hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. thank you forjoining us. we start with reports of new military action on the houthi movement in yemen. those strikes come a day after the us and uk led coalition attacks on locations across yemen. us officials say it's part of an effort to degrade the houthis�* ability to strike red sea shipping. president biden responded to reporters at a coffee shop in pennsylvania, where he gave his first on—camera statement about the strikes, calling the houthis "terrorists" and warning against more aggression in the red sea. inaudible. no, iran does not want a war with us. inaudible. i think they are. were the strikes successful last night, sir? yes. very — i don't think there's any civilian casualties — that's another reason

why it's a success. now, us officials sayjust under 30 sites were targeted, including in yemen's capital city sana'a. the us— and uk—led strikes focused on what the us calls command and control centres, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defence radar systems. houthi leaders said five people were killed. the pentagon says the houthis responded with an anti—ship ballistic missile but it didn't cause any damage. the houthis have warned of more retaliation. the strikes were in response to houthi attacks on ships in the red sea, which the houthis say is in response to israel's attacks in gaza. fighters have been targeting ships with armed drones and missiles and boarding them. the us says it's prompted thousands of ships to avoid the red sea, opting for costlier, longerjourneys. before the reports of further strikes on yemen, i spoke with department of defense press secretary major general patrick ryder about the threat of a widening regional conflict. major general, the houthis

have now retaliated. they have lodged an anti—ship ballistic missile. what exactly — impact has that had so far? well, what we know right now is that they have launched a single missile. the initial reports that we'ver received are that it has struck anything — in other words, it's landed in the water. we'll continue to monitor. it's important to understand the context. as you know last night, the us and the uk, with support from australia, bahrain, canada and the netherlands, conducted strikes in houthi—controlled areas of yemen to degrade and disrupt the houthis' ability the attacks we've seen since november. considering the size and the scope of the attack and some of the rhetoric we've

seen coming out of the houthis, it is probably likely that we'll see these kind of activities but it's certainly our hope that they will receive the message loud and clear that these kind of illegal, reckless attacks are unacceptable and the international community sent a very clear message last night. so, you're saying you've sent these messages with the strikes. they were intended to degrade the capability of the houthis. but they have now retaliated. so, was this a success? i think the scope and scale is important. so, one missile doesn't really constitute a significant retaliatory action. so, i don't know that i would necessarily describe that as retaliatory or whether what we're seeing here is an effort on part of the houthis to say hey, we're still standing. i think the houthis are right now evaluating what capabilities they have. they have a hard decision in front of them, right?

whether or not they want to continue to feel the condemnation and the results and the response from the international community. at the end of the day, our focus here is on ensuring the red sea, this vital waterway, is safe and secure for international shipping and the lives of mariners. that's what we will focus on. are you confident that is the safe now, that this route is not set —— now saved? it's probably too soon to tell. we've heard the rhetoric since november. we will continue to work both through operation prosperity guardian and our partners around the world to ensure mariners can make it through the red sea waterways safely. and most importantly, the houthis need to stop these attacks. so, we will continue to stay focused on that end. you mentioned some allies

in the region are concerned about a wider conflict. ius the us already caught up in such a conflict? —— is the us already caught up in such a conflict? it's important to separate the different parts here. when hamas attacked israel on october the seventh, shortly after that, the us sent additional capabilities in the region, in support of our regional deterrence efforts. so, those capabilities provide us with additional assets to respond to a wide range of contingencies. what we're seeing near yemen, in the red sea, is the houthi rebels attempting to exploit this situation. but ultimately, at the end of the day, affecting over 50 nations that are sending commercial shipping through this waterway and so, we absolutely do not want to see an extension

of the works in gaza and we'll continue to work hard on that, but at the same time, we can't allow the houthis to continue these attacks, putting innocent mariners' lives at risk. the houthis have said they want to see the war on gaza end, so should the us and its allies, its interational partners be putting pressure on israel to wind down its operation to make sure there isn't a larger conflict? well, again, what you see here is the houthis attempting to exploit the situation in gaza towards their own ends. we, the united states, will continue to stand by israel and support its inherent right of self—defence. as you know, as a close partner to israel, we have been consulting with them regularly to learn more about how they conduct their operations and making very clear expectations in terms of taking civilian safety and humanitarian assistance into account and so, we'll continue to do that, but at the same time, it's important to understand that the houthis are doing here is, in fact, attacking the international community. again, as i mentioned, over 50

