deal also looking at a rhondda style deal for a third _ also looking at a rhondda style deal for a third country— also looking at a rhondda style deal for a third country to _ also looking at a rhondda style deal for a third country to send migrantsl for a third country to send migrants too? _

i think ithinki i think i will echo a little bit of what — i think i will echo a little bit of what i — i think i will echo a little bit of what i said and it has grown considerably over the past _ and it has grown considerably over the past few years and alongside that continued to her accompany people's— that continued to her accompany people's taxes but i can only say that because we have a plan and i'm prepared _ that because we have a plan and i'm prepared to — that because we have a plan and i'm prepared to make choices and i'm being _ prepared to make choices and i'm being honest about that with everyone. and it is the right priority— everyone. and it is the right priority for the country and if everyone _ priority for the country and if everyone is telling you that is the wrong _ everyone is telling you that is the wrong priority, they stick same way that is_ wrong priority, they stick same way that is the — wrong priority, they stick same way that is the case when it is very clear— that is the case when it is very clear the — that is the case when it is very clear the international environment is changing and on the regular migration, olaf and is changing and on the regular migration, olafand i had a is changing and on the regular migration, olaf and i had a good chat about — migration, olaf and i had a good chat about it earlier and what he will tell— chat about it earlier and what he will tell you its irregular migration is a shared challenge

across— migration is a shared challenge across the european continent and all leaders — across the european continent and all leaders are discussing how we can cooperate and work together to combat _ can cooperate and work together to combat it — can cooperate and work together to combat it. we saw yesterday the tragic— combat it. we saw yesterday the tragic toss — combat it. we saw yesterday the tragic loss of life in the channel and it— tragic loss of life in the channel and itiust — tragic loss of life in the channel and itjust reminds us the importance of tackling these criminal— importance of tackling these criminal gangs, something olaf and i have discussed when we do have good law enforcement cooperation. as well as working _ law enforcement cooperation. as well as working with countries and everyone _ as working with countries and everyone will do at and it's a different— everyone will do at and it's a different way and as you have seen come _ different way and as you have seen come at _ different way and as you have seen come at the dutch and italian prime ministers, _ come at the dutch and italian prime ministers, think about how they can do that— ministers, think about how they can do that in— ministers, think about how they can do that in north africa to stem the flow do that in north africa to stem the flow but— do that in north africa to stem the flow but i— do that in north africa to stem the flow but i think that is very much the conversations you and i have been _ the conversations you and i have been having. translation: ., ~ , . translation: thank you very much that question. _ translation: thank you very much that question, yes _ translation: thank you very much that question, yes we _ translation: thank you very much that question, yes we have - translation: thank you very much that question, yes we have major i that question, yes we have major challenges we need to confront, one of them is dealing with the many questions around migration. germany is a country that sees economic growth and will see economic growth in future years as well. we depend

on immigration of many men and women who are talented and skilled and needed her. we have reformed our immigration law for workers, we have facilitated rules and globally we can bring the talent needed to germany. everyone wants to be part of german economic development. we also see the challenge of a regular illegal migration and we have taken a decision on how we can manage migration in germany and a better way. many pieces of legislation have been changed, there have been some individual regulations which have been changed which are necessary for us to succeed, digitalisation or public authorities, how we can make sure that courts decide quickly, some are fast and others take many

months, but we made progress and delivered. last year for me was the country were all these decisions have been prepared and from a german perspective, these were necessary for managing illegal migration. summing up, i would say that being open for the emigration of skilled labour has had the most far—reaching changes in the last year and they will have their effects. this is of course complemented by a change and improved cooperation within the european union. we havejust adopted or prepared the necessary legislation in europe with a joint european asylum system. this is a major progress. many couldn't have reckoned with over years and now we are discussing bilateral questions, fighting trafficking which is important to all of us, also for our

