for the israeli prime minister, mr netanyahu, this is something of a vindication for his point of view, which is to get the hostages back, israel has to use force. the marathon world record holder, kelvin kiptum, has been killed in a car accident. in the uk, two new drugs to slow the progress of alzheimers could be licensed within months. and the kansas city chiefs win the super bowl after beating the san francisco 49ers byjust three points. let's return to our top story, as the israeli military has rescued two of the hostages abducted by hamas during a raid in the gaza strip. the release of the hostages was announced shortly after israel carried out an intense aerial bombardment of the southern city of rafah.

avy hyman, an israeli government spokesman, spoke to us earlier about the number of palestinians killed during the hostage release operation. we are confident in our mission to destroy hamas. like the prime minister said, we are going for full victory. that doesn't mean half of hamas, not three quarters of hamas. all of hamas needs to be destroyed, for the security of israel, for the security of the region, and for the security of the world. we are going after them. we have killed in excess of 12,000 hamas terrorists. we have put out of action more than 20,000 hamas terrorists. that means killed, captured or injured. and we will continue forward, because we have no option. we can'tjust sit, turn the other cheek and wait for hamas to do what they want to do, which is to commit genocide on the people of israel, to destroy the state of israel, and then, as it says in their charter, to go afterjews worldwide. we can't tolerate that. hamas�*s day has come,

and it will go soon. dr sabri saidam is the deputy secretary general of fatah central committee. he told us he does not believe the israeli governement�*s promise to provide any safe passage for civilians in rafah. (tx sot) there have been many times when israel_ there have been many times when israel has — there have been many times when israel has claimed to be creating safe passages, and they turned out to be _ safe passages, and they turned out to be passages where people are tortured — to be passages where people are tortured and checked security wise at checkpoint here in there. i am “ust at checkpoint here in there. i am just wondering — at checkpoint here in there. i am just wondering as _ at checkpoint here in there. i am just wondering as to _ at checkpoint here in there. i am just wondering as to how - at checkpoint here in there. i —n just wondering as to how netanyahu could be allowed to do such a thing when he knows quite well that he has destroyed the whole of gaza, almost, and people have nowhere to go to. the way to play this as if he is humane and caring for palestinians is nonsensical. i am sure you have your correspondence will tell you there is no gaza whatsoever. almost all homes have been erased. taking

people from point a, which is already desperate conditions, to point b, where there are no services or shelters, point b, where there are no services orshelters, is point b, where there are no services or shelters, is nothing but total madness. let's go to live pictures from rafah. this is one of the camps you can see. we heard jeremy bowen, our international editor, earlier described the situation is desperate. we know the israeli military said it rescued two of the hostages abducted by hamas, following strikes this morning where at least 67 palestinians were killed. you can follow updates on our website, and we will also have the latest throughout our programme. there are hopes that two new drugs aimed at slowing the progress of alzheimer's could pave the way for the development of future treatments for the disease. the medicines are expected to be licensed within months, but charities are warning that the nhs in the uk isn't ready for them, meaning many patients could lose out. 0ur medical editor

fergus walsh reports. dawn is 62 and about to get her first dose of a new alzheimer's drug, donanemab, which is currently only available to people taking part in clinical trials. we've started, have we? we've started! all right? yay! dawn's memory problems were identified early. she has only mild cognitive impairment. i feel so grateful that i noticed, and that i investigated further, and that i know, because knowledge is power and it could mean that itjust slows it all down. and if it slows it down, then... ..then i'll be able to function as i'd like to and do some of the things i'd still like to do. over the course of 18 month trials, donanemab, and another drug, lecanemab, showed they could slow cognitive decline in patients with early stage alzheimer's, by between a quarter and a third.

if you want to try and make that meaningful in terms of what a patient understands in clinic, then i would tell them that that gives you over that 18 month period, about five months at a higher level of function. for me, that's meaningful, but it's small. i think these drugs do represent a turning point in our research in alzheimer's, but i also think they are just the beginning. 0ne estimate suggests between 50,000 and 280,000 people in england could be eligible for the drugs if they get licensed in the coming months, and are then recommended for use by the nhs. we're worried that tens of thousands of people could miss out on having treatments because the nhs isn't ready to deliver them. we need to have a really clear plan from the nhs about how they're going to scale up services so that we can identify people who are eligible.

