who think he should who haven't gone public yet _ as the nato alliance meets in washington dc, ukraine and defence spending are high on the agenda — but should the summit�*s host, president biden, run in november? from the hollywood hills to capitol hill, celebrities and colleagues join the growing calls for him to step aside in november's election. fresh from winning one, prime minister keir starmer holds his first bilateral withjoe biden shortly. and england take on the netherlands in the euro semi finals — so is it really coming home? we come on air with some breaking news — police in hertfordshire say they've

found a man, wanted in connection with a triple murder after a massive manhunt. three women were found dead at their home in bushey, on tuesday night, not farfrom london. police say they believe the attack was targeted and that a crossbow was used, possibly with other weapons. the identities of the people killed have been confirmed. they were 61—year—old carol hunt — seen here with her husband, the bbc racing radio commentator john hunt — and two of their daughters — louise hunt who was 25, and hannah hunt, who was aged 28. let's speak to our correspondent nicky schiller, who's in bushey.

just bring us up—to—date on the very latest — of course there was a massive manhunt throughout the course of the day.— massive manhunt throughout the course of the day. yes, let me take ou course of the day. yes, let me take you through — course of the day. yes, let me take you through the _ course of the day. yes, let me take you through the series _ course of the day. yes, let me take you through the series of— course of the day. yes, let me take you through the series of events i you through the series of events that have happened in hertfordshire. it was around this time last night that police were called to the area of reports of hearing screenings. they entered a house on the cul—de—sac you can see behind me — they found three women who at that time were seriously injured —— hearing screening. ambulances came to the scene but sadly they were unable to save the three women —— hearing screaming. throughout the day, we've learned the identity of those three women — they are the wife of the bbc racing commentator john hunt, carol hunt, who was 61, and two of their daughters. and as soon as that instant happened, police began their investigation and during the day, they appealed for

the public pulse �*s help in trying to track down the suspect — 26—year—old kyle clifford —— the public�*s help. they were telling the public�*s help. they were telling the public not to approach them because they said he had a crossbow. they think the cross but was used in the attack, and they were concerned also he may have other weapons. throughout the course of the day, we saw a huge operation in hertfordshire here looking for him, but also around 20 miles around the microwave in north london, in an area called enfield. the reason is the suspect lived in enfield, and during the day we saw armed officers going into a property linked to the suspect. and then a few hours ago, there is a big police operation around a cemetery in the infield area, a lot of police activity. then around 90 minutes ago, the police confirmed that they had found the suspect in enfield. they say that receiving medical treatment, having

been found with injuries. the police go on to say that no shots were fired — they say at this stage, they believe that the suspect was known to the victims. the police in charge of this operation say of course it is a very difficult time for the family of the three victims, and they are appealing for privacy. they say that their investigation is moving at what they call pace — although full identification of the victims is yet to take place. in the last hour or so, we've seen a private influence go in and out of the cul—de—sac behind me. also this area is very quiet. 0ne the cul—de—sac behind me. also this area is very quiet. one of the local counsellors said to me, "the biggest thing that happened here was a bit of fly—tipping," so the community here are really shocked, and throughout the afternoon, we've seen people coming and laying flowers by

the side, and one of the women who brought a bouquet of flowers was in tears as she walked away. another four came together — they were holding hands and putting flowers down together. so i think it will take a long time for the community here to come to terms with what has happened. meanwhile, the police investigation is continuing, as you would expect in these situations, the police are here and detectives have been knocking on doors, asking members of the public if they saw anything last night that can help. but the overwhelming feeling here is of shock, and indeed, condolences to john hunt, the husband of carol and the two daughters who were killed. so many people sending their condolences, because of course, being a bbc racing commentator, he was known in the sporting world, both in the bbc and also sky, who he

worked for, have been setting condolences. police say their investigation is continuing, but we do know the 26—year—old suspect is having medical attention for injuries, but no shots were fired. nicky schiller at the scene in bushey in hertfordshire, with the latest developments on that story, thank you very much. a reminder, we do have a live page on the bbc news website that has continuing updates on that story. there are busy days in washington, and then there are busy days in washington. world leaders have been gathering in the american capital, as the nato summit gets under way. the alliance, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, comes together amidst a backdrop of the war in ukraine, and questions over defence spending. and there are questions over it's own existence — if donald trump wins the presidency, he's promised wholesale change. president biden is hosting this year's summit — but while he's welcoming his political counterparts

