dead. and former us president donald trump posts a $175 million bond to new york state. "$173 million. we'll have the latest developments on his civil fraud trial. hello, i'm sally bundock. we start in the middle east — we're following developments on several key stories there this morning. four foreign aid workers have been killed in what the hamas—run health ministry says was an israeli air strike in gaza. it's understood the incident took place in the central city of deir al—balah. the ministry said the bodies of the five wearing bullet—proof vests bearing the logo of the world central

kitchen charity arrived at the hospital after their car was hit by an air strike. the israeli military says its investigating the incident. in a statement on x — formerly twitter — world central kitchen said it was aware of the reports. they described them as a �*tragedy�*, saying �*humanitarian aid workers and civilians should never be a target'. australian prime minister anthony albanese has confirmed one australian woman was among those killed — lalzawmi "zomi" frankcom — who you can see on the left here. mr albanese said he's contacted israel's ambassador to ask for accountability. the truth is that this is beyond, beyond any reasonable circumstance that someone going about providing aid and humanitarian assistance should lose their life. and there were

four aid workers as well as palestinian driver in this vehicle. this is a human tragedy that should never have occurred. that is completely unacceptable. with me is mohamed taha from bbc arabic service. various details are coming through, what more can you tell us? these workers were coming back from an area where there is a temporary platform they were receiving a from the sea. they had offloaded a load from a ship that came from cyprus and they were coming back to where they temporarily were staying in rafah in the south. the area where they targeted is fully controlled by israeli military and the irony is that

the world central kitchen is co—ordinated with the united states government and the israeli government. that is why the head of world central kitchen is inviting israel to stop the indiscriminate killing in gaza. i stop the indiscriminate killing in gaza. . in gaza. i have interviewed the u-rou in gaza. i have interviewed the grow) and _ in gaza. i have interviewed the grow) and they _ in gaza. i have interviewed the group and they are _ in gaza. i have interviewed the | group and they are well-known group and they are well—known and work in many conflict zones around the world. they know what they are doing and they are comfortable with this they have been working in gaza for quite some time.— quite some time. they were introducing _ quite some time. they were introducing an _ quite some time. they were introducing an alternative i quite some time. they were introducing an alternative to organisations that had been hit by funding lately. this they faced a lot of troubles recently so world central

kitchen was introducing an alternative in gaza and were feeding people. we saw pictures of the workers, happy doing what they do and it is a real tragedy to see this happening. stay with us please because we will get your comments on other developments covering here. i just want to bring in another story we're following this morning. we're keeping across the latest concerning the al—shifa hospital, in the north of the gaza strip. palestinian medics say they are retrieving dozens of bodies from the ruins from the al—shifa — gaza's largest hospital — after israeli forces pulled out at the end of an intense two—week operation. the israeli military says it killed and detained hundreds of gunmen and seized weapons and intelligence documents. most of al shifa's medical complex has been left in ruins. so mohammed, what more could you tell us about this? the

hosital you tell us about this? the hospital is _ you tell us about this? the hospital is now _ you tell us about this? tue: hospital is now completely you tell us about this? tte: hospital is now completely out of service and the buildings are completely burned and destroyed with no equipment working at the moment. even the areas that were used to bury the bodies of people the israeli army... you know, destroyed, this area trying to find bodies of hostages, may be, or what is of hamas and people are looking for relatives wherever they are and where are they? the israeli forces withdrew and that is why we can now see these pictures. the horrifying pictures there in the hospital. a big hospital now in central gaza is out of action and desperate people are

finding it very hard to find any aid at the moment. thank ou so any aid at the moment. thank you so much _ any aid at the moment. thank you so much for— any aid at the moment. thank you so much for bringing - any aid at the moment. thank you so much for bringing us i you so much for bringing us up—to—date on those developments. to another story we're following from the region this hour. iran has warned it'll respond decisively to an air strike on its consulate building in the syrian capital damascus. tehran is accusing israel of being repsonsible. the strike is reported to have killed up to 11 people. two senior commanders of the revolutionary guards were among the dead, including brigadier—general mohamed reza zahedi. at least five people are reported to have died in the strike — which has raised fears of an escalation of fighting in the middle east. israel has declined to comment. our international editor, jeremy bowen has the lastest. a few minutes after the attack, the building in iran's diplomatic compound in a well—off central area

