hello. president biden has said the united states will respond to a drone attack on an american military base injordan, near the syrian border, at a time and in a manner of its choosing. mr biden blamed the attack on radical iran—backed militant groups operating in syria and iraq. tehran has denied any involvement in the attack in which three service personnel were killed and 3a injured. it's the latest in a series of attacks against us bases in the region since the war in gaza began, as our world affairs correspondent, paul adams reports. the americans say the attack happened at a base known as tower 22, right on the syrian—jordanian border. it's one of many american

bases across the region. there have been dozens of drone and missile attacks in recent months, but no american personnel have been killed until now. joe biden, seen here attending church, 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 not necessarily a tipping point into uncontrolled escalation between the united states and iran, but it's another very dangerous step because, as i say, the us will have to respond even more strongly than it's done to previous attacks. carefully cultivated over years, iran has a wide network of allies and proxies operating in countries across the middle east. they're all opposed to israel and the united states. it's sometimes called the axis of resistance. there are pro—iranian militias in lebanon, the palestinian territories, gaza and the west bank, plus iraq and syria,

and far to the south, there's also the houthis in yemen. over the weekend, the houthis have been launching their own attacks, hitting a tanker in the gulf of aden. british warship hms diamond used an air defense missile to bring down a houthi drone with british help. the us have been hitting houthi military targets for a couple of weeks. so far, the houthis seem undeterred. they say they'll stop attacking ships if and when there's a ceasefire in gaza. the problems 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. let's just show your live pictures of the israeli lebanon border. there's been a lot of conflict with

rockets being fired both ways from hezbollah into israel and israeli defence force is attacking hezbollah sites in lebanon as well. let's go live to the region and speak to our correspondents hugo bachega who's in beirut in labanon and injerusalem, yolande knell. welcome to you both. what's the response been to the attacks? samantha, i think it was inevitable that something like this was going to happen. us officials say us bases in iraq and syria have been targeted in iraq and syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since the beginning of the war in gaza and the americans have been clear that they believe iranian—backed militia in iraq and syria were behind those attacks and i think we have a president biden who said yesterday

that iranian backed militias were behind this deadly attack. this attack is different because for the first time, american troops were killed so obviously this is a significant development and it shows how violence has spread across the middle east. amidst this israeli military offensive against hamas in gaza. there have been attacks on iraq and syria, rebels in yemen have been targeting commercial vessels and the red sea and that has led to attacks on other countries. there have been tensions along the lebanese israeli border with hezbollah carrying out attacks almost every day, targeting positions inside israel. although scripts are connected through iran. iran supports those groups. and they are part of what iran describes as

the accidents of resistance. obviously a major development with this attack, deadly attack and the attention now is on president biden and how he will respond. the iranian foreian and how he will respond. the iranian foreign minister— and how he will respond. the iranian foreign minister has _ and how he will respond. the iranian foreign minister has been _ and how he will respond. the iranian foreign minister has been speakingl foreign minister has been speaking in the past few hours so what is he set about this, trying to distance his country from it?— set about this, trying to distance his country from it? exactly. iran said it had _ his country from it? exactly. iran said it had nothing _ his country from it? exactly. iran said it had nothing to _ his country from it? exactly. iran said it had nothing to do - his country from it? exactly. iran said it had nothing to do with - his country from it? exactly. iran| said it had nothing to do with this attack, these groups that are part of this alliance that is supported by iran did not receive direct orders from the iranian authorities. and again, president biden has vowed to respond to this attack on the americans have already been striking positions used by those groups in iraq and syria in response to those attacks happening but many may say this strategy has not really worried because these attacks have continued and i think the president will be under a lot of pressure now to give

