over claims of racism. but the deputy prime minister declines to say whether the comments were islamophobic. president zelensky reveals 31,000 ukrainian troops have been killed in the two years of war with russia. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu tells us television that his country's forces are "weeks" away from "total victory" in gaza. donald trump's only rival in the race for the republican presidential candidacy vows to fight on, even after he beats her in her home state. here in the uk, the conservative party is finding itself under increasing pressure after an mp made comments described as "islamophobic, anti—muslim and racist". lee anderson was suspended

from the party after saying london's mayor was controlled by "islamists". the suspension was not for the comments but for refusing to apologise. the party's leadership was drawn further into the argument on sunday — the deputy prime minister refusing to say whether he thought the comments were islamophobic. 0ur political correspondent iain watson reports. he's known for speaking his mind, but lee anderson kept his lips firmly sealed following his suspension from the parliamentary conservative party. here are the comments about london's mayor that got him into trouble. i don't actually believe that these islamists have got control of our country. but what i do believe is they've got control of khan and they've got control of london. lee anderson was quite literally in the doghouse this afternoon. it's a pub in his constituency. sadiq khan and labour have described his remarks as islamophobic. but the deputy prime minister seemed keen to avoid that specific accusation.

i don't believe that lee anderson was intending to be islamophobic. but nonetheless, i understand the concern about this, particularly when it's in relation to the mayor of london, how those words have caused offence. you're talking about. and that has and because of that, that is precisely why he was given the chance to apologise. and when he failed to do so, action was taken. but were the comments themselves islamophobic? i think i've been clear that they they could be taken that way. he also said if lee anderson had apologised, he'd still be a conservative mp. the conflict in the middle east is having a profound effect on uk politics. labour had to kick out their candidate in the forthcoming rochdale by—election over anti—semitism and are now keen to move the focus onto the prime minister and the problems in his party. what's unfolded in the conservative party, the absolute poison that's been allowed to seep into their political debate, and a prime minister that's

seemingly unwilling to even acknowledge the term islamophobia, let alone stand up to senior politicians in his party dragging our politics into the sewer. rishi sunak, shame on you. against a backdrop of demonstrations, the prime minister today warned against polarisation in politics. his critics say, though, he needs to get his own house in order and openly challenged statements made by some of his own representatives. let's speak to naveed asghar, deputy chair of the conservative muslim forum. the only muslim group affiliated to the conservative party. thank you forjoining us on the programme. can i ask you, do you think your party has a problem with islamophobia? i do not think the wider party has a problem. without individuals who are misguided and coming out with comments like this over the weekend. we as a party do not accept these

comments and we are against anybody with the party or any mps elected from different parties to come out with comments which can be seen to be misaligned with the british muslim population.— be misaligned with the british muslim population. some in your -a muslim population. some in your party have _ muslim population. some in your party have called _ muslim population. some in your party have called mr _ muslim population. some in your party have called mr anderson's. party have called mr anderson's commons islamophobic. would you say they are? you commons islamophobic. would you say the are? ., ., they are? you can call them that, anti-muslim _ they are? you can call them that, anti-muslim hatred. _ they are? you can call them that, anti-muslim hatred. however- they are? you can call them that, anti-muslim hatred. however you they are? you can call them that, - anti-muslim hatred. however you term anti—muslim hatred. however you term them, they were there to cause upset to the muslims. they have caused upset and we've been inundated with messages from our members, stating we have to take action. i am glad the prime minister has taken action and the web has been removed. in your statement on this controversy, your statement on this controversy, you have written on the forum that it is vital for all leaders to stand firmly against racism and to muslim

hatred and islamophobia. what do you make of the fact in his statement, the prime minister did not mention anti—muslim hatred or islamophobia? this is a conversation we will have this week with the prime minister's office and try to understand where they are coming from and the reasoning behind it. as a muslim organisation, these are words which deeply hurt and... it makes it difficult for us to represent muslims when it comes to conversations like this. i will go back to this, it comes down to the prime minister is not a muslim and neither is the deputy prime minister, so maybe they don't understand the effect of the words. two people of the muslim faith, these are deeply worrying. we have 70 years of muslims in britain, and we are looking to get young british

