♪ ♪ narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: pediatric surgeon. volunteer. topiary artist. a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news".

♪ >> i am sumi in washington and this is bbc world news america. president biden reaffirm support for ukraine. writers and now actors could be going on strike as a deadline to reach a deal looms. in an exclusive interview, salman rushdie gets personal about the attack that left him blind in one eye. ♪ >> welcome to world news america. u.s. president biden has arrived in finland where he will meet with nordic leaders tomorrow to continue his discussions with peters on russia, technology and security in the arctic. this comes on theeels of the nato summit that concluded hours ago where support for ukraine atop the agenda.

31 members agreed to an outline that would help ukraine become a nato member. they pledged military support for the war. president biden told reporters that we accomplish the goals that he set out to accomplish at the summit and he affirmed support for ukraine in front of 10,000 people at the university. >> since the war began, president zelenskyy, i spent an hour with him in washington, kyiv, hiroshima. to declare to the world when i say again we will not waiver. we will not waiver. [applause] >> i mean that. our commitment to ukraine will not weaken. we will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and as long as it takes. >> despite not receiving the timetable he hoped for, zelenskyy said nato support had given a powerful signal to russia but there was a

controversy today when u.k. defense minister ben wallace said" people want to see gratitude from ukraine in relation to western aid." u.k. prime minister rishi sunak downplayed those comments saying he has expressed gratitude on a number of occasions. let's get more from our europe editor katya. it is great to see you. president biden called the summit a success. do other allies aee? >> first of all it is important to take a step back because you can look at a summit like this from the outside and it looks like a load of world leaders talking shop. it matters. there was a lot riding on the summit. we have warm, conventional war fail -- warfare on a scale not seen since world war ii. attention has been brought to europe because of the security situation. in the eyes of the nato leaders there, this is not about ukraine. this is about security in all of

the continent and the feeling at the summit is russia cannot be victoriousn ukraine because if it were to be victorious, it might whet its appetite to look at other european countries. there was a lot of attention, focus on the summit. at the end of it quite a lot of smiling faces. there was a spat, ukraine wanted to be welcoming to do a family as soon as possible -- into the family as soon as possible. when i ask the secretary-general of nato what he thought he told me he was pleased. >> this has been a great and successful summit where we have made decisions on stepping up support to ukraine to help them move toward nato membership. and we also were able to make an important decision to ensure that sweden will become a full member of the alliance. >> does support for ukraine, there has been a clear message, this is the short, medium and long term. could this go on for years? >> wars are by nature

unpredictable, so i think no one can say with certainty how long the war will last. what we do say or state very clearly is that we will stand by ukraine for as long as it takes. and immediately now, is to provide military support for ukraine. >> that was what was fundamental for ukraine, to sit with all of the leaders of nato and later with a group of seven of the world's wealthiest democracies as well and have that message of unconditional support, something that back in war decimated ukraine people have been watching closely. >> you didn't mention the spat. to what extent did the summit expose divisions between the west in ukraine? >> i think we do see the west united in support of ukraine and against russian aggression, b also we saw very clearly tensions between realities of war on the one hand.

you know, really destroying ukraine, upending security and all of the continent of europe -- in all of the continent of rope. on the other hand domestic political pressures on the shoulders of those leaders. let's look at zelenskyy, ukrainian leader. because of what people at home are going to, they expect him to be able to rock up to a summit with a list of weapons that they want, be they lethal or expensive and fast track nato membership. they think that couldn't should happen. joe biden is facing an election in the u.s. next year, walking a difficult and delicate rope, having pledged billions to ukraine and taking on a leadership role in ukraine over the war. you look at the uk's prime minister, rishi sunak, for france's emmanuel macron. they're facing a crisis so people might not be happy to hear of a potential blank check for ukraine for years and years

to come. that's tricky. >> one quick last question, we mentioned president biden is in helsinki meeting with nordic leaders. what is the focus fair? >> of course as referred sweden -- the optical to sweden becoming a member was pretty much removed at this summit by the turkish president your, finland joined the nato club. this is a clear message that president biden will send nato with a goal for vladimir putin. he has been outspoken about how he hates nato's expansion toward the east and northeast. finland and sweden, they have no intention of joining nato until he invaded ukraine. so president biden will be there talking about this very important bolstering of the northeast of nato. it's northeast flank against russia. everybody here at the summit was seeing this big picture about

