let's talk defence. after all, nobody else did dunng after all, nobody else did during the general election campaign at all. labour about to launch a defence review . are launch a defence review. are they right? is nato our future or somehow, are we going to get closer to a european defence union? the king's speech comes tomorrow, but i wonder before we hear that, just how healthy is our democracy , given some of the our democracy, given some of the turnout figures in this general election? but before all of that, let's get the news with polly middlehurst. >> nigel, thanks very much indeed. and good evening to you. jay slater's mother says the confirmation of her son's death in tenerife is the worst news she could have received. in a statement, debbie duncan said she can't believe what's happened to her beautiful boy, adding our hearts are broken. the 19 year old, from lancashire , the 19 year old, from lancashire, disappeared off the island a month ago after attending a music festival. a spanish court s

defence.idea. and of course, in 2018, donald trump went completely crazy. he said europeans don't spend enough on defence. we're basically funding your defence, change your tune. and actually since then, believe it or not, european defence spending has increased by about 50, partly because of russia, but also partly because of the threat made by trump. and britain actually was on the higher end of that stuff. so i, i don't really understand this point. and also we waste so much money with military procurement that i think you want to sort that out, get the economy growing. and sure have the conversation after that. about 2.5. >> peter hitchens would you agree with that? >> gosh. i would approach it from a different direction. your first question, can we trust labour on defence? is a question from the 1980s, when the labour party had been very heavily infiltrated by the left, was considered by a lot of people to be sympathetic to the soviet union, a communist state which then dominated eastern

this is a the moment of change for our defence policy and our defence strategy.hese external reviewers will work with the experts internally to produce what can be a fresh direction for british defence. you cannot give reviewers the freedom to challenge thinking, come up with recommendations and say in advance we know what you're going to say, we endorse what you're going to say, but we will take very seriously the recommendations that they make now the defence review, who's going to be on it? >> well, it'll be lord robertson, who of course was the nato boss for some years, and former labour cabinet minister he'll head it up. interestingly, fiona hill, who worked as a policy adviser to donald trump, will be part of it as well. but whenever i hear the word review, i think, oh, goodness gracious me, they've kicked it into the long grass and there can be no doubt, certainly in terms of personnel. but when it comes to 14 years of conservative government, well, just look at it. the marines and the navy down by 16% in terms of manpower. the royal air force down by 27%

its defence, and so it— ukraine to support its defence, and so it is— ukraine to support its defence,k together and so it is that work together and the — and so it is that work together and the advice i provide in my role _ and the advice i provide in my role to— and the advice i provide in my role to the _ and the advice i provide in my role to the president and the secretary of the defence to ensure _ secretary of the defence to ensure that ukraine can do the things— ensure that ukraine can do the things it — ensure that ukraine can do the things it needs to do to defend itself — things it needs to do to defend itself. ., , ., things it needs to do to defend itself. . , ., ., ,~' itself. have you asked the president _ itself. have you asked the president to _ itself. have you asked the president to loosen - itself. have you asked the president to loosen those | president to loosen those restrictions? i president to loosen those restrictions?— president to loosen those restrictions? i won't get into the details _ restrictions? i won't get into the details of _ restrictions? i won't g

it 'ust should have spent on defence. it just has— should have spent on defence. of the countries in europe. now some of them have turned around _ europe. now some of them have turned around and _ europe. now some of them have turned around and pulling one has had a huge _ around and pulling one has had a huge increase in defence spending but there — huge increase in defence spending but there is no doubt that if donald trump _ but there is no doubt that if donald trump gets it and it looks more more likely, _ trump gets it and it looks more more likely, they— trump gets it and it looks more more likely, they are likely to say we will not — likely, they are likely to say we will not leave 400,000 troops in europe — will not leave 400,000 troops in europe. they might well still provide — europe. they might well still provide airpower and the nuclear umbrella — provide airpower and the nuclear umbrella and of course we have our own nuclear — umbrella and of course we have our own nuclear deterrent as well but they might pull those out. so europe is going _ they migh

on defence spending.will be making the for case spending more 2.5% in the uk's case. but most importantly, it's what we spend it on and how we spend it. so just focusing on the headline amount is really important as a signal that it sends not only uk industry, but also our adversaries. but we want to be clear about what capabilities we are seeking to invest in. what are the, equipment platforms that we need? how do we reinforce those areas that we need? that's what the defence review will set out and more details will be published on that when it's launched next week. >> your predecessor, grant shapps, was often on our programme and was explaining to us he thinks there are around 70,000 jobs that he could cut in the ministry of defence and his administration also were talking about conscription for 18 year olds to tackle the ongoing threat of this unstable world and trying to get youngsters up to up to speed, but also improve our defence position. >> are either of those options on the table for you? >> we

