polls are starting to close in pakistan, as millions voted in the parliamentary election. isa is a threat to regional stability. an icelandic volcano erupts for the second time this year. hello, i'm sarah campbell, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. polls have just closed across pakistan where people have

been voting in general and provincial elections, after a campaign period marred by violence. less than 2a hours before the polls opened, 28 people were killed in balochistan, with the islamic state group saying it carried out two bombings. five security personnel were then killed in an attack while patrolling on election day in the north—west of the country. security was therefore tight and while some polling stations were largely empty, because of security threats and cold weather in other areas of the country people turned out in large numbers — leading to queues at polling stations. polls had opened at eight in the morning, local time, and closed a few minutes ago. the vote took place without the former prime minister imran khan. he has been imprisoned on charges including corruption and was prevented from contesting. and in a widely criticsied move, the authorities unexpectedly cut mobile phone and mobile internet services because of what they call deterioriating security.

and in a widely criticsied move, the authorities unexpectedly cut mobile phone and mobile internet services because of what they call deterioriating security. live now to our south asia correspondent, samira hussain who is in isllamabad. they are beginning to close but not at the same time.— at the same time. yes, there is a caveat to — at the same time. yes, there is a caveat to the _ at the same time. yes, there is a caveat to the polls _ at the same time. yes, there is a caveat to the polls closing. - at the same time. yes, there is a caveat to the polls closing. you l at the same time. yes, there is a l caveat to the polls closing. you can keep them open if there was a feeling there was lower voter turnout. that is at the discretion of the electoral commission. in those individual polling stations. largely you could say polls are closing right now after a full day of voting in pakistan. it is too early to talk about voted for not

but you can talk about the internet shutdown which has been widely criticised. the government, despite giving assurances the government for not going to do it, they were citing that there was security concerns and some of those new already mentioned. many critics say this is another attempt by the government to stifle the electoral process. one of the big questions about these elections is whether they will be free and fair. critics say this lens itself to show they are not credible elections. not i read the bbc news website, there have been some reports of people finding it difficult to get into voting booths. a report in punjab. are you getting reports of concerns in certain areas? are certainly concerns in some areas with regards to being able to get access to polling

stations. we had from colleagues on the ground about some election observers having difficulty going on and taking their place inside polling stations. i think we will get more of those reports now put the polls are starting to close and people are starting that process of putting issues into officials. you talked about _ putting issues into officials. you talked about the _ putting issues into officials. you talked about the security services and concerns over security led to this mobile and data shut—off. there have been runner ups concerns not least the double explosions yesterday. what other concerns in regards to violence? we yesterday. what other concerns in regards to violence?— yesterday. what other concerns in regards to violence? we have heard two olice regards to violence? we have heard two police officers _ regards to violence? we have heard two police officers killed _ regards to violence? we have heard two police officers killed and - regards to violence? we have heard two police officers killed and we - two police officers killed and we need to take a step back and look at the overall security situation in pakistan. it has been deteriorating

for the last year and is becoming a deepening crisis in this country. these elections are also coming at a time when the country is facing a deep economic crisis. if you talk to voters what they are feeling is that it's a bit of disillusionment. if you look at the people going, contesting in these elections, a lot of former prime minister who have been part of long political dynasties in this country so a lot of voters are desperate for political stability that can address issues like economic instability and security issues. the issues like economic instability and security issues.— security issues. the elections in pakistan, the _ security issues. the elections in pakistan, the polls _ security issues. the elections in pakistan, the polls are - security issues. the elections in pakistan, the polls are in - security issues. the elections in pakistan, the polls are in the i pakistan, the polls are in the process of closing. the earth has hit another significant and damning milestone — above pre—industrial levels,

across an entire year. the european union's climate service copernicus released new evidence — measuring temperatures between february 2023 and january 2024 to record the highest 12 month global temperature average on record. this year—long breach doesn't break the 2015 paris agreement to limit long—term temperature rise to one—point—five degrees but it does bring the world closer to doing so. global warming was the main driver behind the amazon rainforest experiencing its worst drought on record in 2023, killing wildlife and leaving many villages unreachable by river. meanwhile in east africa — kenya, as well as neighbouring somalia and ethiopia, experienced their worst flooding in recent history. scientists say a combination of greenhouse gas emissions and dramatic sea temperature rises are to blame. but, in recent months, a natural climate—warming phenomenon known as el nino has also given air temperatures an extra boost. ultimately though human activities — like burning fossilfuels — mean temperatures will continue rising at a concerning pace, unless urgent action is taken, scientists calling this a �*warning to humanity'.

