welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore. vladimir putin threatens any country supplying long—range missiles to ukraine as he flexes his muscles, launching a new intermediate—range ballistic missile at targets in ukraine. the international criminal court issues arrest warrants for israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu and his former defence minister yoav gallant, as well as a hamas leader, citing criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes. and after much controversy, former congressman matt gaetz withdraws as donald trumps nominee for us attorney general forcing the president—elect to make a new pick.

welcome to newsday, i'm steve lai. vladimir putin made a direct warning to britain, the us and any other countries supplying ukraine with long—range missiles to fire at targets on russian soil. he said moscow had the right to use its weapons against the military installations of those countries. kyiv is believed to have already used us and uk long range missiles inside russia this week. speaking in an address to the nation, he also revealed russia had launched an experimental hypersonic ballistic missile at a military target in ukraine. our russia editor steve rosenberg from moscow. the kremlin leader has upped the stakes in an escalating conflict. in an address to the nation, his reaction to ukraine launching us and british long—range missiles at russia. translation: from this moment, as we have underlined many - times before, the regional conflict in ukraine,

one provoked by the west, has taken on elements of a global nature. in response, president putin said, russia targeted ukraine with a new intermediate—range ballistic missile. then, this warning to countries supplying kyiv with weapons. translation: we have the right to use our weapons against - military facilities of countries that allow their weapons to be used against our sites, and if there is an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond just as decisively and symmetrically. i recommend ruling elites of countries hatching plans to use their military forces against russia to think seriously about this. for months, vladimir putin had been warning the west, "you allow ukraine to use your long—range missiles to attack "russia, and we will view that as nato countries entering "a direct confrontation with moscow." but this national address

is the starkest sign so far from mr putin that he is ready to hit back. the uk—made storm shadow has a maximum range of around 150 miles. moscow says ukraine fired missiles like these into russia's kursk region and accuses britain and america of escalating the war. the escalation at every turn, at every step, is coming from russia. they are the ones who are escalating this. they are the ones who started this war. it's because of their aggression into a sovereign territory, ukraine, and this war can end today. you hear us say this over and over again. it can, if russia would stop the war and stop what they are doing with their aggression. but little prospect of a kremlin u—turn. vladimir putin has delivered his warning. now he will wait to see if the west believes him. i'm joined now by mark cancian, a senior adviser at the center

for strategic and international studies. he is also a retired marine colonel. thank you for your time. this is the big question, will the west and the us believe vladimir putin's threats? i think they will take the threat seriously in the sense that there is a redline there, but i do not think they will stop providing the kind of weapons they have provided up until now. i think they may put restrictions on these weapons, for example, not causing a lot of civilian casualties, not attacking nuclear facilities or nuclear power plants, the kind of thing that would cause catastrophic damage in russia, and that is part of a doctrine that these conventional attacks must cause massive destruction. there will be a limit but i do not think the us will change its current policy. [30

not think the us will change its current policy.— its current policy. do you think we _ its current policy. do you think we will— its current policy. do you think we will see - its current policy. do you think we will see an - think we will see an escalation? i think we will see an escalation?- think we will see an escalation? ., ., ~' think we will see an escalation? ., ., ~ escalation? i do not think so. i think escalation? i do not think so. | think that _ escalation? i do not think so. i think that ukraine _ escalation? i do not think so. i think that ukraine will- i think that ukraine will continue to use these weapons as it has, that is relatively numbers and specific military targets. and that the united states will continue to provide aid that it has pledged, the united states is also trying to get aid out the door before the trump administration, and that has the appearance of an escalation but that is mostly driven by us domestic policy. speaking of trump coming to the white house injanuary, how do you think things will change once he is in control of the white house?— once he is in control of the white house? . , white house? clearly there will be some changes _ white house? clearly there will be some changes perhaps - white house? clearly there will| be some changes perhaps major changes. important to keep in mind though that support for aid to ukraine is still very bipartisan in the us, if there

were a bill is a congress to provide additional aid it would pass, although many republicans have become sceptical and there are still many republicans are supporting ukraine and all the democrats would vote for it. the be changed we will probably see right off the bat in the negotiations, trump has pledged to personally negotiate an end to personally negotiate an end to the war and i think that will happen very quickly. haw will happen very quickly. how do ou will happen very quickly. how do you think _ will happen very quickly. how do you think vladimir - will happen very quickly. how do you think vladimir putin will approach the trump administration? i will approach the trump administration?- will approach the trump administration? i think there will be quite _ administration? i think there will be quite frankly - administration? i think there will be quite frankly some i will be quite frankly some personal diplomacy. trump like that, it goes back to his beginnings as a real estate developer in new york, from has said that he will meet with volodymyr zelensky and vladimir putin are tragic to conduct these negotiations, so i think you will see reaching out on