self—defence force members.defence force against the constitution or anything. so if it's clear that japan hasn't renounced the right to go to war, if necessary, if china were to make military moves on taiwan to attempt to invade taiwan, would japan get involved? well, we have rights to defend ourselves, our land, our people. yeah, i'm talking about taiwan, though. would japan get involved militarily against china if china moved on taiwan? well, if it has any implication on our land and people, so it depends on the situation. it is not a black—and—white thing. taro kono, we have to end there. thank you very much indeed forjoining me from tokyo. thank you. hello there. thursday brought with it quite a humid feel and a lot of cloud across the country. at times, it was thick enough for some heavy rain, some poor visibility across the channel isles and some choppy seas, so not a day for being by the seaside. but as we move into next week, high pressure is going to build. that will quieten things down considerably, w

self—defence force members.defence force against the constitution or anything. so if it's clear that japan hasn't renounced the right to go to war, if necessary, if china were to make military moves on taiwan to attempt to invade taiwan, would japan get involved ? well, we have rights to defend ourselves, our land, our people. yeah, i'm talking about taiwan, though. would japan get involved militarily against china if china moved on taiwan? well, if it has any implication on our land and people, so it depends on the situation. it is not a black—and—white thing. taro kono, we have to end there. thank you very much indeed forjoining me from tokyo. thank you. hello. we've got a fairly humid and moist air mass with us at the moment. that's bringing quite a lot of low cloud, some mist and some murk around, as we start thursday. generally, through the day, it's going to continue to feel fairly humid — some spells of sunshine, but also a chance of some rain for some of us. now, across southern counties of england, you

that includes defence.he growing the economy thing, i really - other things? the growing the economy thing, i really did i other things? the growing the i economy thing, i really did press him on _ economy thing, i really did press him on that, i said, if the economy does _ him on that, i said, if the economy does not _ him on that, i said, if the economy does not grow, we will not have this extra _ does not grow, we will not have this extra money— does not grow, we will not have this extra money for defence, which seems to be the _ extra money for defence, which seems to be the implication? he did not go that far. _ to be the implication? he did not go that far, and they don't. they would say, we _ that far, and they don't. they would say, we are — that far, and they don't. they would say, we are going to get it, we are determined, — say, we are going to get it, we are determined, we know how to do it, so there _ determined, we know how to do it, so there you _ determined, we know how to do it, so there yo

spending. this has called a cast-iron commitment to defence spending.— defence spending.e, defence spending. as you heard from carl there. in — defence spending. as you heard from carl there, in the _ defence spending. as you heard from carl there, in the last _ defence spending. as you heard from carl there, in the last few— defence spending. as you heard from carl there, in the last few years - carl there, in the last few years since vladimir putin invaded ukraine, the number of nato member states spending at 2% target has increased an awful lot but now there are member states that think they should go further, hit 2.5% of national income on defence spending. during the general election campaign the conservative campaign said that if they won it, they would increase defence spending to 2.5% by 2030. labour said if they won it, they would, but they would not put a timeframe on it. and that is now the questions facing keir starmer. as he flew out to nato, he told journalists that he would launch what he is causing a strategic defence review next week, which aim to establi

air defence is one ofthe nato summit? air defence is one of the key _ nato summit?it? air defence is one of the key aspects because - of the key aspects because russia and its aggression against ukraine has continued to launch their assaults against both civilian targets and also critically ukraine �*s energy infrastructure. for ukraine to prosper and develop its economy needs to defend against this. we are constantly looking for ways to support ukraine including with the defence and we are looking at this also in the context of the nato summit.— this also in the context of the nato summit. what president zelensky really _ nato summit. what president zelensky really wants - nato summit. what president zelensky really wants is - nato summit. what president zelensky really wants is nato| zelensky really wants is nato membership do you expect a formal application —— invitation to issue to ukraine during the summer? mil invitation to issue to ukraine during the summer? all allies have agreed _ during the summer? all allies have agreed the _ during the summer? all allies

well let's bring it back to defence then. so what are keir starmer�*s ideas for defence.tle bit earlier today. and alsojust kind of the bigger defence picture for britain as a nation over the next few decades. yeah. so prime minister saw president zelensky and was seeking to be reassuring, effectively saying, look, the government and the prime minister has changed, but the policy hasn't. i mean, president zelensky must be rather used to that, hearing it from british prime ministers, what with borisjohnson and then liz truss and then rishi sunak and now keir starmer. but to be fair to all of them, the policy hasn't changed the uk's kind of foreign policy posture, as far as ukraine is concerned, has been consistent through a period where, frankly, there's been a lot of inconsistency in terms of leadership and those in the most senior roles, the most interesting sort of gritty bit of conversation around the uk's kind of defence posture is this whole question about funding, because labour was saying in the campaign that they wanted to see defence spending go up to 2.5% of nat

