where he told them — and i quote: "we continue until the end, there is no question. i say this even given the great pain, and the international pressures. nothing can stop us, we will continue until the end, until victory, nothing less," live now tojerusalem and our middle east correspondent, yolande knell. good to talk to you. what more do we know about this visit from the us national security adviserjake sullivan? he national security adviserjake sullivan? , ., ,,., sullivan? he will fly in from saudi arabia, sullivan? he will fly in from saudi arabia. on — sullivan? he will fly in from saudi arabia. on a _ sullivan? he will fly in from saudi arabia, on a regional— sullivan? he will fly in from saudi arabia, on a regionaltrip - sullivan? he will fly in from saudi arabia, on a regional trip and - sullivan? he will fly in from saudi arabia, on a regionaltrip and he. arabia, on a regional trip and he will meet here over the course of two days with israeli leaders especially members of the war cabinet. we understand it will ask israel to be more precise and targeted in its strikes against hamas in gaza after the us president joe biden said earlier this week that the indiscriminate bombing from israel in gaza had led to a drop in global support for its operations against hamas. we are told he will be looking at how to speed up the flow of aid into gaza and he will be talking possibly, according to israeli media, about the prospects of having a mother release deal for hostages held, more than 100 of them, inside the gaza strip. there is also going to be a focus, we are told, on a timetable to end the war and what is going to happen after, what is the post—war vision for israel because this is another area over which there is increased disagreement over israel and its closest ally the us. we disagreement over israel and its closest ally the us.— disagreement over israel and its closest ally the us. we saw those ictures closest ally the us. we saw those pictures of _ closest ally the us. we saw those pictures of benjamin _ closest ally the us. we saw those pictures of benjamin netanyahu l pictures of benjamin netanyahu yesterday. doubling down on his aim saying he wanted to annihilate hamas but do you think his position could change following the visit today? i mean, so far we change following the visit today? i mean, so farwe have had change following the visit today? i mean, so far we have had defiance from israeli officials in response to what happened at the un general assembly this weekend in response to some of those strong comments, the strongest criticism yet of the conduct of a thrill in the war against gaza from the us president himself and we had the is foreign minister saying it's going to be the continuation of the war in gaza with or without international support. but it's very hard to see how the us is not going to exact some level each year, after all, it is such an important military backer of israel, it gives billions of dollars in military aid. it is a country which also consistently defends industrial and international bodies in particular at the un. and so when the us starts to express such disquiet about things, really it has to be listened to.— disquiet about things, really it has to be listened to. thank you so much for “oininu to be listened to. thank you so much forjoining us— to be listened to. thank you so much forjoining us from _ to be listened to. thank you so much forjoining us from jerusalem - to be listened to. thank you so much forjoining us from jerusalem and - forjoining us from jerusalem and thank you for bringing us up to date. dr ahron bregman is professor at the department of war studies at king's college. thanks forjoining us. you were listening to what our correspondent said, such a big visit from a senior us official, a visit which follows the remarks we heard from president biden earlier in the week. what do you think will happen today? the americans you think will happen today? iie: americans are you think will happen today? tie: americans are frustrated with the israelis. and they want to make sure the israelis understand that they have to bring us four to an end within four weeks. by mid january. the work should be over, as far as americans are concerned and in the meantime, americans want the israelis to make sure that there is enough food, water and fuel in the gaza strip and the israelis do not open another front in the north. in terms of benjamin netanyahu and his position, we saw him as i was discussing just now, we saw him speak yesterday, reiterating that this military campaign is going to continue? , , ., . ., ,, . this military campaign is going to continue? , , ., . . �* ., continue? this is a classic ben'amin netan ahu continue? this is a classic ben'amin netanyahu talking i continue? this is a classic ben'amin netanyahu talking to i continue? this is a classic ben'amin netanyahu talking to his fl continue? this is a classic benjamin netanyahu talking to his political. netanyahu talking to his political base. i am going all the way forward, i am going to keep the aim of the war to operate hamas