france has become the latest government to suspend payments to the un agency for palestinian refugees, despite a plea from the un chief for countries to continue funding. knife crime in the uk: two people are arrested after a 15 and 16—year—old are killed in a stabbing attack by a group of people in bristol. we have breaking developments from the middle east. three american soldiers have been killed in a drone attack injordan. 3a others have been injured after that overnight attack on the us outpost near the border with syria. the soldiers of the first american personnel to be killed in the middle east since the beginning of the gaza war. this is a

developing story. what mahaffey had from the white house on this? we got a statement from _ from the white house on this? we got a statement from president _ from the white house on this? we got a statement from president biden, - a statement from president biden, and as she said, she is saying that three us service members were killed and many wounded during a drone attack on us forces in north—east jordan, nearthe attack on us forces in north—east jordan, near the border with syria. he blamed the attack, as you just said, on radical iran backed groups. if i canjust read a bit more from that statement from biden. he says, today, america's heart is heavy. he says his wife and i willjoin the families of the fallen and americans across the country and grieving the loss of these wadis in this despicable and unjust attack. joe biden has found that there will be consequences to this. he says, have no doubt, we will hold all those

responsible to at a time and in a manner of our choosing. an? responsible to at a time and in a manner of our choosing. any other reaction in — manner of our choosing. any other reaction in the _ manner of our choosing. any other reaction in the region? _ manner of our choosing. any other reaction in the region? all- manner of our choosing. any other reaction in the region? all we - manner of our choosing. any other| reaction in the region? all we know so far, we reaction in the region? all we know so far. we just _ reaction in the region? all we know so far, we just got _ reaction in the region? all we know so far, we just got to _ reaction in the region? all we know so far, we just got to statement - so far, we just got to statement from a spokesperson from jordan's government, saying that the attack targeting american soldiers was not on ajordanian targeting american soldiers was not on a jordanian story. what we do know is that the attack happened overnight, and that biden post—match statement does not mention how many people were injured over all, but the us military is saying that 25 people have been injured. i think it is significant to remember that these soldiers are the first american troops to be killed in enemy fire in the middle east since the beginning of the war and gaza. so, this could represent a significant escalation of the situation in the middle east. to stay with us for more updates. thank

you for the moment. just on that, the number of possible us injuries are from that attack has risen to 34, are from that attack has risen to sa, because there are a number of 3a, because there are a number of people who are being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injuries. that is another line that there is a coming into us are not developing story from a us official. and we're hearing that presidentjoe biden was briefed on sunday morning about that drone attack, which has killed three us service members and injured dozens more. we will have more on the statements coming out of the us in a moment. i'mjoined bya the statements coming out of the us in a moment. i'm joined by a senior resident scholar at the arab gulf states institutes in washington, dc. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. this is an unfolding study, but let me begin by asking for your initial thoughts.—

initial thoughts. well, i think this is one of those _ initial thoughts. well, i think this is one of those turning _ initial thoughts. well, i think this is one of those turning points - initial thoughts. well, i think this is one of those turning points in i is one of those turning points in this crisis that was initiated by hamas's attack on southern israel. it has been unfolding since october the 7th. we have seen a constant sort of barrage of low—level attacks on us forces, and mostly in gazan and iraq. this is an attack apparently on table 22, a us installation in a remote part of northernjordan, very near the syrian border. there is a confusing statement from the jordanians are saying it wasn't on statement from thejordanians are saying it wasn't onjordanian soil. i'm not sure exactly what they mean. timer 22 is most definitely in jordan. so, this is either an attack which the assailants, and the biden administration has been very clear that this was a radical iran unit

backed group, may be operating out of syria on iraq. and schubert are probably expected an attack like this to be thwarted by us missile defences. —— and ewart are probably expected. this may even have surprised the groups that have been peppering us installations around the region with attacks like this, and haven't really caused much damage. they got either lucky or unlucky this time, depending on how you want to look at it. and a number of americans have been killed. there are going to be serious ramifications, without a doubt. what ramifications, without a doubt. what would ou ramifications, without a doubt. what would you say _ ramifications, without a doubt. what would you say they _ ramifications, without a doubt. what would you say they could be? i - ramifications, without a doubt. what would you say they could be? i thinkj would you say they could be? i think the biden administration _ would you say they could be? i think the biden administration is - would you say they could be? i think the biden administration is going, i the biden administration is going, this is a nightmare for them. because their main goal since october the 7th was to prevent the

crisis in the middle east and the conflict and gaza from spreading beyond gaza any meaningful way, especially not to draw in the united states. so at this point, even beyond the exchanges or facilities over houthi in the red sea, this is going to demand a serious response against irani in a park eclipse. i would suggest in syria and lebanon. i don't think the us is going to do anything that is seen as provoking iran are hezbollah to get further involved in the conflict, because i think those of the bigot nightmare scenarios. at the us is not going to take this lying down. the last thing that was a set of deadly attacks against us forces it ended up with the assassination of the head of the iranian expeditionary force that runs the networks of armed gangs and militia groups that iran maintains

in the arab world, and their chief ally in iraq. so i'm not sure that it's going to go to that level, but some serious deadly response, kinetic military response, against these groups is absolutely unavoidable for the biden administration. i unavoidable for the biden administration.— unavoidable for the biden administration. ~ ., ., ., ., administration. i think a lot of our viewers will _ administration. i think a lot of our viewers will be _ administration. i think a lot of our viewers will be asking _ administration. i think a lot of our viewers will be asking how - administration. i think a lot of our viewers will be asking how this i administration. i think a lot of our| viewers will be asking how this fits into all the other things that we have been reporting in recent weeks that are happening in the middle is. what is going on in the red sea, and of course what is happening in gaza. yeah. i think what it does is it pulls the united states deeper in. it widens the circle of kinetic action. it doesn't sparkle, i think, action. it doesn't sparkle, i think, a broader regional war, but it does is ignore the —— it is another escalation. relative quiet in the west bank of the tension is rising here. two majorflashpoints are

