hello, i'm sarah campbell. welcome to the daily global, where we bring you the top stories from around the world. you the top stories from around the world. we start here in the uk. police are searching for a man who's believed to have thrown a corrosive substance at two young children and their mother in south london on wednesday night, leaving them with what could be life—changing injuries. 35—year—old abdul ezedi from newcastle is the suspect — he's thought to have significant burns to his face caused by the substance. police say he shouldn't be approached. the attack happened close to clapham common. our special correspondent lucy manning has the latest. her report contains some distressing images. the screams of a mother filled this quiet south london street. "i can't see, i can't see", she shouted, as she and her two daughters were attacked with a chemical substance.

on the run and dangerous — abdul ezedi, known to the victims and with injuries to his face from the substance he's alleged to have thrown. last night, just off clapham common, police believe abdul ezedi attacked the woman and her three and eight—year—old girls with an alkaline substance. trying to escape, he crashed into another car. neighbours came to help. she was saying, "i can't see, i can't see", so i shouted for my partner to get some water. the little girl's transferred onto me, my lips are still burning. cctv footage shows some of the attack. the suspect appears to run someone over, then he gets out the suspect appears to run someone over. then he gets out of the car and takes one of the children out from the back. he then runs off, chased by others. another eyewitness who also didn't want to be identified gave chase. he pulled a two or three—year—old

out of the car, lifted her out out of the car, and he lifted her out as high as he could, and he just body slammed her to the ground twice. i saw red and started chasing him. i saw the mother, i believe, of the child, and her face wasjust covered with something — god knows what it was. you could see it was obviously burning her, her lips were really black. so ijust started pouring water all over her face. yeah, it was just...crazy. there is now a massive manhunt. police believe 35—year—old abdul ezedi travelled down from newcastle. he was last seen in north london sometime after the attack. i plead you not to - approach him, call 999. he has significant injuries . to the right side of his face. how many officers are trying to search for him? we take violence against women and girls very seriously- in the met police, and we have got a significant asset - looking for this male. officers say he may have previously

been known to police in newcastle. we will catch him, i am i wholeheartedly confident. police have praised the bravery of local people who rushed out here to what they describe as a terrifying situation. four members of the public came out to help the woman and her children, and three of them required hospital treatment for minor burns. five police officers who answered the 999 call also needed hospital treatment. they have all now been released. the crashed car was removed early this morning from the quiet residential road. police have described the injuries suffered by the woman and one of her daughters as potentially life—changing. they also say the mother was vulnerable. a hotel at the top of the road is used by councils for temporary accommodation. left on the grounds, bottles used to treat chemical burns. the hotel confirmed some of the injured were staying there. the horror over here that a mother and her daughters with the horror over here, but a mother and her daughters with

terrible burns and a dangerous man still on the run. let's go live to graham satchell, who is in london. really shocking details about the attack. can you bring us up—to—date? irate details about the attack. can you bring us up-to-date?_ details about the attack. can you bring us up-to-date? we are almost referr bring us up-to-date? we are almost preferr hours — bring us up-to-date? we are almost preferr hours on. _ bring us up-to-date? we are almost preferr hours on. when _ bring us up-to-date? we are almost preferr hours on. when this - bring us up-to-date? we are almost preferr hours on. when this was - preferr hours on. when this was first reported, it was reported as an attack with a corrosive substance. talking to people here, they witnessed a much more violent and terrifying incident this man can be seen driving a car at someone, trying it looks like to run them over. people here said they heard screaming and shouting. the 31—year—old woman said she couldn't see, and in the very graphic descriptions of this man allegedly

