hello, i'm samantha simmonds. the iraqi pro—minister says civilians were among 16 people killed on friday's attacks in the united states on pro—iranian militants in iraq. the strikes on syria and iraq were in response to a us drone attack on a us military base —— in response to a drone attack which killed three soldiers attack which killed three soldiers at a us military base. three facilities were hit in iraq, four in syria. the air strikes were against the islamic revolutionary guard quds force and military groups. will vernon has the latest.

american bombers carried out air strikes on more than 85 targets. the us military said they included the personnel and facilities of iran's revolutionary guard and the militant groups it backs. but the air strikes hit locations only in iraq and syria. iranian territory was not targeted. the message from the white house — the us doesn't want a war with tehran. the goal here is to get these attacks to stop. this was about degrading capability, taking away capabilities by the militant groups. these responses began tonight. they're not going to end tonight. so there will be additional responses. and this is what america is responding to. a drone attack on a us base injordan last sunday killed three us soldiers and wounded dozens more. washington said iran—backed militants were to blame. pressure had been building onjoe biden to respond with force. announcing the start of the air strikes, the president said... "the united states does not seek

conflict in the middle east or anywhere else in the world. "but let all those who might seek to do us harm know this. "if you harm an american, we will respond." in iran yesterday, hours before the strikes were launched, a defiant message from president raisi. translation: we have said many times we will not initiate any war. _ but if anyone wants to bully us, iran will respond firmly. america wants to send a clear message — attacks on us troops must stop. but many are warning of the dangers of escalating tensions in a highly volatile region. will vernon, bbc news, washington. the iraqi government say 16 were killed, among them civilians, 25 injured in the air strikes on pro—iran targets, the iraqi prime minister of the said in a statement

strikes were an aggression against iraq's sovereignty and denied they were coordinated by the baghdad government with washington, calling their social lives, and saying the us military correlation in the region has become a reason for threatening security and stability in iraq and justification for involving a rack in regional and international conference, reported by reuters. iran said us attacks are another strategic mistake by the us which will escalate tensions in the region. also from rotors. —— reuters. our security correspondent gordon correra criticism to be expected, described

as a violation of sovereignty by iraq, syria saying it is significant because these are targets associated with iranian—backed groups have been which hit in iraq and syria. you would expect these countries to criticise the us, criticise this action overnight because of the fact that targets have been hit. in a census there is to be but doesn't necessarily —— in a sense it is to be expected but doesn't necessarily mean it will escalate. the whole point of the us targeted attacks was to try and deter further attacks on its service personnel after the death of those three on sunday. and to try and re—establish some kind of deterrent against those attacks. it is not necessarily to escalate this into a wider conflict and i don't think you see iraq, syria, iran

wanted to escalate into a conflict. that doesn't mean further things couldn't happen to have the spiral out of control but in essence what we have seen overnight in those attacks and this morning and the reaction to them is as you would have expected from those involved. what do you make of the fact the us has been talking about a response for nearly a week now because there has been some criticism from the republican party, you have been warning about these, you have given them advanced warning, needed to strike at the heart of orion. that is riaht strike at the heart of orion. that is right and _ strike at the heart of orion. that is right and this _ strike at the heart of orion. twat is right and this goes to the idea this has been carefully calibrated, the white house have clearly been thinking and looking for the right targets to hit. the fact they have taken some time may have given those militia groups time to move people and equipment out of those sites as well, that is true and it is also true that targets inside iran will not hit which would have certainly been an escalator react which could

have led to wider conflict. it's a careful response even if the faces —— even if it is significant. washington is has indicated this is not the end and we could expect to see more targets hit in the coming days as part of this.— days as part of this. thank you, gordon. i'm joined now by the defence editor at the economist — shashankjoshi. will these strokes work as a deterrence? we will these strokes work as a deterrence?— will these strokes work as a deterrence? ~ ., , ,., deterrence? we have seen some indication that _ deterrence? we have seen some indication that iran _ deterrence? we have seen some indication that iran backed - deterrence? we have seen some | indication that iran backed militia indication that iran backed militia in iraq realised in killing these american troops injordan they may have gone too far. if you fire more than 150, 160 times, at american forces every three months, you run the risk of killing americans but i

