general election. the prince of wales resumes public duties for the first time since king charles iii's cancer diagnosis. america's top diplomat meets israeli leaders as efforts to reach agreement on a new ceasefire between israel and hamas in gaza intensify. hundreds queued just to see a dentist. the government says it is taking steps to help patients in england. and this image by an amateur photographer of a young polar bear drifting to sleep on an iceberg takes top spot in a major photo competition. hello, i'm sarah campbell, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. two bomb explosions have

killed at least 22 people in south—west pakistan, on the eve of the general elections there. here's what we know so far. at least 22 people have been killed in two explosions and many more injured. authorities say they were targeting the election offices in two parts of balochistan. pakistan will vote in general elections tomorrow, in a vote marred by violence and claims of poll—rigging. we're getting pictures in all the time, we believe these pictures are from the blast in the pishin district, outside the election office of an independent local candidate. officials told the bbc he was meeting his polling agent at the time. images from the scene show cars and motorbikes blown apart by the force of the explosion. the second explosion went off outside the office of a political party in the qillah saif ullah district, killing at least eight people. the afp news agency quotes a senior police official, saying it happened in the main bazaar. the explosions both happened

within an hour of each other, around a hundred and fifty kilometres apart in the balochistan province in the south west of pakistan. pakistanis vote in general elections on thursday, which the former prime minister, imran khan has been prevented from contesting. here's the latest from islamabad with bbc urdu's saher baloch. i think now the death toll has increased to 27, according to authorities. also at the same time, the chief election commissioner in pakistan has asked the authorities to put the entire country on high alert. security has been put on high alert as well. at the same time, the election commission itself has asked the authorities to ensure that people get to the elections tomorrow morning, especially to the election booth because the elections will start, the voting will start at around 8.00am in the morning and will go to around 5.00pm in the evening. so a lot of focus is now on making these elections happen in pakistan. right now, balochistan province

is the only one that has been facing these threats back to back and this has been happening since january of this year. why particularly balochistan? what is it locally which has meant that it's particularly conflicted? there are different militant organisations operating within the balochistan province and there are separatist organisations as well as militant organisations that operate within balochistan. injanuary, mid—january especially, the baloch liberation army which is an insurgent group operating in south—west of balochistan, they had published or issued a pamphlet, an ominous pamphlet, and they had asked people not to get into the elections or boycott the general elections that are happening. similarly, there are other groups operating in the rest of the balochistan province as well who do not want these elections to be held at all. when i was there recently, it seemed as if i was covering two

different elections, whether it was in balochistan or whether it was in the rest of the country. it seemed like balochistan was far more under threat than the rest of the country. it was of course not something which was unexpected. people were already expecting something like that to happen, but they were not expecting it to happen only in balochistan. so this is something which is surprising to many. there misty worries about general election tomorrow. just take us through what the authorities are doing in terms of increasing security? doing in terms of increasing securi ? doing in terms of increasing security?— doing in terms of increasing securi ? ., ., security? the authorities are basically in _ security? the authorities are basically in touch _ security? the authorities are basically in touch with - security? the authorities are i basically in touch with different provinces of pakistan and asking them what kind of security they want. recently when province announced they would want military deployment in certain areas which are really sensitive according to the authorities. so that is happening. and now after these two attacks in different cities in

balochistan the security has been put on high alert and it will be tomorrow when the army is deployed in certain areas because otherwise people will not be getting out of their homes. they were already fears about that are now authorities are making sure people do go out. a while ago the information secretary of provincial government in balochistan was speaking with the media outside his home and he said they will make sure the elections take place tomorrow morning. the prince of wales has returned to official royal duties for the first time since his father king charles' cancer diagnosis. prince william has been taking part in an investiture ceremony at windsor castle, where people who've been awarded honours such as mbes, obes and knighthoods receive their medals. he's been out of the public eye following his wife's abdominal surgery last month. the king meanwhile spent the night at sandringham, after beginning his treatment on monday. helena wilkinson reports.