a stronger response and there have been some voices already from the republican party calling for attacks inside iraq which would be a dramatic escalation by president biden, unlikely to happen because you know, president biden and american officials have been trying to contain the violence in the middle east and any kind of attack inside iran could lead to unpredictable consequences. thank ou. over unpredictable consequences. thank yom overthe _ unpredictable consequences. thank you. over the weekend _ unpredictable consequences. thank you. over the weekend we - unpredictable consequences. thank you. over the weekend we heard increasing movement when it comes to the talks to release more than 120 hostages still being held by hamas in gaza so what's the latest? the israeli prime _ in gaza so what's the latest? the israeli prime minister 's office has commented saying the talks were constructive but significant gaps remain — constructive but significant gaps remain it — constructive but significant gaps remain. it was the israeli intelligence chief meeting with the us intelligence chief as well as qatari — us intelligence chief as well as qatari and egyptian mediators who

act as_ qatari and egyptian mediators who act as go—between is between hamas that could _ act as go—between is between hamas that could result in a hostage release — that could result in a hostage release deal which could result in the release of more than 100 israeli hostages _ the release of more than 100 israeli hostages still being held by hamas and increased aid going into gaza. we are _ and increased aid going into gaza. we are told the negotiations will carry— we are told the negotiations will carry on— we are told the negotiations will carry on through the week but we hear— carry on through the week but we hear that— carry on through the week but we hear that fierce fighting in the past _ hear that fierce fighting in the past 24 — hear that fierce fighting in the past 24 hours in gaza, the israeli military— past 24 hours in gaza, the israeli military saying it has killed and its words — military saying it has killed and its words dozens of terrorists and its words dozens of terrorists and it says _ its words dozens of terrorists and it says they include foregone men who were — it says they include foregone men who were trying to ambush israeli troops _ who were trying to ambush israeli troops close to the hospital in khan yourris— troops close to the hospital in khan younis and — troops close to the hospital in khan younis and there's been a lot of concern — younis and there's been a lot of concern on _ younis and there's been a lot of concern on the humanitarian side around _ concern on the humanitarian side around what is happening around these _ around what is happening around these big — around what is happening around these big hospitals in khan younis in the _ these big hospitals in khan younis in the south, the largest hospitals remaining — in the south, the largest hospitals remaining in the south are continuing to try to serve people. but they— continuing to try to serve people. but they have seen the fighting realty _ but they have seen the fighting really encircling them.- but they have seen the fighting really encircling them. thank you both very much _

really encircling them. thank you both very much for _ really encircling them. thank you both very much for now. - live now to sir mark lyall grant, the former national security adviser and uk ambassador to the un. thank you for being with us. your response to the attack over the weekend in the us base injordan in which three us military personnel were killed and many more injured? it is a very serious incident indeed. it is true a couple of us navy seals have died in the red sea in the actions against the houthi rebels but this is the sort of land—based deaths that the us has faced a president biden will want to respond in a military fashion to this. . , respond in a military fashion to this. ., , . ., , respond in a military fashion to this. ., , ., this. he has clearly accused radical iranian-backed _ this. he has clearly accused radical iranian-backed groups _ this. he has clearly accused radical iranian-backed groups of - this. he has clearly accused radical iranian-backed groups of being - iranian—backed groups of being behind this and as we heard from our correspondence, iran is trying to distance itself from the attack but what could it lead to in terms of a response from the us. the us and countries around the world wanting

to contain what is happening in the middle east but president biden saying he will respond and clearly they have to?— they have to? they certainly will have to respond _ they have to? they certainly will have to respond strongly - they have to? they certainly will have to respond strongly but - they have to? they certainly will have to respond strongly but i i they have to? they certainly will. have to respond strongly but i agree with your correspondence, i do not think the united states will launch an attack directly on iranian soil because that would be a serious escalation. iran does not want that but the united states does not want that sort of escalation either so i expect a very strong military response against some of these are iranian—backed or affiliated shiite militia groups based in syria and iraq. so i think we will see that sort of response in the next 24 hours but i would not expect a direct attack on iran.— hours but i would not expect a direct attack on iran. there have been fierce _ direct attack on iran. there have been fierce since _ direct attack on iran. there have been fierce since the _ direct attack on iran. there have been fierce since the october i direct attack on iran. there have | been fierce since the october the 7th attacks by hamas and israel of the conflict spreading across the region and possibly further but as a former national security adviser, what are your thoughts on how the

