live from london. this is bbc news. screaming more than a hundred people die in iran in two explosions near the grave of a top revolutionary guards commander. the united nations peacekeeping mission in lebanon says it is deeply concerned about rising tensions — following the killing of a senior hamas figure. and junior doctors in england begin the longest strike in the health service's history, in a six—day walk—out over pay. hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan, welcome to verified live, 3 hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. more than 100 people have been killed and scores more injured

in two explosions in south—eastern iran, near the grave of a top revolutionary guards commander. state television says the blasts occurred in quick succession in the city of kerman, during a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the killing of qasem soleimani. he was iran's most powerful military commander and was killed in 2020 by a us air strike in iraq. local officials say two bags containing explosives were detonated by remote control at the entrance to the burial site. bbc persian�*s parham gobadi gave me further details of the blast. as you mentioned, this is one of the deadliest attacks in iran in the past a0 years. it has been unprecedented, the number of the death toll is rising every every few minutes, so far. they say that some of those who were injured are in critical conditions and we know at least one medic was among the casualties who was killed, two others, at least, are in critical conditions. they say that after the first

explosion took place, the second, when medics and people rushed to the scene, the second explosion took place after ten minutes. what we don't know is that if all these people were killed because of the, as a result of the explosion or some of them were killed because of the stampede. and the reason i am saying that is because four years ago... this happened during a ceremony commemorating, marking the fourth anniversary of qasem soleimani's death. he was killed in a us drone strike in iraq in 2020. during his burialfour years ago, 56 people were killed in a stampede, so what we don't know at this stage is those who were killed today, some of them were killed in a stampede, again, because of the chaos and panic at the scene? or no, all of them were killed as a result of the two explosions that took place there? what reaction have we had to this so far? so, iran has considered this as a terrorist act against iran and they said that they would definitely retaliate

to whoever is responsible for this. no group has claimed responsibility for this. iranian media has also rejected the claims by israeli media that a top, iran's revolutionary guard commander was killed. they say no commander was killed during these attacks. following on from the explosion, our colleagues at bbc verify have been analysing the material circulating online, authenticating it and piecing together what was happening on the ground. richard irvine—brown explains to us the process. the martyr�*s cemetery was packed with thousands of people today, many of whom will have filmed what happened around the explosions. there are cameras from members of the public, from state media, from online channels. and when we try to authenticate any video from bbc verify, no matter where it has come from,

we want to know, one, where it was filmed and two, when it was filmed so we can tell what we can tell about the source. the weather has been straightforward today. the cemetery is cradled by a crescent of rocky hills, as well as made up of roads lined with evergreen trees, which we can see in almost all the videos. and if you were to look at any populated area in the world on an online map, one of the first things thatjump out would probably be the roads. there are very few straight lines in nature, and the roads here form two distinctjunctions to enter and exit the park. we can tell from these, there must have been an explosion at jabalia, the western entrance to the park, and at least one at galibegh, the southern entrance to the park. we can tell from the size and the positions of the shadows this must have been filmed around 2pm local time. weather radar for this afternoon shows clear skies over kerman as seen in all these videos. importantly, none of these videos contradict each other, and they lay out the panic and the pain evident among those thousands of people in attendance. i'm joined by doctor matthew levitt — from the washington institute

for near east policy, he is also a former counterterrorism official in the us state department. thank you forjoining us. what is your analysis of what is happening today in iran? i5 your analysis of what is happening today in iran?— your analysis of what is happening today in iran? is very early days to draw any firm _ today in iran? is very early days to draw any firm conclusions - today in iran? is very early days to draw any firm conclusions other i draw any firm conclusions other than the fact that this has been a tragedy which can be condemned by everybody. the fact that this was a terrorist attack targeting a group of mourners is a telling piece here. some people are latching onto the fact the this was a memorial for qasem soleimani on the anniversary of his assassination and may be jumping to the conclusion that maybe this should go into the same basket as a recent assassination of an iris 99 as a recent assassination of an iris eg general in syria or the killing yesterday of a hamas leader in beirut. i think that less likely, the israelis don't have a history of targeting funerals or morning possessions like this, but there are