nations affected by this. it's an international problem. it required international response. and last night, you saw an international response. general, i want to ask about defence secretary austen, who has been hospitalised, as you know, and the president today said he had confidence in his defence secretary. how is he doing and is he still able to carry through his tasks as this operation goes on? absolutely. well, first of all, the secretary's in good condition. he is recovering well and in good spirits. he was very actively engaged throughout this operation, both overseeing and directing it. on tuesday, when the houthis conducted their complex attack in the red sea, the secretary conducted a meeting with the chairman of thejoint chiefs of staff and central commander to monitor the attack. he subsequently has had two meetings with the president and also multiple daily calls with our national security

adviser, with our chairman, and with the central command command commander to look at response and, ultimately, execution options once the president gave the authorisation to conduct these strikes. yesterday, secretary austen was the one who gave the order to the us central command commander to go ahead and execute the strikes and he monitored it real—time from his hospital room with access to full communication suite. and so, he's been very actively involved and continues to monitor the situation. we have to leave it there, major general, but thank you so much forjoining us on bbc news. much for “oining us on bbc news. . ~ , ., much for “oining us on bbc news. . ~ news. thank you, i appreciate it. it's the final day of south africa's landmark case at the international court ofjustice against israel, who's been accused of genocide in gaza in its war against hamas. israel has slammed these allegations, telling judges that the case is distorting the truth. in an emotional testimony, israeli lawyer tal becker, showed images of the 132 israelis still captive in gaza, saying the allegations deny israel its right to defend itself. he argued that the harm

committed in the fight against hamas is quote "not evidence of genocide", claiming it's a misuse of the term. if the term genocide can be so diminished in the way that it advocates, if provisional measures can be triggered in the way that it suggests, the convention becomes an aggressor�*s charter. it will reward — indeed, encourage — the terrorist. south africa is seeking preliminary orders to stop israel's military campaign in gaza where, according to the hamas—run health ministry, more than 23,000 palestinians have died. let's listen back to thursday's closing statement from on of the lawyers representing south africa. the international community continues to fail the palestinian people, despite the overt, dehumanising, genocidal rhetoric by israeli governmental and military officials, matched by the israeli army's actions on the ground. despite the horror of

the genocide against the palestinian people being livestreamed from gaza to our mobile phones, computers and television screens — the first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time in the desperate, so far vain hope, that the world might do something. the un's top legal body has now heard two days of powerful legal arguments from both sides. here's the bbc�*s anna holligan with an update from the hague. in court, israel accused south africa of weaponising the term �*genocide' and trivialising the genocide convention itself in bringing this case to the icj. they invoked memories of the holocaust. it says it was acting in self defence in response to the hamas attacks on the seventh of october, which it said were a calculated mass murder of israelis — the worst since the nazis.

what israel has sought to do is recharacterise some of the evidence presented by south africa on thursday. for example, when south africa talked about the military bombardments. israel said this was part of an effort to remove the threat posed by hamas. while south africa talked about forced displacement, israel said it was acting to try to protect and preserve civilian life. south africa says this is evidence of genocidal intent. israel says it is acting in self—defence, in line with international humanitarian law. both sides had three hours. now, thejudges have to decide how they interpret this evidence. anna holligan reporting. the court is expected to make a ruling on south africa's proposed emergency measures by the end of the month but its final ruling on the charges of genocide will likely take years. it's election day in taiwan.

polls are now open there as voters choose a new president and parliament. let's take a live look at a polling center there. —— let's take a live look at a polling centre there. there appears to be voters now casting their ballots and as we have heard voting has been going for a few hours now. economy and education are key issues. but one sobering issue looms large — how taiwan should address the threat from china. let's go live now to taipei and my colleague steve lai. over to you, steve. thank you. you mentioned _ over to you, steve. thank you. you mentioned the _ over to you, steve. thank you. you mentioned the looming - you mentioned the looming threat from china, it's been the focus of what i want to talk about today and i'm joined by celia hatton, the bbc regional editor to get your thoughts, celia, about these elections today. china's view on this election? how would you sum it up?

