we start this hour with the breaking news — the political leader of hamas, ismail haniyeh, has been killed in iran. hamas accused israel of being responsible and said that his death would not go unanswered. hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the united states, the uk and others. israel typically doesn't comment on its operations abroad and has made no statement as yet. we have now had a statement from their press office on facebook saying he has been eliminated, no more information on that now. reports in the iranian media say the strike occurred at about two in the morning local time. it came just hours after he attended the inauguration of the new iranian president. ismail haniyeh had been leading ceasefire negotiations with israel and his death is likely to affect

any chance of progress. our middle east correspondent yolande knell sent us this update from jerusalem. it would be quite typical of israel not to comment on an attack of this kind. it's not given a formal response, the israeli military are loosing it does not comment on reports in foreign media. we have had some indications that the israeli's prime minister office has told ministers they should not comment directly on this. that said, perhaps prior to that instruction being received, there are a couple of ministers, one writes on x, the social media platform, " so may all your enemies perish, oh, lord", quoting the bible. the heritage minister said that haniyeh�*s deaths makes the world a slightly better place. certainly, ismail haniyeh was

a wanted man as far as israel was concerned. since the deadly 7th of october attacks, led by hamas in southern israel, really, israel has been trying to target the leaders of hamas. apart from killing one senior figure in beirut earlier this year, it hadn't really managed to get to the top leadership, the masterminds of the 7th of october attacks in gaza, as far as we know. in particular, it hasn't been able to reach the hamas leader there argar software. haniyeh is someone who spent years living in exile, he is from the gaza strip and comes from a family of palestinian refugees stop ring for the last few years, is mainly based himself between qatar and turkey, has been able to do the national diplomacy on the part of hamas, travelling around the region are frequently going to iran since

the start of this war. where just enter your been asking iran to get more involved directly in the war in gaza but it had rejected that idea in the past. gaza but it had re'ected that idea in the past.— gaza but it had re'ected that idea in the pest.— in the past. when it comes to a ceasefire _ in the past. when it comes to a ceasefire deal, _ in the past. when it comes to a ceasefire deal, there _ in the past. when it comes to a ceasefire deal, there has - in the past. when it comes to a ceasefire deal, there has beenl in the past. when it comes to a | ceasefire deal, there has been a in the past. when it comes to a - ceasefire deal, there has been a lot of domestic pressure on benjamin netanyahu. they have been balancing their goal to eliminate hamas with getting hostages back, so where does that leave this balancing act? this is a ma'or that leave this balancing act? this is a major setback for those negotiations because ismail haniyeh, as the person outside of gaza, had really been overseeing the talks taking place indirectly with israel on hamas multi might behalf. he had been able to meet with the qatari and egyptian mediators. we know the us has been involved in this effort is well. there's been a new round of talks going on with the israeli delegation and meeting mediators as

recently as saturday. we had expected those negotiations to resume in the coming days. i think thatis resume in the coming days. i think that is now something that will not happen for the time being. certainly, we also have to wait and see who is named as a successor for the political leader of hamas now that ismail haniyeh has been killed. so, let's just take a closer look at who ismail haniyeh was. born in the al—shati refugee camp in gaza, haniyeh was a key member of hamas from its inception. he was imprisoned by israel a number of times, including for three years in 1989 as it cracked down on the first palestinian uprising. at one point, he was expelled to south lebanon for six months. in 2003, he survived an assassination attempt by israel, along with the hamas founder, sheikh ahmed yassin. three years later, haniyeh was appointed

palestinian prime minister by president mahmoud abbas after hamas won the most seats in national elections. however, he was dismissed a year later after the group ousted abbas�* fatah party from the gaza strip in a week of deadly violence. haniyeh had led hamas's political operations since 2017 while living in exile in qatar. he was the public face of hamas' diplomacy in arab capitals and was leading efforts to negotiate a ceasefire deal in gaza. inside hamas, haniyeh was considered to be less hard—line and militaristic than yahya sinwar, who is the head of hamas inside gaza. our gaza correspondent

rushdi abualouf is with me. you've been speaking to some hamas officials today, what have you heard so far? ., , ., officials today, what have you heard so far? . , ., ., , ., so far? early morning, it was a chaotic scene _ so far? early morning, it was a chaotic scene for _ so far? early morning, it was a chaotic scene for them, - so far? early morning, it was a chaotic scene for them, they i so far? early morning, it was a i chaotic scene for them, they were so far? early morning, it was a - chaotic scene for them, they were in a state of shock because they don't know exactly what has happened, very little information was available but it is most likely that he was killed with his personal bodyguard in his room in a residence in tehran around 2am. in the same boating, there was four other hamas leaders with him, who were travelling from joe hart with him. also the leader of islamic jihad was in the same building, so most likely what was a mess are intended to kill haniyeh because

