fujitsu has apologised. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. welcome to verified live — three hours of breaking the united states says it's seized advanced iranian weapons that were being transported to houthi rebels in yemen. the operation took place five days ago. the material found onboard a sailboat included components for ballistic and cruise missiles — among them, warheads and guidance systems. parts for air defence equipment were also seized. the us military said initial analysis indicated the houthis had been using the same kinds of weapons in attacks against commercial shipping in the red sea. it added the seizure showed how iran continued to violate un resolutions, and sow instability throughout the region. maritime agencies say there's been another missile attack on a cargo ship off the coast of yemen. a maltese—flagged vessel is said

to have suffered minor damage. let's start by hearing from the us national security adviserjake sullivan, who called on all countries to join together to stop the houthis from what he said was hijacking the world. he was in speaking in the last few minutes. we speaking in the last few minutes. - anticipated the houthis would try to hold this at risk, and we continue to reserve the right to take further action. but this needs to be an all hands on deck effort. this comes down notjust do the decisions of the countries that took strikes last week, but the broad set of countries, including those with influence in tehran and other capitals in the middle east, making this a priority to indicate the rejection of wholesale that a group

like the houthis can hijack the world as they are doing. the us has struck and destroyed four missiles that were a prepared to launch from houthi —controlled territory in yemen. barbara slavin is a distinguished fellow at the stimson center in washington and a lecturer in international affairs at george washington university. i asked her whether western governments know how many weapons iran is sending to houthis. we don't know the exact amounts, but i understand why the us and britain felt obliged to attack yemen. i personally think it is rather pointless, because the houthis retain an ability and now have a new motivation to attack shipping in the region. the origin of this crisis is in israel, gaza, and that is where the solution needs to come. the reason the houthis are carrying out these attacks is because of what israel is doing

in gaza, primarily. so i think the attention is better spent on convincing the israelis that the time has come to wind down this offensive in gaza, and also to be very, very careful not to expand the war into lebanon. prime minister only yesterday, in the houses of parliament, was absolutely their narrative is this is not linked to the war in gaza, in fact, there was barely a reference to that in the prime a reference to that in the prime minister's statement yesterday. it was all about the threats to global shipping, and they totally discount what you have just described. how problematic is that, then, to try to resolve this? it's hugely problematic. i mean, you can't understand what's going on without understanding the context,

and the context is the october 7th attacks, horrible attacks by hamas on israel, and then the disproportionate israeli response to those attacks, by turning gaza into rubble and killing over 2a,000 people in gaza. 2a,000 people in gaza, as well as the apparent expansion now into lebanon. so, i know that the united states certainly has been talking to the israelis, trying to convince them to contain the war, but it doesn't look as though the biden administration is having much effect. and no—one is fooled by these attacks on yemen. i mean, it'sjust not going to have the impact that is desired in terms of stopping houthi attacks. the houthis will continue. the houthis are enjoying this. they see themselves as the most active of these various members of the so—called axis of resistance

against israel at this point, and so we should not be helping that narrative, in my view. donald trump has won a big victory in the first electoral test that he's faced in his bid for a return to the white house. in the iowa caucuses, where republican voters choose who they want to be their presidential candidate, mr trump crushed his main rivals. as you can see, he got more votes than the florida governor ron desantis, and former un ambassador, nikki haley, combined. let's talk to live now to sarada peri, writer, senior speech writer for president barack obama. it is great to have you here on the programme. as a democrat, as a strategist, donald trump is going to be the candidate that president biden faces, how nervous are democrats after a little glimpse there last night?— there last night? well, i don't think last _ there last night? well, i don't think last night _ there last night? well, i don't think last night was _ there last night? well, i don't. think last night was particularly

surprising. trump had been pulling quite well. historic numbers, as people have said, for a long time. his republican rivals have done very little to actually contrast themselves with him and to make him themselves with him and to make him the issue. it's been hard to find any of them saying a negative word about him, and if that's the case, they're not really giving their voters an alternative. nikki haley has been able to attract a great deal of support in the next primary estate in new hampshire, but that's in part because that state is a lot of independence and college—educated voters who want an alternative. it looks very much like iowa with very strong trump supporters, and so you're right that it is incredibly difficult and it seems unlikely that anybody else could take the nomination away from trump. the difficulty for _ nomination away from trump. the difficulty for the current administration is the criminal charges haven't dented his support.