which he cannot do, by the way. so this is talking domestic politics, if you want. �* , . ~ talking domestic politics, if you want. �*, ., ,, ., talking domestic politics, if you want. �*, ., «i,, ., , . want. let's talk about the domestic situation, what _ want. let's talk about the domestic situation, what sort _ want. let's talk about the domestic situation, what sort of _ want. let's talk about the domestic situation, what sort of support - want. let's talk about the domestic| situation, what sort of support does he have come wartime government at the moment but are we starting to see cracks in terms of his support and support for his strategy? his aim is to and support for his strategy? ti 3 aim is to keep his and support for his strategy? ti 1 aim is to keep his coalition government together. this is why they hear him talking about no two state solution is because his coalition partners are very strongly against it so he has one and a most importantaim and against it so he has one and a most important aim and that a stick in the coalition together. whether the public self day itself, there are still strong support given what happened on the 7th of october... the un resolution earlier this week, will that make any difference to what the israeli government does? none whatsoever. knowing the israelis, they will dismiss it and they will only listen to what washington has to say to them regarding the war, and... just lastl , regarding the war, and... just lastly. in _ regarding the war, and... just lastly, in terms _ regarding the war, and... just lastly, in terms of _ regarding the war, and... just lastly, in terms of the aid situation, there is still calls for more aid to be sent into gaza. politically, is the pressure internationally likely to change that equation? the internationally likely to change that equation?— internationally likely to change that equation? the israelis will allow more _ that equation? the israelis will allow more fuel _ that equation? the israelis will allow more fuel and _ that equation? the israelis will allow more fuel and water- that equation? the israelis will allow more fuel and water and | that equation? the israelis will- allow more fuel and water and food into the gaza strip. i can see within the israeli public, it's not an issue anymore. so i expect this issue to be sorted out. the main thing for the israeli cabinet at the moment is the situation with the hostages still held by hamas in the gaza strip. hostages still held by hamas in the gaza stri -. ., ., «i hostages still held by hamas in the gaza stri. ., ., «i , ., hostages still held by hamas in the gaza stri. ., ., «i i. gaza strip. torture, thank you so much for sharing _ gaza strip. torture, thank you so much for sharing your _ gaza strip. torture, thank you so much for sharing your insights i gaza strip. torture, thank you so i much for sharing your insights into what is a very interesting and important time in this ongoing conflict. there is of course more analysis and developments in the middle east on the bbc news website, a life page continuing to run with analysis and footage so please go there if you want to see and find out more. and we can go live to moscow now, there is the russian president vladimir putin, holding his end of year news conference. an annual event, carried live on all the main russian television channels, there you see a russian television anchor introducing this big event and it comes at the same time as eu leaders meet in brussels to further discuss funding for ukraine. let's listen in as the news conference gets under way. translation: yesterday a question came in about salaries not being paid and the salary was paid that very day in the evening. there are plenty of questions that are yet unsolved and the thing is we are living in a while that is completely different and people are worried about social matters. it is now before the new year, it is time to take stock of the year. december is traditionally filled with many events. last week, mr president, you've announced your decision to run for president against the background. what are the main questions for your abroad and domestically? i main questions for your abroad and domestically?— domestically? i spoke about that many times _ domestically? i spoke about that many times but _ domestically? i spoke about that many times but it _ domestically? i spoke about that many times but it bears - domestically? i spoke about that l many times but it bears repeating. for such a country as russia, the very existence of our country without sovereignty is impossible. it will simply not exist, at least in the state that it exists now and existed for thousands of years so the main thing is to strengthen the sovereignty however it is a very broad term. extra long sovereignty that means it strengthens our military power and security and safety on our borders. strengthening our social sovereignty, public sovereignty, that means absolute observation of the rights and freedoms of our own citizens, strengthening our political system, parliamentary listen and finally thatis parliamentary