think they realised they had overstepped the mark. we may see these groups rein a ten, we may see orion rein some of these groups in. i think it really depends. at the same time iran, having been exposed to this, particularly if there are successive waves of strikes, will also have to save face by responding in some fashion, i think the response will be fairly limited, and do not think there is a very high risk of a spiral of escalation right this minute but it really depends on as gordon said what the next subsequent round of american strikes looks like. the subsequent round of american strikes looks like. . ~ subsequent round of american strikes looks like. ., ~ ., ., looks like. the talk of a run runnina looks like. the talk of a run running the _ looks like. the talk of a run running the groups - looks like. the talk of a run running the groups and, - looks like. the talk of a run l running the groups and, how looks like. the talk of a run - running the groups and, how much influence, capability does it have to do that, do you think? ht influence, capability does it have to do that, do you think? it depends which grouns — to do that, do you think? it depends which groups we are _ to do that, do you think? it depends which groups we are talking - to do that, do you think? it depends which groups we are talking about, | which groups we are talking about, these are different relationships. some of them are probably more independent of iranian direction like the houthis, the iraqi militias

are a diverse number of groups. they have been stocked up by a run, have missiles, not terribly sophisticated attacks, they can fire rockets towards american bases on their own steam. they have iranians targeting information and i think iran has a substantial degree of political influence over what they do, there is an arm's—length relationship but iran nevertheless does wield considerable influence over their actions. tn considerable influence over their actions. , ., ., considerable influence over their actions. ., ., actions. in terms of a the reaction b the actions. in terms of a the reaction by the us, — actions. in terms of a the reaction by the us, how — actions. in terms of a the reaction by the us, how substantial - actions. in terms of a the reaction i by the us, how substantial compared to previous events where they have retaliated, and where do you think they could go next? ht is they could go next? it is significantly _ they could go next? it is significantly more - they could go next? ut 3 significantly more substantial than all of the previous eight or nine rounds of minimal palliation in the last three months. it is about the same size, 125 munitions, about the

same size, 125 munitions, about the same size, 125 munitions, about the same size as the first round of strikes against the houthis of yemen almost a month ago. i would call that modest, in line with expectations as your previous speakers have said and i think the fact america has signalled this for so long means that the irg sea, revolutionary guard, will have had ample time to get the people out of the way. not a strike intended to kill lots of senior iranians and i think that says something interesting. —— irgc. think that says something interesting. -- irgc. shashank joshi, interesting. -- irgc. shashank joshi. thank— interesting. -- irgc. shashank joshi, thank you. _ two years to the day since devolution collapsed following a boycott over post—brexit trade rules — power sharing will return to northern ireland today. sinn fein�*s vice—president will be nominated as first minister — meaning the post will be held by an irish nationalist, for the first time. chris page reports. an agreement to bring back the devolved government has finally been cooked up. the question now is what will be

on ministers�* menus as they tune—up to perform? at st george's market in belfast, stall owners have a few ideas about what their newly empowered politicians should prioritise. hopefully be enough money for nurses and doctors and train drivers, bus driver, to do away with all these strikes. and the more money that people are paid, if people do get a pay rise, it's more money for people to spend, isn't it? that will help us. maybe they'll be spending a wee bit of their extra money on a nice bit of fish here for a friday. definitely encourage tourism as much as we can, definitely because, at the end of the day, we are a small the woods here and if you're in this place, you realise just the low number of foreigners who come in and and appreciate it and enjoy belfast.

where do you start? there's a list as long as my arm, i can tell you. but really, see, once they're back to work, then they can start tackling all of the issues that we have here in northern ireland, you know? it's two years to the day since devolution, in effect, collapsed, leaving people in northern ireland without a government. but ministers have actually been out of office for a total of five out of the last seven years, and that means there's a huge list of issues to be dealt with when they return. possibly the first item on the agenda will be how to increase pay for public sector workers whose wages have fallen well behind england, scotland and wales. this strike last month was thought to be the biggest ever held here. one major impact was the closure of schools. the environment will be another focus. pollution in the uk's largest freshwater lake lough neagh has become a touchstone concern.

so, too, has health care. people affected by cancer have organised an art exhibition this weekend. they want action to bring down hospital waiting times which, overall, are the longest in the uk by far. the health service is basically on its knees. it needs additional funding. it probably needs restructured as well. but the cancer strategy that's been sitting on a shelf for so long needs to be prioritised now. there should be more investment in managing, and especially end—of—life care. that is very, very important. here, people have already lost hope. it's just to renew their hope. having no politicians in stormont was not helpful. we are now looking at waiting times that we never have seen before, which is only making the crisis worse. the new power—sharing coalition will face difficult choices, judgments and demands. the vast majority in northern ireland hope that today will mark the start of a positive era for politics.