of damascus seems to be on fire. the israeli strike destroyed the iranian consulate. it was a precision attack against a senior commander who will have worked hard to keep his movements secret. despite that, israeli intelligence must have tracked general mohamed reza zahedi to the meeting he was having in damascus. he was the senior iranian general in syria and lebanon — two countries iran regards as critical parts in what it says is its system of forward defence, the so—called axis of resistance. in damascus the syrian foreign minister said the general and others who died were killed by israel. translation: we strongly condemn this criminal act l carried out by the zionist enemy. these attacks can only be met by further steadfastness, further support for the palestinian people and further resistance whether in iraq or in southern lebanon. and the iranian ambassador to damascus hinted at retaliation. translation: definitely -

the zionist regime knows better than anyone that such crimes and violating international law will have its response in an appropriate time. the raid is the biggest single escalation yet in the deepening war that has been fought since the hamas attacks last october between israel and iran's network of allies here in the north of israel across the border in south lebanon and in the wider middle east. since the beginning of this year, exchanges of fire between israel and hezbollah — the iran—backed militia and political movement in lebanon have become more intense. israeli jets have been raiding deeper into lebanon and syria. in iran tonight, protesters went out onto the streets of tehran, chanting, "death to israel!" the iranian regime believes its security depends on deterring its enemies.

the raid on damascus showed that it's not doing that. the question now is what the iranians will do to show that they are not deterred by israel. a response might not be immediate or straightforward and is likely to be calibrated to reflect iran's reluctance to get involved in an all—out war. jeremy bowen, bbc news in northern israel. let's speak to amin saikal, professor of middle eastern, central asian and islamic studies at the australian national university. hello to you again. iran says it will respond decisively to what has happened. what do you think will happen next? figs think will happen next? as jerem think will happen next? sis jeremy said think will happen next? is jeremy said iran will not respond immediately because iran does not want a direct

conflict with israel which would also bring the united states into it. given the strategic partnership with the united states, if there is going to be a direct conflict of course the prime minister netanyahu... did iti of course the prime minister netanyahu... did it i think iran is likely to retaliate indirectly in iraqi, syria yemen and lebanon. but when that will happen, it is likely to take some time and as we know in the past exactly when the general was killed iran promised that they would retaliate but they took their time. perhaps one where they have retaliated is by activating or supporting the actions of the houthi against israel and the united states

and of course hamas's actions as well as hezbollah in lebanon.— as well as hezbollah in lebanon. israel has said nothing _ lebanon. israel has said nothing about _ lebanon. israel has said nothing about what - lebanon. israel has said nothing about what has| lebanon. israel has said - nothing about what has happened and has made no comment in either way. what does this tell us about israel's strategy if it is, indeed, behind this? it is part of a shadow conflict that has been going on between israel and iran for a long time. ., israel and iran for a long time. . i israel and iran for a long time. . ., �*, time. targeting each other's assets whenever _ time. targeting each other's assets whenever they - time. targeting each other's assets whenever they could | time. targeting each other's . assets whenever they could and of course israel's position is that it does not disclose its sources and who they have killed and who they bomb, particularly regarding iranians assets but iran does not comment on targets and so on. so this has been going on for some time but i think now it

