you're watching the context on bbc news. ukraine calls for more military support — following reports by south korean intelligence that north korea has sent troops to help russia's war effort. china — friend orfoe, partner or potential enemy? they are questions that have divided countries around the world including the uk, amid repeated allegations of widespread human rghts abuses by china, its support for russia, its threats to taiwan, the suppression of democratic opposition

in hong kong — and so on. despite all that, britain's new foreign secretary david lammy finds himself in beijing, his first trip to china, and marking perhaps a slight that in uk china relations. mr lammy stressed the need for a pragmatic relationship with beijing but also raised concerns about human rights. the uk will always put its national interests and national security first and i am struck by the scope of mutually been a full cooperation on climate, on energy, on nature, science and tech, trade, investment on health and development.

professor carwyn jones former first minister of wales and leader of welsh labour. frank sesno former cnn correspondent, anchor, and washington bureau chief. do you think the new labour government are right to be going for this in relations with china? i going for this in relations with china?— going for this in relations with china? ~ �*, ., with china? i think it's always with china? i think it's always with making _ with china? i think it's always with making an _ with china? i think it's always with making an approach - with china? i think it's always with making an approach to l with china? i think it's always l with making an approach to the government. it doesn't have to be an enemy. of course, will have disagreements with some aspects of chinese government policy but i do think it is important that countries find a way to get along with china, china produces so many things that the world wants and my argument at the moment is one of the problems of china has in terms of its economy not quite moving as it should is because there's so much turmoil in

europe because of what rush is doing. europe because of what rush is doinu. ,, . europe because of what rush is doin., , , ., ., europe because of what rush is doinu. ,, ., ., , ., doing. -- russia. you share warnings — doing. -- russia. you share warnings from _ doing. -- russia. you share warnings from the - doing. -- russia. you share i warnings from the intelligence agencies that it is definitely agencies that it is definitely a threat, along with russia, a key threat in terms of cyber warfare and so on. i key threat in terms of cyber warfare and so on.- key threat in terms of cyber warfare and so on. i have no reason to — warfare and so on. i have no reason to dispute _ warfare and so on. i have no reason to dispute that - warfare and so on. i have no reason to dispute that but . warfare and so on. i have no reason to dispute that but i | reason to dispute that but i think it is important that we have a country that is a rival and we will think about security and make sure that bad actors, whoever they are, do not put us in an insecure position but if you look at the cold war and the relationship with the ussr was at times, glacial and at times warmer but we never stopped talking to each other, that is important and that is what david is doing. we cannot be naive when it is hugely important to keep

up it is hugely important to keep up dialogue. it is hugely important to keep up dialogue-— up dialogue. frank talk to us whether viewing _ up dialogue. frank talk to us whether viewing the - up dialogue. frank talk to us whether viewing the united | whether viewing the united states about what extent we should be talking to china at the moment?— the moment? that brings us back to politics. _ the moment? that brings us back to politics. the — the moment? that brings us back to politics, the election _ the moment? that brings us back to politics, the election first - to politics, the election first and — to politics, the election first and foremost because it's hard to ever— and foremost because it's hard to ever rational conversation during — to ever rational conversation during an _ to ever rational conversation during an election like this. china — during an election like this. china is— during an election like this. china is a _ during an election like this. china is a very complicated thing — china is a very complicated thing on _ china is a very complicated thing on one hand, businesses want _ thing on one hand, businesses want to— thing on one hand, businesses want to be _ thing on one hand, businesses want to be there and it's a huge _ want to be there and it's a huge market and they want to be able to— huge market and they want to be able to send offshore work there — able to send offshore work there because they've done that and it_ there because they've done that and it is— there because they've done that and it is less expensive place to work— and it is less expensive place to work and people are constantly having to point out the security threats and the human_ the security threats and the human rights abuses in the technology dangers that china poses — technology dangers that china poses and it is a very delicate thing — poses and it is a very delicate thing naturally, there is an agreement and the volume and decibei— agreement and the volume and decibel level among democrats and republicans that china is a