back to work, prince william carrying out public duties at windsor castle today. he's been handing out honours to those who've made a difference to public life. ellen, mrs convery, for services to association football. ellen white — the england women's football team's record goal—scorer, who was key to their euros victory in 2022 — was one of those receiving her award. it must be a difficult time for the heir to the throne. not only will he be worrying about catherine, his wife, but also now his father. yesterday, the king was pictured for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was announced, with the queen, being driven to buckingham palace. later, he was flown by helicopter to the sandringham estate in norfolk, where he'll spend time following the start of his cancer treatment. while the king was in london yesterday, he saw his younger son harry, who had flown

in from california. they spent around 45 minutes together. the last time harry saw his father in person was at the coronation last year. there are no plans, though, for a meeting between harry and his brother william, whose relationship remains strained. while the king undergoes treatment for cancer, other members of the royal family — including prince william and princess anne — will need to step in and take on public duties on his behalf. the family will be supporting the king both publicly and privately, as he gets through his treatment. helena wilkinson, bbc news, windsor. live now to windsor and our correspondent there sophie long it's been such a difficult start to 2024 bit prince william back on duty today. 2024 bit prince william back on duty

toda . , . , 2024 bit prince william back on duty toda . , ., , , . 2024 bit prince william back on duty toda. , m today. yes. really difficult start today. yes. really difficult start to the air for _ today. yes. really difficult start to the air for the _ today. yes. really difficult start to the air for the royal- today. yes. really difficult start to the air for the royal family l today. yes. really difficult start l to the air for the royal family but today on this chilly morning in windsor the prince of wales returned to public duties for the first time since he stepped back from them so he could assist his wife to recover and get over the planned abdominal surgery that she had spent almost two weeks in hospitalfour. 0f two weeks in hospitalfour. of course, we don't get to go into the investiture but we do speak to a number of the people who were pleased notjust to be honoured by prince william himself this morning but also to be able to speak to him and to give their well wishes to his father and to his wife. 0ne and to give their well wishes to his father and to his wife. one of those was ellen white, the women's top goal—scorer who received an mbe from prince william this morning and this is what she had to say. i gave my best wishes to the king and obviously to kate as well, - the princess of wales. no, he was lovely. it was incredible to meet him again and obviously for him _ to give me the mbe.

so it was a very special day. we did speak about football, yes. i asked and about i aston villa as well. he has been an incredible supporter of women's - football for so many years, - since i've been a part of england and playing football. so, yeah, it was amazing to receive it from him and obviously— to have a bit of a chatl about football as well, which definitely put me at ease - and made me feel a bit more relaxed, so that was really nice. ellen white face speaking to reporters after receiving her mbe from prince william on his first day back on public royal duty. his work today didn't end there. he will now be travelling to central london where he will attend a fundraising gala for the london air ambulance. the prince of wales of course was a pilot himself and has been patron of that charity since 2020 and it may offer an opportunity for him this evening perhaps to make a speech at

a time when the royal family and much of the country are looking to him to take the lead. live now to former bbc royal correspondent and royal commentator, jennie bond. prince william and are duties again but under hued —— huge amount of pressure bearing in mind his wife because my condition and now his father's. he because my condition and now his father's. , ., . ., , , . father's. he is in quite a classic tra that father's. he is in quite a classic trap that many _ father's. he is in quite a classic trap that many people - father's. he is in quite a classic trap that many people of- father's. he is in quite a classic trap that many people of his i father's. he is in quite a classic. trap that many people of his age find themselves in with an ailing parent, with three young children who need nurturing and protecting and in addition he has his wife who has had this major abdominal surgery. i think william is under a lot of pressure. he's gone back to work today but i understand he will take half term off because he's made it clear that their priority at this stage is the family and their children. and with the king's

blessing william will not go back to full—time royal duties until he is quite certain his wife is well enough and the kids are back at school. , , ., . . ., school. pressure on prince william and we saw _ school. pressure on prince william and we saw the — school. pressure on prince william and we saw the princess _ school. pressure on prince william and we saw the princess royal - school. pressure on prince william and we saw the princess royal out| and we saw the princess royal out and we saw the princess royal out and about yesterday. the reality is, there aren't many working royals and they have —— will have to take on more engagements. they have -- will have to take on more engagements.— they have -- will have to take on more engagements. they will. there have been talks _ more engagements. they will. there have been talks about _ more engagements. they will. there have been talks about will— more engagements. they will. there have been talks about will harry - have been talks about will harry come back and carry out the odd engagement but what the last 24 hours have shown is that you cannot wave a magic wand and amend such a deep family rift as the one that exists between the brothers and to an extent between charles and his youngest son. harry did fly all this way here and did go straight to clarence house. i've been reporting on this family for 35 years even i found it somewhat odd that when harry arrived, 45 minutes later the