muslims to come into office, counsellors, members of the scottish parliament and welsh parliament and the uk, whatever role. when issues like this arise, it becomes difficult when politics is polarised. difficult when politics is polarised-— difficult when politics is olarised. ., , ., polarised. let me ask you, the prime minister, the — polarised. let me ask you, the prime minister, the deputy _ polarised. let me ask you, the prime minister, the deputy prime _ polarised. let me ask you, the prime minister, the deputy prime minister. minister, the deputy prime minister said the party was quick to act in suspending mr anderson. is the party in slow in understanding their grievances over islamophobia in the party? grievances over islamophobia in the -a ? grievances over islamophobia in the .a ? ., , party? the government definitely needs to give _ party? the government definitely needs to give space _ party? the government definitely needs to give space for— party? the government definitely l needs to give space for moderates, like ourselves, and to speak to counter the views of the far east and not late extremists win. it takes a long time to get to where we are —— for right. there is still work to be done, but that goes for every political party. we aren't alone in it. the conservatives have

won the last three elections, and we've done fantastic work. we have british muslim mps in position, british muslim mps in position, british muslims in the house of lords, through the work done over the past few decades. i hope this will carry on going forward. thank ou ve will carry on going forward. thank you very much- — will carry on going forward. thank you very much. deputy _ will carry on going forward. thank you very much. deputy chair - will carry on going forward. thank you very much. deputy chair of i will carry on going forward. thankl you very much. deputy chair of the conservative muslim forum, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. speaking at a news conference in kyiv, president zelensky stressed the importance of western support if ukraine is to defeat the threat from russia.

he said the loss was painful and was hopeful for he said the loss was painful and was hopefulfor a peace he said the loss was painful and was hopeful for a peace summit in the spring and was sure the us congress would pass the aid package for ukraine. let's speak to james waterhouse. you are at the press conference. fillers in on what he said. it conference. fillers in on what he said. . , ., ., . said. it was an endurance event toda . said. it was an endurance event today. president _ said. it was an endurance event today. president zelensky - said. it was an endurance eventl today. president zelensky knows said. it was an endurance event - today. president zelensky knows how today. president zelensky knows how to draw a crowd. his profile is the level of him being one of the most famous world leaders. his government announced there is a nine hour press conference where 28 officials and ministers spoke. president zelensky talked about the delay to western aid. it is true that ukraine has received a substantial amount to date, but the issue for kyiv has been the speed at which it has arrived. he talked about forging relationships with european partners to a great extent, to potentially

fill a gap left by the us if it was to further withdraw support. he said he's confident it won't happen. i asked him how he felt about the delays of aid. translation: frustrated. losing time means losing — translation: frustrated. losing time means losing money, _ translation: frustrated. losing time means losing money, my— translation: frustrated. losing time means losing money, my biggest - means losing money, my biggest frustration. longerthe means losing money, my biggest frustration. longer the war, the more other casualties. that is the second time. casualties can be different, they can be civilian, military, children. the more people staying on the occupied territories, the more ukrainians are being deported or taken to russia, the longer the war, the more countries are starting to kind of balance. time is not in favourfor everyone. what else can we be disappointed

with or frustrated with? i am grateful for this help to with or frustrated with? i am gratefulfor this help to maintain. it is important this system comes on time. the war is a technological one and you are waiting for weapons, armed vehicles, but when it arrives, we fight with drones. you are waiting a lot of the long range weapons, and the people are already fighting with different means. and missiles are the war. maybe... we cannot lose the time. his defence minister said half of the deliberate western aid to date had been delayed, so it is clearly a frustration being held. what is interesting, i was at the press conference last year, where there was a different atmosphere. and the

subject was one of an upcoming counter and ukraine had liberated territories. this time the talk is long—term security agreements, recovery, possible peace plans, forging relationships with other allies. it's a different war now and allies. it's a different war now and a different foreign policy challenge for president zelensky. you feel he and his country and his military are preparing for a long war with an outcome which is far from certain. thank you for that analysis. that is james waterhouse in kyiv. in an interview with us broadcaster cbs, israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says, once troops begin their operation in rafah, what he described as "total victory" would be just weeks away. gaza's health ministry says more than 90 people were killed through the night — and the total number is nearing 30,000.

in the israeli city of tel aviv, police used water cannon for the first time to disperse anti—government protesters demanding the release of the hostages held in gaza by hamas. paul adams reports. tel aviv last night. israel's deep divisions on raw display. these streets are used to protests, but they are bigger now, angrier. for the first time since october, the police resorting to tougher measures. the loathing for israel's prime minister and his hardline cabinet goes back more than a year, but it's spurred on by the war in gaza and the fear that their government is more interested in defeating hamas than freeing hostages. we cannot keep on doing the military solutions because they are not working. it is becoming worse. a lot of people are dead on both sides. we are waiting for any development