on this election? how would you sum it up?— on this election? how would you sum it up?— sum it up? china are unhappy the elections _ sum it up? china are unhappy the elections are _ sum it up? china are unhappy the elections are taking - sum it up? china are unhappy the elections are taking place j the elections are taking place at alt — the elections are taking place at all. they view the government on this island of taiwan— government on this island of taiwan as _ government on this island of taiwan as being illegitimate because they believe this territory belongs to beijing but when it comes to the election_ but when it comes to the election itself, beijing does have — election itself, beijing does have an _ election itself, beijing does have an automatic winner. they would _ have an automatic winner. they would hope that the kmt nationalist party will be the ones — nationalist party will be the ones to— nationalist party will be the ones to take the presidency and the parliament. that's because the parliament. that's because the kmt— the parliament. that's because the kmt typically has a more pro—china stance. i advocate more — pro—china stance. i advocate more dialogue and they accept that one — more dialogue and they accept that one china policy, this idea — that one china policy, this idea that taiwan is a part of china — idea that taiwan is a part of china 50 _ idea that taiwan is a part of china. so china has a preferred winner— china. so china has a preferred winner and _ china. so china has a preferred winner and they are really hoping _ winner and they are really hoping that the current ruling party— hoping that the current ruling party does not get an unprecedented third term. the rulina unprecedented third term. the ruling party — unprecedented third term. tie: ruling party the democratic progressive party has ruled as you mentioned, for the last eight years. unprecedented if they were to win again and we will have to see how it plays out later today. will have to see how it plays out latertoday. how will have to see how it plays out later today. how is the china taiwan relationship evolving than under president xijinping? it’s evolving than under president xi liming?— xijinping? it's been interesting, - xijinping? it's been interesting, so - xi jinping? it's been| interesting, so much xi jinping? it's been - interesting, so much effort going — interesting, so much effort going into watching what xi

jinping _ going into watching what xi jinping says about taiwan to try to — jinping says about taiwan to try to understand his true intentions when it comes to taiwan _ intentions when it comes to taiwan. does xi jinping want to invade — taiwan. does xi jinping want to invade taiwan? if we look back, some _ invade taiwan? if we look back, some of— invade taiwan? if we look back, some of the early comments he made _ some of the early comments he made when he first came to power. _ made when he first came to power, he said quite early on in his— power, he said quite early on in his tenure that he thought that— in his tenure that he thought that the _ in his tenure that he thought that the taiwan problem wasn't an issue — that the taiwan problem wasn't an issue that should be passed down _ an issue that should be passed down through generations, though— down through generations, though some people took it to mean — though some people took it to mean he — though some people took it to mean he would want to deal with taiwan— mean he would want to deal with taiwan very, very quickly. maybe _ taiwan very, very quickly. maybe he had an appetite to invade _ maybe he had an appetite to invade. we certainly have seen heightened military exercises during — heightened military exercises during his time. he does not seem — during his time. he does not seem to _ during his time. he does not seem to be shying away from confrontation. on the other hand. — confrontation. on the other hand, the chinese economy is not doing _ hand, the chinese economy is not doing very well and sanctions badging and placed on taiwan— sanctions badging and placed on taiwan have been carefully placed, _ taiwan have been carefully placed, on local products, nothing _ placed, on local products, nothing that would hurt china as a _ nothing that would hurt china as a whole and some people think— as a whole and some people think maybe his appetite for conflict, _ think maybe his appetite for conflict, for really hurting the — conflict, for really hurting the chinese economy, just is