bilateral relations and we are affected. . ~ bilateral relations and we are affected. . ,, , ., ~ , affected. thank you, prime minister, chancellor. affected. thank you, prime minister, chancellor- i— affected. thank you, prime minister, chancellor. i have _ affected. thank you, prime minister, chancellor. i have a _ affected. thank you, prime minister, chancellor. i have a question - affected. thank you, prime minister, chancellor. i have a question to - chancellor. i have a question to both— chancellor. i have a question to both of— chancellor. i have a question to both of you _ chancellor. i have a question to both of you. there _ chancellor. i have a question to both of you. there have - chancellor. i have a question to both of you. there have been . chancellor. i have a question to - both of you. there have been arrests of suspected — both of you. there have been arrests of suspected chinese _ both of you. there have been arrests of suspected chinese spies _ both of you. there have been arrests of suspected chinese spies are - both of you. there have been arrests of suspected chinese spies are bothi of suspected chinese spies are both in the _ of suspected chinese spies are both in the uk _ of suspected chinese spies are both in the uk and — of suspected chinese spies are both in the uk and in— of suspected chinese spies are both in the uk and in germany— of suspected chinese spies are both in the uk and in germany recently, i in the uk and in germany recently, how worrying — in the uk and in germany recently, how worrying as _ in the uk and in germany recently, how worrying as it _ in the uk and in germany recently, how worrying as it from _ in the uk and in germany recently, how worrying as it from your - in the uk and in germany recently, how worrying as it from your pointi how worrying as it from your point of view? _ how worrying as it from your point of view? what _ how worrying as it from your point of view? what does _ how worrying as it from your point of view? what does it _ how worrying as it from your point of view? what does it mean- how worrying as it from your point of view? what does it mean for. how worrying as it from your pointl of view? what does it mean for the relations— of view? what does it mean for the relations to — of view? what does it mean for the relations to china _ of view? what does it mean for the relations to china and _ of view? what does it mean for the relations to china and what - relations to china and what consequences _ relations to china and what consequences should - relations to china and what consequences should be i relations to china and what - consequences should be drawn from those _ consequences should be drawn from those cases? — consequences should be drawn from those cases? and _ consequences should be drawn from those cases? and mr— consequences should be drawn from those cases? and mr chancellor, - consequences should be drawn from | those cases? and mr chancellor, one more _ those cases? and mr chancellor, one more question— those cases? and mr chancellor, one more question about _ those cases? and mr chancellor, one more question about the _ those cases? and mr chancellor, one more question about the us - those cases? and mr chancellor, one more question about the us arms - more question about the us arms package _ more question about the us arms package for— more question about the us arms package for ukraine, _ more question about the us arms package for ukraine, in _ more question about the us arms package for ukraine, in your- package for ukraine, in your decisions _ package for ukraine, in your decisions about— package for ukraine, in your decisions about delivering . package for ukraine, in your. decisions about delivering arms package for ukraine, in your- decisions about delivering arms you have always — decisions about delivering arms you have always been _ decisions about delivering arms you have always been guided _ decisions about delivering arms you have always been guided by- decisions about delivering arms you have always been guided by the - have always been guided by the american — have always been guided by the american decisions _ have always been guided by the american decisions for- have always been guided by the . american decisions for long—range artittery— american decisions for long—range artillery systems, _ american decisions for long—range artillery systems, for— american decisions for long—range artillery systems, for tanks. - american decisions for long—range artillery systems, for tanks. why i american decisions for long—rangei artillery systems, for tanks. why is it not— artillery systems, for tanks. why is it not the _ artillery systems, for tanks. why is it not the case _ artillery systems, for tanks. why is it not the case with _ artillery systems, for tanks. why is it not the case with cruise - it not the case with cruise missiles? _ it not the case with cruise missiles? thank- it not the case with cruise missiles? thank you -

it not the case with cruise missiles? thank you for. it not the case with cruise - missiles? thank you for these questions _ missiles? thank you for these questions and _ missiles? thank you for these questions and i— missiles? thank you for these questions and i will— missiles? thank you for these questions and i will be - missiles? thank you for these questions and i will be happyl missiles? thank you for these i questions and i will be happy to answer— questions and i will be happy to answer them _ questions and i will be happy to answerthem. the— questions and i will be happy to answer them.— questions and i will be happy to answer them. . , , ., answer them. the last question, we have delivered _ answer them. the last question, we have delivered long-range - answer them. the last question, we have delivered long-range artilleryl have delivered long—range artillery systems, multiple large rocket systems, multiple large rocket systems which we have made available, germany, the uk, the us, have a rather early been the first ones to deliver such systems for ukraine to defend itself and they are delivering more every time. this is the task that they have and this is the task that they have and this is like what is in the package. my decision is also clear we will continue to be the largest supporter of ukraine in europe and will continue to work with the uk and the us, the two who do most and a defence is crucial, and that is of utmost importance right now. let me also express my hope that other countries who also have patriot