strategic— and republicans that china is a strategic competitor and it could _ strategic competitor and it could become an enemy, a lot of concerned — could become an enemy, a lot of concerned of what is happening around — concerned of what is happening around taiwan in military manoeuvres and that kind of thing — manoeuvres and that kind of thing it_ manoeuvres and that kind of thing. it is a very delicate balance _ thing. it is a very delicate balance but seeing the political sphere, no one will take — political sphere, no one will take the _ political sphere, no one will take the fall of the bricks of the relationship between the two countries. certainly not during _ two countries. certainly not during an _ two countries. certainly not during an election campaign. thank— during an election campaign. thank you. let us move on to talk about what is happening with north korea because it's being it's being claimed that north korea has started sending trooups to fight for russia in the war in the ukraine. south korea's spy agency said about fifteen—hundred troops from the north have been sent to russia's far east, claiming it's just part of a much larger planned deployment, with thousands more troops to follow. there are also reports north korea has been supplying russia with weapons. ukraine's foreign minister

has asked for a strong reaction from the world, with more military support, and the lifting of restrictions that hold his country back from using long—range western weapons for strikes inside russia. we are not talking about north korean mercenaries who will take part in russia's armed aggression against ukraine, but fully fledged military units, regular north korean troops. what does this mean? it means an escalation of the war against ukraine. professor carwyn jones former first minister of wales and leader of welsh labourfrank sesno former cnn correspondent, anchor, and washington bureau chief. quite an alarming prospect, the idea of north korean troops, third—party troops running around on the battleground in ukraine? ., ., ,

ukraine? not a very good thing, very worrying- — ukraine? not a very good thing, very worrying. whether- ukraine? not a very good thing, very worrying. whether it - ukraine? not a very good thing, very worrying. whether it is - very worrying. whether it is norih— very worrying. whether it is north korea now sending troops and the — north korea now sending troops and the been sending weaponry and the been sending weaponry and there were some forensic work— and there were some forensic work done around one of the shelves _ work done around one of the shelves that had fallen and they— shelves that had fallen and they discovered that it at north— they discovered that it at north korean origins. the iranians _ north korean origins. the iranians been supplying weapons and drones to the russians and this is— and drones to the russians and this is very— and drones to the russians and this is very dangerous elements of escalation and how does this -et of escalation and how does this get stopped? what are the reactions? south korea's ringing _ reactions? south korea's ringing the alarm very loud about— ringing the alarm very loud about this by north koreans sending _ about this by north koreans sending troops to russia and what — sending troops to russia and what restraints are there on vladimir— what restraints are there on vladimir putin at this point? he is— vladimir putin at this point? he is not— vladimir putin at this point? he is not inclined to lose this war, — he is not inclined to lose this war. he — he is not inclined to lose this war. he is— he is not inclined to lose this war, he is not in any way, shape _ war, he is not in any way, shape or— war, he is not in any way, shape or form inclined of discussions or diplomacy and so, where _ discussions or diplomacy and so, where does this go? it is a bil so, where does this go? it is a big challenge to the united states— big challenge to the united states and the european countries with this conversation that is ongoing

and — conversation that is ongoing and zelinski is saying let us use — and zelinski is saying let us use our— and zelinski is saying let us use our weapons to fire deep into— use our weapons to fire deep into russia so the discussion is very— into russia so the discussion is very real. into russia so the discussion is very real-— is very real. again, the idea of north _ is very real. again, the idea of north korean _ is very real. again, the idea of north korean troops - is very real. again, the idea i of north korean troops getting involved in further internationalisation of the war internationalisation of the war in ukraine? it internationalisation of the war in ukraine?— in ukraine? it is a small number— in ukraine? it is a small number of _ in ukraine? it is a small number of troops - in ukraine? it is a small number of troops but i number of troops but nevertheless, the fact that they are at all there is a concern to everybody. is it a surprise, we know that russia has not been able to produce enough armaments itself, taking armaments, buying from iran and north korea and they've lost thousands of men on the battlefield which it is found very difficult to make up and so, should we be surprised that we are seeing soldiers coming from elsewhere? no. does it bring north korea into the conflict in ukraine? yes. and of course, anything that bronze escalates the conflict has to