situation is contained to stop it spiralling out of control? i think many commentators _ spiralling out of control? i think many commentators would - spiralling out of control? i think| many commentators would have expected it to have escalated further than it has, it's been 3.5 months since the horrific attacks on the 7th of october and what we've seen is although there have been a number of serious and linked incidents around the region, so far we have not seen a full—scale escalation involving all regional power bases including iran and the us. ithink power bases including iran and the us. i think president biden did well early on to take some deterrent steps against the risk of escalation by sending a fleet into the eastern mediterranean for instance and giving very direct warnings to iran not to escalate. so although we have seen events on the lebanese border, the west bank, houthi rebels attacking commercial shipping and militia attacks on us bases in the region we have not seen the full

scale conflagration that many expected and i still think it's possible to avoid that wider escalation. possible to avoid that wider escalation-— possible to avoid that wider escalation. ., ., escalation. let me ask you about unrwa and _ escalation. let me ask you about unrwa and the _ escalation. let me ask you about unrwa and the fact _ escalation. let me ask you about unrwa and the fact it's - escalation. let me ask you about l unrwa and the fact it's suspended several pit stop over israeli allegations they were involved in the october the 7th attacks and consequently seven countries including the uk have suspended him back to funding which is the main charity in gaza supplying eight. what are your thoughts about these allegations and the investigation and the future of unrwa in gaza? the and the future of unrwa in gaza? tue: allegations and the future of unrwa in gaza? tte: allegations are and the future of unrwa in gaza? t“te: allegations are obviously and the future of unrwa in gaza? tte: allegations are obviously very serious and it's fair to say the israeli government have been gunning for unrwa for 50 years but nonetheless it looks as if there is evidence of some officials of unrwa being involved in the 7th of october attacks, looks to be well founded, otherwise unrwa would not have sacked these people and demanding an investigation and the un secretary general talking about this horrific

news. having said that, there are 13,000 people working in gaza at the moment, over100 13,000 people working in gaza at the moment, over 100 have been killed in the israeli bombardment and they are the israeli bombardment and they are the main international operators providing support to the palestinian refugees in education, housing, humanitarian, social services et cetera. so it is quite a damaging blow for the palestinians in gaza that the main funders including the united states and germany, the two main funders of unrwa, have suspended their aid. an understandable decision but i think those governments that have cut off aid will want to ensure that humanitarian support still gets to palestinians in gaza by other means, not directly perhaps three unrwa but perhaps three other un agencies working there like the world food programme, unicef. there are 23 un

agencies working there so it's possible to provide eight without using unrwa. you possible to provide eight without using unrwa-— possible to provide eight without usin: unrwa. ., ., ., using unrwa. you made the point that ou said using unrwa. you made the point that you said israel — using unrwa. you made the point that you said israel had _ using unrwa. you made the point that you said israel had long _ using unrwa. you made the point that you said israel had long been _ you said israel had long been gunning for unrwa, as a former ambassador, israel has contended that some of its staff —— of the unrwa staff collaborated with her mass. did you ever see evidence of that? i mass. did you ever see evidence of that? . ., , that? i never saw evidence of it but i heard that? i never saw evidence of it but i heard ezra — that? i never saw evidence of it but i heard ezra was _ that? i never saw evidence of it but i heard ezra was accusing _ that? i never saw evidence of it but i heard ezra was accusing some - that? i never saw evidence of it but| i heard ezra was accusing some stop of those sorts of acts of proselytising pro—hamas literature in schools and things like that but i never saw any evidence of it myself. i never saw any evidence of it m self. ,, ., ,, i never saw any evidence of it mself. ,, ., . myself. so mark, thank you so much for “oininu myself. so mark, thank you so much forjoining us— myself. so mark, thank you so much forjoining us and _ myself. so mark, thank you so much forjoining us and giving _ myself. so mark, thank you so much forjoining us and giving us _ myself. so mark, thank you so much forjoining us and giving us your - forjoining us and giving us your thoughts. king charles has spent a third night in hospital in london, where he has been receiving