his statements, many of them that cause controversy, don't appear to have dented support, like foreigners poisoning the blood of america. that appalled many, many people, but you look at the polls and a significant majority support comments like that. do you know, as democrats, how to fight this man? it’s do you know, as democrats, how to fight this man?— fight this man? it's fascinating. he went from winning _ fight this man? it's fascinating. he went from winning the _ fight this man? it's fascinating. he went from winning the iowa - fight this man? it's fascinating. hej went from winning the iowa caucus last night to a court appearance today. i think as we speak, he is in court right now defending himself against defamation charges. you're correct that his stronger supporters will not waiver from him. correct that his stronger supporters will not waiverfrom him. the biggest constant in american politics is the support that is voters... politics is the support that is voters- - -_ politics is the support that is voters... . �*, . , ~ ., voters... that's a bit we know, sorry to _ voters... that's a bit we know, sorry to cut — voters... that's a bit we know, sorry to cut across _ voters... that's a bit we know, sorry to cut across you. - voters... that's a bit we know, sorry to cut across you. do - voters... that's a bit we know, sorry to cut across you. do you voters... that's a bit we know, - sorry to cut across you. do you know how to fight it?— how to fight it? what's interesting is that even _ how to fight it? what's interesting is that even when _ how to fight it? what's interesting is that even when you _ how to fight it? what's interesting is that even when you question . is that even when you question republican voters about whether or not they were support him, you start

to see more of a quarter saying he would not be fit. with the biden campaign is doing is not going after trump voters. that is not the universe people are playing with. what the biden camp he needs to do is consolidate the people who voted for him in 2020, build on the incredible wins that democrats got incredible wins that democrats got in 2022 and reach out to the independent who are tired of trump. those of the people who are supporting nikki haley. the challenge going forward for democrats is really making this contrast between a former president in trump, who isjust looking backwards on the get in fights of the pass between the current presidentjoe biden, who is actually trying to build a future for all americans and has a vision for that. crosstalk the contrast is going to be important. aha, the contrast is going to be important-— the contrast is going to be important. the contrast is going to be imortant. �* ., ~ . important. a twin thought. what about the age — important. a twin thought. what about the age of _ important. a twin thought. what about the age of the _ important. a twin thought. what about the age of the current - about the age of the current president? you need to have that front and centre and how you explain that to voters. also, you have

inflation down, you have wages up, and yet so many americans think they're worse off under biden. why haven't you convince voters of the economic case? i haven't you convince voters of the economic case?— haven't you convince voters of the economic case? i think the age thing is really interesting _ economic case? i think the age thing is really interesting for _ economic case? i think the age thing is really interesting for the _ economic case? i think the age thing is really interesting for the biden - is really interesting for the biden campaign. it's not as though they can't keep it front and centre because the media wants it to be. he's obviously an older person. i think going forward, i think that will hopefully address that issue, which is something you can't change people's mind about. you have to make people understand that his age and experience crosstalk but he could be direct about it. legislatively on the global stage, it's because he has all this experience. my hope is that it will in fact... not necessarily talk about it ad nausea him, just demonstrate he is up to the job, which he so our husband. i demonstrate he is up to the “ob, which he so our husband. i wonder if that's. .. which he so our husband. i wonder if that's--- -- — which he so our husband. i wonder if that's- -- -- he _ which he so our husband. i wonder if that's... -- he so _ which he so our husband. i wonder if that's... -- he so far— which he so our husband. i wonder if

that's. .. -- he so far has _ which he so our husband. i wonder if that's. .. -- he so far has been. - that's. .. -- he so far has been. it's that's. .. -- he so far has been. its similar— that's. .. -- he so far has been. it's similar to _ that's. .. -- he so far has been. it's similar to 2012 _ that's. .. -- he so far has been. it's similar to 2012 when - that's. .. -- he so far has been. j it's similar to 2012 when barack obama ran for reelection. all of these things were in play, all this legislation that he has passed. people weren't necessarily feeling it. i do think it's incumbent upon this campaign to persuade people not that they aren't feeling bad, not to commence in the numbers are so great, but meet them where they are and show them that the policies that joe biden is pushing — things like the major bipartisan infrastructure — are all geared to a better future for them and showing them the ways in which they are doing that. if they keep talking about their accomplishments, reaching audience wherever they are, or reaching older

voters, that's going to be the game. what's really challenging is running as a president, there are all these benefits of being incumbent, but you're also trying to run the country. all the challenges that come with that, you're trying to do that as you are running for reelection.— that as you are running for reelection. just a final quick question- — reelection. just a final quick question. in _ reelection. just a final quick question. in reference - reelection. just a final quick question. in reference to i reelection. just a final quick. question. in reference to when reelection. just a final quick- question. in reference to when you are talking about age, and you said you hope voters understand that all the experience comes with age. i wonder if approach is like that are just too subtle and wonder if there's complacency. why is it biden out already, given the nature of the threat, campaigning really hard? well, now they are, so it's really challenging to do that when you're sitting president and it's rare for a sitting president to start the campaign really hard and move all the resources over until there's a

