UK News
TV tonight: a hugely entertaining series about the Roswell alien autopsy | Television
The Alien Autopsy Scandal
9pm, Sky Documentaries
The grainy 1947 footage that purports to show the body of an alien being dissected near a crash site in Roswell, New Mexico, has now been viewed by an estimated 1 billion people. But where did it come from? This hugely entertaining three-part series tracks down the parade of eccentrics behind its release in 1995 and works as a study of obsession and mass delusion. Phil Harrison
Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad
7.30pm, ITV1
Father and son tackle the last leg of their Australian road trip, starting by meeting a crocodile before a seaside conversation with a First Nations family. Then, after the hilarity of a nervous Bradley being encouraged to try a giant jungle swing, the odyssey ends at the Great Barrier Reef. Jack Seale
Dispatches: Hunting the Debt Predators
8pm, Channel 4
The cost of living crisis has sent millions of people to unregulated loan companies. In this sobering film, Ellie Flynn goes undercover and meets the men who exploit cash-strapped and vulnerable women – they include sexual predators and organised criminals looking for recruits. PH
Dolly Parton: America Reunited
8pm, Sky Arts
Is there a single figure who can bring the US together? Dolly Parton might just be that person. This show examines the life of a woman who has embodied certain conservative American values but has also given money to progressive causes and been vocally supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. PH
Ponies
9pm, Sky Atlantic
Ruskie business: the chaotic 70s-set spy caper continues with widows turned wannabe CIA agents Bea and Twila getting into the nitty-gritty of tradecraft on the bleak streets of Moscow. That means recruiting their own assets – starting with Bea’s grandma – and infiltrating a poker game for KGB bigwigs. Graeme Virtue
Hidden Treasures of the National Trust
9pm, BBC Two
Once a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire innovated in cotton production with a machine that spun yarn quicker than a human could. This week’s look into some of the country’s most prized buildings tells the groundbreaking device’s story. Nicole Vassell
Film choices
The Choral (Nicholas Hytner, 2025), 9.20am, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Alan Bennett’s blend of small-town Yorkshire nostalgia, social nosiness and arch wit fits comfortably into this 1916-set drama of class, war and Elgar. The Ramsden choral society, led by Roger Allam’s alderman, are in need of a new choirmaster after the last one went off to fight. The controversial choice is Dr Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) – who has lived in Germany, is probably gay and is definitely an atheist. Can the love of great music overcome all differences? Bennett and his go-to director, Nicholas Hytner, keep the comedy light despite the shadows of conflict. Simon Wardell
The Warrior (Asif Kapadia, 2001) 2.20am, Film4
Before he became the feted chronicler of Senna, Amy, Diego, et al, Asif Kapadia made his fiction feature debut with this stylish fable. Irrfan Khan plays the titular muscle for a cruel feudal lord who has a mystical epiphany and renounces violence. This does not go down well with his master and he flees. As is the way with mythical tales, his journey – accompanied by a young thief and an old blind woman – becomes a path to redemption, amid intense closeups and glorious landscapes reminiscent of a spaghetti western or a samurai epic. SW
Live sport
Women’s World T20 Cricket, England v Sri Lanka, 5.30pm, Sky One. The first match at Edgbaston.
Twelve police officers and a police dog were injured during protests on 2 June.
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UK News
Mark Rutte says Nato needs ‘more forces, more resources’ ahead of defence ministers meeting– Europe live | World news
Morning opening: G7 commits to ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’
Jakub Krupa
Despite some early concerns about Donald Trump’s position, the G7 leaders meeting in France have agreed on a statement declaring their “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
The statement, published overnight, says:
“We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasise there is now a new momentum.
To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities.
We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production.”
In a classic Trump-era move, the statement on Ukraine also includes some pointed praise of the US president in a pointed attempt to keep him on side:
“We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as president Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the strait of Hormuz.”
I guess, whatever works, right?
The leaders will continue their talks today discussing economic growth and AI, with the latter session likely to get some attention as they will meet with the bosses of OpenAI and Anthropic.