listen and finally that is providing security and sovereignty in economic and technological spheres. i don't think in responding to this question i do not need to cover all of these matters but i'm quite positive the audience we have here and the rest of the country is fully aware that russia cannot exist without financial, economic and technological sovereignty. it's the future of any country, including russia. so if we talk in concepts, these are the main dimensions. translation: lets try the economy, many are surprised the russian economy did not collapse under the burden of so—called pressure sanctions from our pharmaceutical partners but it's apparent they have the gall to push russia to the limit... studio:, leaving that news conference for a moment, moscow correspondentjoins us now. this could go on for hours? he does this more or less on an annual basis, it was not held last year amid the uncertainty surrounding the sickle special military operation and by that time last year, it was becoming really clear that it was not going so well. so this is the 20th such event held by president putin and there is a degree of predictability about such phoneins because normally, although you know vladimir putin speaks at length about how well the economy is doing, on his government and he personally is helping ordinary russians, and in more recent years, he's been more assertive and claiming that russia is involved in this centuries old battle against the west and that is why it has to defend itself. and this year, as in past years, i think it's fair to expect him to speak about how russia could and i quote has been forced to defend itself in ukraine. and difficult and pointed questions, they can be asked and they have been asked in the past but they will be drowned out bite mark friendly questioning especially russian citizens phoning in, russian journalists present at this event, they will be very wary of violating various restrictive laws such as a ban on so—called discrediting the russian armed forces which was imposed shortly after the full—scale invasion of ukraine started last year. but foreignjournalists invasion of ukraine started last year. but foreign journalists are also present there and they will be keen to ask questions, what about the whereabouts of alexei navalny, the whereabouts of alexei navalny, the jailed opposition figure? who's been missing for more than a week now? his defence team have said they have not been able to hear anything from him so it's not going to be completely stable... from him so it's not going to be completely stable. . ._ from him so it's not going to be completely stable... forgive me for cuttin: in completely stable... forgive me for cutting in there, _ completely stable. .. forgive me for cutting in there, i— completely stable... forgive me for cutting in there, i want _ completely stable... forgive me for cutting in there, i want to _ completely stable... forgive me for cutting in there, i want to bring - cutting in there, i want to bring viewers up to date with some of the things we perform vladimir putin. he began that conference by saying his main objectives were strengthening the sovereignty of russia, he said the sovereignty of russia, he said the existence of our country without sovereignty is impossible, it will simply not exist. he said the russian economy was strong at the time of. he said it's sufficiently strong to notjust feel confident but to move forward. we will be back with that news conference and analysis throughout the morning because that news conference that vladimir putin is currently delivering, that will go on, we think several hours so we will be back with that but for now, around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a person remains unaccounted for after a large fire broke out at an industrial estate in south wales. police responded to a "serious incident" at treforest industrial estate, pontypridd, around 7pm, on wednesday, and said roads in the area would remain closed for some time. eyewitnesses reported hearing a "massive explosion" and the area's mp said there were "walking wounded". police searching for a mother of three who went missing almost a week ago in norwich have released cctv of her last known movements. 55—year—old gaynor lord disappeared after failing to return home from work. norfolk constabulary also said it was "linking in" with police in lancashire because of similarities with the nicola bulley investigation. a nurse who was found guilty of ill—treating patients by drugging them to "keep them quiet and compliant" will be sentenced at preston crown court today. 