we began as us officials say plans have been approved for a series of strikes against iranian personnel and facilities in iraq and syria, but not in iran itself. they told cbs news the action would be carried out over a number of days and the weather will be a factor when the strikes began. washington has been preparing to hit back at version back to militia after 3 euros troops were killed in a drawstring in jordan. burger denies the attack. american secretary of defence austin says they have the right to retaliate after recent attacks.— recent attacks. this is a dangerous _ recent attacks. this is a dangerous moment - recent attacks. this is a dangerous moment in l recent attacks. this is a l dangerous moment in the recent attacks. this is a - dangerous moment in the middle east. we will continue to work

to avoid a wider conflict in the region. we will take all necessary actions to defend the united states, our interests and our people. and we will respond when we choose, where we choose, and how we choose. earlier i asked our north america correspondent would any us attack may take place? we don't know — us attack may take place? - don't know exactly when this military action will be lost, it apparently depends on the weather and on intelligence, but we understand that these strikes will take place over a number of days and today will include a range of targets. they include iranian personnel and facilities in iraq and syria. now, it is those two countries from where these militant groups, the iran backed militant groups have been operating and it is those groups that washington has accused of being responsible

for the deadly drone attack on the us base injordan on sunday. that was when as you said, three us service members were killed, dozens more were injured and ever since that attack, president biden has been under increased pressure to respond. he has been under pressure from republicans who say some of whom say that perhaps, direct strikes against iran should be launched. now, according to cbs�*s reporting, thatis according to cbs�*s reporting, that is not on the table. no direct strikes on iranian territory according to them. i think that is something that most us officials wants to avoid. they want to avoid a direct military confrontation with iran and that is why, it appears that these districts will just target those locations in iraq and syria. 50 locations in iraq and syria. so is it perhaps looking for a proportional response, is that the turn that is like getting used with this and you but and he does not want to address or attack purges specifically,

does the initiation believe that going after these militias that going after these militias that will be enough of a deterrent to stop further attacks?— deterrent to stop further attacks? ., ., , attacks? that would be the objective. _ attacks? that would be the objective, yes. _ attacks? that would be the objective, yes. to - attacks? that would be the objective, yes. to dissuade these groups from carrying out further attacks and to degrade their capabilities to do so. i think president biden is under a lot of pressure. under pressure from all sides, both from hardline republicans who say that he should hit iran hard. former president trump, this is one of his favourite sticks to which hit president biden, donald trump says, he was much tougher on iran and something like this, something like what happened on sunday would never have happened under his watch. and joe biden is under pressure from progressives and his own party who have urged constitution who have said america should not be ratcheting up tensions at such a time in the middle east. then there are those congressmen and

women who have said that president biden should seek congressional approval before launching any military action. so he is under attack from all sides. it is an crucial polarising election year here, anything he does, any decision he takes will be under extra scrutiny. the other thing to bearin scrutiny. the other thing to bear in mind is the us is currently engaged in very tense negotiations over a potential cease—fire in gaza and i am sure us officials will be careful to not do anything to upset those.— careful to not do anything to u set those. ,, ., , upset those. the united states has imposed — upset those. the united states has imposed sanctions - upset those. the united states has imposed sanctions on - upset those. the united states| has imposed sanctions on some jewish settlers have carried out violence against palestinian civilians in the occupied west bank. president biden signed an executive order targeting for people. they will have their assets in the united states blocked. americans will be permitted to do business with them. mr biden said violence in the west bank had reached an intolerable level. threatening peace and stability in the region. our state department correspondent tom bateman says the move is

significant. it bateman says the move is significant-— significant. it is a first and i think it _ significant. it is a first and i think it is _ significant. it is a first and i think it is a _ significant. it is a first and i think it is a sign - significant. it is a first and i think it is a sign of - significant. it is a first and i think it is a sign of the i i think it is a sign of the general levels of irritation, frustration, by the us administration with parts of netanyahu's government. in particular the ultranationalist that have made up a key part of the israeli government. who at the israeli government. who at the political base of which is made up of some of the most ideologically aggressive settlers. it is that part of the government, there has been no secret from mr biden himself, that he has had enough of these kinds of people being a part of the israeli administration. that has become very much aggravated over the last few months. in particular as though response to the hamas attacks of october the 7th and what has happened in gaza and the war in gaza, and the huge

loss of civilian lives, the number of civilians being killed. you see in the west bank, a very severe situation where the israelis have continued military raids into cities there and at the same time, political rights groups, the rates of settler violence have absolutely ramped up as they have been killed over that. by settlers, they say. so i think this is a response by the us a ministration which is saying they have had enough. they have slaps these visa and travel bands already that has been announced for some settlers and that we are coming the announcement of four individuals they are saying to start who will be sanctioned by the us treasury, notjust them but anyone who makes donations towards those individuals or entities associated with them. so as he said, it is unprecedented. on the other hand there are some limitations. it can affect you

