says the situation there is "extremely desperate". king charles leaves hospital after treatment for an enlarged prostate, just hours after the princess of wales was discharged following abdominal surgery. hello, i'm luxmy gopal. welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories and checking out the truth behind them. 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. our world affairs correspondent

paul adams has more. 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, 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. earlier, i spoke to bbc monitoring's

middle east specialist to find out the reaction to the attacks in jordan. it was an interesting reaction from jordan because initially, due to the proximity of where this site is located to the syrian border, the first response from jordan last night was to say that these us soldiers were actually killed on syrian territory before later clarifying this morning that it did take place on their soil. and part of thejordanian response has been to pledge that it will continue fighting what it says is "terrorism" and also "arms and drugs smuggling" from across the border in syria. what's interesting about this is thatjordan has been carrying out multiple military strikes inside syria on suspected drug smugglers, who themselves are accused of having connections to iran—backed militant groups, so this reaction seems very much in line with those continued operations. and this is the latest in what have been many attacks on us bases in the middle east in the past? that's right.

we know that since the gaza war began on the 7th of october, there have been more than 100 strikes on us bases in the region, in syria, iraq, now also injordan. but since about 2020—2022, there was a real spike in these attacks as well. between iran backed militias that are based inside syria and iraq against us forces. and us forces would tend to take out retaliatory strikes in response. what's changed since the 7th of october is many of these groups have now rebranded into a group called the islamic resistance in iraq, and they are now carrying out these attacks in light of the gaza war. king charles has left hospital in central london. he spent three nights there after receiving treatment for his prostate. it comes just hours after the princess of wales left the same hospital after nearly a two—week stay. she is recovering abdominal surgery. that's got life now to my colleague,

daniela relph. a much less public departure for catherine and a very different approach by the king? yes. different approach by the king? yes, that's right- — different approach by the king? yes, that's right- we _ different approach by the king? yes, that's right. we have _ different approach by the king? yes that's right. we have had two different kinds of departure from hospital today. different kinds of departure from hospitaltoday. forthe different kinds of departure from hospital today. for the king, different kinds of departure from hospitaltoday. forthe king, it different kinds of departure from hospital today. for the king, it was a very public discharge from the london clinic here in marylebone. he left around three o'clock this afternoon with his wife, queen camilla, at his side. he walked out of the door at the clinic to a waiting car. there was a small crowd gathered on the street thatjeered at him. he waved, he smiled, he walked carefully to his car, but he looked well and he is now off to recuperate for probably around a month or so before we see him resuming any kind of royal duties. for the princess of wales, it was a very different departure. that was out of the public eye. she was driven away from here this morning, driven away from here this morning, driven to windsor, so there was no public sight of her as she left hospital. she of course had been

here for 13 nights in all. so a long stay for her after that abdominal surgery. there was a statement from her spokesperson saying that she was making good progress and that she wanted to thank medical staff who had looked after her, in particular the dedicated team of nurses who were taken care of her. and from the king, a statement thanking those who looked after him and supported him here in hospital. a period of recuperation for them both now, the king unlikely to resume engagements for a month or so, king unlikely to resume engagements fora month orso, and king unlikely to resume engagements for a month or so, and for the princess of wales a longer recovery back home at windsor. we are unlikely to see her doing any official royal duties until after easter. figs official royal duties until after easter. �* , official royal duties until after easter. ~ , ., ., official royal duties until after easter. �* , ., . . easter. as you mentioned, a much more public _ easter. as you mentioned, a much more public departure _ easter. as you mentioned, a much more public departure for - easter. as you mentioned, a much more public departure for the - easter. as you mentioned, a much more public departure for the king j more public departure for the king which reflects how public his condition has been. because it was very much about raising public awareness. i heard someone was saying that in light of him going