already happening. north to the river, and hezbollah is refusing to withdraw. there is this ongoing ultimatum that is unfulfilled. and israel is insisting that it will eventually launch a war of hezbollah doesn't capitulate. the other great flashpoints with the houthi in yemen, conducting piracy ended the red sea, and us and british air strikes designed to deter them, although everyone agrees that nothing so far will have deterred them. yet i think there is a sense that they only want to go so far. so there is also a sense that iran is making a point about the need for them and their allies to be included

in maritime security arrangements, and that sanctions, if they are restricted from selling their oil, then others won't be able to buy and sell unmolested either. this is no adds a new flashpoint, which is that the attacks the us has been batting aside and almost ignoring, to a very large extent, from these iranian about militia groups and syria and iraq, are now going to be treated much more seriously. they have drawn blood. this is a sort of a black eye, a broken nose for the united states, and they are going to pummel these forces and make sure that come in the language of diplomacy, deterrence is restored, produce another way of sink, taking revenge. senior resident scholar at the arab gulf states institutes in washington, thank you very much for

sharing a very detailed insight on that developing story. just a reminder, the breaking news that we come on air with as such president joe biden has promised reprisals after three american soldiers were killed in a drone attack injordan. dozens more have been injured. at least more than 20 or so, although the number injured seems to have risen as well. and as i say, president biden has decided there will be reprisals. he said, while b are still gathering the facts of this attack, bignot was carried out ljy this attack, bignot was carried out by radical iran but militant groups operating in syria. he said he and his wifejoined the operating in syria. he said he and his wife joined the families and friends of the fallen and families across the country in grieving the loss of these bodies. we know he was briefed earlier in the morning about what was happening. staying on this developing story, of course,

becoming got life to james, senior middle east analyst at oxford analytically. thank you forjoining us on bbc news, laura. president biden promising reprisals. what would they look like, in your view? they will be a step up from what we have already seen, and that is pretty serious. it seems that there attack was carried out by a group calling itself the islamic resistance in iraq. that is not a real group, that is a name that has been used by various iranian—backed militias that tend to be iraqi but also operate in syria, and they have been using that name during the gaza conflict as they have stepped up drone attacks and missile attacks on us interests. previously, the us has responded by targeting senior leaders, by current members of the groups who have been about to launch attacks. so, this will have to be an

escalation from that, and that is quite serious, not this because these groups are officially part of these groups are officially part of the iraqi security services, and so this can't be done without the iraq estate being involved. find this can't be done without the iraq estate being involved.— this can't be done without the iraq estate being involved. and there has been some confusion _ estate being involved. and there has been some confusion about - estate being involved. and there has been some confusion about where i estate being involved. and there has i been some confusion about where this happened, because george and's government spokesperson is reportedly saying the attack was not on jordanian reportedly saying the attack was not onjordanian soil, but the previous guests at that it was onjordanian soil, and he has knowledge of the base. �* , ., i. soil, and he has knowledge of the base. �* , ., ., ., base. any more you can cast on that? i haven't base. any more you can cast on that? i haven't seen — base. any more you can cast on that? i haven't seen any _ base. any more you can cast on that? i haven't seen any kind _ base. any more you can cast on that? i haven't seen any kind of _ base. any more you can cast on that? i haven't seen any kind of concrete i i haven't seen any kind of concrete military or photographic evidence that proves this point conclusively, understanding was that it was on jordanian soil. possibly but likely not from jordanian soil. this militias wouldn't operate injordan, so the drone would have been launched likely from marker possibly from iraq. launched likely from marker possibly from iran. ~ ., , launched likely from marker possibly fromiraa. ., , , from iraq. who is backing these militia, do _ from iraq. who is backing these militia, do you _ from iraq. who is backing these

militia, do you think? _ from iraq. who is backing these militia, do you think? they - from iraq. who is backing these militia, do you think? they are| militia, do you think? they are uuite militia, do you think? they are quite efficient _ militia, do you think? they are quite efficient independent - militia, do you think? they are i quite efficient independent actors in some respects, but they are certainly iran sponsored, under iran supported all the big three. i emphasise that the independent actors, and that they don't depend day—to—day from iran from france, they get some of that from the iraq estate. they are part of the iraqi state, but they don't control them. it is more the case that the republic control the iraq estate. so iran is behind but doesn't make their day—to—day decisions for them. how could this escalate more broadly? you touched on it already, but as we were discussing with the prior gas, you have already seen an escalation in the red sea, and of course the war in gaza continues on as well. —— with the previous guest. this is a direct target for the us. this is a direct target for the us. this is a very important escalated estate. in some ways, it is what we

have been worrying about for the past several bits, and to some extent for the last couple of months come in that us casualties was always seen as a red line. and all of these attacks we have seen on various us basis, minor injuries, people targeted to bring us citizens. this is a tipping point. three us soldiers deaths is important. it is not necessarily a tipping point and to uncontrolled escalation between the united states and iran, but it is another very dangerous step, because the us will have to respond even more strongly thanit have to respond even more strongly than it has done to previous attacks. that means possibly killing some very, very senior iraqi militia leaders, possibly some senior iranians. and that will present dilemmas for both baghdad and tehran to respond in time. baghdad certainly doesn't want to get involved, but has to support its own security forces. it is very much in hock to these militias. if arnott