two groups in iran that have. one is the islamic state based out of afghanistan which has carried out many attacks targeting the persians including attacks targeting mourners and the other is the sunni group which has some believe have some ties to al-qaeda but is a sunni jihadist group which is also targeted iran and in the past targeted iran and in the past targeted morning processions. we should monitor any conclusions yet, no one has claimed responsibility for this. all we know at the moment is that it is an extreme tragedy. what about the timing of this? you are not connecting it to offensive yesterday, but of course many people watching would say, will this is happened the day after a senior hamas official was killed. i think it has a lot _ hamas official was killed. i think it has a lot more _ hamas official was killed. i think it has a lot more to _ hamas official was killed. i think it has a lot more to do with - hamas official was killed. i think it has a lot more to do with the l it has a lot more to do with the fact that by virtue of this being the anniversary of qasem soleimani's that there was a large gathering in groups like the islamic state or the

sunni group would be looking for that. when is there an opportunity for a lot of people gathered in one place that can be killed or injured, groups like the islamic state are looking for those killed and injured potential. the other opportunity is because there's a lot of people there is an opportunity to create something at a big offence, something at a big offence, something well publicised, and to demonstrate a weakness within iran targeting a prominent iranian celebration. the assassination of the saleh al—arouri happened in paper yesterday presumably because thatis paper yesterday presumably because that is when israel is at the opportunity to do so. the most telling thing here is this attack in kerman does not fit any israeli modus operandi of what they have traditionally done. they're looking for a specific individuals, not the large events with lots of people. but there are at least two groups that have a history of doing just

this type of thing in iran. i that have a history of doing 'ust this type of thing in "amt this type of thing in iran. i want to brin: this type of thing in iran. i want to bring you _ this type of thing in iran. i want to bring you something - this type of thing in iran. i want to bring you something that - this type of thing in iran. i want | to bring you something that has this type of thing in iran. i want - to bring you something that hasjust to bring you something that has just come into us. it says iran's ayatollah ali khamenei has promised a harsh response after that blast. what you think that response may be? i don't think it surprises, that the leader of a country that was just hit in a devastating terrorist attack vows a harsh responsible speed. i'm sure they mean it. it is also important for the population to see something like this at a time when the regime is looking weak from the inside because somehow, security lapses allowed this to happen. it is really unclear what this will mean in practice, i think a lot of it depends on who it determines carried out the attacks. in the past, we have not seen tremendous responses when the islamic state is carrying out attacks on iran. maybe the changes now. iran is very involved

in and organising its proxies, looking towards israel and syria and iraq and yemen and obviously palestinian territories and if in fact this turns out to be something else with terrorist groups that have a history of targeting iran in iran, iran will have to divert some of its attention to deal with this threat. thank you forjoining us and for your insight on that story. the un peacekeeping force in lebanon says it is deeply concerned about a potential escalation of violence, following the killing in beirut of a top hamas leader. a spokesperson for unifil, kandice ardiel, said a wider conflict would have devastating consequences for both israel and lebanon, and urged all parties to show restraint. israel said its forces were in a very high state of readiness for any retaliation following the killing of saleh al—arouri. it's not admitted or denied the attack, but hamas has accused it of being responsible. a spokesman for the group

promised retaliation, and said hamas could not negotiate with israel while they committed — what he called — "crimes". live now to the scene this is the undisclosed location and hezbollah�*s hassan and thus our law. he is been exchanged. he has been giving a news conference and has been going on for a couple of hours now. during that, so far he has condemned what he is described as flagrant israeli aggression. we believe that as he continues and go live now. live now to aaron david miller, senior analyst at the carnegie endowment for international peace.

what do you make of the reaction that we have had so far from hezbollah from events of yesterday. it is a lot of words in rhetoric which is not surprising. the question is will it fundamentally alter both iran and hezbollah�*s policy of more or less risk aversion since the october seven hamas terrorist attack against israel. i think that even though the fears of potential escalation have to be taken seriously will stop with respect to a true regional war, i suspect that risk aversion on this may well carry. i do not believe tehran nor macro to norton hezbollah want contrary to other one and escalation. —— nasrallah. it risks