ultimately though human activities — like burning fossilfuels — mean temperatures will continue rising at a concerning pace, unless urgent action is taken, scientists calling this a �*warning to humanity'. lets go live now to cardiff and speak to our climate editorjustin rowlatt. take us through how significant this 1.5 take us through how significant this i.5figure is. take us through how significant this 1-5 figure ia— 1.5 figure is. that was the boundary set in paris — 1.5 figure is. that was the boundary set in paris by _ 1.5 figure is. that was the boundary set in paris by world _ 1.5 figure is. that was the boundary set in paris by world leaders, - 1.5 figure is. that was the boundary set in paris by world leaders, the i set in paris by world leaders, the reason it was set became very clear in 2018 when the unp published a landmark scientific study which said if you look at 2 degrees of warming, the climate impacts are much more significant giving powerful reasons to stick to the 1.5 target, that is

why the higher the temperatures rise the more dramatically impact, it is not linear, they become increasingly more dramatic with each increase of temperament. that is why scientists are urging us to recognise the need to keep the temperature increase as low as we possibly can. one year is not enough to breach the parish target but what it does show is how we are getting to that target and we have got a whole outpouring of statements about how urgent it is action is taken from climate scientists all over the world as a result. ~ ,., scientists all over the world as a result. ~ ., , ., , scientists all over the world as a result. ~ . , ., , ., result. we said as a result human activi is result. we said as a result human activity is very _ result. we said as a result human activity is very much _ result. we said as a result human activity is very much time - result. we said as a result human activity is very much time the - activity is very much time the figures but also el nino which is big in 2023. do we have any idea of how much an impact el nino has and how much an impact el nino has and how much an impact el nino has and how much it's how much an impact el nino has and how much its continuing into 202a. the underlying increase is driven by

greenhouse gases activities produce warming sea temperatures aren't as a result of el nino some of that temperature being absorbed by the oceanis temperature being absorbed by the ocean is being radiated back into the atmosphere this year. it began at the end of last year, we expected to end, it is weakening already, we expect it to end in the next couple of months. that punch of heat radiating from the pacific ocean, about 0.2 celsius the average el nino accounts. what that shows is enough to progress into record temperatures the reason we are there is the steady temperature is driven ijy is the steady temperature is driven by greenhouse gases created by human activity. g0 by greenhouse gases created by human activi . ,., ., ., by greenhouse gases created by human activi . ., ., ., , , by greenhouse gases created by human activi . ., ., ., ,, ., activity. go and get a glass of water or cup _ activity. go and get a glass of water or cup of _ activity. go and get a glass of water or cup of tea _ activity. go and get a glass of water or cup of tea but - activity. go and get a glass of water or cup of tea but he - activity. go and get a glass of| water or cup of tea but he will activity. go and get a glass of. water or cup of tea but he will be

back with us, lots of issues to unpack. people have lots of questions. we will be answering your questions. we will be answering your questions about what this all means for everyone. a panel of experts including a climate scientist and you saw him there, our own climate editor. that will be a little later this hour. stay with us for that. live now to our political correspondent at westminster. there has been a lot of talk about this figure of £20 billion. but it is gone. figure of £20 billion. but it is one. , . figure of £20 billion. but it is ione. , . ., figure of £20 billion. but it is one. , . ., ., , figure of £20 billion. but it is tone. , . ., ., , ., figure of £20 billion. but it is tone. , . ., ., ., gone. the price tag has gone, labour sa s if it gone. the price tag has gone, labour says if it wins — gone. the price tag has gone, labour says if it wins the _ gone. the price tag has gone, labour says if it wins the election _ gone. the price tag has gone, labour says if it wins the election it - gone. the price tag has gone, labour says if it wins the election it will - says if it wins the election it will have a green prosperity plan of borrowing money to help build