be handled very carefully. many thanks again — be handled very carefully. many thanks again it _ be handled very carefully. many thanks again it will— be handled very carefully. many thanks again it will be _ be handled very carefully. many thanks again it will be back - thanks again it will be back with you both in a moment and will return to the american election. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

more on the us election now, and there was some light relief with an annual charity dinner in new york. the white—tie al smith memorial foundation dinner raises money for catholic charities, and has been attended by major presidential candidates for decades. donald trump went to it, but kamala harris gave it a miss and opted to stay out on the campaign trail instead — though she did send a video mocking mr trump. take a listen. is there anything that you think maybe i should not bring up think maybe i should not bring

up tonight? think maybe i should not bring un tonight?— up tonight? don't lie, thou shalt not — up tonight? don't lie, thou shalt not bear _ up tonight? don't lie, thou shalt not bear false - up tonight? don't lie, thou | shalt not bear false witness up tonight? don't lie, thou . shalt not bear false witness to thy neighbour.— thy neighbour. especially died neighbour's — thy neighbour. especially died neighbour's election - thy neighbour. especially died neighbour's election results. | especially thy neighbour's election results. the charity dinner has traditionally been about self deprecation — donald trump did make a few gags at his own expense — but there were also bitter attacks on his rival, in particular her failure to attend the event. candidates for president of the united states to attend this dinner, is a rule, you have to go to the dinner they have to do it, otherwise bad things are going to happen to you from up there. and you cannot do it i just saw on that screen. but my opponent feels like she does not have to be here, which is deeply disrespectful to the event and in particular to our great catholic community. very disrespectful. but mr trump has been taking some flack himself. he's been accused of missing several interviews with neutral media outlets.

these include planned sit—downs with nbc and cnbc — and backing out of a 60 minutes episode. the trump campaign has been forced to push back on these concerns — his press secretary said: president trump is running laps around kamala harris on the campaign trail. has done media interviews every day this week. he has more energy and a harder work ethic than anyone in politics. professor carwyn jones former first minister of wales and leader of welsh labour. frank sesno former cnn correspondent, anchor, and washington bureau chief. is it isita is it a big deal that she didn't go?— is it a big deal that she didn't to? ., , ., didn't go? no. they go there, they make — didn't go? no. they go there, they make jokes, _ didn't go? no. they go there, they make jokes, they - didn't go? no. they go there, they make jokes, they know l didn't go? no. they go there, i they make jokes, they know how they're _ they make jokes, they know how they're going to vote already, this is— they're going to vote already, this is not— they're going to vote already, this is not an active campaign. it this is not an active campaign. it would — this is not an active campaign. it would been very interesting and fun— it would been very interesting and fun to see if she had been there — and fun to see if she had been there side _ and fun to see if she had been there side by side with donald trump — there side by side with donald trump as— there side by side with donald

trump as what is happened in the past — trump as what is happened in the past where both candidates have _ the past where both candidates have shown up. but these two are not— have shown up. but these two are not talking to one another and i— are not talking to one another and i do — are not talking to one another and i do not think donald trump or harris— and i do not think donald trump or harris actually have much of a sense — or harris actually have much of a sense of— or harris actually have much of a sense of humour here. but it is indicative _ a sense of humour here. but it is indicative of where we are. we talked earlier about how deeply— we talked earlier about how deeply that they have polarised this _ deeply that they have polarised this you — deeply that they have polarised this. you heard some of the attacks, _ this. you heard some of the attacks, they offered as far as harris — attacks, they offered as far as harris is — attacks, they offered as far as harris is concerned, no one will— harris is concerned, no one will really— harris is concerned, no one will really care that she wasn't _ will really care that she wasn't there in person. the polarisation _ wasn't there in person. the polarisation of _ wasn't there in person. tie: polarisation of american politics and deeply divided the country is, those two cannot be in the same room together and i suppose it speaks volumes. what suppose it speaks volumes. what we're seeing _ suppose it speaks volumes. what we're seeing is — suppose it speaks volumes. what we're seeing is a _ suppose it speaks volumes. what we're seeing is a situation - we're seeing is a situation where it is not enough to disagree with somebody, it is not enough to robustly put your point forward and criticise