ukraine and more. this is about russia trying to flex its muscles and increase influence over its old soviet union stomping grounds. president biden is going to say it's not going to happen. we are unwavering by the side of ukraine and the region. >> europe editor katya adler, great to speak with you. let's talk about the outcomes of the summit. we have sabrina singh, deputy pentagon press secretary. thank you for joining us in our studio. i want to talk about what came out of the summit. u.k., u.s., members of g7 have agreed on long-term security guarantees for nato. this iludes military supplies, training for ukrainian soldiers. ukraine's president was clear he wanted a timetable to nato membership, so do you think security guarantees are enough? >> thank you for having me, nice be with you in the studio. as the president said and you heard from other world leaders who attended theummit, nato is

united behind ukraine, so while ukraine might not be a member, it is getting assistance, support that it needs to continue on in the fight over sovereign territory that was invaded by russia. so it is going to get military supplies, training that nato countries and allies and partners all around the world including the united states have been providing. and so while ukraine might not be in the nato alliance, it is getting all of the support of every single country, a part of that alliance. the alliance is stronger as the correspondent that you had on earlier just said. we just welcomed finland and as the 31st country, sweden will have soon be ascending to the nato alliance, our 32nd country as part of the group, part of the block. so again, this is a step forward in strengthening the alliance and more support for ukraine. >> is there concern in washington about words we heard from president zelenskyy? frustration he expressed, calling nato's inability to give

ukraine a timeline absurd? >> again, ukraine is in a war for its sovereign territory. of course the president is frustrated about we understand and we are meeting his needs and the country's requests. we have already sent $43 billion of military and support to ukraine and we are going to continue flowing that in as the war continues. as you said, as you have heard before, the president has committed to being with ukraine for as long as it takes and we stand by that. >> i'm going to ask you about the support because president biden was asked before he left whether the u.s. is thinking about sending tactical ballistic missiles. he said yes, they have something equivalent, but what they need is artillery right now. he said quote we are working on that. ukraine is having a shortage of ammunition. it is asked for more artillery. counteroffensive progressing

slower. it is the u.s. able to provide steady supply of artillery? >> one of the things that we did one week ago was provide ukraine with cluster munitions. 155 millimeters rounds that will bridge the ongoing support to ukraine in terms of the artillery that they need. while we have been able to do that we are ramping up production at home to increase production output of those 155 millimeters rounds and we have confidence we will be able to continue to support ukraine in artillery. remember, it's not just us. we have allies and partners around the world supplying ukraine, whether it is 105 rounds, 155 millimeters rounds. different capabilities and systems. with the president said, we've never taken anything off the table. ukrainians are making incredible use of what they have been provided by the u.k. with storm shadow missiles. or systems i should say. and they've also been employing

high mars to great effect. >> i want to shift to defense. eight hundred $74 billion national defense authorization act is going to be put to a vote in the house of representatives but there has been controversy because of a fight between democrats and republicans over amendments targeting diversity and inclusion programs in the pentagon. how worried is the department of defense about this bill passing? >> congress is having a healthy debate about ndaa. this is pending legislation and going through the congressional process has amendments are getting added or stripped. that process will play out and we will get ahead of any decisions that congress makes. >> no concern that we might not get this through? >> we've seen this before, we've seen debates take place. we are confident in the budget and proposals that we put forward to the congress that they will -- that they are taking into consideration what the department needs and so we will just wait and see what happens. >> one more question on domestic

debate, tommy tuberville has been holding up the nomination of more than 200 top military appointments. u.s. marine corps is without a permanent leader because he is protesting ptagon policy at the moment that offers travel allowances and time off for military personnel who want an abortion. he said the president has not spoken to him, nobody has spoken to him in five months. he did not clarify who he meant but has defense secretary austen spoken with him? >> you know, unfortunately, that's not true. secretary austin has reached out to senator super bowls office. they spoke in march and our office continues to engage with the senator's office. not just his office, democrats and republicans in the senate, because on both sides of the aisle there was concern of general and flag officers not being confirmed. as you mentioned, the commandant of the marine corps, this is in a time where in over one century we have not had a senate can and

