live from london. this is bbc news. in another reversal of policy, the us agrees to send anti—personnel landmines to ukraine. an international treaty bans mines in most countries. the us closes its kyiv embassy because of air attack threats. it's urging its citizens to take shelter if an air alert sounds. rising energy bills push uk inflation above the bank of england's target. official figures reveal it's at its highest level since april. the pro—democracy media tycoon, jimmy lai, testifies for the first time in his national security trial in hong kong. and we head to the canadian arctic to see how the un climate conference decisions will drastically impact polar bears.

hello. the bbc has confirmed reports the biden administration will soon provide ukraine with anti—personnel landmines. the widely banned explosive devices will be used to help prevent russian advances within ukrainian territory. officials said kyiv had committed to not using them in built—up areas. russia says the decision shows the us wants to prolong the war. in other developments, ukraine says it's struck an ammunition warehouse about 100 kilometres inside russia — in what the us says was the first time the american—provided atacm missiles have been fired at russian soil. and the us embassy in ukraine has closed its embassy in kyiv after receiving information of a potential air attack. in a statement, the embassy said it had instructed all its staff to evacuate to shelters if an air alert sounds. anti—personnel landmines are electrically fused and require battery

power to detonate. they're designed to go off when a person comes in close proximity. they will not detonate when the battery runs out. the mines are banned in most countries, under the 1997 ottawa treaty, which prohibits their use, stockpiling, production, and transfer. 164 countries are signatories to the treaty. ukraine is one of them — raising questions over the potential use of the weapon. the us — along with china, india, and russia — have not signed the treaty. in 2014, barack obama expressed an intention to sign up — banning the production of anti—personnel landmines. donald trump reversed that in 2020. but, joe biden restored the obama stance — until this major policy shift. in a press briefing a short while ago, the united states secretary of defense lloyd austin announced additional security assistance for ukraine. now, before i get to your

questions i have one more announcement. later today the white house will be announcing additional security assistance for ukraine worth up to $275 million to meet critical battlefield needs. that will include munitions for rocket systems and artillery and anti—tank weapons. our eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford explained what difference the change in policy could make. this comes after that other change in policy, which was to allow the use of longer—range us missiles for ukraine to fire at targets within russia. so, hot on the heels of that rapid change in policy is this one, which isjoe biden reversing his position that he wouldn't provide anti—personnel landmines to ukraine and suddenly saying that they will now be supplied. we don't know when, we don't know how many. we do know that this is controversial, and that's whyjoe biden has avoided taking this step until this point. but both the pentagon and the white house have told the bbc that this will happen, that they are what they're describing as nonpersistent

landmines, which are the type which will lose charge over a period of time and therefore not be dangerous for long, prolonged periods of time. because, of course, the concern with landmines is always the large number of civilian casualties that they can cause and the huge amount of time that it takes to clear territory where landmines have been deployed in front—line areas of wars and elsewhere. so it is a controversial move. the americans are saying that they believe this will help ukraine to blunt the russian advance. there is extreme concern at the moment about how quickly russian forces are taking territory inside ukraine, particularly in the east of the country, and the decision to allow ukraine to use these land mines, despite all the controversy, is aimed at trying to slow that advance. and of course, that move comes when there's so much concern about what donald trump will do

when he returns to the white house and whether or not he will be pressuring ukraine to come to some kind of arrangement, some kind of negotiated settlement with russia on ending this war. sergei goryashko from bbc russian is monitoring the situation from riga. he gave us his analysis of the kremlin�*s reaction. the latest comments by the kremlin�*s press secretary, dmitry peskov, are quite reserved, but he is still accusing the us, and other nato allies, of sending those long—range missiles to ukraine, therefore escalating the situation on the front again, yesterday, on russian late—night tv bulletins, a lot of time was reserved to talk about that alleged attack with

missiles on russia's region. they highlighted the fact that russia has actually shot down all the missiles, but they highlighted this is a big escalation move from the west. again, they were mentioning the changes in the russian nuclear doctrine in accordance with those white house and other western positions to provide ukraine long—range missiles and allow them to attack russian territory. let's speak to alexander lord, lead europe—eurasia analyst at the intelligence consultancy sibylline. thank you for coming on the programme. what is your reaction to this change in us policy, potentially providing now those landmines? 50. now those landmines? so, obviously _