king and queen left to go to sandringham house and harry wasn't with them. i thought perhaps he would go by car and join them but that hasn't happened. as far as we know harry spent the night in hotel and not even his old home clarence house. it's a very odd and strained situation but i wonder perhaps if they are realising that this is not they are realising that this is not the time to delve into deep emotional trauma, this is a time for the king to focus on one thing and one thing only which is is health. you mentioned they are the brevity of harry's meeting with the king but bearing in mind how many times they too have met at all over the last four years people have seen it as an olive branch even if only a brief one. �* , ., , , olive branch even if only a brief one. , ,., .,, one. it's a step towards reconciliation _ one. it's a step towards reconciliation and - one. it's a step towards reconciliation and i - one. it's a step towards| reconciliation and i think one. it's a step towards - reconciliation and i think those one. it's a step towards _ reconciliation and i think those two men, father and son, are finding

their way down the difficult path. what has surprised me though was that william's people was so quick to come out to say there was no plans for a meeting with harry. sources suggest harry actually was open to that idea but it's not going to happen. i think william has to all intents and purposes the now and his own —— getting on with his own life. his own -- getting on with his own life. ~ ., ., ., life. we will have to leave it there. thank _ life. we will have to leave it there. thank you. _ life. we will have to leave it there. thank you. around i life. we will have to leave it | there. thank you. around the life. we will have to leave it - there. thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. convicted sex offender and former singer gary glitter will stay in prison after losing a parole board bid. he was jailed for 16 years in 2015 for sexually abusing three schoolgirls between 1975 and 1980. the 79—year—old was automatically released in february last year but was put back behind bars six weeks later after breaching his licence.

all proceedings in the old bailey have been delayed after a fire in the building. 1500 people were told to evacuate and 25 firefighters have been tackling the blaze. there are no reports of any injuries. rishi sunak is facing calls to apologise for the jibe about sir keir starmer plasma position and trans people at prime minister's questions. the pm ridiculed the labour leader for you turning on the definition of a woman. it camejust turning on the definition of a woman. it came just moments after the labour leader told mps that the mother of murdered teenager brianna ghey who was transgender would be watching the mps from the gallery. you live with bbc news.

antony blinken has met both the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu and the president. he has described the deal is both possible and essential. some reports suggest the plan provides for the troops of at least 40 days and return for the release of civilian hostages held by hamas. for now the war which broke out in october continues. the health ministry in gaza say at least 100 people were killed overnight and there has been further heavy bombing of southern cities including rafa. israel says 31 of the hostages held by hamas and other groups in gaza are now known to have died. let's hear from antony blinken. the hosta . es hear from antony blinken. the hostages are _ hear from antony blinken. the hostages are foremost in our minds and in _ hostages are foremost in our minds and in our— hostages are foremost in our minds and in our hearts. as you know we