does not want an open conflict with the united states. —— iran does not want. and it will do everything it can to avoid that. but at the same time, it can't afford not to establish its own deterrence. if there are sunni attacks, it'll have to do is point in summer, and we're just going further down the slippery slope. —— senior attacks. and the problem as it is notjust one slippery slope, there are problem as it is notjust one slippery slope, there are six problem as it is notjust one slippery slope, there are six or seven arenas in which confrontation is mounting, in which there is a growing risk of miscalculation, in which people can respond in a way that might not mean to be as escalated as it turns out to be. it is not necessarily clear yet that there is a drone attack, unlike all there is a drone attack, unlike all the other drone attacks, was supposed to kill us citizens. maybe the assumption was that your defences will step in. but the attacks have been getting riskier and riskierfor the past few attacks have been getting riskier and riskier for the past few weeks, and riskier for the past few weeks, and that is why we have been concerned. and that is why we have been concerned-— and that is why we have been concerned. ., ~ . ., concerned. thank you so much for shafinu concerned. thank you so much for sharing your _ concerned. thank you so much for sharing your analysis _ concerned. thank you so much for sharing your analysis on _ concerned. thank you so much for sharing your analysis on that - sharing your analysis on that developing story. we do appreciate

it. let'sjust recap developing story. we do appreciate it. let's just recap on that statement from presidentjoe biden on that a developing story. while we are still gathering the facts of this attack, qrops, we know carried out by radical iran militant groups operating in gazan and iraq. the servicemen have been risking their own safety... we will of course bring you more on that developing story from the middle east shortly. to stay with us if you want more on that, but let's go to image a story here in the uk. a murder investigation has been launched after two boys were killed in a stabbing in bristol last night. they were attacked by a group of people who fled the scene in a car.

a 44—year—old man and a 15—year—old boy are in custody, but police are looking for more suspects. a vehicle has also been seized. police arrived at the scene within minutes and provided first aid. live now to commander superintendent mark runacres of avon and somerset police, who is in bristol. good to talk to you on bbc news. if you could just bring us up—to—date with period investigation is at. $5 with period investigation is at. is you explain officers attended the scene at around 20 past 11 does night, come on board met with a very chaotic scene per residence had commit to give support to two victims who had been set upon by a group, and those victims had suffered multiple stab wounds, and very seriously injured in the street. they were taken to local hospitals, and very sadly died shortly afterwards. our inquiry inquiries progress through today with working with the local community to identify witnesses who may have seen the incident as a

plater, and also to secure a cctv coverage when it has been available, particularly from local residents, may be on their door bells and the like. they have provided information we can follow up on. two arrests were made of an outcome and for an outcome and further suspects we are seeking to identify and locate bring them into custody as well. find them into custody as well. and ou're them into custody as well. and you're looking _ them into custody as well. and you're looking for _ them into custody as well. and you're looking for witnesses, in particular, people who were on a double—decker bus at the time of the attack. double-decker bus at the time of the attack. ., double-decker bus at the time of the attack. . ., , ., , , ., _ attack. yeah, there was a bus nearby on its usual— attack. yeah, there was a bus nearby on its usual rate, _ attack. yeah, there was a bus nearby on its usual rate, at _ attack. yeah, there was a bus nearby on its usual rate, at around - attack. yeah, there was a bus nearby on its usual rate, at around 20 - attack. yeah, there was a bus nearby on its usual rate, at around 20 past l on its usual rate, at around 20 past 11, and that bus was caught ii, and that bus was caught effectively in some of the court that we set up as officers secured the scenes, and we are keen to make should be contact people who may have been on that bus. some people are coming from. i was at the scene about an hour are coming from. i was at the scene aboutan hourand are coming from. i was at the scene about an hour and a half ago, just speaking to some residents and was approached by a local lady who identified herself as being on the bus and were truly helpful to us. those are the kind of people we need

to speak to, to see if they can help investigation. is it to speak to, to see if they can help investigation.— investigation. is it any more you can tell us _ investigation. is it any more you can tell us about _ investigation. is it any more you can tell us about this _ investigation. is it any more you can tell us about this particular. can tell us about this particular area? is it a can tell us about this particular area? is ita part can tell us about this particular area? is it a part of the city where you would have expected to be called out for not necessarily there time of —— type of crime, but the crimes? yeah, it is a part of the city... bristol is richly diverse in every respect, but south bristol, there are pockets of further significant deprivation, and consequently there are the associate issues that you would expect of the police to deal with in areas that suffer in that way, through crime and anti—social behaviour. but what we got used to do is to local boys who left a local address and have been set upon in that street by a group of people armed and clearly intent on causing them significant harm, as they have

done. it is hugely shocking, it is a tragic incident. i have spent some time talking to residents, as i said, and some relatives of the poor boys who died, and itjust brings it home how shocking this is for the farmers, for the communities, and for the city. it farmers, for the communities, and for the city-— for the city. it is incredibly shocking- _ for the city. it is incredibly shocking- -- _ for the city. it is incredibly shocking. -- for— for the city. it is incredibly shocking. -- for the - for the city. it is incredibly i shocking. -- for the families. for the city. it is incredibly - shocking. -- for the families. this shocking. —— for the families. this any more you can tell us about the victims or how the families are doing? victims or how the families are doinu ? , ., victims or how the families are doing? they are understandably going to be hu:el doing? they are understandably going to be hugely by _ doing? they are understandably going to be hugely by this. _ doing? they are understandably going to be hugely by this. this _ doing? they are understandably going to be hugely by this. this has - doing? they are understandably going to be hugely by this. this has come, l to be hugely by this. this has come, as any incident like this would, completely out of the blue. the boys were walking along the street and then were set upon. we will be working with a locally trained family liaison officers to support the families. i know that other members of the white farmers were volleying a van to support them and come together to grieve —— were rallying around. and the community members were talking about how the