now those landmines? so, obviously a _ now those landmines? srr, obviously a controversial decision given the potential impact this will have on civilian populations in the future but we do have that reassurance from ukrainians they will only be using it in non—urban environments as it were. still, this does reflect the difficult decisions being made in kyiv and other capitals across the west when one considers the possible future trajectory of the conflict. evenif trajectory of the conflict. even if a ceasefire was agreed in 2025, the ukrainians are preparing or need to consider all options to deter future russian military operations along the front lines. so, there are of course questions around utility of the systems but when one considers the current phase of the war and the tactics being used and the antipersonnel mines were actually in some regards potentially have an even bigger impact on the battlefield than

the recent decision to launch long—range missile strikes inside russia. over the last couple of years we've seen russian losses of armoured vehicles, tanks, these have been very high losses indeed under such we've seen a steady shift in russian tactics to a greater reliance on infantry attacks using small numbers of soldiers to try and take ground. so, to that extent the russian stockpile of armoured vehicles and tanks isn't infinite and we are likely to see increased reliance on infantry. if ukraine is able to mine the front line, this would increase the costs for future russian offensive operations and will enable ukrainians to slow down future russian advances. from a military perspective i think this could augment ukrainian defensive capabilities over the coming years. capabilities over the coming ears. ., �* ., .,

years. you've laid out the military — years. you've laid out the military case _ years. you've laid out the military case as _ years. you've laid out the military case as it - years. you've laid out the military case as it were. l years. you've laid out the - military case as it were. what about the legal case? it is extraordinary _ about the legal case? it is extraordinary complex - about the legal case? it 3 extraordinary complex on the about the legal case? it 1 extraordinary complex on the us isn't into symmetry to the mine ban treaty. ukraine is, and that of course raises some legal questions. ukraine can withdraw from the treaty unlikely will given this decision but i think this reflects the very difficult decisions being made in kyiv when one considers that they are facing potentially negotiations in 2025 when they are on the back foot. so, the legal issues will be discussed across europe and kyiv. i think that the ukrainians will be using these systems, though, due to military necessity. so, i think the legal questions will likely take secondary priority to the very real

strategic and military needs ukrainians perceive on the battlefield. they need to slow down russian advance if they are to achieve a fairly equitable peace negotiation. thank you for coming on the programme. the uk inflation rate has risen to its highest level since april. the office for national statistics says it climbed to 2.3 % in october, the sharpest month on month increase for two years. higher energy bills were the main driver sending inflation back above the bank of england's 2% target. the chief secretary to the treasury darrenjones gave his reaction to the figures. we know the cost of living continues to be a problem for working families across the country, but gone are the days when inflation was at 10% or 11%, driving family bills through the roof. inflation is stable, it's around target, and the key driver of inflation statistics today is that expected increase in the energy price cap set by the regulator ofgem.

but the good news is that inflation is stable, it's close to target, and that will be good for working families across the country. china has accused pro—democracy media tycoonjimmy lai of being an "agent and lackey for anti—china forces", as his trial resumes in hong kong. mr lai has testified in court for the first time in his years—long battle. he's denied charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials. the 76—year—old, whose apple daily tabloid had been openly critical of beijing — was frogmarched out of his newsroom in a police raid in august 2020 — two months after the national security law took effect. the resumption of mr lai's trial is a day after 45 pro—democracy activists were jailed in hong kong under the national security law. our correspondent martin yip is following the trial in hong kong. jimmy lai, since this morning has been discussing mainly about his political views,

but he also said that he denied allegations like he and his apple daily and next magazine publications have been supporting the idea of hong kong independence and taiwan independence. and he even said that he thought this hong kong independence suggestion was a conspiracy, although, obviously to the prosecutors and people from the pro—beijing camp, theyjust don't believe that is the case. he also discussed how he knew various international dignitaries, how his network was built, including how he introduced some retired us generals to the then taiwanese president tsai ing—wen. he also discussed a meeting between him and the us, the then us vice president mike pence, as well as meeting with the then secretary of state, mike pompeo, injuly 2019.

that's during the height of the anti—government protests in hong kong. he said that he did ask vice president pence to voice out support for hong kong, but he denied that he has ever asked anyone to do anything anti—china, which is, of course, not something that the prosecutors believed in. the funeral of the former one direction member liam payne will take place today. the 31—year—old singer died last month when he fell from a hotel balcony in the argentine capital, buenos aires. his family said the ceremony will be a private occasion for family and close friends. for family and close friends.

you can keep up—to—date with you can keep up—to—date with our top stories on the website. our top stories on the website. around the world and across the uk this is bbc news.