nhs england says dementia diagnosis rates are the highest they've been for three years. alzheimer's disease is triggered by the abnormal build up of proteins in the brain, including one called amyloid. this can happen over 20 years before symptoms emerge. the drugs bind to amyloid and help our immune cells to clear it from the brain. currently, only 2% of alzheimer's patients get either a specialised brain scan, or a lumbar puncture, to confirm they have high levels of amyloid. but everyone getting the drugs would need them. i missed a bit down in there. see, that white bit? david, who's 79, has been on lecanemab for over three years as part of a study. although his alzheimer's is progressing, his wife, cheryl, feels the drug has helped.

they're not saying this is a complete cure. no. just giving individuals more time before they can't remember, you know, who their children are. it's given me longer with david as my husband. so, you know, that's worth all the money in the world. the drugs can cause swelling and bleeding in the brain, so patients like dawn need careful monitoring. but despite their side effects and modest benefits, many scientists believe they represent a defining moment in the fight against alzheimer's. fergus walsh, bbc news. migratory species such as the african penguin and the whale shark play a crucial role in protecting the ea rth�*s habitats. but a landmark report from the united nations says the extinction risk of the most vulnerable species is on the rise. the report also concluded that human action such as habitat destruction and climate change is to blame.

let's speak to to drjohannes fritz, director of the waldrapp—team conservation & research — a conservation project, of human—led flights to help the migration of the bald ibises, one of the world's rarest birds. thank you so much forjoining us. what did you make of the reading of this report? what did you make of the reading of this re ort? ,., ., ., ., ., what did you make of the reading of this report?— what did you make of the reading of this reort? ., ~ . this report? good afternoon. we have been aware for _ this report? good afternoon. we have been aware for a _ this report? good afternoon. we have been aware for a long _ this report? good afternoon. we have been aware for a long time _ this report? good afternoon. we have been aware for a long time about - this report? good afternoon. we have been aware for a long time about the | been aware for a long time about the increasing threat to migratory species directed by human activity, including increasingly by climate change. it including increasingly by climate chance. ,

including increasingly by climate chance. , ,, including increasingly by climate chance. , ~' . change. it sounds like you are t in: to change. it sounds like you are trying to convince _ change. it sounds like you are trying to convince the - change. it sounds like you are trying to convince the birds i change. it sounds like you are trying to convince the birds to j change. it sounds like you are - trying to convince the birds to show them what to do. can you tell me a bit about that? we them what to do. can you tell me a bit about that?— bit about that? we have worked for more than 20 _ bit about that? we have worked for more than 20 years _ bit about that? we have worked for more than 20 years now _ bit about that? we have worked for more than 20 years now with - bit about that? we have worked for more than 20 years now with one l more than 20 years now with one particular species, the northern bald ibis, a migratory species, and we aimed to reintroduce population again in central europe and southern europe. the main challenge is to introduce a new migration tradition to these birds, and this is done by the use of microlight planes. they follow these planes and then they can lead them over hundreds and thousands of kilometres from the breeding sites to wintering sites. can you tell us more about by the ibis in particular is so important? it is a critically endangered

species, and this makes it generally important, and every effort should be taken to conserve this species. it affects more and more migratory bird species, which are being included on the red list of endangered species. with many species, it has been possible to do something. conservation measures are very difficult with the species. it became an example, a flagship species for the conservation of this group of animals. it is actually the first time ever that a migratory bird species is reintroduced. meanwhile, we are close to a self—sustaining population with already more than 250 birds in the wild, so we developed these methods,

and those could become usable and relevant for a variety of other endangered migratory species. thank ou ve endangered migratory species. thank you very much _ endangered migratory species. thank you very much for _ endangered migratory species. thank you very much for your— endangered migratory species. thank you very much for your time. - charles darwin was born on this day 215 years ago, which is why the 12th of february is marked by those in the know as darwin day. we are still learning about him — details of the thousands of books he consulted in his life have just been revealed — and he is still inspiring voyages of discovery. joining me now is dr sarah darwin. she's a researcher at the berlin natural history museum and charles darwin's great—great granddaughter. thanks so much forjoining us, doctor darwin. can you just tell us what it feels like to be learning all this new information about your great—great—grandfather? the