both iranian and has hezbollah�*s assets. it is doing its work for it in gaza and the west bank in the more entrenched fee is really operation of the west bank becomes, the more exponential rise in palestinian casualties at the hand of israelis in gaza, the happier both iran and hezbollah will be. there is the other factor of the us involvement as well. i think the biden administration has been effective in creating measure detergents —— deterrence by deploying strike groups now into the red sea with over 200 strike aircraft. so i had to make a prediction, i think that hezbollah may choose to respond, but it will not be immediate.— may choose to respond, but it will not be immediate. let's talk about the us involvement. _ not be immediate. let's talk about the us involvement. let's - not be immediate. let's talk about the us involvement. let's zoom i not be immediate. let's talk aboutl the us involvement. let's zoom out not be immediate. let's talk about i the us involvement. let's zoom out a bit away from hezbollah and talk about the offensive yesterday. the

killing of a senior hamas official. many fear that this marks an escalation in the ongoing conflicts. what are the conversations and calculations at the biden administration will be having right now, given events of yesterday. given the fact that the administration in 2015 basically declared him a specialist terrorist and then three years later put a $5 million bounty on his head, i think that the administration broadly and to reporting suggests that he was not informed of this in advance but was informed as the operation was actually taking place. i'm not sure there will be many tears shed in washington. there is honestly the fear of course of a regional escalation. but as i mentioned, i think and we will have to wait to see what hassan nasrallah actually says, reading tea leaves of his

speech, as to whether or not hezbollah want to go beyond the accepted rules of the game that they have been more or less been fighting with israel since october seven into a major israel his hezbollah war. i don't think there is the willful intention of iran, hezbollah to create escalation but there he will be watching with worry. mil create escalation but there he will be watching with worry. all science ad'usts be watching with worry. all science adjusts and — be watching with worry. all science adjusts and we _ be watching with worry. all science adjusts and we have _ be watching with worry. all science adjusts and we have heard - be watching with worry. all science adjusts and we have heard from . adjusts and we have heard from israeli officials before a fence yesterday on a similar thread, that this conflict is going to go on for a while. it could go on for the rest of the year. that is something that president biden would not necessarily want.- president biden would not necessarily want. president biden would not necessaril want. ~ . , necessarily want. what the president wants is for the _ necessarily want. what the president wants is for the israelis _ necessarily want. what the president wants is for the israelis to _ wants is for the israelis to fundamentally alter their operational tactics to allow a surge of humanitarian assistance in the return of as many gazans as possible

to their homes, although hard to imagine what these poor people are going to be returning to. i think the administration has already baked into its own cake that the israelis will be operating at some level, not as intensely kinetic, but operating in gaza for months to come. i think 42024 with the american elections in november will probably be the year of gaza. any serious discussion of a broaderframe, two of gaza. any serious discussion of a broader frame, two states, of gaza. any serious discussion of a broaderframe, two states, how of gaza. any serious discussion of a broader frame, two states, how to create a post—conflict gaza which addresses the security and prosperity of its citizens that have been denied those two factors for far too long, that is going to have to await leadership changes in israel, the end of the netanyahu government on one hand and some more

palestinian leadership beyond what mahmoud abbas beyond his term is prepared to take. fin mahmoud abbas beyond his term is prepared to take.— prepared to take. on that point there we did — prepared to take. on that point there we did hear _ prepared to take. on that point there we did hear concerns - prepared to take. on that point| there we did hear concerns from prepared to take. on that point - there we did hear concerns from the us administration at the end of last year towards israel about civilian casualties, we have heard from other countries as well, the uk, germany and france, particularly with the us, how much do you think israel is going to heed any warnings from president biden or antony blinken as the months go on? i president biden or antony blinken as the months go on?— the months go on? i think israelis for their own _ the months go on? i think israelis for their own reasons _ the months go on? i think israelis for their own reasons will - the months go on? i think israelis for their own reasons will in - the months go on? i think israelis for their own reasons will in fact l for their own reasons will in fact undertake a significant course correction in terms of level of their activities. correction in terms of level of theiractivities. but, correction in terms of level of their activities. but, should they persist, i think that the initiation will have to rethink its own policies and consider additional points of leverage that they will be willing to exercise on the israelis in order to make sure that their message is getting through that much