now have — and in our hearts. as you know we now have a — and in our hearts. as you know we now have a response from hamas to the proposal that was put on the tabla _ the proposal that was put on the tabla we — the proposal that was put on the table. we are looking at it intensely as is the government of israel_ intensely as is the government of israel and — intensely as is the government of israel and there is a lot of work to be israel and there is a lot of work to he done _ israel and there is a lot of work to he done but — israel and there is a lot of work to be done but we are very much focused on doing _ be done but we are very much focused on doing that work and hopefully being _ on doing that work and hopefully being able to resume the release of hostages _ being able to resume the release of hostages that was interrupted so many _ hostages that was interrupted so many months ago. the hostages that was interrupted so many months ago.— many months ago. the israeli president _ many months ago. the israeli president also _ many months ago. the israeli president also expressed - many months ago. the israeli president also expressed his. many months ago. the israeli - president also expressed his hope that his country and saudi arabia may normalise relations. a deal normalising ties would represent a major breakthrough for the jewish state. i major breakthrough for the jewish state. ., ., , ., , ., major breakthrough for the jewish state. ., ., , ., state. i do hope that there is a ray of ho -e state. i do hope that there is a ray of hepe also _ state. i do hope that there is a ray of hope also with _ state. i do hope that there is a ray of hope also with the _ state. i do hope that there is a ray of hope also with the opportunity. state. i do hope that there is a ray l of hope also with the opportunity of moving _ of hope also with the opportunity of moving towards _ of hope also with the opportunity of moving towards normality- of hope also with the opportunity of moving towards normality is - of hope also with the opportunity ofl moving towards normality is ideation between _ moving towards normality is ideation between israel— moving towards normality is ideation between israel and _ moving towards normality is ideation between israel and the _ moving towards normality is ideation between israel and the kingdom - moving towards normality is ideation between israel and the kingdom of. between israel and the kingdom of saudi _ between israel and the kingdom of saudi arabia — between israel and the kingdom of saudi arabia. i— between israel and the kingdom of saudi arabia. i think— between israel and the kingdom of saudi arabia. i think it _ between israel and the kingdom of saudi arabia. i think it is _ between israel and the kingdom of saudi arabia. i think it is a - saudi arabia. i think it is a historic— saudi arabia. i think it is a historic operation-

saudi arabia. i think it is a historic operation —— - saudi arabia. i think it is a - historic operation —— opportunity and i_ historic operation —— opportunity and i sincerely— historic operation —— opportunity and i sincerely hope _ historic operation —— opportunity and i sincerely hope it— historic operation —— opportunity and i sincerely hope it will- historic operation —— opportunity and i sincerely hope it will be - and i sincerely hope it will be looked — and i sincerely hope it will be looked at _ and i sincerely hope it will be looked at seriously— and i sincerely hope it will be looked at seriously and - and i sincerely hope it will be looked at seriously and that. and i sincerely hope it will be i looked at seriously and that this option— looked at seriously and that this option may— looked at seriously and that this option may progress _ looked at seriously and that this option may progress and - looked at seriously and that this. option may progress and advance looked at seriously and that this - option may progress and advance in the near_ option may progress and advance in the near future. _ option may progress and advance in the near future.— the near future. let's go live to jerusalem _ the near future. let's go live to jerusalem and _ the near future. let's go live to jerusalem and our _ the near future. let's go live to - jerusalem and our correspondence. we heard there from antony blinken who said the hostages were the priority. what about this deal that could lead to a lengthy ceasefire? it’s what about this deal that could lead to a lengthy ceasefire?— to a lengthy ceasefire? it's still under discussion. _ to a lengthy ceasefire? it's still under discussion. we _ to a lengthy ceasefire? it's still under discussion. we had - to a lengthy ceasefire? it's still under discussion. we had the l under discussion. we had the development with hamas responding to the ceasefire proposal and that is something that antony blinken is now talking to israeli officials about and if you look at what hamas said they went into some detail with extra kind of plans of what they were asking for the reconstruction of gaza and humanitarian aid. they

gave numbers and timelines for it. but they talked about a phased ceasefire in which they would be hostages released in exchange for palestinian prisoners in the first phase but crucially in order to enter the second phase they wanted to have discussions towards an agreement that would permanently end the fighting or the military operation and i think that will be the biggest difficulty antony blinken will have because the israelis have been quite clear they are not prepared to agree to a permanent ceasefire even if there is a temporary truce. they keep saying they need to defeat hamas, destroy hamas, before they are willing to stop the operation. that will be a point of discussion and a question about whether the first phase at least could start because i think the american view is that nothing can really happen until the hostages start to be released and also aid to