battery factories, insulate homes, create a energy company, things that will help britain transition to a carbon neutral green economy in the coming years it says is essential. much less would cost. it was first announced by rachel reeves the shadow chancellor but a few months ago labour decided it was not going to be an amount would be spending every yearfrom the to be an amount would be spending every year from the beginning to be an amount would be spending every yearfrom the beginning of to be an amount would be spending every year from the beginning of a labour government but an aspiration towards the end of the second term. today we expect the price tag will be shredded, labour cannot specify how much money it would borrow to realise these green commitments and it is something that has in causing increasing agony to various frontbenchers and interviews over the last few months. real internal tensions about whether its politically sensible to keep it or

ditch it and in some form later this afternoon perhaps a speech we're not sure, we expect confirmation that price tag is going. the prime minister rishi sunak was asked about this this morning during a to cornwall. i this this morning during a to cornwall-— this this morning during a to cornwall. . , , h, , cornwall. i have seen these reports, this is a serious _ cornwall. i have seen these reports, this is a serious report, _ cornwall. i have seen these reports, this is a serious report, this - cornwall. i have seen these reports, this is a serious report, this was - this is a serious report, this was the flagship of economic policy for labour— the flagship of economic policy for labour and he the flagship of economic policy for labourand he is the flagship of economic policy for labour and he is trying to wriggle out of— labour and he is trying to wriggle out of it — labour and he is trying to wriggle out of it it — labour and he is trying to wriggle out of it. it demonstrates exactly what _ out of it. it demonstrates exactly what i _ out of it. it demonstrates exactly what i have been saying, he u—turns on major— what i have been saying, he u—turns on major things, what i have been saying, he u—turns on majorthings, he what i have been saying, he u—turns on major things, he does not have a plan _ on major things, he does not have a plan if_ on major things, he does not have a plan. if you — on major things, he does not have a plan. if you do not have a plant you cannot _ plan. if you do not have a plant you cannot deliver change for our country _ cannot deliver change for our count . . . , cannot deliver change for our count . ., ., , ., cannot deliver change for our count . ., ., , country. that was a fairly wide-ranging _ country. that was a fairly wide-ranging interview. l country. that was a fairly - wide-ranging interview. what else wide—ranging interview. what else was discussed? wide-ranging interview. what else was discussed?— wide-ranging interview. what else was discussed? around westminster toda about was discussed? around westminster today about trends _ was discussed? around westminster today about trends issues, _ was discussed? around westminster today about trends issues, going - today about trends issues, going back to prime minister's questions time yesterday where rishi sunak was attacking sir keir starmer, criticising him for what he says are a number of policy u—turns including on transit issues. he joked about

labour's stance on that. why this has become so electric in westminster as yesterday brianna ghey�*s mother was actually in parliament and sat in the gallery of the house of commons later on in prime minister's questions times and watch this whole exchange and of course brianna ghey who was transgender and was murdered has obviously gripped the country has caused a huge upset in westminster and it looked like this was being used as a political weapon. yesterday sir keir starmer attacked the prime ministerfor yesterday sir keir starmer attacked the prime minister for what he called offensive comments that were downgrading and dehumanising and demanded an apology. today rishi sunak double down and said linking the case of the energy out of the transition was the worst of politics so this row is not over.— transition was the worst of politics so this row is not over. thank you. around the — so this row is not over. thank you. around the world _ so this row is not over. thank you. around the world and _ so this row is not over. thank you. around the world and across - so this row is not over. thank you. around the world and across the l so this row is not over. thank you. | around the world and across the uk this is bbc news.