not very— the chinese economy, just is not very high. it the chinese economy, 'ust is not very night the chinese economy, 'ust is not very regret not very high. it is not 'ust china that i not very high. it is not 'ust china that has i not very high. it is not 'ust china that has an i not very high. it is notjust china that has an interest | not very high. it is notjust. china that has an interest in taiwan, the us and regional players as well.— taiwan, the us and regional players as well. this election is beinv players as well. this election is being watched _ players as well. this election is being watched so - players as well. this election is being watched so carefully| is being watched so carefully in many _ is being watched so carefully in many countries, countries like — in many countries, countries like japan, _ in many countries, countries like japan, south korea, australia, very close us allies. _ australia, very close us allies, they have always signalled the intent to support taiwan~ — signalled the intent to support taiwan. 0f signalled the intent to support taiwan. of course, taiwan is an important — taiwan. of course, taiwan is an important democracy in the region. _ important democracy in the region. it _ important democracy in the region, it is a young democracy and the — region, it is a young democracy and the world is only chinese speaking _ and the world is only chinese speaking democracies. they want to really— speaking democracies. they want to really support the elections here~ — to really support the elections here. but frankly, this is an election— here. but frankly, this is an election that taiwan is a country. _ election that taiwan is a country, a place, is being closely— country, a place, is being closely watched because of its semiconductor industry. it makes _ semiconductor industry. it makes many of the chips we use in cars. — makes many of the chips we use in cars, medical equipment, in our phones— in cars, medical equipment, in our phones serena the future of taiwan, — our phones serena the future of taiwan, its— our phones serena the future of taiwan, its semiconductor industry. _ taiwan, its semiconductor industry, it is very important and — industry, it is very important and that— industry, it is very important and that is—

industry, it is very important and that is why the outcome of this election is very important.- this election is very im-ortant. . , , this election is very im-ortant. , , ., this election is very im-ortant. . , , ., ., important. and because of all the interest _ important. and because of all the interest from _ important. and because of all the interest from the - important. and because of all the interest from the us, - the interest from the us, china, that means having a vested interest does not mean they sit on the sidelines and watch where the chips fall, they keep playing an active role, perhaps nudging a different outcome. how would you explain what china is doing on that front, trying to get the desired outcome? 50 on that front, trying to get the desired outcome? so many thins. the desired outcome? so many things- the _ the desired outcome? so many things. the military _ the desired outcome? so many things. the military exercises, | things. the military exercises, incursions _ things. the military exercises, incursions into the sky, a lot of activity— incursions into the sky, a lot of activity in the taiwan strait. _ of activity in the taiwan strait, balloons floating over taiwan, concerned that these were — taiwan, concerned that these were spy— taiwan, concerned that these were spy balloons but confirmed to be _ were spy balloons but confirmed to be where the surveillance balloons _ to be where the surveillance balloons but no mistake they were — balloons but no mistake they were let _ balloons but no mistake they were let loose over taiwan. we have _ were let loose over taiwan. we have also — were let loose over taiwan. we have also seen cultural pressures as well. a rock band, mayday, — pressures as well. a rock band, mayday, being accused of lip syncing — mayday, being accused of lip syncing in china, and that is against _ syncing in china, and that is against the law and later it

turns — against the law and later it turns out they were under pressure _ turns out they were under pressure to try to reaffirm beijing's principles towards taiwan— beijing's principles towards taiwan and apparently they had been _ taiwan and apparently they had been resisting those pressures. beijing — been resisting those pressures. beijing has kind of really influence this election on all fronts — influence this election on all fronts and that is something people — fronts and that is something people in taiwan are very conscious of. a lot of talking about — conscious of. a lot of talking about how beijing is trying to swing — about how beijing is trying to swing the election. 30 about how beijing is trying to swing the election.— about how beijing is trying to swing the election. so much at stake not _ swing the election. so much at stake not just _ swing the election. so much at stake not just for _ swing the election. so much at stake not just for the - swing the election. so much at stake notjust for the people . stake notjust for the people of taiwan the broader regional and international places well. we will keep a close eye on it. and it is back to you. thank you so much and are really interesting analysis. the us says it will send a team of senior officials to ecuador to help its government fight the criminal gangs that carried out waves of deadly violence this week. more than 22,000 ecuadorean troops are carrying out a massive crackdown on the violence that followed after one of the country's biggest narco kingpins escaped from prison. today, authorities confirmed that another top gang boss, fabricio colon pico,

also escaped. prison gang members are stil holding nearly 200 guards hostages at jails across the country. daniel noboa says the criminals are terrorists, and that ecuador is at war with them. but is it a war he can win? our correspondent, will grant, sat down with the president at the end of a devastating week for his country it has been the hardest week in ecuador�*s modern history. reminiscent of the darkest years turning this peaceful nation into a battlefield. i spoke to daniel noboa, ecuador�*s youngest ever president, only power since november and now with the daunting task of restoring peace. t daunting task of restoring reace. ., , , ., peace. i did not sign up to this thinking _ peace. i did not sign up to this thinking it _ peace. i did not sign up to this thinking it was - peace. i did not sign up to this thinking it was going l peace. i did not sign up to | this thinking it was going to be easy. we cannot continue this game that these groups, these terrorist groups are trying to establish but now we're starting to see change.

