live from london. this is bbc news. police in south london hunting for the alkali attack suspect abdul ezedi have arrested and hailed a 22—year—old man on suspicion of assisting an offender. i will remind anybody if they are helping, assisting him in any way they are potentially committing offences. america's top diplomat visits the middle east for talks — after the latest round of us strikes on iran—linked targets in the region. the british and irish prime ministers meet northern ireland's political leaders in stormont as power—sharing returns after a two year stalemate. hello, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them.

the metropolitan police have given an update on the manhunt for the man suspected of carrying out a chemical attack in south london last week. detectives hunting for alkali attack suspect abdul ezedi have arrested they say the last sighting was in london. investigators have been trawling through hundreds of hours of sisi ddii and have tracked abdul ezedi's to note movement. he's been on a run for five days. a woman remains in hospital that are thought to be life—changing after the attack on wednesday. budget with the police had to say earlier. ~ ., ., ., ~ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working _ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working at _ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working at pace _ earlier. where are we on making that hard? is working at pace with - hard? is working at pace with hundreds of detectives and officers working to follow up every lead we get. i'm gratefulfor all the help and support we're getting from the public in relation to our appeals. you had a new siding. you've taken it slightly further on?— it slightly further on? indeed. cctv is the main — it slightly further on? indeed. cctv is the main line _ it slightly further on? indeed. cctv is the main line of— it slightly further on? indeed. cctv is the main line of inquiry. - it slightly further on? indeed. cctv is the main line of inquiry. we - it slightly further on? indeed. cctv is the main line of inquiry. we so i is the main line of inquiry. we so

far have tracked into southern bridge area and that's obviously significant for inquiries to carry on tracking where we would be. he vanished for four days after that. he has. we're working on two main hypothesis. one is that he's been looked after, harboured by someone. i would remind anybody that if they are helping, assisting him in any way there is potential they are committing offences and we take that very seriously. alternatively, he's come to some harm and we're yet to find him. ., ., ., ., , find him. you made an arrest in relation to _ find him. you made an arrest in relation to helping _ find him. you made an arrest in relation to helping an _ find him. you made an arrest ini relation to helping an offender? find him. you made an arrest in - relation to helping an offender? the ve relation to helping an offender? tie: very earliest hours of this morning we arrested a man on suspense assisting in offender. we took him to south london, he's been released on bail. if anybody is involved in harbouring abdul ezedi we take that seriously and we will follow—up all

those lines of inquiry from that arrest. ., , , those lines of inquiry from that arrest. , , , , arrest. people will be surprised that perhaps — arrest. people will be surprised that perhaps one _ arrest. people will be surprised that perhaps one of— arrest. people will be surprised that perhaps one of the - arrest. people will be surprised that perhaps one of the most . that perhaps one of the most surveilled cities in the world, with all the resources hundred plus officers involved in this manhunt. he's just until that bridge sighting on wednesday night. it does seem extraordinary. people are amazed you haven't found him yet. we extraordinary. people are amazed you haven't found him yet.— haven't found him yet. we have had hundreds of— haven't found him yet. we have had hundreds of members _ haven't found him yet. we have had hundreds of members of— haven't found him yet. we have had hundreds of members of the - haven't found him yet. we have had hundreds of members of the public| hundreds of members of the public contact because he's got a distinctive facial injury. a very grateful for that and i distinctive facial injury. a very gratefulfor that and i encourage people to continue to come forward if they have seen him. it takes a long time to track cctv, you have to work out which way he's gone. hundreds and hundreds of cctv painstakingly gone through. we got support and assistance from counterterrorism fugitive teams who we're tracking him down and we will continue to do so. will you get him? i am is confidence and we can be