great-great-grandfather? the collection. _ great-great-grandfather? the collection, his _ great—great—grandfather? tie: collection, his library collection going online, is fascinating, because it gives us a window into his intellect, and also his emotional interests. and the breadth of his interest. for example, there is a paper on the turkey buzzard's ability to smell out prey, and invasive grasshoppers in the us, so it's an incredibly broad knowledge. i think what is relevant for us today is, it shows that although he was a recluse, he never went abroad again after his five year long for on the beagle, but he was part of virtual scientific knowledge community. it virtual scientific knowledge community-— community. it is quite an interesting _ community. it is quite an interesting time - community. it is quite an interesting time to - community. it is quite an interesting time to be . community. it is quite an - interesting time to be talking community. it is quite an _ interesting time to be talking about it, bearing in mind what we have just been talking about, how important it is to retain those migratory species for our environment. it is darwin day, as we

said. do you do anything different? we always raise a glass to him in the evening, definitely, but i like to reflect on some of his many theories. natural selection was the most famous one, but there is also sexual selection, and he looked at co—evolution and earthworms. he was very broad in his research, and i like to reflect back and think forward as to what some of these theories mean to us today. haifa forward as to what some of these theories mean to us today. how has he inapired — theories mean to us today. how has he inapired you _ theories mean to us today. how has he inspired you and _ theories mean to us today. how has he inspired you and what _ theories mean to us today. how has he inspired you and what you - theories mean to us today. how has he inspired you and what you do - theories mean to us today. how has he inspired you and what you do in i he inspired you and what you do in your line of work? i he inspired you and what you do in your line of work?— your line of work? i think i probably _ your line of work? i think i probably came _ your line of work? i think i probably came to - your line of work? i think i probably came to darwin l your line of work? i think i | probably came to darwin in your line of work? i think i i probably came to darwin in a slightly roundabout way. i think i got sort of sucked into a slipstream. in the last 15 years, i have been pretty interested in what he has written. in fact, i havejust

published a book for children on evolution, and i will show it to you there, with a fellow botanist. and this is for eight—year—olds but also for adults. this is for eight—year—olds but also foradults. i became this is for eight—year—olds but also for adults. i became aware that many adults actually don't really fully understand how natural selection works, and i believe that as a sort of keystone of our scientific understanding, natural selection is really important for people to understand. it helps us to understand. it helps us to understand biodiversity, and it is really part of being engaged in democracy, really. if we want to get into discussions about how to save biodiversity, having an understanding of natural selection is really important. bier? understanding of natural selection is really important.— is really important. very briefly, what is it like _ is really important. very briefly, what is it like to _ is really important. very briefly, what is it like to have _ is really important. very briefly, what is it like to have that - what is it like to have that surname, darwin? do you carry around a sense of responsibility with you?

gosh, yeah, it is at times... well, i mean, it's inspiring. what else can one say? he was a very, very clever guy. he was fascinated by so many different things, but also he was i think a really nice person. when you read other people's accounts of being in touch with darwin, they all seem to have liked him. i think he is actually somebody to be very proud of. i him. i think he is actually somebody to be very proud of.— to be very proud of. i should think so. to be very proud of. i should think so- doetor — to be very proud of. i should think so. doctor sarah _ to be very proud of. i should think so. doctor sarah darwin, - to be very proud of. i should think so. doctor sarah darwin, thank i to be very proud of. i should thinkl so. doctor sarah darwin, thank you for speaking to us today. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. after almost ten years, it is a cornerstone for the local lgbt cube plus community. it has decided to move out of its home and hug a stone. , ., , , move out of its home and hug a stone. , .,, , ., , ., .,

move out of its home and hug a stone. , , ., , ., ., , stone. developers want us to go, but the building — stone. developers want us to go, but the building schedule _ stone. developers want us to go, but the building schedule means - stone. developers want us to go, but the building schedule means we - stone. developers want us to go, butj the building schedule means we can't operate the way we need to. costs are high, coming out of the pandemic, expensive goods because of brexit, it's a firestorm. it pandemic, expensive goods because of brexit, it's a firestorm.— brexit, it's a firestorm. it closed in 2015, just _ brexit, it's a firestorm. it closed in 2015, just days _ brexit, it's a firestorm. it closed in 2015, just days after - brexit, it's a firestorm. it closed in 2015, just days after it - brexit, it's a firestorm. it closed in 2015, just days after it was . in 2015, just days after it was declared an asset of community value, to block attempts to develop it into luxury flats. alex and his fellow campaigners have been coming here every saturday since then and they have just had some good news. the black cap will be reopening unless something terrible happens. city hall is working with camden council to reopen the venue and is committed to ensuring london's nightlife thrives. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. some breaking news now. the uk's former sports minister, tracey crouch, has announced that she will not stand in the next general election. she said she would not

