a worsening humanitarian crisis. so far they have rejected calls for a ceasefire, saying that this would only benefit hamas, a position that has been shared

by the united states, but as this fighting continues in gaza calls for a ceasefire are likely to get louder. hugo bachega reporting there. with pm netanyahu vowing an absolute victory, i spoke to retired colonel miri eisen, former idf intelligence officer and current director of the international institute for counter—terrorism at reichman university in tel aviv. the military the portion that is much more clear. you go into the gaza strip as we have done in the ground operation, the word dismantling sound like something you're doing to her closet, no, you're going and abiding all of the enormous amount of weapons that hamas have a mass of the last 15 years that they have ruled over the gaza strip, that hamas have landed, booby—trapped, put into apartment buildings, all right, that's one aspect. into the refugee camps, everybody knows that. but now we all understand that. but now we all understand that these weapons and the different capabilities are in mosques, in kindergartens, in

hospitals, in schools. you have to go and find those all to go after the terrorists themselves that we are talking about, tens of thousands of terrorists. we have arrested a lot of prisoners. and then there is a whole subterranean arena. so we are doing this systematically. it is slow and systematic. if you do have been killing more civilians because hamas built their defences to be protected, both by the civilians and, of course, by the hostages. that meant them, and are being cynical, but to get out ofjail free card. i'm sorry about this being cynical about that, but thatis being cynical about that, but that is the way hamas see them, as a bargaining chip to be used for their own safety and not for their own safety and not for anybody else's benefit. find for anybody else's benefit. and 'ust one for anybody else's benefit. and just one more _ for anybody else's benefit. and just one more question from talking interview is to think about the day after this war ends, what is the security and political strategy for gaza that day after? 50 political strategy for gaza that day after?— political strategy for gaza that day after? so it's very clear what _ that day after? so it's very clear what it _ that day after? so it's very clear what it isn't - that day after? so it's very clear what it isn't and - that day after? so it's very clear what it isn't and then i'll try and say what it is. it

is not ruled by hamas. the hamas, as we know it now, does not have the massive terror, military capabilities, it will be something that is both local, palestinian, israel is going to need, for our own sense of security, you can't live here otherwise, we're going to need for our own sense of security certainly an initial abortion to be the ones responsible for the demilitarised the continuing of disarming of macron�*s military capabilities. what it will look like further along the way, i'll look forward and hope that for the gazans, for 2 million people, that in the future they have a different education system that does not educated to hate, that we can come together in that sense, build a different kind of future, but thatis different kind of future, but that is still far away. the dismantling of the hamas terra capabilities is not going to be over soon. capabilities is not going to be oversoon. in capabilities is not going to be over soon. in this case, like the israeli defence minister, think it will take months to go

and that's what i'm looking at, not because i'm happy about it, but because they want to continue to live in israel next to the gaza strip and to be able to do that, first, it's taking apart those military capabilities. the head of the un agency for palestinian refugees returned from a fact—finding mission to gaza on thursday. philippe lazzarini says gazans are desperate, hungry, and terrified. this comes the same day as internet and phone networks across gaza went down again, according to the region's main telecoms company. the hamas—run health ministry says more than 18,000 people have been killed in gaza since the war began. for more on the humanitarian situation in gaza, my colleague caitriona perry spoke to kelly flynn, country director for norwegian people's aid. kelly, can you tell us what your team is encountering in gaza at the moment?- your team is encountering in gaza at the moment? what is our gaza at the moment? what is your operation _ gaza at the moment? what is your operation look _ gaza at the moment? what is your operation look like? - gaza at the moment? what is. your operation look like? well, i will be very open, our operation in gaza right now, in terms of the team and our partners, are more or less,

they are incapacitated, to a certain degree, given that they have all been displaced multiple times since 7 october. what impact is the bad weather of the last three days having on the situation there? i would sa that on the situation there? i would say that the — on the situation there? i would say that the change _ on the situation there? i would say that the change in - on the situation there? i would say that the change in the - say that the change in the season, as it is coming to windsor, in this part of the region, and the heavy rains that have been experiencing as of late have made a situation that has been very difficult, to a point of sheer misery at this stage, shelter, privacy, and the water situation in the facilities, etc.— facilities, etc. and if your team is. _ facilities, etc. and if your team is, as _ facilities, etc. and if your team is, as you _ facilities, etc. and if your| team is, as you described there, basically incapacitated at the moment, what impact has what we have seen in recent days of the bush by israel of civilians down to the south of the gundary, what impact does that had? i the gundary, what impact does that had? ., ., ,

that had? i would say that this has made _ that had? i would say that this has made a — that had? i would say that this has made a grave _ that had? i would say that this has made a grave situation - that had? i would say that this i has made a grave situation even more intolerable. the population density in southern gaza right now in terms of displaced locations, highly crowded, assistance, not providing basic needs in terms of commodities to the general population whatsoever. and there has been pure, gas, breakdown of social order, social constructs across the different communities. this is a very, very, very challenging time. ~ , , ., time. why is it that the international _ time. why is it that the | international community time. why is it that the - international community appears to be failing in its efforts to help the civilians?— help the civilians? well, i think they _ help the civilians? well, i think they gaza _ help the civilians? well, i think they gaza strip - help the civilians? well, i - think they gaza strip provides such a unique situation in terms of its historical, disease, and control borders. so it is a very small piece of

territory with a very high population density, mostly in condensed urban centres across the gaza strip. so it has a historical challenge that comes with it and when we're at ten weeks of onslaught and incursions from ground, the air, and from the water, from the sea, this has created an unprecedented situation that is testing all levels and all means of co—ordination for the humanitarian architecture. haw humanitarian architecture. now to some other— humanitarian architecture. now to some other news. _ a meteor shower known as the geminids is peaking in skies around the world tonight. the multicoloured streaks of light are visible, depending on the weather where you are. in perfect conditions, you could spot up to dozens an hour. pallab ghosh has been star gazing for us. blink and you'll miss it. meteors hurtle through the skies of northumbria earlier this year. tiny fragments of space dust burning up in the earth's atmosphere.