its defence minister andrei belousov spoke on the phone on friday with us defence secretary lloyd austinhe war in ukraine. for more on support for ukraine, my colleague jonathan beale spoke with general charles 0 brownjr, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. first of all, you have just had a nato summit, and there's been a strong signal of support for ukraine, in both practical in hardware, but also in terms of ukraine moving towards membership, but ukraine, one thing it says, it wants those restrictions on the weapons, long range weapons that countries like the us applies to be lifted, and i know this is a political decision. you are a military man. do you understand the frustrations of president zelenskyy having his arms tied behind his back because he can't use those weapons as he would like to use them? as you described it as a policy decision and one of the things i focus on as a chairman is to work closely with the nations, not just from nato but the 15 nations part of the ukraine defence contact group to provide capability for ukraine to support its defence, and so it is that wo

its defence minister andrei belousov intiated a phone call on friday with us defence secretary lloydhe risk of "possible "escalation" over the war in ukraine. meanwhile, ukrainians are still reeling from this week's deadly russian air strikes that killed dozens of civilians, including children at a children's hospital in kyiv. 0ur ukraine correspondentjames waterhouse sent this report. on monday, in a matter of hours, missiles overwhelmed ukraine's normally well—defended capital, and it's what they hit which made this one of the worst aerial assaults in this war. this is kyiv�*s children's hospital, where some of the patients were being treated for cancer. it was a sight which drew worldwide attention and western condemnation. russia denied targeting civilian areas, but evidence to the contrary is mounting, and this was an attack which wasn't confined to one place or one hospital. cities across central and eastern ukraine were targeted. ia people lost their lives here, and it took three days to find them from under the rubble. 0nce—lived lives exposed by blown—away walls. the country

the year i was elected president, only nine nato allies are spending 2% of their defence and gdp on defenced some will spend more than that in remaining countries that have not yet reached that milestone will get there soon. remarkable progress. proof that our commitment is broad and deep. that we are ready and they were willing and able to deter aggression and defend every inch of nato territory across every domain, land, air, sea, cyberand space. my friends, it is good that we are stronger than ever because this moment in history calls for a collective strength. autocrats that want to overturn global order by and large cap for nearly 80 years and counting. terrorist groups continue to plot evil schemes, because may have been chaos and suffering in europe, proved the embossed buzzword of aggression against ukraine continues in food and putin wants nothing less than ukraine's total subjugation. the end ukraine plus plus democracy, destroy ukraine possibles culture and wipe ukraine off the map and we know putin will not stop at ukraine. make no mistake, ukraine can and will stop putin. espec

that seems to me all to be in self—defence.autious, then, saying longer—range missiles should not be doing that at this stage? are they being a bit cautious there? these are american decisions. we are very grateful for what america is doing for the security of europe, for ukraine. we have had these discussions before. we discuss something, it seems a little on the brave side and then, six months later we do it. after the debate, youtweeted with reference to the roman empire, marcus aurelius, saying that he was a great emperor but he should have managed — i think you said — "it is important to manage "one's ride into the sunset". you would have seen president biden plasma press —— you would have seen president biden�*s press conference last night — the world was watching it. do you still hold that view after that press conference, compared to what you tweeted following the debate? i hold the view that marcus aurelius should not have passed the button to his naturalson, comedus. he should have adopted someone who was capable. bec

the defence borrowing rules.tary, john healey, says the review will determine when the manifesto commitment is met. >> the last time britain spent 2.5, of course, was in 2010 with laboun 2.5, of course, was in 2010 with labour. now we will do that as part of the getting to grips with the challenges that we face, so we will launch next week. the prime minister will launch a strategic defence review. it's the way we get to gnps review. it's the way we get to grips with the threats we face. the capabilities we need for the future, the state of our armed forces and also the state of the pubuc forces and also the state of the public finances. when we open the books and we will set alongside that a clear pathway to meeting that commitment of 2.5% on of on defence. >> well, it comes as sir keir starmer has arrived in washington for the 75th nato summit there. joe biden arriving there last night, pushing for ukraine's agenda against russia. well, the prime minister says he's pushing the allies to invest more in defence,

