he made a commitment to where he made a commitment to train thousands more front line troops. it will be done here in uk and quite possibly inside ukraine. john healey suggested that even if a ceasefire and negotiation to begin, fighting would go on which means ukraine needs to continue to build up its ability to fight and litter. the multinational operation to train ukraine soldiers is led by britain and called operation interflex. tens of thousands of ukrainian soldiers have been through that since the start of the war and some of them are now returning to the top line. a lot of the training is top secret but tonight we will take you inside one of these undisclosed training camps in england. it is rare access but mikey kay spent 20 years in the military flying helicopter so he saw things many don't. you have put together a quite brilliant film about what these troops are put through. i know we cannot say

much about where the training takes place but tell us what you saw. takes place but tell us what you sava— takes place but tell us what ou saw. ~ ., ,., you saw. was quite powerful, actuall . you saw. was quite powerful, actually- it — you saw. was quite powerful, actually. it was _ you saw. was quite powerful, actually. it was powerful- actually. it was powerful because we have got to remember is that a lot of these soldiers that we were filming with which was last week right now, today will have flown back to ukraine and be on the front line. they will be out there, they will be targeted and they will be working with soldiers and helping to train soldiers so this was the commander scores where they were learning how to train their own soldiers when they go back. although the soldiers in the units will go to various locations on the front line and we'll find out when they get there and be there now. without further ado, let's roll it. bagpipes play, shooting.

shouting. november the 19th marked the thousandth day of the russian invasion of ukraine. russian forces tried to take kyiv in the first week, but failed. so far, the armed forces of ukraine, the afu, have stood up against putin's aggression. but it's been a massive effort by 13 international partners who are currently training parts of the ukrainian army, the engine room of zelensky�*s victory plan. here at an undisclosed location in the east of england at this urban training facility, the uk and its allied partners are transferring their vast knowledge and experience to ukrainian soldiers. the mission for interflex that we were given was to primarily train the ukrainians with three key pillars, improve their survivability, improve their lethality and therefore, increase their will to fight.

gunshots. and by doing so, we deliver a five—week package for the section commanders and the platoon sergeants, or a ten—week package for the platoon commanders course. some of the container features you've got here, it suggests they're there to represent the congested environment you see within an urban setting. partner relationships are hugely important and key to interflex. we've been working with some kosovan soldiers. they've integrated within our sections as section commanders, and we've also had a platoon commander and also a company ops officer who's been leading the company attack. there's doorways and alleyways, which... yeah, yeah. yeah, an ngo there, the international red cross. speaking ukrainian. how do you have the conversation with the afu on fighting an enemy that may not be abiding by the law of armed conflict? it's a difficult conversation and there are awkward questions. and my bottom line is that if you're fighting an illegal enemy,

you have to stay as legal as possible yourself, following the rules and regulations set to us by the international community. things are about to get quite interesting, and things are going to get loud, because there's going to be a simulation of battle, which is why the eye protection has gone on. and these things are using the same equipment as what hearing aids would use. so basically, it cancels out a lot of the noise, but it allows me and lieutenant to talk. across the day, and the enemy picture is going to build for the afu in the village. they're going to test the vcp's like you can see around us here. vehicle checkpoints? vehicle checkpoints. there's going to be patrols, as you can see down there walking around the village and then obviously standing patrols around the village as well, essentially build throughout the day, starting with a four—man attack section level. eight—man attack. this evening, what's happened is we have had enemy attack all

four of the platoon locations to the north east of the village. there's been around 30 enemies that have probed us from multiple locations. and then finally in the evening, there will be a deliberate attack by 20 to 30 enemy troops onto the village. for now, the probe is going to be essentially shoot and scoot tactics. bumping the ukrainians to see their defences, see how they react, as would happen in order to see sort of the reaction of the ukrainians and their defensive plan. standard clearance... the guns are now safe. this is, well, looks like a kalashnikov, but it's not. so it's the m9. so it's the variant of the kalashnikov that the british forces are using with the ukrainian troops. back to you. let's go and have a chat...

