the political blocs which came second and third in pakistan's election say they'll work together to try to form a government. and, excitement in abidjaan as the africa cup of nations final kicks off, with hosts ivory coast taking on nigeria. hello, i'm azadeh moshiri. welcome to the programme. we begin with israel's planned offensive in rafah. prime minister benjamin netanyahu has insisted it will go ahead — despite the fact that more than half of gaza's population has taken shelter there. he says israel will give civilians safe passage to areas they've cleared north of rafah. and he claims israel's army has killed one hamas fighter for every civilian. the army has continued to target the city with air strikes, which medical workers say killed more than a0 people in the last day alone.

the armed wing of hamas says israeli strikes have also killed two hostages in the last four days, and seriously injured eight others. and a senior hamas official has threatened to halt hostage exchange negotiations if israel goes ahead with the assault on rafah. us presidentjoe biden has told benjamin netanyahu israel should not proceed with an offensive in rafah without a plan to ensure the safety of the huge number of palestinians sheltering there. the phone call between the two leaders was the first time they had spoken since mr biden told reporters on thursday that israel's response in gaza was "over the top". it was the harshest us criticism yet of its close ally. barbara plett usher has more from jerusalem. the aftermath of an israeli air strike in rafah — on a home sheltering people who'd fled the war. they were told they would be safe here in the south. eight people were killed,

including children. this is ines—amah. "i'm looking for my niece," she says. "she was two months old." so even here, there's dangerfrom the air, but it could get worse. israel's planning to send in troops to carry on its fight against hamas. victory is within reach. we're going to do it, we're going to get the remaining hamas terrorist battalions in rafah, which is the last bastion, but we're going to do it — and on this, i agree with the americans — we're going to do it while providing safe passage for the civilian population, so they can leave. there are also israeli hostages at stake being held in tunnels by hamas. but the threat to invade rafah has set back already struggling negotiations to free them. any ground offensive would, in the words of hamas, blow up chances for a deal. for the people of gaza,

there is nowhere left to run. they're crammed up against the egyptian border, living under plastic, with food and water in short supply. more than a million civilians have crowded into rafah in the last four months, obeying earlier israeli orders. the united nations is unconvinced that an evacuation plan for them could work. that was the assessment of the un's humanitarian coordinator humanitarian coordinator after a visit to gaza this week. it's very difficult to respond right now, where people are static. and people have come there because they're looking for safety. it's the last resort for many people that have come. do you have a contingency plan if there is, if the combat operations are extended? well, we had a contingency plan for them to arrive in rafah. that was the contingency plan we had. but now we're looking for another contingency plan, but we're struggling right now to address this contingency plan. and if there was to be an incursion into rafah, which is a massively over—populated city, it's got five times the population there was before the conflict. so everything is under pressure, we're under pressure, and the population themselves have

nowhere to go. israel says people can move back north, where soldiers are winding up their offensive, but this is what they will find. this crisis keeps building and building. that was our correspondent barbara plett usher injerusalem. now over in the us, former president donald trump says he would encourage russia to quote "do whatever the hell they want" to nato countries that haven't invested enough in their militaries. that's been met by a fierce response from nato's secretary general. jens stoltenberg says any attack on nato would be met with a united and forceful response. undermines all of our security." nato countries are supposed to spend 2% of their gdp, their economic output, on defence. but not all of them do. at a campaign rally in south carolina, mr trump said he wouldn't defend nato members who don't meet their financial

obligations to the alliance. nato was busted until i came along. i said, everybody�*s got to pay. they said, if we don't pay, are you still going to protect us? i said, absolutely not. they couldn't believe the answer. they asked me that question, one of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, "well, sir, if we don't pay and we are attacked by russia, will you protect us?" i said, "you didn't pay, you're delinquent?" he said, "yes, let's say that happened." "no, i would not protect you." in fact, i would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. you've got to pay. you've got to pay your bills. earlier, i spoke to our correspondent will vernon in washington, who said mr trump's comments have also been condemned by the white house. the white house releasing a statement earlier calling these comments appalling and unhinged, and accusing mr trump of encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes. we have heard this kind of thing from mr trump before, he's a notorious sceptic of nato and other international alliances.

whilst in office, he was criticised for heaping praise on vladimir putin, for calling nato obsolete and saying it was an unnecessary strain on america's resources. but we should remember, these comments were made at a campaign rally. this was mr trump trying to portray himself as a tough international statesman, standing up for american interests. a lot of his supporters, that's what they want to hear, that will appeal to them, that message. but his words will be very worrying for a lot of european allies, especially those on nato's eastern flank. they are the ones most vulnerable to russian aggression. of course, the war continuing in ukraine. the nato secretary general today seeking to send a message of reassurance. nato said, any attack on nato will be met with a united and forceful response.

