see, but such problems remain friends, maddie and cavil. thank you so much. lawmakers in the united states of move forward on a landmark legislation to curb gun violence. the senate passed the country's 1st federal gun control bill in 25 years. and for a small group of republicans joined with the democrats, the bill provides for a number of nations such as enhanced background checks for young adults who wish to buy a gun. the bill is expected to pass the house of representatives and be signed into law by president joe biden. but the breakthrough came just hours after a ruling that could lead to more people carrying guns in public. the supreme court struck down a new york law requiring people to prove a specific need to carry a concealed weapon outside their homes. americans have a constitutional right to carry firearms in public. this was the landmark ruling by

the u. s. supreme court. it's 1st major decision on gun control in over a decade. the court took issue with how new york provided licenses to carry concealed firearms. applicants in new york had to prove a special need for self protection to carry a concealed gun outside of their homes. but the court has instead placed that burden of proof on the state. it ruled that because americans have a constitutional rights to carry guns and public states must justified denying a permit. while the decision invalidated several states regulations, it said authorities can still restrict permits based on objective factors such as age and training for the plaintiffs who brought the case forward. the ruling was a welcome one. the lawful and legal gun owner of new york state is no longer going to be persecuted by laws that i have nothing to do with the

safety of the people. and i will do nothing to make the people safer. but gun control advocates disagree, fearing it could undermine similar restrictions in other states. the governor of new york called the ruling a dark day and warned that it could put millions of lives in danger. have let the supreme court the united states of america, has stripped away the state of new york's right and responsibility to protect its citizens. this decision isn't just reckless. it's reprehensible. gun rights are a contentious issue in a country. still reeling from mass shootings involved a texas and buffalo new york. the supreme court's ruling has forced a re think of safety measures across the country, making tackling gun violence and increasingly complicated task. iraq war of 2003 and the sectarian violence that followed climbed countless casualties

in the country. among them were a number of young soccer players whose graves were cut short after they lost limbs in bombings now and a rocky amputee team is giving them the chance to wreak not a love of the game. giving it another shot. ali cassim lost his left leg in a bagdad carbon in 26. then aged just 22. he thought his football career was over, but the iraqi amputee team has given him back his pride. knowing that about what i married with 4 children, my family are the ones who pack my sports bag. they tell me, daddy, go and train. my morale has totally lifted white little the team was founded last year by mohammed ali shar, who was made aware of the portsmouth on petty team while studying in england. and decided to take the idea to iraq. he wasn't short of applications for men whose lives have been scarred by war on with our that in our mission has become to

restore morale and activity to amputees. yes. yes. well, as we made sacrifices in the past, you, this in law will continue to do so for the success of the sport highway and to raise iraq's profile is doing. doing so has not been easy. a lack of official recognition from iraqi sporting bodies means no funding. so for transport and equipment, the team must depend on donations. who hadn't on milligan. i know not so far they've not given us official recognition, even though our team represents iraq and has achieved many things up on that. so unfortunately, they did not give us any local recognition so that we can ask for support. we have also not received any budget from the government, the amendment and a jacqueline yet, but improvising in the face of adversity is what these men do. and the team has given them, the camaraderie that i'll nasha says has helped. many of them recover from longstanding mental health issues. coming back to our mind story,

this our now and you and a you summit in brussels, a day after an historic shift in europe. or you latest have approved ye, crime and mal divers bids for candidate status. the 1st official step towards joining the european union. it's a political boast for ukraine as it faces big challenges on the battlefield. latest from germany, france and italy had all back ukraine's application. but all 27 member states when needed to give the move the go ahead. yeah, yeah, yeah. yeah, we demonstrated that side the you council building here in brussels, found their views reflected by the 27 european leaders meeting inside. all of them agreed to grant ukraine e u candidate status, along with moldova french president emanuel my call spoke glowingly. after the vote . the peter put usual the coffee from day one of this conflict. europe has been