both sides, may trying to put pressure on both sides. thank ou ve pressure on both sides. thank you very much _ pressure on both sides. thank you very much for _ pressure on both sides. thank you very much for your- pressure on both sides. thank. you very much for your thoughts today, we do appreciate them. the international criminal court issued arrest warrants on thursday for the israeli prime minister, his former defence minister, and a hamas military leader over alleged war crimes. the icc says there were reasonable grounds to believe that benjamin netanyahu and yoav gallant were responsible for war crimes of starvation, crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts in the war between israel and hamas. mr netanyahu accused the icc of anti—semitism, saying his country wouldn't be deterred from its war aims. us presidentjoe biden called it outrageous. a separate warrant was issued for a hamas military commander, mohammed deif. mr deif was a key architect of the october 7 attacks in which more than 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted. israel says it killed deif earlier this year,

though the court said it's not in a position to determine that. 0ur middle east correspondent lucy williamson reports. the war that broke gaza, triggered by the crimes of hamas, has left israel's leaders facing criminal charges themselves. prime minister benjamin netanyahu and his former defence minister, yoav gallant, called to trial by the international criminal court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution and starvation as a method of war. a third arrest warrant was issued for hamas military chief mohammed deif, who israel says it killed earlier this year. mr netanyahu's office called it an "anti—semitic decision", saying: several countries, including

the netherlands and ireland, have said they will carry out the arrest warrants — no such commitment from the prime minister's spokesman, who said the uk remains focused on an immediate ceasefire in gaza. it is a nightmare for israel but i said we are in uncharted territory because israel and benjamin netanyahu are not like anyone else. we are dealing with a very powerful country that has, as its closest ally, the most powerful country in the world, the united states of america. the court said there was no clear militaryjustification for israel impeding humanitarian aid to gaza and the restrictions on medicine had meant children enduring amputations without anaesthetic. little hope in gaza that today's ruling would change much. translation: benjamin netanyahu will not stop, the whole world - cannot stop him.

the genocide will continue and we have no voice. translation: this is all talk, but it will not change - anything. listen, i am 54 years old and i have seen the world. they neverjudge the israeli military, not even the international criminal court. translation: you should have made this decision i a long time ago. do you see how much . the people are suffering, the hunger, the bombardment? more than 70 people were killed today in israeli strikes across gaza. one woman lost all three of her children. benjamin netanyahu presenting himself as israel's protector. now risks becoming a pariah abroad. lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem. i'm joined now by gissou nia, a human rights lawyer and director of the strategic litigation project at

the atlantic council. thank you for your time today. what happens next now that his ruling has been made? is it realistic to expect enforcement? , ., , enforcement? the question is whether or — enforcement? the question is whether or not _ enforcement? the question is whether or not this _ enforcement? the question is whether or not this will - enforcement? the question is whether or not this will be - whether or not this will be enforced. i think what is a more immediate outcome is that netanyahu and atacms will have their travel severely restricted. we are not sure what stacey you are icc member says and who were allies of israel were going to say about the warrants but we saw a whole range of reactions today and it is clear the netherlands, belgium, spain, france, norway, italy, the list goes on, they have all indicated they will enforce the arrest warrant in aligned with their obligations as icc member states, so that really restricts the scope of where netanyahu or yoav gallant can travel. i5

where netanyahu or yoav gallant can travel-— can travel. is this ruling undercut _ can travel. is this ruling undercut somewhat - can travel. is this ruling undercut somewhat by l can travel. is this ruling i undercut somewhat by the can travel. is this ruling - undercut somewhat by the fact the us is not signed up to the icc? joe biden call it outrageous. icc? joe biden call it outrageous.- icc? joe biden call it outraueous. ,, ., , , outrageous. the us obviously has had a _ outrageous. the us obviously has had a relationship - outrageous. the us obviously has had a relationship with i has had a relationship with the international criminal court that ebbs and flows, they are supportive with the investigation into russia war crimes in ukraine, and have been very opposed to what the icc has been doing with the investigation in palestine. however, what we can expect is that when the trump administration incoming in january takes office, they may seek to reinstate some of the target at on icc officials that they had during the previous trump term. we saw a bunch of republican lawmakers today take to the axa platform and sanctions, increase sanctions on isolations on the court from the global financial system through american influence on that system. i think it will be

some rough times ahead in terms of the us relationship but certainly the work of the court carries on and we have seen many allies of israel support the work of the court and the issuance of these arrest warrants. issuance of these arrest warrante— issuance of these arrest warrants. ., ., , warrants. you mention the trump administration _ warrants. you mention the trump administration that _ warrants. you mention the trump administration that will _ warrants. you mention the trump administration that will come i administration that will come in injanuary, we know that donald trump and benjamin netanyahu do have a close and good relationship. you would have to think that from will continue to support the israeli support and netanyahu himself? what i hope that the issuance of these warrants does is refocus the attention of the type of military aid sent to israel, so of course where the us is concerned they have been a very clear on their position but there are many other countries you are icc members days who also support israel and there are questions about aiding and abetting liability that could be posed with this ongoing investigation, also a question of definitely needing to enforce this. the next