assistance. there are americans who make up some of these groups in the west bank. legally, none of these sanctions could apply to them so there are quite significant limitations but this is a first. ,, ., ~ first. staying in the middle east... hamas has given "initial positive confirmation" to a proposalfor the release of hostages and a pause in the bombardment of gaza — that's according to qatari officials. us, egyptian and qatari mediators met with israeli intelligence officials in paris on sunday where they proposed a six—week pause in the gaza war and a hostage—prisoner exchange. a source close to hamas said, however, that there was still no consensus on the proposal. we spoke earlier to ben scott — senior adviser at australia national university's national security college — about whether a hostage exchange could be on the cards. he has also served as the australian representative to the palestinian authority and third secretary at the australian embassy in tel aviv.

there are positive signs there are positives as in the there are positives as in the there are several reasons for caution. are several reasons for caution-— are several reasons for caution. . , ., caution. the basic is that there will _ caution. the basic is that there will be _ caution. the basic is that there will be a _ caution. the basic is that| there will be a cease-fire caution. the basic is that i there will be a cease-fire in there will be a cease—fire in return for hostages, but there's a lot of debate about what exactly that cease—fire means and which hostages are involved, which prisoners on the israeli side. so in terms of the cease—fire, hamas is demanding what they call a permanent cease—fire. israel is refusing that. in practice, no one really thinks any cease—fire will be permanent, but if israel was to agree what was called a permanent cease—fire, that would mean that they would have to withdraw troops from gaza, it would be much harder to start any and it would also mean on the israeli side, that, a tacit acknowledgement that it failed to achieve his war objectives which were to destroy in eliminate hamas. in terms of

the prisoners also, there always the issue, exactly which prisoners are involved. from what we understand, the first phase of this deal would be the release of about 35 of elderly women and children, injured, so the most at risk prisoners in return for some equivalent prisoners or on the israeli site and after that, dealing with more serious exchanges were hamas is demanding in return for what they deem to be israeli combatants, soldiers and those they say our soldiers, what is being referred to as quality prisoners and these others ones that israel is most reluctant to release because they are the ones that have the most blood ones that have the most blood on their heads.— on their heads. zooming out a two state _ on their heads. zooming out a two state solution _ on their heads. zooming out a two state solution that - on their heads. zooming out a two state solution that gives l two state solution that gives palestinians a home and has been supported by the israel

ally, the us, what are the risks that this could have a different outcome? it’s risks that this could have a different outcome?- different outcome? it's a curious _ different outcome? it's a curious paradox - different outcome? it's a curious paradox at - different outcome? it's a curious paradox at the i different outcome? it's a - curious paradox at the moment wherever was everyone agrees that this conflict cannot and in the way all the previous ones have which isjust in the way all the previous ones have which is just going back to a short—term truce and another round of violence following after that. this has to end differently. her israel there's almost no agreement on what the means. 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, leaving them with what could be life—changing injuries. 35—year—old abdul ezedi from newcastle is the suspect — he is thought to have significant burns to his face, caused by the substance. he was convicted of a sex offence in 2018. our special correspondent lucy manning has the latest — her report contains some distressing images. on the run and dangerous — the latest picture of abdul ezedi, last night in north london, in a tesco shop. his injury to the right

eye clearly visible, red and raw from the chemical he's alleged to have thrown. 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 young daughters were attacked with a chemical substance. abdul ezedi was known to the victims and it's thought previously known to police in newcastle. 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. the man was saying, "i can't see, i can't see." that's when she got acid thrown in herface. so i shouted for my partner to get some water. i was holding the little girl, i think obviously it transferred onto me. it was on my face and my arm and my lips. my lips are still burning. cctv footage shows

some of the attack. 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, and he lifted her up as high as he could, and he just body slammed her to the ground, twice. i saw red and started chasing him down the road. i saw the mother, i believe, of the child, and her face was just covered with something — only 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. police believe 35—year—old travelled down from newcastle and may be trying to return. if you see him i plea i to 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. 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 in the grounds, bottles used to treat chemical burns. the hotel confirmed some of the injured were staying there. a dangerous man is still on the run and a mother and her daughters left with terrible burns. lucy manning, bbc news. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. two teenagers have been charged with the murder of mason rist — who was 15 — and 16—year—old max dixon in bristol on saturday. in addition, two men — aged 22 and 26 — have been charged with assisting an offender. a 44—year—old man had already been charged with their murder. the bank of england has voted to hold interest rates at 5.35% percent — 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 two per cent, before cutting

