you're watching the context on bbc news. trumpet fanfare the alliance betweenjapan and the united states is the cornerstone of peace, security, prosperity in the indo—pacific and around the world. translation: is a global partner ja an will translation: is a global partner japan willjoin _ translation: is a global partner japan willjoin hands _ translation: is a global partner japan willjoin hands with - translation: is a global partner japan willjoin hands with our- japan willjoin hands with our globalfriends and japan willjoin hands with our global friends and together we will lead the way in tackling the challenges in the indo—pacific in the world. for the biden administration, today'sjapan is really a dream come true. japan is a capable ruling partner that's prepared to step up and deal with global challenges including china _

the japanese prime minister, fumio kishida is at the white house right now with president biden. they're going to increase defence co—operation. what does that mean for asia — and of course, for china? also tonight... the leader of hamas, ismail haniyeh says israel has killed three of his sons in gaza. the idf has confirmed they were behind the strikes. a major review finds children in england and wales have been let down by "weak" evidence about gender treatment. and prices at the edinburgh fringe are nojoke. comedians say they're being priced out of the festival. show of unityjapan and us military cooperation. tensions with china are never far

from the minds of a number of western governments. president biden is hosting japan�*s prime minister, fumio kishida, at the white house. there have been military guards of honour. there will also be a state dinner. the talks are part of the biden administration's diplomatic outreach in asia. there were recent war games in seoul. and on the weekend, the us, japan, phillipines and australia held joint military exercises in the south china sea. the chinese military conducted combat patrols in the same area. speaking a little earlier, president biden said japan, the us and australia will together boost military capabilites — including through the creation of an air missile network. biden said the upgrades were defensive in nature. the most significant upgrade in our alliance since the since

in our alliance since the, since it was first established. my most are pleased to announce that for the first time, japan and the united states and australia will create a network system of air, missile and defence architecture. we're looking forward to standing up a trilateral military with japan and the united kingdom. and our aukus defence partnership with australia, partnership with australia, the united kingdom, is exploring how japan can join our work in this second pillar which focuses on advanced capabilities including ai, autonomous systems, all told, that represents a new benchmark for our military cooperation across a range of capabilities. joining me now is mary mccarthy professor of political science, drake university — she specialises injapan�*s domestic and foreign policies. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the rouramme. ., ~' . ., the programme. thank you so much for havin: me. the programme. thank you so much for having me- right. _ the programme. thank you so much for having me. right, there _ the programme. thank you so much for having me. right, there were _ the programme. thank you so much for having me. right, there were lots - the programme. thank you so much for having me. right, there were lots of. having me. right, there were lots of words that joe _ having me. right, there were lots of words that joe biden _ having me. right, there were lots of words that joe biden was _ having me. right, there were lots of words that joe biden was just - words thatjoe biden was just saying, trilateral capabilities,

lots of other slightlyjargon technical abilities, lots of other slightlyjargon technicalabilities, can lots of other slightlyjargon technical abilities, can you please attempt to explain that for us? well, i think to start off we have to say the meeting this week between biden and yoshida kishida, coming on the back of these exercises are extremely important. it is a signal to both domestic and international audiences, we know that one of the target audiences is certainly china, but it's not only china. it's the international system in general as well as domestic audiences in the us and injapan. and so i think that the second important thing to really highlight the announcements today are not coming out of nowhere, out of the blue. they are the

culmination of months of hard work by the biden and key —— kishida administrations, in the philippines and elsewhere. and so this is... let's just focus on exactly that, the mention there of australia, the mention of the uk, britain will hold regularjoint military exercises with the us and japan from 2025 to boost security in the region, that is from the ministry of defence here in the uk. that role with australia as well as japan, where does all this leave china? 50. as well as japan, where does all this leave china?— as well as japan, where does all this leave china? so, ithink it is becoming _ this leave china? so, ithink it is becoming increasingly _ this leave china? so, ithink it is becoming increasingly clear- this leave china? so, ithink it is becoming increasingly clear that j becoming increasingly clear that so—called like—minded states in the asia—pacific are cooperating and

coordinating more closely, certainly on defence and security, but also on what is now called economic security, resilient supply chains, closer economic relationships, and we see japan and australia both taking clear steps to be in lockstep with the united states, with regard to its position in the asia—pacific and seeing china today is a strategic challenge or perhaps even a strategic threat, whereas previously there was a lot more effort on the part ofjapan and australia to enhance the partnership elements of their relationships with china. ., ., , ., china. yeah, lots of political discords based _ china. yeah, lots of political discords based around - china. yeah, lots of political discords based around the i china. yeah, lots of political - discords based around the difference between the words challenge and threat, we haven't got time to go into that now, we want to talk about space. astronauts, usjapan space. astronauts, us japan cooperation, space. astronauts, usjapan cooperation, is this something we should read anything into? it is.