further and in message is getting through that much furtherand in and message is getting through that much further and in and more compelling manner. i think at the same time, it is virtually impossible to do with the israelis want to do against hamas in gaza without causing the deaths of thousands of palestinians. we have already seen this. 22,000 palestinians are dead. and if you factor in that that may include as many as 8000 hamas fighters, it is an appalling, staggering on these people. so the administration is looking by the end of january, people. so the administration is looking by the end ofjanuary, only three weeks away, to a different sort of operational tempo which would minimise palestinian deaths, if not lower them dramatically and on the other hand, allow a predictable environment so that humanitarian assistance, water, food, medicine, fuel, can be surged

into gaza to alleviate pain—and—suffering. most of gaza 2.3 million people. pain-and-suffering. most of gaza 2.3 million people-— million people. let's see what the next few weeks _ million people. let's see what the next few weeks bring _ million people. let's see what the next few weeks bring us _ million people. let's see what the | next few weeks bring us especially in the wake of events yesterday. thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and analysis. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a 15—year—old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murdering teenager harry pitman, who was fatally stabbed in north london on new year's eve. harry, who was 16 and from haringey, was attacked in primrose hill shortly before midnight on sunday. the metropolitan police said 18—year—old man was also arrested on suspicion of affray. the government says pupils at english schools that have been partially closed because of dangerous concrete will not get extra help in their exams. since september, some students have not been able to access design and technology work rooms, laboratories and other specialist spaces, because of crumbling concrete, known as raac. school leaders have called for special consideration.

new research suggests that supermarkets experienced their busiest christmas period since 2019. the research firm kantar said customers made 400 and 88 million trips to the supermarket in the four weeks to christmas eve, with nearly £14 billion passing through the tills. kantar said promotions and offers were behind the boost. you're live with bbc news. the head of the international chamber of shipping has told the bbc that consumers were likely to see a rise in the price of goods within weeks because of the cost of re—routing vessels away from the red sea, due to ongoing tensions in the middle east. guy platten said about 20% of the container fleet was being diverted around southern africa to avoid the risk of attack by houthi rebels in yemen. he said the longerjourney added up to 14 extra days to a ship's voyage and that shipping costs had already increased as a result.

live now to alicia kearns, conservative mp and chair of the foreign affairs select committeegiven that the conflict seems to be escalating across the region, surely the uk now of the foreign affairs select committee. we heard from the un peacekeeping mission in lebanon it is concerned about rising tensions following the killing of a senior hamas figure, how concerned are you? this killing of a senior hamas figure, how concerned are you?- killing of a senior hamas figure, how concerned are you? this is a redline that _ how concerned are you? this is a redline that has _ how concerned are you? this is a redline that has been _ how concerned are you? this is a redline that has been crossed - how concerned are you? this is a i redline that has been crossed from hezbollah's perspective so back in november nasrallah who is currently giving his speech said that there should be no killings of hezbollah orany should be no killings of hezbollah or any what they call revolutionary leaders on lebanese soil. that has now taken place. they've already given a statement saying they will be repercussions. of course we all hope that there will not be and that this is frederick and that not action. i think we cannot under price or underestimate how willing they are to be patient and take their time. they are to be patient and take their time-—

they are to be patient and take their time. ~ ., ,, , , their time. where do you see things now in terms _ their time. where do you see things now in terms of— their time. where do you see things now in terms of fears _ their time. where do you see things now in terms of fears of _ their time. where do you see things now in terms of fears of an - now in terms of fears of an escalation and what do you think the uk government's course of action can be. at the end of last year he said that israel had gone beyond self—defense and lost moral authority, do you think that the prime minister is going far enough in saying the same? this prime minister is going far enough in saying the same?— in saying the same? this air strike is entirelyjustified, _ in saying the same? this air strike is entirelyjustified, it _ in saying the same? this air strike is entirely justified, it was - is entirelyjustified, it was against a hamas leader and was precise. it demonstrated how precise its israel can be when it chooses to be in its actions. we now have to see whether purge mac or hezbollah's coalitions have changed and what they choose to do but hezbollah is better armed and more hardened and have more resources available to them and the individual killed, saleh al—arouri was seen as the key link between iran, hamas and hezbollah so it is a serious escalation but we have to see what iran and hezbollah to do. since this time last year i have been warning when i gave a speech saying we would