that we will. yes.— that we will. yes. what kind of inuui that we will. yes. what kind of inquiry are _ that we will. yes. what kind of inquiry are you _ that we will. yes. what kind of inquiry are you doing _ that we will. yes. what kind of inquiry are you doing in - that we will. yes. what kind of - inquiry are you doing in newcastle? crimes a new castle are backtracking from we know he left newcastle in the very hours of the morning. there are cranking out inquiries to build are cranking out inquiries to build a picture from where he was and what he was doing before he left newcastle to come down to london. we're grateful for the help and following up inquiries from the public as well. irate following up inquiries from the public as well.— following up inquiries from the public as well. we can speak to me . han public as well. we can speak to meghan owen _ public as well. we can speak to meghan owen who _ public as well. we can speak to meghan owen who has - public as well. we can speak to meghan owen who has been i public as well. we can speak to - meghan owen who has been following the story. the main news that one man has been arrested for assisting in offender. talk us through what we've been hearing this afternoon. some very key bits of information from the met police. obviously, this man has this been going on for a number of days now. it is been since the early hours of the 31st of january. some of the key points that we learn, a 22—year—old man was

arrested this morning for assisting in offender. he was interviewed by police in south london and later released on bail. the police said they had two theories about what might�*ve happened to the suspect was that he has come to harm and he has been assisted by somebody else. we also learned that the 31—year—old mother has injuries that could be life—changing. in fact, mother has injuries that could be life—changing. infact, police mother has injuries that could be life—changing. in fact, police said she may lose sight in her right eye. if you remember her two daughters aged eight and three were also hurt in the attack. their injuries are thought to be less severe. we learned he was last seen in suffolk bridge at around 2150 on wednesday. that was an eye of other sightings. they traces footsteps, we saw cctv and tesco in north london around eight p:m.. we also saw pictures

from various tube stops in london for the police have confirmed that the last sighting was at 2150 on wednesday. they've also said they're not currently searching the river thames put up the motive behind the attack is unclear and that he is also not the father to the children. he is also accused of attacking. finally, they are combing through hundreds of hours of cctv for that of a complex operation because the suspect is not carrying a mobile phone they say that is what makes the man had particularly difficult. they say they have his phone. to remind people of what happened, this was such a brutal attack and we've seen the cct images of it. pbc has not shown the entire tea. just to remind people what happened. tell us what happened last wednesday. that what happened last wednesday. git around 7:25pm in clapham the

31—year—old woman and her two daughters were attacked by a corrosive substance. a man is then seen fleeing the scene. there's been shocking accounts of eyewitnesses just as a reminder, the 31—year—old mother has injuries now which are life—changing, she is in hospital, her two daughters eight and three also have injuries that are less serious. that was in clapham at around 725 on the 31st of january. the manhunt continues for the suspect. the manhunt continues for the susect. . g the manhunt continues for the susect. ., ,, ,., the manhunt continues for the susect. . g ~ ., suspect. thank you meghan owen in the newsroom. _ suspect. thank you meghan owen in the newsroom. we _ suspect. thank you meghan owen in the newsroom. we will— suspect. thank you meghan owen in the newsroom. we will keep - suspect. thank you meghan owen in the newsroom. we will keep you - the newsroom. we will keep you across the and bring any details when we get them. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, is on another diplomatic tour of the middle east — his fifth visit to the region since the conflict erupted between israel and hamas. he's visiting saudi arabia, israel, egypt, qatar and the occupied west bank. mr blinken's trip follows days of air strikes by the united states against iranian—linked targets

in iraq, syria and yemen. ahead of his arrival, a drone attack killed six us—backed kurdish fighters at an american base in eastern syria. mr blinken is also expected to discuss boosting aid to gaza, as well as a possible ceasefire and hostage deal between israel and hamas. in the last hour, the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has warned he will not accept hamas's demands over the hostages still held. meanwhile — the un has warned of an impending famine in gaza. our middle east correspondent hugo bachega who's in baghdad, explains more. this visit by antony blinken comes amid growing american involvement in what is happening in the middle east. just over the weekend, the us hit iranian interests here in iraq and in syria. also the houthis in yemen who are also supported by iran and american officials are saying that these attacks are going to continue.