no >> in sunak's defence, carrie. oh, there's a defence.s a defence because he he called an early election because he thought it would mean that reform wouldn't have enough time to get their get their act together, get enough mps, even with the power of ai and have enough candidates to run in the election actually reform played a blinder and took a lot of votes , took a lot of votes from votes, took a lot of votes from the conservatives, took a lot of votes from labour as well. >> it wasn't a good gamble in so many ways. and i think also she's right to say that she took a swipe at sunak, but unfortunately that is just a metaphor, and she mentions his returning early from the d—day commemorations, which was a ridiculous thing to do. >> it was it was terrible on image. yeah. and a terrible you've got free a free pr opportunity with the leaders of the free world with joe biden, with everybody the most, the biggest ones. >> yeah . and instead he turns it >> yeah. and instead he turns it down for an interview with itv. i know itv is good, but i

thanks. _ 2.5% of gdp on defence? thank you. thanks, beth, ithink 2.5% of gdp on defence? what's happened in relation to small boats crossing, we are inheriting a really bad problem here from the government who has not addressed this. nobody is suggesting it's easy — it is a test of government, it was a test of us as the opposition before we came into government, but we've wasted time here, resource — we had a home office dedicated to a gimmick that didn't work, and therefore the work that could've been done in relation to border security hasn't been done, in my view, in the way it should have been done. the proof is in the pudding, we've got record numbers this year. we can't switch that in 24 hours, and hours earlier we were knocking on doors asking people to vote for us. you can't turn around that quickly, but the frustration i have in relation to prisons is across this, as well, because so much time and effort has been spent on rwanda — a scheme which, in my view, was never going to work, and the proof is it hasn't worked — when the proof is it hasn't worked — when the

so i think that supporting the war, supporting ukraine and defence and being strong on defence is somewhereabour has the upper hand over reform and nigel farage exactly because of the commons and nigel farage may, dunng commons and nigel farage may, during the election campaign, taking completely out of context, i might add . context, i might add. >> but they were, weren't they? he's sceptical, he said what he was saying even before he was leading reform in the way he is sure. >> but but for, for a very long time, even before that, as you said, nigel farage has shown that he's suspicious of nato and the western alliance and that and that he has diverging views about russia and putin than other liberal leaders. >> he said, was what a lot of people were saying when the war began that people were encroaching on, nato was encroaching on, nato was encroaching towards putin. and so putin would would do, you know, this is why he's attacking. and i remember myself specifically saying it's actually, you know , this is a actually, you know, this is a sovereign country that should have its own rights.

uk defence is in a perilous position, quite regardless of ukraine.hat starmer is facing on the defence budget, not just support for ukraine, which is all very good, but also re—equipping and reinforcing the british defence. let mejust let me just clarify further for you at the line we are getting on the prime mr modi and president putin visit in moscow, the indian prime minister there. apparently president putin has told india russia is ready to establish any relations for peace in ukraine informal talks in moscow. the indian prime ministers stressed the talks are positive and india has always been on the side of peace. while at the meeting has been criticised by president zelensky. moscow's condition for peace talks is ukraine surrendering territories that russia claims as its own. but prime minister modi has had up to five hours of informal talks. the indian prime minister has of course consistently urge for peace, saying that it was of the utmost importance and that wars cannot solve problems. let me assure you nile the outside of downing street.

he should who haven't gone public yet _ as the nato alliance meets in washington dc, ukraine and defence spending are high on the agenda — but should the summit�*s host, president biden, run in november? from the hollywood hills to capitol hill, celebrities and colleagues join the growing calls for him to step aside in november's election. fresh from winning one, prime minister keir starmer holds his first bilateral withjoe biden shortly. and england take on the netherlands in the euro semi finals — so is it really coming home? we come on air with some breaking news — police in hertfordshire say they've found a man, wanted in connection with a triple murder after a massive manhunt. three women were found dead at their home in bushey, on tuesday night, not farfrom london. police say they believe the attack was targeted and that a crossbow was used, possibly with other weapons. the identities of the people killed have been confirmed. they were 61—year—old carol hunt — seen here with her husband, the bbc racing radio commentator john hunt — and two of their daughters — louise hunt who was 2