throwing this three—year—old child to the floor, slamming her to the floor twice. this has resulted in the end with 12 people being injured in some way by this corrosive substance. nine of them ending up in hospital, two of them still in hospital. the 31—year—old woman and her three—year—old daughter. life—changing injuries. find her three-year-old daughter. life-changing injuries. life-changing in'uries. and of course, life-changing in'uries. and of ccurse the — life-changing injuries. and of course, the hunt _ life-changing injuries. and of course, the hunt is _ life-changing injuries. and of course, the hunt is very - life-changing injuries. and ofj course, the hunt is very much life-changing injuries. and of. course, the hunt is very much on life-changing injuries. and of - course, the hunt is very much on for the suspect. the police released a new image of this man that they're looking for. 35—year—old abdul ezedi. what else can you tell us? yes, the police released a new image just within the last hour, and it shows abdul ezedi in north london in caledonian road, which is in islington in the north of london. he has a significant injury on the

right—hand side of his face, which the police believe may be as a result of the corrosive substance, which obviously got on him as well as the other people. as you say, a huge manhunt is now under way, and one of the working theories is that he may have been heading back up to the north of england, which is where he is currently based, we understand. islington is very near a couple of translations in the north of london that service the north of england. the police here are liaising closely with their colleagues in the british transport lease. they have urged members of the public if they do see the man to contact the police, but don't contact the police, but don't contact him. they say he remains an extremely dangerous man. absolutely. graham satchell, _ extremely dangerous man. absolutely. graham satchell, thank _ extremely dangerous man. absolutely. graham satchell, thank you. _ extremely dangerous man. absolutely. graham satchell, thank you. no - extremely dangerous man. absolutely. graham satchell, thank you. no story i graham satchell, thank you. no story that we have been talking about. now we have confirmation — the formula i

driver lewis hamilton is to leave the mercedes fi team at the end of 2024. this the mercedes fi team at the end of 202a. this is a statement from mercedes. let's go straight to the bbc sports centre to bring us all the details. live now to the bbc sport centre and our presenter chetan pathak. this was not the news we were expecting to bring you. -it — it has been confirmed mercedes our next —— on x, saying they and lewis hamilton will part ways at the end of the 2024 season. lewis has activated a release option in the contract, announced last year. lewis hamilton has signed a two—year contract, but he will break that to move away from mercedes, which is

seismic news and formula i. this is a team with which he has won six formula i world titles and joining them over a decade ago. but he clearly feels it is time to part ways. the six ordinary for many reasons because we're just a few weeks out from preseason. lewis hamilton will be in a mercedes next season. it's only after that that he will go to ferrari, the iconic ferrari. forso will go to ferrari, the iconic ferrari. for so many people, they will think of that team. he's made no secret of his love for ferrari. he owns ferrari. he's also said previously he can see himself sitting out his career. he's 39, so he clearly feels he wants a least one more shot at an eight world title. he has seven—time world champion, level with michael schumacher. he still hurting from 2021 when he missed out on the abu

dhabi grand prix. he wants eight world titles and he doesn't feel it may happen for him at mercedes. surely he would be staying there in the long—term. from 25, we will see him in the red ferrari — not news many and sport were expecting. formula 1 drivers work so closely. 0ne can't succeed without the other. how's the relationship going to be, bearing in mind they have the entire 2024 season to get through? e 2024 season to get through? �*s extraordinary tension. some will say it's a kind of drama that we needed formula 1 because we shouldn't forget the last few seasons, max verstappen and red bull have been the dominant. lewis hamilton and mercedes and ferrari have been really in a battle for second place. what will that be like? the team principal said it's always been a

pretty good relationship, but lewis hamilton may no secret with his frustration how mercedes haven't been able to keep up with red bull. it leads it to so many questions, sarah. who takes the empty seat as well? there'll be so many people knocking on the door and they would be interested. not a lot would be able to sit beside george russell. 0nce lewis hamilton navigate what could be a difficult spell, i am sure we will get statements saying it's fine, we're only focused on winning together. they have been the dream partnership in formula 1. six of these world titles have come in partnership with mercedes. he will do everything he can to win and succeed, but he will be casting half to ferrari, because that's where his long—term future he will see. he's 39 years old, he'll be 40 by the