new one of the victims and were talking about what a good lad she had been. and it has hit people are really hard. i had been. and it has hit people are really hard-— really hard. i appreciate it as an active investigation, _ really hard. i appreciate it as an active investigation, but - really hard. i appreciate it as an active investigation, but this . really hard. i appreciate it as an active investigation, but this is | really hard. i appreciate it as an | active investigation, but this is a knife attack, and in the last week in the uk there has been another debate about knife crime, given what happened in nottingham lastjune. bristol has had a chance with a knife crime in the past. we have reported on that before. ijust wanted to get your thoughts on that, if you can comment on any b.- if you can comment on any b. bristol is a lane if you can comment on any b. bristol is a large city. _ if you can comment on any b. bristol is a large city. so _ if you can comment on any b. bristol is a large city, so it _ if you can comment on any b. bristol is a large city, so it suffers _ if you can comment on any b. bristol is a large city, so it suffers in - is a large city, so it suffers in the same that large cities too, come about knife crime is a scourge that has hit all corners of the country. i am a parent as well as a police officer, it's frightening that we have our responsibilities as agencies and partners in the city to come together, to retain a focus and

determination, to work together with the communities, to discourage people from carrying knives, to identify and deal with those people who are carrying knives, and provide that unity that brings us together to try to tackle what is a hugely challenging but to hugely impacted problem. we challenging but to hugely impacted roblem. ~ , i. challenging but to hugely impacted roblem. ~ , , , problem. we wish you the best with that investigation, _ problem. we wish you the best with that investigation, and _ problem. we wish you the best with that investigation, and thank- problem. we wish you the best with that investigation, and thank you i that investigation, and thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc news. very much for “oining us here on bbc news. ., ., very much for “oining us here on bbc news. . ,, , ., the united nations has made a plea for governments not to withdraw funding from its main agency which delivers aid to palestinians in gaza, known as unwra. it comes as france becomes the latest country to pull money for the organisation after israel alleged that 12 of its staff were involved in the deadly october 7th attacks by hamas. the agency, which employs 30,000 members of staff, 1300 of whom work in gaza, says it is investigating and has already sacked nine employees. in a written statement, the un's secretary general antonio guterres said...

"the tens of thousands of men and women who work for unrwa, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalised. the dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met." here's un spokesman stephane dujarric speaking earlier. the secretary general is horrified by this news and asks mr lazzarini to investigate this matter swiftly and to ensure that any unrwa employees shown to have participated or abetted in what transpired on october 7th, or in any other criminal activity, be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution. the norwegian foreign minister espen barth eide said norway, which is one of unrwa's biggest donors, would also continue its aid. we are exactly as appalled and shocked by these very serious allegations about local staff who have possibly taken part in terrorist attacks. that is 100% unacceptable and we need a full investigation of that. however, to react to that by cutting all funding to unrwa

which is providing life—saving support to millions of people in the most dire conditions of their life, i think is a very wrong response. displaced palestinians living in khan younis have been giving their reaction to the decision by those ten countries deposit funding. it is m riaht ten countries deposit funding. it is my right as — ten countries deposit funding. it is my right as a _ ten countries deposit funding. it s my right as a palestinian child to get right from the european countries. all the people of gaza are supposed to get it from the european countries. we are dispersed for the second time since gaza, and we didn't see the edge routing is from the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. _ from the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he _ from the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will _ from the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will give _ from the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will give us - from the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will give us a - is our lifeline. he will give us a food _ is our lifeline. he will give us a food or— is our lifeline. he will give us a food or drink after the war? may allah _ food or drink after the war? may allah help— food or drink after the war? may allah help the people. what can i say? _ allah help the people. what can i sa ? _, , .,

allah help the people. what can i sa ? , ., �* ., allah help the people. what can i sa? ., ., say? the comments of britain and germany and _ say? the comments of britain and germany and some _ say? the comments of britain and germany and some other - say? the comments of britain and | germany and some other european countries _ germany and some other european countries in — germany and some other european countries in regards _ germany and some other european countries in regards to _ germany and some other european countries in regards to the - germany and some other european countries in regards to the aid - germany and some other european countries in regards to the aid for. countries in regards to the aid for the palestinian _ countries in regards to the aid for the palestinian people _ countries in regards to the aid for the palestinian people is- countries in regards to the aid for. the palestinian people is considered a disaster— the palestinian people is considered a disaster for— the palestinian people is considered a disaster for us. _ the palestinian people is considered a disaster for us. the _ the palestinian people is considered a disaster for us. the occupation - a disaster for us. the occupation keeps _ a disaster for us. the occupation keeps on — a disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing _ a disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing crimes _ a disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing crimes and - a disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing crimes and yet . a disaster for us. the occupation i keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting _ keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting them _ keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting them to _ keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting them to do - keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting them to do more . are supporting them to do more crintes— are supporting them to do more crimes on— are supporting them to do more crimes on us _ are supporting them to do more crimes on us. what _ are supporting them to do more crimes on us. what we - are supporting them to do more crimes on us. what we are - are supporting them to do morel crimes on us. what we are going through— crimes on us. what we are going through right _ crimes on us. what we are going through right now— crimes on us. what we are going through right now is— crimes on us. what we are going through right now is not- crimes on us. what we are going through right now is not a - crimes on us. what we are going through right now is not a war. crimes on us. what we are going. through right now is not a war from israel. _ through right now is not a war from israel. it— through right now is not a war from israel. it is— through right now is not a war from israel. it is a— through right now is not a war from israel, it is a war— through right now is not a war from israel, it is a war between - through right now is not a war from israel, it is a war between the - israel, it is a war between the world — israel, it is a war between the world and _ israel, it is a war between the world and against _ israel, it is a war between the world and against us. - three us troops have been killed in a drone attack in georgian, and 3a injured, and there are reports that some of the printed are being medically evacuated from that base in jordan. we medically evacuated from that base injordan. we will have more on that developing story. please do stay with us. with some sunshine and its southerly point ahead of a band of rain in