rates — but said today's outlook was good news. westminster magistrates' court has heard that greta thunberg received a "final warning" by police before she was arrested last october. the 21—year—old climate activist was detained and charged during a demonstration outside a hotel in mayfair, which was hosting a meeting of oil executives. she's pleaded not guilty to a public order offence. ukraine has been given a substantial aid package by the european union, to help in its war with russia. a 50 four billion dollar package has been approved, after being held up because of objections from hungary. now, the eu has unanimously passed the deal. us presidentjoe biden has phoned european commission president ursula von der leyen to congratulate her on

steering the deal through. she said this funding sends a powerful message to russian leader vladimir putin. today is indeed a very special day. the european council reconfirmed europe's unwavering commitment to stand with ukraine. we all know that ukraine is fighting for us, so we will support them with the necessary funding and provide them with the much—needed predictability they deserve. and i think these 50 billion euros for four years also send a very strong message to putin, just ahead of the second anniversary of his brutal invasion. the russian president said volodymyr zelensky called this a strong signal of european unity and a sign that, with its allies, ukraine can withstand any challenge. i am grateful for your decision on the financial instrument for us, for our people, for ukraine. ukraine, facilitated with 50 billion euros

for a four year period, this is a clear signal that ukraine will withstand, and that europe will withstand. it is also important the decision was taken just unanimously by all, all of you, all 27 member states. and it is yet another clear sign of your strong unity and support of ukraine. to pakistan now but lets go to pakistan now and with just a week left until the general election there, political parties are busy with their campaigns. but while rallies are taking place, there are questions about just how free and fair the election will be. just this week, former prime minister imran khan was sentenced to ia years in prison. and the voting comes at a time of economic instability, as caroline davies reports. cheering the roar of a campaigning crowd. pakistan's elections are one week away. among the contenders, this man with a dynasty behind him.

his grandfather, his mother, former leaders of pakistan. bilawal bhutto is running to be prime minister for the first time. this site is the place where blood was spilt. this is a significant moment for bilawal bhutto. it is the first occasion he is addressing an election rally at the same location where his mother, benazir bhutto, was assassinated in 2007. so when my mother delivered her final speech in liaqat bagh, she provided a sense of hope at a time when pakistan was at crisis point. i believe once again today we are at a crisis point. bhutto says he can keep his expensive manifesto promises at a time when pakistan's economy is on the edge. there are questions about the election he is running in. imran khan is currently in prison, unable to contest.

yes. the bti are not on the ballot. yes. is this a free and fair election? these elections are just as free and fair as the 2018 and the 2013 elections. democracy is not a switch that you flick on and off. it is a process. it has to improve over time. do you think it would be better for pakistan if imran khan was on the ballot paper? why is mr khan not on the ballot paper? because those laws were never amended. as he used to say, the courts in pakistan are free. they take their own decisions. i am sure if he is innocent, he will prove himself in court. just a few days later, imran khan was given multiple sentences for over a decade in prison. in karachi this weekend, police used tear gas on a rally for khan's supporters. the authorities said they did not have permission to gather. many see imran khan's rise and fall as being in and out of favour with pakistan's powerful military. this is the man thought most likely to win the election, nawaz sharif.

if he does, it would be his fourth time as prime minister. the last election he was the one injail when khan one. translation: as all of you know, nawazl sharif was innocent. he was punished deliberately. thejudges who gave this punishment have gone away, one by one. despite repeated requests, mr sharif did not give us time for an interview. known names, deep—seated rivalries, an election with an old pattern and seething frustrations. a new study has found that more gen z boys and men regard feminism as harmful. let's get more details from meghan owen. some of the most striking stats from the study came from young men aged 16 to 29, or gen zs as we know them. now, more of them believe

that feminism is harmful than older baby boomers. and i just want to take a closer look at some of those stats. one in four believe that it is harder to be a man than a woman, and one in six young men believe that feminism has done more harm than good. well, let's just take a listen to one of the researches of the study. for the last four or five years we have started to see this gap emerge where young men seem to think feminism has potentially done more harm than good in young women, and to begin with we thought that was a bit of a blip, but it seems pretty resilient. but now we are really noticing the strength of young women's feelings towards feminism itself. feeling perhaps strongly feminist themselves, so this gap between the youngest age group really is becoming more polarised. but why is this? well, the study asked about controversial social influencer andrew tate who is under investigation for alleged rape and human trafficking.