time he's driving in a ferrari. it was an interesting hearing from nigel mansell. he said age shouldn't matter here. he thinks drivers will go a lot longer. he could still have success in his early 40s with ferrari. it is going to be a fascinating dynamic. we're going to see lewis hamilton alongside shar leclair, two of the big three names in formula 1. that is going to be enthralling for this sport, but as more so drama for this season. lewis hamilton will drive from mercedes for one last season. what is the emotion going to be like when he knows he's got to go to ferrari the season after? extraordinary news today. season after? extraordinary news toda . ., ., ,, . today. chetan, thank you so much. it's rroin today. chetan, thank you so much. it's going to _ today. chetan, thank you so much. it's going to be _ today. chetan, thank you so much. it's going to be quite _ today. chetan, thank you so much. it's going to be quite an _ it's going to be quite an interesting season. thank you.

let's go back to one of our main stories. the us defence secretary lloyd austin has warned of a �*dangerous moment�* in the middle east. it's after the us government approved plans for a series of strikes in iraq and syria. it comes after a drone attack killed three us soldiers injordan, close to the syrian border, on sunday. the us blamed an iranian—backed militia group for that attack. iran has denied any role in the attack which injured 41 other us troops at the military base, known as tower 22. according to the bbc�*s us news partner cbs, the strikes will target iranian personnel facilities. let's hear from the us defence secretary. president will not tolerate attacks on american troops, the president will not tolerate attacks on american troops, and neither will i. 0ur team—mates were killed by radical militias backed by iran and operating inside syria and iraq. in the aftermath of the vile hamas terrorist assault on israel

on october 7th, terrorist groups backed by iran and funded by iran have tried to create even more turmoil. including the houthis attacking commercial shipping in the red sea. so this is a dangerous moment in the middle east. we will continue to work to avoid a wider conflict in the region. but we will take all necessary actions to defend the united states, our interest and our people, and we will respond when we choose where we choose and how we choose. with me is our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. hello to you, lyse. since sunday, joe biden has been under a lot of pressure to respond to the killing of three us service personnel. we have some detail and a response is

looking very likely probably imminently. i looking very likely probably imminently.— looking very likely probably imminently. looking very likely probably imminentl. ~ , , . imminently. i think every day since sunda , imminently. i think every day since sunday. people — imminently. i think every day since sunday, people are _ imminently. i think every day since sunday, people are asking - imminently. i think every day since sunday, people are asking will- imminently. i think every day since sunday, people are asking will it i imminently. i think every day since | sunday, people are asking will it be tonight? where will it be? how will they strike? how hard will they hit? i think today, we have a clearer sense. as the first time the defence secretary has spoken in public about it. while he was vague, saying they will strike where they choose, we are getting what cvs has been hearing — that presidentjoe biden, appears to have resisted the pressure from republican hawks —— cbs. it does seem as though they will go after iranian personnel and assets in iraq and syria. it's not surprising we're getting reports from the region that iran is moving

personnel out of syria. it has major operations and support of the present it there. —— president. the talk commander has been to urge the allies to back off. how talk commander has been to urge the allies to back off.— allies to back off. how delicate a situation is _ allies to back off. how delicate a situation is this? _ allies to back off. how delicate a situation is this? you _ allies to back off. how delicate a situation is this? you mentioned allies to back off. how delicate a i situation is this? you mentioned a ron involved behind the scenes —— -- iran. —— iran. the us saying they're going to hit iraq and syria but don't want to hit iraq and syria but don't want to do anything on iranian soil. that presumably is a crucial distinction. is this in itself an exclamation of yellow they are —— an explanation? -- an explanation? if this is a humiliating — -- an explanation? if this is a humiliating strike _ -- an explanation? if this is a humiliating strike for - -- an explanation? if this is a humiliating strike for iran, . -- an explanation? if this is a i humiliating strike for iran, it will feel it has to retaliate. what the united states is hoping, and i think iran is hoping too — and neither