reacting in a quick historic and united way body function. firstly, with the sanctions, then economic military and financial support. we could immediately annoy with this political gesture, emmett, not suggest politic. the decision did not come as a surprise. mccall, along with 2 other powerful you leaders, germany, zoloft shots and italy's mario draggy had travelled to keep earlier in june, where they endorsed ukraine's e. u membership bid. many of the leaders acknowledge that russia's invasion played a large role in their decision making. these put the whole european union in such a motion, they will, we see is a result of totally new i would say atmosphere within the european council. it's is, i would say this is a new european council at this moment. it's clear ukraine will have to fulfill a long list of criteria before being able to enter the union, a process that could take years even decades. but the possibility of

a lengthy waste didn't dampen the spirits of ukraine's president who thank the council by a video link. would you be whoa, that lives recently? yeah, ve to show property. and i believe that the flag of the european union will fly in every ukrainian city that we have to liberate from russian occupation for that great, the ukrainian and european flags will be together when we rebuild our country together . after this war. trouble the slits yielding me, ross. you leaders will also have to discuss whether the union is even able to welcome new family members anytime soon. many here in brussels agree the block needs internal reform 1st. so europe can compete on the world stage. and believe the war raging on its doorstep makes this even more urgent. oh, as you latest arrived for the summit in brussels. this morning, date of li, spoke to latvia as prime minister about his country security challenges as a neighbor of russia and about the decision to offer you candidacy to ukraine.

prime minister the decision to grant ukraine in moldova candidate status is being described as a historic decision. why is it so significant from your point of view? well, it's so significant for, for many reasons. one is it, it, it literally extends the hand of friendship and of openness to a country which is in a war right now with russia and mold of, of which is also very vulnerable. but may be more important for us. europeans is that we are once again in the business of looking to expand, looking to have the, the, the family of democratic nations grow ever larger. and i think this is a good signal to all of europe because as a europe has gained more and more member states, and these are member states which are ready to join, which have undergone the reforms which have democratic governance, or the rule of law in all of this it increases all of our well being, so the well being in germany in france in particle goes up as more member states

come into the union. so it's good that in these very troubling times. there are still nations that want to be like us. still, it is a very lengthy process. i am not afraid that ukraine's expectations could be disappointed in the end. up. as with all of these processes in the end, it's up to these trainings themselves to, to make the most necessary forms. my own country went through this process. it was quite a number of years. it was sometimes a, a nervous process. but in the end, the hope and the goal of joining the european union helped us to persevere. i think with the ukrainians it will be exactly the same. what kind of signal or message does this decision sent to moscow? at the decision that this decision sends to moscow a very clear signal if foot and thought that a war and ukraine would make europe or more dis, united,

the opposite is happening. we are continuing to a pull together to pull together stronger militarily economically. and now we're even ready to, to take in or begin the process of taking in some more member states, which is the exact opposite of what i think mosque was aiming for. moscow is also, oh is always in the business of divide and rule and a, this is not working at all in the european union right now. the natal summit coming up in a few days or nato has vowed to strengthen its forces on the eastern flank. but what does latasha need to feel safe and affix effectively protected against any russian potential? rational aggression. while in law, 1st and foremost, we are increasing our own defense budget and we currently spend about 2.2 percent of our g d p. we've made a decision to spend 2 and

a half percent the same as the estonians, lithuanians, our neighbors. so primarily our defenses, of course, based upon our own abilities and capabilities, which will be a greatly improving. and 2nd, we have already the, it's the so called it hands forward, present, said by the canadians in latvia. what we're arguing to our nato allies is that the current defense posture is not enough. it's the trip wire posture, which implies that if there was an attack, the country, a part of the country would be occupied for some time, and then like a cavalry on shining armor, overwhelming nato forces would come and liberate the country once again. but we see what's happening in ukraine when the russians come in, they leave nothing behind, they destroy infrastructure, they kill civilians, they rape women, they deport civilians. so this is something that cannot be tolerated. so we need a more robust presence in the baltics,