translation: the russians entered the entire territory and began attacking from all directions. that's why i was one of the first to engage in the initial battles in eastern ukraine. my family was in the south, in the town of kherson, which was under occupation for more than half a year. i was a regular infantry soldier repelling attacks in the east when the war started. i was there as an army recruit in 2023. translation: when the full—scale war started, it became really difficult. i had to get separated from my daughter, from my wife. send them abroad. translation: i want to see how my child is growing. - i want to go through her. happy moments together. not hide in a basement when there's another. shelling from our enemies. i was trying to think, -

and i am still trying to think, that we will definitely win. we are fortunate enough to go home to friends and family in a safe environment. it's really humbling when you speak to the ukrainian soldiers, to know that many of them will probably go back to the front line. they may see their friends and family, but for them there's no big holiday. they are back to an illegal war in their own country, fighting for their country's survival. this christmas, i don't see my daughter and wife. no, this is not happy history. whoa that is quite sobering as we go — whoa that is quite sobering as we go to— whoa that is quite sobering as we go to christmas holidays. | we go to christmas holidays. i am we go to christmas holidays. am not we go to christmas holidays. i am not sure what i am more impressed by, your access or yourfinal impressed by, your access or your final cut editing. it is a great film! i am intrigued your final cut editing. it is a great film! iam intrigued by your final cut editing. it is a great film! i am intrigued by a lot of it and one thing that people may question at home, the yellow thing at the end of

the yellow thing at the end of the rifle what is that?- the rifle what is that? yellow elevator standard. _ the rifle what is that? yellow elevator standard. it - the rifle what is that? yellow elevator standard. it is - the rifle what is that? yellow elevator standard. it is when | elevator standard. it is when you are firing blanks the part that goes on. the standard, they have been using it for a while. it is really interesting technology the tactical engagement system called tes. you can see a black box in some shots at the end of the barrel on the tubes are wearing some that with sensors on them. so, that with sensors on them. so, thatis that with sensors on them. so, that is the black box which is at the end and it is basically at the end and it is basically a laser beam. swipe. you can see the little circle on the vest and other side just next to the but of the rifle. those sensor will pick up the razor beams fired when they are an engagement of bell and the vest will tell the soldier whether they are hit, wounded or dead. if they are dead, the rifle

will be disabled and won't be able to fire any more. so it allows... the primary unit during the training to get a good understanding of how the battle is going. john good understanding of how the battle is going.— battle is going. john healey has talked _ battle is going. john healey has talked about _ battle is going. john healey has talked about scaling - battle is going. john healey| has talked about scaling up. why would it be better to do that sort of training in ukraine? i that sort of training in ukraine?— that sort of training in ukraine? ~' , , ., ., ukraine? i think numbers alone, there have _ ukraine? i think numbers alone, there have been _ ukraine? ! think numbers alone, there have been over— ukraine? i think numbers alone, there have been over 51,000 - there have been over 51,000 troops trained sincejune 202a. at any one time there are around 2000 ukrainian soldiers in the uk notjust on operation interflex but other forces. there are mine disposal courses, 1000 ukrainian marines have been trained, engineering training, all sorts... the training _ training, all sorts... the training has _ training, all sorts... the training has got - training, all sorts... the training has got longer. | training, all sorts... the training has got longer. has it shifted in focus?— shifted in focus? yes, it has to evolve — shifted in focus? yes, it has to evolve with _ shifted in focus? yes, it has to evolve with the _ shifted in focus? yes, it has to evolve with the way - shifted in focus? yes, it has to evolve with the way the l to evolve with the way the battlefield is evolving. it

went up in days. speaking to some of the troops, a lot of what they have to deal with and the uncertainties and a nose surround drone warfare. so when you speak to them, that is something they latch on to in terms of wanting that exposure to drones being overhead and understanding how to counter drones. the uk military through their capability as we have spoken about here, they are evolving, that too. so it is a continuously evolving situation that interflex will be embracing into 2025. tell me that the troops _ embracing into 2025. tell me that the troops you _ embracing into 2025. tell me that the troops you met... i embracing into 2025. tell me | that the troops you met... you are on the front line. why are they an england?— are on the front line. why are they an england? their identity is censored _ they an england? their identity is censored -- _ they an england? their identity is censored -- why _ they an england? their identity is censored -- why are - they an england? their identity is censored -- why are they - is censored -- why are they wearing _ is censored -- why are they wearing masks _ is censored -- why are they wearing masks in _ is censored -- why are they wearing masks in england? | is censored -- why are they l wearing masks in england? is is censored -- why are they - wearing masks in england? is 0k to show the _ wearing masks in england? is 0k to show the readers _ wearing masks in england? is 0k to show the readers of— wearing masks in england? is 0k to show the readers of the - to show the readers of the exercises but the russians will be watching films like this and

