on an istanbul church, that left one person dead. hello, i hello, lam nicky hello, i am nicky shiller. we start this hour with the news that three us have troops have been killed in a drone attack on an american base near the jordan—syria border. us officials say more than 20 other personnel were injured. president biden said the the attack had been carried out by an iranian—backed militant group operating in syria and iraq and vowed reprisals. as yet, no group has claimed it was behind the attack, and we have had no word from iran. jordan — a close ally of the us — has condemned what it called a terrorist attack and says its cooperating with the us to secure the border our diplomatic correspondent paul adams reports. the american say the attack happened

at the bays known as tower 22, right on the syrian— jordanian border, one of a merit many american bases across the region. there've been dozens of drone and missile attacks in recent months, but no american personnel had been killed until now. joe biden, seen here at ten in church this afternoon, was quick to point the finger. we know it was carried out by radical iran backed militant groups operating in syria and iraq he said. it’s militant groups operating in syria and iraq he said.— and iraq he said. it's not necessarily _ and iraq he said. it's not necessarily a _ and iraq he said. it's not necessarily a tipping - and iraq he said. it's not i necessarily a tipping point and iraq he said. it's not _ necessarily a tipping point between uncontrolled competition between the united states and iran, but is a dangerous step because the us would have to respond more strongly than it has two previous attacks. carefully cultivated over years, erin has a wide network of allies and proxies operating in countries across the middle east. they are all opposed to israel and the united states, it subsided —— sometimes

called the axis of resistance cook. they are in the palestinian territories, gaza and iraq, and parts of the south there are houthi in yemen. over the weekend houthi have been launching their own attacks, hitting a tanker in the gulf of aden. last night, a british warship used in air defence missile to ring down a houthi drone. with which he showed, the us open hitting houthi targets for weeks, so far the houthi targets for weeks, so far the houthi seem undeterred. they say they will stop attacking ships if and when there's a cease—fire in gaza. the problems in america is dealing with across the region aren't all about gaza, but the war there has left the whole middle east a lot more dangerous. paul adams, bbc news live now to ambassador gina abercrombie—winstanley, president of the middle east policy council and us ambassador to malta.

thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i wondered thank you forjoining us on bbc news. iwondered if thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i wondered if i could get your reaction to the drone strike. thank ou, the reaction to the drone strike. thank you. the drone _ reaction to the drone strike. thank you, the drone strike _ reaction to the drone strike. thank you, the drone strike is _ reaction to the drone strike. thank you, the drone strike is adding - reaction to the drone strike. thank you, the drone strike is adding to l you, the drone strike is adding to the tragedy of the entire region right now, and certainly puts great pressure on the united states and president biden and on the iranians. they been those who have called for a war with iran from day one and trying to pin responsibility for the guys at attack on iran. this just opens them up to more likely response that gets closer to a frontal conflict between the united states and iran. so there are those who have been complaining about the united states not controlling israel, even though there been clear opposition on how they are turning out the attack in gaza, but so too the pressure is on iran, they may not control the houthi, the organisations that are active in

syria and iraq, who carried out this attack. ~ ., ., , ., ~ , attack. what do you think president biden will do? — attack. what do you think president biden will do? he _ attack. what do you think president biden will do? he has _ attack. what do you think president biden will do? he has vowed - biden will do? he has vowed retaliation, what sort of formal that come in?— retaliation, what sort of formal that come in? . , ., , that come in? there are sure to be in number of _ that come in? there are sure to be in number of options _ that come in? there are sure to be in number of options put _ that come in? there are sure to be in number of options put on - that come in? there are sure to be in number of options put on the i in number of options put on the table from day one. as we all know, there are those so called on the united states to make some sort of gesture, response to iran, because of iran's support for radical organisations in the region, so the president has an array, whether it is cyber attacks, frontal attacks, kinetic, non—kinetic, and he will review those options and determine which are the best ones that will show that the united states cannot be attacked with impunity, and at the same time most carefully prevents an escalation directly because of this. do

prevents an escalation directly because of this.— prevents an escalation directly because of this. , ., ~ because of this. do you think there is a risk that _ because of this. do you think there is a risk that this _ because of this. do you think there is a risk that this could _ is a risk that this could widen across the middle east question mark? ~ , ,., , across the middle east question mark? ~ , , ., across the middle east question mark? ~ , ., across the middle east question mark? �* , , ., ., mark? absolutely, from day one observers within _ mark? absolutely, from day one observers within and _ mark? absolutely, from day one observers within and outside - mark? absolutely, from day one observers within and outside the governments have made the point that this is unpredictable. whether it is because there are proxies for iran, who were carrying out these attacks, whether deliberately or errant missiles on the lebanon border, syria, iraq and nowjordan. the unpredictability of this is the greatest danger is. not that people are cackling to them how to escalate, but the fact that that guy collisions can go out the window as soon as one mistake is made. we have a presidential — soon as one mistake is made. we have a presidential election _ soon as one mistake is made. we have a presidential election year— soon as one mistake is made. we have a presidential election year in - soon as one mistake is made. we have a presidential election year in the - a presidential election year in the us and now in three service personnel, americans, killed and lots injured, do you think that adds a different sort of pressure at home to president biden? i

