has been the _ the worst hit state, kentucky. “m 3 has been the most devastating tornado event in our state's history and for those who have seen it, what it has done hearing grace county and elsewhere, it is indescribable. in elsewhere, it is indescribable. in illinois at least two amazon workers are confirmed dead after their warehouse was destroyed. president biden will be giving a press conference in the next hour. we will bring that to you live. warning from scientists. and in sport — it's going to be a nail biter. max verstappen beats lewis hamilton to pole position for sunday's formula one title decider in abu dhabi. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. president biden has said tornadoes that have ripped though at least five states, killing dozens of people, earlier, the governor of kentucky, andy beshear, said at least 70 people were killed in his state alone — many of them in a candle factory in the town of mayfield. there've been reports of deaths in arkansas, were inside an amazon warehouse when the roof collapsed. the amazon boss andy jassy said he was "closely monitoring the terrible situation". for multiple us states. in illinois this amazon warehouse was ripped apart by the storm after the roof partially collapsed. emergency responders have been working through the night. up to 100 people are inside the building. the tornado was hitting the back of the building, i decided to come down here to see what was going on. i had no idea the building looked that bad, and i'mjust... i'm worried sick. ijust want to know if he's 0k. tornadoes tore a path through 200 miles, hitting the small town of mayfield. it's one thing when we know - the potential of the atmosphere. it's another thing when it i actually becomes a reality. this was the bank. that's what's left of. the fire department. there used to be two storeys to that building — now there is one. - to ever run through kentucky. earlier this morning, at about 5am, we were pretty sure we would lose over 50 kentuckians. i'm now certain that number is north of 70. in arkansas, the storm hit a nursing home, killing at least one person, for weather alerts nationwide, in the past few minutes, amazon.com's ceo andy jassy has he said the company is closely monitoring the terrible situation in edwardsville, and are heartbroken over the loss of our team members. mrjassy says: "our thoughts are with their families at this difficult time." he also says as the situation continues to evolve, we are working closely with local officials and first responders to support them. emergency services are continuing to work to help survivors, but it isn't easy. as well as having to search through huge areas of destroyed buildings, mayfield local police chief nathan kent says their own forces have been badly effected by the tornadoes. in addition to the fire station, a police station was destroyed in the storm. the bulk of our fleet was part there are, and has also been compromised. but we are making do. the meteorologist noah bergren was in mayfield, kentucky — one of the locations hit by the tornado, and he showed us the extent of the damage. i have been covering and following weather for my entire professional career. and i speakfor every meteorologist in the united states and around the world but whether it is a hurricane, tornado or blizzard, it is one thing when we know the potential of the atmosphere, it is another thing when it actually becomes a reality, and their worst fear of every meteorologist is when the worst case happens. and that is what we have here. this well may be the longest tracking tornado in united states history. on the ground for over 200 miles. we'rejust looking at a small piece of 200 miles. the amazing thing is, we have not had as many deaths and casualties, if you just look at this, the fact that people survived some of these houses that we are going by, is remarkable. and it is two weeks until christmas. there are christmas decorations there, miles from here. the debris that was lofted from this tornado was up at about 35,000 feet, so when you are on a commercial airliner that is the altitude you are cruising at, may be altitude you are cruising at, may be a little higher going across the atlantic. the debris from this tornado was dropped miles from the actual tornado. tornado was dropped miles from the actualtornado. i tornado was dropped miles from the actual tornado. i don't even know how to describe it other than showing this to you. for anybody who has never lived in an area that gets tornadoes, this is the result. utter devastation. i don't know how it looks to you, giving the cell connection around the world, but if you look at this on google earth, there would be a business there, a bank there, and it isjust there would be a business there, a bank there, and it is just wiped clean, nothing left. there are brick buildings and pieces of bricks, but if you are on a mobile home or a poorly manufactured house, you will not survive in this. that is one thing i can tell you. —— not surviving this. let's hear now from our bbc weather presenter nick miller — he explains in more detail why the storms were so unusual. the tragedy that has unfolded in the usa with these tornadoes born out of this area of low pressure and particularly this