into hospital, searches for treatment for enlarged prostate went through the roof, hundreds more searches than they normally have. yes, thousands more searches when you look at the nhs website and talk to prostate charities. yes, and that was the idea. normally when members of the royalfamily was the idea. normally when members of the royal family are admitted to hospital, they do not tell us much about the condition. we have historically not known very much. but buckingham palace took a different path this time because a large prostate is a condition that affects so many men, and i think the king did not want to hide away from talking about his own situation. we were told right from the start that this was the condition the needed treatment here in hospital. he spent three nights here. by going public, it was hoped that he encouraged other men got the right checks are went to the doctor if they had any problems. we have seen this huge rise in public awareness around this condition, something we are told the king is delighted by. good

condition, something we are told the king is delighted by.— king is delighted by. good public messaauin king is delighted by. good public messaging there. _ king is delighted by. good public messaging there. that _ king is delighted by. good public messaging there. that is - king is delighted by. good public messaging there. that is my - messaging there. that is my colleague daniela relph there in central london. the world's most indebted property developer, evergrande, has been given a winding up order by hong kong's high court. the company, which has extensive holdings in china, has more than $300 billion in liabilities. evergrande's shares fell by 20% on the exchange in hong kong, before trading was suspended. earlier, i asked earlier, iasked professor shirley you how evergrande reach this point. this is an 11th hour attempt to try to this is an11th hour attempt to try to seek_ this is an 11th hour attempt to try to seek a — this is an 11th hour attempt to try to seek a restructuring of the company— to seek a restructuring of the company at the hong kong high court after the _ company at the hong kong high court after the court has already offered eight _ after the court has already offered eight rounds of extension for evergrande to restructure. but more fundamentally, the company has been in serious _ fundamentally, the company has been in serious financial default. if i was _ in serious financial default. if i was to— in serious financial default. if i was to tell_ in serious financial default. if i was to tell you that there was a company— was to tell you that there was a company with a debt level of $330 billion_ company with a debt level of $330 billion and with an asset size of

only— billion and with an asset size of only $240 billion and the company continues— only $240 billion and the company continues to run, you would agree that the _ continues to run, you would agree that the company is no longer financially viable. however, over the last— financially viable. however, over the last couple of years, since evergrande defaulted two years ago, the company has resorted to policies at the _ the company has resorted to policies at the board level to favour the equity— at the board level to favour the equity holders, the shareholders over the — equity holders, the shareholders over the debt holders by issuing quarterly— over the debt holders by issuing quarterly dividends, and so the biggest — quarterly dividends, and so the biggest beneficiary was the founder, hui ka _ biggest beneficiary was the founder, hui ka yah, — biggest beneficiary was the founder, hui ka yan, and his formerwife. this— hui ka yan, and his formerwife. this is— hui ka yan, and his formerwife. this is a — hui ka yan, and his formerwife. this is a last _ hui ka yan, and his formerwife. this is a last resort for the debt holders— this is a last resort for the debt holders to — this is a last resort for the debt holders to say "we should be prioritised". once again, the debt holders— prioritised". once again, the debt holders will be paid before equity holders _ holders will be paid before equity holders receive anything, and in theory, — holders receive anything, and in theory, given the company balance sheet, _ theory, given the company balance sheet, debt holders could receive... as you've _ sheet, debt holders could receive... as you've hinted there, eye watering numbers that we are talking about. how easy is it going to be for

investors to recover their money? it is going to be rather difficult for the equity holders, including some of the _ the equity holders, including some of the institutional funds, a very small— of the institutional funds, a very small percentage, i would say, looking — small percentage, i would say, looking at— small percentage, i would say, looking at the current balance sheet at evergrande. at the debt holders are the _ at evergrande. at the debt holders are the ones that are actually looking — are the ones that are actually looking at recouping some of their principal— looking at recouping some of their principal investments. for the government, the government inevitably will step in to supervise the restructuring and the liquidation process. the local government has already been overseeing the restructuring process overseeing the restructuring process over the _ overseeing the restructuring process over the last couple of years, and i think— over the last couple of years, and i think the _ over the last couple of years, and i think the priority there is rather in considering of the debt holders or the _ in considering of the debt holders or the equity holders, is to really consider— or the equity holders, is to really consider the average chinese citizen's _ consider the average chinese citizen's interest. there is still a large _ citizen's interest. there is still a large number of devolved properties that is— large number of devolved properties that is really a priority for the government to continue to finish the urojects_ government to continue to finish the projects and gave these apartments back to the citizens. however, there