from across the globe, more of his political allies at home are starting to question whether he's fit to run in november's election. prime minister sir keir starmer will soon hold his first bilateral meeting with presidentjoe biden later tonight. there's a lot to get through, but we will take you through, but we will take you through all of those developments. in a moment, we'lljoin our correspondent helena humphrey who is at the summit — but first, our political editor chris mason is travelling with the british prime minister and sent us this report. landing on the world stage. sir keir starmer arrived here in washington, the campaign trail behind him, the red carpet in front. accompanied by his wife, victoria, a motorcade tojoin. ukraine on his mind, sleep to grab, people to meet. first up, the german chancellor, 0laf scholz. grip and grin, this a few days

to build personal relationships with the uk's closest allies. next stop the senate to meet senior us politicians, both democrat and republican. how might this town look next year after the us presidential election? prime minister, good morning. here's the man seeking reassurance — ukraine's president zelensky. how are you? nato wants its members to spend 2% of national income on defence. most, but not all, manage it. the uk exceeds it. the new government is promising to boost defence spending to 2.5%, but not putting a time frame on it. prime minister, is president zelensky reassured that he's getting the help that he needs? i've just had a very good meeting with president zelensky, where i made it absolutely clear that, as far as the uk is concerned, the change of government makes no difference to the support that we will provide, and to use our opportunity here with our allies to make sure

that that support is agreed. and to reinforce, in a sense as a message to putin, the resolve of nato — bigger now than it's ever been, more united than it's ever been, and absolutely clear—eyed about the threat of russian aggression. the uk will begin what's called a strategic defence review next week to work out what is needed for our security, and part of that will be about the money required too. but the review will take time. so what, weeks or months? no defence review, when it's grappling with such problems, can be done in weeks, but it will be done properly, it will be done at pace, and it'll give us the foundations as a new government to lead britain into the future. they call this the family photo, and a first one for a new prime minister. those rosettes and election campaign speeches seem rather a while ago now.

keir starmer heads to the white house next. in his speech at the summit, us presidentjoe biden praised nations as they committed to spend more on defence and strengthen military capabilities. mr biden said nato was capable of defending every inch of its territory. let's go straight to my colleague helena humphry, who's at that summit in the us capital. bring us up to date on what's been happening. today was the first big day of business, some high—level meetings with world leaders, nato partner countries as well, all coming together. significant announcement from the us secretary of state antony blinken, saying those f—16 fighterjets will be provided by nato allies — something ukraine has

been calling for for nato allies — something ukraine has been calling forfor a nato allies — something ukraine has been calling for for a long time. ukrainian pilots have been here in the us receiving training on them, off the back of the announcement for patriot missiles as well, patriot battery systems as well as tactical air defence systems. on top of that, some key comments to watch from the likes of nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg, who will be leaving the post soon on the 1st of october, saying that china is the enabler of this war, specifically referencing reports of china supplying microelectronics to russia to be used in the manufacture of weapons so russia continues its war chest and continues to have weaponry is. also with regards to ukraine and its role in nato, we know it wants to be a member — we heard from the finnish president today saying that its position in nato, that extension should, and it's irreversible. you werejust

should, and it's irreversible. you were just talking about this being a really big day in washington, just talking more about that split screen we've got with the nato summit here, and of course what we are seeing on capitol hill, those comments we've been hearing from the likes of nancy pelosi, the former speaker of the house, influential democrat who says that president biden needs to make up that president biden needs to make up his mind soon whether he's staying in the race. the counterpoint to that is president biden has said he's adamant that he's staying in the race, despite those drips of democrats calling him to step out after that debate performance. one step further, us actor george clooney, a large democratic donor, also writing an opinion editorial saying, "i love joe biden, but we need to have a new nominee." so i think that's also providing the backdrop to much of the conversation here. just some breaking news to bring you — joe biden will be sitting down for