especially considering our geographical position between russia and the baltic sea . and this is something that we've been speaking with the are all of our nato partners and allies. there's great support already today. we have a greatly enhanced nato force presence in latvia, so the canadians, the, the spanish are the italians and others have greatly increased their forces at the danes have brought in an entire battalion in latvia, which is not there before. we have more air patrol, a fighter jets, and there are more frigates in the baltic sea in, in the area so already, in a sense, even not waiting for the madrid summit, nato is already increasing its presence. and this is what we have to do. a strong deterrence is the best way to ensure that a war in nato territory would never occur. but he do need more. natal boots on the ground permanently. yes, we would need her. we say

a brigade size and nato force always on the ground in the baltics. and of course a permanent rotational presence is also a permanent presence. as we have a, a rotational presence of a battalion. we just need to increase that. and i can say that it is actually already happening. all the allies are coming in with more forces with more equipment with more. we call them enablers. so it's already happening. it's very, very positive direction. going into madrid. with me here in the studio state of least chief political correspondent, melinda crime, melinda. good to see you on another significant day. there's a lot happening and there's a lot one pack just from that wanting to be from the let the prime minister about you claim decision, but also about his own country security and that of the other baltic states. absolutely. and that is a particularly sensitive issue at the moment because of the dispute now,

between lithuania and russia. regarding lithuania statement, that goods that are sanctioned will no longer be permitted to essentially be transported along the trans. at corridor between the russian enclave of colleen and grad and through lithuanian territory, and russia has strongly objected to this causing lithuania, as leaders to say exactly what we just heard. they are in that interview, that nato absolutely must put enough forces on the ground in the baltics, not simply to act as a trip wire, meaning as a deterrent against a potential russian invasion, but actually to create a real defense capacity. these are the most exposed member countries in nato, and nato has committed to shifting from that deterrent to that defense posture. that will be reinforced and affirmed in next week's nato summit. but basically, what we're hearing here from the baltic leadership is this cannot happen too soon.

and we are seeing a boost, as he said, from battle groups by a essentially expanding by a factor of 32 battalion size. that is significant. but defending these very exposed republics is certainly a big challenge for nato deter, from his point of the no longer seems enough. the words that stood out will more robust, exactly more robust, a real defense capacity as, as our colleague asked boots on the ground and he said so lately. and that is what we're seeing. we have seen very clear commitments from nato member countries, including from germany which has the lead in the battle group in one of the baltic republics to greatly expand their presence going forward. and of course, again and again, we've heard the nato secretary general say, we are ready to defend these republics, as well as all other nato,

a member states on the sea in the air and on the ground. it's hard to get people to agree. politicians were great when you get the 3 of them in a room together. how significant is it that they got $27.00 nations to agree union unanimously to the decision to admit you crime, to as an a you can it's, it's significant. there were definite objections. be hor beforehand from some a you member countries. it wasn't clear that the affirmation of candidacy status for, for, for ukraine would be as clear and from a dover, of course would be as clear as it is now. they didn't put official conditions on this candidacy status, although inefficiently in inefficiently. there certainly are a number of hurdles that ukraine will have to pass. but given a, given the fact that the unity within the

e u has become somewhat more stretched and more fragile in the time that, that this war has been raging since february 24th. this is a very significant step and it, it sends a really strong symbolic message, namely, and we're going to hear this undoubtedly later on in the press conference. ukraine is a member of the european family. or if you want to use the other metaphor that european leaders are very fond of the european architecture. the european house includes a room for ukraine. and of course, that is the very opposite of the way that flattened me putting sees you crate, namely, as a member of the russian family. so a very, very strong symbolic message there since a strong message. but there is a clear contrast now about how fast this is moved for you. crime and about how it's going for the other candidates and how they likely to be feeling about this right now. several balkan states of been in the waiting room. let's not forget for many,

many use north macedonia, 17 years and they have made it clear how frustrated they are. by this decision, they held a sort of separate mini summit with you leaders yesterday and expressed their frustration quite directly, albania, waiting, 8 years. both of them seeing e u. member state and also nato, a fellow member bulgaria, holding up their candidacy essentially for reasons of nationalist populism. and bulgaria saying, you both have to do more to protect bulgarian speaking groups within their countries, but absolutely dissatisfaction, frustration on the part of the western balkans. that was one of the things that had concerns french president mac kron going into this very important summit. he is currently holds the rotating presidency of the council of member state leaders. and