chris page, bbc news, belfast. we can go live now to our correspondent lewis vaughanjones who is at stormont. hugely significant day here at stormont for symbolism and practicalities, the real work that needs to be done for people right across northern ireland. let me show you around. this is where it will all be happening, stormont is behind me, the building there, our political analyst who we are going to chat you our standing by. we have broadcast tents. the grounds in front of stormont are open to the public. you can see belfast city in the distance there, along this procession there, that is a park run taking place, people out running their five k as we speak, very keen

jogger their five k as we speak, very keen jogger running towards us. in the hours ahead, 1pm, it will all kick off, the assembly will be back inside those doors there. they will elect the speaker and then onto those hugely symbolic moments, first minister, deputy first minister. weights get the thoughts of our two analysts. thanks for coming, the son is now out, you have timed it well. clear rice and brian rowan —— claire rice. ht clear rice and brian rowan -- claire rice. , . ~ ., ., rice. it is government back again, another new _ rice. it is government back again, another new start, _ rice. it is government back again, another new start, is _ rice. it is government back again, another new start, is it _ rice. it is government back again, another new start, is it going - rice. it is government back again, another new start, is it going to i rice. it is government back again, | another new start, is it going to be different? — another new start, is it going to be different? that is the big question, we have _ different? that is the big question, we have had humpty dumpty government for 25 years. _ we have had humpty dumpty government for 25 years, ten of those the executive _ for 25 years, ten of those the executive has not been in place. there _ executive has not been in place. there is— executive has not been in place. there is optimism today that stormont is back but if that is all

it is, _ stormont is back but if that is all it is, that — stormont is back but if that is all it is, that is _ stormont is back but if that is all it is, that is too low a bar. the challenge _ it is, that is too low a bar. the challenge now given we have not had government for ten or 25 years, why has politics— government for ten or 25 years, why has politics struggled so much and are we _ has politics struggled so much and are we prepared to do the big review that looks _ are we prepared to do the big review that looks notjust are we prepared to do the big review that looks not just that getting stormont up and running but staying up stormont up and running but staying up and _ stormont up and running but staying up and running ratherthan stormont up and running but staying up and running rather than falling down _ up and running rather than falling down do— up and running rather than falling down. do you share the optimism at first and _ down. do you share the optimism at first and then something different? i am slightly more optimistic. it is madness to do the same thing over and over and expect things to work differently, i think the fact that we see stop start politics in northern ireland it is time to think about how institutions are to sign, however everything functions, how government is done, and positive that things are back up and going, a silver lining on the club there hanging over northern ireland for

the last couple of years but there is still a long way to go to call the assembly stable. taiik is still a long way to go to call the assembly stable.- is still a long way to go to call the assembly stable. talk to us about the symbolism _ the assembly stable. talk to us about the symbolism of - the assembly stable. talk to us about the symbolism of the - the assembly stable. talk to us | about the symbolism of the first minister post going to sinn fein for the first time. that minister post going to sinn fein for the first time-— the first time. that is the changing tra'ecto the first time. that is the changing trajectory of _ the first time. that is the changing trajectory of our — the first time. that is the changing trajectory of our politics, _ the first time. that is the changing trajectory of our politics, our- trajectory of our politics, our electoral trend since brexit, 2017 the genius was their overall majority in stormont. —— unionists. 2019... naomi long of alliance is expected to be thejustice minister when things happened today, a seat in 2019, won a union seat. sinn fein became the biggest party clearing the way for michelle o'neill to become first minister and the biggest party in local government, thatis biggest party in local government, that is the changing direction in our politics. a lot of the talk this week has been about the union being safe, the government doing everything it could to getjeffrey

donaldson and dup of the line and back into stormont but the headline will be the historic moment, the first nationals, first sinn fein first minister.— first nationals, first sinn fein first minister. the practicalities, we showed _ first minister. the practicalities, we showed everyone _ first minister. the practicalities, we showed everyone the - first minister. the practicalities, l we showed everyone the beautiful view across belfast, whatever happens here, it is what they are trying to do for people across northern ireland that actually matters and the entry is full. t0 matters and the entry is full. to ut it matters and the entry is full. to put it mildly. the strokes we have had a _ put it mildly. the strokes we have had a northern ireland particularly over the _ had a northern ireland particularly over the last week we have seen strikes. — over the last week we have seen strikes, the in trays continue to build _ strikes, the in trays continue to build so — strikes, the in trays continue to build so when things continue to get up build so when things continue to get up and _ build so when things continue to get up and going, it is working to the backlog _ up and going, it is working to the backlog rather than progressing and the backlog is the workload for the politicians, it is difficult to see how _ politicians, it is difficult to see how things can start to move forward _ how things can start to move forward. there is an impetus for politicians — forward. there is an impetus for politicians to clear the backlog and ensure _ politicians to clear the backlog and ensure there is a form of stability for things— ensure there is a form of stability for things going forward, that is where _ for things going forward, that is