another interview, this with lester holt, the anchor of nbc news, coming off the back of the interview he had with abc's george stephanopoulos. it's fair to say this interview opportunity coming up at a time when no performance so far has managed to quell any of these concerns, at least amongst some democrats, about his fitness for staying in the race. helena with the latest from washington, thank you for the moment. and we'll be discussing more about president biden and those growing calls for him step aside. let's discuss what's been agreed to today at the nato summit. for more on this, let's speak to anja manuel — she's executive director of the aspen strategy group, which is a bipartisan us foreign policy forum based in dc. this is the 75th anniversary of the nato alliance, but it comes at a time when some people are

questioning the usefulness and the future of that alliance. where do you see it fitting into the current global map at the moment? thanks for havin: me. global map at the moment? thanks for having me- nato _ global map at the moment? thanks for having me. nato has— global map at the moment? thanks for having me. nato has never— global map at the moment? thanks for having me. nato has never been - global map at the moment? thanks for having me. nato has never been more| having me. nato has never been more relevant or more useful. i mean, it is largely unsung, but the amount of coordination, cooperation, being on the same page and how much aid is being provided to ukraine really should be celebrated. i also think a really important thing is happening this week at the summit — which is that they are announcing new command in germany that will co—ordinate the provision of that military equipment to ukraine. that's really important because it future proofs the alliance, if you will, and keeps it out of the vagaries of politics. you've all just out of the vagaries of politics. you've alljust had your election in the uk, we have one coming up in the us, the french havejust had their election — and just putting that ukraine to —— aid to ukraine on a

more secure footing is important. jens stoltenberg talking about how increasingly relevant the alliance is in the indo—pacific as well. you is in the indo-pacific as well. you talk about — is in the indo-pacific as well. you talk about ukraine _ is in the indo—pacific as well. you talk about ukraine and nato has aspirations to become part of the alliance — how close, if at all, is ukraine to becoming some part of nato in the next couple years? there's a lot of talk in washington about how exactly to word it as part of the summit — i don't know whether they'll come out on that — but for all intents and purposes, this alliance is defending ukraine, and they are right to do this. this is a relatively small — the eight we are giving to ukraine is a relatively small part of our defence budgets. no nato soldiers are standing and harm's way, the ukrainians are fighting valiantly, and they are doing real damage to the russians. it's a very formidable opponent, but

we need to make sure that ukraine stays in the fight and that russia is ultimately defeated. let’s stays in the fight and that russia is ultimately defeated. let's zoom out a bit and _ is ultimately defeated. let's zoom out a bit and look _ is ultimately defeated. let's zoom out a bit and look again _ is ultimately defeated. let's zoom out a bit and look again at - out a bit and look again at the future of nato — it could be that donald trump reenters the white house, but we don't know until november with the election — but mr trump has been less than favourable about nato in the past, he's even threatened to pull the us out of the alliance. how much is the summit all about sort of future proofing the alliance for that possibility? i’m alliance for that possibility? i'm not sure how — alliance for that possibility? i“n not sure how much it is about donald trump or potential president donald trump, but they are certainly future proofing the alliance and they are right to do so. i think every american president realises, once they get into office, how important it is to have friends and allies. it is a dangerous world out there, great powers are acting badly — by that, i mean mostly the russians in

the chinese, iranians and others — and one of the best things we have going from a us perspective is that we have so many friends and allies in the fight. if a conference that's happening in aspen next week, we'll talk about all these issues, we will have many from the us and international stage where people will reaffirm its importance. thank ou so will reaffirm its importance. thank you so much. _ will reaffirm its importance. thank you so much, we've _ will reaffirm its importance. thank you so much, we've run _ will reaffirm its importance. thank you so much, we've run out - will reaffirm its importance. thank you so much, we've run out of- will reaffirm its importance. thank l you so much, we've run out of time, but thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on that ongoing nato summit. there's plenty more on that summit. there's plenty more on that summit in the bbc news website. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

if you're watching this, i'm not sure this news will be as interesting to you because you're probably not a football fan. we've just heard that england has equalised — the score in that euro semifinal between england and the

netherlands is 1—1 at the moment, and you can see there, cheering england fans, pleased that harry kane managed to equalise in the 18th minute. now back to the news. and as president biden attends the nato summit, the calls for him to step aside in this year's presidential race are growing ever louder — and closer to the president himself. just a few weeks ago, hollywood actor george clooney was withjoe biden, trying to drum up money in a big celebrity fundraiser for the president. but today, in a scathing opinion piece for the new york times newspaper, he's called on mr biden to step aside. he wrote... but it's notjust celebrities