commandant of the marine corps leading the marines at a time when we are facing the rising and growing pace of china, the acute threat of russia in europe. it's important to not have only senate confirmed leade in this position but a joint chairman of the joint staff that is also going to be terming out. so we have many different positions. by the end of the year we could look over 600 50 positions that are not filled. senate confirmed positions. so we are concerned. and i think the senate is -- members on both sides of the aisle are concerned as well. >> deputy printed on -- penning on press secretary. thank you so much for joining us. a federal mediator is working with actors in hollywood studios and streaming services to broker a deal before the actors contract expires at midnight in california. sag, the union represent actors

agreed but they're not confident studios intend to make a fair deal. if a deal is not reached actors could hit the picket lines of song -- aside writers. the actors guild says the rise and streaming services is leading to loss of pay and jobs and it wants protections around the use of a high. an estimated 100 thousand tv and film actors are represented and if a deal is not reached they will join the 11,000 500 screenwriters represented by the writers ild of america. the last time a double strike happened in hollywood was in 1960 when the guilds called for work stoppages due to films being sold to tv networks. the deadline comes around the time of the 2023 emmy nomination ceremony that kicked off today with the hbo drama succession leading with 27 nominations. we can bring in our correspondent, peter bowes, who is following the story. good to see you. how close harley to a deal being struck? >> as every hour passes by the

city of hollywood's hopes are fading that there will be a deal. these two sides have been in negotiations, have been talking for several weeks. the deadline, the first deadline was extended to midnight tonight. california time. t -- they are closer to a deal now than they were a couple of weeks ago. the glimmer of hope are the inclusion of those independent government federal mediators to try to bring the sides together. bear in mind, this is happening at the 11th hour. one day to try to make any kind of difference. the union making it clear it is sticking with this deadline of midnight los angeles time, which is when the current actors contract expires. >> if there is no deal, we mentioned the emmy nominations, shows like succession. help us understand what that will mean for shows that we are used to watching? >> it will mean many shows,

sitcoms or dramas, are likely to be delayed in terms of teacher episodes, the opening of the next season. and a lot of shows are already to use the expression in the can. they have been made. there might not be an immeate effect with some shows but certainly as far as streaming services are concern, broadcast television as well, there is likely to be depend on how long a strike goes on if indeed it is called, there could be long delays and it could affect movies of course as well. movies set for release next year may be delayed for a full year, 12 months, if the studios do not believe they can be made. the other impact and big area of discussion, you mentioned emmy nominations, is to whether the emmys ceremony can actually go ahead as normal. scheduled for september the 18th. there are discussions going on right now in los angeles as to whether to delay the enemies,

the handing out of the awards until november or possibly january to try to avoid any potential strike. >> our correspondent peter bowes, thank you so much. one of the most recognizable faces on british television anchoring coverage of major national and internati from this chair, hugh edwards the lead anchor of the bbc's news at 10:00 has been revealed as the man at the nter of allegations of the payment of thousands of pounds to a young person forex was it pictures. he was identified in a statement on his behalf by h wife who said he is now quote receiving hospital care having suffered a serious mental health episod after what had been five extremely difficult days. edwards has not resigned. the statement went on to say that quote when well enough he intends to respond to the stories that have been published. u.k. metropolitan police have reviewed the allegations and said there's no evidence of a criminal offense.

hugh edwards statement says when well enough to do so he intends to respond. as the bbc resumes its inquiry into the conduct of the sun newspaper says it will not be printing more claims. here is our culture editor, katie razzle. >> tonight at 10 we are in edinburgh where the king is being presented with the crown jewels of scotland. >> named and likely a huge shock to many viewers. >> the ceremony was steeped in tradition. >> wednesday was the last time hugh edwards appeared on bbc news. that night from edinburgh. the next day the bbc quietly took him off air. now the secret that has bn speculated upon across social media for days is public. hugh edwards, the main face of the bbc's flship news at 10:00 for two decades is the presenter at the center of allegations of misconduct. this eveng his wife, vicki, released a statement, naming her husband out of concern for his