but this comes, doesn't it, at a very sensitive time? the war in ukraine. in kyiv, they are desperately low on weaponry and ammunition. in washington at the us congress, some republican lawmakers back on a crucial bill at the moment in congress. that bill will grant $60 billion of military aid to ukraine. president biden has repeatedly called on congress to pass that much needed legislation. i want to ask you about some news we had earlier in the programme, that the white house has spoken to president netanyahu about the war in gaza, and that president biden urged prime minister netanyahu not to start his offensive until there is an evacuation plan for the more than 1.4 million gazans in rafah today. how is the white house balancing its relationship to israel as a staunch ally, as an offensive like this is being planned?

yes, just now we've had that readout of the call between president biden and benjamin netanyahu, reaffirming their shared goal to see hamas defeated. mention of the release of hostages and humanitarian assistance. but interestingly, it talks about how president biden reaffirmed his view that a military operation in rafah should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of more than one million people sheltering there. i think that's key, isn't it? it's the first phone call between president biden and benjamin netanyahu since january 19th. just a few days ago, president biden at the white house gave his most striking criticism of israel to date, saying that he thought their military operation in the gaza strip was, quote, over the top.

this call comes just a few days after us secretary of state antony blinken has returned from another diplomatic tour around the middle east. he met key regional leaders, discussing what the us had presented as a potential pause in fighting, a potential ceasefire plan for the war in gaza. that, as we know, was rejected by israel. so an interesting moment for the two leaders to have this phone call. that was will vernon. so how many nato allies routinely hit their 2% obligation? let's ta ke let's take a look. aside from the us, with its huge $860 billion military budget, only 11 out of 30 nato members achieved the 2% spending commitment. they include the uk, greece, and poland, which commits a record 4% of its gdp to defence — as well as a number of other central and

eastern european states. but many long—time nato members, including some of its founders, such as france, germany, spain and italy, do not currently meet the threshold — causing concern on the other side of the atlantic. for more, i spoke to melinda haring from the atlantic council. nato is the security alliance that has held europe together and the west together for 75 years. and i think will's report was spot on. but it's not just these front—line eastern european countries that are starting to sweat. western europe is starting to sweat with more of this rhetoric coming out from donald trump. there is a legitimate point to be made, though, isn't there, when we see that only 11 out of 31 allies are spending their 2% of economic output on defence. shouldn't all members meet their end of the bargain? absolutely, they should.

and we've seen more nato members start to get closer to that target and that should be a target. but again, it is not written. it's not a contract. each country pledges to try to get there and some can't. but i wouldn't be super literal with it. you say some countries can't, but germany came in below the agreed 2%, and that's europe's largest economy. so shouldn't it be right that whether it's the leader of the united states, current orformer, they'd be trying to hold them to account? when you look at the list of countries that haven't met the target, there are certainly countries that can meet it. and germany would be at the top of the list. the only defence i can give you is that germany is starting to wake up to the threat, to the russian threat in europe. and we see german chancellor scholz using his pulpit and encouraging more european states to do more.

he has also completely changed germany's policy. is it been fast enough? no. has it been fast enough? no. is it enough? no. but they're getting there. and i think we need to continue to praise them and encourage them to do more. so essentially, if i understand correctly, you believe that this sort of rhetoric from mr trump is too damaging and that essentially you should be giving these countries more carrot than stick? i object to the rhetoric that if he were president he would not defend the article 5 guarantees. so, nato rests on the principle of defending each other. if a nato country is attacked, all of the native members will come together and make a decision as to whether they would defend it, and they most likely would. and he's undermining the credibility of nato by making these statements. there's concern that if donald trump is re—elected, that he might refuse to pay for nato. he doesn't even have to do that. if he makes a few more of these statements and he's re—elected, nato is going to look like a paper tiger. that's my concern. and there's no security

alternative to nato. russia is the greatest threat to european and us security. he doesn't have an alternative to that. that was melinda haring from the atlantic council. finland's former prime minister alexander stubb has won the country's presidential run—off. mr stubb — from the centre—right national coalition party — declared himself the winner with 51% of the vote. his rival, ex—foreign minister pekka haavisto from the green party has already conceded. the president heads up foreign and security policy, acts as commander in chief of the military, and represents finland at nato, which the countryjoined only last year, after russia's invasion of ukraine. let's look at pakistan. against the odds, independent candidates backed by pakistan's jailed former prime minister, imran khan, have won the most seats. but the second and third largest political blocs say they have started formal discussions about forming a government together.