cooperation, is this something we should read anything into?- should read anything into? it is. i think it represents _ should read anything into? it is. i think it represents two _ should read anything into? it is. i think it represents two important| think it represents two important elements of the us — japan relationship, one is that the relationship, one is that the relationship is multifaceted. it's not only a security relationship, it's not only an economic relationship, there are so many issues on which the us and japan are, should, and could be cooperating. and space is one. the second important thing to keep in mind is that space is not something frivolous. 0h, mind is that space is not something frivolous. oh, it would be great, the japanese astronauts will be on the japanese astronauts will be on the moon. yes that's one but it will be exciting for the japanese public to say, but it's really important to keepin to say, but it's really important to keep in mind that space is an element of international peace and security. and at the us and japan cooperating in space is also an element of their defence and security relationship. {lila element of their defence and security relationship. ok, thank you ve much security relationship. ok, thank you very much for— security relationship. ok, thank you very much for coming _ security relationship. ok, thank you very much for coming on _ security relationship. ok, thank you very much for coming on the - very much for coming on the programme, thank you. the japanese prime minister isn't the only big name visiting washington this week.

the uk's foreign secretary david cameron has been making the rounds on capitol hill — in an attempt to free up more funding for ukraine. he has met with house minority leader hakeem jeffries and majority leader steve scalise. but not with house speaker mikejohnson. republican lawmakers have been holding up a proposed $60 billion military aid package for ukraine for months. lord cameron has called on leaders to do more. speaking to us broadcaster msnbc he said "we should be standing by our friends, because the world will be watching if we don't." for more on this story let's speak now to director of programming at news website axios, dave lawler. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you. we've got david kammer. _ the programme. thank you. we've got david kammer, lord _ the programme. thank you. we've got david kammer, lord cameron, - the programme. thank you. we've got david kammer, lord cameron, you'rel david kammer, lord cameron, you're urging the us to do a bit more. do ou urging the us to do a bit more. do you think it will make any

difference? he you think it will make any difference?— you think it will make any difference? ., ~ difference? he tried a little bank shot, he difference? he tried a little bank shot. he went — difference? he tried a little bank shot, he went tomorrow - log —— he went to mar—a—lago to try and speak with former president donald trump. he has a very slim majority in the house of representatives and he might lose his job if he representatives and he might lose hisjob if he proceeds representatives and he might lose his job if he proceeds with this bill, the idea was to go to mar—a—lago, get president trump to endorse at least a softer line on aid to ukraine then trump has taken so far, then go to capitol hill and see if you can move the needle there, as you mentioned he did not get a meeting with the man who has his foot on the break retina, speakerjohnson. he is the one that could move forward with this bill, but who das far it has been unwilling to. i don't think it's a great sign that david cameron didn't

manage to get a meeting with mike johnson, it doesn't seem so far that he has managed to move the needle, then again weeks of pressure from then again weeks of pressure from the president and others also haven't moved the needle so things still appear stuck as we are speaking right now. 50 still appear stuck as we are speaking right now.- still appear stuck as we are speaking right now. so we have lots of stationary — speaking right now. so we have lots of stationary needles. _ speaking right now. so we have lots of stationary needles. what - speaking right now. so we have lots| of stationary needles. what whispers are you picking up, if you had to be pushed on where you think this goes next? , ., , , pushed on where you think this goes next? ,., _ ~~' pushed on where you think this goes next? ,., _ ~~ pushed on where you think this goes next? ,., _ , next? obviously mike johnson is t in: a next? obviously mike johnson is trying a few _ next? obviously mike johnson is trying a few different _ next? obviously mike johnson is trying a few different routes - next? obviously mike johnson isj trying a few different routes that he thinks could move this forward without losing some votes, he tried the idea of structuring this as zero interest loans as opposed to just outright aid to ukraine, that will lose him some votes, obviously, from people who want stronger support of ukraine. he is experimenting with a few different items on the legislative menu, none of which seem to have captured both the existing supporters of ukraine and those who