the co—op retail chain is urging mps to make assaulting or abusing a shop worker a specific criminal offence in engalnd wales. the company said there'd been a 44% increase in incidents of shoplifting and violence in its stores within the past year. it's already a criminal offence in scotland. the prime suspect in the disappearance of three—year—old madeleine mccann is expected to stay silent at his forthcoming trial in germany on unrelated sexual offences. christian bruckner is due in court next week, accused of five offences between 2000 and 2017 in portugal. he is already serving a jail sentence for rape. bruckner has denied any involvement with mccann's disappearance. the prince of wales has thanked the country for its support after his father was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer. he took a step back last month when his wife had abdominal surgery. officers have been searching for abdul ezedi since the attack in south london.

you're live with bbc news. iraq's army has said an american drone strike on an iranian—backed militia in the iraqi capital, baghdad has threatened security and stability in the region. three people were killed in the attack, including a commander of the group that us officials say was behind recent attacks on us bases in iraq and syria. this was the scene in baghdad earlier. you can see there angry crowds surrounding the burnt out vehicle hit in the attack — chanting, "america is the biggest devil". our middle east correspondent hugo bachega is in baghdad and told us more about the significance of the attack. it is a significant escalation because this american retaliation has now come to the country's capital. so this attack happened last night at around 9.30 in the evening when streets and cafes are busy. i was actually here in the bureau

and i heard a loud explosion not really far from here. now, this precision strike hit this car carrying a senior commander of kataib hezbollah, which is this powerful militia here in iraq that is supported by iran. and this commander has been identified as abu bakr al—saadi, and the americans are describing him as somebody who had participation in planning and also carrying out attacks targeting us bases in the region. and we saw that days ago the us military started their retaliation for that attack that happened injordan when three american soldiers were killed. we saw that positions used by militias along the iraq and syria border were targeted. and i think it isn't really a surprise that the american strategy would not only involve targeting infrastructure being used by those groups, but also some senior commanders. so, again, significant because this

happened here in the iraqi capital. and again, i think the statement yesterday by the american military left the door open for more attacks targeting these groups operating here in iraq and syria. and as expected, there was some angry reaction from militia groups that have vowed to retaliate and also from the iraqi army saying that this threatened stability and security in the region. so i think now the focus is very much on iran and its proxies and how or if they will respond. as the fighting in gaza continues and a new round of negotiations is expected to start later in cairo, sponsored by egypt and qatar. the us secretary of state has said hamas's proposals do leave a window open for a truce. antony blinken has been touring the region, where he met with the palestinian leader mahmoud abbas. here's some of what he had to say.

we know according to a senior official talking palestinian to the bbc is that a new round of talks are underway in cairo and egypt as well as cut out the gulf state already important players in what is happening here. we know, according to a senior palestinian official who's just been talking to the bbc, that a new round of talks are under way in cairo and of course, egypt as well as qatar. the gulf state are really important players in what's happening here. they're basically intermediaries in these indirect talks between hamas and israel. certainly, antony blinken, the united states top diplomat who is still here in israel at the moment, he believes there is an opportunity for the differences between hamas and israel to be to be reached, to be sort of bridged and that there is room for negotiation. the thing is, though, if you watched last night the press conference from benjamin netanyahu, the israeli prime minister,

he was saying that really the hopes of a cease fire are very low because he's rejected the proposals put forward by hamas. and he says, in fact, the military operation in gaza will be intensified in the days and weeks to come. you have got the prospect according to the prime minister hear of an increased and more intense military operation. that is not going to lead to an imminent breakthrough in the peace... straight to tel aviv, you can see the us secretary of state antony blinken talking about his visit, the 50 us secretary of state has made to the region since october seven. he is heading back to the naked states but as we were heaving, those negotiations on this

continuing in egypt today. police looking for the clapham chemical suspect have raided two addresses in the north tyneside. authorities have been searching for abdul shokoor ezedi. the latest details were revealed this morning and they see two warrants were issued for searches for two properties linked to the suspect, 35—year—old abdul shokoor ezedi. those searches were carried out near newcastle city centre. in the early hours of this morning and see no arrests were made and the manhunt continues for this suspect who is