and we want them home. the government here says that talks aimed at getting the hostages back are making progress — something hamas denies. the process is due to continue in qatar this week, but the government is also saying it is about to approve plans for an assault on rafah. it says those plans will include a mass evacuation of civilians before ground troops go in. benjamin netanyahu said it was a matter of time. if benjamin netanyahu said it was a matter of time.— benjamin netanyahu said it was a matter of time. if we don't have a deal matter of time. if we don't have a deal, we matter of time. if we don't have a deal. we will _ matter of time. if we don't have a deal, we will do _ matter of time. if we don't have a deal, we will do it. _ matter of time. if we don't have a deal, we will do it. it _ matter of time. if we don't have a deal, we will do it. it has - matter of time. if we don't have a deal, we will do it. it has to - matter of time. if we don't have a deal, we will do it. it has to be i deal, we will do it. it has to be done because total victory is our goal and within reach. ii done because total victory is our goal and within reach.— done because total victory is our goal and within reach. if israel and hamas strike _ goal and within reach. if israel and hamas strike a _ goal and within reach. if israel and hamas strike a deal _ goal and within reach. if israel and hamas strike a deal on _ goal and within reach. if israel and hamas strike a deal on hostages, | hamas strike a deal on hostages, which family and friends need, shooting could stop before the start

of ramadan in two weeks' time. it would be the first respite since the end of november, chancefor everyone to draw breath and figure out what happens next. and our world affairs correspondent paul adams is joining us from jerusalem now. we are hearing about the next stage of negotiations, mediation efforts between israel and hamas. what else can you tell us? we between israel and hamas. what else can you tell us?— can you tell us? we aren't quite sure when _ can you tell us? we aren't quite sure when they _ can you tell us? we aren't quite sure when they will _ can you tell us? we aren't quite sure when they will happen, - can you tell us? we aren't quite j sure when they will happen, but can you tell us? we aren't quite - sure when they will happen, but the israeli government has indicated it is willing to send a team to the gulf state of qatar, sometime later this week, where we assume negotiations will continue. qatar is the place which was the venue for many previous rounds of negotiations. it does seem as though even though the prospect of a deal do not appear imminent, there is a process which appears to be

gathering some momentum. my hunch is the prospects right now are that a ceasefire may well be in place before the beginning of ramadan, thatis before the beginning of ramadan, that is in two weeks from now. and in fact, ceasefire may be more likely than as salt on rafah, because there's no indications the military of israel making those preparations. benjamin netanyahu wants hamas to believe the israeli military is poised to attack the last major city in the gaza strip. the factors we see no sign of it, and i think the pressure, the diplomatic pressure from america and elsewhere for a ceasefire deal means that perhaps is the thing that will happen first. that perhaps is the thing that will happen first-— raf planes havejoined usjets in air strikes on houthi targets

in yemen in response to a surge in attacks by the iran—backed group on vessels in the red sea — which is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. it's the fourth time british aircraft have been involved in such raids as our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. british war planes taking off from raf akrotiri in cyprus, bound for the skies over yemen. their target — houthi rebels who have been attacking merchant ships in the red sea. theyjoined us war planes taking off from this aircraft carrier in what was the fourth combined allied strike on houthi targets in yemen since january. and this was the consequence, explosions in the night sky over sanaa, the capital of yemen. the us said 18 targets in eight locations have been struck. the houthis have attacked more than 45 merchant vessels since november. these are pictures of its forces actually seizing a ship. the iranian—backed group which controls much of northern yemen claims it is supporting

palestinians in gaza. the yemeni armed forces confirmed that they will confront the american british escalation with more qualitative military operation against all hostile targets in the red sea. the most recent pictures show the ship leaking oil. the attack last night had one specific aim. in a statement, the us, uk and six other countries said they wanted to disrupt and degrade the houthis ability to threaten global trade, navy vessels and the lives of innocent mariners in one of the most critical waterways. the economic impact is obvious. in normal times, 12 to 15% of global trade from the far east to europe passes through

the red sea. many ships take the longer and costly route around southern africa. the houthis appear undeterred, thousands of supporters on friday demonstrated in support notjust on friday demonstrated in support not just our on friday demonstrated in support notjust our palestinians, but also attacks on international shipping. the risk of escalation remains. we are nowjoined byjames from the bbc newsroom. this strategy by the us and uk to carry out regular air on the houthis, is it working?- and uk to carry out regular air on the houthis, is it working? well, in one respect — the houthis, is it working? well, in one respect it _ the houthis, is it working? well, in one respect it is _ the houthis, is it working? well, in one respect it is working _ the houthis, is it working? well, in one respect it is working in - the houthis, is it working? well, in one respect it is working in that. one respect it is working in that there are strikes taking place almost every day by the americans, and certain houthis facilities are being destroyed. but is it stopping the attacks? no. is it deterring the houthis? no. that's because