trailing weather front from it, the dividing line between warmer air to the east, cooler air to the south, drawing in a lot of energy along it to produce severe storms and tornadoes. this is how it looked on the radar picture from the midwest down to the south as this line formed and moved east and one particular tornado are usually long lasting, reports of it lasting 200 miles and moving through multiple states. we have seen very violent and damaging and deadly tornadoes. this weather system continues to move eastwards and even through saturday night into sunday, particularly on the southern flank, we could well see further severe thunderstorms and tornadoes for a time. there is snow on the northern flank of the system and rain into 0ntario flank of the system and rain into ontario and quebec and canada but a closer look at this system draping down through the usa, which will eventually clear, as we go on through sunday and into monday. let's bring you some live pictures now from wilmington, delaware. the president may be speaking from there. 70 people killed in kentucky on friday night but officials expect that number to rise, and we are keeping across that story and when joe biden starts to speak, we will bring you that story here on bbc news. health officials here in the uk have renewed their call for everyone eligible to come forward for a covid boosterjab as new modelling suggests that without further restrictions, the uk is facing a bigger wave of infections injanuary. the omicron variant is thought to be spreading quickly, however scientists say there is huge uncertainty about how many people may need hospital care, and how much pressure will be put on the nhs. here's our health correspondent katharine da costa. at vaccine centres around the uk, including this one in grimsby, the race is on to get even more jabs into arms and boost our defences against what may become the biggest wave of covid infections we've seen so far. it's more worrying, i think, because we don't know exactly what's going to happen, so it's betterjust to be safe. ijust want to protect people as well that i'm going to be in contact with. the new variant, omicron, is spreading fast, doubling every 2.5 days. new modelling has looked at what that might mean for hospital admissions and deaths in england under plan b, with greater use of masks and working from home. it's early work, but researchers say further measures may be needed. what we do know is that very stringent restrictions come with their own downsides that can be devastating for individuals, for their families and for businesses especially leading into christmas, so i think policymakers have some very, very difficult decisions to make. so, what does this mean for cases? well, researchers expect there to be a substantial wave, bigger than last winter when daily cases peaked at more than 50,000. there is still a lot of uncertainty about how many people might end up in hospital because we still don't know whether omicron causes a more severe illness, and many people are fully vaccinated which should help. by the end of april, deaths may range from 25,000 to 75,000 depending on how well vaccines perform, but scientists are hopeful they will still provide good protection against serious disease. we know that the booster doses do give very effective protection. we don't know how long it's going to last. it may not be very long—lasting, but those booster doses are going to be critical but we can'tjust rely on the vaccine campaign to control this, we have to also wear masks and do all those other things that we have learned to do. this winter, we're in a better place thanks to vaccines, boosters and new antiviral drugs. the government says current measures in england are proportionate but won't hesitate to take further action if needed to protect lives and the nhs. the us state department says the g7 is absolutely united in its concerns over russia's military build—up on the border with ukraine. it follows a meeting of foreign ministers from the group of wealthy nations, in the english city of liverpool. china and iran were also discussed in what's described as an "intense round of meetings". the uk foreign secretary, liz truss warned that russia would face "severe economic consequences" should it invade ukraine. i share the view that it would be extremely serious if russia were to take that action. it would be a strategic mistake, and there would be severe consequences for russia. and what we are doing this weekend is working with like—minded allies to spell that out. the bbc�*s diplomatic correspondent james landale is at the g7 in liverpool. he has more on the the build up of russian troops on the border with ukraine. they estimate there's about 100,000 russian troops on the border of the ukraine. russia says that is merely defensive manoeuvres. the west fears that actually the potential, at least, of an invasion, so they are doing everything they possibly can to deter that invasion. i spoke a few moments ago to the eu foreign policy chief and he told me we are in "deter mode". they are doing that by threatening what they call severe economic consequences if russia were to invade, but they have not been specific about that at the moment and one of the issues that is being debated here