who want a new candidate — senior members ofjoe biden's own party are now saying he should consider his position, including ally and former speaker of the house, nancy pelosi. ms pelosi said he should decide quickly whether to stay in the 2024 white house race. as long as the president had... the president — it's up to the president to decide if he is going to run. we're all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short. the, ithink, overwhelming support of the caucus — it's not for me to say, i'm not head of the caucus any more — but he's beloved, he is respected, and people want him to make that decision, not me. he has said he has made a decision. he has said firmly this week he is going to run. do you want him to run? i want him to do whatever he decides to do. let's speak to doug thornell —

a long—time political strategist who's worked on numerous democratic campaigns from presidential to senate, to house. doug also served as a media strategist to the democratic national committee, and was the top spokesman for the democratic congressional campaign committee, amongst otherjobs. he now runs a political consulting firm — so it's fair to say he's a well—connected democrat. welcome to the context. so what are people saying to you behind closed doors, away from the microphone? is the mood amongst democrats that you're speaking to you that it's time for him to go? it’s you're speaking to you that it's time for him to go?— you're speaking to you that it's time for him to go? it's great to be with ou. time for him to go? it's great to be with you. actually, _ time for him to go? it's great to be with you. actually, i _ time for him to go? it's great to be with you. actually, i think- time for him to go? it's great to be with you. actually, i think the - with you. actually, i think the mood is that people want to get back to the core issue of this race — and thatis the core issue of this race — and that is the contrast with donald trump on issues of character and where we will go as a country. on one hand, you have a twice impeached convicted felon president who wants to take us backwards and get rid of programmes like medicare and social

security, and pass a national abortion ban. 0n the other hand, you have a president with a really good record over the last three and a half years in moving america forward out of a hand 15 million plus new jobs, and honest man who always shoot straight. frankly what i'm hearing most is frustration that we can't get back to that core contrast in the campaign. i think the president has made it clear he will run again for reelection. there are a lot of people within congress and leaders outside of congress who still want him to run for reelection - i still want him to run for reelection — i know there are some other voices out there, they're welcome to their opinion — but it's clear at least from what the president has said over the last ten days, he's running for reelection. 50 over the last ten days, he's running for reelection.— for reelection. so doug, you sound like you're — for reelection. so doug, you sound like you're very _ for reelection. so doug, you sound like you're very much _ for reelection. so doug, you sound like you're very much of _ for reelection. so doug, you sound like you're very much of the - for reelection. so doug, you sound like you're very much of the belief| like you're very much of the belief joe biden should still be the candidate come november, that correct? he candidate come november, that correct? ., ., ., ., �*,

correct? he won the nomination, he's not a correct? he won the nomination, he's got a tremendous _ correct? he won the nomination, he's got a tremendous record, _ correct? he won the nomination, he's got a tremendous record, he's - correct? he won the nomination, he's got a tremendous record, he's made l got a tremendous record, he's made it clear he will run, and i think it's important we rally behind him and help mount this fight against this existential threat to america, which donald trump stop i am going to read you back some of what george clooney said. he said, "this is about age. everyone saw that debate performance, it wasn't great, there's no denying it. we won't win in november with this president." people like george clooney help fund raise a huge amount of money for the democratic party. when you've got people like him saying it's time to 90, people like him saying it's time to go, don't you have a problem? mr go, don't you have a problem? iii clooney is go, don't you have a problem? m clooney is certainly welcome to his opinion, but you also have 15 plus members of the congressional black caucus who are standing by the emperor incident, which is very important. you've got democratic mayors across the country, and

overwhelming number of members of congress in the senate who are standing behind the president. i'm not trying to paint a picture here that everyone wants him to run — i know there are people who want him to step aside, there are people who wanted him not to run in 2020. but he is the nominee, he's made it clear he will run, and ijust think it is very important for democrats to get back into the fight here, which is the contrast between our nominee, joe biden, and donald trump, who is a real threat to democracy in the future of this country. democracy in the future of this count . ~ �* ., , democracy in the future of this count .~ �* ., , ., :: democracy in the future of this count .~�* ., , ., ::,_,, country. we've only got 20 seconds, but quickly. — country. we've only got 20 seconds, but quickly. do _ country. we've only got 20 seconds, but quickly. do you _ country. we've only got 20 seconds, but quickly, do you think _ country. we've only got 20 seconds, but quickly, do you think you - country. we've only got 20 seconds, but quickly, do you think you can - but quickly, do you think you can still win when so many people are focusing on this issue, and the polls are so close, and in many states, donald trump is out front? i think we can still win. it's a long time until election day, a lot has happened — i remember access hollywood with donald trump, he was down and out, he somehow won in