highland scotland, temperatures reach close to 20 degrees earlier on. and that would smash the previousjanuary on. and that would smash the previous january record in the uk. the winds are dropping, archery, and the temperature is going to be dropping too. the spines of rain ripping through scotland and northern ireland is heading into northern parts of england and wales and following on, we are getting into colder air. so much so, that in northern parts of scotland it is likely to be a frost overnight and it can operate ahead of the rain across england and wales it is still across england and wales it is still a mild start to monday. but there is general hang around in northern england and wales. heavy over the hills, protecting over north—west england. much of scotland and northern ireland likely to be dry with some sunshine, lighter winds, but much colder than today. temperatures typically seven or 8 degrees. whereas predators right across the midlands and southern england, to start mall. temperatures 14 or 15. it england, to start mall. temperatures 1a or 15. it is notjust trendy pudsey on monday. after dark, there could be some snow in the southern

points, leading to icy conditions by tuesday morning. i point to point that any of the pressure will have taken the wet weather away and belittle ecology stop for england and wales. sunshine for scotland and northern ireland. that now their work to become about 12 degrees are still possible in the south—east, but for many in the afternoon it will be nearer 8 degrees. turning chillierfrom the north. if will be nearer 8 degrees. turning chillier from the north. if you will be nearer 8 degrees. turning chillierfrom the north. if you look to the north, by the middle part of the week, more isobars. it is turning wet and windy, particularly in scotland. widespread girls on wednesday and across northern ireland. really strong winds on the far north of scotland, but for the highlands we could see a couple of inches of rain. that burton went to brother in scotland will sink down into northern ireland. england and wales looking dry. the one spot brighter for the south, and some sunshine, temperatures of ten or 11. the rain petering out, turn the

weather for about but then returns to one direction by thursday, bring and also workload.

live from london, this is bbc news. president biden promises reprisals after three american soldiers are killed in a drone attack injordan. it is said to have been carried out by an iranian backed military group

—— met a by an iranian backed military group —— meta militant by an iranian backed military group —— met a militant group. france has become the latest government to the un agency for refugees, despite pleas to continue the funding. reports from paris say an israeli delegation has a for talks about a gaza ceasefire with representatives of the us, egypt and qatar. negotiators are said to be cautiously optimistic a deal is within reach. and knife crime in the uk: an investigation is under way after two teenagers died in a stabbing in bristol. two people have been arrested. welcome to this hour. let's stay with the developing story from the middle east. that is, three american soldiers have been killed in a drone attack injordan and 3a others have been injured. it follows an overnight attack on a us outpost near the border with syria. president biden

has vowed reprisals. for more on the latest, let's now go live to our correspondence in washington, will vernon. tell us more about what we have heard from the president. that's right. in his statement, joe biden said that america's heart is heavy. he said the country grieves the loss of warriors who he described as the best of our nation, and the president said this deadly drone attack was carried out by radical iran backed militant groups operating in syria and iraq, and called that attack despicable and wholly unjust. now, we don't know wholly unjust. now, we don't know who was responsible for this incident, but a similar thing seems to have occurred last month. there was a drone attack on a base in northern iraq in december. three us service personnel were injured in that, one of them critically. a

number of iran backed groups claimed responsibility for that attack. the us then carried out air strikes on a number of groups in response to that. as i said, we don't know who did this, but i think this latest incident is a very worrying moment. these are the first american troops to be killed in the middle east since the war in gaza began. of course, it is always concerning when anything like this happens, but this is part of a kind of pattern of escalation we have seen across the region since october the 7th, so i think this will be a very concerning moment for many. indeed, concerning, and i guess the question many people are wondering watching this, of course, debating in washington where you are is, what might a us retaliation or escalation look like? , ., ., , look like? yes, we will have to see what happens _ look like? yes, we will have to see what happens in — look like? yes, we will have to see what happens in the _ look like? yes, we will have to see what happens in the coming - look like? yes, we will have to see what happens in the coming hours| look like? yes, we will have to see l what happens in the coming hours or days, but in his statement today, president biden vowed revenge on those that were responsible for this

latest incident. he said the us would respond in a time and a manner of our choosing, and this is quite familiar, isn't it? because as we have seen in the red sea region in the last couple of months or so after the houthi group started launching attacks on red sea shipping, the us and its allies send multiple warnings to the houthis that this had to stop, the attacks on red sea shipping, a critical waterway, had to cease, and they did not. we then sought military action taken by the us and uk, supported by four other nations, air strikes and houthi targets across yemen. so that perhaps gives you an idea of the possible consequences when these warnings by the us are not heeded, as we saw in the case of the houthis. as we saw in the case of the houthis-— as we saw in the case of the houthis. ~ ., houthis. will vernon, with the latest, thank _ houthis. will vernon, with the latest, thank you _ houthis. will vernon, with the latest, thank you very - houthis. will vernon, with the latest, thank you very much. l houthis. will vernon, with the latest, thank you very much. i | houthis. will vernon, with the - latest, thank you very much. i will read you some information that has come on, some background, which will probably be useful to get us through

that story, from our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. he says the americans have maintained the secretive base where this attack is reported to have taken place since 2016, which was at the height of the campaign against isis, and that between 100—200 us servicemen operate there, conducting counter narcotics operations. tower 22, which is what it is called, is described as an advise and assist mission tojordan, but it is clearly closely connected to nearby al—tamf. it is said a drone attack there in mid october injured one american. there have been other attacks in previous years. so it is not the first time, our diplomatic correspondent says, that this general area has been attacked. of course, the question is whether or