54—year—old catherine hudson gave unprescribed sedatives to two patients at blackpool victoria hospital between february 2017 and november 2018. you're live with bbc news some breaking news, the mp for blackpool south, scott benton, you can see him, it's going to be suspended, should be suspended from the commons for 35 days, i correct myself. that recommendation has come from the committee on standards following a lobbying scandal. conservative mp for blackpool south scott benton, it's been recommended that he is suspended from the house of commons for 35 days after being caught in a lobbying scandal. we will have more on that when we get it throughout the morning. moving on to the eu summit we were mentioning in our headlines. as mentioned, the european council is meeting in brussels today at a summit to discuss key decisions regarding ukraine — increasing providing more funding and starting formal talks on the joining the bloc. the move comes as the european union leaders' agree to release more than 10 billions euros' worth of funding to hungary — which had previously been frozen over concerns about the rule of law in the country. prime minister, viktor orban, had been threatening to block the eu's plans to help ukraine. live now the bbc�*s europe reporter sofia bettiza who's in brussels. bring us up—to—date with what's happening in this meeting? goad happening in this meeting? good morninu. happening in this meeting? good morning- we _ happening in this meeting? good morning. we are _ happening in this meeting? (emt. morning. we are expecting a bit of diplomatic drama here in brussels today. just to give you some context, the men sharing this meeting have said it is a pivotal and european summit and have urged all 27 european leaders to make bold decisions in ukraine. now one of those decisions as you just mentioned, is proving the next aid package to kyiv which will be worth 50 billion euros. kyiv is desperate to get this money we heard from the ukrainian first lady a couple of days ago and she said that if western countries were to stop sending financial aid to ukraine, that would leave ukrainians in mortal danger but there is one big obstacle and that is that the hungarian prime minister viktor orban is very much against sending additional money to kyiv. he is not alone, there is desperately a sense of ukraine fatigue again some european countries like slovakia but it is hungary today that are seen as the biggest hurdle to try and reach a solution. we expect this to be quite a long and complicated negotiation. wejust quite a long and complicated negotiation. we just heard from the prime minister of finland who arrived in brussels and he said a lot of extra shirts were brought just in case the summit goes into the weekend! i5 just in case the summit goes into the weekend!— the weekend! is it likely to go on loner, the weekend! is it likely to go on longer. will _ the weekend! is it likely to go on longer, will something _ the weekend! is it likely to go on longer, will something be - the weekend! is it likely to go on l longer, will something be resolved at the end or will there be an unresolved issue that goes on further? . �* , unresolved issue that goes on further? ., �* , , ., unresolved issue that goes on further? ., �*, , ., ., ., further? that's the question a lot of --eole further? that's the question a lot of peeple are _ further? that's the question a lot of people are asking. _ further? that's the question a lot of people are asking. the - further? that's the question a lot of people are asking. the hope . further? that's the question a lot of people are asking. the hope is that viktor orban will change his mind and come to an agreement when it comes to financing ukraine, what is expected to be a difficult negotiation point is the other big decision on ukraine that will be discussed today, whether ukraine is ready to officially start talks on joining the european union. this is something that ukraine really wants, president zelensky has set a positive decision today will send help to his army and people but again, viktor orban said this is a red line for him and that if ukraine were tojoin the red line for him and that if ukraine were to join the bloc now, it would have devastating consequences for the eu. and you know what? what he says really matters here because a decision on any new countryjoining the eu needs to be unanimous and this means viktor orban, the prime minister of a small country wheels lots of power and he could veto everything so we expect these negotiations to be very complicated and you've got the eu here, very keen to send a strong message of support, message of solidarity to ukraine. we heard from the ukrainian foreign minister who is here in brussels and he basically called this the mother of all decisions. he said if the eu fails today to reach an agreement on ukraine joining the eu, that would mean the european union is unable to keep its promises to ukraine. . ., union is unable to keep its promises to ukraine. . «i , ., union is unable to keep its promises to ukraine. ., «i i. . union is unable to keep its promises to ukraine. ., «i . ., to ukraine. thank you so much for the latest on _ to ukraine. thank you so much for the latest on all _ to ukraine. thank you so much for the latest on all of _ to ukraine. thank you so much for the latest on all of that _ to ukraine. thank you so much for the latest on all of that summit. i to ukraine. thank you so much for| the latest on all of that summit. as we heard, the discussions over aid, we heard, the discussions over aid, we are continuing to bring