and one in five young men said they had a positive view of him. now, one in three young men said they have a positive view ofjordan peterson, the controversial comedian and psychologist who has traditional opinions over issues such as gender roles. so how much has social media had a role to play in these polarised opinions? they split up 50 years ago — they've been called the british supergroup no one has heard of. but all of a sudden south london s cymande are finding new levels of success, thanks to hip hop acts sampling their songs. now in their 70s, their story is heading for the big screen, and they are going back on the road. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson has been speaking to them. cymande. a badly split up 50 years ago and were almost totally forgotten, but his music has been discovered

by new generations. i cannot think of many people of our age having this kind of opportunity. cymande are back together and the little—known story is becoming a big—screen documentary. with my feet, sure. it moved my soul. it is so funky! how do these people come together to create something incredible? most people have never heard of them. cymande emerged from south london at the start of the 1970s. the caribbean influence taking funk brought them success in america. we were playing in stadiums with 40,000 people. when you came back you might have expected a heroes' welcome but indifference. what was going on? i do not think the music industry had much time for black music at that time. and they often set out i am from, i have more time for black music and less time for black musicians. they split up in 1975 and steve

and patrick became barristers. but then something unexpected started to happen. decades later, some of the biggest names in hip—hop sample their songs, including the fugees. and de la soul. and ever since, word—of—mouth has helped their influence grow and grow. they started in the 1970s and they are now in their 70s, back in the studio and about to go on tour to play to their new fans. what is the alternative? sitting in front of the telly in the rocking chair? but here we are. living the kind of life that you probably look for in your 20s and 30s. yeah?

good stuff. that's all for now. stay with the busyness. hello. full uk forecast in a moment. first of all, i thought i'd reflect on storm ingunn that came across the north atlantic wednesday and hit sweden and norway wednesday night, bringing what looks like being record breaking winds, sustained winds of 122 miles an hour, parts of norway, and 116 miles an hour in sweden. unimaginable strength of the winds. there were even stronger gusts. the gusts that we recorded were even much stronger than those that hit southern england in the great storm of 1987 — one of the most powerful storms i've ever seen, storm ingunn. now it's the lovely end to the day on thursday, fine sunsets many of you spotted caused by the clear skies illuminating the cloud out west. but it is the cloud that's

going to be winning the battle, i suppose, over the next few hours, progressively turning quite cloudy, a few patches of drizzle around, some rain into western scotland, but very mild air, again flowing in off the atlantic. we see high pressure to the south, weather fronts to the northwest where it will be windy. gusts of wind reaching 50 odd miles an hour across northern scotland, where it'll be damp and drizzly across western areas. elsewhere, a lot of cloud to start the day. but given it's quite windy, i suspect we will see some sunny breaks breaking through across parts of east scotland, to the east of the pennines, probably eastern parts of wales, and maybe eastern side of both antrim and downs. so you might see some glimmers of sunshine. either way, it will be a very mild day. the air gets a little bit cooler across northern areas on saturday, say cooler, temperatures coming a bit closer to average, sunshine and showers working in here. again, it's quite blustery. england and wales having the thickest of the cloud with some patches of light rain

coming and going. temperatures 1a degrees, again, well above average for this time of the year. the average in london is nine degrees. for sunday's forecast, again, we've got the mild air with us, but thicker cloud this time, so probably a higher chance of seeing some damp weather at times. the far north of scotland, again, quite blustery with some showers working in here. for most of us, temperatures again on the mild side, ten to 1a degrees pretty widely. but then after this mild run of weather, might be something of a shock to the system to see the weather turns a lot colder next week. and for some of you, that means a return of seeing some snowfall. now it's a little bit less certain just how cold it gets further southwards across england and wales. but it could be that we see some snow. for the time being, the models are picking up thick cloud with outbreaks of cold rain at times.

big tech gets bigger. meta, apple and amazon have reported earnings that beat expectations. we'll have the latest. plus a look at india's last budget ahead of the country's elections. hello and welcome to asia business report. we begin today with a focus on the tech sector with major names in the industry reporting quarterly earnings. first let's zoom in on meta. the social media giant's shares soared more

than 14% after the bill. that's after the company that owns facebook, whatsapp and instagram announced results that beat analyst expectations. its revenue rose 25—percent in the last quarter to just over 40—billion—dollars. the company also announced its first ever dividend set at 50 cents per share. this comes just days before meta, which was one of the first tech unicorns, celebrates facebook�*s 20th anniversary. the bbc�*sjoe tidy has more. it all started like this, facebook or the facebook as it was then, lundstrom mark zuckerberg's digs in harvard in 2004. zuckerberg's digs in harvard in 200a. over the years, zuckerberg's digs in harvard in 200a. overthe years, more zuckerberg's digs in harvard in 200a. over the years, more and more features have been added and the design totally tweaked into what it is today. the impact of the famous blue almost instant, and in the last 20 years, it's altered society, politics and business in profound ways. here are four ways that facebook has changed our world. ways that facebook has changed ourworld. facebook ways that facebook has changed our world. facebook was a social media game changer.

other social networks existed like