there was two many other people also on the wanted list —— two other people who were on the wanted list. israel is not confirming they killed him but hamas said from forcing this morning that this is an assassination by israel. morning that this is an assassination b israel. �* ., assassination by israel. although we have from israel _ assassination by israel. although we have from israel right _ assassination by israel. although we have from israel right now— assassination by israel. although we have from israel right now is - assassination by israel. although we have from israel right now is that . have from israel right now is that facebook post from israel with a picture of haniyeh with the words to eliminated stamped on him. we have some information from iran, which has declared three days of national mourning after haniyeh's killing. could you remind us how safe haniyeh would have felt in iran. this isn't the first time he's travelled there. has been there around 15 times since 2017. since the 7th of october

attacks by hamas, he went to iran three times. he was in the funeral of the iranian president who was killed in the helicopter crash and he was in the ceremony yesterday in tehran, so he must have felt safe going to take around and he must have got his security advising him to go there because i understand that following the killing back in december, he was not advised to go to lebanon for security reasons. he must have felt safe to go to take ran. he was travelling between doha and turkey a couple times since the 7th of october but never been to any of those three places, qatar, istanbul or ankara and tehran. we

also have reaction from qatar, the prime minister on x has said that political assassinations and continue targeting of civilians in gaza while talks continue to lead us to ask how can mediation succeed when one party assassinate the negotiator on the other side. is a reminder, qatar place has been a key figure in these negotiations. based on what you know of where haniyeh stood in the leadership ranks and his role in negotiations, what's your assessment of how this could impact those ceasefire negotiations? we have seen a temporary stuffing of ceasefire talks when they killed a man back in december. the time for hamas is forfinding a man back in december. the time for hamas is for finding a successor or agreeing a successorfor hamas is for finding a successor or agreeing a successor for haniyeh. this is the time they will focus on

more than talking. so we might have talks that are not going anywhere for a period until they agree on who's going to be the successor of haniyeh but it is a significant killing and it is paving the way for more hard—line figures within hamas, such as yaya sanwa —— yahya sinwar who would believe was the mastermind of the 7th of october. so hamas is losing more moderate leader and the way is open to more hardline people, i think. way is open to more hardline people, ithink. i way is open to more hardline people, i think. ., ., ., ., way is open to more hardline people, ithink. ., ., ., ., ., i think. i also want to ask you one more question — i think. i also want to ask you one more question because _ i think. i also want to ask you one more question because we - i think. i also want to ask you one more question because we do - i think. i also want to ask you one | more question because we do have some sort of blueprint of how this has gone on in the past. in 2004, two hamas' senior leaders were killed and israel claims that

attack. how to hamas response, i quickly do they reform? after attack. how to hamas response, i quickly do they reform?— quickly do they reform? after the killint in quickly do they reform? after the killing in 2003, _ quickly do they reform? after the killing in 2003, i _ quickly do they reform? after the killing in 2003, i saw _ quickly do they reform? after the killing in 2003, i saw the - quickly do they reform? after the killing in 2003, i saw the unity i killing in 2003, i saw the unity from the hamas leaders who are getting inside his house and within hours they announced the new leaders. and then after a month, i also witnessed another leader being killed in gaza... also witnessed another leader being killed in gaza. . ._ killed in gaza... breaking news on the bbc, killed in gaza... breaking news on the bbc. the — killed in gaza... breaking news on the bbc, the last _ killed in gaza... breaking news on the bbc, the last few _ killed in gaza... breaking news on the bbc, the last few minutes, . killed in gaza... breaking news on i the bbc, the last few minutes, huw edwards has pleaded guilty at westminster magistrates�* court to three cou nts counts of making indecent images of children. hugh arrived just under an hour ago, the offences took place between 2020 and 2022 and relate to

images shared on a whatsapp chat. in the past few minutes, huw edwards has pleaded guilty at westminster magistrates�* court to three counts of making indecent images of children. our correspondent is at the court for us. what happened? it was a very brief appearance, as expected. the magistrate court appearances usually are, it took a matter of minutes. is served to confirm his name, address, date of birth and then he pleaded guilty to all three charges of creating indecent images of children. he was accused of creating more than 35 images of children, indecent images. at least six were said to be of category a, the most extreme level of images, so very severe. as we said, he walked in around an hour