you coverage of president vladimir putin delivering his annual news conference. we have just heard delivering his annual news conference. we havejust heard him say in the news conference that he says it looks like foreign aid is running out for ukraine. he is clearly watching closely, events in brussels in the last few days, the fight for aid in the us congress as well. let's have a quick listen in to what president vladimir putin is saying. translation: now we have 1a heroes of russia. {jut now we have 14 heroes of russia. out of those now we have 14 heroes of russia. omit of those people recruited back then and a lot of other decorations also were ordered to them. so now around 244,000 people, servicemen, or in the operation area. regiments have been formed to service the military equipment because there are a lot of very good professionals, around 41,000 people have been dismissed because they breach the age limit or they have health problems and after that, we started a broad campaign to attract volunteers, to sign contracts with armed forces and replant to recruit 400... studio: president vladimir putin as the conference continues and we have heard other things from him this morning, he says either we agree on piecing ukraine or we will solve the problem by using force. he also said this morning we are not changing our goals in ukraine. obviously we will hearfrom president goals in ukraine. obviously we will hear from president clinton throughout the morning, this news conference last for a number of hours and i am joined by my colleague who is monitoring the conference for us. the tally, what else has he been saying this morning? 50 else has he been saying this morning?— else has he been saying this morninu? ., �*, ., ., ., morning? so far it's followed a familiar pattern, _ morning? so far it's followed a familiar pattern, vladimir - morning? so far it's followed a| familiar pattern, vladimir putin starts _ familiar pattern, vladimir putin starts by— familiar pattern, vladimir putin starts by talking _ familiar pattern, vladimir putin starts by talking at _ familiar pattern, vladimir putin starts by talking at some - familiar pattern, vladimir putinl starts by talking at some length about _ starts by talking at some length about the — starts by talking at some length about the russian _ starts by talking at some length about the russian economy, - starts by talking at some length about the russian economy, he| starts by talking at some length - about the russian economy, he said it was— about the russian economy, he said it was doing — about the russian economy, he said it was doing well. _ about the russian economy, he said it was doing well. despite _ about the russian economy, he said it was doing well. despite western i it was doing well. despite western sanctions. — it was doing well. despite western sanctions. he _ it was doing well. despite western sanctions, he spoke _ it was doing well. despite western sanctions, he spoke about- it was doing well. despite western sanctions, he spoke about health i sanctions, he spoke about health salaries, — sanctions, he spoke about health salaries, rising _ sanctions, he spoke about health salaries, rising life _ sanctions, he spoke about health salaries, rising life expectancy. sanctions, he spoke about health. salaries, rising life expectancy was rising. _ salaries, rising life expectancy was rising. as — salaries, rising life expectancy was rising. as was _ salaries, rising life expectancy was rising, as was unemployment - salaries, rising life expectancy wasl rising, as was unemployment which followed _ rising, as was unemployment which followed and — rising, as was unemployment which followed and he _ rising, as was unemployment which followed and he seemed _ rising, as was unemployment which followed and he seemed proud - rising, as was unemployment which followed and he seemed proud of. rising, as was unemployment which followed and he seemed proud of itj followed and he seemed proud of it and then— followed and he seemed proud of it and then the — followed and he seemed proud of it and then the moderator— followed and he seemed proud of it and then the moderator said - followed and he seemed proud of it and then the moderator said that. followed and he seemed proud of it and then the moderator said that al and then the moderator said that a torrent. _ and then the moderator said that a torrent. and — and then the moderator said that a torrent. and i— and then the moderator said that a torrent, and i quote, _ and then the moderator said that a torrent, and i quote, a— and then the moderator said that a torrent, and i quote, a torrent - and then the moderator said that a torrent, and i quote, a torrent of. torrent, and i quote, a torrent of questions — torrent, and i quote, a torrent of questions about— torrent, and i quote, a torrent of questions about the _ torrent, and i quote, a torrent of questions about the special- torrent, and i quote, a torrent of. questions about the special military operation _ questions about the special military operation against _ questions about the special