where the — for things going forward, that is where the question really is, have things— where the question really is, have things been sufficiently resolved with regards to the dup particularly over the _ with regards to the dup particularly over the last number of months to have _ over the last number of months to have any— over the last number of months to have any semblance of stability going _ have any semblance of stability going forward, that is what there is a lot of— going forward, that is what there is a lot of scepticism about. a going forward, that is what there is a lot of scepticism about.— a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought — a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on _ a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on that, _ a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on that, the - a lot of scepticism about. a final brief thought on that, the deal l a lot of scepticism about. a final i brief thought on that, the deal that was reached to bring us to this point. how much confidence do you have in it holding, effectively? ht have in it holding, effectively? ut is hard to be confident when in the past seven years, five of those years have been without government so we have jogged years have been without government so we havejogged on years have been without government so we have jogged on the spot for the last two years and then in usain bolt like fashion sprinted back into government today. today is a beginning i think and a good day's work but the politics of this place is always a work in progress. if we make itjust about is always a work in progress. if we make it just about today, is always a work in progress. if we make itjust about today, we are making a mistake.— make itjust about today, we are making a mistake. thank you, brian and clare rice. _ making a mistake. thank you, brian and clare rice, everything - making a mistake. thank you, brian and clare rice, everything will- making a mistake. thank you, brian and clare rice, everything will be i and clare rice, everything will be getting under way inside there in about three hours.

here in the uk, police say the suspect in a corrosive—substance attack on a mother and her daughters in was last seen on the underground station at king's cross. abdul shakoor ezedi was seen boarding a victoria line train heading southbound at 9pm on wednesday. detectives have released new images of the suspect inside the station about 90 minutes after the attack. the woman who's 31, remains "very poorly" with expected life—changing injuries. our reporter graham satchell has the latest. a series of raids in london and newcastle, as police close the net on abdul shokoor ezedi. you can see officers wearing hazmat suits and gas masks to protect themselves. in one property, two empty containers were found with warning labels saying "corrosive material". the latest pictures of abdul shokoor ezedi show him at king's cross station in london on wednesday night, a serious injury to the right side of his face clearly visible. ezedi is the main suspect in a violent attack.

it left a 31—year—old woman and two young girls, aged just eight and three, with serious burns after alkaline was thrown at them. a clearer picture is emerging of ezedi's past. he arrived in this country from afghanistan, claimed asylum twice and was refused. in 2018 he pleaded guilty to two offences, sexual assault and exposure. he was given a suspended sentence and put on the sex offenders register for ten years. but despite that, in 2020, after converting to christianity, his application for asylum was eventually granted. this police investigation is fast—moving and stretches across the country. officers will be scouring cctv, finding ezedi's friends and associates. but they have also made this direct appeal. abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries. we have seen the images. you need some medical help. so do the right thing, and hand yourself in. police have had dozens of calls from the public with possible

sightings of the suspect, but more than two days after the horrifying attack in south london, abdul shokoor ezedi is still on the run. graham satchell, bbc news. live now to simonjones who is in central london. at new scotland yard. any update from the police?— from the police? there have currently — from the police? there have currently been _ from the police? there have currently been no _ from the police? there have i currently been no breakthrough from the police? there have - currently been no breakthrough is in the month hunt now in its third main day. —— manhunt. where is abdul shokoor ezedi? we know the metropolitan police are involved in the search, officers on the ground looking at cctv, northumbria police also involved as well as the british transport police. other forces across the country will be on a high state of alert. we know the police have managed to piece together a better picture of what happened on the actual day of the attack, on

wednesday. the police say abdul shokoor ezedi drove from newcastle where he was staying, left there in the very early hours of wednesday morning then travelled down to london, his vehicle was first spotted at around 6:30am in tooting in. furthersightings spotted at around 6:30am in tooting in. further sightings of his car in the afternoon and the attack at clapham at 7:30pm, just before, he was last spotted getting on a london underground train at king's cross station at exactly 9pm that wednesday. the police will inevitably be frustrated they have still not found the suspect, will be looking at cctv as well as appealing to the public for their help. we know the public can be their eyes and ears. of course it is thought that he had a very serious facial injury, potentially caused by the

attack that was carried out. the police say if anyone sees abdul shokoor ezedi they should call 999 immediately and not approach him because he is potentially a dangerous man but in terms of the manhunt, it is ongoing but no major developments today. maw; manhunt, it is ongoing but no ma'or developments today.�* developments today. many people miaht be developments today. many people might be surprised, _ developments today. many people might be surprised, simon, - developments today. many people might be surprised, simon, with i developments today. many people i might be surprised, simon, with the amount of cctv we have around london that the trail seems to at this point have gone cold. simon, can you hear me? apologies, we have lost the loan to simon. let's move on to events in paris were three people have been injured, one seriously in a knife attack, the incident happened at local time... at around 8 o'clock local