washington has announced it is sending a military diplomatic team to ecuador to support the government. critics see us imperialism played but not the it is encouraging to see the international community actually paying attention to what is going on here because i think it affects the whole world. ., . ., think it affects the whole world. ., ., , , world. the narco terrorists that operate _ world. the narco terrorists that operate here - world. the narco terrorists that operate here have - that operate here have operations in europe, the us, and i think that we need to solve the problem from the roots and the root of the problem is here. unverified video purportedly _ problem is here. unverified video purportedly shows . problem is here. unverified i video purportedly shows some problem is here. unverified - video purportedly shows some of the 180 prison officers still being held hostages by the gangsters of the government says it is fake. families are growing desperate. irate says it is fake. families are growing desperate.- growing desperate. we are in constant communication - growing desperate. we are in - constant communication with the armed forces and with the police. we have established security protocols and we're going to do everything in our

power to bring those people home. in power to bring those people home. . ., home. in part, the chaos in ecuador — home. in part, the chaos in ecuador was sparked when | home. in part, the chaos in| ecuador was sparked when a gang leader known as fito escaped from prison. iasked leader known as fito escaped from prison. i asked the president where he was? irate from prison. i asked the president where he was? we are lookin: president where he was? we are looking for— president where he was? we are looking for him. _ president where he was? we are looking for him. right _ president where he was? we are looking for him. right now- president where he was? we are looking for him. right now we i looking for him. right now we have a few leads. we talked with the armed forces also with international cooperation and we are working on it. it is we are working on it. it is ecuador _ we are working on it. it is ecuador a _ we are working on it. it is ecuador a narco - we are working on it. it is ecuador a narco state? i we are working on it. it is| ecuador a narco state? we we are working on it. it is - ecuador a narco state? we are fivvhtin ecuador a narco state? we are fighting every _ ecuador a narco state? we are fighting every day _ ecuador a narco state? we are fighting every day so - ecuador a narco state? we are fighting every day so that - ecuador a narco state? we are fighting every day so that it. fighting every day so that it does not become a narco state. i do believe that we can win and i will never stop fighting until we went.— and i will never stop fighting until we went. the president ma be until we went. the president may be confident _ until we went. the president may be confident ecuador i until we went. the president may be confident ecuador is| until we went. the president i may be confident ecuador is not yet a narco state but with troops on the street remains in a of war. will grant, bbc news. let's turn to some important news around the world. united airlines has announced its cancelling all boeing 737 max 9 flights untiljanuary 16th. this news comes as the us aviation regulator steps up inspections and oversight.

it's almost a week since part of the fuselage broke off an alaska airlines 737 max 9, minutes after take off. the sub—saharan african nation of cape verde has been declared malaria—free for the first time in 50 years, according to the world health organization. the island hasn't reported any local transmission of the disease in three years. malaria is a huge killer on the continent, killing more than 580,000 people in africa in 2022. floods have caused chaos in the democratic republic of the congo, with the river congo reaching its highest level in six decades. water has poured into homes and residents navigate submerged roads in the capital city of kinshasa. many of the small rivers and streams in the city have now overflown. officials report more than 300 people have died in floods over the past months. us federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a white supremacist who killed 10 black people in a mass shooting at a new york supermarket in 2022, according to court filings. the gunman is already serving a life sentence in prison, after pleading guilty to murder and hate—motivated domestic terrorism. this is the first time

thejustice department has authorised a new pursuit of the death penalty under the biden administration. presidential campaigners and the us media are descending on iowa for the start of the 2024 primary season, but blizzards and bone—chilling temperatures are making the last few days of campaigning difficult. the national weather service estimates the coldest caucus night in modern history, with monday's high temperature expected to be —3 degrees fahrenheit or 49.4 degrees celsius. the unrelenting weather forced some candidates to cancel in—person events, and is stoking worries that the cold might depress caucus goers from turning out. this was the scene in iowa's capital city of des moines on friday morning. a blizzard blanketed the city in nearly a foot of snow, and is forecast to continue into the weekend. our reporter bernd debusmann is in des moines and gave me the latest. how have things been there this