ago, came around this corner to my right—hand sides, flanked by police officers, wearing a dark blue suits, blue tie and sunglasses. walked over surrounded by photographers who were desperate to get a picture of him and as he walked around, he was led through the doors behind me and as i just said, confirmation there that he has pleaded guilty to those three charges. this is going to sent shock waves in the media world and beyond to fans who have watched huw edwards for years, anchoring at the ten o�*clock news, leading coverage on very significant events, such as the queen�*s funeral, the coronation of the king. the also present at election programmes, taking over from david mod in 2019 and now he is convicted criminal who has admitted serious offences of making indecent images of children. as i said, i think those who have been watching him for years will find this news

perhaps shocking and upsetting. it�*s not something many will have expected but today was the first step of what could have been a lengthy process but he pleaded guilty and now we are waiting to find out from the magistrate what happens next it might go to the crown court, where he will be sentenced but we�*re waiting for that information. if sentenced but we're waiting for that information-— information. if he was found guilty, as he has now _ information. if he was found guilty, as he has now pleaded _ information. if he was found guilty, as he has now pleaded guilty, - information. if he was found guilty, as he has now pleaded guilty, the l as he has now pleaded guilty, the reporter could face a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. what happens next in the decision—making process in the courts? he happens next in the decision-making process in the courts?— process in the courts? he could face several years _ process in the courts? he could face several years behind _ process in the courts? he could face several years behind bars _ process in the courts? he could face several years behind bars but - process in the courts? he could face several years behind bars but we'rel several years behind bars but we�*re waiting for the magistrate to outline what happens next. he could go to crown court for sentencing. yes, he�*s pleaded guilty to creating some category a images, which is a serious offence, but we�*re not sure

what the details are. until we�*re sure what those details are and what the magistrate directs, we don�*t know where this will end up. but is a possibility this could go to crown court where the sentencing could take place. we could be seeing him in prison for several years. at take place. we could be seeing him in prison for several years.- in prison for several years. at the metmpolitan _ in prison for several years. at the metropolitan police _ in prison for several years. at the metropolitan police said - in prison for several years. at the metropolitan police said few - in prison for several years. at the metropolitan police said few daysj metropolitan police said few days ago that huw edwards was arrested in november last year and was charged on the 26th ofjune, so details of this onlyjust emerging in the past few days. this onlyjust emerging in the past few da s. ., �* , few days. that's right. the metropolitan _ few days. that's right. the metropolitan police - few days. that's right. the . metropolitan police confirmed few days. that's right. the - metropolitan police confirmed on monday he was facing those three charges but he was charged last month. he was arrested last november. a reminder, he stepped down from the bbc in april this year on medical grounds. after a career spanning 40 years at the organisation. we also know that last year, mr edwards was suspended from the bbc after allegations in the sun that he paid someone for sexually

explicit pictures. no offence was meant to get out of being committed and the police out the charges he has admitted to today aren�*t related to that. so the story has been, well, huw edwards has been in the headlines for a year now and today, it�*s the conclusion of what he is about to face, perhaps time behind bars, but has pleaded guilty to three significant charges. just a reminder to _ three significant charges. just a reminder to our _ three significant charges. just a reminder to our viewers - three significant charges. just a reminder to our viewers just - three significant charges. just a reminder to our viewers just joining reminder to our viewers justjoining us of this breaking news, former bbc presenter huw edwards has pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. do we know of it gave any reaction in court or set any more words? ~ ., �* ., reaction in court or set any more words? . ., �* ., ., , words? we don't at the moment but information — words? we don't at the moment but information is _ words? we don't at the moment but information is just _ words? we don't at the moment but information isjust coming _ words? we don't at the moment but information isjust coming out. - words? we don't at the moment but information isjust coming out. i - information isjust coming out. i have colleagues in the court behind me, i stepped out to talk to you. i would tell our viewers again that he

has pleaded guilty to three charges of creating indecent images of children. he�*s accused and has admitted to creating at least six pictures of category a, a very severe level of content, and he confirmed his name and date of birth and his address, as you do add magistrate court appearances. that�*s all we know at the moment, we weigh more details of where the case goes next to cash that will be outlined by the magistrates.— next to cash that will be outlined by the magistrates. remind me of what he was _ by the magistrates. remind me of what he was accused _ by the magistrates. remind me of what he was accused of, _ by the magistrates. remind me of what he was accused of, having i what he was accused of, having category a, category country brother and catch great c pictures on whatsapp, according to the charge sheet. without being too graphic, to do we know what the difference between those categories is? it seems early to go into detail but when we talk about category a, it is content of a serious sexual nature. catcher b still pretty serious but