has rate —— reached a dangerous level because it comes against the backdrop of of escalation of the gaza conflict and this is just another sore point that could possibly expand the conflict. tt could possibly expand the conflict. , _, , could possibly expand the conflict. , , ., conflict. if it becomes a regional— conflict. if it becomes a regional conflict - conflict. if it becomes a regional conflict as - conflict. if it becomes a - regional conflict as opposed to just what is currently happening in gaza, what will that mean? it happening in gaza, what will that mean?— that mean? it will be devastating - that mean? it will be devastating for - that mean? it will be devastating for the i that mean? it will be - devastating for the region if that happens because both science, palestinians and israelis are capable of causing huge damage to themselves and to the region and that may have also been a factor in their deterrence to act more cautiously towards each other. so they expect iran to remain cautious but whether israel

will pursue this assassination, it may come a point where iran would have to engage in a bigger retaliation and that could lead to hezbollah and lebanon and israel has already said that it wants to get rid of all threats to israel in the region. not only hamas but also hezbollah and the iranians presence in syria and the houthi and so on. i direct conflict between both sides could ignite an inferno that nobody may be able to control in the end. nobody may be able to control in the end-— in the end. thank you for talkin: in the end. thank you for talking to _ in the end. thank you for talking to us _ in the end. thank you for talking to us on - in the end. thank you for talking to us on bbc - in the end. thank you for. talking to us on bbc news. moving out of the united states under donald trump has posted a $175 million bond in his new york civil ford case. in

february he was found to have fraudulently inflated property values. he was initially ordered to pay $164 million but an appeals court said he could pay the smaller sum within 10 days. the payment means the former president staves off asset seizures by the state. mr trump claims it's all a political witch hunt. it's just one of several court cases he's facing as he looks toward the november election. our correspondent peter bowes has more. donald trump was originally ordered to pay $451; million, that was thejudgement ordered to pay $451; million, that was the judgement against him in the case in which he was found to have used fraudulent is nurse tactics to increase the profits of his company. donald trump has indicated that he is appealing that decision but his lawyers have said that it has proven to be a practical impossibility getting a bond of

that huge amount, almost half $1 billion, to satisfy the legal system in new york while the appeal process moves forward. so there was an appeal of that and a panel ofjudges last month slashed the amount to $175 million which has now been met by a bond company here in california. we heard from one of donald trump �*s lawyers who issued a short statement saying that as promised, president trump has posted pond and looks forward to vindicating his rights on appeal and overturning what the lawyer calls this unjust verdict. this appeal could take several months. it could go well on beyond the november election and in the meantime the former president faces no less than four criminal trials, they won't all necessarily happen before the election but the first is due to take place the first is due to take place

the hush money case involving the hush money case involving the adult film actress stormy daniels, scheduled to start in two week's time in manhattan. florida's top court has paved the way for the state's 6—week abortion ban to take effect. justices on the state's supreme court upheld a republican—backed law that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy — which would come into effect in may. until now, florida has allowed abortions up to 15 weeks. however, in a separate decision, the court will also let voters decide in november whether to expand abortion access. 60% of voters would need to approve the measure. caroline kitchener is a reporter covering abortion for the washington post. she has more on the reaction to florida's supreme court ruling. i have been on the phone all night with abortion providers

across the country who are really struggling to put into words the effect that this is going to have on abortion access nationwide. already we have clinics in states like illinois and north carolina, the closest access points for people in the south, they are struggling to meet demand and now we have this huge state, florida is the third most populous state in the country, a huge state that is going to severely restrict the procedure so the question on everyone's mind is where we'll all these women go? around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

rising anger over illegal immigration is dominating the political agenda in the run up to south africa's election in may. the government claims it's tightening security on its border. but the bbc has travelled to the country's busiest crossing post and, close by, witnessed migrants coming over

the border unchallenged. jenny hill sent this report from the town of musina. it isa it is a freedom of movement that south africa would rather you did not see. on its border with zimbabwe, no guards, no barrier, no control. it is supposed to be an official border between two countries but people here tell us it is a five—minute walk from the nearest village in zimbabwe, over there, across this river to south africa. there is nothing to stop them. a way in for those seeking a better life, and an easy target as well for criminal gangs. nearby, the remains of an old borderfence, an obstacle nearby, the remains of an old border fence, an obstacle for smugglers and traffickers. it is a dangerousjourney smugglers and traffickers. it is a dangerous journey for migrants. those who make it through the bush to the nearest town of musina shed terrible