evening? is it getting them. some would still be going on over the weekend as far as we know but they had to adjust

the schedule which is difficult in the last few days when they make a last—minute pitch to voters. it's made it very difficult for the campaign in terms of reaching voters, many of whom don't want to be out here in the wind and snow. scientists say they have made a discovery that challenges our understanding of the universe — a giant ring—shaped structure in space. experts at the university of central lancashire say it's 1.3 billion light—years in diameter and appears to be roughly 15 times the size of the moon in the night sky, as seen from earth. named the big ring by the astronomers, it is made up of galaxies and galaxy clusters. structures that big shouldn't exist, according to one of the guiding principles of astronomy. now some scientists say it's time to reconsider how we think the universe works. before we go, an asiatic black bear, found in an abandoned eastern ukraine zoo, five months after russia's invasion in 2022, gets a new home. the bear, named yampil, arrived at his new permanent home in scotland on friday, at a zoo near edinburgh.

it's previously re—homed bears from traveling circuses. yampil was named after the village in the donetsk region where he was found, one of only a few of the 200 animals at the zoo to survive. before arriving in scotland, he'd been cared for by a belgian charity. thank you for watching bbc hello there. a few wintry scenes captured by our weather watchers on friday across parts of scotland, such as here in perth and kinross. but the severe frost will become a lot more widespread as we go into the start of next week, with the potential for some disruptive snow, too. where is that colder air? well, it's behind this series of weather fronts. across northern scotland on sunday, that chilly airjust spilling down from the arctic as we head through the start of next week across the whole of the uk, with brisk and cold northerly winds blowing.

so, lots of added wind chill to factor into the temperatures. but this is how we start off the day on saturday, with temperatures hovering just above freezing, a few pockets of air frost where we see the clear spells, a week weather front sinking southwards, bringing outbreaks of patchy rain into northern areas of northern ireland, north west england and north wales. to the north of the front across scotland, some winter sunshine, showers by the end of the day in the north ahead of the front across england and wales, variable amounts of cloud, but also some brighter spells, temperatures ranging between 5—8 degrees celsius. and it's more of the same, too, on saturday night into sunday morning. there will be some clear skies around at times. we'll start to see the northerly wind pick up, brisk across the northern isles with some snow showers for the north of scotland. but again, to start the day on sunday, most of our temperatures will be slightly above freezing. but then that colder air really starts to show its hand with some snow showers even to low levels across northern scotland, with this feature just running down towards the north, further south as we head throughout the day. but we've still got the milder

air with some winter sunshine across england and wales, 7—8 degrees celsius here. but on sunday night into monday, there is the risk of some snow and ice, with weather warnings in place across northern ireland and the north of scotland. that wind starts to really pick up — look at the squeeze on the isobars on monday into tuesday — so wintry showers towards north sea—facing coasts with this feature running across northern ireland into southern scotland and perhaps northern england. so, here, the snow risk will extend further southwards through the day on tuesday. and then we look to the south—west to see this weather frontjust moving its way further northwards. there is the possibility that as it bumps into the colder air, we could possibly see some snow across the south of england on wednesday, but it's still very uncertain, so my advice would be to keep an eye on the forecast. it will certainly be cold. there is the greater risk of some snow with some severe frosts by night.

voice—over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. i've been invited to the home of one of our best—loved actors, a star of stage and screen for nearly seven decades, and a multiple bafta— and oscar—winner. damejudi dench has spent her career bringing to life a hugely diverse array of characters. i think you're a sexist, misogynist dinosaur.

oops! indistinct chatter the glamour! they laugh just behind us stands her academy award for a scene—stealing performance as elizabeth i injohn madden's shakespeare in love. i know something of a woman in a man's profession. yes, by god, i do know about that. but her love for shakespeare began when she was a girl and led to her becoming one of the nation's greatest classical actors, a star of the national theatre, the old vic and the rsc. damned spot! out, i say! today i'm going to be hearing how shakespeare, or, asjudi calls him in the title of her new book, "the man who pays the rent", has remained centre—stage throughout her life. and the sun comes out... and the sun comes out. that's good.