systems may also look at their stocks and see whether despite their own security and ease they could spare such a system because only few can make it and massively enhance the effectiveness of ukraine's defence. regarding the first question about china. yes, it is very important that we have good intelligence services, good public prosecutors, good police work and that everybody works closely together also across borders. and we cannot tolerate espionage carried out against our country, regardless from where it comes, it's only to be detected and those who are responsible for its need to be taken to court. you can see from the most recent detentions in our country and elsewhere that we are quite

successful. they should not be a reason to be complacent. we need to do everything we can to detect all of them who work against us, our security, carrying out espionage activities and that is the immediate response that is necessary. let me add one more sentence. the suspicion against team members and candidates of the afd party is very worrying. we are a state of the rule of law, so i won't interfere in the work of thejudiciary for the public the judiciary for the public prosecution, thejudiciary for the public prosecution, and i won't. but what we have learned here is a huge reason of concern.— we have learned here is a huge reason of concern. hopefully you will appreciate _

reason of concern. hopefully you will appreciate there _ reason of concern. hopefully you will appreciate there is _ reason of concern. hopefully you will appreciate there is very - reason of concern. hopefully you will appreciate there is very little that i_ will appreciate there is very little that i can — will appreciate there is very little that i can say, because in the uk, these _ that i can say, because in the uk, these proceedings are subject to a live criminal investigation, so i hope _ live criminal investigation, so i hope you — live criminal investigation, so i hope you will understand that, but what i _ hope you will understand that, but what i can — hope you will understand that, but what i can say more generally and more _ what i can say more generally and more broadly, defending our democracy, our democratic processes and institutions is an absolute priority — and institutions is an absolute priority. we won't tolerate any activity — priority. we won't tolerate any activity that undermines that. last year. _ activity that undermines that. last year. we _ activity that undermines that. last year, we passed a new law, the nationat— year, we passed a new law, the national security act, that gives our taw— national security act, that gives our law enforcement agencies, security— our law enforcement agencies, security services, a new set of tools — security services, a new set of tools and _ security services, a new set of tools and powers so that they can respond _ tools and powers so that they can respond to — tools and powers so that they can respond to threats from hostile for actors, _ respond to threats from hostile for actors, espionage and things like that and — actors, espionage and things like that and we fully intend to back them _ that and we fully intend to back them to— that and we fully intend to back them to use those powers to keep our country— them to use those powers to keep our country safe _ them to use those powers to keep our country safe and to ensure, as i said, _ country safe and to ensure, as i said. that — country safe and to ensure, as i said, that our parliamentary and democratic processes and institutions are not undermined, whoever— institutions are not undermined, whoever it— institutions are not undermined, whoever it may be that is attempting to do so _

that news conference with olaf scholz, the german chancellor, and rishi sunak, the uk prime minister, coming to a conclusion. warm words between the two man, the describe themselves as good friends and allies. they spoke about that aid package from the us. they praised biden's leadership and said he had been very engaged with the relationship between the us and europe. let's get more analysis of what they have been saying with our berlin correspondent. what is your reading of what the two are saying there? ., , ., _, , , reading of what the two are saying there? ., , ., , , , there? lots of compliments between there? lots of compliments between the two, particularly _ there? lots of compliments between the two, particularly in _ there? lots of compliments between the two, particularly in terms - there? lots of compliments between the two, particularly in terms of - the two, particularly in terms of the two, particularly in terms of the support they are offering ukraine. in europe, the united kingdom and germany are the top two

