Hello. Welcome to the bbc news at one. The us Secretary Of State, Antony Blinken, has made a surprise visit to ukraine, wheres he met president zelensky, as more western weapons start to get through to the battlefield. The area in red there is russian controlled, and on the frontlines, mr zelensky says its been a tough period for his troops. In particular, they are struggling to hold back moscows forces near the second largest city, kharkiv. And a new front has opened up nearby, with Russian Forces starting to surround the border town of vovcha nsk. Our correspondent James Waterhouse reports from ukraine. Good morning, state secretary. Nice to meet you again. Thank you so much. A nine hour Sleeper Train is still the best way to kyiv, even if youre americas top diplomat. A quick switch to a more familiar motorcade, before a long day of meetings. First up for Antony Blinken, president zelensky. Its not a simple period for ukraine. And a tough period for the east of our country, for our w
Have struck tel aviv and areas that surround gaza. Air raid sirens have also sounded in several other towns. A number of people have been reported killed on both sides, but the exact numbers are not confirmed. Details of the palestinian incursions are unclear, but gunmen have been reported in towns near the gaza border and israelis have been warned to stay inside. Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif announced the start of the operation in a broadcast on hamas media, calling on palestinians everywhere to fight. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military says it is striking targets in gaza in response. He says the enemy will pay a price that it has never known simonjones reports. Rockets launched from gaza into israel in a Surprise Attack that started just after dawn. The Palestinian Militant Group hamas claims it launched 5,000 rockets in the space of 20 minutes, some of them long range. Militants are said to have entered israeli territory in a number of different lo
Costs have risen, and the government is thought to be considering cancelling or at least delaying that second leg to the north. The route from birmingham to leeds has already been scrapped. But many voices, including several within the conservatives, say that pulling the plug on the project would paint the uk in a very bad light. Live now to manchester and our political correspondent, nick eardley. The Prime Minister has been speaking to the bbc today, once again refusing to announce a final decision on that Manchester Leg. Yes, he has not said much. There has been speculation for days about what is going on with hsz, whether thats birmingham to Manchester Leg is going to be scrapped. Were pretty sure it is because what would normally happen if that wasnt the is someone would put their hand up and say you have got it wrong, it is going to go ahead. The question is when the Prime Minister is actually going to announce that, and when we might get some clarity on what is going to happen i
Martin griffiths, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you very much. Not so long ago, you said something very striking. You said, the state of the world is terrifying. And i suppose that one of the terrifying elements for you is that the scale of need so far outstrips your ability at the un to offer assistance. And also to be funded, to get the income you need to meet those needs. So, this year, 2023, we have. Over 350 Million People in the world need humanitarian assistance. Which is substantially more than last year. Substantially more than last year. So, the Direction Of Travel is negative. Its huge. Its almost vertical. The cost of the humanitarian programmes that im responsible for around the world, in 36 different countries, is about 56 billion for this year. To come from the Member States of the united nations. To come from the Member States, of which about 20 are donors, of which the top five pay 60 of all humanitarian aid. So, a very small donor base. As of today, we have received abou
Martin griffiths, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you very much. Not so long ago, you said something very striking. You said, the state of the world is terrifying. And i suppose that one of the terrifying elements for you is that the scale of need so far outstrips your ability at the un to offer assistance. And also to be funded, to get the income you need to meet those needs. So, this year, 2023, we have. Over 350 Million People in the world need humanitarian assistance. Which is substantially more than last year. Substantially more than last year. So, the Direction Of Travel is negative. Its huge. Its almost vertical. The cost of the humanitarian programmes that im responsible for around the world, in 36 different countries, is about 56 billion for this year. To come from the Member States of the united nations. To come from the Member States, of which about 20 are donors, of which the top five pay 60 of all humanitarian aid. So, a very small donor base. As of today, we have received abou