iran is hoping too — and neither iran nor the us wants to get locked into an excretory spiral of strike and counterstrike —— escalatory. the attacks that would push and already febrile environment onto a totally different phase, fraught with risk. presidentjoe biden has been consistent. he does not want this war. the war has widened and worsened since it erupted on october the 7th between israel and hamas, and these fires are burning right across the region. most of the fires are being stoped by the allies of iran. iran has been trying to keep these fires. just a matter of time before blood is spilt.— before blood is spilt. there have been strikes _ before blood is spilt. there have been strikes by _ before blood is spilt. there have been strikes by the _

before blood is spilt. there have been strikes by the us _ before blood is spilt. there have been strikes by the us against i before blood is spilt. there have i been strikes by the us against the houthis, but those strikes still keep going back. what does the us have to do to stop it in iraq and syria? have to do to stop it in iraq and s ria? �* , , ~ have to do to stop it in iraq and s ria? �* , , ,, ., syria? it's quite striking that the res-onses syria? it's quite striking that the responses in _ syria? it's quite striking that the responses in iraq _ syria? it's quite striking that the responses in iraq are _ syria? it's quite striking that the l responses in iraq are dramatically different from the responses of the houthis in yemen. the attacks on the houthis, not only did they not stop the attacks on vessels going through the attacks on vessels going through the red sea passage, they actually accelerated them, brought into them. the houthis felt they hit the jackpot, catapulted to attention and increased their legitimacy at home and on the arab street. the iraq rocky side, some of the groups under this umbrella are actually part of the iraqi army, which has relations with the united states. one of the

key members have said they would not attack american targets, they're stopping to avoid embarrassing the government. completely different response and we understand that iran was also part of that moved to say cool it, we don't want any more attacks. ~ �* ., cool it, we don't want any more attacks. . �* ., ,, attacks. we've heard the us it administration _ attacks. we've heard the us it administration calling - attacks. we've heard the us it administration calling it - attacks. we've heard the us it administration calling it a - attacks. we've heard the us it administration calling it a veryj administration calling it a very dangerous time. you've been studying this for many, many years. how does it compare to all the years of the will escalation —— escalation? it compare to all the years of the will escalation -- escalation? there has never been _ will escalation -- escalation? there has never been a _ will escalation -- escalation? there has never been a crisis _ will escalation -- escalation? there has never been a crisis like - will escalation -- escalation? there has never been a crisis like this - has never been a crisis like this where so many red lights are flashing so brightly. burning right in the middle of it, what is fuelling all these other fires is this war in gaza, causing a staggering number of civilian

deaths, untold suffering and no sign of a cease—fire. deaths, untold suffering and no sign of a cease-fire.— of a cease-fire. lyse doucet, always rood to of a cease-fire. lyse doucet, always good to talk — of a cease-fire. lyse doucet, always good to talk to _ of a cease-fire. lyse doucet, always good to talk to you. _ around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the bank of england has voted to hold interest rates at 2.25% for the fourth time in a row. the bank's governor, andrew bailey, said he needed to see more evidence that inflation was going to stay at 2%, before cutting rates, but said today's outlook was good news. firefighters who were injured in the grenfell tower fire in 2017 have received a total of £20 million pounds in compensation. have received a total of £20 million in compensation. the fire brigades union says more than 100 of its members made claims — some of whom hadn't been able to work again because of severe trauma.

a man has appeared in court, charged with the murders of two teenage boys in bristol on saturday. 16—year—old max dixon and 15—year—old mason rist died in hospital after being stabbed on the knowle west estate. 44—year—old anthony snook will be held on remand in prison until the next hearing tomorrow. you're live with bbc news. let's go back to the top story, the search for a man believed to have thrown of the corrosive substance on their two young children and their mother. 35—year—old abdul ezedi is the suspect. he thought to have seen if it burns caused by the substance. police say he should not be approached. attacks involving corrosive substances attacks involving corrosive substances including acid had been declining, according to the charity acid survivors trust international.