donors in terms of military aid to kyiv, so it is an important partnership in that sense, but if you scratch beneath the surface there is a little bit more, there are some differences in approach, so for example, and it came up in that press conference, chancellor olaf scholz has refused to send long—range cruise missiles to ukraine, despite significant pressure here in berlin, and diplomatic suggestions from the uk that they feel that germany should do so, but chancellor scholz holding his gun today and basically saying that he wasn't going to be sending those missiles ukraine. —— holding his ground. on defence spending, rishi sunak announced yesterday britain would be hiking up defence spending to 2.5% by 2030, was set on the the intention. he was questioned there exactly how he plans on paying for that should he be re—elected as pm in the general election expected

later this year in the uk, although the polls are looking a bit gloomy for mr sunak but he insisted was a plan to pay. germany pass defence spending set to reach 2% this year, certainly not 2.5% and a commitment from germany that i'm aware of to do so. it is interesting, they are only hitting 2% for the first time since the early 905, basically since the end of the cold war. there is a feeling that there is a lot of catching up to do and they mentioned a couple of times this idea of a turning point in how germany approaches defence and security, which i think people here would certainly say as they work in progress and there have been so accusations that change has been to so. pm accusations that change has been to so. �* . accusations that change has been to so. �* , , ., . , so. an interesting question as well, are ou so. an interesting question as well, are you 100% _ so. an interesting question as well, are you 100% convinced _ so. an interesting question as well, are you 100% convinced donald - so. an interesting question as well, i are you 10096 convinced donald trump are you 100% convinced donald trump is 100% committed to the central tenants of nato? clearly that

prospect of president trump being batty in the white house is fixing the lines of eu leaders when they are looking at defence spending. —— president trump being back in the white house. fillet president trump being back in the white house-— white house. olaf schultz spoke about nate's _ white house. olaf schultz spoke about nato's alliance _ white house. olaf schultz spoke about nato's alliance between i about nato's alliance between nations, he was sort of saying presidents come and go bit we trust in this long—term partnership, so what they are not saying in public is we are really worried about a potential president try returned to the white house, but when i speak to officials here in berlin they are certainly doing some contingency planning around how to, as they would put it and it was mentioned there, strengthen the european pillar of the nato military alliance. and part of that is, as we have seen, more defence spending. there seems to be public recognition now from mr sunak and mr scholz that europe needs to do more after

complaints notjust europe needs to do more after complaints not just from europe needs to do more after complaints notjust from donald trump, although maybe he is the most vocalin trump, although maybe he is the most vocal in the way he goes about it, but complaints from other us presidents in the past as well that they felt europe was not spending enough on defence and leader is now saying that needs to change.- saying that needs to change. jusco, thank ou saying that needs to change. jusco, thank you very _ saying that needs to change. jusco, thank you very much. _ saying that needs to change. jusco, thank you very much. jessica - saying that needs to change. jusco, thank you very much. jessica park. saying that needs to change. jusco, | thank you very much. jessica park in thank you very much. jessica park in ballon. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the us senate has approved a $95 billion aid package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. the overwhelming vote in favour marks the end of six months of deadlock in congress and follows the approval of the house of representatives in a vote on saturday. the measures approve around $61 billion in long—awaited aid for ukraine alone. it also designates more than $26 billion, split between military support for israel and humanitarian aid for gaza.

and $8 billion for taiwan and us indo—pacific allies. it's expected to be signed into law by president biden today. president zelensky reacted to the news saying it reinforced america's role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world. the senate majority leader, chuck schumer, said the united states was showing its allies that it wouldn't turn its back on them. a lot of people inside and outside the congress wanted this package to fail, but today those in congress who stand on the side of democracy are winning the day. to ourfriends in ukraine, to our allies in nato, to our allies in israel and to civilians around the world in need of help, help is on the way. to ourfriends in ukraine, america will deliver more ammo and air defences and basic supplies that you need to resist putin on the battlefield. with the passing of the bill in the senate, the us has reaffirmed its backing