is another— back to the citizens. however, there is another risk on the horizon, which — is another risk on the horizon, which is — is another risk on the horizon, which is how does the government effectively — which is how does the government effectively contain the spill—over risk from — effectively contain the spill—over risk from evergrande to the other large _ risk from evergrande to the other large reat— risk from evergrande to the other large real estate in china. what is this due to _ large real estate in china. what is this due to investor— large real estate in china. what is this due to investor confidence . large real estate in china. what is this due to investor confidence in | this due to investor confidence in china and the economy more broadly? if we were to look at the market response — if we were to look at the market response to the news, you have just mentioned, — response to the news, you have just mentioned, there was a shocked reaction — mentioned, there was a shocked reaction before the announcement from the _ reaction before the announcement from the court was actually released. but after that, the response has been rather mild. i think— response has been rather mild. i think it _ response has been rather mild. i think it would be hard for me to imagine — think it would be hard for me to imagine that there were no sufficient discussions between hong kon- sufficient discussions between hong kong and _ sufficient discussions between hong kong and beijing in terms of the contingency plans in response to the evergrande situation. so particularly when it comes to the banking — particularly when it comes to the banking regulators and the security regulators, i think there have banking regulators and the security regulators, ithink there have been ample _ regulators, ithink there have been ample policies of contingency measures on the table in response to the shock—

measures on the table in response to the shock factor there. but if we were _ the shock factor there. but if we were to — the shock factor there. but if we were to look at the timing of the announcement, it falls on a monday rather— announcement, it falls on a monday rather than — announcement, it falls on a monday rather than a friday, so this is the beginning — rather than a friday, so this is the beginning of the trading week, but also a _ beginning of the trading week, but also a few— beginning of the trading week, but also a few days ago the government from beijing has already announced a series— from beijing has already announced a series of— from beijing has already announced a series of policy easing measures with the — series of policy easing measures with the aim to support the equity market _ with the aim to support the equity market. and i think a lot of the considerations have been put in place _ considerations have been put in place to— considerations have been put in place to avert an unfortunate event of systemic— place to avert an unfortunate event of systemic spill—over to the financial— of systemic spill—over to the financial sector, so i think there is not _ financial sector, so i think there is not a — financial sector, so i think there is not a lot— financial sector, so i think there is not a lot of concerns as of this point _ is not a lot of concerns as of this point that— is not a lot of concerns as of this point that this would just get out of control— point that this would just get out of control and essentially spill over— of control and essentially spill over to — of control and essentially spill over to a _ of control and essentially spill over to a major financial shock for the chinese — over to a major financial shock for the chinese market. but more fundamentally, when it comes to the real estate _ fundamentally, when it comes to the real estate sector, i would say this is rather— real estate sector, i would say this is rather the — real estate sector, i would say this is rather the beginning than the end _ is rather the beginning than the end~ over— is rather the beginning than the end. overthe period, if we were is rather the beginning than the end. over the period, if we were to look at _ end. over the period, if we were to look at the — end. over the period, if we were to look at the top 100 in china, probably— look at the top 100 in china, probably by the end of this cycle 50

will be _ probably by the end of this cycle 50 will be left. so there will be more insolvencies, more consolidations and more — insolvencies, more consolidations and more nationalisation on the horizon — and more nationalisation on the horizon. �* ., ., and more nationalisation on the horizon. . ., ., ., horizon. around the world and across the uk, this — horizon. around the world and across the uk, this is— horizon. around the world and across the uk, this is 33c— horizon. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. _ let's look at some other stories making news. laurence fox has lost a high court libel case. the actor turned politician was sued by former stonewall trusty simon blake and the drag artist crystal in an exchange on ex, mr fox referred to the two as paedophiles. thejudge on ex, mr fox referred to the two as paedophiles. the judge said on ex, mr fox referred to the two as paedophiles. thejudge said mr fox's labelling was baseless. the baby was found at the three horseshoes near rothwell on sunday evening. police described it as a "traumatic incident" and are urging the newborn's mother to seek "urgent" medical help. mps have called for the one or two word judgments used by ofsted to

