EU leaders agree to bolster defence amid Russia’s war with Ukraine
European leaders met today in Brussels as part of an emergency defence summit, as Ukraine continues its war against Russia. The Polish President had previously announced plans to spend more than 4.7% of its GDP on defence. Spain, however, recently defended its target of spending only 2% of its GDP on defence. We speak to a former Spanish foreign minister about why it spends so little on protection compared to other European states. Also in the programme: US President Donald Trump pauses most of his administration’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada; and Denmark’s postal service says it will stop delivering letters by the end of the year.(Photo: EU Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrive for an European Special Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 6th March 2025. Credit: Christophe Petit-Tesson/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
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47:29
Zelensky thanks Europe as he arrives at Brussels summit
European leaders are meeting in Brussels at what's being described as a turning point in history. They're discussing a large increase in defence spending following Washington's decision to suspend assistance to Ukraine. But can they agree? Also in the programme: Turning the garbage can of our immune system into a powerful source of antibiotics; and the man with all the vibes - jazz-funk pioneer Roy Ayers - has died.(Photo: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speak to the media as they attend a European Union leaders special summit to discuss Ukraine and European defence, in Brussels, Belgium March 6, 2025. Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq)
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45:32
US stops sharing intelligence with Ukraine
Mr Trump questioned President Zelensky's commitment to peace following the spat at the White House on Friday. Also on the programme: scientists in Britain say they have discovered how the drug aspirin may help stop some cancers from spreading; and Lebron James becomes the first ever basketball player to score more the 50,000 points in his career.(Picture: President Trump addresses the US Congress Credit: Reuters)
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47:14
Trump to Congress: America is back
US President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress six weeks after beginning his second term in office. In addition to listing his achievements while in office, he made a teenager a US Secret Service agent and reaffirmed his desire for Greenland to become part of the US. Also on the programme, Arab leaders have agreed on a post-war reconstruction plan for Gaza that would allow around two million Palestinians to remain in the territory during a rebuild; and a chance to look at religious paintings from early 14 Century Siena.(Photo: US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson during a joint session of Congress, in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, 4 March, 2025. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
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47:30
Zelensky: 'We want to work for peace'
President Zelensky of Ukraine says he wants to work for peace under what he calls President Trump's 'strong leadership', after the US paused military aid to Ukraine. A Democratic congressman insists there's still support for Ukraine in Washington. Also in the programme: Canada’s prime minister hits back at the US imposition of tariffs; and Arab leaders adopt a new plan for rebuilding Gaza.
Ireland