live from washington. this is bbc news. the us and uk carry out more strikes on iran backed houthi positions in yemen — as washington continues its military response to the deaths of three us soldiers and houthi attacks on ships in the red sea. northern ireland's devolved government is restored after a two—year hiatus. sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill makes history as stormont�*s first irish nationalist leader. polls close in an hour in the us state of south carolina where democrats are voting in their first primary of 202a. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda we start the programme in the middle east, where the us and uk have led fresh coalition strikes against the iran—backed houthis in yemen. according to us central command,

36 houthi targets have been struck. this is the third round of strikes that led by the us and uk and involved support from australia, bahrain, denmark, canada, the netherlands and new zealand. in addition to these latest joint strikes. us central command says it also launched what it calls �*defensive�* strikes against six anti—ship cruise missiles in houthi—held areas in yemen. in a statement — the us defense secretary loyd austin says the action. we have also heard from the uk defence secretary grant shapps — in a statement, he says... the raids follow u—s strikes in iraq and syria on friday. 85 sites were hit in retaliation for the killing injordan of three american soldiers by iranian—backed militants. these pictures — verified by the bbc —

show the aftermath of friday's strikes in iraq. iraqi officials say that 16 people were killed and 25 injured in those strikes. iran has condemned the attacks as a... that is against the sovereignty of iraq and syria. the un security council will meet on monday to discuss the us strikes, on the request of russia. for the latest — i spoke with our senior international correspondent orla guerin, who is in baghdad. we have seen the us and uk launch their third round of strikes against their third round of strikes against the targets in yemen and with the leaders you can tell us what is happening in the region? the “oint strikes carried i happening in the region? the “oint strikes carried out i happening in the region? the “oint strikes carried out over i happening in the region? the “oint strikes carried out over the h happening in the region? the joint strikes carried out over the last. strikes carried out over the last month or so were being told that the aim of self—defense to prevent the houthis from carrying out attacks and international shipping appeared and international shipping appeared a few hours ago from the us in early round of strikes and destroyed six

anti—ship missiles that the houthis were about to use it we the strikes of this kind being carried out and as not so far been stopping the houthis from carrying out attacks on international shipping but i think it is a sign of the times and stability of the middle east at the moment they were talking about american strikes on targets in countries over the past 2a hours in the strikes, joint strikes in the uk and the iranian backed houthis in yemen in last night, with the strikes by the us of 85 targets and iranian backed militia and also in syria and the strikes of the first of america's response to the killing of america's response to the killing of three us service people sunday and counting the cost of angry

statements and the authorities in baghdad accusing america of instability in the region and condemnation from syria in tehran but all of that is angry words but no action and no action has been taken at america's very careful last night not dated iranian soil. after that first round of your strikes, we are told that the fundamentals of not shifted and the americans are still signalling here that they do not want a major escalation with iran and it seems that tehran position is the same if they do not want things to get any worse and we haven't seen any major response by the iranian backed malicious here on the iranian backed malicious here on the ground and they seem to be lying low. it the ground and they seem to be lying low. . ., , . the ground and they seem to be lying low. _, , . . the ground and they seem to be lying low. _, , ., ., ., ., low. it comes at a great turn of issues and _ low. it comes at a great turn of issues and what _ low. it comes at a great turn of issues and what do _ low. it comes at a great turn of

issues and what do you - low. it comes at a great turn of issues and what do you think i low. it comes at a great turn of issues and what do you think it| issues and what do you think it could be at this region? we have to 'udue this could be at this region? we have to judge this day _ could be at this region? we have to judge this day by — could be at this region? we have to judge this day by day _ could be at this region? we have to judge this day by day and an - judge this day by day and an indication of what a dangerous moment this is in the middle east that we really cannot look beyond the next 2a hours and looking at what america does next, the second wave of strikes of the same magnitude and respected will be that's pretty much what was expected and is very mind that america's signal that there would be retaliation in plenty of time for senior iranian figures to get out of harms way and for weapons to be moved to a safer location it the white house is made its point without inflicting a massive military loss of the iranian backed malicious and without provoking a

major response from them, it seems. they can continue and probably will continue carrying out attacks on us bases as they have been doing and whether hundred 60 attacks since hamas attacked israel on october the 7th leading to the israeli assault on gaza. but i think running through all of for the americans is the hope that there can be a diplomatic breakthrough coming from antony blinken�*s next trip to the region and he is pushing hard to try to secure another cease—fire in gaza for a few months i was the release of all the remaining israeli hostages and those remain alive under the release of a large number and all prisoners from them and we do not know if they can secure an agreement by the increasing focus of the white house and the belief that