rate schools in england to be scrapped after finding widespread and deep concern about how the system works. the education select committee inquiry was commissioned following the suicide of primary headteacher ruth perry. an inquest separately found an ofsted inspection had contributed to her death. there has been a substantial rise in the number of young children taking up the number of young children taking up vaping, which the uk government says it is one of the reasons it is one of the reasons it has unveiled plans to ban the sale of disposable vapes across the country. the idea is to make the product less attractive to children. the increase in underage vaping has caused increasing concern with recent figures suggesting that one in five children have tried it. head teachers 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 another factor behind the ban announced today. this is the westminster government recognising the health and well—being 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 the 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 will be new legislation restricting flavours, introducing plain packaging and limiting displays in shops. and in england and wales, there will be powers to impose on—the—spot fines on retailers

who sell to under—18s. some of the things in here about addiction and concentration... the prime minister on a visit to a school in darlington today met parents and pupils to discuss the vaping issue. i asked him when the new measures would actually take effect. this is not about politics and elections. this is about doing what i believe to be right for the long term of the country. this is something... although some people want it implemented very quickly. yes. i think this is something that, whenever it comes in, will have benefits for years and decades to come. so it's not about an election, it's about what is right for the long term of the country, for our nhs, for our children. most of these plans will be put out to consultation, and implementation is unlikely until 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 the safety of these products only goes into the hands of adult smokers. but the concern around a ban,

if that broader enforcement or local trading standards money doesn't get to the right place, is that it would really revert many smokers back to that killer which is combustible cigarettes. health officials say the 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. my my colleague has been looking at what ban will come into force in early 2025.

at what ban will come into force in early 2025— early 2025. prime minister rishi sunak talked _ early 2025. prime minister rishi sunak talked about _ early 2025. prime minister rishi sunak talked about his - early 2025. prime minister rishi sunak talked about his plans. i early 2025. prime minister rishil sunak talked about his plans. we still don't know about the full long—term health impacts of vaping is with— long—term health impacts of vaping is with his _ long—term health impacts of vaping is with his right that we take action— is with his right that we take action to _ is with his right that we take action to stop this out, that is what — action to stop this out, that is what we — action to stop this out, that is what we are doing. banning disposable vapes, taking powers to id disposable vapes, taking powers to go after— disposable vapes, taking powers to go after them, the flavours, the appearance, the packaging, where vapes _ appearance, the packaging, where vapes are — appearance, the packaging, where vapes are placed in stores, but also making _ vapes are placed in stores, but also making it _ vapes are placed in stores, but also making it easier to levy on this but finds— making it easier to levy on this but finds to _ making it easier to levy on this but finds to retailers who should not be selling _ finds to retailers who should not be selling to _ finds to retailers who should not be selling to kids. taken together, it is a strong — selling to kids. taken together, it is a strong set of measures. australia, _ is a strong set of measures. australia, france and germany have all announced similar plans and they have all said the reason for a possible ban on vapes is to protect the health of young people who are increasingly using them. and also to stop the illegal sales of the product. but so far, the only country that has implemented a ban is in new zealand, the country announced a ban last year injune and it started implementing it in august. a recent study by university

couege august. a recent study by university college london suggests that single use vapes play a role in adults trying to quit smoking, and according to the nhs vaping a substantially less harmful than smoking, but it has not been around long enough for its long—term risks to be known. the vapour that is inhaled can still contain small amounts of chemicals contained in cigarettes, including nicotine, which is addictive but not seen by the nhs is one of the most problematic ingredients in cigarettes. mi; problematic ingredients in cigarettes-— problematic ingredients in citarettes. g ., the israeli bombardment continues. it says ground forces carried out several attacks in the area around con your needs. as palestinians there continue to search for places of safety, the hamas run health agency says the israeli offence he has killed more than... and wounded