2016. we are doing well in the senate races and house races, and i expect president biden to come back. it'll be very close, all these races in america are.— in america are. doug, thanks for shafinu in america are. doug, thanks for sharing your _ in america are. doug, thanks for sharing your perspective - in america are. doug, thanks for sharing your perspective from i sharing your perspective from washington, dc. plenty more on that story and the rest of the day's news on the bbc news website. stay with us here on the context. hello. a little less rain across southern parts of england today. these are the areas where it's been wettest compared to average so far. but on wednesday, north—east scotland took the mantle with heavy rain, persistent rain and a cold wind. this was the scene in moray, but across north—eastern aberdeenshire, a month's worth of rain has fallen through the day. this is the weather system. it's this curl of rain here, strong winds with it, which is continuing into the night, only slowly easing down as we go through into thursday morning.

a weak weather front across northern england, north midlands, north wales will sit in place by the morning, rain or drizzle here. some clear skies to the north, west and the south of the country, and a fresher start compared with what we saw on wednesday. now here's that weather front again that's across some central parts of england and wales for thursday. it's where the cloudiest conditions will be, the dampest weather. rain and drizzle coming and going, some heavier bursts of rain breaking out through the day. does mean, though, brighter day for scotland and northern ireland, drier for many, although still a stiff breeze and some outbreaks of rain close to eastern coasts. brightest of all, though, southern counties of england and wales. here, we'll see some sunshine throughout the day, lighter winds than on wednesday. it will feel warmer. we could see temperatures a bit more widely into the low 20s. but away from that, the midlands northwards, a chilly day, especially where the clouds in place. for some, barely getting into the mid—teens as we go through the afternoon. and that chillier air will be pushing its way southwards as we go through the night and into friday morning. with it, cloud, patchy rain pushes through wales, the midlands, towards the south.

at the same time, outbreaks of rain working into the english channel. so a slightly milder night here again, but temperatures in rural parts of scotland, northern ireland well down into mid—single figures. so here's the chart for friday. a ridge of high pressure trying to build in, that weatherfront working its way southwards. and around it, to the north of it, we're taking that chillier air further and further south. that weather front, though, could combine forces with a weather system in the near continent, bringing some persistent, heavy and thundery rain here. close call for southern counties of england and wales — could be a wet day for some here. but away from that, a few showers, varying amounts of cloud, a bit of sunshine at times, best of which in the west, a chilly wind down those eastern coasts, where temperatures will struggle to reach 1a—15 celsius. highest of the temperatures, probably western scotland — glasgow up to around 20 celsius. as for the weekend, it stays cool to begin with — windy, potentially wet across some eastern coasts, brightest in the west. take care.

france and germany call for investigations after four israeli strikes on schools in gaza in the past four days. we have a special report from fergal keane. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin.

hello from the bbc sport centre. straight to the football first, and last of the semifinals at the euros — the netherlands against england in dortmund, the winner playing spain in the final this weekend. the match about half an hour in, and there are goals to tell you about. nesta mcgregor is there for us. what is the latest? if england's rou what is the latest? if england's group games — what is the latest? if england's group games were _ what is the latest? if england's group games were deemed - what is the latest? if england's group games were deemed to i what is the latest? if england's - group games were deemed to be boring this was anything but photo goals already and we have 2—1 on either side. dispossessing declan rice on the england box. from maybe 2025 yards out he rifled a shark past pickford. england is been behind it is tournament before and against us swiss but they were behind for long for the who else but have to leave that captain harry cain had a shot that captain harry cain had a shot that went over after four deemed that went over after four deemed that the england captain that stepped up from the spot 12 yards and hard load to the keepers rifled

up and hard load to the keepers rifled up england now currently on top,