there was peak of 941 cases recorded in 2017. but cases spiked again in 2022, with data showing crimes involving the use of the substances increased by 69% across england and wales. there were 421 attacks reported in 2021, while 710 corrosive attacks were recorded in 2022. the trust warned, however, that the true number of attacks was likely to be "far higher." let's go live to a campaigner and solicitor who active for a number of acid attack victims. hell you —— hello to you. those numbers are quite strong. do we know what's behind the rise?—

quite strong. do we know what's behind the rise? well, the numbers are incredibly _ behind the rise? well, the numbers are incredibly worrying, _ behind the rise? well, the numbers are incredibly worrying, and - behind the rise? well, the numbers are incredibly worrying, and what i behind the rise? well, the numbers| are incredibly worrying, and what we didn't see their was that the first time, according to the trust, attacks on women have superseded the attacks on women have superseded the attacks on women have superseded the attacks on men. we have to look at what's happening on our streets. it's a weapon of choice for lots of criminals. it's very easy to use and hard to please. as we're hearing, the devastating impact on lives is just absolutely horrendous. irate the devastating impact on lives is just absolutely horrendous. we don't know the details _ just absolutely horrendous. we don't know the details of _ just absolutely horrendous. we don't know the details of this _ just absolutely horrendous. we don't know the details of this particular - know the details of this particular case, so talk generally about acid attacks. i know you've been working in this area for a long time. one issueis in this area for a long time. one issue is the legality in terms of the punishment. if you carry a knife or a gun, there is a certain punishment. what is the legal situation with a corrosive substance? if situation with a corrosive substance?— situation with a corrosive substance? ,, ., .,

substance? if you possess a legal -- an illeral substance? if you possess a legal -- an illegal substance, _ substance? if you possess a legal -- an illegal substance, you _ substance? if you possess a legal -- an illegal substance, you can - substance? if you possess a legal -- an illegal substance, you can get a l an illegal substance, you can get a prison sentence. you could be charged, and we know gbh, you can have the maximum life sentence. being an advocate for a very long time for longer and tougher sentences for those who use assets. the sentencing guidelines allow you to do the harshest sentence, and i would strongly recommend anyone listening to this programme to advocate as well for those sentences to be passed. advocate as well for those sentences to be passed-— to be passed. would you like to see it as a separate _ to be passed. would you like to see it as a separate offence _ to be passed. would you like to see it as a separate offence using - to be passed. would you like to see it as a separate offence using this i it as a separate offence using this particular substance?— it as a separate offence using this particular substance? yes, i would. and last night's _ particular substance? yes, i would. and last night's incident, _ particular substance? yes, i would. and last night's incident, it - particular substance? yes, i would. and last night's incident, it was - and last night's incident, it was alkali that was used. the problem that we've got is they are day—to—day household items that could be very easily bought, and they are being bought. we need to really throw the book at anyone who uses them. it really throw the book at anyone who uses them. ., , really throw the book at anyone who uses them. ._ ,., .,, ., , , uses them. it may sound obvious, but ou've uses them. it may sound obvious, but you've dealt — uses them. it may sound obvious, but you've dealt with _ uses them. it may sound obvious, but you've dealt with people _ uses them. it may sound obvious, but you've dealt with people who - uses them. it may sound obvious, but you've dealt with people who have -

you've dealt with people who have suffered from this. just give us an idea of the trauma of the effect on the victim whose been attacked with one of these substances.— one of these substances. these are life-changing _ one of these substances. these are life-changing injuries. _ one of these substances. these are life-changing injuries. most- one of these substances. these are life-changing injuries. most people | life—changing injuries. most people think of them as being a physical injury, as being on the physical. of course it is, there's an initial burning, scarring, horrific pain of being a victim. what follows from thatis being a victim. what follows from that is numerous hospital appointments, skin grafts, daily pay, not being able to go out in the sunlight. you've also got the psychological impact, which is absolutely horrendous. the flashbacks, the nightmares. i've had clients who have said... it's the wider community, it's their family and friends living every day with scarring. it really is very heartbreaking.—