more than 65,000 people so far. meanwhile, talks continue to continue in paris this weekend to bring about a truce in gaza. at the weekend, the negotiations were described as constructive. talks are looking to secure the release of hostages still held by hamas, but a statement by benjamin netanyahu said gaps remain. representatives from israel, egypt and qatar so a proposed deal that would see israel suspend fighting for around two months in exchange for the freedom of around 100 hostages still believed be held gaza. austria has become the latest country to suspend aid to the un agency for palestinian refugees. the country's foreign minister called on unrwa to carry out a comprehensive investigation into israel's accusations that its staff were involved in the 7th of october attack on israel. 12 countries, including britain, germany and the united states, have now paused funding. the un agency is a critical source

of support for people in gaza. palestinians in gaza have been speaking about how the suspension of aid from some unrwa agencies is affecting them. the aid from some unrwa agencies is affecting them-— affecting them. the world are supposed _ affecting them. the world are supposed to _ affecting them. the world are supposed to support - affecting them. the world are supposed to support the - affecting them. the world are i supposed to support the agency affecting them. the world are - supposed to support the agency with aid, with medicines, with blankets. today we do not even have blankets. most people here are being treated from the swedish unrwa clinic, stopping medicines for old people, they should day. the agency is one that prepares things for us and facilitates things for us. we are thrown in tents _ facilitates things for us. we are thrown in tents and _ facilitates things for us. we are thrown in tents and our- facilitates things for us. we are | thrown in tents and our children need _ thrown in tents and our children need to— thrown in tents and our children need to he _ thrown in tents and our children need to be vaccinated and pregnant women _ need to be vaccinated and pregnant women need to give birth. where will these _ women need to give birth. where will these people go? education has stopped — these people go? education has stopped. what will these people do? where _ stopped. what will these people do? where will we take them? what will be where will we take them? what will he do? _ where will we take them? what will be do? unrwa is our future and our life from _ be do? unrwa is our future and our life from the beginning until today. he will— life from the beginning until today. he will support us? this is a shame. they— he will support us? this is a shame. they should — he will support us? this is a shame. they should stand with us. let unrwa

foetus _ he told me what effect the holding of nations will have. i he told me what effect the holding of nations will have.— of nations will have. i think the im act of nations will have. i think the impact on _ of nations will have. i think the impact on the _ of nations will have. i think the impact on the suspension - of nations will have. i think the impact on the suspension of i of nations will have. i think the - impact on the suspension of funding will be remembered for a very long time. maybe not in the uk but in the middle east and around the world can actually come of course, if it were true, and we do not know that it is true, and we do not know that it is true, that 12 employees of unrwa out of a staff of 13,000, if it is true that some of them, crack that is terrible and there has to be an investigation. but to cut off aid to the world's worst humanitarian crisis at a time where they have suffered 112 straight days of bombardment, where every single hospital has been destroyed in the whole gaza strip, where children are being amputated without anaesthetic,

newly orphaned children, and where four out of five starving people in the world as the world health programme has stated, four out of five were gazans, and that was five weeks ago, for the british government and others to cut off aid just on the basis of an allegation that was being held back until it could be used as a distraction from on the very same day that the international court ofjustice delivered its devastating preliminaryjudgment, that i think isjust unfathomable. preliminaryjudgment, that i think is just unfathomable. the callousness of halving 2 million desperately suffering people by cutting off their last remaining lifeline or any sense of food or medical assistance, lifeline or any sense of food or medicalassistance, ora lifeline or any sense of food or medical assistance, or a shelter at a time of winter and rain where they have been shunted around and bumped while they are being shunted around, 2 million people being shunted around and bombed and now we cut off aid, i don't use the word

information very often, but i have to say infamy springs to mind. ill judged as well because, as i said, britain pass and move on this at the same time as denigrating the un international court ofjustice, in the same week. international court ofjustice, in the same week.— international court ofjustice, in the same week. �* ., ., the same week. andrew, what do you make of the — the same week. andrew, what do you make of the colleagues _ the same week. andrew, what do you make of the colleagues by _ the same week. andrew, what do you make of the colleagues by mark - make of the colleagues by mark regev, who is the israeli official, that there was information showing unrwa teachers openly celebrating the hamas attacks, and he also refer to and is hostage who, on her release, said she was held on the house of someone who worked for unrwa, what is your response to that? ., , unrwa, what is your response to that? . , ., ~ that? that is what i said. mark retev that? that is what i said. mark regev has _ that? that is what i said. mark regev has been _ that? that is what i said. mark regev has been engaged - that? that is what i said. mark regev has been engaged in . that? that is what i said. mark regev has been engaged in a i that? that is what i said. mark. regev has been engaged in a very long campaign to destroy unrwa, which he and many other far right is really think are keeping alive the sense of palestinian nationhood. it is part of that. i would say it is