get into gaza and that is the other thing antony blinken said they were pressing for, protection of civilians and an increase into gaza. that is something he is raising with the israelis and that will be an important part of any ceasefire. that would be the first step towards trying to get a longer calm and build towards eventually a resolution of the conflict that would last and that would also include the region.— include the region. those discussions _ include the region. those discussions in _ include the region. those discussions in the - include the region. those discussions in the middle| include the region. those - discussions in the middle east are clearly ongoing. take a look at these pictures — filmed on tuesday in showing a queue of people — who are all lining up to see a dentist. at one stage the police were called to help control the crowd. (boxed campaigners in england say dental care in the country is in "crisis" with millions unable to get help on the nhs. but the government is announcing new plans to improve access. those plans include offering top—up

payments for dentists to take on new nhs patients as well as bonuses to work in under—served areas. but health leaders say the measures don't go far enough. long queues outside a new dental practice in bristol highlighted the increasing frustration about the lack of nhs treatment. some areas have been branded dental deserts. and this morning, nicky campbell's 5live phone—in was full of calls about problems finding an nhs dentist appointment. i had an appointment before christmas and i got a letterfrom the dentist saying it had been cancelled. they explained how they weren't offering nhs appointments at the moment. so i rang the dentist and they said, well, we can certainly see you, - but we don't know if we can see you on the nhs. - a new government and nhs plan for england has been unveiled today. this will involve 2.5 million more appointments over 12 months and a new patient premium for dentists to treat around 1 million new patients

who haven't seen a dentist for at least two years. nhs fees for dentists paid by the government will rise, and around 240 dentists will be offered payments of up to £20,000 to work in underserved areas for up to three years. i hope it will be welcomed by both patients and the dentists profession alike, because this really is a step change in how we're tackling nhs dentistry in this country. but dentists' representatives say the £200 million of funding isn't new. it's come because of previous underspending on dentistry. how are you funding it? are you funding it via an underspend in the budget? we are spending £3 billion a year on nhs dentistry. this is an additional... is that an underspend? it's an additional 200 million. research by bbc news in 2022 found that nine out of ten dental practices in the uk offering nhs care were not taking on any new adult patients for treatment.

i've extracted 13 of my own teeth. some patients were found to be driving hundreds of miles in search of treatment and even pulling out their own teeth. the research led to a parliamentary inquiry. the government have come out with a series of temporary measures, in the hope that that will buy them some time to the other side of the election. but frankly, after 14 years, they've had plenty of time. their time is up and the longer the conservatives are in power, whether it's dentistry or gps or operations, the longer patients will wait. dentists have told us today of gaps in their local areas for provision of nhs treatment. i mean, in greater manchester alone, there is only enough money to cover 60% of the population. the budget only goes as far as 60% access, so that's 40% who will not get access to nhs dentistry. and scenes like this are still evident in some communities.

the latest government measures are unlikely to cut the queues any time soon. live now to stockton—on—tees to speak to paul woodhouse, who's a board member of the british dental association. we've seen those pictures in bristol, they are extraordinary. how unique is that situation? it’s bristol, they are extraordinary. how unique is that situation?— unique is that situation? it's not uniuue at unique is that situation? it's not unique at all- — unique is that situation? it's not unique at all. a _ unique is that situation? it's not unique at all. a practice - unique is that situation? it's not unique at all. a practice local i unique is that situation? it's not unique at all. a practice local to| unique at all. a practice local to me closed its doors to nhs patients a couple of years ago and i had a queue of 500 people at the door and the thousand answer machine messages over the space of a couple of days. it's been repeated up and down the country. it's been repeated up and down the count . ., ., , country. how did we get to this situation? _ country. how did we get to this situation? massive _ country. how did we get to this i situation? massive underinvestment in the system- _ situation? massive underinvestment in the system. the _ situation? massive underinvestment in the system. the 3 _ situation? massive underinvestment in the system. the 3 billion - situation? massive underinvestment in the system. the 3 billion figure i in the system. the 3 billion figure everyone talks about is the same number it was put in ten years ago but in real terms that 30% down. the £200 million is coming from an underspend of 500 million. they collect 800 million from patient