scarring. it really is very heartbreakinr. g , ., scarring. it really is very heartbreakinr. q , ., ., ~ heartbreaking. ayesha nayyar, thank ou so heartbreaking. ayesha nayyar, thank you so much — heartbreaking. ayesha nayyar, thank you so much for— heartbreaking. ayesha nayyar, thank you so much for talking _ heartbreaking. ayesha nayyar, thank you so much for talking to _ heartbreaking. ayesha nayyar, thank you so much for talking to us - heartbreaking. ayesha nayyar, thank you so much for talking to us this - you so much for talking to us this evening. thank you. stay with us here on bbc news. there are plenty of developing stories. we'll bring you more on the news about lewis hamilton. stay with us. hello. well, we're into february, just about — traditionally regarded as a very cold month, but of course, these days it can be far from it. in fact, over the next few days, it's going to be exceedingly mild across most of the uk, and on top of that, very windy, too. storm ingunn still wrapping up there across parts of scandinavia, nowhere near as strong as it was, but still producing some gales. to the south of that, we have new weather fronts, and south of that, this area of high pressure building this ridge, and it's allowing the warmer current of air from the southern climes to stream in our direction. so, all the cold air is pushed towards the east and the north of europe, and this pattern's with us here,

really, for the next few days. it's also going to bring that wind, a lot of atlantic cloud. a lot of atlantic cloud. at times, there'll be some rain, such is the case in western parts of scotland — quite damp here, a bit of drizzle around western coast. and these are our morning temperatures — 7 degrees in london, 10—11 for some of our northern towns and cities. so, a mild start to friday now, perhaps won't feel quite as mild as it could. now, perhaps won't feel quite as mild as it could. it's because the wind will be pretty strong tomorrow, particularly gusty around some of these north western coast of scotland, also to the east of the pennines — 40—50 mph gusts. but on the thermometer with a bit of brightness, perhaps even 15 expected across aberdeenshire. now, the same pattern continues into friday with high pressure to the south and big lows traversing to the north of us. we've got a pressure gradient, so those strong winds blowing across the uk, and they frequently push in a lot of cloud and at times some rain. i think an incursion of slightly colder weather

into northern scotland on saturday, so temperatures 6—7 degrees and maybe some wintry showers to the very far north of the uk. and then, the rest of the weekend and into monday, it's the same — high to the south, low to the north, quite strong winds blowing across the uk and the thicker cloud being pushed in by that west south—westerly. i think it'll be damp in northern ireland on sunday, certainly around western coasts of scotland, the irish sea, too, but mild —10—14 celsius. and this pattern remains very stable across many parts of the uk, mild and cloudy. you can see 14 in london at times, a little bit cooler, but only at times in the north of the country. that's it from me. bye—bye.

bye— bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines the us defence secretary warns — of a dangerous moment in the middle east — as america prepares to respond to an iranian—backed attack that killed three us personnel. ferrari announces the seven—time world formula one champion — lewis hamilton — willjoin the team. european leaders agree — a 50 billion euro — aid dealfor ukraine — sending a strong message to russia. and we hearfrom a nine—year—old journalist in gaza who has been documenting the war.

thank election bbc i am sarah campbell. sources in the united states say plans have been approved for a series of strikes against targets inside iraq and syria — including iranian personnel and facilities. the bbc�*s partner, cbs, says the action will be launched over a number of days, in response to the drone attack on sunday which killed three americans injordan. the us has blamed an iranian—backed militia group for that attack. several iran—backed groups have increased attacks on us and israeli—linked entities since the beginning of the israel—hamas war on seven october. to the white house where the spokesman matthew miller has been asked about the situation and is given an update.— asked about the situation and is given an update. would make the irari given an update. would make the iraqi government _ given an update. would make the iraqi government upset _

given an update. would make the iraqi government upset of- given an update. would make the iraqi government upset of you? i