awful, and i would say that it is awful, and i would say that it is awful when anybody celebrates deaths. and by the way, there are lots... it is an awful thing. but the idea that somehow 2 million people should now have to pay this collective punishment because the british government has to do everything in lockstep with the israeli government is just, everything in lockstep with the israeli government isjust, as i said, unfathomable. israeli government is 'ust, as i said, unfathomable._ israeli government is 'ust, as i said, unfathomable. andrew gilmore there. stay with _ said, unfathomable. andrew gilmore there. stay with us _ said, unfathomable. andrew gilmore there. stay with us on _ said, unfathomable. andrew gilmore there. stay with us on bbc— said, unfathomable. andrew gilmore there. stay with us on bbc news. - hello. it is mild in the south of the uk today, but not as mild as it was yesterday. in the north of the uk, kinlochewe in the highlands getting to 19.6 celsius — provisionally a new uk record forjanuary. but by this morning, temperatures in kinlochewe had dropped all the way down to freezing — back to normal, if you like, because the very warm southerly winds of yesterday were replaced by chillier conditions

from the west. the dividing line between the mild air which remains in the south and those colder conditions further north and west marked out by this weather front, which is producing some pretty heavy rain, i have to say — particularly across parts of northern england, but also into southern scotland, parts of wales. a little bit of snow mixing in over high ground in northern england and southern scotland. chilly in the north as we end the day, mild down towards the south. as we head through the night, our weather front weakens, pushes southwards and eastwards. it means a lot of cloud, some spots of rain for england and wales. for northern ireland and for scotland, with clearing skies temperatures will really drop — minus two in glasgow, some spots down to minus five. that could mean some icy conditions as we start tuesday morning. the remnants of our weather front still bringing some cloud, particularly across central and eastern parts of england through tuesday morning. that tending to break up. actually, for many of us tomorrow, we will see some spells of sunshine — not a bad looking day. temperatures generally in a range between six and 11 degrees, so not as mild in the south by this stage.

as we head into the middle part of the week, well, it's all eyes to the north—west for a developing area of low pressure and a lot of isobars squeezing together on this chart. that means some very strong winds in scotland on wednesday. gales quite widely, gusts of 80mph or possibly a little bit more than that in exposed spots in the north, with a band of really heavy rain pushing its way southwards and eastwards. some wintry showers following on behind as some colder air tucks in once again behind that weather system. ahead of it, temperatures in double digits — ten or 11 degrees. that weather front will clear during wednesday night and thursday. a ridge of high pressure topples through. a little bit of sunshine for a time. and then this next warm front works in from the atlantic. that will bring a renewed surge of very mild air as we end the week, so temperatures by friday widely up to 12, 13, 14 degrees. with that, quite a lot of cloud and just the odd spot of drizzle.

this is bbc news, the headlines. following the deadly drone strike on a us base injordan, president biden blames iran and says america will respond. french farmers are moving hundreds of tractors into place, ahead of a planned blockade of major roads into paris. and chinese property giant evergrande is ordered to liquidate by hong kong's high court, with over $300 billion in debt.

with more on those last two stories, here's marc ashdown with the business news. well, as you've been reporting, hundreds of tractors are blocking major roads leading into paris. similar action is taking place elsewhere in the country as part of continuing protests by farmers against falling incomes, rising bureaucracy and competition from imports. the farmers say their aim is to stop food deliveries to supermarkets. the french authorities say 15,000 police officers have been mobilised to prevent tractors from entering paris and other big cities. farmers have also been demonstrating in germany, belgium, the netherlands and eastern europe. morgane odee runs a small organic vegetable farm near vannes in brittany. she explained why she's backing the protests.