a different sort of pressure at home to president biden?— to president biden? i don't think the pressure _ to president biden? i don't think the pressure is _ to president biden? i don't think the pressure is that _ to president biden? i don't think the pressure is that much - to president biden? i don't think| the pressure is that much greater because there an election coming up, there will always be significant and heavy pressure on it head of state when citizens are harmed. the fact that americans have been killed raises it whether there is an election, so it may be used for political purposes if the response by president biden isn't seen to be as quick or as fierce as americans expect when we are harmed, but the pressure was going to be there as soon as those service people were killed, and those others wounded. i wonder if i can get your take on gaza, because israel says the negotiation solutions that have taken place in paris to try to secure is release of the hostages by hamas is constructive, that is sounding optimistic isn't it? it is and there have _ sounding optimistic isn't it? it 3 and there have been successes in the past, we have had that so we know the two sides can come together for

the two sides can come together for the benefit of the hostages and of course around the world and certainly in israel and the united states, american citizens are among those hostages, it is a high priority from our site to get them released. all of us need to keep in mind that each hostage release has come as a result of diplomacy, not war. diplomacy, not dropping bombs on the gaza strip, so as the prime minister says he is prioritising the release of hostages, that means he has to put diplomacy first, which puts additional pressure on a cease—fire. puts additional pressure on a cease-fire.— cease-fire. gina - abercrombie-winstanley, cease-fire. gina _ abercrombie-winstanley, thank you cease—fire. gina abercrombie—winstanley, thank you so much for your insight to us here on bbc news. to turkey next. one man has been killed in a shooting at a catholic church in istanbul. two masked attackers struck during morning mass. turkey's interior minister says that both have been arrested. our senior international correspondent orla guerin sent this report from istanbul.

two attackers in masks, captured on cctv, walking casually towards the church. a man enters. the gunmen follow and appear to target him. the congregation, ducking for cover. the victim had intended to become a christian, according to a relative, but was not baptised yet. police move in to seal off the streets around the i9th—century church, as a manhunt gets under way. a morning mass here became a scene of terror. police are still here and there is a real sense of shock in the community. local officials and government ministers have rushed to condemn the attack and the search is still going on to the local mayor told us there was no tension in the area between different religions. "the church doors are always wide

open," said sukru genc, "even during mass." "muslims visit the church, as well as christians. "from time to time you see the priest having tea in someone's house." and from the vatican, a message of support from pope francis. "i send my sympathy to the congregation of the church of santa maria..." he said. "..which suffered an armed attack during mass." the motive for the attack is unclear. but churches in this overwhelmingly muslim country have been targeted in the past. orla guerin, bbc news, istanbul. there are media reports now that the so—called islamic state has said it carried out the attack, but so far this is unconfirmed. two boys, aged 15 and 16, have died after being stabbed

in bristol last night. police say they were attacked by a group who fled the knowle west area of the city. a 44—year—old man and 15—year—old boy have been arrested. dan johnson reports. another community stunned into collective silence by the loss of teenagers to knife crime. a minute to contemplate what happened and what it means.— to contemplate what happened and what it means. their parents have to live the rest — what it means. their parents have to live the rest of _ what it means. their parents have to live the rest of your _ what it means. their parents have to live the rest of your life _ what it means. their parents have to live the rest of your life and - what it means. their parents have to live the rest of your life and their - live the rest of your life and their brothers and sister without them. it's heartbreaking, heartbreaking. the question on everyone's mind here is why? what prompted such violence? the street was still a crime scene today under intensive investigation. it needs to stop. it really needs to