what this might lead to when it comes to escalation. we have had experts here in the last half an hour fearing experts here in the last half an hourfearing it experts here in the last half an hour fearing it could experts here in the last half an hourfearing it could really experts here in the last half an hour fearing it could really ramp things up in the region. it is already seeing a lot of tension, of course, notjust with the war in gaza, but those ongoing attacks in the red sea. so some insight there from our correspondent paul adams, saying thatjoe biden said the attack took place in north—east jordan, close to the syrian border, suggesting the location was a us base called tower 22, which is just across the border from the much larger us base at al—tanf, so just clarifying there. it is all a bit confusing as well, but we had another expert on who thought it took place at this tower 22 base as well, and just a reminder, of course, of the main headline there, which is that three american soldiers have been killed in a drone attack injordan and 3a others injured after an overnight attack on a us outpost near the border with

syria. we are hearing president biden was believed early morning in washington, dc on that and has vowed reprisals. we will bring you all developments on the story as and when they come in, and it is a moving story at the moment. let's move to gaza, but stay in the region, of course. the israeli military is pressing ahead with its operation in the south. palestinians continue to stream out of high newness, where the israeli army says it is involved in intense fighting. —— khan younis. multiple israeli air strikes have been reported there. the hamas—run health ministry says 165 palestinians have been killed in the past 2a hours, taking the total number killed since the start of the war to more than 26,400. meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to free more than 130 hostages

still held by hamas are gathering pace. the head of the cia is expected to meet officials from israel, egypt and qatar at an undisclosed location in france, where they'll work to secure the release of the hostages held in gaza. many western governments consider hamas to be a terrorist organisation. we spoke earlier to nawaf al thani, who is qatar's former director of defence intelligence operations and defence attache to the united states. qatar, for instance, is the lead negotiator in this, has made it extremely clear multiple times that they will keep this very secretive because of the nature of negotiations. what we can expect is that a lasting ceasefire should come about, a longer ceasefire in the last ones we had, obviously, and we will see the release of hostages and aid for palestinian civilians. unfortunately, on the other side, the political wrangling and games that are being played, whether globally or internally in israel, especially from the neo—conservative government of netanyahu, is a bit

confusing. for instance, criticising qatar on one side and then asking for its help on the other sends mixed messages and isn't helpful, and i think focusing on the mission at hand should be as real�*s main concern. releasing of the hostages, ceasefire and a lasting peace. joining us now is ahal besorai, whose sister was killed by hamas. more relatives have been taken hostage and some are still being held in gaza. thank you very much forjoining us here at what must be a continually distressing time for you and for yourfamily. tell us more about distressing time for you and for your family. tell us more about how your family. tell us more about how your family. tell us more about how your family were your family. tell us more about how yourfamily were taken your family. tell us more about how your family were taken by hamas and how you came to know that your sister was killed stop on october the 7th, i spoke to my sister i stop on october the 7th, i spoke to m siste ., ' ' .,

stop on october the 7th, i spoke to m siste ,, ' ' ~' ., my sister i think 9:15, i think, on the saturday. — my sister i think 9:15, i think, on the saturday, and _ my sister i think 9:15, i think, on the saturday, and then _ my sister i think 9:15, i think, on - the saturday, and then communication was lost. we were under the assumption they had been kidnapped. then, ithink ten days later, they pulled out of the kibbutz where i grew up and where my family still live, my dad and two sisters. they pulled 120 bodies out of the kibbutz of murdered children and people, women, and on the friday, two days later, we were informed that her body was part of the 120. so i obviously made my way to israel. we waited for the funeral to make sure the others are not also part of these 120 bodies, and once they were confirmed to be hostages, it is a husband and two micro children, a boy of 17 and a girl of 13. the two children were

released as part of the second tranche of hostages that were released by hamas, but their dad is still held hostage, and also, they were not aware that my sister, the mum, was murdered, and this was the first piece of news that they had to confront when they arrived in israel, which was obviously extremely traumatic, especially after such a long stay in what i consider or might term as horrible and traumatic conditions. thank you for sharing that, and we are looking at pictures of your sister. we are looking at pictures of her now. so, to your understanding, your brother—in—law is still being held hostage. are you getting any more information about

what might be happening? we know, of course, that talks today are reportedly under way in france that could secure the release of hostages, and hopefully, that would include your brother—in—law. yes. hostages, and hopefully, that would include your brother-in-law.- include your brother-in-law. yes, i think we are _ include your brother-in-law. yes, i think we are praying _ include your brother-in-law. yes, i think we are praying that _ include your brother-in-law. yes, i think we are praying that this - include your brother-in-law. yes, i think we are praying that this is - think we are praying that this is what would come about. you know, i am not sure what it is that i am allowed to say, not allowed to say, but for me and the other side to israel, hamas is a vicious... and again, i don't see it because they murdered my sister, it isjust again, i don't see it because they murdered my sister, it is just their charter and the way that they say they will do it again and again and again if they had an opportunity. theyjust place them in this position of being vicious and uncompromising terrorist organisation, and it's because of this, i am organisation, and it's because of this, iam really organisation, and it's because of this, i am really scared to be optimistic. i know it sounds an oxymoron, but you don't want the

disappointment that they play some games and then they will delay and then they change their mind. so it is really very tense, and obviously, every day, we hope for his release on the release of all other hostages, alive and dead, and it is very, very tough when on the other side there is a terrorist organisation that obviously does not care about its own people, let alone the israeli hostages. let care about its own people, let alone the israeli hostages.— care about its own people, let alone the israeli hostages. let me ask you this. the israeli hostages. let me ask you this- there — the israeli hostages. let me ask you this. there have _ the israeli hostages. let me ask you this. there have been _ the israeli hostages. let me ask you this. there have been some - the israeli hostages. let me ask you| this. there have been some relatives of hostages being held in gaza who have been very frustrated and angry on some fronts at the way israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu has handled things. what is your take on the way he has dealt with this? you know, i don't want to go into israeli politics. i, with a hand on