nominee on the other side. you're going to see in the next few weeks and months as the campaign ramps up, theyjust pull in great fundraising numbers for the end of the year. it's just that it typically doesn't happen until the first of the year for the sitting president. it's the nature of the beast.— for the sitting president. it's the nature of the beast. sarada peri, treat to nature of the beast. sarada peri, great to talk— nature of the beast. sarada peri, great to talk to _ nature of the beast. sarada peri, great to talk to you. _ nature of the beast. sarada peri, great to talk to you. thanks - nature of the beast. sarada peri, great to talk to you. thanks so . great to talk to you. thanks so much for your time. great to talk to you. thanks so much foryourtime. let's great to talk to you. thanks so much for your time. let's move to uk politics. rishi sunak is attempting to face down challenges from his own mps this afternoon, over legislation aimed at sending asylum seekers to rwanda. the plans have been debated in the commons this afternoon, with a series of votes on amendments to the bill expected shortly. two conservative deputy chairman havejoined backbenchers who insist on amendments to strengthen the proposals. ministers have set out plans to appoint more judges to process appeals by asylum seekers.

joining me now is our political correspondent alex forsyth at westminster. i think the debate is almost concluded. you've been listening to all of it. how much of a challenge is this to the prime minister? you not is this to the prime minister? mm. got remembered this is a flagship policy —— you've got a reminder. he has said this plane is essential, so it is crucial that he makes this work. the debate is wrapping up far earlier than we expected. it's in the fourth hour now. the minister michael tomlinson is currently on his feet. we'll get a whole series of votes on proposed changes for this legislation that conservative mps have put down. about 60 tory mps are acting those amendments, which they say will strengthen the

legislation by limiting the rights of individuals to appeal, but also to supplying parts of international law. we've heard from a number of backbench conservative mps that this legislation won't work unless it's toughened up. the question is how many of them are prepared to actually vote against it if it remains unchanged. some went as far to say they would. have a listen to simon clarke, the former cabinet minister. pa, simon clarke, the former cabinet minister. �* , ., . ., simon clarke, the former cabinet minister. �* . ., minister. a young male who was in essence an — minister. a young male who was in essence an economic _ minister. a young male who was in essence an economic migrant - minister. a young male who was in essence an economic migrant in i minister. a young male who was in essence an economic migrant in all but name. — essence an economic migrant in all but name, seeking a better life in the uk _ but name, seeking a better life in the uk. the expectation needs to be that he _ the uk. the expectation needs to be that he will— the uk. the expectation needs to be that he will be detained and removed, and that alone is what will change _ removed, and that alone is what will change the _ removed, and that alone is what will change the incentives driving this trade _ change the incentives driving this trade. that is not what is set to be delivered — trade. that is not what is set to be delivered by this legislation. in the absence of amendments being brought— the absence of amendments being brought forward, and supported by

the government, i will not be able to sunport — the government, i will not be able to support this bill. i will vote against — to support this bill. i will vote against it— to support this bill. i will vote against it in third reading. i say that with — against it in third reading. i say that with real sadness, but also total— that with real sadness, but also total determination. | that with real sadness, but also total determination.— that with real sadness, but also total determination. i suppose that is the key question. _ how many tomorrow will vote against what is put forward? i read that dozens of tory mps are gathering for meeting with some of those groups and some of the most vocal critics. this is a very, very fluid situation. you also have those two deputy chairs. if they do vote against them will have to be fired. deputy chairman don't have the same level of responsibility. they're expected as deputy chairman to stick to the policy. brendan clark smit and lee anderson, we don't know

what's going to happen to them. we know of all the mp5 that have signed up, only a know of all the mp5 that have signed up, onlya handful know of all the mp5 that have signed up, only a handful — simon clarke, robertjenrick, sue other braverman —— is to allow, said they would be prepare to vote against the bill itself —— is ella braverman. in a room not so far from here, itself —— is ella braverman. in a room not so farfrom here, one my colleagues is hovering to see if she can hear what's being discussed. as to be clear, we'll get votes on the amendment tonight, but the bill vote what self will come until tomorrow. labour likely to vote with the government. the government won't lose tonight the key votes. the situation as you can see and hear, very fluid at westminster. the real challenge. thanks, alex, for taking us through all of that. you're