and these pictures from last night are the start of the biggest meteor shower of the year. we can see if we look up now... it's cloudy in most parts of the country tonight. but astronomers say it's still worth looking up at the skies as the storm starts to peak. so it's not too bad, is it? it's not bad and there are clear patches, and frankly, that's what i'd be looking at. if you go outside, have a look in a clear patch, see if you can see some meteors. any techniques, any suggestions? get a big, wide field of the sky in your eyes. don't focus on any particular point. just look up. you'll catch them out of the corner of your eye as well. the other thing, of course, is that if you're in company, you basically both have to be looking in the same direction because they're so fleeting, typically half a second. half a second? yeah, you have no time to point them out. there are ones that last longer. if you've a break in the clouds you'll be able to see the geminid shower wherever you are. it will be at its height tonight and tomorrow with dozens of colourful

shooting stars every hour lighting up the skies. pallab ghosh, bbc news. one last story before we go — a new discovery about cats. scientists have found a surprising number of them like a game of fetch, just as much as dogs. a first of its kind survey of 1,000 cat owners uncovered the new information about felines fetching. but most of the owners said their cat sets the rules of play, only fetching specific objects for certain people. the researchers say this perceived sense of control from the cat's perspective may be beneficial for the cat's welfare and the cat owner relationship. ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you an update on the top story, the european union has agreed opening membership discussions for ukraine. we have seen the european union leaders have failed to agree on a $50 billion aid package for ukraine. that has been blocked from opposition by hungary. eu council president has said they

will pick up the talks again in january. the latest news, and a package of 50 billion euros for ukraine has failed. we'll have more at the top of the nextel. thank you for watching. hello. milder weather is set to develop across many parts of the uk over the next couple of days. that mild air spreading from the west — with it, a lot of cloud. yes, there'll be some sunshine, but i think it will often be cloudy. and the further north and west you are, particularly the north—west of scotland, we can expect strong winds and some heavy rain. but for friday, high pressure dominating to the south of us, keeping things mostly dry in southern parts. this warm front here introducing more cloud, cloud through the morning across northern ireland. that cloud then working its way up into a good part of scotland, clouding over across parts of north—west england, wales and the southwest. maybe the odd spot of rain or drizzle for coasts and hills, but for central and eastern parts of england, we should hold on to some spells of sunshine. not especially windy down towards the southeast, whereas the winds will be picking up all the while across the north—west of scotland. temperature—wise, eight or nine degrees in some eastern parts,

12, maybe 13 out towards the west. and that mild air in the west continues to push further east as we head through friday night. with it, extensive cloud cover, some mist and murk, some spots of rain and drizzle, particularly across hills in western scotland. very windy in the north of scotland as well, but a milder night in prospect. temperatures generally between four and 11 degrees as we start saturday morning. that feed of mild air coming from the southwest and that mild air will be wafting across all parts of the uk as we head through the weekend. saturday will bring a lot of cloud. as you can see, that cloud producing some spots of rain and drizzle. it may be that things brighten up a little bit down towards the south with some sunshine. equally, though, this frontal system here will bring heavy and persistent rain into the north—west of scotland. and those temperatures, 12, 13, maybe 1a degrees, very windy up towards the north. now, that rain in the north—west of scotland just keeps on coming through saturday night and into sunday. it may be that over some high ground in western scotland, we see up to 175 millimetres of rain. that could well bring some localised flooding and some travel disruption. a bit of rain into northern ireland and northern england. the further south you are, drier, brighter, a bit more in the way of sunshine,

highs of 13 or 1a degrees. but after that milder weekend and a mild start to next week, it actually looks like temperatures will then drop away. we may start to see some wintry showers developing over high ground.

the us treasury secretary janet yellen unveils her strategy for relations with china in the new year. plus, spending on the good things in life. what 2024 holds for consumers in the asia—pacific. hello and welcome to asia business report, i am suranjana tewari. us secretary of the treasury janet yellen has revealed her plans for managing relations with beijing next year. they include a second visit to china and efforts to speed up cooperation on climate

change and financial markets. from new york, here is michelle fleury. the speech by us secretary of the treasury janet yellen outlined how america hopes to minimise a drama between the world's two biggest economies after what is after all a presidential election year. she said that when we disagree, when shocks occur, we prevent misunderstandings from leading to escalation and causing harm. her remarks come as the biden administration is continuing its review of the tariffs that former president donald trump imposed on more than $300 billion worth of chinese goods, to decide whether or not any changes should be made. janet yellen did not address the tariffs directly but said the us was not seeking to decouple from china. the treasury secretary said the biden administration would continue to press china for clarity would continue to press china for clarity on economic policy such as how beijing intends

to respond to local government