not as bad and category say, not category a or b, that is the definition on the charge sheet. is accused of making 37 indecent images, six of which are a, 12 category beer, 19 category c. and the offences took place between 2020 and april 2022. hurst the offences took place between 2020 and april 2022-— and april 2022. huw edwards a familiar face _ and april 2022. huw edwards a familiar face to _ and april 2022. huw edwards a familiar face to so _ and april 2022. huw edwards a familiar face to so many - and april 2022. huw edwards a l familiar face to so many viewers and april 2022. huw edwards a - familiar face to so many viewers on the bbc, one of the most high—profile news presenters in the country and a serious place for the bbc as well. country and a serious place for the bbc as well-— country and a serious place for the bbc as well. ~ ,,., , ., , bbc as well. absolutely, huw edwards was the biggest _ bbc as well. absolutely, huw edwards was the biggest person _ bbc as well. absolutely, huw edwards was the biggest person in _ bbc as well. absolutely, huw edwards was the biggest person in news, - bbc as well. absolutely, huw edwards was the biggest person in news, we i was the biggest person in news, we anchored the ten o�*clock news for years but he was also the voice at moments of crisis, moments of

mourning, like the queen�*s deaths, he was always there at significant moments. many people remember him anchoring during the queen of�*s death, he was on the king�*s coronation, and he anchored the trooping the colour and took over from david dimbleby in 2019 is the main anchorfor the other from david dimbleby in 2019 is the main anchor for the other night election programme, the flagship programme that the bbc is renowned for. it was his face on it. those who have been watching him for years and have been fans of his, those who have been following his story, he spoke a lot about his mental health at one point in his career and try to encourage people to speak out, i think it will be upsetting for those people to hear that he has now admitted to these serious offences, taking indecent images of children. as i said, three categories, a, b, c. category country of its mysterious level of content and he

has admitted to taking at least six pictures that fall into that category. only last week, the bbc annual report came out and we saw that huw edwards was still one of the highest earners at the bbc, earning just short of £500,000. he got a £40,000 pay rise last year, even though he stepped down from his job injuly or was suspended, shall i say. he�*s been in the headlines on and off for the last year and this is the crescendo. he has pleaded guilty to these three offences. we�*re waiting to find out from the magistrate what happens next. he could go to crown court, where he will be sent in there but i�*m not sure at the moment what is being said because i am out here, my colleagues are inside and i will hearfrom them shortly. colleagues are inside and i will hear from them shortly. getting information _ hear from them shortly. getting information about _ hear from them shortly. getting information about what - hear from them shortly. getting | information about what happened hear from them shortly. getting i

information about what happened in court from the press association. versingh that after admitting the charges, huw edwards sat staring into the distance with his head tilted slightly he adjusted his tie as the prosecutor light up the case against him. detail starting to emerge about what i bought in the court in the last half hour or so. huw edwards stepped back from the corporation last year, reminds us? last year injuly, he was suspended after the sun made allegations that he had paid someone for sexually explicit pictures. it is important to say that no offence was found to have taken place and the police have confirmed that the charges he has today admitted to our separates, they are not related. but over the last year, he has been making headlines, at the forefront of the media news. everyone has been watching carefully and only on monday is the metropolitan police confirm that these charges had been

made against him, that he was accused of three charges of taking indecent images of children. we understand he was arrested in november, he was charged injune but we only found out on monday about the charges. i understand that was because a newspaper asked the police about them and that�*s how it all came to the forefront of the media. as i said earlier, he walked in from the side around an hour ago, came around the corner flanked by several police officers, wearing sunglasses, wearing a dark blue suit, a blue tie, he came around the corner, a photographer surrounding him tightly. at one point, one photographer fell to the ground, it was that tight, and smashed his camera. showing the eagerness of wanting to take a picture of him because huw edwards has not been seenin because huw edwards has not been seen in the public eye since he presented the news lastjuly, just before he was suspended. it�*s been a