ston _ it needs to stop. it really needs to ston i_ it needs to stop. it really needs to ston idon't— it needs to stop. it really needs to stop. i don't want my girls to grow up. stop. i don't want my girls to grow un 00— stop. i don't want my girls to grow up. do you worry it's getting out of control? i thought _ up. do you worry it's getting out of control? i thought it _ up. do you worry it's getting out of control? i thought it was _ up. do you worry it's getting out of control? i thought it was bad - control? i thought it was bad when we were young _ control? i thought it was bad when we were young but _ control? i thought it was bad when we were young but no. _ control? i thought it was bad when we were young but no. that - we were young but no. that double-decker _ we were young but no. that double-decker bus - we were young but no. that double-decker bus marks . we were young but no. trust double—decker bus marks where that happens, but we don't believe that was involved, itjust happened to be passing at the time, but we are told that one of the boys was living on the street, so it has hit people here hard. officers were here quickly and tried first aid, they have made arrests and found a car but not yet the others they think were involved. it is but not yet the others they think were involved.— were involved. it is demoralising but it has made _ were involved. it is demoralising but it has made me _ were involved. it is demoralising but it has made me determinedl were involved. it is demoralising i but it has made me determined to support the community and work with the team of police officers we have committed to this to bring the perpetrators to justice. than? committed to this to bring the perpetrators to justice. perpetrators to 'ustice. any idea as to why these — perpetrators to justice. any idea as to why these boys _ perpetrators to justice. any idea as to why these boys were _ perpetrators to justice. any idea as to why these boys were attacked? l to why these boys were attacked? still subject to the investigation and cctv and the locality. you can't

mistake the — and cctv and the locality. you can't mistake the anger _ and cctv and the locality. you can't mistake the anger in _ and cctv and the locality. you can't mistake the anger in this _ and cctv and the locality. you can't l mistake the anger in this community, and while there is talk of gang rivalries on this estate, people believe these boys were blameless. it's shocking, they were quite nice boys, my honest opinion, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. ., , ., , in the wrong place at the wrong time. .,, ., , ., time. people are grieving but are also anxious _ time. people are grieving but are also anxious to _ time. people are grieving but are also anxious to know _ time. people are grieving but are also anxious to know who - time. people are grieving but are also anxious to know who did - time. people are grieving but are | also anxious to know who did this and how to stop it taking more lives. danjohnson, bbc news, bristol. back now to our main story — on a drone attack on the border ofjordan and syria which has killed three members of the us military. president biden has blamed iranian—backed militants and has warned of retaliation. with me is our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. thank you forjoining us. i was just reading your insight the life page blog where you are seeing a sharp escalation but it seemed inevitable. we have to be reminded that since the october seven israel— gaza war erupted a month there have been dozens of attacks by iran backed

militias in iraq and syria on american targets over the past several months. many american servicemen have been injured, but this is the first time they have been killed was not three, according to the latest, but they have been many injured, so that could rise, so with this velocity of attacks, it seems to be a matter of time before one servicemen or another lost their life, provoking the kind of attention and escalation we are discussing tonight. it is certainly focusing mines in washington. what focusing mines in washington. what do ou focusing mines in washington. what do you think — focusing mines in washington. what do you think president biden will do next was to mark he has to be? he has to next was to mark he has to be? he: has to be seen to be doing something, both politically as the election campaign what's up, former president to —— former president trump has already intervened and said it would not happen if he was in power, but a message has to be

sent to iran— backed militias that the united states will not take this standing by. the difficulty is, what target do you hit without them provoking an even greater escalation? since the start of the crisis, both the united states and iran, two countries long locks, decades, and animosities, have avoided direct confrontation. there are no calls in the united states for president biden to strike iran directly. he would want to avoid that. there are a range of iranian assets in the region that his military chiefs could choose. they have struck a assets in the region during this current conflagration, but they have to choose a target that sends an even stronger message stop more importantly than being seen to do something, they have to succeed, this is the conundrum. the united states is now leading the attacks against the houthi in the red sea but that military campaign

has not only not stop the houthi attacks, it is actually multiplied them and kept ability —— catapulted them and kept ability —— catapulted the houthi where they want to be, on the houthi where they want to be, on the world stage. it's likely that whatever the measure of america's reply, the attacks the iran— backed initiative want stopped. all that will stop them is an end to the war and he cease—fire that so far, president biden has not called for, at least in public. we president biden has not called for, at least in public.— at least in public. we do have the talks going _ at least in public. we do have the talks going on — at least in public. we do have the talks going on in _ at least in public. we do have the talks going on in paris _ at least in public. we do have the talks going on in paris and - at least in public. we do have the talks going on in paris and there. talks going on in paris and there seems to be optimistic noises during those talks, so that, it may be a diplomatic way out of this whole conflict rising in the middle east? the us is focusing its energies there, it's intelligence chief was at the table in paris, those talks have now broken up. it was this group of people, americans intelligence chief, israel's