to its key ally israel and its support to those affected by the conflict in gaza. our middle east correspondent, yolande knell, explains the breakdown of the $26 billion package. we have had israel's foreign minister, israel katz, coming out quite quickly thanking the us congress for this, noting that there was overwhelming bipartisan support, and saying that this sends a strong message to israel's enemies. of course, this package was passed after there had been some congressional democrats who had been saying in recent weeks that further military aid to israel from the us should come with conditions attached because of concerns about the conduct of the war in gaza. but this doesn't seem to have been the case, and if you break down that $17 billion that's heading the way of israel, it's about 5 billion for replenishing and expanding its air defence system, and the real value of that has been proved time and time again in the past six

months or so as the war in gaza has raged on. and we've had the new threats emerging to israel, the likes of the direct attack by iran using drones and missiles earlier this month, for the first time coming directly from iranian soil. then you've got also included in this money further billions of dollars that would go towards advanced weapon systems, to enhancing weapons production, to buying supplies and services from the us. and then if you look at that separate money which is included in the same legislation for aid going to israel, that's $9 billion of humanitarian assistance said to be for civilians suffering in conflict zones around the world, but a big portion of that going to palestinians in gaza. earlier, i heard from jacob kirkegaard — he's a senior fellow at the brussels—based public policy think—tank, the german marshall fund. he told me more about how this aid package will change ukraine's position on the battlefield.

it's pretty clear that the us or the pentagon has pre—positioned many of the supplies that will be artillery grenades, air defence, interceptor missiles and other supplies at various positions across europe. so they're literally going to be put on trains and trucks and taken to ukraine as soon as president biden has signed the bill, which he will do, i'm sure, in the coming hours. and what does that mean? does that mean stopping a russian advance or does well, i think immediately it means a much better ability to stop the ongoing russian attacks, which has clearly... i mean, the ukrainian defence has clearly suffered from a lack of artillery and other crucial ammunitions. we've also seen an improvement in the efficiency of russian missile attacks on ukrainian infrastructure.

i think that will now be reversed again as more patriot missiles and other supplies will reach kyiv. so this is going to make material impact on the battlefield very, very soon. put this vote for this aid package into context for us, if you would. president zelensky alluded, didn't he, in his reaction to both the political significance and the historic significance of it? well, i think it is significant. it passed 80—20, about about 80—20 in the senate and with three quarters also in the house of representatives once it was finally put to a vote. but perhaps equally importantly, you have heard from speakerjohnson a very, you know, a really a180—degree u—turn on his position on this. he he wanted to support ukraine. it was important for united states role in the world, the kind of rhetoric that certainly

we haven't been hearing from people that traditionally support president trump. so i think, therefore, this is a vote that means we will have to say that there is a high degree of consensus in washington in supporting ukraine and other american allies around the world. i wonder, though, given how contentious this this vote was, the splits, which you alluded to between republicans and democrats, if president trump wins the presidential election this november, are we going to see even more difficulty in the future in passing aid packages like this? well, i don't think there's any doubt that if president trump wins the election, yes, then then there will be trouble in the future. but i think we should also be clear that if president biden is re—elected, i think this vote suggests that it would be very likely, in fact, that congress would,

if called upon, you know, send more support to ukraine in future votes as well. let's go live to ukraine now. our correspondence as there. military commanders there have been warning of a potentially imminent purse, new posterfrom russia in the north—east of the country towards kharkiv. what could this can package have in terms of impact in the near future? , . , have in terms of impact in the near future? i, , have in terms of impact in the near future? , . . . future? typically you are hearing a lot of thanks _ future? typically you are hearing a lot of thanks from _ future? typically you are hearing a lot of thanks from president - lot of thanks from president zelensky and other mums of the government, they do appreciate this kind of aid. they are describing washington as being the beacon of democracy. i think expectation management is very much in play

here, when they are talking about the need for ukraine to simply stabilise its front lines, because at the moment, effectively speaking, they have their backs to russia, as they have their backs to russia, as they are trying to dig new defensive lines, new trenches across the east. we talk about the north—east there, there are real fears that russia is building for some kind of offensive, although with forecasts such as this, it is always hard to tell, but the public fear at least is that russia is trying to push on kharkiv, which sits around 40 kilometres from the border with russia and it has seen a notable increase in missile and drone strikes. a massive residential block was hit last night and authorities are worried ed could suffer more extensive damage, but i have to say, russia has tried and failed to take kharkiv before at the