they can be a cease—fire in gaza, if you try to take away the fuel for the fires burning around the middle east now. ., ~ the fires burning around the middle east now. . ~ , ., ., , ., , thank you for your insight. joining me live is david schenker, former assistant sec of state for near eastern affairs, through january 202i2. iraq says these strikes will bring disastrous consequences for the region. thoughts on the reactions in the region? but you think? houthis, the choke point of the red sea and down 50% as in the us to be done about the houthis and this is just the start and it is well

warranted and can be taken very positively. warranted and can be taken very ositivel . ~ ., ., ~ , positively. what do you think needs to ha en positively. what do you think needs to happen next _ positively. what do you think needs to happen next bushel— positively. what do you think needs to happen next bushel of— positively. what do you think needs to happen next bushel of the - to happen next bushel of the houthis is committed and iran is backing them to the hilt and is committed and iran is backing them to the hil— is committed and iran is backing them to the hilt and they will not back down or _ them to the hilt and they will not back down or be _ them to the hilt and they will not back down or be deterred - them to the hilt and they will not back down or be deterred and - them to the hilt and they will not | back down or be deterred and it is incumbent on the administration to continue to work to degrade their capabilities the disrupt this and fire missiles, trolls, rockets. going back to the attacks carried out, the response, some strong words saying the strikes bring disastrous consequences but if it from a correspondent, it seems to be the end of the reaction, what do you make of that? the end of the reaction, what do you make of that?— end of the reaction, what do you make of that? the prime minister, and the government _ make of that? the prime minister, and the government of— make of that? the prime minister, and the government of iraq -

make of that? the prime minister, and the government of iraq packs l make of that? the prime minister, i and the government of iraq packs and business salaries of these malicious and they're attacking the us on iraqi soil in syria and without the permission of the government of the rock in these coalition partners with the government of iraq are violating sovereignty and it is quite rich that the situation, very ironic. ~ ., quite rich that the situation, very ironic. ~ . ., ., ~ , , quite rich that the situation, very ironic. ~ . ., .,~ , , ., ironic. wanted to make sure they are stru: calin ironic. wanted to make sure they are struggling but _ ironic. wanted to make sure they are struggling but not — ironic. wanted to make sure they are struggling but not wanting _ ironic. wanted to make sure they are struggling but not wanting to - struggling but not wanting to trigger a big war in the middle east, what considerations are looking to the next wave possible strikes could be? that looking to the next wave possible strikes could be?— strikes could be? at think it's allowed lot _ strikes could be? at think it's allowed lot of _ strikes could be? at think it's allowed lot of this _ strikes could be? at think it's i allowed lot of this telegraphing strikes could be? at think it's - allowed lot of this telegraphing and performance in their hitting targets that are not strategic setbacks and

they have blocked these facilities, key weapons probably long gone but it is a signal to go after 85 targets in one night in the united states over the past three months has been hit hundred 80 times by these iraqi backed malicious and three americans were killed and something has to be done about this, it is intolerable when more americans will die if the status quo prevails. i think there will be a balancing calibration by washington to not kill iranians the end, that is necessary but insufficient, you cannotjust is necessary but insufficient, you cannot just after the proxies. is necessary but insufficient, you cannotjust after the proxies. going cannot 'ust after the proxies. going after cannotjust after the proxies. going after the patrons _ cannotjust after the proxies. going after the patrons of _ cannotjust after the proxies. going after the patrons of the _ cannotjust after the proxies. going after the patrons of the risk - cannotjust after the proxies. going after the patrons of the risk of - after the patrons of the risk of curing abstracts on the iranian government is in territories are

huge —— entities. government is in territories are huge -- entities.— huge -- entities. interests and artners huge -- entities. interests and partners the — huge -- entities. interests and partners the united _ huge -- entities. interests and partners the united states - huge -- entities. interests and partners the united states is l huge -- entities. interests and i partners the united states is the capabilities of doing those kinds of things as well and things that fall short of genetic on iranian territory and iranian assets, cyber and there's targets come economic targets and has a lot of enemies will be impossible to know who did these actions but a clear message could be sent, notwithstanding congress pounding on the president to do something against iran, the directly, i do not see that happening. de—escalation trying to contain this until they can be a cease—fire since her progress between israeli and gaza. take cease-fire since her progress between israeli and gaza. take you for sharin: between israeli and gaza. take you for sharing the _ between israeli and gaza. take you for sharing the details _ between israeli and gaza. take you for sharing the details with - between israeli and gaza. take you for sharing the details with us. -- i