in liverpool is what should those severe economic conditions be? one example is the issue of this big new pipeline which is being laid between russia and germany, to provide a huge amount of gas. if that were to be shut down, that would certainly hit russia hard, but it would also hit europe's economy, too. to provide an update on the deadly and devastating tornadoes that have moved _ and devastating tornadoes that have moved across several states of the central _ moved across several states of the central united states including tracking — central united states including tracking across 227 miles of kentucky, alone. iam monitoring the situation _ kentucky, alone. iam monitoring the situation closely since early this morning — situation closely since early this morning. this is likely to be one of the largest— morning. this is likely to be one of the largest tornado outbreaks in our history _ the largest tornado outbreaks in our history. earliertoday the largest tornado outbreaks in our history. earlier today i call the governors _ history. earlier today i call the governors of the states that had severe _ governors of the states that had severe impacts including arkansas, iiiinois, _ severe impacts including arkansas, illinois, kentucky, missouri as well as tennessee. i spoke with minority ieader— as tennessee. i spoke with minority leader mitch mcconnell of kentucky. we started off the money together, the governor and i and as i was watching — the governor and i and as i was watching on television whilst talking — watching on television whilst talking to him like all you have, his counter— talking to him like all you have, his counter was that it looks like a war zone — his counter was that it looks like a war zone at — his counter was that it looks like a war zone at worst. jill and i pray for those — war zone at worst. jill and i pray for those who have lost loved ones and for _ for those who have lost loved ones and for those who are uncertain about— and for those who are uncertain about the — and for those who are uncertain about the fate of their loved ones in the _ about the fate of their loved ones in the debris that you see scattered all over— in the debris that you see scattered all over the — in the debris that you see scattered all over the hurricane's path. they have _ all over the hurricane's path. they have lost— all over the hurricane's path. they have lost their homes, businesses, it is a _ have lost their homes, businesses, it is a tragedy. it is a tragedy, and _ it is a tragedy. it is a tragedy, and we — it is a tragedy. it is a tragedy, and we still don't know how many lives _ and we still don't know how many lives are — and we still don't know how many lives are lost or the full extent of the damage. i want to emphasise what i told the damage. i want to emphasise what itoid ail— the damage. i want to emphasise what itoid all of— the damage. i want to emphasise what i told all of the governors. the federai— i told all of the governors. the federal government will do everything it can possibly do to heio _ everything it can possibly do to heio i— everything it can possibly do to help. i have spoken several times today— help. i have spoken several times today with — help. i have spoken several times today with the head of the federal emergency management agency fema as well as— emergency management agency fema as well as the _ emergency management agency fema as well as the director of fema who has deployed _ well as the director of fema who has deployed emergency response personnel to these states, search and rescue teams, water and other supplies. _ and rescue teams, water and other supplies, and fema is on the ground working _ supplies, and fema is on the ground working with each state to assess the damage and focus on federal support— the damage and focus on federal support where it is needed most and how we _ support where it is needed most and how we can — support where it is needed most and how we can get their as rapidly. i also, _ how we can get their as rapidly. i also, it— how we can get their as rapidly. i also, it has— how we can get their as rapidly. i also, it hasjust been announced, but i _ also, it hasjust been announced, but i approved the emergency declaration that was requested a couple _ declaration that was requested a couple of— declaration that was requested a couple of hours ago, by the governor of kentucky — couple of hours ago, by the governor of kentucky. that will accelerate federal — of kentucky. that will accelerate federal emergency assistance for kentucky— federal emergency assistance for kentucky right now when it is urgently— kentucky right now when it is urgently needed. i stand ready to do the same _ urgently needed. i stand ready to do the same for the governors of other states— the same for the governors of other states and _ the same for the governors of other states and i— the same for the governors of other states and i made it clear, if they request— states and i made it clear, if they request emergency declarations. i have requested that fema offer additional federal resources including help with temporary housing — including help with temporary housing where homes have been wiped out or— housing where homes have been wiped out or too— housing where homes