the two parties, led by nawaz sharif and bilawal bhutto zardari, formed an alliance to oust mr khan from power in 2022. they've issued a statement saying they plan to work together to bring political stability. if they do form a government, it's likely to anger mr khan's followers. his pti party was barred from taking part in the election, forcing its candidates to stand as independents. 0ur correspondent caroline davies has more. two sides are claiming victory in pakistan, but there is still no new government. both need more seats to get a majority. this is part of imran khan's pti party's plan — protests like these in karachi. accusing the authorities of rigging the vote, they are challenging them in court and on the streets. this is the road outside the election commission here in rawalpindi, and a few hundred protesters have gathered. this is not a mass level at the moment, but the idea is it keeps pressure up while the pti

try to work out what to do next. in the crowd was aftab alam from oxford. this country has been in this situation for the last decade, and it's been going on like this. imran khan is the only hope now for this country to get out of this mess. why did you want to come down here today? it's just to aid our peaceful protest that we need to have a respect for the people's mandate. the people have shown their desire, they want imran khan. meanwhile, imran khan's political rival nawaz sharif is publicly looking for alliances. today, his brother met bilawal bhutto from the ppp to start formal discussions about forming a government. the two parties previously ruled together after ousting imran khan in a vote of no confidence. will they join up again? as the political wrangling continues, frustration is growing among the many imran khan supporters.

just over an hour and a half into the protest in rawalpindi, suddenly the mood turned and a decision was made. so we havejust been pushed back by a cloud of tear gas that was used on the crowd of protesters that were outside. they're now being completely dispersed. you can see the reaction of everybody behind me as well. pakistan has already faced months of political instability with no answer yet to who will lead the country. caroline davies, bbc news, rawalpindi. now it's time for a look at today's sport with lizzie. hello. the africa cup of nations final is under way, as hosts ivory coast take on nigeria. it is goalless at the moment. the super eagles are looking

for a fourth title, while the ivorians have won it twice. just under 15 minutes gone in the match in abidjan — it's currently 0—0. there was a record breaking score for arsenal today — as they thrashed west ham 6—0 for their biggest away win in the premier league. amongst the scorers, england's bukayo saka got two, taking him past his half—century goal tally for the club. former west ham star declan rice ignored earlier boos and scored arsenal's sixth, although he didn't celebrate. the result leaves arsenal still in third place butjust two points behind leaders liverpool, while the pressure is mounting on west ham, who are winless in six matches in all competitions. it shows the consistency that we have two hits and we had to demand of ourselves and today we have done it. and now we have to do it again against burnley. really pleased the way we performed, the way we played, right from the beginning and the team wanted it more, they showed a lot of quality in the right moments because it's not easy to do what

they have done against this team. it was only a month ago that we won at the _ it was only a month ago that we won at the emirates and missed a penalty at the emirates and missed a penalty at the _ at the emirates and missed a penalty at the test— at the emirates and missed a penalty at the last minute to win it 3—0. we have _ at the last minute to win it 3—0. we have had _ at the last minute to win it 3—0. we have had two— at the last minute to win it 3—0. we have had two good results against arsehat _ have had two good results against arsehat if — have had two good results against arsenal. if you had offered me that iwould _ arsenal. if you had offered me that i would have shaken your hand. whatever— i would have shaken your hand. whatever is happening today has gone _ whatever is happening today has gone we — whatever is happening today has gone. we have to try and pick up the pieces— gone. we have to try and pick up the pieces from — gone. we have to try and pick up the pieces from it and get back on the horse _ pieces from it and get back on the horse again and show everybody what we can _ horse again and show everybody what we can d0~ _ in the other game in the premier league, manchester united boosted their chances of qualifying for a champions league place with a 2—1 win at aston vila. rasmus hojlund's first—half strike was cancelled out by douglas luiz. but a late winner from scott mctominay means united have narrowed the gap to villa — in fifth in the table — to five points. it cost them a lot of power to get the equaliser and they dropped also after the equaliser back and it gave us some space to breathe and after that point i think we controlled the

game. we got more possession and we scored a great goal as we had more attacks. on to rugby union's six nations, and ireland are still on for back—to—back grand slams after an easy win over italy. they scored six tries in the home match in dublin. and despite italy's impressive performance against england last week, they failed to score a single point. it finished 36—0. we got what we wanted out of the game, keeping them to zero is very pleasing. some nice tries, performances by individuals, etc. got a bit clunky in parts. they are tricky enough to play against, they have changed the way they play, a little more pragmatic, so you have to find different ways to get in the ball. to get the ball back. now, super bowl 58 is almost here. in just over three hours' time, the kansas city chiefs face the san francisco 49ers — and for the first time, it's taking place under the lights of las vegas.