their points, gift have to undermine them as a character, as a person, there has to be something wrong with you. we have those types of attacks in british politics and attacks where peoples personality is called into question but you do not see the kind of vicious, continuous attack that calls into question. i've been many times and i was asked questions robustly by leaders of parties, different parties and benches from different parties and i saw those people as people who saw those people as people who saw the road in a different way to me. we looked at the same facts and looked at things and the evidence and came to different conclusions. i didn't come to the conclusion that they were morally evil or something wrong with them because he took that viewpoint. selling the states, it's just that, as none of the summer a

different political viewpoint to you, there is not enough for someone to hold a different political viewpoint to you, there has to be something morally wrong with them if they hold that viewpoint. ijust hope that does not cross i remember you saying that neither the candidates has a discernible sense of humour. it's that quite worrying and a politician? is it important that they have a sense of humour? i remember barack obama being really quite funny. it is very important _ being really quite funny. it is very important because it is a human— very important because it is a human side to themselves and shows— human side to themselves and shows vulnerability and a willingness to laugh at the situation. harris is more of a sense — situation. harris is more of a sense of— situation. harris is more of a sense of humour right now than donald — sense of humour right now than donald trump does because most of donald — donald trump does because most of donald trump strokes are at the expense of others in order follow— the expense of others in order follow up _ the expense of others in order follow up on something that we were _ follow up on something that we were just — follow up on something that we were just talking about witches the disappearance of civility in american politics. i been covering _ in american politics. i been covering american politics since _ covering american politics since i_ covering american politics since i was very young. my

first— since i was very young. my first year— since i was very young. my first year of covering politics and — first year of covering politics and presidential debates was in 1984— and presidential debates was in 1984 knows ronald reagan and they appeared on the stage and they appeared on the stage and theyjoked that russia was about, _ theyjoked that russia was about, i'm not going to make fun of— about, i'm not going to make fun of my— about, i'm not going to make fun of my opponents youth and inexperience and they both laughed there was a humour in that connection there. and candidates all each other's adversaries but not enemies and that is— adversaries but not enemies and that is what we have right now and whether this is personality in the — and whether this is personality in the moment or whether this is the — in the moment or whether this is the new_ in the moment or whether this is the new normal in the prevails— is the new normal in the prevails in american politics, that— prevails in american politics, that is— prevails in american politics, that is what the cycle i think it's going _ that is what the cycle i think it's going to demonstrate to us and we — it's going to demonstrate to us and we come out of this and we find some — and we come out of this and we find some new place. we are not going _ find some new place. we are not going to — find some new place. we are not going to go back, i do not think— going to go back, i do not think that is possible that with— think that is possible that with the country is right now but a — with the country is right now but a lot— with the country is right now but a lot of people do not like where — but a lot of people do not like where we _ but a lot of people do not like where we are right now. and is there _ where we are right now. and is there another way forward and that is— there another way forward and that is the big question is not much — that is the big question is not much humour to that. it is time for the much humour to that. it is time forthe panel— much humour to that. it is time

for the panel now. _ much humour to that. it is time for the panel now. since - much humour to that. it is time for the panel now. since we - for the panel now. since we talked so much for the panel we don't have a lot of time but let's go, you have meant to tell us what tickles your fancy. i tell us what tickles your fan . , ., ., fancy. i try to look for something _ fancy. i try to look for something genuinelyl fancy. i try to look for - something genuinely funny but fancy. i try to look for _ something genuinely funny but i could find was an article in the guardian. the russian parliament is looking to criminalise propaganda promoting childlessness. what on earth that means is beyond me. a part of the western plot for people to have this problem and what on earth does it all mean, criminalising contraception? it is very odd story as if there are people going around preaching to russians and sing do not have children. and that is impression. it is just a curious story and i cannot find anything truly light but that