stand again for her chatham seat, citing personal and positive reasons. she said that surviving breast cancer had given her an opportunity to pause and reflect on her own personal priorities, and she says that, based on that, she truly believes it is time to seek a new professional challenge. the uk's former sports minister, tracey crouch, will not stand in the next general election. the kansas city chiefs have clinched a narrow victory in the super bowl, beating the san francisco 49ers by 25 points to 22. the 49ers were on the brink of victory twice during the game — but a last—minute field goal by the chiefs pushed it into overtime, where a touchdown pass won the match. cheering the chiefs on, from the vip box, was taylor swift, while rnb star usher put on an energetic performance during the half—time show. nesta mcgregor was watching

the action in las vegas. the kansas city chiefs back—to—back champions. the first time it has been achieved for almost 20 years. does this one feel any different? it does, it feels ten times better, man. adversity, what the team went through, the naysayers. but on top of that, man, just how much fun we have coming in the building. you can see how we are enjoying this one right now. how will you and your lovely pop star girlfriend be celebrating? i'm sure vegas will roll out the red carpet — i will be elvis for a night. the champagne is flowing — my glasses are proof. the kansas city chiefs — back—to—back nfl champions. the day started with both sets of fans convinced it would be their team lifting a trophy at the end. some travelled across state lines, others a bit further — leeds, to be precise. i was a0 this week. super bowl was always on the cards and wejust made it happen.

we flew out wednesday and here we are. is it genuinely his team orjust to ruin his birthday? we are patriots fans. that's the funniest thing. we just chose teams on the day, nd got the jerseys and came to the game. most came to see the game. but the fact taylor swift might be there may have persuaded some. and the pop star was in the stands to watch a nervy back—and—forth encounter. two touchdowns from the 49ers. the kansas chiefs with one of their own and their kicker making up the extra points. 19—19 at full—time, the chiefs eventually winning 25—22 in overtime. if the game itself made for a nervous watch, then r&b singer usher did his best to lighten the mood. the 45—year—old half—time show performer running through a string of hits in a 15—minute set that featured alicia keys and will.i.am. no team has ever won three super bowl titles in a row, but planning for next year can surely wait.

after all, this is vegas and this party is unlikely to end anytime soon. football's africa cup of nations has been won by the hosts, ivory coast. at a packed stadium in abidjan, they came from a goal down to beat nigeria 2—1. the winning goal was scored by sebastien haller. the organisers say the cup of nations attracted a record tv audience and produced a record number of goals. let's speak to maher mezahi, who's an african football journalist who joins us from algiers. thanks very much for your time. what did you make of that result, then? for me, it was an expected result. despite it being peaks and valleys, in the group stages they lost to equatorial guinea 4—0 at home, which

was a humiliation. they seem to find their footing from the quarterfinals on, particularly with the return of some key players. i wasn't surprised to see them win1—0 yesterday night. that strike you talked about from sebastien holder, she was the hero of the game, but diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022 — an absolutely remarkable comeback. those are the kind of human interest stories that really pull you into the africa cup of nations. diagnosed with cancerjust the africa cup of nations. diagnosed with cancer just a the africa cup of nations. diagnosed with cancerjust a couple of years back, and i want top of the world, scoring a wonderful goal. he poked his toe out, and there were just ten minutes to play after that. on the opposing side, the nigerian striker was selling water bottles on the street to cars that were passing by as a young kid, and now he is the african player of the year and got

his team to the final. those are the kind of human interesting stories —— human interest stories that make the africa cup of nations unique. it attracted a record tv audience. why do you think it is growing in popularity?— do you think it is growing in --oulari ? ., . popularity? you are right, the president _ popularity? you are right, the president said _ popularity? you are right, the president said there _ popularity? you are right, the president said there has - popularity? you are right, the president said there has been| popularity? you are right, the. president said there has been a total number of close to 2 billion viewers for this africa cup of nations. the higher sponsorship they have had. —— the highest sponsorship they have had. there are a few reasons. more than ever, there are a huge amount of superstars that play on the african continent, and i think that draws our eyes from all over the world. i also have to give credit to the organisers, who i think took a new strategy this time, making sure the matches were broadcast on free to air channels around the world, and that brought in a huge number of eyeballs. and