intelligence chief, israel's intelligence chief, israel's intelligence chief, qatari prime minister, who managed to clinch a d of the first time, and exchange of hostages held by men orfor of the first time, and exchange of hostages held by men or for hostages in is really geos so that means it has been described as constructive but the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has said, not surprisingly, there are still significant gaps. all sites want disassociated but there are some —— all sites want to succeed but there are deep—seated differences between the is really position and monarchal position. the is really position and monarchal osition. ~ , ., , . ., position. with your experience, do ou think position. with your experience, do you think that _ position. with your experience, do you think that is _ position. with your experience, do you think that is likely? _ position. with your experience, do you think that is likely? there - position. with your experience, do you think that is likely? there are | you think that is likely? there are so many pieces — you think that is likely? there are so many pieces in this _ you think that is likely? there are so many pieces in this puzzle - you think that is likely? there are so many pieces in this puzzle that keep breaking away or red lights which start blinking, it's hard to say. they are so many factors, even as we discussed these talks in paris aimed at easing the tensions, israel is intensifying its attacks in the

southern gaza strip emma within pressure in the town of khan younis and magnifying the suffering of palestinians. but prime minister netanyahu is under mounting pressure from the families of hostages to bring them home. he wants to do that, but she's also under pressure from his right wing, which keeps them in power, not to stop the war and focus on the main war aim which is destroying hamas, even though thatis is destroying hamas, even though that is an objective that many wonder if it's possible militarily and certainly a long way off. thank ou as and certainly a long way off. thank you as always _ and certainly a long way off. thank you as always for— and certainly a long way off. thank you as always for your _ and certainly a long way off. thank you as always for your insight, - and certainly a long way off. thank you as always for your insight, at l you as always for your insight, at least to set, our chief international correspondent. and as i mentioned before i interviewed her more analysis on the bbc united —— interviewed her more analysis on the bbc united -- bbc interviewed her more analysis on the bbc united —— bbc news life page. the chairman of the post office henry staunton was sacked by the business secretary kemi badenoch, she confirmed today,

following what she called 'various disagreements' with the company's board. she said his departure was about more than the horizon it scandal — where hundreds of sub post—masters and mistresses were wrongly accused of fraud and false accounting — and many were jailed. our business correspondent marc ashdown has the latest. not since it was first established more than 350 years ago has the post office faced such an existential crisis. the man brought injust a year ago to sort things out has now gone — sacked by the business secretary as the government grapples with how to resolve the horizon it scandal. i am the post office's sole shareholder. kemi badenoch made it clear that even though the computer issues long predate henry staunton's tenure, she decided there should be a change at the very top. 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 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 was able to deal with these things effectively. the government ultimately owns the post office and campaigners have long called for it to take tough action to help bring aboutjustice for the more than 700 people who were wrongfully convicted. i haven't got that money. jo hamilton's story was central to the itv drama. she doesn't think this departure will make much of a difference. the whole thing is 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 reed, 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. today, the post office said it's fully cooperating with the horizon public inquiry and is making changes so the issues of the past cannot be repeated. questions about this sacking will rumble on. why now? who might go next? and who might now be brought in, tasked with delivering a resolution to this scandal and a proper turnaround at one of britain's oldest institutions? mark ashdown, bbc news. hundreds of thousands of people across germany have taken to the streets to demonstrate this weekend against the rise of the far—right. the rallies were sparked by activists allegedly discussing the mass deportation of immigrants — even if they hold citizenship. chancellor olaf scholz has warned against the rise of neo—nazi networks in germany — and of right—wing populism across europe. our correspondent, jessica parker, reports now from the city of chemnitz in saxony.

in her 80s but undaunted by a crowd, renata speaks at one of the many protests sweeping germany. she survived the holocaust. many of herjewish family did not. translation: it's very important that we jews raise our voice. - the situation in germany has become threatening because of alternative for deutschland and other far—right groups. notjust for usjews. translation: it's very important that we jews raise our voice. - these demos were sparked by revelations that senior figures from the alternative for deutschland party met with right wing extremists where the mass deportation of asylum seekers and so—called non germans was allegedly discussed. there's a debate about whether to ban the afd or deprive them of state funding. where do you stand on that? i'm against the ban of afd. i think we have to tackle them on the political wave because if we ban them, i fear that they attract more attention and that more people try to support them.