i have a! facial recognition software which can pick up and identify. so this soldier here if he were to be identified they will go after him and his family. so when we were filming it we had to be very, very careful and work with the communications team to make sure we didn't show any faces. it is all about the nose and joy it is all about the nose and joy line you have to avoid —— jaw line. joy line you have to avoid -- jaw line-— joy line you have to avoid -- “aw line. , ., , ,, jaw line. there is a process in training. _ jaw line. there is a process in training, building _ jaw line. there is a process in training, building up, - training, building up, refining. although some have come back, the sad truth is others more.— come back, the sad truth is others more. yeah. this is a hue others more. yeah. this is a huge problem _ others more. yeah. this is a huge problem for _ others more. yeah. this is a huge problem for zelensky. | huge problem for zelensky. there is something like 50,000 ukrainian soldiers that have been killed so far. one of the things that they will have to work on is that recruitment. zelensky has already come out and said he has got the numbers but needs the capability. so

for him, there is an understanding that it is a war of attrition and many people will get killed. but as long as the capability keeps coming and it will keep those numbers much lower. there are many more russian soldiers dead so the ratio is favourable to ukraine. it is that what need is equipment. we heard that the 2.5% defence spending cannot be committed to... how does it affect morale amongst those men any confidence amongst allies? it will. the uk is at 2.3% gdp with commitment to get 2.5%. how get there hasn't been articulated yet. there are some big statistical numbers out there. 12.8 billion has been committed to ukraine since the start. keir starmer has come out and said he will commit £3

billion a year. in 2025 they say will be a hardier but we saw the defence secretaryjohn healey in in kyiv and committed an additional £225 million. those numbers are there and they will be supportive and feed the memorial you are talking about. but it all comes down to january the 20th when donald trump gets into power what the us package will look like and 60 billion which is what the us commits as opposed to around 50 billion from other countries. to around 50 billion from other countries-— to around 50 billion from other countries. �* ., ., ., countries. around the world and across the _ countries. around the world and across the uk, _ countries. around the world and across the uk, you're _ countries. around the world and across the uk, you're watching l across the uk, you're watching bbc news.

welcome back. the former head at the russian desks of m16 will be on the

panel this evening. without we would bring him in early since we're talking about ukraine and russia. at a nato meeting held yesterday in brussels with vladimir zelensky the uk foreign secretary was there with other european leaders. european nations currently discussing whether they would send a peacekeeping force to ukraine in the case of a peace deal a ceasefire. us president elect donald trump made it clear will not put american boots on the ground to to guarantee security. but under what mandate would the europeans go. a question that was posed last night by our panelist sir kim darroch, former uk ambassador to the united states. i'm not sure if you would even get the europeans to agree to doing proper security guarantees for ukraine if america is not part of that. in other words, if it's just, say, britain, france and germany saying that we will come to your

defence if the russians break the ceasefire and start to attack you. so i think that's the prior question. here is president zelensky after those meeting, speaking this afternoon in brussels. we say that it could be part of the security guarantees. it goes without saying that nato is the best security guarantee for ukraine. and of course, until ukraine is a member of nato, this aspect could be considered as an alternative. but the most important is that it is notjust an artificial issue blown up. we need to have a mechanism, concrete mechanism. if we talked about contingency, how many? details, what they will do if russia is attacking, for example ? many, many questions are being raised. we are discussing them. that start with the military bit. there are two obvious prize blooms. one is the stretch of european forces —— two obvious problems. there is the secondary risk of direct confrontation with russia. if that were to happen then the

mandate question becomes crucially important.- mandate question becomes crucially important. yes. there are two components _ crucially important. yes. there are two components of - crucially important. yes. there are two components of this. i are two components of this. there is need a's article five which is an attack on one is an attack on all which has only been used once after september 11. then you have what the peacekeepers in the united nations work under which is chapter six and seven. chapter six is non—lethal operations so without the use of force in chapter seven is with the use of force. but they have to be approved by the united nations security council so any european peacekeeper is going in there needs that structure and understanding what the consequences are if there is a direct engagement.— direct engagement. from prudent's _ direct engagement. from prudent's perspective - direct engagement. from prudent's perspective he| direct engagement. from i prudent's perspective he will not accept need a's troops. why would he accept nato even closer to his border?- would he accept nato even closer to his border? one would ruestion closer to his border? one would question initially _ closer to his border? one would question initially that _ closer to his border? one would question initially that he - question initially that he never— question initially that he never really felt ukraine was going — never really felt ukraine was going to _ never really felt ukraine was going tojoin nato sol never really felt ukraine was going tojoin nato so i don't think— going tojoin nato so i don't think that was the reason for the invasion. ithink