so the focus has been very much on iran and so far the reaction from iran and its proxies has been muted. i think this could be an early indication that iran might have decided to de—escalate rather than retaliate now. antony blinken has two main goals with this latest visit. he wants to try to secure the release of more hostages who are still being held in gaza. more than 100 hostages who were kidnapped in the hamas attacks in october. and also a pause in hostilities that could allow more humanitarian aid to reach palestinians in gaza. now, these are obviously very difficult negotiations. talks between israel and hamas continue. but i think the hope here is that any kind of pause in the war in gaza could help reduce tensions all across the region.

drjulie norman is senior associate fellow on the middle east at rusi and joins me now. should we pick up on what hugo was saying about iran and its reaction to this? what do you make of it, would you describe it as a muted response so far? t would you describe it as a muted response so far?— would you describe it as a muted response so far? i would say it has been restrained _ response so far? i would say it has been restrained so far. _ response so far? i would say it has been restrained so far. this - response so far? i would say it has been restrained so far. this is - been restrained so far. this is still pretty early on. we know that the us will likely carry out additional strikes. they have said as much and so pressure may increase on iran to respond as well. up until this point both the us and iran have been trying to avoid head to head conflict with each other. iran has been happy enough to sit back and let the groups that pay back bear most of the brunt and have been a bit wary of getting involved themselves. as this escalates that is probably going to get harder to avoid. tn is probably going to get harder to avoid. , avoid. in terms of what's been happening _ avoid. in terms of what's been

happening in _ avoid. in terms of what's been happening in iraq _ avoid. in terms of what's been happening in iraq and - avoid. in terms of what's been happening in iraq and syria, i avoid. in terms of what's been l happening in iraq and syria, the strikes by the us, are they having any impact? one analyst i spoke to yesterday said they could regroup and rearm themselves in terms of the distraction. within days, really. t distraction. within days, really. i would say the aim of these strikes are twofold. one is to actually try to integrate the capabilities of these groups to some degree. but realistically the us knows they will not be able to completely do that, especially for groups like the who these who have significant arsenals and a lot to fall back on. —— ruth e. the other is to send a message to say the us is responding when us service members were killed for that and to send a message to these groups too ironic that the us will respond, not with intent to escalate but with intent to deter. d0 respond, not with intent to escalate but with intent to deter.— but with intent to deter. do you exect it but with intent to deter. do you expect it to _ but with intent to deter. do you expect it to ramp _ but with intent to deter. do you expect it to ramp up? - but with intent to deter. do you expect it to ramp up? we - but with intent to deter. do you expect it to ramp up? we did i but with intent to deter. do you i expect it to ramp up? we did hear the us saying this is just the beginning over the weekend. would

you expect it to ramp up more now? i would say the us is trying to walk this tight rope of putting forth actions that are forceful to deter but not so devastating as to ramp up a war. with that said, as the attacks continue as a us response we unfortunately do see this spiralling upwards however much the us and other actors might want to avoid that. i think as we've heard, the us is really pushing for the cessation of hostilities in gaza, which they see is the linchpin. for aiding gaza, releasing the hostages and also for growing tensions in the region. the groups carrying out the attacks are very emboldened by the gaza war and are using now for their excuse to do what they are doing. what do the houthis want? using the gaza war as their _ what do the houthis want? using the gaza war as their main _ what do the houthis want? using the gaza war as their main motivations, i gaza war as their main motivations, trying to use leverage that they have in the red sea to pressure the

us, pressure israel to draw back on the war. but houthis are also using this to their own advantage. they were not one of the more prominent groups in the acts of resistance prior to this. they have regionally set themselves up as much more significant, a significant player in the region because of this strong stance they have taken. in terms of outbidding other groups, regional prominence they have exploited this moment rather effectively. ii'iin�*n�* prominence they have exploited this moment rather effectively. how much are they acting _ moment rather effectively. how much are they acting unilaterally? - moment rather effectively. how much are they acting unilaterally? are - are they acting unilaterally? are you able to explain how much influence iran is having on the houthis and other proxies and how much is being done independently? i ron backs at around 40 different ron backs at around a0 different groups in the region some with weapons, as intelligence training —— i ran bax. there are different amounts of autonomy. i don't think i ron has direct control over all of these groups is much as they sometimes thought to. —— i ran.