stories. t town of musina shed terrible stories. ., , ~ town of musina shed terrible stories. . , ~ ., h, stories. i was thinking about my situation _ stories. i was thinking about my situation too _ stories. i was thinking about my situation too much. - stories. i was thinking about my situation too much. the | stories. i was thinking about - my situation too much. the men who raped _ my situation too much. the men who raped her— my situation too much. the men who raped her could _ my situation too much. the men who raped her could see - my situation too much. the men who raped her could see she - my situation too much. the men | who raped her could see she was pregnant. she told us they attacked her with glass bottles as well. t attacked her with glass bottles as well. .,, as well. i saw those men did. for south _ as well. i saw those men did. for south africa's _ as well. i saw those men did. . for south africa's undocumented migrants, a life in the shadows.— migrants, a life in the shadows. ., . . , migrants, a life in the shadows. ., . . m shadows. no electricity. no-one knows how— shadows. no electricity. no-one knows how many _ shadows. no electricity. no-one knows how many people - shadows. no electricity. no-one knows how many people have i knows how many people have slipped in to the country and plan to stay. this man cannot return to zimbabwe, he says. there is nothing there. we are starving. there is no food. south africa wants to take that control, off to defend its borders, new recruits. but even the head of a recently formed border authority admit it is going to take time. t border authority admit it is going to take time.- going to take time. i can assure you _ going to take time. i can assure you now - going to take time. i can assure you now that - going to take time. i can

assure you now that the | going to take time. i can - assure you now that the current leadership understands the criticality of this work so we have started to fortify and sanitise environment and hopefully in the next few years we should succeed.— we should succeed. south africa's ruling _ we should succeed. south africa's ruling party - we should succeed. south africa's ruling party may l we should succeed. south i africa's ruling party may not have years. illicit cross—border trade may be flourishing but this country is not. it's infrastructure is struggling and an election is coming. illegal immigration is a big issue. it coming. illegal immigration is a big issue-— a big issue. it would be offensive _ a big issue. it would be offensive to _ a big issue. it would be offensive to not - a big issue. it would be offensive to not even i a big issue. it would be - offensive to not even speak about the reality of what it does to our public systems when people do not pay taxes. that they expect to live and benefit from the goods and services that our government provides. even as south africa prepares, perhaps, to redraw its political map, need, desperation define the limits of the country. jenny hill, bbc news, musina.

the government's heralding the biggest ever expansion of childcare in the country — with changes coming into effect from april 1st. the new scheme means parents in england can now access 15 hours of weekly childcare for their two—year—olds — but there are warnings from the industry that the funding does not meet demand. vanessa clarke reports. from a quick stumbled to the back of the net. the children here are quick learners. some of the child care hours are being paid for by the government giving their parents a helping hand. balancing the books is proving tricky for the nursery. books is proving tricky for the nurse . ., y books is proving tricky for the nurse . ., , ._ books is proving tricky for the nurse . ., , ., nursery. the only way that we can remain — nursery. the only way that we can remain financially - nursery. the only way that we can remain financially viable l can remain financially viable is by asking parents a supplement to the funding, a subsidy allowance. parents are unclear as to how funding works so, in a way, they blame the nurseries for trying to get

extra because they think it is all going for free. the extra because they think it is all going for free.— all going for free. the first art of all going for free. the first part of the _ all going for free. the first part of the rollout - all going for free. the first part of the rollout is - all going for free. the first | part of the rollout is aimed all going for free. the first i part of the rollout is aimed at eligible working parents of two years old who can now access 15 hours. the next step will be for younger children. for kirsty, the changes are a chance to increase her hours at work, if she can find a place. i've been to three nurseries and put down on three lists because they have. it will help in its in a way.— because they have. it will help in its in a way. the department for education _ in its in a way. the department for education says _ in its in a way. the department for education says it _ in its in a way. the department for education says it is - for education says it is confident in the strength of the childcare market to deliver this expansion and that funding rates for younger children have increased, as have the number of childcare places and staff. as demand grows, the plans rely on nurseries and childminders providing even more cases like this. with the annual cost of