for all these shows of staunch mass resistance against the afd, there is great uncertainty, even a nervousness about how to tackle the rise of the far right, particularly here in germany's east. a sense of disaffection lingers in the once communist part of this country, where the afd is leading the polls ahead of key elections. translation: they never had a chance to be in power because no one - wants to work with them. maybe if they got into power, it would be good for us all. the afd, designated by domestic intelligence as extremist in saxony, says it's being smeared by its opponents. what do you think about the fact there are hundreds of thousands of people protesting against your party and some people at those demonstrations saying they're scared by what they've heard? translation: we're aware of it. but we believe that many of these

demonstrators do not know oui’ programme. we are in the absurd situation where people demonstrate with the government against the opposition. that's unheard of. this city of chemnitz was once named after karl marx. that was reversed, but the monument remains. the father of communism now watching over the rise of the far—right. jessica parker, bbc news in chemnitz. the social media platform x — formerly known as twitter — has blocked users from searching for taylor swift, after explicit ai—generated images of the singer began circulating on the site. some of the fake images were flagged by her fans, who flooded the site with real images of her with the caption "protect taylor swift". in a statement to the bbc, a spokesperson for x said it was a "temporary action" to prioritise safety. protesters have hurled soup at the mona lisa painting in paris. the 16th century work — by leonardo da vinci —

is protected by bulletproof glass, so is unlikely to have been damaged. the two eco—protesters are reported to have been demanding the right to "healthy and sustainable food", saying "our agricultural system is at risk". it is the latest attack on the masterpiece in the louvre museum, after an activist threw a cream pie at the painting in 2022. finally, venice carnival has been kicked off by a giant rat. 0k, not a real rodent — take a look at this rather a giant rat boat. hundreds of vessels took part in the parade along the famous waterwaters. this year, the carnival is markinge 700th anniversary marco polo — of one of its greatest travellers who died in 1324. and finally, a monkey is on the loose in the scottish highlands after escaping from a wildlife park. the japanese macaque found a way out of its enclosure

at the highland wildlife park on sunday and into a nearby village. the royal zoological society of scotland, which runs the park, said it had assembled a team to bring the animal home. members of the public have been urged not to approach the monkey, but to contact the zoological society with any information they might have. that's the latest 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 with some sunshine and a southerly wind ahead of a band of rain. in highland, scotland, temperatures reached close to 20 degrees earlier on, and that would smash the previous january temperature record in the uk. now, the winds are dropping, actually, and the temperature is going to be dropping too. this band of rain moving through scotland and northern ireland is heading into northern parts

of england and wales. and following on from that, in the lighter winds, we're getting into colder air — so much so that in northern parts of scotland there's likely to be a frost overnight tonight, whereas ahead of the rain across england and wales, it's still a mild start to monday. but this rain is going to hang around in northern england and wales, heavy over the hills, particularly in the north west of england. much of scotland and northern ireland likely to be dry with some sunshine, lighter winds but much colder than today. temperatures typically 7—8 degrees, whereas where it's dry across the midlands and southern england, it's still mild, temperatures of ia, maybe 15 degrees. now, it's notjust rain that we're going to see, though, on monday. after dark, there could be some snow in the southern uplands leading to icy conditions by tuesday morning, by which point that area of low pressure will have taken the wet weather away and we're left with a cloudy start for england and wales. some sunshine for scotland and northern ireland will push its way southwards through the day. that very mild air is going to get pushed away, but 12 degrees

is still possible in the south—east. but for many in the afternoon it's going to be nearer eight degrees or so. so it's turning chillier from the north. but if we look to the north again by the middle part of the week, we've got more isobars, some weather fronts. it's turning wet and windy, particularly in scotland. widespread gales here on wednesday and across northern ireland, northernmost parts of england. the really strong winds are in the far north of scotland, but over the highlands this time we could see a couple of inches of rain. that wet and windy weather in scotland will sink down into northern ireland. england and wales looking dry, the winds much lighter further south and some sunshine temperatures of 10—11 degrees. now the weather front bringing that rain is going to move southwards overnight. the rain petering out, chilly weather for a while, but then we change the wind direction by thursday, bringing in a milderair and also more cloud.

this is bbc news, the headlines. three american soldiers have been killed and dozens injured in a drone attack on a us base nearjordan's border with syria. the white house blamed the attack on an iranian—backed militant group. president biden promises to retaliate. mourners gather in the south west of england, after a 15 and 16—year—old are killed in a stabbing

attack in bristol. two people have been arrested. police say they are looking for futher suspects. israel says negotiations in paris over the release of hostages in gaza — and a possible new ceasefire — were "constructive", but "gaps remain". a deal could see fighting suspended for two months. the islamic state says it was behind a shooting on an istanbul church that left one person dead. turkish police are on the hunt for two gun men, captured on cctv entering the church, on sunday. now on bbc news, it's newscast, with laura kuenssberg, paddy o'connell and henry zeffman. newscast. newscast from the bbc. hello, it's laura in the studio. paddy in the studio. and henry at home.