see the gaza crisis of 23. situation has only gotten more serious since then and we need a steadfast focus on the middle east.— on the middle east. given that we are now looking _ on the middle east. given that we are now looking at _ on the middle east. given that we are now looking at more - on the middle east. given that we are now looking at more than - on the middle east. given that we - are now looking at more than 22,000 casualties in gaza according to the hamas run health ministry there, is now the time for the uk government to call for a cease—fire? the now the time for the uk government to call for a cease-fire?— to call for a cease-fire? the uk should be _ to call for a cease-fire? the uk should be doing _ to call for a cease-fire? the uk should be doing absolutely - should be doing absolutely everything it can to end the suffering. the priority should be the creation of a palestinian contact group. something that is led ljy contact group. something that is led by arab nations that brings together all of those countries and organisations like the eu with a key interest. we need to start track be political talks bringing together women, civilsocieties, political talks bringing together women, civil societies, student groups who can start the work towards peace. but i don't see in all of the international efforts as all of the international efforts as a focus on how we get to a sustainable peace. how we get to a political solution. sustainable peace. how we get to a politicalsolution. how sustainable peace. how we get to a political solution. how we get to a situation where we do not see the future gaza crisis. t0 situation where we do not see the future gaza crisis.— future gaza crisis. to ask that question. _ future gaza crisis. to ask that question. do _ future gaza crisis. to ask that question, do you _ future gaza crisis. to ask that question, do you think- future gaza crisis. to ask that question, do you think now i future gaza crisis. to ask that question, do you think now isj future gaza crisis. to ask that - question, do you think now is the time for the british government to call for a cease—fire? i

time for the british government to call for a cease-fire?— call for a cease-fire? i think it is time for a _ call for a cease-fire? i think it is time for a truce _ call for a cease-fire? i think it is time for a truce and that - call for a cease-fire? i think it is time for a truce and that is - call for a cease-fire? i think it is| time for a truce and that is what i have been calling for. i have worked with peace talks in the syria peace talks, i do not believe it is feasible to get a cease—fire at this time. since october seven i have called for a truce. it uses something that is technical and be achieved and put in place. once you have multiple truces, you can get to a cease—fire. as his far as what we should work towards, but actually more the political solution. so i'm less interested in words but a truce is what is feasible at this time post a truce has been achieved before in a truce will lead to a cease—fire that then leads to a political settlement. a lack of mean uncle —— meaningfulfocus on how we get to a long—term political settlement is the problem here. briefly, the defence secretary grant shapps a set british forces are ready to act against houthi rebels which target cargo ships in the red sea, when is the time for that action? ., sea, when is the time for that action? . , ,., , sea, when is the time for that action? . , , ., action? that will be based on the intelligence _ action? that will be based on the intelligence but _ action? that will be based on the intelligence but 3096 _ action? that will be based on the intelligence but 3096 of _ action? that will be based on the intelligence but 3096 of the - action? that will be based on the | intelligence but 3096 of the worlds intelligence but 30% of the worlds shipping those who that water, this is actually fundamental stretch of

water. the houthis are a group who are not under complete control of iran as some people wish to say and there is a real and meaningful risk to that street of water. we have a duty and i'm glad we arejoining with the us in that working group but we should be very concerned about everything that happens within that stretch of water and beyond. thank you very much. let's go straight to our security correspondent frank garnerjoining us in the studio. what is your take on what has happened today quote? let's try and put all of this in specific tip because it is probably really confusing for anyone who is hypothetically broken up in the last 15 minutes and thinking, cranky, what does this all mean because you have for potential flashpoints now will stop taking off in different parts of the middle east. the most recent being these two unexplained explosions in iran in the city of kerman in the south which killed over 100 people at the tomb, the shrine of qasem soleimani who was

the iranian codes revolutionary commander leader and a lot of people will be saying is that israel? it is not in their interest to do so. iran has about retaliation against whoever who has done and it could have been some internal terrorist group within iran, a separatist group, who knows. but it is unlikely i think you have been israel. then have the targeted assassination of saleh al—arouri yesterday in southern beirut. again, israel not taking responsibility, but everyone thinks it was israel. if you look at the tactics and techniques here, this was a highly targeted assassination, whoever it was that did it, we did for that to be purely hamas figures in that room where the drone strike hit it. with a missile. no hezbollah, no civilians, just purely hamas. may well, if you were israel may turn out to be counterproductive because it was involved in mediation talks and then you have yemen and gaza. irate