year since he has been on our television screens.— year since he has been on our television screens. reminder of the breakint television screens. reminder of the breaking news _ television screens. reminder of the breaking news - — television screens. reminder of the breaking news - former— television screens. reminder of the breaking news - former bbc- television screens. reminder of the i breaking news - former bbc presenter breaking news — former bbc presenter hugh edwards has pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children at westminster magistrates�* court. we are being told that after admitting the charges, he sat staring into the distance with his head tilted slightly upwards and adjusted his tie as the prosecutor laid out the case against him. those details from the press association. explain what happens now with the prosecutor laying out details against him, with him pleading guilty. what rights to the magistrates�* court have, kindly sentence him if that is what happens next? i sentence him if that is what happens next? ., , ., ., �* next? i have 'ust heard that we're actuall next? i have just heard that we're actually looking _ next? i have just heard that we're actually looking at _ next? i have just heard that we're actually looking at 41 _ next? i have just heard that we're actually looking at 41 images, i next? i have just heard that we're actually looking at 41 images, notj actually looking at 41 images, not 37. we know huw edwards was accused of making 37 insouciant images, that

has now gone up to 41. that�*s a correction made in courtjust a few moments ago. i�*m still waiting to hearfrom the magistrate moments ago. i�*m still waiting to hear from the magistrate as to what happens next. it is feasible that he is sent to the crown court to be sentenced but at the magistrate will make that decision. we don�*t know the severity of the pictures was stopping if those pictures in category a, which understand our incredibly serious, decided by the magistrate to be handed over to the crown court to decide on the sentencing, that�*s where he will be headed. but it is up to the magistrate to make that decision. were still waiting for those remarks. winter stand there is some legal conversation going on between prosecution and the defence inside the court at the moment. as i said, it will be up to the magistrate to make that decision.—

it will be up to the magistrate to make that decision. thank you. a reminder. — make that decision. thank you. a reminder, huw_ make that decision. thank you. a reminder, huw edwards, - make that decision. thank you. a reminder, huw edwards, a i make that decision. thank you. a| reminder, huw edwards, a former make that decision. thank you. a i reminder, huw edwards, a former bbc news presenter, one of the most high—profile news presenters in the country, has pleaded guilty in the past 20 minutes or so to three counts of making indecent images of children. the charges relate to a 41 images that were shared on a whatsapp chat between the 2020 and 2022. we will keep across that and bring you any developments as soon as they come into us. now look at the weather. as they come into us. now look at the weather-— the weather. hello, another dry, sunny and _ the weather. hello, another dry, sunny and warm _ the weather. hello, another dry, sunny and warm day _ the weather. hello, another dry, sunny and warm day today i the weather. hello, another dry, sunny and warm day today but i the weather. hello, another dry, l sunny and warm day today but the risk of thunderstorms into the south east. pollen levels are low or moderate across the board, grass pollen now in decline. we are still talking about weeds. through today, the risk of thunderstorms in the south east could produce torrential downpours with the chance of some localised flooding but we won�*t all see that. a little dry weather

rants, sunshine and fair—weather cloud as well. some more cloud from the north sea at times. eastern scotland and northeast england with a bit more cloud today for northern ireland. your other thundery showers. downpours from then coming in from the english channel and pushing across the south east. temperatures today around 22 in glasgow, 20 in belfast, 28 in cardiff and london. but up towards the west country, up to 31. this evening, starting on a dry note but further storms developing becoming more widespread across england and wales. torrential downpours but not all of us will catch one. temperatures, muggy in the south, not as cold as last night in parts of scotland. tomorrow, at the thunderstorms moving into the north sea with dry weather as temperatures

rise and for thunderstorms developing across parts of england and wales. the potentialfor torrential downpours again. temperatures up to 28 degrees, drier across northern ireland and scotland. into the weekend, a cold front going through, producing fresher conditions. if your not enjoying the hotter weather, change in sight. tomorrow, most of with sunshine but this is the cold front bringing the cloud and the rain and it will be busier as well. you can see it as feeling fresher out towards the west. heading into the weekend, the fresher conditions prevail across us all and were looking at some rain or showers at time but a fair bit of dry weather too.

this is bbc news. the former bbc news presenter hugh edwards has arrived at westminster magistrates�* court and has pled guilty to three charges of creating indecent images of children. we have more details about what happened in the court. he apparently remained motionless as he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. after admitting the charge as he sat

staring into the distance with his head tilted slightly. more details about the fence as he pleaded guilty to. the heard edwards had been involved in an online chat with an aduu involved in an online chat with an adult man and whatsapp between august 2020 and august 2021. he sent him 307 sexual images of which 41 were indecent images of children. the court heard most of these were sent during a two—month period on february the 2nd 2021 the mail asked what eva said he was too young? and mr edwards said not to send any indecent images. category a and category b and 22 krutykh greasy. the court heard the estimated age of most of the children in the category a pictures where age between 15 and one was between seven and nine. the

category a filmed a