primarily because the houthis have been bombed by the saudis for many years and survived them, they are used to surviving and defending against air strikes. secondly, used to surviving and defending againstairstrikes. secondly, it used to surviving and defending against air strikes. secondly, it is actually in the houthis political interest for these attacks to continue because although they say they are attacking all these merchant ships in the red sea in sympathy and support for palestinians in gaza, it is clear they are doing it because it is popular internally within yemen, which the houthis only control part of it. it is boosting their profile and influence regionally. they are becoming players within the middle east and gulf in a way they haven't been for some time. relying primarily on their iranians support. they are emerging more independent actors, so at the moment being attacked by the united states and uk is bolstering the position of the

houthis, so they are making it clear the more attacks there are, the more it is in their interest. if the more attacks there are, the more it is in their interest.— it is in their interest. if these attacks continue _ it is in their interest. if these attacks continue as - it is in their interest. if these attacks continue as well - it is in their interest. if these attacks continue as well as l it is in their interest. if these i attacks continue as well as the response from the us and the uk, what are the risks for the region? the risks are one of miscalculation and escalation. all it would take for maybe a us and uk strike to hit civilians in numbers. some of the attacks are taking place in the capital, notjust that military sites around the capital and other parts of that western coast in yemen. but also potentially if one of the houthi attacks, maybe it sinks a vessel, some of the sailors died, maybe one of its missiles gets through the defences added hits allied ship, a warship in the region, what happens? what happens

if other countries get involved? what would happen if the iranians, who are supporting the houthis, get involved? the iranians are giving drones, missiles and training. what if they choose to get involved directly? it's unlikely but not impossible. that is the risk here, that what is seen as a bit of opportunism by the houthis and defensive freedom of navigation by the allies become something more serious and the conflict thus far has been largely confined to gaza and its immediate environment suddenly spreads.— and its immediate environment suddenly spreads. thank you very much. suddenly spreads. thank you very much- that _ suddenly spreads. thank you very much. that is _ suddenly spreads. thank you very much. that is our _ suddenly spreads. thank you very much. that is our diplomatic - much. that is our diplomatic correspondent. in the us, donald trump is one step closer to the republican presidential nomination thanks to a strong win over nikki haley in the south carolina primary. the former president

won his opponent's home state by a 20—point margin, his fourth consecutive victory. as he celebrated, mr trump made no mention of ms haley — preferring to attack president biden. the former governor of south carolina says she'll fight on regardless — because she says most americans didn't wantjoe biden or donald trump as president. another victory. donna trim didn't mention his republican rival. he has his sights set on the presidential election in november. we on the presidential election in november-— on the presidential election in november. ~ , , ., ., november. we will be up and look at joe biden and — november. we will be up and look at joe biden and lock _ november. we will be up and look at joe biden and lock him _ november. we will be up and look at joe biden and lock him in _ november. we will be up and look at joe biden and lock him in the - november. we will be up and look at joe biden and lock him in the eye, i joe biden and lock him in the eye, he's a strong hour country, and we will sayjoe, you are fired, get0ut! this is another resounding win for donna trump he was steam—rolling to victory in this primary contest. in carolina he was looking to bolster

his position as the undisputed, unassailable frontrunner in this race. that's exactly what he's done. you are a rowdy bunch.— you are a rowdy bunch. despite trailin: you are a rowdy bunch. despite trailing trump _ you are a rowdy bunch. despite trailing trump by _ you are a rowdy bunch. despite trailing trump by a _ you are a rowdy bunch. despite trailing trump by a wide - you are a rowdy bunch. despite | trailing trump by a wide margin, nikki haley was defiant, bowing to continue her campaign.— continue her campaign. there are hue continue her campaign. there are huge numbers — continue her campaign. there are huge numbers of— continue her campaign. there are huge numbers of voters - continue her campaign. there are huge numbers of voters and i continue her campaign. there are huge numbers of voters and our. huge numbers of voters and our republic primaries who are saying they want an alternative. i said earlier this week that no matter what happens in south carolina, i would continue to run for president. i am a woman of my word. i would continue to run for president. i am a woman of my word.— i am a woman of my word. i think she's a great _ i am a woman of my word. i think she's a great proponent - i am a woman of my word. i think she's a great proponent for i i am a woman of my word. i think. she's a great proponent for women and its— she's a great proponent for women and it's important for us to support her. and it's important for us to support hen she _ and it's important for us to support hen she will— and it's important for us to support her. she will bring normalcy to america — her. she will bring normalcy to america and the world.- her. she will bring normalcy to america and the world. defeat year will be a personal— america and the world. defeat year will be a personal setback - america and the world. defeat year will be a personal setback for i america and the world. defeat year will be a personal setback for nikki| will be a personal setback for nikki haley. she was born in south carolina and served two terms as