have das far been unwilling to back any proposal like this. you know, right now, for the short term, i'm betting on inertia, that basically he has known what the states were for quite a period of time now and not moved ahead with something, so i'm not betting that things are going to change dramatically and the next 24—48 hours. then again, you know, perhaps the international and domestic pressure, obviously the overwhelming majorities in both the house and senate that are ready to pass this if the bill moves ahead, there are people who think something has to give and eventually you will see a big package it through. i don't currently know how that happens. don't currently know how that ha ens. ., �* , ., ., happens. you're betting on inertia. i like that happens. you're betting on inertia. i like that for— happens. you're betting on inertia. i like that for us, _ happens. you're betting on inertia. i like that for us, i _ happens. you're betting on inertia. i like that for us, i haven't - happens. you're betting on inertia. i like that for us, i haven't heard i i like that for us, i haven't heard that before. thank you very much for coming on the programme and explaining that to us, thank you. ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you some breaking news we are getting from france, from bordeaux specifically.

we haven't had any details through but in the last hour, a knife attack. this is coming from bsn tv, a man has killed at least one person and injured another during a knife attack. —— bfn. we saw men fleeing, shot and fatally injured in. this is near the keys. details not very comprehensive at the moment, as i said, this is from bfm tv. person killing one person and injuring another. it's only happened in the last hour or so, when we get any more details of course will bring them to you. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

the political leader of hamas has confirmed that three of his sons and at least two of his grandchildren have been killed in gaza. the idf has confirmed it carried out the air strike. ismail haniyeh said the vehicle they were driving in was hit in the al shati camp, west of gaza city. this is the moment he was told about the deaths, he's had deaths deaths of so many members of his family, he's said it won't affect negotiations. let's speak to bbc world service middle east editor sebastian usher in jerusalem. what more do we know about what happened? this appears to be a drone strike in a beach camp near the beach and gaza, next to gaza city. and in it

were three of his sons and several of his grandchildren. the pictures, the video that we've seen of the aftermath showed that the vehicle was all but destroyed. as you are just saying, haniyeh himself, as he was touring a medical facility in doha, he was speaking to gaza being taken there after being wounded and his immediate response was to say that he thanked god for bestowing honour on him of what he called the martyrdom of his three sons and several of his grandchildren. he went on to say that this is a delusional act by israel, these are his words. an effort to try to push hamas and its leadership to accept

the conditions in the current cease—fire proposal. now we've been hearing about this proposal for the last two or three days, first of all, it was quite optimistic what we were hearing from the mediators, egyptian and qatari mediators. the four main conditions were not being met within this proposal, there was a sense that may be concessions were going to be made, but at the moment that isn't the case. so from going to thinking that a cease—fire deal may be on the cards, then 50/50 we moved away from that, while on the israeli side the security cabinet has been meeting and they looked at proposals from their side and the two main sticking points have been for the israelis, the number of hostages who are going to be released. there are believed to be around 130 hostages still in gaza but not all of them are alive. the

understanding is probably 99 or 100 are still alive. now in this deal as far as we know, a0 hostages were going to be released and hamas at this stage, wants to release only women, children and the sick. they don't want to release anyone they regard of more value to them, people have served or were serving in the israeli military. now there are reports that hamas can't actually find that number who match that description, of women, children and the elderly, so that's an issue. and then another issue within israeli security cabinet, a number of ministers were saying we don't want to do it this way, we do not want to have some hostages released now and then the rest left, we don't necessarily believe there's going to be another cease—fire deal, this may be another cease—fire deal, this may be it. we have to get them all out now. those splits within the israeli cabinet are also significant and also lessened the optimism that there could be a deal coming soon.

sebastian, thank you very much for that. meanwhile, the pressure on benjamin netanyahu for israel to change its strategy, and agree to a ceasefire. several governments have increased their rhetoric in the past 2a hours. first, there's joe biden. in an interview with univision america's largest spanish language broadcaster he slammed benjamin netanyahu's strategy. take a listen. i think what he's doing is a mistake. i don't agree with his... i think it's outrageous. what i'm calling for is for the israelis to just call for a cease—fire, allow for the next 26—8 weeks, allow for the next 6—8 weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country. so that'sjoe biden. then there's the spanish prime minister pedro sanchez. he has called israel's war in gaza an "absolutely disproportionate response," which threatens to destabilise the middle east and the world.