watching bbc news. venice has launched an online booking platform for tourists to buy a day pass. the scheme aims to limit excessive visitor numbers to the famed italian city on peak days. the pass costs five euros and will be needed for access to the old city on 29 days from late april to mid—july. people in dozens of villages in the north—east of ukraine have been ordered to evacuate because of worsening russian attacks. they're in the kharkiv region, near the border with russia. president zelensky is currently at the world economic forum in davos, trying to rally support for continuing military aid amidst dwindling international support. the world health organization says the global use of tobacco is continuing to decline, but warns that it will take another 30 years for the impact of anti—smoking measures to be truly felt. it said the number of smokers globally fell from a third of all adults in 2000 to a fifth in 2022. the portrait of king charles that will hang in public buildings in the uk such as courts

and government offices has been unveiled. it was taken inside windsor castle, with the monarch wearing you're live with bbc news. mps cross examined the european boss of fujitsu, the japanese company behind the failed horizon it system. paul patterson apologised for its part in the scandal, and said — that the company had a "moral obligation" to contribute to compensation for the victims. speaking to the bbc, he told the bbc that the company was sorry for the impact it had on the postmasters and their families impact it had on the postmasters and theirfamilies and impact it had on the postmasters and their families and insisted the company took the issue very seriously. a bb producer spoke to him. would you like to apologise? yes. — yes, of course. fujitsu has apologised.

the impoact on their lives and that of their families. j what do you think about fujitsu giving the money back? the government suggested that you should return the money. we understand the ongoing public inquiry _ and so, i'm sorry, i cannot comment for your father about these topics. i —— further. the head of fujitsu talking to the bbc in davos. the ukrainian president has called for more western support for ukraine to ensure that russia does not prevail in the war. he said fighterjets were particularly needed to help bring about victory. speaking at the world economic forum in davos, president zelensky said that if vladimir putin won, the west would need to get ready for a military confrontation with moscow.

we must make it possible to answer the most important question. the war will end with a just and stable peace, and i want you to be part of this piece starting from right now. to bring the peace closer and we need you in the ukraine to belt, to reconstruct, to restore our lives. aside from what is happening, the un has launched an appeal to raise aliens to help with people displaced. i spoke to the deputy high commissioner, who's in davos. we're almost two years into this war, and displacement continues. the shelling continues and those that are trapped in their homes

continues. we have massive displacement within ukraine, but also neighbouring countries, primarily in europe. we're looking at numbers of people in need inside ukraine of some ia.6 million. outside, about 16.3 million. ukraine of some 1a.6 million. outside, about 16.3 million. this is the kind of displacement we're talking about. the humanitarian need is huge. we launched yesterday and appeal for is huge. we launched yesterday and appealfor billions to is huge. we launched yesterday and appeal for billions to be appealfor billions to be precise, 4.2 billion. to protect and aid but also to support the most vulnerable in neighbouring countries. the war continues, it is cold, winter has set in and the needs are influenced. all these numbers you have taken us through, let alone what you are pleading for, or strikingly large. for the people outside of ukraine,

are you finding that people are actually struggling to actually get by and are thinking or doing a shift back ukraine? haste by and are thinking or doing a shift back ukraine?— back ukraine? we find in many refu~ee back ukraine? we find in many refugee contexts _ back ukraine? we find in many refugee contexts that - back ukraine? we find in many refugee contexts that most - back ukraine? we find in many - refugee contexts that most people want to go home. they stay close to home. doing some surveys with regard to those ukrainian refugees, we find that the majority want to go home, but they can't go home now because of the insecurity, because of the damage to their homes and to their communities. only about16% damage to their homes and to their communities. only about 16% say they will go back soon. this could change quite rapidly. they make the choices, we don't. they are having difficulties in terms of being able to make ends meet. we find that half of the people who could be in jobs right now because of that eu protection directive that allows them to, are in the employment...