this is bbc news. the inquest into the death of harshita brella, whose body was found in the boot of a car in east london, has opened and been adjourned. a postmortem examination suggests the 24—year—old was strangled. an international manhunt has been launched for her husband, pankaj lamba, who detectives named as the prime suspect in her killing. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has visited central gaza, vowing to eliminate hamas from the territory. he also announced a $5 million reward and safe passage for anyone who brings out a hostage. 97 hostages are still believed to be in gaza. our middle east correspondent yolande knell updated us on the prime minister's visit.

he was in what the israeli military calls the netzarim corridor. it really divides the top one third of the gaza strip from the rest of the territory, and is under full israeli military control, this area, which palestinians know as wadi gaza. and ostensibly, you know from the video message that mr netanyahu put out, his message was very much about how israel had, he said, destroyed hamas's military capabilities in gaza, how hamas would not return to rule gaza, and also restating israel's intention to bring home the remaining hostages held by hamas. but there are reports in the israeli media that also what he was looking at there is this issue of aid distribution, particularly with the un continuing to highlight how gaza is facing this hunger crisis.

and there is renewed discussion, according to israeli media reports, about the possibility of bringing in private us military contractors to be involved in the distribution of the aid. and yolande, separately, bring us up to date with any discussions between hezbollah and israel, any potential ceasefire. forgive me for interrupting. we have some breaking news via reuters. reports of an israeli attack in syria, on syria's palmyra city. initial information saying residential buildings were hit. this is from syrian state tv. so, an israeli attack is being reported in syria in the city of palmyra. information saying

residential buildings have been targeted, that is according to syrian state tv. when we get any more details we will bring them to you. lebanon has accused israel of a "systematic destruction" of villages close to its border with israel. the idf has been striking villages and towns in the south of lebanon, since its invasion began last month in response to attacks from hezbollah. israel says its targeting hezbollah infrastructure hidden in civilian areas. bbc arabic�*s carine torbey has been speaking to some of those who have seen their homes hit, and sent this report from beirut. countdown, and then... ..in a split second... ..it�*s gone. these controlled explosions destroyed several buildings in one go.

homes, livelihoods. israeli forces have been carrying out mass detonations in towns across southern lebanon since they invaded last month. translation: watching the video tore my heartl to pieces, as if the blast was happening inside me. the first village that was almost wiped out was mhaibib, right on the border. like all residents of these border towns, now deserted, ayman first saw the video of the explosions on social media. translation: i wanted to cry, but as a man from the village, | crying felt shameful. i went to my room and hit my head against the wall, trying to stop myself from crying. these pictures were taken a year ago, by ayman. war had already started then in his hometown. he wanted to capture the place of his childhood, of his most precious moments.

mays al—jabal is another border town hit by two waves of detonations. israel says its strikes in lebanon are targeted. it claims it's destroying hezbollah�*s infrastructure. translation: it is as if i have a map and a piece of paper - and you punch a hole in it. with each mass detonation, farah felt the village of her parents and grandparents being uprooted from the soil. translation: i tried to understand their. barbarism against us. it's not myjob to know what lies beneath the village. what i'm certain of is that what was destroyed were homes of civilians, a lot of whom have no political ties.

the same thing happened in odaisseh. there was the house of a famous poet and artist. his daughter said it was his dream house. translation: well, i watched the video of the explosion - nearly a hundred times, hoping, hoping it would stop hurting. but it's not easy to see the moment your home is obliterated. israel says its intention is to make the north of israel safe from hezbollah rockets, so residents can go back home, but this is what it's doing to houses on the other side of the border. for the residents of these destroyed towns, these explosions blow up their roots, their memories and their place of belonging. carine torbey, bbc news, beirut. with the latest round of

united nations climate change discussions drawing to a close in azerbaijan this week, what the conference decides will have a direct impact on polar bears living more than 5,000 miles away. over the past five years, the polar bear population near churchill in the canadian arctic has declined by more than 25—percent, as rising temperatures melt the ice. our science correspondent victoria gill reports. i am here on a very robust tundra buggy out on the tundra near churchill, manitoba in northern canada. it's home to one of the most southerly populations of polar bears in the world. they call churchill the polar bear capital of the world. and there is a polar bear sleeping just nearby. we are safely higher up and in a vehicle that it cannot reach, and we are just quietly watching it, having a snooze. now i'm here with the polar bears international team, including dr flavio lehner. the polar bears here are having they're having a good year, aren't they?