time in the gare de lyon railway station — one of the main stations in the french capital. police say a man has been arrested. argentina's security minister says criminal proceedings will begin against protesters who vandalised public buildings and clashed with police after the approval of a package of free—market economic reforms. the incidents happened outside congress in buenos aires on friday evening. the bill authorises the privatisation of most state—owned companies and slashes public spending. it will also allow presidentjavier milei to pass laws on several issues without the need of congressional approval. the federal trial on charges that former president donald trump sought to overturn the 2020 election result has been postponed, it was due to start next month but will now be delayed indefinitely, the delay due to an appeal by mr trump that he claims to be immune to prosecution for official actions taken while he was the president, the case could be delayed by several months for the

appeals process to play out. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. bit of sunshine for some of you today, but overall there will be plenty of cloud, too, especially tomorrow. and the overriding theme for the weekend is just how mild it is for early february, but also a little bit on the blustery side, too. now, today so far have been a bit of a north—south split. northwards into the afternoon. south of it, still plenty of cloud, a few glimpses of sunshine towards east anglia, the southeast, but the cloud in the west thick enough to produce rain or drizzle over the hills and coast. itjust starts to edge back into parts of northern england, and further north in england you'll stay with the sunshine sunny spells in scotland, northern ireland, a few showers in the north and west

of scotland and temperatures still well above average for early february. so it will be mild at cardiff certainly as wales and scotland get their six nations campaign under way, but always the chance of some light rain or drizzle in that breeze. with cloudy conditions dominating. into tonight, the cloud sits there in the south, but we'll start to see it increase across many western areas. briefly clear for eastern parts and temperatures will take an initial dip, but they will lift up later in the night, seven to around 11 degrees to start sunday for most. but notice a wetter start for scotland and northern ireland. indeed, quite a bit of rain to come here for some of you on sunday, especially through western scotland. the rain will ease off at times in northern ireland. further south you are. outbreaks of rain for northern england. much cloudier day here too. staying very cloudy further south with some spots of light, rain or drizzle. but many will be dry and a few breaks in the cloud possible. best of the sunshine and sunday where the cold is the areas orkney and shetland, sunshine and showers here. now as you go through sunday night and into monday area of low pressure starts to push close to the north of scotland and that will intensify the rainfall across parts of the north and west highlands. it's here where we could see well

over 100 millimetres of rainfall between sunday and the end of monday. so the risk of some flooding. hits cold air, could produce sleet and snow in orkney and shetland. but from southern scotland southwards it's back to a case of misty, murky, drizzly conditions around western coast and hills. many though to the east of high ground will be dry. some breaks in the cloud, a bit of sunshine and still staying fairly mild. just two degrees, though, in lerwick. and that colder air is going to tussle it out with the milder air as we go through this week. but notice in all the capital cities forecast, the temperatures will drop rain at times, but things could turn a little bit wintry later in the week. see you soon.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the united states launches strikes on 85 targets in syria and iraq against iran—linked militias. iraq says 16 people were killed, including civilians. the strikes were in retaliation to a drone attack last week on a us military base injordan which killed three soldiers. northern ireland's devolved government returns today. sinn fein's michelle o'neill will make history becoming stormont�*s nationalist first minister. three people have been injured in a knife attack in paris the manhunt continues for a man suspected of a corrosive substance attack on a mother and her daughters in south london. and a team of british

scientists and engineers lands in antarctica, to test a new drone that will help forecast the impact of climate change. more now on our top story this hour. the iraqi prime minister says civilians were among 16 people killed in friday's attacks by the united states on pro—iranian militants in iraq. the us strikes in syria and iraq were in response to a drone attack last weekend, on a us military base that killed three soldiers. a statement from iraq's prime minister denied that the attacks had been coordinated with the iraqi government describing such a suggestion as �*lies�*. it said the us—led military coalition threatened security and stability in iraq. reports from syria say there were a number of casualties. hugo checa has this update on the reaction in the middle east to the strikes. l115 reaction in the middle east to the strikes. ,, .,' . ., , reaction in the middle east to the strikes. ,, . ., , strikes. us officials say the strikes. us officials say the strikes have _ strikes. us officials say the strikes have been - strikes. us officials say the l strikes have been extremely successful, and they say that the targets have been carefully

selected, and i think this shows