military operation against ukraine _ questions about the special military operation against ukraine have - questions about the special militaryl operation against ukraine have been received _ operation against ukraine have been received and — operation against ukraine have been received and putin _ operation against ukraine have been received and putin is— operation against ukraine have been received and putin is sticking - operation against ukraine have been received and putin is sticking to- received and putin is sticking to his guns. — received and putin is sticking to his guns, russia _ received and putin is sticking to his guns, russia is _ received and putin is sticking to his guns, russia is still- received and putin is sticking to- his guns, russia is still determined to demilitarise _ his guns, russia is still determined to demilitarise lecturing _ his guns, russia is still determined to demilitarise lecturing so- his guns, russia is still determined to demilitarise lecturing so no- to demilitarise lecturing so no change — to demilitarise lecturing so no change of— to demilitarise lecturing so no change of centre. _ to demilitarise lecturing so no change of centre. we - to demilitarise lecturing so no change of centre.— to demilitarise lecturing so no change of centre. we will stay with ou and change of centre. we will stay with you and that _ change of centre. we will stay with you and that news _ change of centre. we will stay with you and that news conference - you and that news conference throughout the morning. please stay with us and if you are watching, president putin is delivering his annual news conference, he did not do it last year so it is the first one since the russian invasion of ukraine. we will make sure we stay with that through the morning. vladimir putin saying there is no need for additional military mobilisation today but more on that story after a quick break. hello again. after a fairly cloudy start and patchy light rain and drizzle in england and wales for all of us it will dry in the west and brighton up for one or two showers. the cloud and drizzle will be slow to clear from the south—east. courtesy of these weather fronts continuing to journey southwards, the isobars telling their own story, we have windy conditions across the north and west. the wind coming from the west blowing in showers to western scotland and northern ireland. you could see the odd isolated shower in the south—west and wales this afternoon but the clouds slow to clear in east anglia and kent. these are the temperatures, 7—9 in the east. into double figures in the west. heading through this evening and overnight under clear skies, expect some patchy mist and fog forming. and it's going to be cold enough for a touch of frost in the south—east and north—east of england but generally a cold night. high pressure still in charge of the weather but around the top of it tomorrow we have this with a front coming in and it will be windy across the north west and the north of scotland. here's our weather front coming in introducing rain, more cloud in the west, some spots of drizzle. push further east under the clear skies, there will be sunny spells but only 7—8 , 12 degrees in belfast but as we head to the weekend note how we return to the yellows on some areas of the chart meaning temperatures will rise a little bit. sadly we still have this ridge of high pressure clinging on, when the day with exposure in the north and west and we have a weather front drifting and bringing in some heavy rain. south of that there is showers but saturday is quite a cloudy day, the best breaks to the the east of the hills for example in the east of the hills for example in the pennines. temperature widely 13 degrees. on sunday, a little bit of uncertainty as to how far south there in the travel but it looks like it will get as far south as north wales. to the south of that for southern england and through the midlands drier and brighter with sunshine and still mild! this is bbc news, the headlines: israel continues its bombardment of gaza in the lead—up to a visit by a senior us official. russia's president is holding a major news conference — his first since the invasion of ukraine. it comes as eu leaders discuss further funding for kyiv. more information on our breaking news. mps from the uk's committee on standards have recommended that the bnp for blackpool south should be suspended from the house of commons after he was caught in a lobbying scandal —— that the mp for blackpool south should be suspended. he was accused of lobbying members on behalf of the gambling industry. it could trigger a recall petition which could lead to a by—election in his constituency of blackpool south. the commons standards committee said that mr bent and's actions were an extremely serious breach of the rules —— mr benton. the message you give to undercover reporters was that he was "corrupt and for sale and that so many other members of the house and that caught coming from the report from the standards committee. the report also said he communicated a toxic message about standards in