he had said that he's really concerned about what a clear declaration for ukraine and moldova would mean for the western balkan states. and one reason for the concern, quite frankly, is geo politics. there's real, a fear that this could push some of these western balkan countries closer to both russia and china. china, of course has it's on a number of these countries as potential cooperation partners in the belt and road initiative. the big logistics corridor and dutch and indeed to those countries have expressed interest and their frustration. and now they're now attended upon this decision for ukraine and hold over. were some sort of general promises once again, thrown their way saying yes, you know, we want to speed this up. we want to do more to make sure that you move forward in the process. but no doubt, there is frustration with all of that as,

as the backdrop. then what's the realistic timeline for official ukraine? candace becoming membership. i'm hearing 10 years as a figure that people are putting out there. i'm also, you know, we're hearing others say we need to move this forward faster, but it's clear that there is no sort of fast track priority lane being created and a president micra has made that very clear what we have heard it him and, but also a chance for schultz, german chancellor schultz say, is that as the e u expands once again, and by the way, the window until now has been one of the longest time periods with out additional expansion. we've had quite a long period of stasis as the e. u. now move to expand, how does it remain effective as an actor? and there is a great deal of concern that the unanimity requirements for each decision making

have become ever more unwieldy. and certainly we seen that in this crisis with hungary, in particular, dragging its feet on a number of the sanctions because discussions and now saying today that it doesn't think any more sanctions packages are really needed. so the idea is that even without opening the you treaties, which is a very difficult sensitive matter, that the e u leaders could agree on qualified majority voting rather than unanimity. however, to do that, they essentially need consensus. so it's something of, of a, a paradox, but certainly there is awareness that if the you want to fulfill its oft expressed hope, being a stronger actor in the international sphere. it is going to have to streamline decision and seem to get more difficult as we add more voices to the room,

potentially. how do you expect russia to respond to the use decision? well, let me put in said ukraine can join any economic union. it wants that russia doesn't have problems with this, but as i said, this is essentially an absolutely the opposite narrative. if you would, if you will, from what i'm putting himself is saying he saying ukraine is one with russia. they belong to our family. their territory is part of our territory, therefore, to see the e u, extend its roof over ukraine. undoubtedly must be a thorn in his side and, and one more source of, of animosity and, and we'll see if a reaction comes directly from moscow. but no doubt this widens the divisions and

the anger. we're waiting for the latest to give a press conference shortly. and we're wondering, i guess where the going to begin with so much to say, what are we expecting to hear from? well, you will hear words like historic european family. it's been called a historic decision by presidents lensky of ukraine, as well as by the head of the commission and, and the foreign policy chief failures a browse. so certainly they will be repeating those statements. also saying that this sends a very clear message, we may hear additional affirmation of the use readiness to stand by ukraine, also in supporting it with funds for weapons. because that, in fact, is one of the historic steps that the has taken to set up a fund to help you create with weapons delivery something it had not ever done before. and frankly, for, for you either ukraine to move forward in its candidacy status. it needs

to win this war. it's as simple as that because if there is a lot of disputed issues about territory for perhaps on eastern ukraine, perhaps elsewhere, that will make it very, very difficult to simply do the bureaucratic and logistical work around candidacy. even setting up working groups as the you does when candice candidacy processes begin working groups are established for particular topics. even that is going to be difficult working with a government that is at moore. so you may hear some professions also on issues of defense and weapons support from the you. and certainly i think we will also hear the leaders or address the hunger crisis. that is very much also on the docket here in berlin. as you were reporting earlier with an international food