affiliates rather than direct proxies because yes, iran supports but doesn't control all the decision makings for all the groups it's difficult to say that iran could pull the plug. a can of course pressure different groups and they have done that with smaller actors was up i think groups like the houthis who act independently before it will continue to do that even with pressure from iran. thank you so much. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. worsening health among the under fives needs to be urgently addressed — experts say. the academy of medical sciences highlights what it says are "major health issues" like infant deaths, obesity and tooth decay. it says society is betraying children and the problems are limiting their future and damaging economic prosperity. the business organisation — the cbi — says it's reached

what it's called an "undisclosed settlement" with its former boss tony danker. he brought a wrongful dismissal case after being sacked in april last year when complaints were made about his behaviour. he has admitted making staff uncomfortable — but denied sexual harassment. the prince of wales is to return to royal duties on wednesday for the first time since catherine had abdominal surgery last month. prince william will conduct an investiture at windsor castle before attending a fundraising gala in london in the evening. the princess of wales is recuperating at home after leaving hospital last week. rishi sunak has told leaders in northern ireland the real work starts now, as he travelled to stormont to mark the return of the power—sharing government. the new executive was formed on saturday, ending two years of political stalemate. the irish prime minister, leo varadkar, called the developments very positive. but leaders in the assembly have already demanded more money

to fund public services. our ireland correspondent, chris page, reports. at daybreak, rishi sunak arrived at the plate where a new political dawn has apparently come. the speaker of the stormont assembly, edwin poots, showed the prime minister around the chamber and this week, locally elected politicians will once again be able to debate legislation after an absence of almost two years. it is an historic and important day for the country, because northern ireland politicians are back in charge of making decisions on behalf of their people, which is exactly how they should be. our new deal gives them a funding and more powers than they have ever had so they can deliver for families and businesses across northern ireland. that is what everyone's priority is now. rishi sunak has come to stormont to put his stamp on what he will regard as a significant achievement of his time in downing street. the parties of the devolved government have told him that for things to work out well, he will have to give them more money.

london has already sent an extra £35 billion to the coalition led by the first and deputy first minister is. michelle o'neill of sinn fein and emma little pengelly from the democratic union is. from the democratic unionists. while they carried out the diplomatic formalities, others were putting out the message. we need to press forward with reform of our health service, invest in our education system, grow our economy, provide childcare, support for working families in northern ireland. so many priorities and if the executive is to succeed, it needs the resources to deliver on those issues. what they have offered us is a way to uplift some of the money that comes here, but it still leaves us on the floor did. i don't think the uk government can acknowledge that and then at the same time choose to solve the problem. they also had a visit from the leader of the irish government. there are times i didn't think this day would happen, so it is great the institutions

are back up and running again. the taoiseach said he felt stability would replace stalemate. i do feel a sense of confidence from the new executive that this is here to last. obviously we are keen to help in any way we can. it is a day of congratulations, handshakes and goodwill. but the hard yards for the stormont administration are still ahead and the prime minister is sure to get more calls for cash. us senators have unveiled a long—awaited cross—party deal that aims to combat illegal immigration at the us—mexico border and, in return, grant new aid to ukraine and israel. the package is worth nearly $120—billion. it allocates $20 billion for additional enforcement on the us border with mexico and to combat drug trafficking, 60—billion dollars