, energy.— air defence, energy.in for air defence, energy. what are you heping for from — air defence, energy. what are you hoping for from keir _ air defence, energy. what are you hoping for from keir starmer? - air defence, energy. what are you hoping for from keir starmer? we will have a meeting, i count on his support _ will have a meeting, i count on his suriport. the — will have a meeting, i count on his support. the uk demonstrated leadership from the first russian attacks, — leadership from the first russian attacks, all of the strong steps, and not — attacks, all of the strong steps, and not simple steps, when the uk began _ and not simple steps, when the uk began i_ and not simple steps, when the uk began. i will have a meeting with the prime — began. i will have a meeting with the prime minister. and also a biiaterai— the prime minister. and also a bilateral one. and also i will have a meeting — bilateral one. and also i will have a meeting with the government. a little a meeting with the government. litt

so, that is the defence secretary.ing to come in initially from denmark and the netherlands. how big a breakthrough is that? how much help will that be in the fight against the russians? this is definitely one _ against the russians? this is definitely one of— against the russians? this is definitely one of the - against the russians? this is definitely one of the most i against the russians? this is - definitely one of the most positive news until now from the summit. we have been waiting for that for more than two years. me as a president, fighting for that all of my presidential term. and why it is so important, because all russian attacks they made against the independent and innocent civilian victims, against a children hospital, against schools... they do from the russian bomb. and thejet fighter f—16 can help us to return the dominance in ukrainian dial, it can stop more significant part of the russian attack. together, we have a very positive news from the british prime minister, the new british prime minister,

and then, of course, there is the focus on defence and security. nato is a defence alliance.t. it's its 75th anniversary summit. and there's a recognition from leaders here that the world has not been this dangerous for decades and decades and decades. a realfocus, of course, on ukraine, and indeed on the middle east. keir starmer saying that he wants to spend 2.5% of the uk's national income on defence. but, crucially, he is not attaching a timeframe to that. it is a promise without a deadline, and so some critics say it isn't quite solid enough. plenty, then, to come in the next few days, and as i say, quite a moment for the new prime minister. we will be covering what happens at that nato summit throughout the day on bbc news. but that nato summit throughout the day on bbc new-— that nato summit throughout the day on bbc newe— on bbc news. but another thing that we have to think— on bbc news. but another thing that we have to think about _ on bbc news. but another thing that we have to think about is _ on bbc news. but another thing that we have to think about is that - on

i urgent is defence review, do you think? ~' urgent is defence review, do you think? ~ , think?s needed. the conservative secretary - think? i think it is needed. the conservative secretary of - think? i think it is needed. the j conservative secretary of state think? i think it is needed. the - conservative secretary of state have commented on recently, the former conservative secretary of state has commented that in the last 15 years a lot of our capability across the armed forces have been seriously compromised and hollowed out. we have really got to address that issue. and i think this defence review is needed but it can't drag on indefinitely. it has got to be conducted pretty quickly so that then ministers can make some of the strategic decisions and some of the resource decisions and procurement decisions which are necessary, i think, to re—establish capability and fighting effectiveness in our armed forces. ithink and fighting effectiveness in our armed forces. i think that, and fighting effectiveness in our armed forces. ithink that, really, is one of the key ways that

i know defence attorneys, criminal defence attorneys in the united states are really celebrating thisrial, as it's called for the supreme court decision that it's named after, brady versus maryland, complaints about that material being withheld, potential exculpatory evidence, that's the most common complaint from the criminal defence bar in the united states. and i think there's kind of a fear thatjudges and prosecutors just don't see the importance of that. so i think people see this decision today as sending a strong message about the importance of disclosing everything and not letting prosecutors decide what the defence can see as exculpatory or not. president biden has attempted to put his re—election campaign back on track — with a defiant rally in the us state of michigan. he came out on stage in detroit to chants of "don't you quit!". mr biden told the crowd he was the only politician to have beaten donald trump and promised to do it again in november. a growing number of democrats have called on the president to step aside from the contest, after his disastrous debate perform

what has been - it as defence. what has been required _ it as defence.s, and you look at _ israel to stop hostilities, and you look at them attacking again inside beirut _ look at them attacking again inside beirut so. — look at them attacking again inside beirut. so, who is in breach today of international resolutions? it is the government of israel. it is part and parcel— the government of israel. it is part and parcel of the lebanese urban fabric _ and parcel of the lebanese urban fabric. they are part of the people, that other— fabric. they are part of the people, that other people. when there was an occupation _ that other people. when there was an occupation in france, there was a resistance — occupation in france, there was a resistance to resist the occupation ochres _ resistance to resist the occupation ochres to— resistance to resist the occupation ochres to kick out the germans. it is in _ ochres to kick out the germans. it is in the _ ochres to kick out the germans. it is in the same spirit that hezbollah saw its _ is in the same spirit that