mental well-being and to protect our children. hugh is suffering from serious mental health issues. as is well documented, he is being treated for severe depression in recent years. the events of the last few days have worsened matters. he has suffered a serious episode and is receiving in percent hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future. when well enough to do so you intends to respond to the stories that are being published. she said her husband had first been told of the allegations last thursday. in the circumstances and given his condition, i would like to ask that the privacy of my emily and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. i kw that hugh edwards is sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. we hop this statement will bring that to an end. moments earlier the metropolitan police had confirmed it wasot investigating. there was no evidence to suggest

a criminal offense had been committed in the case. the bbc had responded saying having caused its investigation yesterday at the request of police, it would not restart with a thorough assessment while continuing to be mindful of duty of care to all involved. for many the processing of the news is just beginning. >> he's the face the bbc in terms of news. absolutely. i don't think it's a shock, the speculation has been rampant for the last few days in it is a relief more than a shock. >> the sun broke the story in its saturday paper alleging that an unnamed presenter at the bbc had paid 35,000 pounds to a much younger person for sexually exposed images beginning when a younger individual was 17. more allegations were front page every day since, although on monday the lawyer said the person was rubbish and nothing criminal had taken lace. some will be asking whether the sun has questions to answer for its decision.

tonight the paper says it has no plans to publish further allegations. it added that at no point in their original story alleged criminality and took the decision neither to name mr. edwards nor the young person involved in the allegations. >> why are we not saying to the sun newspaper you publish these allegations, you ask the bbc to actually do the detail that you would not give. what is the son's response? has it got photographs, details of bank transfers and so on? it has not put them forward and a lot of tabloid editors are asking the same questions. >> we must not forget hugh edwards is suspended from the bbc. he may not be facing a criminal investigation but he is accused of potential misconduct. if true, there is a family and a young person who are in trauma. in recent years, hugh edwards has shared his struggles with mental health.

in a welsh documentary. >> the future of the u.k. is uncertain. >> the man who has held viewers hands through the most significant moments of the nation's history is asking to be left in private. whether he can find a way back to health and broadcasting is a question for the future. >> now to some other headlines. the u.s. bureau of labor statistics released inflation data on wednesday showing a cooling mark in the 12 straight months of slowing price increases in the u.s.. the consumer price index climbed 3% through june compared with its roughly 9% peak last summer. president biden took credit for the slow down saying in a statement good jobs and lower costs, that is vied in action. it's been a week since metta debutedts twitter rival threads and bf is weaving into the social media fabric with 100 million sign-ups. the growth outpaces chatgpt which became the fastest

consumer application and history two months after its launch. donald trump can be held liable for the comments about e. jean carroll the woman who accused him of rape according to the u.s. department of justice. the department previously argued mr. trump was immune due to presidential status when he made remarks in 2019. the decision boosts carol's defamation lawsuit against trump. a spokesman of trump dismissed the decision as a partisan sham. nearly one year after he was stabbed before giving a lecture in new york salman rushdie has spoken exclusively with bbc about the attack that left him blind in one eye. he also suffered liver damage and paralysis to his hand and spoke candidly about recovery, emotional and physical. >> actually the physical stuff is more or less ok. with the exception of having lost my eye. but otherwise the physical stuff

is reasonably all right. you know, the emotional stuff takes dealing with. i mean, i have a very good therapist who has a lot of work to do. and i have crazy dreams. but i think really the main difference is i do not know when i will again do a public event that is open to the public that anybody can show up. >> before we go the james webb telescope celebrated its anniversary on wednesday with the release of a new image featuring the closest stellar nursery to earth 390 light-years away. the photo of the cloud complex showcases a brief time in the lifecycle of 50 stars. our own sun experienced the phase captured by the telescope and we can see the beginning of another star story. i'm in washington, thank you for watching world news america. ♪

narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪

>> on the newshour tonight, nato promises long term military aid to ukraine but stop short in announcing a path for membership at the alliance's ongoing summit. >> house republicans interrogate the fbi director about claims of bias in the department and investigations into the president's family. >> the web telescopes images of the far reaches of space from scientists to consider their understanding of the early universe. >> people are interested in the surprises we are getting out of the web. the answers are the first galaxies grew differently than we expected.