all eyes will be on the two quarter—backs, patrick mahomes and brock purdy. the two—time super bowl champion payton manning says he's been impressed with them. they are both great stories, right? they both have earned the right to be here. patrick, this is getting to be kind of old hat for him. i think he books a reservation for the super bowl every year for his family. and brock has had an incredible year, he has done a greatjob, doing what kyle shanahan has asked him to do and playing great quarterback, especially down the stretch in the play—offs. that's why it's going to be two good teams in the super bowl. that's it. a quick update from the africa cup of nations final, it is still goalless. and that's all the sport for now. thanks, lizzie. here in the uk, four boys aged between 12 and ia have been arrested on suspicion of rape. greater manchester police say they were called to reports of a rape in rochdale, lancashire, early on saturday evening. the suspects are in police custody and the victim is being supported by specialist officers.

we will bring you more as we have it. king charles has attended church in sandringham in his first public outing since buckingham palace announced his cancer diagnosis. the king, who's 75, has thanked people for their many messages of support, which he said were "the greatest comfort". around 100 well—wishers gathered on sunday as the king walked into church. 0ur correspondent louisa pilbeam has this report. well, we saw king charles walk into sandringham church with his wife, queen camilla. they walked in and king charles waved once or twice to a crowd that had gathered. there were around 100 people who had come up to the gates here on the sandringham estate and were hoping that he might come and speak to them, so that they could give their warm, kind words that they wanted to, to the king. but he went straight in, he spoke to the vicar and then he went into the church service. 0n the way out, the security here had actually opened the gates,

and then there was some hope and quite a lot of excitement, actually, that they might be able to speak to the king and give them their warm well wishes. but on the way out, the king and queen camilla actually went past, gave a couple more waves and then went back to the private sandringham estate. so people here, perhaps a little bit of disappointment, they told me, that they didn't get to speak directly to the king. but a sense of understanding that perhaps he wanted a private day. and also perhaps the king felt that he had given his warm message from the heart. he released a statement last night saying that he was, he felt gratitude to people for their warm wishes and said that it meant a lot to him that he has this support from the public. that was louisa pilbeam. as we heard in sport — it's an exciting night in ivory coast, where the final of the africa cup of nations is now under way. the hosts are taking on fellow former champions nigeria. the super eagles are aiming

for a fourth afcon crown, while the ivorians are looking to add to their triumphs in 1992 and 2015. there are plenty of people watching the game here in london. let's go live to our news reporter simi jolaoso. what is the atmosphere there? people are watchin: what is the atmosphere there? people are watching intensely. _ what is the atmosphere there? people are watching intensely. it _ what is the atmosphere there? people are watching intensely. it has - what is the atmosphere there? people are watching intensely. it has only - are watching intensely. it has only been around 20 minutes since kick off and already it has been such an exciting game. 0n the nigerian side they put a few of their top players on the pitch, alex iwobi and 0la aina, both london born, nigerian is hoping to make their fourth afcon win. they have played eight times in afghan finals in the last win in 2013, but on the other hand ivory coast has won afcon twice, last time in 2015, although they were beaten by nigeria in the tournament group stage 1—0. but they are played with

such immense fortitude over the last few days and i'm sure if they bring back to this game there is no reason they cannot win —— afcon finals. somebody who might disagree with me is anthony, a nigeria supporter here. you were telling me that you think the super eagles have outperformed themselves in this tournament. outperformed themselves in this tournament-— outperformed themselves in this tournament. they definitely have. one thing peeple _ tournament. they definitely have. one thing people have _ tournament. they definitely have. one thing people have not - tournament. they definitely have. | one thing people have not realised is we _ one thing people have not realised is we haven't lost a game throughout the tournament. that is absolutely fantastic — the tournament. that is absolutely fantastic. we have beat these guys already— fantastic. we have beat these guys already so— fantastic. we have beat these guys already so i think our boys, as long as they— already so i think our boys, as long as they are — already so i think our boys, as long as they are not overconfident, i think— as they are not overconfident, i think they— as they are not overconfident, i think they will do the job. think they will do the “ob. speaking of our think they will do the “ob. speaking of your boys. h think they will do the “ob. speaking of your boys, anyone — think they will do the job. speaking of your boys, anyone in _ think they will do the job. speaking of your boys, anyone in particular. of your boys, anyone in particular you are happy to see on the pitch or you are happy to see on the pitch or you are happy to see on the pitch or you are hoping they will play? mil you are hoping they will play? all of them, happy for all of them, the way they— of them, happy for all of them, the way they have been coordinating, they have — way they have been coordinating, they have done a greatjob, in 94, 96, i_ they have done a greatjob, in 94, 96, iwoutd — they have done a greatjob, in 94, 96, i would say it was our last best team _ 96, i would say it was our last best team and _ 96, i would say it was our last best team and this is the best team we have _ team and this is the best team we have had — team and this is the best team we have had since then, there is no sign _ have had since then, there is no sign of— have had since then, there is no sign of greediness here, everyone is playing _ sign of greediness here, everyone is playing for— sign of greediness here, everyone is playing for the team. osimhen is a great _ playing for the team. osimhen is a great goal—scorer but he hasn't scored — great goal—scorer but he hasn't scored many goals but not because he