for sharing the details with us. —— thank you. it's been a historic day in belfast, where devolved government has been restored in northern ireland — and it has chosen its first irish nationalist leader. michelle 0'neill was elected first minister. her party, sinn fein, hopes to one day unite northern ireland with the republic of ireland. sinn fein became the biggest party during elections two years ago. it is also two years to the day that the assembly at stormont last met, after the main unionist party — the democratic unionists — walked out of the power—sharing agreement over post—brexit trading rules. 0ur political editor, chris mason, reports from belfast. good morning, stormont! stormont�*s back up and running today, we've been running the past two years. limbering up and under way — park runners here first thing, pounding around the stormont estate. and the politicians are back, too. whoo! and it's notjust you guys rattling around here now. no, there's going to be a few others rattling around. so there's going to be quite a number in the house, i believe, today. but they're welcome tojoin the park run. good to see them back?

erm... we'll see. to be confirmed, still. so you thought you'd run at stormont today because the politicians are back? yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. hopefully, a wee bit more conversation, going forward. arriving here not long later, today's headline—maker, michelle 0'neill, walking towards a place in northern ireland's history as the first nationalist first minister. the assembly is back, and now with a first minister who speaks in english and irish. she speaks irish today opens the door to a future, a shared future. i am honoured to stand here as first minister. michelle 0'neill pledged that she would work for everyone in northern ireland. with all those colleagues of a british, of a unionist tradition who cherish the union, this is an assembly for all — catholic, protestant, and the centre. 0n northern ireland's violence

murder, known as the troubles, a notable apology for all deaths. we must never forget all those who have died or been injured or theirfamilies. i am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict, without exception. history can at once be national, however defined, and deeply personal. and this is an historic day. and it does represent a new dawn. for the very first time, a nationalist takes up the position of first minister. that such a day would ever come was unimaginable to my parents�* and grandparents�* generation. northern ireland's first and deputy first ministers have equal legal powers, but sinn fein won more seats than the second—biggest party, the democratic unionists, at the last elections. so the dup take the deputy position. michelle is an irish republican and i am a very proud unionist. we will never agree on those issues, but what we can agree on is that

cancer doesn't discriminate and our hospitals need fixed. there is widespread support here for the return of devolution, but it's not universal. some unionists think the dup should not have come back because some eu rules still apply in northern ireland. of all those attempts to spin defeat as victory, this is a climb—down of monumental proportions. the business of governing, deciding, scrutinising resumes again here. chris mason, bbc news, in belfast. polls close in an hour in the us state of south carolina where democrats are voting in their first primary of 202a. it's all but guaranteed that president biden will win. he is facing two challengers — minnesota representative dean

phillips, and the self—help author marianne williamson. but the president is expected to sweep the state that he won in 2020 by a wide margin. in a campaign speech this morning, the president was already turning his attention to the general election in november. this is more of a mission than a campaign, we cannot, we cannot lose this campaign for the good of the country. a minute from the bottom my heart, goes well beyond me, if because of the country. in most polls, biden is currently neck and neck with his rival — republican frontrunner and former president donald trump. but the general election is still months away. first, trump will have to face former south carolina governor nikki haley in her home state again in three weeks, as haley continues her long shot bid for the nomination. the former president handily won the iowa caucuses and new hampshire primary. with trump's grip on the republican party seemingly cemented, biden is now looking to grow, and maintain, his voter base. one key demographic biden relied on in 2020 is black voters — and some polls suggest their support could be waning.

with me is brandon drenon, bbc digital reporter who's piece this week is on the south carolina democratic primary, asking the question: are black voters losing faith injoe biden? he spoke to the black voters, but was the biggest concern should allow the biggest that another vote for joe biden means anotherfour years that poverty levels and residencies are tired of not having the investment in the community that the administration and others have made. how is the biden campaign trying to reach out to them this time? they're making they�* re making a they're making a concentrated effort to rally black voters and they visited several churches and