procedural step would be that if there is a suspects that come into territories that can turn them over to the hague, we would see a confirmation of charges preceding, we would see whether or not the charges move forward to an actual trial stop so i think there are some months and years ahead, maybe somejurisdictional months and years ahead, maybe some jurisdictional objectives from israel but this is an important step forward for justice. important step forward for 'ustice. . ~ important step forward for 'ustice. ., ~' , ., , important step forward for 'ustice. ., ~ , ., , . justice. thank you very much for our justice. thank you very much for your perspective, - justice. thank you very much for your perspective, we i for your perspective, we appreciate it. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the king has led tributes tojohn prescott, the former deputy prime minister, who's died at the age of 86. king charles spoke of his "decades of public service, his unique and indomitable character and his infectious sense of humour. sir keir starmer said lord prescott was a "true giant" of

the labour movement. a report by the charity commission has said relatives of the covid fundraiser captain sir tom moore received almost £1.5 million from a book deal but refused to give any of it to the foundation set up in his name. the family said this report had treated them "unfairly" and that the process was "unjust and excessive". freezing conditions have led to more disruption across the uk, with hundreds of schools closed in scotland, england and wales. with difficult conditions on the roads, the aa warned motorists to drive with extreme caution. there's a yellow weather warning in place for much of the uk, heading into the weekend, with storm bert expected to arrive on saturday. you're live with bbc news. donald trump has been forced to make a new pick for attorney—general after the man he chose to become his next us attorney—general — matt gaetz — said he is withdrawing his name

from consideration. the decision comes as the former congressman was facing new allegations about a second sexual encounter, with a girl he had met at a party. the girl was reportedly 17 at the time. trump's new pick is former attorney general of florida, pam bondi — a close trump ally who served as one of his defence attorneys during his first impeachment trial. 0ur north america editor sarah smith has more. matt gaetz was always going to be a problem. unpopular and mired in scandal. but donald trump obviously thought he could force congress to approve a man who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct to be head of the justice department. until the latest additional revelation led matt gaetz to withdraw his nomination, saying: holy bleep! i didn't see that coming!

democrats count this as a victory, while matt gaetz did have the support of the trump loyalists in congress. i will not be a rubber—stamp to his nominees but i will also not engage in an angry mob mentality. matt gaetz was picked for his resolute loyalty to donald trump, supporting him when trump was on trial in new york, for instance. as attorney general, he could have been relied upon to investigate, prosecute, even imprison trump's political opponents. just yesterday, vice president—elect jd vance accompanied mr gaetz to the capital, seeking to convince sceptical republicans to support his nomination. as soon as he was nominated for attorney general, mr gaetz resigned from the house of representatives, possibly hoping to avoid the publication of an ethics committee report into his behaviour. if he tries to retake his seat, it may come out. today, pete hegseth, donald trump's choice for defence secretary, was defending himself against allegations of a sexual assault. the matter was fully investigated and i was completely cleared.

that allegation and his total lack of government experience — he is a fox news tv host — will make it tough for him to be confirmed in his new role. i'm joined now by our north america correspondent peter bowes. are to speak to you. matt gaetz is gonna trump has not any time. tell us more about pam bondi? , ., ., , time. tell us more about pam bondi? , ., ., bondi? just a few hours passed before we _ bondi? just a few hours passed before we how _ bondi? just a few hours passed before we how this _ bondi? just a few hours passed i before we how this announcement of a new nominee for attorney general, pam bondi, who is an experienced prosecutor, the first female attorney general in the state of florida, donald trump was like home state, in the role between 2011— 2019. they are friends, they have a range of a long time. she is clearly a loyal trump ally. she was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial while he was president, that followed that phone call he

made to president volodymyr zelensky, involving allegations of abuse of power related to aid to ukraine in return for a possible investigation into the then vice president or former vice presidentjoe biden. he was eventually found — donald trump — not guilty during that role. pam bondi was also public in her support of donald trump during his hush money trial more recently, she turned up at the court, she was photographed and seen on a video with him at the court, and, of course, during that rail he was eventually convicted on multiple charges. a trump loyalist, and that probably is a big part of the reason why he has nominated herfor this role. has nominated her for this role. a has nominated her for this role. ~ ., , has nominated her for this role. , ., role. matt gaetz is not the only one — role. matt gaetz is not the only one not _ role. matt gaetz is not the only one not po _ role. matt gaetz is not the only one not po has i role. matt gaetz is not the i only one not po has baggage. role. matt gaetz is not the - only one not po has baggage. we only one not pq has baggage. we saw sarah talking about peter

hegseth. would trump face other concerns for his nominations? i think that remains to be seen. in terms of who the names are, they are still to be announced, and there are several, and some quite prominent roles. i think for a significant number of these nominees so far the process will be relatively straightforward in terms of confirmation, matt gaetz was way out in front in terms of the controversy that was swirling around him and it was becoming fairly obvious that he was facing extreme difficulties. whether or not that report about the investigation into what he was alleged to have done, the alleged to have done, the alleged sexual misconduct, released or not, it was obvious they were a number of republican senators who had grave reservations about him. in terms of grave reservations abou