havejobs them to, are in the employment... have jobs currently. half of the ukrainian children are out of school. there are some very significant needs outside that we need to continue to meet and support with those host countries that have been so generous. i’ge with those host countries that have been so generous.— been so generous. i've only got a coule of been so generous. i've only got a couple of minutes _ been so generous. i've only got a couple of minutes left _ been so generous. i've only got a couple of minutes left in - been so generous. i've only got a couple of minutes left in a - been so generous. i've only got a couple of minutes left in a couple of questions. briefly — you talked about raising money. what can business do?— business do? business can do everything — business do? business can do everything from _ business do? business can do everything from the _ business do? business can do everything from the financiall business do? business can do - everything from the financial side to expertise to how do we deliver protection and a differently, to trying to really allow refugees and communities to be able to support themselves. it's expertise, it's everything in energy, conductivity, education, and ai is a big thing here. they can also be change agents in terms of the narrative. to be part of the workforce as opposed to being something that should be kept on the outside. we find businesses

that are significantly stepping forward to help.— that are significantly stepping forward to hel. , , forward to help. president zelensky wants frozen _ forward to help. president zelensky wants frozen assets _ forward to help. president zelensky wants frozen assets to _ forward to help. president zelensky wants frozen assets to be _ forward to help. president zelensky wants frozen assets to be used - forward to help. president zelensky wants frozen assets to be used to i wants frozen assets to be used to fund reconstruction in ukraine. that have been talked about for so long now. would you like to see governments just get on with doing that? governments 'ust get on with doing that? ., ~ ., ., that? you know, we need rate resources _ that? you know, we need rate resources everything - that? you know, we need rate resources everything we - that? you know, we need rate resources everything we can, l that? you know, we need rate i resources everything we can, and it's hard to see how it's run to the back burner. we need it back on the front burner, we need people to pay attention. we need to take care of those humanitarian aid needs. that was kelly clements speaking to me from davos. one more story. dog owners go to great lengths to look out for their pets, but how about this act of heroism? this firefighter in the us state of utah entered a frozen lake with all the

correct equipment and back—up to rescue bob the dog, who went on for a swim, but couldn't get out of the icy water. both bob and his rescuer are now both safe and well. great pictures wrapping up. hello there. it's been quite a snowy day across the northern half of the uk. further south, it's been cold, but largely dry with some sunshine, a little bit of variable cloud here and there. wednesday promises to be another largely sunny one towards the south, a bit more cloud around, i think, for southern britain. and we'll continue with the snow showers across northern coastal parts of scotland and into northern ireland. these weather fronts bringing this rain, sleet and snow to the north uk to the north of the uk sinking southwards and weakening. so, during the overnight period, there'll be no more than a band of cloud running southwards across england and wales, maybe just a few snow flurries on it. and there could be the chance of this area of low pressure over france could push a bit further northwards to give some rain,

sleet and snow to southern counties of england early on wednesday. the snow showers continue. northern scotland, northern ireland under clear skies. it's going to be very cold, a sharp frost across the northern half of the country. so, for wednesday, we've got that feature running across france, which could affect the far south of the country. plenty of snow showers across northern coastal areas. across northern coastal areas, so a bit more cloud, i think, in the mix across southern britain for wednesday. high cloud, greyer the further south you go, could see rain, sleet, snow close to the coast. chances of wintry showers for south east england. frequent snow showers with ice for northern scotland, northern ireland, a few into the irish sea down towards northwest england and wales. and it's going to be a cold day wherever you are, despite the sunshine through central areas. for wednesday night, we see the wintry mix clearing away from the southeast, clear skies for many, snow showers draped across coastal areas. and that's where we'll see a significant ice risk, further inland under clear skies, light winds, it's going to be another very cold night to come. so, for thursday morning, we start off with plenty of crisp sunshine around, wintry showers around coastal areas, these most frequent across northern

scotland and northern ireland. heavy snow showers here leading to significant accumulations of snow across northern scotland. central southern areas will be dry on thursday. plenty of sunshine, but it's going to be another very cold day. on friday, we could see an area of more substantial snow again across scotland. further south, it'll be cold and sunny, and then some changes as we head into the weekend. on saturday, the winds start to pick up, low pressure starts to sweep it turns more unsettled with wet and windy weather for the second half of the week into next week, and it's turning milder.

this is bbc news. the headlines.... the united states says — it's seized iranian weapons, which were destined for houthis in yemen — it comes as another cargo ship has reportedly been hit. here in the uk... mps vote on a series of ammendments to the controversial rwanda bill. the boss of fujitsu says sorry and that compensation is owed to the post office staff wrongly prosecuted because of it's faulty it software. and finally...did the world's oldest dog lie about his age? an investigation is under way.

whitening straight to breaking news. just in the last few minutes, because at birmingham city council have said that up to 600 jobs could be made redundant as it struggles with its huge debt. the authority added it would start conversations with unions and staff immediately. the council declared itself effectively bankrupt last year. you may remember i made equal pay claims of up to 760 million and 80 million overspend on an it system. that was the backdrop. that was the financial difficulty that the chief executive has said node decisions were made until the end of a period of consultation but added the council faces exceptional financial cultural and governance challenges and added

that in letter