translation: we were the ones who, i when the conflict and gaza started, l demanded the european union propose a permanent ceasefire, ensure the opening of permanent humanitarian corridors and maintain support for the un agency for palestinian refugees, unrwa. we also proposed an international peace conference and continue to defend the two state solution as the only way for israelis and palestinians to coexist in peace and security. and australia's foreign minister has suggested that her country could recognise palestinian statehood. penny wong said the israeli government's refusal to even engage on the issue has caused widespread frustration. recognising a palestinian state, one that can only exist side by side with the secure israel doesn'tjust offer the palestinian people an opportunity to realise their aspirations, it also strengthens the forces for peace and it undermines extremism. it undermines hamas, iran, and iran's other destructive proxies in the region.

so i say to you, a two state solution is the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence. joining me now is ambassador gina abercrombie winstanley. she is the former us ambassador to malta and is president of the middle east policy council, an american nonprofit organisation. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you. shall we start by reflecting on those words by various international governments, what do you make of the criticism of netanyahu? weill. governments, what do you make of the criticism of netanyahu?— criticism of netanyahu? well, it's been pretty _ criticism of netanyahu? well, it's been pretty consistent _ criticism of netanyahu? well, it's been pretty consistent for - criticism of netanyahu? well, it's been pretty consistent for a - criticism of netanyahu? well, it'sj been pretty consistent for a while now. leaders are reflecting their populations and frankly what we all see on tv and on social media. that is that the response has been devastating, notjust for is that the response has been devastating, not just for those is that the response has been devastating, notjust for those who attacked israel, but the majority as

civilians, in a sense, civilians women and children and men, and this is not something of the international community is comfortable with. or is accepting of, and the pressure has increased as the numbers have gone up. so we are coming to the end of people being able to give a pass to the way this has been conducted because of the results. find this has been conducted because of the resulta— the results. and what about the israeli government's _ the results. and what about the israeli government's position i the results. and what about the l israeli government's position that october seven was led by hamas and they have the right to go after hamas and eradicate the threat of hamas and eradicate the threat of hamas and eradicate the threat of hamas and that is exactly what they're doing. hamas and that is exactly what they're doing-— hamas and that is exactly what they're doing. that's absolutely ri . ht, they're doing. that's absolutely right, however _ they're doing. that's absolutely right, however many _ they're doing. that's absolutely right, however many who - they're doing. that's absolutely right, however many who have | they're doing. that's absolutely - right, however many who have been specialists, worked in the area, certainly in the peace process for many, many years, have called out from the beginning that there are options. there were options from the 7th of october, about how to pursue hamas. israel has a long history of

dealing effectively with enemies, and it did not require pursuing vengeance on the palestinian people in the gaza strip. that is clearly what has been carried out. it's impossible to say that a very minimal —— minimal lysing of civilian casualties. we've heard from artificial intelligence uses algorithms as opposed to individual calculations of what is the cost of this particular strike, which is what the united states is trying to do, not always successfully but certainly protecting civilians being the priority, even as you are trying to prosecute a war.— to prosecute a war. let's look at the role of _ to prosecute a war. let's look at the role of joe — to prosecute a war. let's look at the role ofjoe biden. _ to prosecute a war. let's look at the role ofjoe biden. we - to prosecute a war. let's look at the role of joe biden. we coverl to prosecute a war. let's look at i the role of joe biden. we cover the the role ofjoe biden. we cover the conversation between netanyahu and biden and pretty quickly after that we got the readout of the call which

is a quick summary of the actual contents of that call. the language seemed pretty powerful. pretty quickly after that, we did see, for example, increases in the number of aid trucks getting across and into gaza. do you think there could be more phone calls, more direct consequences of the words ofjoe biden coming up or not? if consequences of the words of joe biden coming up or not?- consequences of the words of joe biden coming up or not? if need be, absolutely- — biden coming up or not? if need be, absolutely- i— biden coming up or not? if need be, absolutely. i think _ biden coming up or not? if need be, absolutely. i think some _ biden coming up or not? if need be, absolutely. i think some lessons - absolutely. i think some lessons were learned as a result of that call. we have heard from the israeli government, almost from the beginning, that they have done their utmost to get assistance in, statements that it wasn't their fault, that unrwa perhaps was at fault, that unrwa perhaps was at fault, or maybe the distribution pack carried out by palestinians, but we know the numbers of aid workers that have been killed, we saw the attack on the world's central kitchen, last week before last call with president biden and