Later tonight, France’s Emmanuel Macron will host the US president at the Palace of Versailles to mark the 250th anniversary of the US independence. Unusually enthused Trump said last night that it was “a real deal,” and that he was looking forward to it.
Separately, we will hear from Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte this morning ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the alliance’s defence ministers – and less than a month before the much-dreaded Ankara summit, which once again will be all about keeping Trump on side.
Lots to cover today.
It’s Wednesday, 17 June 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
Potential reopening of dialogue with Russia ‘clearly debated among allies,’ Rutte says
Rutte gets asked about potential reopening of channels with Russia, as advocated by some leaders, including Finland’s Alexander Stubb.
He says “clearly it is something debated among allies,” primarily through the EU, but it’s not something that came up at the Nato level so far.
“It’s really a discussion playing out in the EU at the moment, and of course we are following that, and will be supportive wherever we can.”
Rutte gets pressed on his points about Europe taking more responsibility for their own defence, as he gets challenged that this could take away from their support for Ukraine.
The has the two need to go “hand in hand, and everybody realises that.”
Rutte says that the G7 statement on Ukraine today shows that all Nato allies are “completely commited to making sure that Ukraine maintains its position in the fight against Russia, and is able to defend itself.”
He says the US also continues its support in areas that only they can provide, including the air defence Patriot systems, which is paid for by European and Canadian allies.
He says he wants the summit to deliver “an absolute ironclad commitment” to Nato spending pledges from last year, and to Ukraine.
‘We are not naive,’ Rutte says on reports China helps Russia with military training
Rutte also gets asked about China’s apparent help to Russia through training, as recently disclosed by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
He says Nato is “constantly trying to follow exactly what China is doing.”
“We are not naive. We follow everything exactly. I cannot tell you more at this moment, or at least in this open press conference, but you can be assured that we follow every [bit].”
Rutte gets asked about the Czech Republic’s troubles with getting to 2% defence spending under Andrej Babiš.
He says:
“We know each other for many years, and I know that the Czech Republic is as committed as everyone to what we decided in The Hague.
Czechia did not reach the 2% last year, but I know that the Czech government is working very hard to make sure that when it comes to a credible trajectory, it will be there.”
Rutte says he expects Zelenskyy to have a full programme of meetings at Nato’s summit in Ankara next month, but notably “no sit down with all the 32 leaders.”
Rutte gets asked about what Ukraine is likely to get from the Nato summit next month.
He says there were already some positive statement coming out of the G7 in France.
He says Nato will “focus particularly, of course, on what Ukraine needs to maintain the fight,” including the flow of military equipment, including the US interceptors for the Patriot system.
He says the focus will be on “making sure the money is there.”
“I’m pretty confident that collectively we’ll make sure you have what you need as far as Europeans and Americans can help to defend yourself,” he says.
Rutte gets pushed further about the question on timeline, which he completely avoided answering at the first time of asking.
He gives a muddled answer, saying it’s impossible to answer this question.
“It’s not that you can answer that question with a yes or no. It’s clear that US has adjusted its commitment to the Nato force model, but it’s in technical terms, it is not a yes or no.”
Rutte gets asked about spending commitments, and some countries that appear to be dragging their feet.
He says that overall, the increases are “really staggering,” with many countries “really ramping up” their spending.
Rutte also gets asked about the potential Nato/European assistance in the strait of Hormuz.
He says it comes outside the Nato framework, but it is clear that France and the UK are coordinating on this, and it was discussed at the G7 summit in France.
“Whether Nato will play a role there, yes or no… if helpful, of course we will play a role, but if they can do it without us, also okay; we are always ready to help if so wanted.”
Let’s say journalists are somewhat suspicious of the positive spin Rutte is putting on the changes to the Nato Force Model.
He gets asked about them further.
He stays on message:
“We have already seen that, as the United States has adjusted its pledge contributions, other allies have stepped up to contribute more, in some cases completely, in some cases nearly, but there are also areas that require more work, but the overall picture is looking good.”
Keir Starmer says Labour should focus on a subsequent Manchester mayoral race if Andy Burnham wins in Makerfield.
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