was something. fiur anything truly light but that was something.— anything truly light but that was something. our friend may have something _ was something. our friend may have something that _ was something. our friend may have something that may - was something. our friend may have something that may be i was something. our friend may have something that may be a l have something that may be a little bit later than that —— lighter. little bit later than that -- liahter. ~ . ., little bit later than that -- liahter. ~ ., ,, ., ., lighter. we talk about china come we — lighter. we talk about china come we talk _ lighter. we talk about china come we talk about - lighter. we talk about china come we talk about politics | lighter. we talk about china . come we talk about politics but the pandas are back. the united states— the pandas are back. the united states panda express, you see it landing — states panda express, you see it landing with fedex. male and female — it landing with fedex. male and female pandas that led to the dallas — female pandas that led to the dallas airport were going to the national zoo they're going to he — the national zoo they're going to be here for ten years and it shows— to be here for ten years and it shows that there is a love for animals— shows that there is a love for animals and be, still some panda _ animals and be, still some panda diplomacy that can take place — panda diplomacy that can take place between the united states and china. adversaries, competing partners, go with what — competing partners, go with what you will but this is public— what you will but this is public diplomacy, zoo diplomacy and they— public diplomacy, zoo diplomacy and they are coming back and they— and they are coming back and they will— and they are coming back and they will be without question, they will be without question, the most _ they will be without question, the most popular animals at the

national— the most popular animals at the national zoo and they intend to take _ national zoo and they intend to take my— national zoo and they intend to take my kids and grandkids there — take my kids and grandkids there as _ take my kids and grandkids there as soon as i can. i think ou're there as soon as i can. i think you're just — there as soon as i can. i think you're just pandering - there as soon as i can. i think you're just pandering to - there as soon as i can. i think you're just pandering to our l you're just pandering to our kids. thank you for being with us. do stay watching this is bbc news. britain's emma finucane won her second gold medal of the track cycling world championships, as she defended her sprint title to take britain's gold tally in denmark to three. two days after winning gold in the team sprint, finucane dominated the final, beating hetty van de wouw of the netherlands with a race to spare. japan's mina sato took bronze with britain's sophie capewell finishing fourth. it is really hard trying to defend the title, it is then hard trying to race and do it with the expectations but i'm

proud of the person i've become and it means more than anything and it means more than anything and yeah, it's hard everyone but was like you can win or you should win now is like, it's a really hard bike race, it's not easy. earlier in the day, josh charlton finished second in the men's individual pursuit, despite breaking the world recond in qualifying, the brit lost out to italian, jonathan milan, who broke charlton's record to take gold. charlton's team—mate dan bigham took bronze on what was his final international race. a big game in the championship to tell you about — and it looks as though sheffield united will miss the chance to go top of the table. they're losing at leeds united, with the game into injury time. tributes were paid to former sheffield united player george baldock — before the match. after the defender passed away at the age of 31, at his home in greece earlier this month, earlier this month. on the pitch superb strike off a corner, from leeds captain pascal struijk, put the home side ahead into the second half — a brilliant finish. and the first goal the blades have conceded

since the 24th august. metojoseph added a late second as leeds set to move level on points with sunderland at the top. to premiership rugby where newcastle falcons ended a run of 25 straight defeats with a hard—fought victory over exeter chiefs. having trailed to an early immanuel feyi—wabosa try, newcastle scored three unanswered of their own including a brace by england hookerjamie blamire either side of half—time. the win ends newcastle's winless run which dated back to march 2023. a strong first half for northampton saints, saw them get the better of sale sharks — as the premiership champions get their season back on track. tommy freeman, george furbank, and george hendy here among the try scorers — a better effort from sale in the second half, but ultimately the damage was done, saints winning 47—17. there were 2 matches in the united rugby championship tonight, ulster beat ospreys by 36 points to 12 at

the kingspan stadium. there were 6 tries for ulster, with two each forjacob stockdale and james mccormick. the win moves them up to fourth place. it's 11 years since ospreys last won at ulster there was a thrilling end to scarlets' match with bulls. having been behind for much of the game, they scored a late try through tom rogers to win by 23 points to 22. they move up to a place to 9th. ferrari finished first and second fastest in the first practice session of the united states grand prix in austin, texas. carlos sainz set the pace on the soft tyres. he was quickest, followed by teammate charles leclerc. championship leader max verstappen was third, just ahead of his championship rival lando norris. they'll shortly begin a sprint qualifying session. the grand prix is the first of six races going through to the end of the season. and it wasn't the day ben ainslie and his ineos britannia team hoped for at the america's cup, they're just one defeat away from losing. two days after they resurrected their chances in the final, with with consecutive victories. the crew of britannia were powerless to stop emirates team new zealand