treatment for his prostate.he he was visited again on sunday by queen camilla, who made two visits to the london clinic. there's been no update on the king's condition since friday, when the queen said he was doing well following the procedure. let's get more on this with our news correspondent. good morning. there is a possibility that the king may be discharged today, it is normal that with a procedure like this the recovery time is 1—3 days, the king had the procedure on friday. queen camilla has been to visit him every day, she was here twice yesterday and said he was here twice yesterday and said he was doing fine. we have not seen her yet he it today but interesting i think the king has been so public about the condition that he has, he wanted to raise public awareness of prostate conditions and nhs england say they have seen a significant

increase in traffic to their website which i think the king will be pleased about. katherine, princess of wales is also here in the building behind me. she had abdominal surgery on the 16th of january and again experts say the normal recovery time for a procedure like that is two weeks, we are about two weeks on so there is a possibility today or tomorrow we may see one or both members of the royal family living here and heading home. graham, thank you so much. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a labour mp has been suspended by her party after saying gaza should be remembered as genocide in a post about holocaust memorial day. kate osamor — who represents edmonton — has since apologised for "any offence caused" over the message distributed to local party members on friday. she has been suspended while an investigation takes place. french farmers plan to block roads into paris today, as they continue their protests against falling incomes

and competition from imports. tractors will be used to halt traffic on motorways leading into the capital. for days, nationwide protests have flared in the european union's largest agriculture producing country, with farmers angered by environmental policies. in response, the government ordered the deployment of 15,000 police and paramilitary gendarmes. japan says its moon lander, which was shut down due to a solar panel malfunction, is now working again. the probe, illustrated here by computer generated images, has begun to explore the moon and is already sending back images of its surroundings. japan is only the fifth nation, after the us, the soviet union, china and india, to land on the lunar surface. you're live with bbc news. rishi sunak is to announce plans to ban the sale of disposable vapes across the uk. the idea is to make the products less attractive to children — but manufacturers say that e—cigarettes can help people quit smoking. here's our health editor, hugh pym. the increase in underage vaping has caused increasing concern,

with recent figures suggesting that one in five children have tried it. headteachers have reported that some pupils have become addicted to nicotine. in a small number of cases, children have needed hospital treatment. research quoted by the government shows that more than two thirds of those between 11 and 17 who are vaping are using disposables. the environmental impact, with single use e—cigarettes adding to waste, is anotherfactor behind the ban announced today. this is the westminster government recognising the health and wellbeing of children by banning disposable vapes. it also recognises the environment is important to us and this ban will help stop polluting the environment. and it also leaves open opportunity for people who are using vapes to help their nicotine addiction, to use them with the recyclable vaping devices. the ban on disposable vapes is one measure which can be implemented using existing powers. for others,

there'll be new legislation restricting flavours, introducing plain packaging and limiting displays in shops. and in england and wales there'll be powers to impose on the spot fines on retailers who sell to under 18. most of these plans will be put out to consultation, and implementation is unlikely till the end of this year at the earliest. the vaping industry has already made clear its objections. the real concern here is that, yes, how do we ensure that the safety of these products only goes into the hands of adult smokers? but the concern around a ban, if that border enforcement or local trading standards money doesn't get to the right place, is this would really revert many smokers back to that killer, which is combustible cigarettes. health officials say that use of e—cigarettes is an effective method for smokers to give up their habit. there will now be a debate over which flavours should be allowed after the changes and where the products should be placed in shops so children are deterred, but adults can still buy e—cigarettes if they need them.