budgets, out of their defence budgets, out of their defence budgets, out of their gdp, a far higherder the tribe administration and also announcing dozens of new tactical defence munitions for ukraine, something president zelensky has continued to make the case for. there was a moment of liberty when president biden wanted the outgoing secretary general with the presidential medal of freedom, a broad smile from gains stoltenberg for so often he has had to be half —— calm, cool and collected but still that scrutiny will remain on president biden right the way through the three—day summit, especially as today on capitol hill had congressional democrats having meetings behind closed doors about president biden �*s candidacy for the white house, the race for the white house, the race for the white house, the race for the white house of the back of that debate and his shaky performance 12 days ago. a big moment to watch will be thursday a solo press conference for president biden unscripted not using a teleprompter like during this speech and it is fair to say he cannot afford to slip up

that denmark and the netherlands had begun sending f—16fighterjets to ukraine as part of an new air defenceter russian aggression. it's another step forward on what's being described as an irreversible path towards nato membership. alternately, the prime minister of hungary reaffirmed its position as the only country that's opted out of participating in nato�*s mission to assist ukraine. and in his diplomatic debut as british prime minister, sir keir starmer arrived in washington wednesday for talks with ukrainian president zelensky at the summit. it's sir keir�*s first foreign trip after winning the uk elections by a landside with the newly elected prime minister confirming he would continue the uk's government policy to allow ukraine to use its long—range weapons in its war with russia. our correspondent helena humphrey has been speaking to world leaders at the summit today, she shared this update. the word that he be concentrating on now is the pathway accorded to the declaration is irreversible. the language says that as long as ukraine meets the conditions set out by all of the our liv

but russia say this was damage caused by ukrainian air defence missile. so who's right? two videos we verified are crucial to investigating russian claims. in the first, you can see a huge plume of smoke in the distance before a moment of impact. and the second video is crucial. and we've slowed it down you can seejust coming into view here moments before impact. now, it's worth bearing in mind this is still a very blurry video. the freeze frame is very blurry, but we showed this video to six weapons experts who regularly review grainy footage like that. and all of them said that this is not a surface to air defence missile, as the russians have claimed. for example, one of them, timothy wright from the international institute for strategic studies, said the missile speed, angle of attack, profile and especially sound, the sound of a high pitched turbofan, is very prominent and a dead giveaway, and are consistent with an air breathing [and attack cruise missile. now, this is a russian cruise missile, and one of its identifying features is this turbo engin

now he suggests that keir starmer needs to raise defence spending asap dufing to raise defence spendingak promised that if he were made prime minister he would raise defence spending to 2.5% of gdp. keir starmer said that he would like to do the same, but wanted to wait until a moment where it was deemed sort of financially possible to do that. of financially possible to do that . general sir patrick that. general sir patrick saunders suggests that it there is no time to wait. sir keir starmer needs to raise that that that extra , half a percent of that extra, half a percent of gdp spending. and actually, he says that the new prime minister needs to go further. he says that the rise needs to be more like 3% at the moment. he says that the army is so depleted. stockpiles are so depleted that britain could only fight a small war for about a month, which obviously in the very, very dangerous global scenario that we find ourselves in isn't really good enough. it'll be really good enough. it'll be really interesting to see how the new prime minister reacts to that this morning, >> olivia, wh

and the right to self defence and the right to self defence includes also the right to strike legitimatey targets in russia. did you urge us _ military targets in russia. did you urge us partner, for example, to allow that to happen with the us weapons systems that have been sent to ukraine? ~ ., , systems that have been sent to ukraine? ~ . , ukraine? well, as i said, different _ ukraine? well, as i said, different allies _ ukraine? well, as i said, different allies have - ukraine? well, as i said, - different allies have different types of restrictions. some allies don't have restrictions at all. but allies have now loosened or reduced the restrictions — not least because until recently, the front lines were inside, deep inside ukraine. so to attack targets on the other side of the front—line was still to attack military targets on the ukrainian territory. over the last two months, russia has launched a new offensive in the north in kharkiv where the front—line and the border line is more or less the same. and if you are not able to attack on the other side of the front—line, then that