have been wiped out or too badly damaged to live in and i_ out or too badly damaged to live in and i asked — out or too badly damaged to live in and i asked their fema director to let the _ and i asked their fema director to let the states know that they may not he _ let the states know that they may not be aware of what they may be entitled _ not be aware of what they may be entitled to — not be aware of what they may be entitled to because they don't necessarily know all that is available federally. i will be receiving regular updates and my staff continues to reach out to the county _ staff continues to reach out to the county officials and other local leaders — county officials and other local leaders in these states affected by the tornadoes and my heart goes out, i the tornadoes and my heart goes out, i was _ the tornadoes and my heart goes out, i was told _ the tornadoes and my heart goes out, i was told that earlier this morning one of— i was told that earlier this morning one of the — i was told that earlier this morning one of the equivalent of a county executive, — one of the equivalent of a county executive, one of the folks in kentucky _ executive, one of the folks in kentucky was lost in this tornado. i want _ kentucky was lost in this tornado. i want folks— kentucky was lost in this tornado. i want folks in all of the states to know _ want folks in all of the states to know that — want folks in all of the states to know that we are going to get through— know that we are going to get through this together, and the federal— through this together, and the federal government is not going to walk away. this is one of those times— walk away. this is one of those times when we are not democrats or republicans. sounds like hyperbole but republicans. sounds like hyperbole hut it— republicans. sounds like hyperbole hut it is— republicans. sounds like hyperbole but it is real, we are all americans, we stand together as a united _ americans, we stand together as a united states of america and i say to ali— united states of america and i say to all the — united states of america and i say to all the victims you're in our prayers, — to all the victims you're in our prayers, and all of those first responders and emergency personnel and everyone helping their fellow americans, that this is the right thing _ americans, that this is the right thing to— americans, that this is the right thing to do— americans, that this is the right thing to do at the right time and we are going _ thing to do at the right time and we are going to get through this and i will he _ are going to get through this and i will be happy to take a question or two if— will be happy to take a question or two if you — will be happy to take a question or two if you have any about this. have ou two if you have any about this. have you concluded _ two if you have any about this. have you concluded that _ two if you have any about this. have you concluded that these _ two if you have any about this. have you concluded that these storms may have anything — you concluded that these storms may have anything to _ you concluded that these storms may have anything to do _ you concluded that these storms may have anything to do with _ you concluded that these storms may have anything to do with climate - have anything to do with climate change? — have anything to do with climate change? ddl— have anything to do with climate chance? �* ~' ., have anything to do with climate chance? . ,, ., , ., change? all i know is that the intensity of — change? all i know is that the intensity of the _ change? all i know is that the intensity of the weather - change? all i know is that the | intensity of the weather across change? all i know is that the - intensity of the weather across the board _ intensity of the weather across the board has— intensity of the weather across the board has some impact as a consequence of the warning of the planet— consequence of the warning of the planet and climate change. the specific — planet and climate change. the specific impact on these specific storms, — specific impact on these specific storms, i— specific impact on these specific storms, i cannot say at this point. i storms, i cannot say at this point. iarn _ storms, i cannot say at this point. iarn going — storms, i cannot say at this point. i am going to be asking the epa and others _ i am going to be asking the epa and others to— i am going to be asking the epa and others to take a look at this but we all know— others to take a look at this but we all know everything is more intense, when _ all know everything is more intense, when the _ all know everything is more intense, when the climate is warming, everything, and obviously it has some _ everything, and obviously it has some impact but i cannot give you a climate _ some impact but i cannot give you a climate change are reading on that. i climate change are reading on that. i started _ climate change are reading on that. i started off this morning with a governor— i started off this morning with a governor of kentucky and offered, i said i_ governor of kentucky and offered, i said i would — governor of kentucky and offered, i said i would be happy to come, but i don't _ said i would be happy to come, but i don't want _ said i