hugh pym, bbc news. live now to andrej kuttruf, who is the chief executive and co—founder at evapo. welcome to you. what do you make of the ban? ., ., ,, , welcome to you. what do you make of the ban? ., ., , ., the ban? samantha, disposables are already banned _ the ban? samantha, disposables are already banned for _ the ban? samantha, disposables are already banned for kids, _ the ban? samantha, disposables are already banned for kids, that - the ban? samantha, disposables are already banned for kids, that is - already banned for kids, that is black—market criminal selling tickets without any consequences. so now to propose to ban these products for adults would really be an admission of the government, that it cannot enforce its existing laws and it will not tackle the black—market problem. we have millions of people vaping in this country who will be at risk of falling back to smoking and these bands would hand the regulated vaping market to criminals on a silver platter. t regulated vaping market to criminals on a silver platter.— on a silver platter. i suppose the roblem on a silver platter. i suppose the problem is _ on a silver platter. i suppose the problem is even _ on a silver platter. i suppose the problem is even though - on a silver platter. i suppose the

problem is even though they - on a silver platter. i suppose the problem is even though they are | problem is even though they are banned, two thirds of 11—17 —year—olds are using disposable vapours and we do not know the long—term health impact and they are targeted at younger people, the way the products are designed and the flavours? , , , ., ., , flavours? yes, this is not really about flavours _ flavours? yes, this is not really about flavours or _ flavours? yes, this is not really about flavours or colours. - flavours? yes, this is not really about flavours or colours. but l flavours? yes, this is not really i about flavours or colours. but that is art of about flavours or colours. but that is part of what _ about flavours or colours. but that is part of what the _ about flavours or colours. but that is part of what the government - about flavours or colours. but that is part of what the government is l is part of what the government is going to be looking at, making sure they do not target younger people? yes, and we welcome regulations which regulate the packaging, the colouring but this is not about flavours, it is about black—market criminals selling tickets and what really needs to be done is introduce a licensing scheme which could raise upwards of £50 million, give trading standards the resource to go after these criminals, prosecute and punish them. nothing will happen, any of these bands will have no difference if you do not put money into enforcement of the laws. where

do they sell— into enforcement of the laws. where do they sell tickets, _ into enforcement of the laws. where do they sell tickets, this _ do they sell tickets, this black—market criminals? t do they sell tickets, this black-market criminals? i guess it is an easy buck — black-market criminals? i guess it is an easy buck for _ black-market criminals? i guess it is an easy buck for them _ black-market criminals? i guess it is an easy buck for them to - black-market criminals? i guess it is an easy buck for them to make. | is an easy buck for them to make. but where do they do it, a lot of these kids go into shops and buy them from behind the counter? t see them from behind the counter? i see barbers, corner— them from behind the counter? i see barbers, corner stores, _ them from behind the counter? t ~-- barbers, corner stores, that should not be the case. that is why we need a licensing scheme which only allow specialised retailers to sell these products on their should be rules around age verification, rules around age verification, rules around not displaying vaping products next to suites of these rules can be implemented and this scheme can really raise the money to put towards trading standards and enforce existing laws.— put towards trading standards and enforce existing laws. thank you for bein: with enforce existing laws. thank you for being with us _ enforce existing laws. thank you for being with us on _ enforce existing laws. thank you for being with us on for _ enforce existing laws. thank you for being with us on for your— enforce existing laws. thank you for being with us on for your thoughts. | just imagine — you're in a pakistani boy band, you've just had your first breakout hit — and then a global pop star calls up to say he wants to collaborate with you.

well, that's exactly what happened to the group orr — three young men from karachi — who are finding fame all around the world thanks to their urdu—language collaboration with zayn malik — the bradford—born superstarfrom one direction. our culture correspondent noor nanji has been finding outjust how it all came together. the song that won hearts around the world. back it was already a massive hit in pakistan and india. but then zayn malikjumped on board, singing in urdu on a song. suddenly, a whole new audience discovered the song. for the three artists