barbershops and historically black colleges and 40,000 an advertisement and media to target black voters in south carolina that you had about the message that we are not done with the promise that we need looking to build on that year after 2024. ., ., , ., 2024. you want the president to address it to _ 2024. you want the president to address it to to _ 2024. you want the president to address it to to divert _ 2024. you want the president to address it to to divert again? - 2024. you want the president to | address it to to divert again? the issues that _ address it to to divert again? tue: issues that were address it to to divert again? he issues that were wide address it to to divert again? tte: issues that were wide ranging address it to to divert again? t'te: issues that were wide ranging and flaking a lot of voters there was the lack of economic development. i spoke to a small business owner who has some in this district for she surrounded by boarded—up buildings wants to know that when joe surrounded by boarded—up buildings wants to know that whenjoe biden says they're intended to communities from the bottom up, the mean communities like hers and she is not seeing that currently. thea;r communities like hers and she is not seeing that currently.— seeing that currently. they the scene drawn _ seeing that currently. they the scene drawn trump _ seeing that currently. they the scene drawn trump is - seeing that currently. they the scene drawn trump is realistic| scene drawn trump is realistic alternative?— scene drawn trump is realistic alternative? the most common resonse alternative? the most common response and — alternative? the most common response and that _ alternative? the most common

response and that is _ alternative? the most common response and that is brought i alternative? the most common| response and that is brought up alternative? the most common i response and that is brought up is that donald trump doesn't have their vote but there were small few numbers who are thinking about voting forformer numbers who are thinking about voting for former president trump what resonated with him was america for its message. they do not like seeing by the administration sending millions of dollars to ukraine about their neighbourhoods struggling to eat. ., , ., ., their neighbourhoods struggling to eat. ., ., eat. really got to get her report and we encourage _ eat. really got to get her report and we encourage everyone - eat. really got to get her report and we encourage everyone to l eat. really got to get her report. and we encourage everyone to go visit and see your piece on her website. visit and see your piece on our website. his voter base is likely not the only thing biden has to worry about. one of the big questions surrounding the biden campaign is how they handle the question of his age. if biden wins, he would be 82 years old when he takes the oath of office for a second term. a cnn poll this week says that about 46% of democrat and democratic leaning voters' biggest concern is biden's age. let's turn to hyma moore, a political strategist and principal at cornerstone, a bipartisan

government relations firm. hyma is former chief of staff and adviser to the chairman of the democratic national committee. great to have you with us. the current president's age it is standard among black voters, how does this measure up? tt standard among black voters, how does this measure up?— standard among black voters, how does this measure up? it was going to be important— does this measure up? it was going to be important for _ does this measure up? it was going to be important for the _ does this measure up? it was going to be important for the president i to be important for the president when you look at what he said it was vice president harris said, taking the election very seriously and former president trump is of an age and can be seen in the same light, the understands this and be a liability in some ways restrained to figure out a way to become sombre experienced, we knowjoe and joe knows us and is going to try to bring them back to the table and take the age of the subject liability. take the age of the sub'ect liabili . f take the age of the sub'ect liabili . j , ., i. liability. they'll be for younger voters but _ liability. they'll be for younger voters but look _ liability. they'll be for younger voters but look at _ liability. they'll be for younger

voters but look at some - liability. they'll be for younger l voters but look at some reports, liability. they'll be for younger - voters but look at some reports, joe voters but look at some reports, joe biden is not a popular candidate among republicans as well. how are the dnc doing with this? imilieu among republicans as well. how are the dnc doing with this?— the dnc doing with this? when you kids these years, _ the dnc doing with this? when you kids these years, these _ the dnc doing with this? when you kids these years, these polls - the dnc doing with this? when you kids these years, these polls come | kids these years, these polls come out in rapid succession and just see the paul and the dnc has been making sure the prison biden's message is resonating enviously democrats across the country and the local parties are trying to figure out the best strict way to deliver this message to their great things the president can point to especially battleground states and a mother wants a job as a job is a big deal you'll see them talking about that a lot more intimate grants, governors, mayors, those having a conversation a more directly. the

mayors, those having a conversation a more directly-— mayors, those having a conversation a more directly. the 'ob numbers are stronuer a more directly. the 'ob numbers are stronger americans _ a more directly. the job numbers are stronger americans seem _ a more directly. the job numbers are stronger americans seem to - a more directly. the job numbers are stronger americans seem to trust - stronger americans seem to trust present biden of the former president of the economy and how do you think this will change yesterday in particular. you think this will change yesterday in particular-— in particular. people are realising that the system _ in particular. people are realising that the system resurrect - in particular. people are realising that the system resurrect this - that the system resurrect this pastor as well other things the president can point to that of change peoples lives in a country is not debatable is that once four years ago another key external, remember covid—i9 i think the president has to remind them what it was like four years ago to talk more about is going to finish the job, he believes he is not done get a lot more but yes to god or get the votes and he's got to be out there more