earmarked for military aid to ukraine to support its fight against russia. it also includes 1a billion dollars in security assistance for israel. though the bill is backed by some republican senators, its fate looks uncertain, as house republicans say it's not tough enough for migrants. biden's handling of immigration has been a source of continued protests and has emerged as the top issue driving republicans to the polls in support of former president donald trump, the frontrunner to face mr biden in the november general election. live now to our north america correspondent nomia iqbal. the fate looks uncertain. very uncertain- _ the fate looks uncertain. very uncertain. although _ the fate looks uncertain. very uncertain. although going - the fate looks uncertain. - uncertain. although going by some of the comments being made mike johnson, the house speaker who says it's dead on arrival kind of gives you in insight on how it you mentioned how immigration is such a big issue in this country, it is. republicans note that this is a big vulnerability for president biden. a

recent poll suggests two thirds of americans are not happy with the way that he is dealing with illegal migration. just to let you know, since he came into office they have been more than 6 million illegal migrants detained crossing into the us. that's the department of homeland security. at least 2.a million come in to apply for asylum, the weight of a court date. the system is totally overwhelmed. this bill is designed to get tough. however, it's notjust republicans who aren't happy with it. there are members of the democratic party to the left who aren't happy with it either. if you look at the bill there are some things in it that doesn't include much of the things they want. for exact lulac example a path to citizenship for undocumented migrants. because they haven't come up migrants. because they haven't come up with an agreement it means all the aid for ukraine is been struck up the aid for ukraine is been struck up a $6 billion which means that ammunition and missiles for kyiv have been halted. you have ukrainian

soldiers who are being outgunned at the moment as they are trying to push back against russia. bear in mind also there are many conservatives who have gone cold it on ukraine. they got tired of finding the fight, they don't want to have anything to do with it. but i don't want to get everything passed through this bill. we will see on wednesday. already it's looking like it's probably not going to make it. . g looking like it's probably not going to make it. ., ,, , ., 39—year—old man been rereleased on bail. hester martin was found on saturday inside a home near clapton on c. our correspondent reports. esther martin was a grandmother visiting her grandson but what caused two dogs to attack and kill her is still being examined by detectives. essex police says that breed of dogs is yet to be

established and this could take days. esther martin's daughter believes they were xl bullies which have just recently been banned in england and wales. people can still owned this type of dogs but the right certificate of exemption and insurance needs to be in place. it's thought there were six puppies and two adult dogs and the property. and esther martin had been advised to use a broom if they were misbehaving.— use a broom if they were misbehaving. use a broom if they were misbehavina. ., , misbehaving. the owner left my mum on the preperty _ misbehaving. the owner left my mum on the preperty with _ misbehaving. the owner left my mum on the property with his _ misbehaving. the owner left my mum on the property with his young - misbehaving. the owner left my mum on the property with his young son. i on the property with his young son. and told my mum if the puppies started fighting to sort of wave their broom because the puppies would play with the broom. it was at that point that the adult dogs attacked my mom. my nephew ran out screaming for help.— screaming for help. essex police has commended — screaming for help. essex police has commended its _ screaming for help. essex police has commended its officers _ screaming for help. essex police has commended its officers who - screaming for help. essex police has commended its officers who entered j commended its officers who entered the house on saturday afternoon. and members of the public who also

showed extraordinary bravery trying to rescue esther martin. police say this investigation has a number of complexities. they say they are making good progress and are determined to give esther martin's family the answers they need. at 39—year—old man arrested on saturday has today been released on bail. he is ashley warren empoli state the relationship was familial. meanwhile, the police still guarding the scene for the people of jaywick and esther martin's family still wait to hear more. an indian actress who faked her own death to raise awareness about cervical cancer has sparked a debate about the ethics for the heart official instagram account and announce the news of her death on friday. tributes started flowing in and it was immediately picked up by news outlets. hear how

