BBC News Briefing

10 July, 2024

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. The 75th Nato summit is officially under way. Kayla Epstein reports on US President Joe Biden's opening speech. In South Korea, Jean Mackenzie explains the latest controversy involving gender equality. As civil war continues to rage in Sudan, Barbara Plett Usher hears the story of a photojournalist's dangerous journey to find safety. Finally, we get a sneak peek at the east wing of Buckingham Palace before it opens to the paying public for the first time.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Nato members boost support for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden gestures while delivering the opening speech at the Nato summit in Washington DC

Mr Biden has pledged on behalf of Nato to supply Ukraine with five new strategic air defence systems. Credit: Reuters

US President Joe Biden has announced more military aid for Ukraine, in opening the Nato summit in Washington DC. Mr Biden described Nato as a force for democracy, in contrast with "autocrats" who sought to "overturn global order". The bulk of his comments were aimed at Russia - where a court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya - and its war in Ukraine. "The war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country," Mr Biden said. His remarks also portrayed support for Nato as a bipartisan issue in the US. His rival in the upcoming presidential election, former president Donald Trump, has been less steadfast in his commitment to Nato members, whom he criticised again during a campaign rally. For all Mr Biden's reassurance, allies such as the UK are already making contingency plans for a Trump victory in November.

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Defence commitment: Canada is one of the member countries whose military spending continues to fall short of Nato's target, an issue that has caused frustration among US senators.

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Meanwhile, in Russia: In his first foreign trip since winning a third term in office, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured a commitment to release all Indian citizens fighting in Russia's army, but his ties to President Vladimir Putin have raised concerns in the US.

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Spotlight on UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to hold talks with President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his first international trip since winning the election. Get the latest.

WORLD HEADLINES

War in Gaza: At least 29 Palestinians have been killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli air strike on a camp for displaced people outside a school in Abasan al-Kabira, east of the city of Khan Younis, hospital officials say.

Bot farm: US officials say they have taken action against an AI-powered information operation run from Russia, including nearly 1,000 accounts pretending to be Americans, and tied to Kremlin-owned media channel RT.

Brisbane Supreme Court: Members of an Australian sect known as The Saints have gone on trial accused of killing an eight-year-old diabetic girl by denying her medical care.

Illicit makeovers: Authorities in the Philippines say they have shut down two clandestine hospitals offering plastic surgery to criminals seeking to change faces.

Restful returns: A study by academics at Bristol University found that saving money regularly can help improve sleep.

AT THE SCENE

Seoul, South Korea

Blaming women for male suicides

An emergency phone box stands on a bridge over the river Han in Seoul

Mr Kim wrote a report analysing data on suicide attempts at bridges along Seoul's Han river. Credit: Getty Images

Seoul City councillor Kim Ki-duck has drawn criticism for blaming women's emancipation for a rise in suicide attempts among men. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates among the world’s rich countries, but also one of the worst records on gender equality.

Jean Mackenzie, Seoul correspondent

In recent years an anti-feminist movement has surged, led by disillusioned young men, who argue they have been disadvantaged by attempts to improve women’s lives. Appearing to echo such views, Councillor Kim’s report concluded that the way to overcome "the female-domination phenomenon" was to improve people’s awareness of gender equality so that "men and women can enjoy equal opportunities".

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If you, or someone you know, have been affected by issues in this article, the following resources may help. In the UK: BBC Action Line. Elsewhere in the world: Befrienders Worldwide

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

A dangerous 11-day trek to flee Sudan

While his family fled to Chad, Mohamed Zakaria decided to head for South Sudan and then on to Uganda. Credit: Mohamed Zakaria

Photojournalist Mohamed Zakaria had been covering fighting in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state and a hotspot in Sudan's 15-month civil war, for the BBC. But with the situation growing increasingly desperate, he decided it was time to escape. He told Africa correspondent Barbara Plett Usher of his perilous journey to safety.

Read now

Flags are fronting a Paris 2024 building.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Breakfast for champions

The world's biggest restaurant is coming to Paris.

Meet the chefs

And finally...

Buckingham Palace is allowing visitors for the first time inside the east wing, which leads to the world-famous balcony from where the Royal Family waves at crowds. The public won't be able to step out on to the balcony itself - and when you visit, you can see why.

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– Sofia

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