nursery space now more than £15,000, any help will be welcome news to parents. it is the sector prepares for the next expansion in september which will include even younger children, questions over funding, availability and staffing will continue. vanessa clarke, bbc news. we'll have more on this story later this hour on world business report. let's bring you more detail on our top story this hour. that being the news of the four foreign aid workers who had been killed in what the hamas run health ministry say was an israeli airstrike on gaza. you can see here on the map it is understood the incident took place in that central city, day al—balah. they were wearing bullet—proof vests and arrived at hospital after a car was hit

by an airstrike. a journalist who works for the bbc in gaza has seen the bodies of three international aid workers and a palestinian driver recovered from the site of this strike. the passports of the international staff were recovered showing to be from the uk, poland and australia. australia's prime minister, anthony albanese he has confirmed that the australian national among the four who have died is the woman here in this video. just to confirm that the passport recovered show workers from the uk, poland and australia. hello there. easter monday brought a day of mixed fortunes, and it's going to be a similar story throughout the week. now, across eastern england, we had some sunshine and where it stayed dry, it was relatively warm — 16 degrees, 61 fahrenheit. but cloud and rain pushing its way steadily northwards. it stayed rather grey

and overcast in western scotland, withjust a high of 5 celsius here. now, that weatherfront is going to linger, weakening all the time. but a brisk northeasterly wind will dominate the story across the far north of scotland. clearer skies for a time, early morning mist and fog, perhaps, for england and wales. some showers easing away from the southeast. but eventually, as we go through the day, we'll start to see some outbreaks of rain pushing into the southwest. and as this front gradually moves its way north, the winds will strengthen here. but ahead of it, with some sunny spells injust a few isolated showers, one or two spots, again, could see temperatures into the mid—teens. not a bad afternoon with a few isolated showers for northern ireland. scotland will stay rather grey and overcast, with outbreaks of showery rain, and that brisk north—easterly wind at times will make it feel rather cool, just a maximum of 6—8 celsius. now, we'll see that frontal system down to the south—west, bringing some wet and windy weather through the night tuesday into the early hours of wednesday morning. the wind direction coming from the south—west,

so it will be a mild start to wednesday, with double figures perhaps likely across the far southeast. but we will see outbreaks of rain gradually pushing their way steadily northwards. the wind direction here is south—westerly, so driving in some milder air, but we still keep that north—easterly feed in scotland — a real contrast with the temperatures over the next few days. so we're looking at 5—7 degrees across the far north—east, highs of 15, possibly 16 degrees once again, somewhere across south and eastern england. now, towards the end of the week, low pressure is going to continue to dominate, but still that wind source coming all the way from the southwest. so it will be mild, but it will still continue to be pretty wet at times. but the mild air sitting across the vast majority, still the far north—east of scotland staying on the cooler side. so, here, those temperatures will struggle a little, but there'll be showers

or longer spells of rain. when we get some brightness, temperatures are going to respond. take care.

live from london, this is bbc news.

america's ev giant due to report sales figures on wall street does not seem optimistic. tourism's latest frontier we take a look at the growing demand for arctic travel. hello, i'm sally bundock with the top business stories, and we begin in portugal today where the new prime minister luis montenegro takes up office after weeks of negotiations to form a new government. his party, the democratic alliance won just 29 percent of the vote — roughly the same level as that of the socialist party led by the outgoing prime minister antonio costa. so what are the economic challenges facing the new administration? well, overall the economy is weak, with growth estimated to be about 1.9 percent year

on year in the first quarter of this year —