would be happy to come, but i don't want to be in the way. and the president _ don't want to be in the way. and the president shows up he shows up with a lot of— president shows up he shows up with a lot of personnel, a lot of vehicles, _ a lot of personnel, a lot of vehicles, and we can get in the way unintentionally, so, iam vehicles, and we can get in the way unintentionally, so, i am working with the — unintentionally, so, i am working with the governor of kentucky and others _ with the governor of kentucky and others to make sure that we are of value _ others to make sure that we are of value added and we are not going to -et value added and we are not going to get in _ value added and we are not going to get in the _ value added and we are not going to get in the way of rescue and recovery, _ get in the way of rescue and recovery, but i do plan on going. we will see _ recovery, but i do plan on going. we will see. whatever is needed i will ask for~ _ will see. whatever is needed i will ask for~ if— will see. whatever is needed i will ask for. if we don't have the wherewithal to take care of it i will ask— wherewithal to take care of it i will ask for it, this is the united states. — will ask for it, this is the united states. our— will ask for it, this is the united states, our citizens are badly hurt and scared — states, our citizens are badly hurt and scared to death right now in terms _ and scared to death right now in terms of— and scared to death right now in terms of all of those folks who cannot — terms of all of those folks who cannot figure rather they are, where is my— cannot figure rather they are, where is my son _ cannot figure rather they are, where is my son or— cannot figure rather they are, where is my son or daughter, husband, wife, _ is my son or daughter, husband, wife, mum — is my son or daughter, husband, wife, mum or dad? it is devastating. question inaudible. the national guard has been _ question inaudible. the national guard has been caught _ question inaudible. the national guard has been caught out - question inaudible. the national guard has been caught out in - question inaudible. the national guard has been caught out in one i guard has been caught out in one state _ guard has been caught out in one state and — guard has been caught out in one state and whatever is needed, the federal— state and whatever is needed, the federal government will provide that help, federal government will provide that help. we _ federal government will provide that help, we will provide whatever is needed — help, we will provide whatever is needed. we have demonstrated since we have _ needed. we have demonstrated since we have been elected that every major— we have been elected that every major national disaster we have been there _ major national disaster we have been there early, _ major national disaster we have been there early, often and stayed until we got _ there early, often and stayed until we got it— there early, often and stayed until we got it finished and that is what we got it finished and that is what we are _ we got it finished and that is what we are going to do here, but i think what _ we are going to do here, but i think what i _ we are going to do here, but i think what i have — we are going to do here, but i think what i have found is as i have visited — what i have found is as i have visited these disaster areas in other— visited these disaster areas in other circumstances, when there was a hurricane _ other circumstances, when there was a hurricane in— other circumstances, when there was a hurricane in louisiana or gigantic flooding _ a hurricane in louisiana or gigantic flooding in— a hurricane in louisiana or gigantic flooding in the north—east or the wildfires— flooding in the north—east or the wildfires in the west, is real anxiety— wildfires in the west, is real anxiety right now. it is all of those — anxiety right now. it is all of those poor people wondering, where is my— those poor people wondering, where is my loved _ those poor people wondering, where is my loved one? where are they? are they going _ is my loved one? where are they? are they going to _ is my loved one? where are they? are they going to be ok? and i don't think— they going to be ok? and i don't think it _ they going to be ok? and i don't think it is — they going to be ok? and i don't think it is possible to exaggerate the extent of the fear and concern, and we _ the extent of the fear and concern, and we have — the extent of the fear and concern, and we have a lot of people that are going _ and we have a lot of people that are going in— and we have a lot of people that are going in and running machines, bulldozers, forklifts and the like and the — bulldozers, forklifts and the like and the way that i watched it when the building collapsed in florida, i watched _ the building collapsed in florida, i watched how it takes a toll on them, am i watched how it takes a toll on them, am i going _ watched how it takes a toll on them, am i going to lift something that is going _ am i going to lift something that is going to _ am i going to lift something that is going to move something that is going _ going to move something that is going to — going to move something that is going to affect something? so my heart _ going to affect something? so my heart aches for those people right now, _ heart aches for those people right now, including the rescuers, including _ now, including the rescuers, including the burden on them and what _ including the burden on them and what they— including the burden on them and what they worry about. that is what they talk _ what they worry about. that is what they talk to — what they worry about. that is what they talk to me about in florida, that is— they talk to me about in florida, that is what they talked about afterwards, and so ijust think that we just— afterwards, and so ijust think that we just have to keep at it. we have to keep _ we just have to keep at it. we have to keep focused, and this is going to keep focused, and this is going to he _ to keep focused, and this is going to he the — to keep focused, and this is going to be the focus of my attention until— to be the focus of my attention until we — to be the focus of my attention until we get this finished. can you talk more about _ until we get this finished. can you talk more about how _ until we get this finished. can you | talk more about how governments until we get this finished. can you - talk more about how governments can be better— talk more about how governments can be better prepared _ talk more about how governments can be better prepared for _ talk more about how governments can be better prepared for such _ be better prepared for such disasters _ be better prepared for such disasters in _ be better prepared for such disasters in future? - be better prepared for such disasters in future?- be better prepared for such disasters in future? quite frankly i think we are _ disasters in future? quite frankly i think we are as _ disasters in future? quite frankly i think we are as prepared - disasters in future? quite frankly i think we are as prepared as - disasters in future? quite frankly i think we are as prepared as any i think we are as prepared as any government has ever been for dealing with the _ government has ever been for dealing with the disasters. one of the questions that is going to be raised. — questions that is going to be raised. i_ questions that is going to be raised, i am confident, questions that is going to be raised, iam confident, is questions that is going to be raised, i am confident, is what worry— raised, i am confident, is what worry was— raised, i am confident, is what worry was there, and was it strong enough _ worry was there, and was it strong enough and — worry was there, and was it strong enough and was it heeded? that is a question— enough and was it heeded? that is a question i_ enough and was it heeded? that is a question i assume is going to be part of— question i assume is going to be part of the — question i assume is going to be part of the discussion in the states, _ part of the discussion in the states, as _ part of the discussion in the states, as well as nationally because _ states, as well as nationally because look, as usual, you ask always— because look, as usual, you ask always the — because look, as usual, you ask always the best question. and you have asked me about whether or not we were _ have asked me about whether or not we were going to be able to, what we would _ we were going to be able to, what we would do _ we were going to be able to, what we would do about it, how we would handle _ would do about it, how we would handle this. and part of it is acknowledging that the likelihood of fewer weather catastrophes, asked the continued movement on dealing with global warming isjust not going — with global warming isjust not going to — with global warming isjust not going to happen, not to happen. like i going to happen, not to happen. like i said. _ going to happen, not to happen. like isaid, i_ going to happen, not to happen. like isaid, ithink— going to happen, not to happen. like i said, i think the best example for me has— i said, i think the best example for me has been, what struck me the most, _ me has been, what struck me the most, we — me has been, what struck me the most, we always had wildfires, but few in _ most, we always had wildfires, but few in gods— most, we always had wildfires, but few in gods name thought we would see more _ few in gods name thought we would see more territory burnt to the ground, — see more territory burnt to the ground, everytree, see more territory burnt to the ground, every tree, home, road, larger— ground, every tree, home, road, largerthan— ground, every tree, home, road, larger than the state of newjersey, from the _ larger than the state of newjersey, from the hudson river down to cape maine, _ from the hudson river down to cape maine, so _ from the hudson river down to cape maine, so we have to act, but the first and _ maine, so we have to act, but the first and urgent peace here is that we have _ first and urgent peace here is that we have to — first and urgent peace here is that we have to save anyone who is still alive, _ we have to save anyone who is still alive. we _ we have to save anyone who is still alive, we have to care for them if we can— alive, we have to care for them if we can get— alive, we have to care for them if we can get them to hospitals, and we have to _ we can get them to hospitals, and we have to take — we can get them to hospitals, and we have to take care of all of those families — have to take care of all of those families. look, i know you all, you're — families. look, i know you all, you're all— families. look, i know you all, you're all professionals asking the questions — you're all professionals asking the questions. imagine if your home was on the _ questions. imagine if your home was on the path — questions. imagine if your home was on the path. everything is gone from that from _ on the path. everything is gone from that from that baptismal photograph, to the _ that from that baptismal photograph, to the wedding picture, to the picture — to the wedding picture, to the picture of— to the wedding picture, to the picture of your oldest daughter in the ballet. it is profound. it is 'ust the ballet. it is profound. it is just profound. and i promise you, whatever— just profound. and i promise you, whatever is— just profound. and i promise you, whatever is needed, whatever is needed, — whatever is needed, whatever is needed, the federal government is going _ needed, the federal government is going to _ needed, the federal government is going to find a way to supply it. thank— going to find a way to supply it. thank you — going to find a way to supply it. thank you all so very, very much. joe biden— thank you all so very, very much. joe biden of— thank you all so very, very much. joe biden of the united states... are you ready to send americans into water— are you ready to send americans into water in _ are you ready to send americans into water in ukraine to fight russians on the _ water in ukraine to fight russians on the battlefield 's here is the deal _ on the battlefield 's here is the deal i— on the battlefield 's here is the deal. i have made it absolutely clear— deal. i have made it absolutely clear to — deal. i have made it absolutely clear to president putin that, if he moves _ clear to president putin that, if he moves on — clear to president putin that, if he moves on ukraine, the economic consequences for his economy are going _ consequences for his economy are going to _ consequences for his economy are going to be — consequences for his economy are going to be devastating, devastating, number one. numbertwo, devastating, number one. number two, if devastating, number one. numbertwo, if we have _ devastating, number one. numbertwo, if we have to _ devastating, number one. numbertwo, if we have to send american and nato troops _ if we have to send american and nato troops into— if we have to send american and nato troops into the eastern flank, all those _ troops into the eastern flank, all those nato countries where we have a sacred _ those nato countries where we have a sacred obligation to defend them against _ sacred obligation to defend them against any attack by russia, and number— against any attack by russia, and number three, the impact against any attack by russia, and numberthree, the impact of against any attack by russia, and number three, the impact of all of that on— number three, the impact of all of that on rassy and its attitude to the rest — that on rassy and its attitude to the rest of— that on rassy and its attitude to the rest of the world's view of russia — the rest of the world's view of russia would change markedly. they will pay— russia would change markedly. they will pay a _ russia would change markedly. they will pay a terrible price. and we are going — will pay a terrible price. and we are going to continue to provide for and continue to provide for the defence — and continue to provide for the defence capacity for the ukrainian people _ defence capacity for the ukrainian people. thank you so much. president biden, people. thank you so much. president biden. there — people. thank you so much. president biden, there are, _ people. thank you so much. president biden, there are, taking _ people. thank you so much. president biden, there are, taking a _ biden, there are, taking a last—minute question on the tensions on the border between russia and ukraine. we are going to talk about theirs but let's first get into what he had to say about the situation in kentucky and the other states impacted by those tornadoes. peter bowes, our north america correspondent, he has been talking about federal assistance, was that the reassurance that the state is needed when it comes to their rescue operations? needed when it comes to their rescue o erations? . , needed when it comes to their rescue o erations? ., , .,. , operations? that is exactly the reassurance _ operations? that is exactly the reassurance these _ operations? that is exactly the reassurance these states - operations? that is exactly the reassurance these states had l operations? that is exactly the - reassurance these states had wanted. we already state of emergency had been declared for kentucky which seems to be the worst affected area, and what that does is immediately release the funds and authorisation needed for the federal emergency funding agency to coordinate the efforts that are needed, efforts from central government in coordination with what the local authorities are doing. and it eases any potential financial headaches for the local authorities, because this is going to be an extremely expensive operation