, now in 2024 that's up on defence, now in 2024 that's up to 23 of those 32 members.ear more now from what president biden had to say at that summit. it's a pleasure to host you in this— it's a pleasure to host you in this milestone year, to look back— this milestone year, to look back with _ this milestone year, to look back with pride at all we've achieved _ back with pride at all we've achieved and look ahead to our shared — achieved and look ahead to our shared future with strength and with resolve. together, we rebuild _ with resolve. together, we rebuild europe from the ruins of war. — rebuild europe from the ruins of war, held high the torch of liberty, — of war, held high the torch of liberty, through long decades of the — liberty, through long decades of the cold war. when former adversaries became fellow democracies, we welcome them in the no _ democracies, we welcome them in the no alliance. when war broke out in _ the no alliance. when war broke out in the — the no alliance. when war broke out in the balkans, we interviewed to restore peace and stop _ inte

ithink nuclear defence of power, it's also a key trading partner.ause we were a member of a larger training and _ because we were a member of a larger training and diplomatic block that i think the _ training and diplomatic block that i think the us found was advantageous to their— think the us found was advantageous to their interests. but there's a close _ to their interests. but there's a close relationship or link, but i think— close relationship or link, but i think it's — close relationship or link, but i think it's more observed on the side of the _ think it's more observed on the side of the pond — think it's more observed on the side of the pond than the other. if think it's more observed on the side of the pond than the other.- of the pond than the other. if there is a republican _ of the pond than the other. if there is a republican president _ of the pond than the other. if there is a republican president next - of the pond than the other. if there is a republican president next year| is a republican president next year after the electio

defence systems and nato membership.spoke with the speaker of the ukrainian parliament who said, look, we are fighting with nato weapons, we have the support of nato allies, and we want this to happen soon. that ukrainians are essentially fighting with their hands behind their backs. what is your response to that? i would push back on that notion. what the ukrainians have is atacms and other long—range capabilities provided by other nations. while there is a focus on atacms, there are other long—range capabilities that the ukrainians have like the scalp missile and other capabilities. in terms of what the us has put conditions around, look, there is this cross—border crossfires that we have permitted the ukrainians to use, especially when russians are firing from positions within russia towards ukraine. we are seeing ukraine being incredibly successful and effective on the battlefield and i think it is important to remember that during the entire time that we were not able to provide ukraine presidential drawnout package

just one last thing on the defence. i sound like i'm a defence obsessive, but i'm not. also the thing that the labour left, so your diane abbotts and yourjohn mcdonnells. do you remember then, the people that supported jeremy corbyn, they really focused on this limit on benefits for people with more than two children? they have made that their kind of big fight. and actually you just think that's quite a sharp contrast. are you on the side of spending 2.5% on defence, or are you on the side of lifting the two—child limit on benefits? and it's just a very clear kind of division there. it is a very clear division. and it's notjust people on the left likejohn mcdonnell. so gordon brown, for example, former prime minister, has spoken with great conviction about the two—child benefit cap, andy burnham, the well—known and well—liked, very prominent great mayor of greater manchester, has also talked about the two—child benefit cap. now there is zero sign at this stage that keir starmer and rachel reeves have got any intention of doing anything about this any time soon, but the

the more effective our air defence is, the | effective our air defence is, the more _ effective our airrestrictions we have on— be, and the fewer restrictions we have on the use of effective weapons, the more russia will seek peace _ weapons, the more russia will seek peace. military airfields from which russian _ peace. military airfields from which russianjets take off peace. military airfields from which russian jets take off with bombs against — russian jets take off with bombs against our citizens and our children. _ against our citizens and our children, and the launch sites of russian — children, and the launch sites of russian missiles, the must all be destroyed — russian missiles, the must all be destroyed. this will not only eliminate targets but also reduce russia's— eliminate targets but also reduce russia's capability to continue this war. russia's capability to continue this war the _ russia's capability to continue this war. the missiles and drones are not the areas _ war. the missiles and drones are not the areas of— war. the missiles and drones are not the areas of stat

defence review in coming. >> will the prime minister announce more spending on defence to keep britainite has the latest. >> well, this defence review chief lord robertson has said that the uk is facing a deadly quartette from russia, china, nonh quartette from russia, china, north korea and iran. but will this defence review be any different to the others, which have been described as hollowing out defence spending and maybe no surprises? >> but immigration has fuelled the biggest population rise in 75 years in england and wales. that's despite falling birth rates. so what impact could this have on our society ? have on our society? >> and there's a royal tour going on, the king and queen continuing their tour of the channel islands today, where as yesterday, it's safe to say they were upstaged by two frisky cows . were upstaged by two frisky cows. >> yes. oh, no . that's . >> yes. oh, no. that's. >> a i said simon during the handover and breakfast. it's good to see the lgbt scene transferring to the agricultural scene. a bit of a mix. >> that's because they're two female cows. >> yes