state governor. the carolina and served two terms as state governor.— carolina and served two terms as state iovernor. ., .,, , ~ state governor. the two most dislike oliticians state governor. the two most dislike politicians in — state governor. the two most dislike politicians in america... _ state governor. the two most dislike politicians in america... i _ state governor. the two most dislike politicians in america... i have i state governor. the two most dislike politicians in america... i have a i politicians in america... i have a different style. _ politicians in america... i have a different style. on _ politicians in america... i have a different style. on the _ politicians in america... i have a different style. on the campaign s le, she different style. on the campaign style. she says _ different style. on the campaign style, she says is _ different style. on the campaign style, she says is the _ different style. on the campaign style, she says is the younger. different style. on the campaign i style, she says is the younger and more stable candidate. 0ver style, she says is the younger and more stable candidate. over a dozen state will hold their primaries, but with his huge lead in the polls, donald trump's supporters say race is effectively over. let's ta ke let's take you to sao paulo, where you can see images of protest is there. these are supporters of the ex—president bolsonaro. they been holding protests. thousands of his backers riding in the city's main avenues. these are demonstrators who have come out in sao paulo in support of the former president bolsonaro. it's the first major demonstration of its kind since he

left office over a year ago. 0rganisers say it's a rally in defence of democracy and the rule of law, and that bolsonaro is the victim of political persecution by the left wing government. remember, bolsonaro is under investigation for several alleged crimes. and we will have more on that story. for the first time, women injapan havejoined hadaka matsuri, or the naked festival. it's an ancient japanese ritual that's meant to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. despite its name, the women wore purple robes, and chanted excitedly, while they carried a large bamboo trunk as an offering. you are watching bbc news. headlines after this short break. hello, there.

much of the country enjoying a fine and dry part two of the weekend, with quite a bit of sunshine around after that cold, frosty and in places foggy start. so, much of the country will remain dry with sunny spells. however, low pressure to the south of the uk will continue to bring wet and windy weather to south wales, south—west england, increasingly so across the south and south—east of england through this evening and overnight. we'll see some showers driving into central northern scotland, a few across north sea coasts of england, as well, wintry in nature. but further north, where we have the clearer skies, a ridge of high pressure toppling in. it's going to be cold and frosty, less cold in the south and east because of the cloud, the wind and rain from this feature which will eventually pull out into the near continent for monday, taking the rain with it, but it will remain quite windy across england and wales. we remain in the colder air mass with this ridge of high pressure which will bring much of the country a lot of dry and sunny weather throughout the day on monday before it turns wet and windy in the far north—west later on. so, quite a windy day to come across southern and eastern areas, the rain eventually clears from sussex and from kent.

a few showers across north sea coasts, otherwise mostly dry with some sunshine thanks to that ridge of high pressure. winds lighter in the north compared to the south and east, that will really take the edge off the temperatures, very windy for the northern isles later on ahead of this weather front. so temperatures on the face of it 6—9, it will feel colder than that in the south—east when you factor in that strong north—easterly breeze. as we head through monday night, clearer skies for england and wales with the breeze tending to die down. it turns wetter, windier and cloudier for scotland and northern ireland, so here less cold than it will be across england and wales, where we will have again a frost, perhaps even a few mist and fog patches around to start the day. tuesday, we see this weather front pushing southwards and eastwards across the country, it will be weakening as it pushes into that ridge of high pressure. some heavy rain likely across scotland and northern ireland for a time, maybe some snow on the hills, that weather front weakens as it pushes into england and wales, so a rather cloudy afternoon here.

brighter for scotland and northern ireland into the afternoon, but there will be some blustery showers and these will have a wintry element to them, temperatures range from 7—10. looks like it remains unsettled for the rest of february, could turn a bit milder midweek but then it turns colder as we head into the first few days of march.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the conservative party is under increasing pressure after suspending an np of the claims of racism. lee anderson said islamists got control of the mayor of london. the deputy prime minister won't say but that the comments were islamic phobic. president zelensky reveals 31,000 ukrainian soldiers — and tens of thousands of civilians — have been killed in the two years of war with russia. it's the first time in months that official casualty figures have been released. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu tells us television that his country's forces are "weeks" away from a total victory in gaza. donald trump is one step closer to the republican presidential nomination, easily beating his only rival nikki haley in south carolina's primary. despite losing in her home state, haley has vowed to fight on in the contest.