it was reported by india today. tier? it was reported by india today. very trauic it was reported by india today. very tragic news — it was reported by india today. very tragic news coming _ it was reported by india today. - tragic news coming early this morning. social media start is no more. �* ., ., ., more. but the following day and other video _ more. but the following day and other video was _ more. but the following day and other video was posted - more. but the following day and other video was posted on - more. but the following day and other video was posted on her. other video was posted on her instagram account. i’m other video was posted on her instagram account.— instagram account. i'm alive. unfortunately, _ instagram account. i'm alive. unfortunately, i— instagram account. i'm alive. unfortunately, i cannot - instagram account. i'm alive. unfortunately, i cannot say i instagram account. i'm alive. i unfortunately, i cannot say that about _ unfortunately, i cannot say that about hundreds of thousands of women who have _ about hundreds of thousands of women who have lost their lives. there about hundreds of thousands of women who have lost their lives.— who have lost their lives. there was an immediate _ who have lost their lives. there was an immediate backlash _ who have lost their lives. there was an immediate backlash photo - who have lost their lives. there was an immediate backlash photo over i an immediate backlash photo over the weekend the actress apologised but she also her action saying... in the short term there was a spike in interest was graph shows the google search in india for a cervical cancer. you can see that spike last week. if we have a look at the most recent figures they are back down to around the level they were a week ago. the digital marketing agency

behind this campaign has also spoken extending a heartfelt apology... the firm did add that her mother had battled cancer and that's why she wanted to shine a light on the issue. cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers through screening and vaccines. but in india the problem is particularly acute. every year 77,000 women die from the disease and india accounts for almost a quarter of the worlds cases. last week the government there announced a raft of measures to try to address the issue and many have speculated that this stunt may have speculated that this stunt may have been part of that. thank you for that in the newsroom. don't forget, plenty more on all of the stories we're covering on our website. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello there. blustery, cloudy but very mild start to the week for most of us. things are going to change. this weather front and this band of cloud has brought about five inches of rain into highland scotland. that will move southwards, allowing colder air to move from the north. we're seeing a colder air push into scotland overnight as the rain band moves into southern scotland and northern ireland. a few shop showers follow into scotland, icy patches by the morning. a touch of frost likely in contrast england and wales temperatures are falling much at all it still cloudy, quite windy as we head into tuesday morning. that band of rain will move away from southern scotland and northern ireland into england and wales with bringing heavier rain over the hills of northern england and wales. eventually rain into the midlands. following that sunshine for scotland

and northern ireland have showers in the north of scotland. late sunshine in northern england but colder than it was due day here. mild, windy air still there and saw the parts of england. temperatures of 13 or 1a degrees of the things will change overnight as this weather frank takes rain further south allowing that colder air to move down from the north, across more of the country by wednesday morning leading to a frost. there will be some snow showers in northern parts of scotland, icy conditions here for that we still got cloudy and maybe rain at times in the far south of england after the english channel otherwise temperatures will be near six or 7 degrees. a chilly day. we've got a weather frontjust sitting across the english channel on wednesday. as this area of low—pressure bruising from the atlantic that weather front moves northwards taking rain northwards into the cold air. we're likely to say is rain and most parts further north it's going to be sleet and

snow that following that will bring disruption. there is a warning out from the met office for thursday into thursday night. in this area widely a few centimetres of snow but more than that over the hills. it is a yellow warning from the met office. it so far ahead they are made will be some changes. one of the uncertainties is how far north this wet weather will get for that looks like thursday should be dry for scotland and northern ireland. it will be cold.

this is bbc news, the headlines police in south london hunting for the alkali attack suspect abdul ezedi, have arrested and bailed a 22—year—old man on suspicion of assisting an offender. northern ireland's political leaders pledge to work together — after power—sharing at stormont returns. we'll hear from young people about their hopes and taylor swift makes history at the grammy awards becoming the first artist ever to win best album four times. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mark edwards. england's series with india is level at 1—1 after a record run chase to win the second test proved to be well beyond the tourists. regular wickets and a determined bowling attack

helped india to a 106 run victory asjoe lynskey reports.