charges so even though they say they put 3 million in they don't. and put 3 million in they don't. and what is the _ put 3 million in they don't. and what is the effect _ put 3 million in they don't. and what is the effect on oral health because dentists obviously look after your teeth but they also check for many other conditions. we after your teeth but they also check for many other conditions.- for many other conditions. we see well patients _ for many other conditions. we see well patients so _ for many other conditions. we see well patients so we _ for many other conditions. we see well patients so we do _ for many other conditions. we see well patients so we do a _ for many other conditions. we see well patients so we do a lot - for many other conditions. we see well patients so we do a lot of i well patients so we do a lot of screening that gets missed by most people will stop i have picked up cases of leukaemia, we see oral cancer, all sorts of conditions from anaemia to life changing things and if that screening aspect goes people are going to really suffer long—term health implications. what are going to really suffer long-term health implications.— health implications. what do you make of the _ health implications. what do you make of the government - health implications. what do you make of the government plan, i health implications. what do you - make of the government plan, £20,000 bonus for dentists, is that going to be enough? it’s bonus for dentists, is that going to be enough?— bonus for dentists, is that going to be enou~h? �*, ., :: 11:11: be enough? it's garbage. the 20,000 olden be enough? it's garbage. the 20,000 golden handcuffs _ be enough? it's garbage. the 20,000 golden handcuffs they _ be enough? it's garbage. the 20,000 golden handcuffs they are _ be enough? it's garbage. the 20,000 golden handcuffs they are giving i be enough? it's garbage. the 20,000 golden handcuffs they are giving to i golden handcuffs they are giving to people, how bad is a job that you have the bribe somebody £20,000 to take it. as for the top up payments for new patients, we have a pot of

money to spend on nhs patients every year, all that will happen is that the pot of money will be used up more quickly so patients will suffer. regular patients won't be able to get in for these routine care because new patients will fill the spaces. we are not training and of dentists, there is not enough time in the day to see everybody and about half the population can't have about half the population can't have a dentist because the government do not fund dentistry fully. irate a dentist because the government do not fund dentistry fully.— not fund dentistry fully. we will have to leave _ not fund dentistry fully. we will have to leave it _ not fund dentistry fully. we will have to leave it there. - not fund dentistry fully. we will have to leave it there. thank i not fund dentistry fully. we will. have to leave it there. thank you for giving us your insight and your experience. as we were saying, top up experience. as we were saying, top up payments for dentists but hearing from one dentistry, he says it's simply not enough. to stay with a show on bbc news.

hello. there is some snow in the forecast but it's not going to be particularly widespread. having said that when it does fall it could end “p that when it does fall it could end up being quite heavy. 0n the one hand we have mild weather and weather systems coming in from the south but on the other colder air from the arctic is spreading into scotland. so it's a chilly and bright picture here through the rest of the day. some snow showers across the highlands but relatively mild with some damp weather across the south of the country. this is the day—glo that is approaching us with its rain bearing clouds and all that rain spreading towards the uk. so we have cold day in the north coming in from the arctic, milder air spreading in from the south and it's where these two meet, that is where we are going to have that period of rain, sleet and snow. icy conditions in northern wales and into the pennines. from morning onwards it's across the north of wales mainly the

pennines. there will be a broad area where we could have some rain, sleet and snow falling. sleet and snow in this area is certainly possible. snow showers in scotland. but it's more likely to be heavy rain in the south of the country. these are the lower risk yellow warnings from the met office. if we zoom into the amber warnings which have been issued and this is the northern wales and also the pennines, broadly speaking quite widespread and ten to 15 centimetres of snow possible but in some of the higher elevations they could be 20 to 25 centimetres of snow so really troublesome conditions. through the course of thursday that rough weather and wintry weather moves further northwards. that low pressure still very much with us on friday but i think the milder air wins and it spreads across the bulk of the country. feeling wintry across the highlands on friday. if you have a

look at the temperatures it's mild for snow by friday, 9 degrees in liverpool and above average across the south of the country. if you look at the outlook for the next two days, briefly turning cold across some parts of the uk but on the whole it is still west south—westerly. that's it from me. goodbye.

riding high — bookings are up for uber thanks to a strong holiday season. and uk house prices are up, posting their highest annual growth for a year. welcome to world business report. uber has reported record numbers of monthly active users in its latest results. 150 million people now use the transport app — most famous for ride hailing — on a regular basis. after a drop in demand during the pandemic, uber reported a bounceback in demand for transport last year as people went out more and employers

required more of their staff to return to offices.