lasting weeks and likely months. one official earlier today said likely years, that they will be dealing with this. the president talking about the profound implications of a tragedy like this, and also saying that this is likely to be one of the biggest recovery operations of its kind related to tornadoes in american history. i think that puts into context how big this is, this devastation, over several states, more than 30 tornadoes in a short period of time. we more than 30 tornadoes in a short period of time-— period of time. we talk about that rescue operation. _ period of time. we talk about that rescue operation. we _ period of time. we talk about that rescue operation. we are - period of time. we talk about that rescue operation. we are talking l rescue operation. we are talking about people whose resources to actually rescue people have been impacted by this. that federal assistance has not arrived as yet. what are people doing on the ground to rescue people? that candle factory where there is huge concern about people inside. thea;r factory where there is huge concern about people inside.— factory where there is huge concern about people inside. they are doing the best they _ about people inside. they are doing the best they can. _ about people inside. they are doing the best they can. some _ about people inside. they are doing the best they can. some positive i the best they can. some positive news now that some emergency equipment has begun to get through, to mayfield, the town where that candle factory was completely flattened. some assistance is getting through. the authorities are doing what they can with the facilities they have, and you're absolutely right. they talked earlier about the fact that the local police station had been flattened, the fire station badly damaged, they essentially had to fight their way of their own building before they could respond to the tragedy that was unfolding in the town. so, they are making some headway and tragically, it seems, many people have died in that factory and it has been several hours since anyone was found alive, but that search and rescue operation will continue. i will imagine for a long time yet, at least until the end of the day and into tomorrow, in the hope of finding anyone else alive. , ., �* , .,, , ., ., alive. joe biden emphasised that at this moment _ alive. joe biden emphasised that at this moment in _ alive. joe biden emphasised that at this moment in time _ alive. joe biden emphasised that at this moment in time we _ alive. joe biden emphasised that at this moment in time we are - alive. joe biden emphasised that at this moment in time we are not - this moment in time we are not democrats or republicans but americans, all energy on that rescue operation. we are talking about those who may still be under the rubble, may be injured, but what about those who have lost their homes? i was speaking to one woman on social media who was saying that she was going about town trying to find water for her family. what assistance for those people who no longer have a roof over their head, their homes are damaged, what assistance are they getting? that is the key immediate _ assistance are they getting? that is the key immediate question - assistance are they getting? that is the key immediate question for - assistance are they getting? that is the key immediate question for the | the key immediate question for the next few hours, there is homes that can no longer be lived in. it is impossible, in many cases, to quickly repair the damage to many of those properties. agencies are moving in provide the most basic of supplies, like water. many of these areas cut off from electricity still, so the utility agencies, you could imagine, will be working around the clock to restore electricity to those areas before night time. it will be quite cold overnight although it has been unseasonably warm during the day in some of these areas and that may well be linked to the bigger picture in terms of why these tornadoes have happened in december, which is very unusual. interesting in this news conference that president biden spent a lot of time thinking about those issues, possible connections to climate change, although that is a difficult connection to make. tornadoes are extremely complex and the connection with climate change has not 100% been made with what has just happened but he talked about the intensity of weather events like this, which we have seen across the board, he mentioned wildfires and other situations.— other situations. peter, thank you very much. _ other situations. peter, thank you very much, there _ other situations. peter, thank you very much, there images - other situations. peter, thank you very much, there images speak. other situations. peter, thank you | very much, there images speak for themselves about the extent of devastation and the comments made about president putin, i'm sure there will be a lot of response to that as well. let me bring you some pictures of a special moment in the us, the daughter of the first american astronaut alan shepard has made a trip to the edge of space, 60 years after her late father's pioneering flight, laura shepherd church lee, was one of six people

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