and nutrition conference going on here at the foreign ministry. and i think undoubtedly we will hear leaders in brussels speak to that as well. so many decisions of historical significance already made. and some of the more to come, the police chief political correspondent i'm going to crime. thanks so much. one of the current strengths in fighting the russian invasion is it's digital expertise. the country's modern approach to administration has proven an asset since the war began. the current digital minister mc hello, federal says he's country is already sharing experiences with other, with others rather pushing for digitalization correspondence and then will show us met him in keith. he calls it a state in a smartphone, me hi lo fedor of has led the charge to modernize ukraine, making public services instantly available to everyone who is online. the minister of digital transformation tell d w, how does,

has also helped in the wall pathology imitated with slope. our goal is to have all services online by 2024 online. we want to build the most convenient country in the world for public services on. similarly, we can provide services to citizens very quickly in a matter of days down. they can tell us about damage property in a minute or we can send them a direct payment. we can very quickly solve almost any issue that arises between the state about and citizens. so i know what it was in we did with in the, in the shower a user can put their passport, has insurance information, drivers license and vaccine certificate into the system. they can all be accessed from a smartphone to system is called dia, which means action. and federal says it's are secure as can be la la, but should you miss better but still and did is not to were personal data but unlocked it. all transactions take place in different registries, so everything is strictly separated, withdrew her, and we fall all the digital safety rossclovis my protecting each registry lawless

respect. we also operate a buck bounty sham, where we pay hackers round the world. if they find a neutralize foreigner abilities, sorcery the efficient program flush, i'm of course, as a little more possible lucy, the wall has us or demanded action. the ministries developers produce the survey said ukrainians could send pictures afresh and forces to the authorities. every long as smartphone became part of the war effort. he said, hey, emma lewis is for, but you can take a picture of the enemy or their equipment and send it in be a chat, but after his own, we shared this information with military agents. and so on and you were talking about thousands of high quality pieces of information about the enemy, for photos and videos of move since the silently animal small to system could show to you that the block could gain as well as give without a spoon which we communicate with almost all e u members and corporate with poland, slovenia, slovakia, germany and france were sharing experiences at this stage and plenty joint projects

. so we've already revolutionized many services. will be an example for many countries in terms of digitalization number of what's a for, as i say at a federal has one i focused on the future and the you, the other is firmly fixed on keeping the state running. increasingly, from a smartphone, germany's hosting talks to they aimed at tackling the looming global food crisis. the warranty ukraine has led to rising food prices and shortages around the world, especially in countries that were already struggling to feed their populations ahead of the conference, german minister of foreign affairs and a letter burbock held a press conference. let's have a listen to what you had to say. as in me. oh not is anthony. how isn't a thin we are not talking about hundreds of thousands i. we are talking about millions of people. there are 345000000 women children and man worldwide, who are facing an acute shortage of florida. we are facing a famine crisis that confronts us, like a threatening wave termed. i asked was,

learn russians. the 2nd ukraine has turned this way into a tsunami since the beginning of the war, prices for grain world wide have once more shut up any further chosen. our political correspondent benjamin over as gruber has more on the conference. there will be more than 50 representatives from governments, from international organizations, and also from the civil society taking part in this conference here in berlin. and to show you how many ministries are involved in the planning of the meeting of the german government under which g 7, a presidency. this meeting is happening. and alina babel was not alone in the press conference, we just heard her there. she was also there with their germany's development minister, sweeney assured, sir. and with the agricultural minister, jem at simeon, that shows how the german government wants to tackle this looming food crisis on several fronts. so once i trying to a get, for example, grain out of ukraine,

that's one of the big top is one of the big priorities also off this meeting. but what's very important for them is not just talking about the global felt, but with the global south, there will be several representatives from african country from the african union, as well. who are here in berlin to see how this looming food crisis can somehow still be averted? such a critical moment, benjamin, what are the concrete measures being discussed? so on the food experts and on the grained from may ukraine, that something that all 3 ministers said that it needs a reliable, long term transport visibility to get this grain out of ukraine. this green that is stuck in the ports of odessa, for example, the ukrainian ports a due to the russian blockade and something that they also said not just regarding this measures, it's how important it is also tackling a fake news. fake narrative is for example, moss.