think that was the reason for the invasion. i think it was far more _ the invasion. i think it was far more to do with preventing ukraine — far more to do with preventing ukraine develop as an alternative model for a post—soviet state which would be attractive to russian people. so i think the whole premise _ people. so i think the whole premise of that is flawed. now, of course, — premise of that is flawed. now, of course, ukraine wants to join — of course, ukraine wants to join nato _ of course, ukraine wants to join nato and has wanted to do so for— join nato and has wanted to do so for many years. but i don't see _ so for many years. but i don't see how— so for many years. but i don't see how part of ukraine can join — see how part of ukraine can join it— see how part of ukraine can join it and _ see how part of ukraine can join it and others cannot. of course, _ join it and others cannot. of course, ukrainian troops at the moment— course, ukrainian troops at the moment are deployed inside russia — moment are deployed inside russia so it is not at all career— russia so it is not at all career how that would pan out. if there — career how that would pan out. if there were an accident such as an engagement or racket coming over the border, you are in territory that is new about whether europe would come to work. i was looking at the reaction of donald tusk who met

the german chancellor last week... it will not be done in a day as donald trump says. oh it is not at all clear a day as donald trump says. oh it is not at all clea— it is not at all clear what sort of _ it is not at all clear what sort of deal _ it is not at all clear what sort of deal will - it is not at all clear what sort of deal will be i it is not at all clear what sort of deal will be put l sort of deal will be put forward by tram. the republican party— forward by tram. the republican party in — forward by tram. the republican party in america is divided. you — party in america is divided. you have _ party in america is divided. you have some people —— by cheque _ you have some people —— by cheque. who are 100% behind ukraine — cheque. who are 100% behind ukraine and many are not. so until— ukraine and many are not. so until we — ukraine and many are not. so until we see what they are proposing we will not know if it is feasible or not. it brings _ it is feasible or not. it brings us full circle to the training of the troops because you have to maintain it as everything continues. you have to negotiate — everything continues. you have to negotiate from _ everything continues. you have to negotiate from a _ everything continues. you have to negotiate from a position i everything continues. you have to negotiate from a position of| to negotiate from a position of strength. i would love to get chris's view on how viable the idea of negotiating territory in one part of ukraine is in regards to nato and if that is one thing that would be appealing to boughton in terms

of a cessation of fire. mr; of a cessation of fire. my concern _ of a cessation of fire. my concern is _ of a cessation of fire. my concern is that _ of a cessation of fire. my concern is that that i of a cessation of fire. my concern is that that will not be on — concern is that that will not be on the _ concern is that that will not be on the table with donald trump _ be on the table with donald trump and that americans will not agree _ trump and that americans will not agree to the secession of part— not agree to the secession of part of— not agree to the secession of part of ukraine going for it. without— part of ukraine going for it. without the security guarantees ithink— without the security guarantees i think it — without the security guarantees i think it is quite clear that the — i think it is quite clear that the ukrainians will not sign up to a _ the ukrainians will not sign up to a peace deal. we the ukrainians will not sign up to a peace deal.— the ukrainians will not sign up to a peace deal. we should talk about his end _ to a peace deal. we should talk about his end of— to a peace deal. we should talk about his end of year— to a peace deal. we should talk about his end of year press i about his end of year press conference, vladimir putin. he talked about the ballistic missile which could defeat any us defence system. he fired on the 21st of november and ukrainian city... here is the russian president this afternoon challenging the us, it seemed, to a duel. there's no chance that the missile is going to be brought down by the anti missiles. so if the experts in the west think so, well, let them come

up with a proposal to us and to the us. they can suggest kind of a technological experiment, kind of a high—tech fighting duel of the 21st century. they can designate a target, say, in kyiv. they can concentrate all of their air defence and anti—missile defence there. and we will strike it with a resnik and we'll see what's going to happen. we are willing to conduct such an experiment. what about the other side? are they ready? lets talk about that. is he right? would kyiv be on the venerable?— right? would kyiv be on the venerable? , ., , ., venerable? there questions on how ou venerable? there questions on how you counter _ venerable? there questions on how you counter a _ venerable? there questions on how you counter a hypersonic i how you counter a hypersonic missile. it is 4000 to 8000 miles an hourand missile. it is 4000 to 8000 miles an hour and has a range of thousands of kilometres. it has a warhead of six. i think we have a slide in this. this