he teamed up with it's a dream come true. i asked them how they're doing. so what does it feel like to collaborate with one of the biggest stars in the world? it feels so good, but love it. i mean, some people have this dream that we have achieved pakistani audiences. previously we just had pakistani audiences. previously we 'ust had pakistani audiences. ., previously we 'ust had pakistani audience— previously we 'ust had pakistani audincs— previously we 'ust had pakistani audiences. ., ., , ., audiences. now we have people from the uk, brazil. — audiences. now we have people from the uk, brazil, china. _ audiences. now we have people from the uk, brazil, china. so _ audiences. now we have people from the uk, brazil, china. so it's- audiences. now we have people from the uk, brazil, china. so it's very - the uk, brazil, china. so it's very good _ zayn malik is better known for pop songs like what makes you beautiful and pillow talk. but his fans were thrilled that the bradford born singer is also

fluent in urdu. tthe original version gained more than 100 million views on youtube. but the remake is catching up fast with more than 8 million views. aur say zayn was a delight to work with. he is so down to earth. ok, so you've partnered with zayn malik. which western stars are next for you? well, since i got 21 savage and drake the weekend, we will do it with anyone. noor nanji, bbc news. 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. looks like it is quite happy chewing away the full stop stay with us here on bbc news. i will be back in a couple of minutes with all of the top stories. hello again. the weather this week once again is going to be fairly changeable. today, what we've got is cold air coming in across the north behind this weather front, which is producing rain. but we are still in the milder conditions, represented by the yellows further south. now, that rain we are looking at is going to be heavy in parts. it's affecting parts of southern scotland, northern england, wales, the north—west midlands and the southwest. the heaviest of which will be falling across the north of england.

we could have some sleet and snow in the hills of the southern uplands and also the hills of the north of england. but to the north of that in the sunshine it's going to be colder than it was yesterday and not as windy. come south, we are looking at 14 or indeed 15, way above average for the time of year, which in parts of the southeast is eight or nine. through this evening and overnight, the rain continues to push steadily eastwards. behind it, for england and for wales there will be a lot of cloud, patchy light rain and drizzle. but for scotland and northern ireland, under clear skies, it's going to be a cold night. we could see —5, that's our lowest temperature, with the risk of ice and some frost. we could actually also see some frost across parts of northern england, but as we come south, no issues with frost at all. so tomorrow, we are left with a bit of cloud across england and wales. bits of that will break up through the day to allow some brighter spells to come through. we've got a ridge of high pressure building up across us, so a lot of dry weather. any showers we see in the north—west highlands could prove to be wintry on the hills and temperatures

slipping down, 5 to about 9 degrees will be our maximum temperatures. then as we move on through the rest of wednesday, low pressure is crossing into the north of scotland, but look at all those isobars, and this weather front. it's going to be a very windy day in the northern half of the country on wednesday with gales, even severe gales, and this rain will be heavy as it pushes steadily southwards, with some hill snow in it. come further south again into england and to wales, and we are looking at a drier day, blustery winds, not as windy as in the north, and these are our temperatures. so they are starting to go up a little bit once again, a range of 7—11 north to south. beyond that, if we look at the outlook period, well, temperatures will be roundabout where they should be at this time of year. it will be wet and windy at times, especially so in scotland. further south, though, we are looking at something drier, but windy at times too.

this is bbc news — the headlines... the united states says it will respond to a drone strike injordan that killed three us military personnel. a vigil in bristol after two teenage boys are stabbed to death. they have now been named. mps call for the one or two—word judgments used by ofsted to rate schools in england to be scrapped.

president biden has said the united states will respond to a drone attack on an american military base injordan, near the syrian border, at a time and in a manner of its choosing. mr biden blamed the attack on radical iran—backed militant groups operating in syria and iraq. tehran has denied any involvement in the attack in which three service personnel were killed and 34 injured. my colleague azadeh moshiri spoke to adam clements — he is the former us defense attache to jordan. he told her how significant this attack was for the us administration. i think the biden administration does face something significant here now because us forces have been injured and killed. unfortunately as well this has happened many times, where these iranian—backed groups have attempted to injure or kill us forces deployed in this counter—isis campaign. but you are right, there is a point now where i think that there'll have to be further strikes, just as far as just to show the us will not stand for when its service members being, in this case, injured or killed.

but there have been strikes since october the 7th,