kyiv has appealed for more air defences and sustained security guarantees.l over yesterday's strikes across on ukraine — incuding at a children's hospital in kyiv. at least 38 people died and around a 190 people were wounded in attacks across the country. moscow has denied targeting civilian sites. steve is also seeking that nato membership. a new series of measures has been an ounce. in the coming days, nato will also announce robust new measures of support, including a new nato military command in germany, led by a 3—star general, that will launch a training, equipping and force developing programme for ukrainian troops, a pledge from all allies to collectively provide ukraine with at least a0 billion euros worth of security assistance this next year and a new nato senior representative in kyiv appointed by secretary—general stoltenberg, who you will hear from in a moment. who will deepen ukraine's institutional relationship with the alliance and service the focal point for nato's engagement with senior ukrainian officials. 3�*5 for nato's engagement with

indeed, labour their defence spending. indeed, labour had _ their defence spending.ing. indeed, labour had committed 2.596 but| their defence spending. indeed, - labour had committed 2.596 but they labour had committed 2.5% but they haven't put a date on that, sophia. do you think it is important that they do that to show their commitment?— they do that to show their commitment? , ~ commitment? yes, i think there will be an x of dictation _ commitment? yes, i think there will be an x of dictation that _ commitment? yes, i think there will be an x of dictation that they - commitment? yes, i think there will be an x of dictation that they start . be an x of dictation that they start to set out a road map for getting there pretty quickly —— there will be an expectation. i think it is fair to say that while the conservatives had sort ofjumped ahead on that one in terms of their commitment, some of their sons to get to that 2.5%, there were a few question marks around that so i think the question is what a credible plan looks like. —— some of the sums. and how expeditious

nato wants its members to spend 2% of national income on defence. most, but not all manage it.ceeds it. the new government is promising tboost defence spending to 2.5%, but not putting a time frame on it. prime minister, is president zelensky reassured that he's getting the help that he needs? i've just had a very good meeting with president zelensky, where i made it absolutely clear that as far as the uk is concerned, the change of government makes no difference to the support that we will provide, and to use our opportunity here with our allies to make sure that that support is agreed. and to reinforce, in a sense as a message to putin, the resolve of nato - bigger now than it's ever been, more united than it's ever been, and absolutely clear-eyed about the threat of russian aggression. the uk will begin what's called a strategic defence review next week to work out what is needed for our security, and part of that will be about the money required too. but the review will take time. so what, weeks or months? no defence review, when it's grappling with such problems, can be do

the defence motioning to thejudge...y this stand earlier, having to explain to the judge why this new piece of evidence hadn't been disclosed to the defence earlier. essentially thatis the defence earlier. essentially that is the reason this case has now collapsed. she was under an awful lot of pressure here today. she is now being surrounded by a lot of cameras, a lot of people asking her why she feels there were failures in this case which has led to the prosecution's case effectively crumbling. there was real emotion and drama in court today, just a few minutes ago, as the judge read and drama in court today, just a few minutes ago, as thejudge read out the reasons she was throwing the trial out. as she read it out, alec baldwin was watching intently, and as she said the case was dismissed, he broke down in tears, he started hugging his legal team, his wife was crying too. he was hugging her. a real moment of emotion for him. there wasn't so much riding on this for him, professionally, personally, this has been hangin

they were not meeting _ money on defence. they were not meeting their _ money on defence.their 2% gdp requirements, listen a handful of countries - meeting their 2% gdp requirements, listen a handful of countries were i listen a handful of countries were at the _ listen a handful of countries were at the time, _ listen a handful of countries were at the time, and _ listen a handful of countries were at the time, and now— listen a handful of countries were at the time, and now i— listen a handful of countries were at the time, and now i think- listen a handful of countries were at the time, and now i think is i at the time, and now i think is more than _ at the time, and now i think is more than 20 _ at the time, and now i think is more than 20 or— at the time, and now i think is more than 20 or two— at the time, and now i think is more than 20 or two dozen _ at the time, and now i think is more than 20 or two dozen of— at the time, and now i think is more than 20 or two dozen of them. i at the time, and now i think is more than 20 or two dozen of them. for. than 20 or two

according to the hamas civil defence authority... there _ hamas civil defence authority...was a _ hamas civil defence authority... there was a team to try to save the people _ there was a team to try to save the peppte and — there was a team to try to save the people and they were killed. what we are sure _ people and they were killed. what we are sure about is that there are... and based — are sure about is that there are... and based on multiple sources that the number of killed people killed we have _ the number of killed people killed we have put a figure of 30 people kittedm — we have put a figure of 30 people killed... might be more. it is very confusing — killed... might be more. it is very confusing many of the injuries... it will take _ confusing many of the injuries... it will take time to figure out exactly what happened there and how many people _ what happened there and how many people killed in the people injured. we would _ people killed in the people injured. we would be following it closely as we get more information. here in the uk — police say they have a