wanted for questioning on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to a to a 31—year—old victim and her two children who all suffered from a chemical liquid that was used in that assault. as for the victim, they have revealed the 35—year—old suspect was in a relationship with her and they believe the motive for the chemical attack on her and her children may have been because that relationship broke down. he is a wanted man and the police have appealed for him to hand himself in and the search continues and today is now the eighth day of that manhunt. michael matheson has resigned as scotland's health secretary after an £11,000 data bill on his official ipad. it comes hours before he was due

to give a major announcement to the scottish parliament on the subject of minimum unit pricing for alcohol. this has been a long—running saga. yes, this is a very big development. it does not come as a complete surprise. not necessarily the announcement we expected today. he racked up £11,000 on his parliamentary ipad on holiday in morocco in december 2022. he has resigned and we had that news through in the last hour. he put out a statement saying it had been a privilege to serve in government. he served for almost 13 years, laterally as health secretary. a

vital brief, especially coming out of covid, he took up that brief when humza yousaf became first minister last year and in that statement he said he had always strived to do his best for the people of scotland and that over the last year, he worked to ensure the scottish government supported the nhs coming out of the covid pandemic. today's resignation comesjust covid pandemic. today's resignation comes just ahead of the publication of an investigation carried out by the scottish parliament corporate body which looks after the finances at holyrood. mr matheson said he had not seen the outcome of that but

wanted to stand down so that he was not causing a distraction.— not causing a distraction. thank you for bringing — not causing a distraction. thank you for bringing us _ not causing a distraction. thank you for bringing us up-to-date. - radioactive water has leaked from a device treating contaminated waste at the fukushima nuclear power plant injapan. 5.5 metric tonnes of the substance spilled when valves were left open during maintenance. the plant operator said the surrounding environment was unaffected , but it plans to remove soil that may have been contaminated. an icelandic volcano erupts for the second time this year. these pictures were filmed earlier. molten rock shooting out of the ground in the reykjanes peninsula in

the south—west of iceland. the icelandic meteorological office said the fisher was about three kilometres long. we're looking at those live pictures. it not clear if those live pictures. it not clear if those eruptions will affect the town nearby whose 4000 residents were evacuated from their after lava reached the fishing town in the middle of last month. in november, icelandic officials began construction on dijks to channel lava flows away from homes. you can keep across those live feeds on the bbc news website. stay with us on the news channel.

the weather has been so unpleasant for many, heavy rain, does not lecture and we have had the snow across the hills of northern ireland. snowing across northern parts of wales and northern england into southern scotland. this is the radar from england into southern scotland. this is the radarfrom earlier on. mostly heels know where it is following heaviest. not exclusively, wet covering of snow on lower ground. this evening in the pennines, some higher roots could get as much as 25 centimetres. take it steady this is the picture, temperatures above

freezing but to the south much colder. could bring around 45 millimetres as this next weather front moves into parts of england and wales. the night will be a misty picture, rain, sleetand and wales. the night will be a misty picture, rain, sleet and snow, temperatures in bigger towns and cities to three, lot milder that weather transfers north. significant snow across the scottish hills. more eastern parts of scotland, rain in england and to the south extensive cloud, showers, some heavy but mild, 12 in plymouth. then much colder into the north of scotland. when she weather to the south of that. much

milder into friday night into saturday. low pressure still with us for the weekend but i think the areas of cloud and sunshine come through but at times heavy showers expected. is it going to be mild, cold? it looks like it will stay on the mild side into tuesday. goodbye.

settling down as we head into tuesday. goodbye.

for the first time, global warming exceeds 1.5 celsius across an entire year. new figures show last month was the hottest january on record. in a major u—turn, britain's labour party is ditching its policy of spending £20 billion per year on green investments. polls close in pakistan after millions voted in general and provincial elections. the government is criticised for temporarily suspending mobile phone services. michael matheson stands down as the scottish health secretary after a very big data bill. and new data says erectile dysfunction drugs could reduce the risk of alzheimer's disease. the biggest mass migration of the world is under way in china with millions of people heading to their home towns to celebrate the lunar

new year with their families. this