my heart, deliver the idea that the israeli government and the israeli defence forces doing all they can to bring the hostages back. there is frustration, because it is very difficult to see what exactly it is they are doing, what is happening in they are doing, what is happening in the fighting. it is a war, a lot of things are unknown, but i am of the opinion that they are doing everything in their power. i think that putting military pressure on hamas, and for them to feel that there is danger to their lives, is what actually causes all this ability to negotiate or do the summit that might lead to some release. otherwise, without military pressure, without them feeling that maybe their heads are on the line, i don't think there would have been any progress in the release of the hostages or the terms that hamas would have put forward would have been such that israel was just not

able to accept. i think it's very easy, especially when you are in such an emotional state, and especially when you so want them to come, and you see the videos that hamas sometimes put out of hostages to put psychological pressure on us, it's very difficult not to be frustrated and not to take this anger on the israeli government and the idf, benjamin netanyahu, and whether this is justified the idf, benjamin netanyahu, and whether this isjustified or not, i have no idea, but sometimes, frustration is something that you have to take out because this is how you feel. so i don't blame them for doing it, and i honestly believe that the government and the idf is doing all they can to bring the hostages back. we really hope you are reunited with your brother—in—law and we are really sorry for the loss of your

sister. we appreciate you joining us here on bbc news. thank you so much. let's remind you of our breaking story in the last hour. that is that three us troops have been killed in a drone attack injordan, an attack on a us base in the country. that has come from the us military. central command said the casualties were caused by an attack at the base in northjordan, near the border with syria. presidentjoe biden said the attack was carried out by radical iran backed militant groups. this is the first time us soldiers have been killed in the region after the october seven attacks by hamas. there have been attacks on us bases in the region, but so far, there have been no casualties reported by the us army. and we will have more on that story in a moment. but first, let's get a round—up of the sport.

thank you. we will start with tennis. jannik sinner says he is ready for the pressure and expectation that comes with being a grand slam champion, after becoming the first italian to win the australian open. he beat danil medvedev in an enthralling five—set final. medvedev took control early on, winning the first two sets 6—3, 6—3. but then the young sinner, who was playing in his first grand slam final, recovered under pressure and started to impose his game, winning the next three sets 6—4 6—4 6—3. sinner had been widely tipped as a potential champion at melbourne park after a standout year on the atp tour and also leading italy to their first davis cup title in late november. most importantly, the support has been crazy throughout the whole tour and two weeks. you guys make me feel at home, so thank you so much. it is at home, so thank you so much. it is a quarter of 15,000 people, but it feels so much more, so thanks so much to everyone.

to cricket. england captain ben stokes says his side's incredible opening test victory in india was their best under his leadership over the last two years. facing an india side who'd only lost three times on home soil in the past decade, england somehow turned a 190—run first—innings deficit into a hugely unexpected 28—run win. before this, the biggest lead any touring team had previously overturned there was just 65, and that was by australia 60 years ago! england's vice—captain ollie pope was player of the match after saving the game with a stunning knock of 196, while debutant spinner tom hartley took seven wickets to force the win. england lead the five—match series 1—0. we've been a part of some amazing games over the last two years. we've had some incredible victories, but i think considering where we are, here we have played against, the position we have played against, the position we found ourselves going into our second innings batting was... to be able to sit here now and say we have gone 1—0 up, i think that's a big reason as to why i feel this is our

best victory since i have become captain. staying with historic wins, and west indies have pulled off a shock victory in australia, their first test win there since 1997. australia went into day four in brisbane well on their way to reaching their target of 216. but the windies' new fast bowler shamarjoseph, playing in only his second test and limping with a painful toe injury, took seven of the remaining eight wickets to take them to an eight—run win. the result levels the two—match series. o nto onto the english fa. there is potentially another shock when going on in wales. link to's newport county are drawing with league giants manchester united. united were 2—0 up after 13 minutes, but county have pulled two back. it is 2-2 at county have pulled two back. it is 2—2 at the moment with 60 minutes on the clock. elsewhere, liverpool playing their first match since juergen klopp announced he was leaving at the end, beat norwich 5-2. leaving at the end, beat norwich 5—2. watford and southampton will have to replay after the true 1—1.

—— after they drew 1—1. the english football association has launched an investigation into the crowd trouble which marred the fa cup 4th round derby between west brom and wolves. play at the hawthorns was suspended for over half an hour due to disorder in the stands and fans spilling onto the pitch, with police saying two people were arrested. the players were a should the pitch, with some west brom players concern for family with some west brom players concern forfamily members with some west brom players concern for family members seated nearby. with some west brom players concern forfamily members seated nearby. —— ushered off the pitch. the play resumed, and wolves won the game. and today's africa cup of nations action is the last two matches round of 16 games in the ivory coast. later egypt take on dr congo, but already under way, equatorial guinea, who topped their group, are in action against guinea, who finished third. it is currently goalless at half—time. and that's all the sport for now. thank you very much. the uk government says it remains "undaunted" after houthis targeted a british warship in the red sea

during the latest round of strikes. these pictures show the moment hms diamond repelled the attack by firing sea viper missiles at an incoming drone, which was heading directly towards the ship. the warship is currently situated in the red sea to protect merchant ships from houthi attacks. the uk ministry of defence says there were no injuries or damage. this latest strike from the iran—backed group comes days after an oil tanker with british links was also hit and went up in flames, as you can see. the fire on the marlin luanda was extinguished with no crew injured after french, indian and us naval ships provided assistance to the vessel. responding to the recent attacks, defence secretary grant shapps wrote:

