13/02/2016 BBC Weekend News

The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has sharply criticised

Russia for its actions in Ukraine and Syria,

accusing Moscow of "repeated aggression" in both places.

He's been speaking this morning at the Munich Security Conference.

Live now to our chief international correspondent,

Yes, John Kerry's speech had everyone listening here at the

Munich security forum. He talked of a world in which never in history

has the world faced so many hot spots, so many failed and failing

states, all at the same time. In looking at this troubled world, he

had that special criticism for Russia, saying that Russia had a

simple choice - when it comes to its aggression in Ukraine, he said that

Moscow either had to keep its commitments in Ukraine or else

continue to face sanctions. His words were even stronger when it

came to Syria. He said, this moment was a defining moment, which would

either lead to the end of this punishing war and the worst

humanitarian crisis of our time, or it would lead to a prolongation with

even graver consequences. Here too, it was Russia, he believed, which

had to play a greater role, stop the bombing around Aleppo, he said.

Accusing Russia of bombing the very people who had to join any Peace

Talks to move this process forward. John Kerry criticised Russia but had

special words for the European Union. Telling Europeans and there's

many European leaders here at the Munich security forum, that in

America they don't believe that this is not America's problem. He said,

"We are standing with you." It is for this reason, he said, that as of

this morning Nato is deploying boats in the Aegean sea to help with the

refugee crisis, the migrant crisis. I've been speaking to the UN

secretary-general of Nato to ask what those boats would be doing off

the coast of Greece and Turkey. We will provide information

about the boats, about the traffic, and we will use different

kinds of surveillance, reconnaissance to provide

the information. Then it has to be the local

authorities that do the work John Kerry spoke of an existential

threat to Europe. He said the world needs a stronger Europe and it would

be stronger still if Britain stays in it.

Thanks very much. The US Defence Secretary says

Britain needs to keep its nuclear weapons system if it wants to play

a significant role in the world. Ash Carter told the BBC

that the nuclear deterrent helped Britain punch above

its weight globally. Parliament will vote

on whether to renew the fleet of submarines that carry the Trident

nuclear missiles later this year. Labour is reviewing its

support for Trident. Since the end of the 60s, a British

submarine, carrying nuclear weapons, has always been on patrol somewhere

beneath the world's oceans. But the fleet is now old and needs

replacing, with Government estimates putting the cost at ?31 billion.

Those championing its direct replacement will be delighted with

the US Defense Secretary's intervention. The UK's nuclear

deterrent is an important part of the deterrent structure of Nato, of

our alliance with the United Kingdom and it helps the United Kingdom to

continue to play that outsized role on the global stage that it does.

These words could provide ammunition for Labour MPs, fearful Jeremy

Corbyn is about to overturn the party's current position, which is

to support Trident. The Labour leader is a lifelong opponent to the

nuclear deterrent and has launched a review of their defence policy.

That's led by the Shadow e-Defence Secretary, who admits being

sceptical about Trident. She recently suggested that underwater

drones could soon be able to detect the submarines, making the deterrent

vulnerable to attack. Some Conservative MPs might like to vote

soon on Trident's renewal, not least for the pain it will cause Labour,

but the Government is yet to confirm a date. It is the Government's

intention, it will be debated in the House in due course. I can't give an

announcement on when that will happen today. I'll make sure my

colleagues are aware of the concerns he raised. Initiate fire. Despite

what some called the irreconcilable differences the issue creates for

Labour, the likelihood is the Commons will vote to replace the

submarines and their nuclear warhead-carrying missiles. As the

Government is in favour and with its albeit small majority, it should see

the vote through. Matt Cole BBC News.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a company

director, who was killed during a raid on his warehouse ten

days ago. 56-year-old Akhtar Javeed was shot outside the building

A whistleblowers' helpline is being launched, to help people

raise the alarm about suspected child abuse.

Simon Jones reports. at employees who are unhappy

Baby P, Peter Connelly, died after suffering more

There was a series of missed opportunities to save his life.

It's to try to stop cases like these that the Minister

for Preventing Abuse is launching the whistle-blower

If we see lots of reports coming in from certain local authorities,

certain agencies, then we will be able to see that there may be

problems, and that should help us to stop another Rotherham,

The helpline will be run by the NSPCC, with ?500,000

People who call will be protected legally from any future

discrimination at their workplace as a result of raising their concerns.

A lot of junior staff across a range of organisations have worries,

understandably, about speaking out, and particularly criticising senior

staff, which can have implications for their careers.

Investigators will look into any concerns raised.

The message - no-one should be afraid to report their worries

The next news on BBC One is at 6.55pm.

The weather's not too of us today, particularly across the

south of the country - grey, rain as well, a chilly wind out of the east

as well. On top of that, we have something more wintry across the

north-east of the UK. Eastern Scotland and north-eastern England,