was some footage taken as it was some footage taken as it was launched. it looks like a scene out of a nightmare movie. i don't understand why he wasn't talking about... the european defence missile system is. �* , , is. don't put ideas in his head! i— is. don't put ideas in his head! i sat _ is. don't put ideas in his head! i sat what - is. don't put ideas in his head! i sat what was i is. don't put ideas in his l head! i sat what was more interesting was the talk about inflation and the cost of living in russia which is mounting. it is putting immense pressure on the economy. essen pressure on the economy. even basic food — pressure on the economy. even basic food stuff _ pressure on the economy. even basic food stuff has _ pressure on the economy. even basic food stuff has gone i pressure on the economy. even basic food stuff has gone up i pressure on the economy. even basic food stuff has gone up by 50% _ basic food stuff has gone up by 50% in — basic food stuff has gone up by 50% in the last year or so, but, — 50% in the last year or so, but. fruit. _ 50% in the last year or so, but, fruit, vegetables, which is having _ but, fruit, vegetables, which is having a real impact on the life of— is having a real impact on the life of russians. we are so far away — life of russians. we are so far away from _ life of russians. we are so far away from where putin that we would — away from where putin that we would be — away from where putin that we would be at the beginning of the operation, that it would be over— the operation, that it would be over in— the operation, that it would be over in a — the operation, that it would be over in a few days and russia would — over in a few days and russia would move on and become more

uowerful — would move on and become more powerful. he also claimed that the war— powerful. he also claimed that the war had made russia more powerful— the war had made russia more powerful and independent but pressure is now completely dependent on china. he was living — dependent on china. he was living in_ dependent on china. he was living in a _ dependent on china. he was living in a fantasy world which is worrying. one can say it is rhetoric— is worrying. one can say it is rhetoric and he doesn't believe it i suspect he does believe some — it i suspect he does believe some of— it i suspect he does believe some of it. it i suspect he does believe some of it— some of it. he “ust put the defence h some of it. he just put the defence budget _ some of it. he just put the defence budget over i some of it. he just put the defence budget over 150 i defence budget over 150 billion. how does he do that... the payments on the debt is enormous. is there a point in 2025 where it breaks down? it all depends on oil exports fundamentally because 40% of the budget more or less comes from _ the budget more or less comes from oil— the budget more or less comes from oil exports. there has been — from oil exports. there has been a _ from oil exports. there has been a big debate from the west as to _ been a big debate from the west as to how— been a big debate from the west as to how much we should try to clamp— as to how much we should try to clamp down on. the shallow fleet. — clamp down on. the shallow fleet, the assurance and everything else. the reality is that— everything else. the reality is that russia still is able to exploit _ that russia still is able to exploit around 20 million tonnes— exploit around 20 million tonnes of oil a week. that is

roughlv_ tonnes of oil a week. that is roughly what it was exporting before — roughly what it was exporting before they were. so from that point _ before they were. so from that point of — before they were. so from that point of view, the west hasn't really— point of view, the west hasn't really turned the screw because it feared — really turned the screw because it feared inflation in our own economy— it feared inflation in our own economy but fundamentally, russia's_ economy but fundamentally, russia's ability to survival depend _ russia's ability to survival depend on oil.— russia's ability to survival depend on oil. ok. you are sta in: depend on oil. ok. you are staying with _ depend on oil. ok. you are staying with us _ depend on oil. ok. you are staying with us for - depend on oil. ok. you are staying with us for the i depend on oil. ok. you are l staying with us for the panel because we have lots to talk about, that's happening in the united states. and you will be back next year? i united states. and you will be back next year?— back next year? i hope so, if ou back next year? i hope so, if you invite — back next year? i hope so, if you invite me! _ back next year? i hope so, if you invite me! we _ back next year? i hope so, if you invite me! we have i back next year? i hope so, if| you invite me! we have done back next year? i hope so, if- you invite me! we have done ten eisodes you invite me! we have done ten episodes of _ you invite me! we have done ten episodes of the _ you invite me! we have done ten episodes of the security - episodes of the security breach. ~ . episodes of the security breach._ i i episodes of the security| breach._ i think episodes of the security i breach._ i think it is breach. we have. i think it is valuable _ breach. we have. i think it is valuable because _ breach. we have. i think it is valuable because it - breach. we have. i think it is valuable because it takes i breach. we have. i think it is valuable because it takes us| breach. we have. i think it is l valuable because it takes us to places we don't usually get to in these arguments. mi; places we don't usually get to in these arguments.— in these arguments. my brain hurts a lot — in these arguments. my brain hurts a lot afterwards - in these arguments. my brain| hurts a lot afterwards because there is a lack of analysis and production and research that goes into it as you know. full it was so _ goes into it as you know. full it was so interesting seeing the film you put together. happy christmas and we will see you on the other side. we will be back after the break and