in a huge number of eyeballs. and creater in a huge number of eyeballs. and greater investment in football in africa — what does that mean for the sport? a, africa - what does that mean for the sort? �* ., ., africa - what does that mean for the sort? . . ,, ., ., sport? a team like mauritania auali sport? a team like mauritania qualify for— sport? a team like mauritania qualify for the _ sport? a team like mauritania qualify for the first _ sport? a team like mauritania qualify for the first africa - sport? a team like mauritania qualify for the first africa cup| sport? a team like mauritania i qualify for the first africa cup of nations in 2019, and this year they qualified for the third consecutive one, so they have made it every year since the extended format. prior to qualifying, they were known as a minnow on the african continent, but through the federation, they have applied for these fifa funds, and fifa has given them 1— $4 million per year, so they have been able to build a headquarters, a technical centre, even a medical centre to treat athletes who are severely injured, and as a result we see the good governance translating onto the pitch. they made it to the round of 16 this time, beating former champions algeria in the process. that is what investment can do for you in the long term.— you in the long term. absolutely. thank you — you in the long term. absolutely. thank you for— you in the long term. absolutely. thank you forjoining _ you in the long term. absolutely.

thank you forjoining us. - the world —famous rio the world—famous rio dejaneiro got under way. 12 samba schools are battling it out for the coveted title of carnival champions. the competition takes place in front of 70,000 spectators, as well as millions more watching on tv. carnival comes to a peak before the fasting period of lent begins on wednesday. a reminder of our top story before we go: the israeli military has rescued two of the hostages abducted by hamas during a raid in the gaza strip. the release was announced shortly after israel carried out an intense aerial bombardment of the southern city of rafah. we can look here at the scene after those israeli strikes this morning, and a spokesman for the

hamas run health ministry says at least 67 palestinians were killed. a doctor at a nearby hospital said it was unable to cope with the number of injured, and helicopters and boats were involved in the attack. the two israeli hostages were reunited with their families. they are said to be in good condition. it is thought to be only the second time that israel has carried out a successful military operation to rescue hostages. you can keep up—to—date with what is happening on our website. up—to—date with what is happening on ourwebsite. for up—to—date with what is happening on our website. for now, stay with us here on bbc news. good afternoon. showers towards the north—west of the uk today, but for many it is feeling rather springlike, with blue skies, sunshine, snowdrops here in bedfordshire, and it is a largely dry day across most of wales. we could see more clout develop towards

the south—west through the rest of the south—west through the rest of the afternoon. today is the best day of the week for most in terms of sunshine. mid week on, it will be wetter and unsettled, and atlantic systems are sweeping in from the west, with very mild air. temperatures close to the seasonal average at the moment. then the south—westerly wind draws in mild air and temperatures will rise, particularly on wednesday and thursday. today, you can see this feature across western scotland running west to east, bringing increased showers through the rest of the afternoon will stop some showers will be wintry, particularly on top of the hills. some showers for northern ireland and perhaps north west england. elsewhere, dry with sunny spells. cloud amount is increasing in the south—west of england by the end of the day. temperatures more or less where they should be for this time of year. still wintry showers across parts of scotland through tonight. more cloud spreading in from the south—west,

clearer spells here and there. temperatures a little higher across most of southern ringwood but still a touch of frost from northern england northwards. 0n a touch of frost from northern england northwards. on tuesday, this low pressure will push on from the south—west, and that will change our weather, dragging in milderair, but cloud will increase, the wind will pick up and there will be outbreaks of rain, possibly heavier downpours at times. from southern scotland northwards, we expect a largely dry day. some sunshine here. watch out for a few more wintry showers over the tops of the hills. cold air hanging on in northern scotland, where it stays windy, but milder towards the south. low pressure will send more fronts spinning in on wednesday. a windy day, the wind picking up again. more outbreaks of rain moving across parts of scotland, perhaps turning to snow where it meets that colder air. some sunshine across central areas, and

temperatures starting to rise. goodbye.

today at one — dozens are killed in the south of gaza by airstrikes, as two israeli hostages are rescued. the relief of reunion — simon marman and louis har have not seen their families since october.

in gaza, the hamas—run health ministry says at least 67 people have been killed. israel says there was "a wave of strikes" to accompany the hostage raid. also on the programme: the headteachers struggling to make ends meet for their schools. they blame the rising costs of private contracts. you feel like a failure. my sixth year of headship, and i'm no furtherforward in resolving the issues that affect the children who come here every day. we speak to people testing out groundbreaking new alzheimer's drugs. just giving individuals more time before they can't remember, you know, who their children are. cheering and we're in las vegas, for american's biggest for america's biggest sporting night of the year. and coming up on bbc news:

tributes have been pouring in for the marathon record—holder