the prime minister, we know for a fact that the israeli government was not telling the truth because we've seen more trucks come through after the phone call with the president. the president said not only getting in assistance, he wants it free so that all civilians have access to food, supplies, etc, if needed, but he wants it sustained. even though there are more trucks going in now and there is a discrepancy between the numbers, the government of israel has said over 700 trucks have gone in, unrwa on the ground have said only 300 trucks have gotten in and 500 is needed on a daily basis. there is some discrepancy there, we know we haven't heard the truth from the government of the israel, in the past about what they're doing, so we have to take a hard and careful look. certainly they are doing more and that is as it should be. israei and that is as it should be. israel does and has _

and that is as it should be. israel does and has consistently - and that is as it should be. israel does and has consistently said i does and has consistently said that it is facilitating the flow of aid, that that has been its consistent position. i'll ask you and i'm afraid we only have 30 seconds left, less than that now. negotiations for any kind of cease—fire, can you get any kind of cease—fire, can you get any kind of cease—fire, can you get any kind of operative optimism, can you see any likely way through in any reasonably short time. or not? it's such any reasonably short time. or not? it's such a — any reasonably short time. or not? it's such a dynamic— any reasonably short time. or not? it's such a dynamic situation, - any reasonably short time. or not? it's such a dynamic situation, there is hope as long as they are talking, absolutely. is hope as long as they are talking, absolutel . . , is hope as long as they are talking, absolutel . ., , ., , , . ., absolutely. ok, we really appreciate our time absolutely. ok, we really appreciate yourtime and _ absolutely. ok, we really appreciate your time and for _ absolutely. ok, we really appreciate your time and for you _ absolutely. ok, we really appreciate your time and for you talking - absolutely. ok, we really appreciate your time and for you talking to us. | your time and for you talking to us. that's gina abercrombie, thank you so much for being on the programme. we are out of time for this part of the programme, i'll be back in a couple of minutes' time. plenty more coming up on the context. i'm louis vonjones, this is bbc news.

hello there. it is going to get warmer in the next few days, but the rain is not completely gone away just yet. and the rainfall that we've had this month at edinburgh botanic gardens is particularly noteworthy. so far this month, there's been 81 millimetres of rain, and afterjust ten days, that's twice the average rainfall already. and it follows on from what was the wettest march on record in edinburgh as well. now, we have had some rain in edinburgh today. the heaviest rain has been over the hills in western parts of scotland, and that cloud has been coming in on a south—westerly wind. and it's that south—westerly wind that's bringing in some warmer air from the atlantic. still some rain around this evening. and overnight, the second hand of rain will push its way southwards across england and wales. the rain becoming light and patchy. following on from that, we get some clearer skies. we've still got the same south—westerly air mass, still warm air, so temperatures are going to be a lot higher than they were last night — for many staying in double figures. heading into tomorrow, still quite cloudy across southern parts of england and wales. still a bit of light rain or drizzle, particularly in the morning.

but away from here, i think we should see some brighter skies, some sunshine on the way. still got south—westerly winds, but with the sunshine, it's going to be a lot warmer. temperatures could make 19, maybe 20 degrees across parts of the midlands, lincolnshire and across east anglia. still some weather fronts, though, hanging around in the far south, and those will tend to push their way steadily northwards overnight and into friday. and they're going to take rain northwards as well. back towards northern ireland, some patchy rain, and that will push its way into northern ireland, perhaps the far north of england, but to the south it should be dry. after a cloudy start, the cloud should thin and break and we'll get some sunshine coming through. still got south—westerly winds, still very mild air, warm air. so let's look at the temperatures for friday. compare them with average. you can see we've got to 20 degrees at bury st edmunds, six degrees above the average for this time of the year. it's a similar sort of story, really, in aberdeen, 18 degrees on friday. we're missing most of the rain that is coming into scotland. that warm air isn't going to last into the weekend, though. we are going to find cooler conditions moving down

from the northwest and pressure will be falling as well. so the likelihood that things will start to turn a bit wetter. now, i think across southeastern areas, the weekend is still going to be dry. but even here, after a warm day on saturday, temperatures will be lower on sunday. but further north and west, we're more likely to have some showers at times.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. a major review finds children in england and wales have been let down by weak evidence about england and wales have been let down by weak evidence abou— sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. hello from the bbc sport centre. a big night of european action ahead in the champions league, which is under way — the remaining quarterfinalfirst legs including a huge tie between heavyweights and familiar foes of this competition psg and barcelona. atletico madrid are hosting borussia dortmund in the other tie — 1—0 to atletico there. atletico are seeking to reach the semi finals for the first time since 2017. and it's 0—0 in paris, as psg and barca renew their rivalry. former barca boss luis enrique now with psg, returning

to face his former club. the rearranged scottish premiership game between rangers and dundee