from moving to within a race of defending their title. they won both sprint races, the second race by more than 1,000 metres to leave the british crew needing to win every remaining race, in the best—of—13 series in barcelona. we have seen in the history of the cup, it's an amazing comeback in the rest of the team know that we just have to keep fighting and we have a great boat integrate team and so yeah, keep pushing hard and why not go all the way? england's test series against pakistan is finely poised heading into the third test in rawalpindi, after the hosts bounced to beat ben stokes' side by 152 runs. resuming 261 shorts of their target, england lost ollie pope from just the eighth delivery of the day with joe root following just three overs later as the tourists were floundering at 55 for 4. when captain stokes was dismissed in bizarre fashion after some brief resistance with brydon carse, england soon slumped

to 144 all out, with noman ali the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 8 for 46. and that's all the sport for now. hello there. storm ashley, the first named storm of the season — named by the irish metservice — is going to hit us later this weekend. it's still to develop from this area of cloud all the way across the other side of the atlantic. mind you, ahead of that, we've had this low pressure steering in this cloud, which has been bringing with it some outbreaks of rain, and that rain is continuing to push its way eastwards overnight tonight. it slows down a bit across england and wales because the winds fall lighter.

clearer skies do follow in the west, particularly scotland and northern ireland, where temperatures will be down to around 7 or 8 degrees. but tomorrow morning, we've got the rain this time across eastern parts of england. that rain, it could be a little heavy first thing. it'll tend to move away during the morning, but could linger in the far south—east into the afternoon. following on from that we get the sunshine, many places will be dry, just one or two showers in the west, mainly for the north—west of scotland. the winds are going to be fairly light, i think, on saturday, and temperatures very similar to what we had today, so pretty mild and certainly the better day of the weekend. as we head into sunday, this rapidly deepening area of low pressure developing into storm ashley will be heading our way. it will bring some rain, but it's also going to bring some stronger winds as well, with widespread gales developing fairly quickly on sunday, the strongest of the winds probably towards the north—west of the uk. and that's where we've got

a greater risk of some travel disruption and maybe some damage as well, but there will be some rain pushing in as well. it could be quite heavy for a while, but probably won't amount to much across the south—east of england. and then there'll be a slice of dry weather and sunshine. but all these showers, squally showers, are packing in around the centre of the storm. temperatures again above average for the time of year, but the story is the strength of the wind. whilst it's going to be windy everywhere, we'll see the strongest winds pushing quickly through the irish sea, into scotland and northern ireland. and we have an amber wind warning from the met office from 9am on sunday morning for the western side of scotland, where the winds could reach 80 miles an hour. and combined with some high spring tides, there may well be some coastal flooding as well there. storm ashley heading away, though, overnight and into monday, so things do tend to quieten down. still gusting 50, 60 miles an hour in northern scotland on monday morning. otherwise there'll be some sunshine, a few showers, but we could well see some rain returning again to

tonight at ten — hamas admits its leader is dead, but says the group will come back stronger. israel releases more footage of the attack that killed yahya sinwar — we'll have analysis of its chance encounter. there are more international calls for a ceasefire, as fears grow of a famine in gaza. also on the programme tonight: the singer cheryl calls the death of liam payne "earth—shattering". simon cowell says he is heartbroken. more allegations of assault are made against mohamed al fayed — this time from a former fulham women's captain. an unusual experiment with a somerset river —

which has seen a massive boost to biodiversity. on bbc london, a pregnant woman and her unborn baby have died, after and stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world. good evening. hamas has confirmed that its leader, yahya sinwar, was killed in combat, but says his death will only strengthen the group. sinwar was the architect of the october 7th attacks on israel, in which 1,200 people died and another 250 were taken hostage. tonight we'll look at how israel managed to kill the man at the top of their most—wanted list, inside gaza. the leaders of the us, the uk, germany, and france today called