can't, _ scored many goals but not because he can't. just— scored many goals but not because he can't, just because he's been a great _ can't, just because he's been a great team _ can't, just because he's been a great team player. you can't, just because he's been a great team player.— can't, just because he's been a great team player. you speak about osimhen. great team player. you speak about osimhen- he's _ great team player. you speak about osimhen. he's only _ great team player. you speak about osimhen. he's only scored - great team player. you speak about osimhen. he's only scored one - great team player. you speak aboutj osimhen. he's only scored one goal 0simhen. he's only scored one goal so far that in this tournament. 0ut so far that in this tournament. out of 24 shots. but like you say, we are going to continue watching and see how nigeria perform tonight as well as ivory coast and see who will lift this year's afcon trophy.- lift this year's afcon trophy. thank ou so lift this year's afcon trophy. thank you so much _ lift this year's afcon trophy. thank you so much for— lift this year's afcon trophy. thank you so much for that, _ lift this year's afcon trophy. thank you so much for that, simi - lift this year's afcon trophy. thank| you so much for that, simi jolaoso. you so much for that, simijolaoso. if you can'tjoin herfor her watch party, check our website because we do have a live page up there for you. thank you for your time. stay with us on bbc news because we have much more to come. it has been a quieter weekend of weather for most of us but there are still lots of waterlogged fields and pavements out there, as you can see ijy pavements out there, as you can see by this weather watcher picture sent in from hull early on. as we go

through the week ahead we might start off quite optimistic with some sunny spells around but it will turn increasingly unsettled with showers turning to longer spells of rain, breezy at times, but it will be mild, particularly through the middle part of the week. this has been the story today, we have some nuisance rain clinging on to the far east coast of scotland and north—east england. some brighter spells and a few scattered showers out to the west. those showers will continue feeding and across west facing coasts overnight but with some clearer skies and temperatures are likely to fall away. it will be a chilly start to monday morning, low single figures for many, perhaps in rural parts of scotland below freezing, a touch of ice not out of the question where we have those lingering showers. low pressure dominates the scene as we move into monday. the wind direction coming from a north—westerly, slightly fresher source, continuing to drive in plenty of showers closest to that area of low. northern ireland, scotland, perhaps north west england as well. and some of the showers to

the tops of the mountains once again could be wintry in nature. there will be sunshine elsewhere and those temperatures are likely to peak between 6—10 c. as we go through monday evening, and into tuesday, we have a little ridge of high pressure keeping things quiet, but all the time this weatherfront keeping things quiet, but all the time this weather front is approaching from the south—west, that will gradually spill in more cloud ahead of it so after a bright start clouding over. a few scattered showers in the far north—west, more persistent showery rain develops across the channel isles, south—west england, wales and into the midlands, north—west england and northern ireland by the end of the afternoon. 7—11 the overall highs. so, as we move out of tuesday into wednesday, it is here where the showers potentially could merge into a longer spells of rain as it stays pretty unsettled. the wind direction coming from the south—westerly, so a very mild direction and that is going tojust push very mild direction and that is going to just push the milder very mild direction and that is going tojust push the milder air further north across the country. so it does mean that we could see temperatures perhaps into the mid—teens as we go through the

middle part of the week. but it stays pretty unsettled for many of us. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: president biden tells israel's prime minister not to press ahead with an offensive in rafah without a plan to ensure the safety of the one and a half million palestinians sheltering there. the un says there is nowhere safe

for them to move to. the head of nato rebukes donald trump for saying he would encourage russia to attack any nato ally that fails to meet its financial obligations to the alliance. jens stoltenberg said the remarks undermine the alliance's security and put soldiers at risk. and final results from pakistan's election confirm that independent candidates allied to jailed former prime minister imran khan won the most seats. but the political blocs which came second and third say they'll work together to try to form a government. those are your headlines. now on bbc news, click.