involved in mediation talks and then you have yemen and gaza.— you have yemen and gaza. we will 'ust take you have yemen and gaza. we will just take a — you have yemen and gaza. we will just take a bite _ you have yemen and gaza. we will just take a bite to _ you have yemen and gaza. we will just take a bite to our _ you have yemen and gaza. we will just take a bite to our viewers - just take a bite to our viewers watching us around the world. you are watching bbc news. if you're with us in the uk, frank remains with us in the uk, frank remains with me. so, that was the situation in iran today. let's talk about the offence of yesterday. the killing of a senior hamas official in beirut. there are fears that that could lead to a wider escalation of the ongoing conflict, what is your take on that? the biggest risk i think is if you look at the location of where it happened which was beirut, the biggest risk is that hezbollah joins in the fight with alongside hamas and other words, escalates it more. it is a low level also going on at the moment on the is really lebanon border in and probably is not the low level if you are in close proximity for some 80,000 israelis had had to be evacuated from their side of the border. lebanese are getting caught in the conflict as well. but it is relatively contained at the moment. today is the third

speech by hassan nasrallah, the leader of hezbollah in which everyone is watching it closely, the third speech since the october the 7th attacks, is he going to declare war on israel, very unlikely because yes, hezbollah has a huge arsenal of rockets, missiles and drones that they could they lose israeli cities with and temporarily they could quite possibly overwhelm some of their air defences. quite possibly overwhelm some of theirair defences. so quite possibly overwhelm some of their air defences. so it is not a threat to be taken lightly by israel, but hezbollah knows that the response by israel would be cataclysmic. it would devastate southern lebanon and quite possibly large parts of beirut. it would probably dwarf what happened in 2006 lebanon war plessis of the us fleet offshore on the israeli side, that would join in, quite possibly. so, offshore on the israeli side, that wouldjoin in, quite possibly. so, i think everyone is trying to contain that and you have the lebanese government, the legitimate lebanese government, the legitimate lebanese government baking hezbollah, please do not retaliate. do not escalate

further. and i think we may not see any escalation, necessarily from that. but nevertheless, it raises tensions and this particular guy, 58—year—old, saleh al—arouri, was a key link between hezbollah and hamas and in some cases iran and so you can understand, militarily, white israel will target it. it may be counterproductive because he would have been instrumental in negotiating or advising on negotiations and any hostage releases. let's not forget, the gazan war continues, thousands postings have been killed, over 120 israeli hostages are still being held there, probably internals underground. things like this make it much tougher to get them out. frank gardner, our security correspondent thank you for taking our viewers through all of those developments. let's take a quick look at the weather with beverage.

not helping the ongoing flooding situation check the latest flood warnings on our website. or on your peeps the local radio station. there is some more rain to come as we had through tonight, still some showers around, but some clearer spells of starting to spread from the south west as the night wears on. temperatures will drop away down to around three, four factories and quite a few spots, one or two places could get quite close to freezing. so we head into thursday with low pressure still in charge to the north, that will bring some sours and this little weather system here threatening to bring more unwanted rain into seven parts of the uk. so across northern england from northern ireland and scotland some bits and pieces of showery rain and windy in the northern isles, some sunshine across north wales and parts of northern england in the north midlands through the afternoon, but to the south of that, cloud gathering and here comes our next area of rain. this is going to deal a glancing blow, but it will

slide along the southern counties of england perhaps getting into south—east wheels and moving up across the london area and into east anglia through thursday evening. this ring following on saturated ground so it could well cause further flooding ground so it could well cause furtherflooding issues. it may ground so it could well cause further flooding issues. it may turn windy for a time down towards the south as well. that weather system swirling its way off into the near continent on friday. still some showery rain across each and scotland in eastern england, sunshine and showers out towards the west. temperatures a little bit lower but the stage, 6—9 c. then as we head into the weekend, low pressure will at long last use in its grip. high pressure will be building across the uk. still, possibly one or two showers but a lot more in the way of dry weather. i am sure that will be good news for the many. however, we will also start to introduce some colder air. saturday looks to be a little bit like this. still some areas of quite a few bits and pieces of showery rain around. properspeaking, a few bits and pieces of showery rain around. proper speaking, those turned drier, brighter, some spots

of centring once and the early morning