beginning of the full invasion, with a far better and trained force, but ukraine is able to defend it now better, so both sides are trying to play accrued numbers game with trying to mobilise enough men as possible for their respective fights, but what is clear for ukraine is this package will have much needed ammunition which may just stem at the western tide at the moment. any talk of liberation, however, is very much on the back burnerfor however, is very much on the back burner for now. this however, is very much on the back burner for now.— burner for now. as you say, deep into this conflict, _ burner for now. as you say, deep into this conflict, i _ burner for now. as you say, deep into this conflict, i wonder- burner for now. as you say, deep into this conflict, i wonder how . into this conflict, i wonder how much an aid package like this and words of support such as those we have heard in berlin today make to the morale of ukrainians and indeed encourage further mobilisation? {lari encourage further mobilisation? of course. i think there are two things going on in tandem here. i think any front line soldier would like ammunition to be able to do his job,

whether it is artillery, trying to suppress the enemy, whether it is an air defence team trying to prevent russian air strikes, because russian forces really do have air superiority in this area, so even if a town is still under ukrainian control, russians arejust a town is still under ukrainian control, russians are just able to throw everything at it from the sky and there is very little you can do if you are simply in a trench with limited ammunition. that will be a much—needed boost and if the reports are correct and some others ammunition can arrive in days, you would imagine it would have to arrive by road because there is a no—fly zone across ukraine, that would be gratefully received. ukraine are trying to get men up and there is no limit on the length of time you can serve.— there is no limit on the length of time you can serve. thank you very much. time you can serve. thank you very much- to — time you can serve. thank you very much- to stay _ time you can serve. thank you very much. to stay with _ time you can serve. thank you very much. to stay with us _ time you can serve. thank you very much. to stay with us here - time you can serve. thank you very much. to stay with us here on - time you can serve. thank you very much. to stay with us here on the l much. to stay with us here on the bbc news.

very little sign of the weather warming up over the next few days, we will stick with this unusually chilly feel for the time of year. there will be some sunshine, also a scattering of showers, some of those showers will be wintry over high ground in the north of the uk. we keep this cold air mass, that chilly air being drawn down from the north. you can see the blue colours here in our chart, that keeps us through thursday and into friday. for the rest of today, still some showers around, particularly affecting eastern areas where there will be a brisk breeze and it will feel particularly cold. best of the centre and i think further west, highest temperatures up to around 12 or 13 degrees. through this evening and night, areas of cloud drifting

southwards, bringing some showers. some of those wintry in scotland. staying quite windy across northern and eastern coasts. temperatures dropping close to or even below freezing in some spots, a touch of frost for some of us to take us into tomorrow morning. tomorrow will bring areas of cloud southwards across england and wales, with bits and pieces of showery rain. should brighten across northern england. sunny spells for northern ireland. scotland seeing a mix of sunshine and showers, still winteriness in those showers over high ground, just 8 degrees front aberdeen, nine for newcastle and hull. into friday, another frontal system does grazing the south of the uk, may showers into southern england and southern wells as well. still hints of something wintry in showers over the hills and mountains, still

particularly cold in the north—east. even further south just 11 or 12 degrees. now for the weekend, there are some signs of something a little bit less chilly, but only a little bit. these yellow colour is just trying to spell northwards but the reason for that is an area of low pressure. certainly not a heatwave and certainly not completely dry for the weekend. there will be some outbreaks of rain, particularly for england and wales. perhaps a better chance of sunshine in northern ireland and scotland feeling just a bit less chilly. for a third country to send migrants

too? _

welcome to sportsday. coming up, get set for welcome to sportsday. coming up, set for the merseyside derby as liverpool opened talks with a possible successor to jurgen liverpool opened talks with a possible successor tojurgen klopp. opening round demolition forformer finalist karen wilson as he cruises through to the second round at the crucible. and 50 years on from england but �*5 first rugby world cup title, we hearfrom two england but �*5 first rugby world cup title, we hear from two of the unheralded players involved.