will be talking about the case in france and spending in washington. we will tell you on the other side of the break, be right back. hello there. the festive forecast into next week does look fairly mild, so a very slim chance, i think, that any of us will see a white christmas. but before we get there, the weather really changeable in the run up to christmas. some rain around on friday, some very strong winds through the weekend, could cause some disruption, and then temperatures will be on the rise as we look towards christmas. now, to start friday, we're going to be seeing a weather front that starts in the west, pushes its way slowly east through the course of the day. another frontal system waiting in the wings for the weekend. now, through saturday, that brings some milder air and some strong winds.

by sunday, the air coming in from the north west, so a colder day on the cards. now, for the rest of thursday evening overnight into friday, then, we keep the clearer skies for central, southern and eastern parts of england and wales. but more cloud and outbreaks of rain across the north west. and that means milder weather here, so 6—7 degrees actually at six in the morning. but we could still see a touch of frost for some central and southeastern areas in particular. bit of sunshine for east anglia in the south—east lasting through the morning. we've got that rain initially for scotland and northern ireland, that tracks into parts of northern england, wales, the south west of england, too, one or two heavy bursts, followed by some sunshine and showers moving in from the northwest. temperatures a couple of degrees warmer than thursday, between about 8—11 degrees, but you've got the breeze and the showers, so it's not going to feel particularly warm at all. into saturday then, low pressure sitting to the north of the uk, lots of isobars on that map. the winds are wrapping around that low pressure bringing blustery showers.

strongest of the winds for the western isles could reach around 80 miles an hour. further south, we've got this cloud across central and southern england and wales, some patchy outbreaks of rain. more sunshine further north, but those blustery showers, and temperatures only 8—9 for parts of scotland, but 11—13 for the rest of the uk. so it's looking mild, but then turns colder again into sunday because the winds come in from the north—west, bringing a mix of some sunshine and some heavy showers. some of these showers on sunday a little bit wintry, could be some hail, some sleet, even some snow over the highest ground of scotland. really gusty winds, 60mph or so, in the west. so it is going to be a windy, cold, wintry—feeling day. i think, with top temperatures between about 6—9 degrees. and then looking ahead towards the christmas week, and you'll notice those temperatures on the rise. 13—14 degrees for christmas eve, christmas day and stays mild into boxing day. some rain in the north—west, but drier towards the south. bye— bye.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. unrecognised victims whose stories of women in the shadows are what you to know that we share the same fight. he wanted to reduce her— share the same fight. he wanted to reduce her to _ share the same fight. he wanted to reduce her to an _ share the same fight. he wanted to reduce her to an object, i to reduce her to an object, position— to reduce her to an object, position to be used for his satisfaction, he needed to drug her in _ satisfaction, he needed to drug her in orderto satisfaction, he needed to drug her in order to lend her. it is the event — her in order to lend her. it is the event of _ her in order to lend her. it is the event of a _ her in order to lend her. it is the event of a brotherly i the event of a brotherly shortness of some of the sentences handed out that has provoked some consternation.

joining me tonight are former mi6 intelligence officer, christopher steele and former speech writer for president obama, david litt. the perfect panel in mind of everything that is going on, but before that the latest bbc news. the veteran labour politician lord mandelson is expected to be named the new uk ambassador to the us. he served in multiple ministerial roles under prime ministers tony blair and gordon brown. a government source says it's sending someone with unrivalled political and policy experience, particularly on the crucial issue of trade. republicans in the us congress have said they have come up with a new stopgap funding bill to avert a looming government shutdown. they say the deal includes a suspension of the debt limit until 2027.

luigi mangione, who's accused of shooting dead the head