campaigning the voters that's one strong suits and eject the message directly to the states will be sinking more and more us again to the election. share sinking more and more us again to the election-— sinking more and more us again to the election. are real concern about their converters _ the election. are real concern about their converters president's - their converters president's handling of it) some black voters and protests where prohibited the president address that directly commodity think the camping will address some of these issues? t5 address some of these issues? t3 going huge issue for the selection on both sides and one of the thesis the president is trying to get in there to some of the work is going to alleviate some of the pressure and secondly, is to articulate with it best to days and really do his best to make sure that the president

does this conflict is at the end if you start talking about the livermore best of issue and he knows his point after present a case to a global audience allows people to see that he is concerned and working hard at work on both to a close stop by looking at the match up with the former president if his nominee, sometimes he edits and texture biden is in what you need to, i out doctrine presidency is like. is campaign is very strong it is getting stronger but the reality is the reality. donald trump is a

president of chaos and we are not in a better place when he left the white house. and so, the equity uses a qsp in the voters of the next few months and he thinks he can point to that show that evidence like it said before, donald trump campaign and measures are in iowa, she signed north is in a better position that it was in 2016 and present biden cannot take this for granted in this was president has to be evermore on the record with people about why their lives are different than they were four years ago.— their lives are different than they were four years ago. thank you for 'oinin: us were four years ago. thank you for joining us today- — were four years ago. thank you for joining us today. and _ were four years ago. thank you for joining us today. and the third - joining us today. and the third round of us and uk strikes micro and targets in your menu component very latest there and you can see the analysis from her correspondence on

the problem will be back at the top of the next terms of the stories thank you for watching and stay with us. hello. cloudy, windy and mild pretty much covers sunday's weather forecast in most parts of the uk. we do have this wriggling weather front which will bring rain forsome, particularly in the western side of scotland. but with that front edging a little bit further northwards, it will introduce milder air for more of us. but with that extensive cloud cover, it will be quite misty and murky for some coasts and hills. a bit of rain across north—west england, parts of northern ireland, but more especially, this western side of scotland, the rain becoming heavy and persistent. eastern scotland with a bit of shelter from the winds, while here, we mayjust see a little

bit of sunshine. but it is going to be a windy day for many of us. very windy in the far north. gusts of 60 miles per hour, for example, in shetland, where temperatures will only climb to four degrees. but elsewhere, further south, highs of 13 or 14 degrees — well above the average for early—february. and then during sunday night, the rain keeps on coming in western scotland, hence this met office yellow weather warning. the wettest locations over higher ground could see 170 millimetres of rain. some snow mixing into the north of our weather front, where it engages some cold air. very mild, though, further south, as we start monday morning. through monday, we'll continue to see these outbreaks of heavy rain just waxing and waning across the north—west of scotland, with some snow across the far north. but to the south of that, it stays mild, it stays quite windy, it stays very cloudy, with some mist and murk and some spots of drizzle. temperatures up to around 13,

maybe 14 degrees once again, but always colder to the north of our weather front. just two degrees there, in lerwick. and by tuesday, well, that frontal system looks set to push a little bit further southwards. so rain for northern ireland, northern england, perhaps into north wales. to the south of that, still cloudy, a bit murky, very mild. to the north of our weather front, well, some sunny spells, a few wintry showers in the far north and something just a little bit chillier. now, this weather front just wriggles around through the middle part of the week. it will bring further outbreaks of rain. later in the week, it does look like these various frontal systems will eventually push southwards and that will allow some colder air to dig its way across more parts of the uk. it is going to take a while for that colder air to spread southwards, but it does look like, as we get through the end of the week and into the weekend, it will turn colder for all of us. yes, there'll be some rain, but for some, there may also be some snow.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. hello, everybody. a very warm welcome to talking business weekly with me, aaron heslehurst. let's go and take a look at what's on the show. getting germany growing again. europe's biggest economy continues to shrink. so what's it going to take to get it firing on all cylinders? when we go to the supermarket, but also in the restaurant, that used to be a cheap city. it's not the case anymore. there's growing discontent on the streets as germany continues to grapple with the switch away from cheap russian energy, and it struggles with the investment it needs for long—term success. i'm going to be discussing all of that with these

two — there they are.