our political correspondent harry farley sent us this update. this is not even the first time at hms cameco diamond, a british navy destroyer in the ten macro two, has been targeted by houthi jones. -- hms been targeted by houthi jones. —— hms diamond. the ministry of defence saying this is and illegal and unacceptable attack, and it is our duty to protect freedom of navigation in international waters. as you say, the defence secretary grant shapps also condemning this attack. he says the uk remains undaunted. we understand what happened yesterday afternoon, the houthi group in yemen launched a drone targeting hms diamond. the crew of hms diamond activated the ship's see viper missile system, which cost more than £1 million per missile, and destroyed a drone. they say there was no damage or injuries to anyone on board. but as you say, this is not the first time that hms

cameco diamond has been attacked, and it does raise questions about whether the uk will be drawn into future air strikes. of course, the uk has already struck houthi targets in yemen once, joining the us in doing that. the question is whether it will do it again.— it will do it again. harry farley there. here in the uk, the business and trade secretary kemi badenoch has said she removed the post office chairman henry staunton because the governance of the post office "just wasn't working". an interim chair is expected to be appointed shortly. it comes as the post office is reeling from the fallout from the horizon scandal, which has been called the biggest miscarriage ofjustice in uk history. it's been thrown out and i've... that's me, i'm free! rab thomson sharing the emotional news this week with his sister that his 2006 conviction for embezzlement had been overturned. it's the moment all wrongfully convicted sub—postmasters are hoping for.

there's been much debate over the quickest and fairest way to achieve that. now the chair of the post office, this man, henry staunton, has stepped down. it poses the question, did hejump or was he nudged? there were various disagreements within the board, and when i looked at it, i thought that a change of personnel was what was required. i don't want to do h out on live tv. these are human beings we are talking about. it's very difficult to be asked to stand down from a position. —— h are on live tv. but i decided that given all of the difficulties the post office is having, it's notjust about horizon, it's about the entire business model, how we make it work, that we needed someone who could chair a board that had — that was able to deal with these things effectively. the government ultimately owns the post office, and campaigners have long called for it to take tougher action to bring justice for the more than 700 people who were wrongly prosecuted.

do they think this departure will make a difference? the whole thing's a bit of a distraction from the real thing. it's the dead cat strategy, and i think it's designed to make it look like the department, the business department, is being proactive and listening to the postmasters. but actually, they're not. but the business secretary did hint that further personnel moves could follow. one labour mp who's long campaigned on the issue says root and branch reform is needed. i hope this is the start of wider change. clearly, nick read, the chief executive, needs to go, and we need now an open and honest culture which is not there at the post office at the moment. the post office said it continues to make changes so the issues the post office has maintained it supports the public inquiry as it seeks to establish the facts about the horizon scandal. questions about this sacking will rumble on. why now? who might be next? and who will now? who might be next? and who will now be tasked with ensuring the post office runs effectively and justice is finally served for those who have suffered for 20 years?

before we go, a reminder of our breaking news in the last couple of hours. that is that three us troops have been killed in a drone attack. according to a statement from us central command, it said it happened at a base in northeast georgia near the syria border, though we are hearing from jordan, who say that the attack happened in syria, so a bit of confusion there. of course, we will be on that story, clarifying and checking what we know, so stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. we did expect it to get a bit warmer today, but it may well turn out to be a record—breaking day. some sunshine and a southerly wind ahead of a band of rain in highland scotland, so temperatures reach close to 20 degrees earlier, and that would smash the previous january temperature record in the uk. the winds are dropping,

actually, and temperatures will drop too. this band of rain moving to scotland and northern ireland is heading into northern england and wales. following that, in the lighter winds, we get into colder air, so much so that in northern parts of scotland, there is likely to be a frost overnight tonight, whereas ahead of the rain across england and wales, it is still a mile start to monday. this rain will hang around in northern england and wales, heavy over the hills, particularly in the north west of england. much of scotland and northern ireland is likely to be dry with some sunshine. lighter winds, but much colder than today. temperatures typically 7—8. where it is dry across the midlands and southern england, still mild, temperatures of 13 may, maybe 1a. it will notjust be rain we will see on monday. they could be some snow after dark in the southern uplands, leading to icy conditions by tuesday morning, by which point the area of low pressure will have taken away the wet weather, and we are left with a cloudy start for england and

wales. some sunshine for scotland and northern ireland will push southward through the day. the mild air will be pushed away, but 12 degrees is still possible in the south—east. for many in the afternoon, nero eight or so, so turning chillierfrom afternoon, nero eight or so, so turning chillier from the afternoon, nero eight or so, so turning chillierfrom the north. —— nearer eight or so. towards the middle of the week, more isobars, more weatherfronts, middle of the week, more isobars, more weather fronts, turning wet and windy into scotland. widespread gales on saturday, had across northern ireland, nor most puzzling one, the really strong winds are in the far north and scotland, but the highlands, we could see a couple of inches of rain. the wet and windy weather in scotland will sink down into northern ireland. england and wales looking dry, winds much lighter further south, and wales looking dry, winds much lighterfurther south, and sunshine, lighter further south, and sunshine, temperatures lighterfurther south, and sunshine, temperatures of 10—11. the weather front bringing that rain will move southwards overnight. the rain peters out. chilly weather for a while, but then we change the wind direction by thursday, bringing in a milder air and also warcloud. —— more cloud.

live from london, this is bbc news. the american soldiers were killed in a drone attack and thejordan— syria area, the first a american military personnel to be killed since the start of the gaza war. president biden says the us will retaliate.

france has become the latest government to suspend payments to the un agency for palestinian refugees, despite a plea from the un chief for countries to continue funding. and israeli delegation has arrived for talks about it gaza ceasefire with representatives from egypt and qatar. we start this hour with the breaking news that three us have troops have been killed in a drone attack on an american base injordan near the border with syria. the us military says more than 20 other personnel were injured. president biden said the the attack had been carried out the soldiers are the first american military personnel to be killed in the middle east, since the beginning of the gaza war. president biden said the the attack had been carried out by an iranian—backed militant group operating in syria and iraq and vowed reprisals.