it seems about —17 but with the wind it feels like —25. imilli wind it feels like -25. will t not wind it feels like -25. will try not to _ wind it feels like -25. will try not to keep _ wind it feels like -25. will try not to keep you - wind it feels like -25. will try not to keep you out i wind it feels like —25. will try not to keep you out here for that long! what is happening here in terms of the weather that's helped them ? yeah, so in the western part of hudson bay, the bears had a good year because the ice stuck around really long in spring. they could use it to hunt for longer than usual. the bears we saw, ensure this summer looked really good. some of the ones we saw today looked really good. so they really profited from this unusually good year. the bears really need that sea ice, don't they? i heard one of your colleagues refer to polar bears as blubber hunting ice bears, which i really like that expression. that's going to be my expression for them now. why did they need the ice so much? yeah, so the bears used the ice as a hunting platform to hunt seals, which is their main prey. seals are a lot of fat, so they really actually go after this very calorie rich diet. so really this hunting platform is essential for them.

it's basically their grocery store. so with less sea ice available in given years, it's really affecting how much they can eat and starting to affect their survival rates. right, because although it's been a good year this year, what is the pattern of the sea ice? the reason we talk about this as being a good year is because it's a single year that looks like it used to look like in the 1980s, but since then, on average, the years have been getting less and less ice covered in summer. so this ice free period in summer where they cannot hunt seals has extended by over a month now since the 1980s. you can have a good year, a bad yearin you can have a good year, a bad year in this long—term trend. over the last a0 years, the trend was very clear towards less ice and so like less opportunities for bears to hunt seals. is that having a measurable effect on the population here, on the bears here? the bears here are the best studied ones. so we have actually good data there. and we see that since the 1980s, their population has

basically been cut in half, from about 1200 bears, plus or minus, of course, it's hard to estimate, to about 600 now. is that directly connected with the planet warming emissions that we're putting into the atmosphere? how is it linked? that's right. i mean, it's simply the fact that we're warming the planet so it gets warm enough to melt the sea ice early in the spring, and it takes longer in the fall to be cool enough for the ice to form. so it's simply a function of the warming of the entire planet and the arctic as well. it's worth mentioning the arctic region warms faster than the planet on average which is why the changes we are seeing here are so rapid. thank you so much, flavio, and thank you for standing out in the freezing cold. and we'll be here making a film about this incredible place, its bears and its people, and you'll be able to see that film later on this year. and our bbc colleagues will be covering the un climate talks throughout. thank you to victoria for that.

i'm lewis vaughan—jones. this is bbc news. goodbye. hello again. the cold and frosty start to the day some icy patches around very similar conditions in the next couple of days. today also a lot of dry weather, a lot of sunshine. still wintry showers coming on across the north of scotland, down the east of england as well. also through northern ireland, wales and the south—west we could see a fee. it's a cold day and temperature exacerbated by the wind. through this evening and overnight we continue with wintry showers across the north and we've also got some coming in across northern ireland and wales. this next system introducing more rain and there's a chance it could be wintry on the hills in wales and the south—west. cold with a hard frost and also the risk of

ice. this is the system bringing in the rain to the south—west and strengthening winds and as we go through the course of tomorrow we could see some snow, also potentially at low levels in south wales, also into the channel islands but a lot of dry weather. areas exposed to the north—westerly wind seeing further wintry showers starting to accumulate and these are our temperatures. again feeling colder in the wind. friday sees further wintry showers here and there. a lot of dry weather around. still sunshine following on from a frosty, icy start and beyond that thing start to change quite dramatically. low pressure coming in. you can see the squeeze on the isobars. some of us will see some snow. thejury is out some of us will see some snow. the jury is out on exactly where the snow will be but you

can see north wales, northern england and scotland could see this. don't forget, a lot of rain coming on strong winds. gales for some, especially in the west and these the temperatures. the milder air coming in with the system, pushing steadily north. it won't get into scotland but on sunday it will. remain unsettled through the weekend and as we go through the early part of next week temperatures start to slide.

a candidate who can �*enact change' — the words of president—elect trump as he nominates billionaire backer howard lutnick for commerce secretary. searching for solutions — google finds out today if it will have to sell off chrome in a us justice department ruling. price pressure — uk inflation creeps up again above the bank of england's target as energy prices rise. welcome to business today. in the us, president—elect donald trump has made his latest pick for his future cabinet — naming the billionaire investor howard lutnick in the us, president—elect donald trump

as commerce secretary. a wall street veteran — mr lutnick — if confirmed