hello, i'm steven lai. you're watching the context on bbc news. translation: we have hit out and we will continue _ doing so against anyone who murders our citizens and hurts our country. then his days are numbered. what israel has done is to fight back and sent eight rather strong message to iran and its two most important proxies, hezbollah and hamas. this is a massive gamble by the israelis. will this be the spark that tips the region into the all out war that so many people there with catastrophic consequences? joining me tonight are anna gross, political correspondent

at the financial times and bhaskar sunkara, politicaljournalist and president of the nation magazine. first — the latest headlines. the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu says israel has delivered crushing blows to all its enemies in recent days. mr netanyahu's televised address was his first public statement since the political leader of hamas, ismail haniyeh, was assassinated in tehran. hours earlier a senior his brother commander was killed in beirut. protesters have attacked police outside downing street in central london, throwing cans and glass bottles at officers in riot gear. the protest is being held after the stabbings in southport on monday when three young girls were killed. detectives investigating the attack have been granted more time to question a 17—year—old boy. the bbc says it is �*shocked' by what it calls the �*abhorrent behaviour�* of former presenter huw edwards — who's pleaded guilty

to charges of making child abuse images. the images were sent to him by a man police say is a convicted paedophile. a respected ngo which was invited by venezuela to monitor sunday's presidential poll has said the election "cannot be considered democratic". there have been protests across the country, since president nicolas maduro was declared the winner on monday. the result has been disputed by the opposition which says its candidate won by a wide margin. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu says his country has challenging days ahead — but is prepared for all scenarios, following the killing of senior leaders of two iranian—backed groups. mr netanyahu said israel had dealt what he described as a �*crushing blow to its enemies�* through the attack that killed the his brother leader in lebanon. that death — and the killing of the political leader of hamas in tehran —

are driving fears of an escalation of the conflict. the hamas leader ismail haniyeh was in the iranian capital, where on sunday he was a guest at the inauguration of the country�*s new president. according to iranian state media, he was killed when the building he was staying in was struck by a missile around 2am local time. israel hasn�*t commented on that death. but israel has claimed responsibilty for the death of a senior commander from the iranian—backed his brother group. faud shakr was killed in an air strike in the lebanese capital, beirut. — — hezbollah. his brother says his body has now been recovered. here�*s some of what mr netanyahu said in his televised address, less than an hour ago. said in his televised address, there said in his televised address, is an alliance of life i: us. there is an alliance of life between us. and the murder of children has added to this endless suffering of our dear inhabitants of the north who are displaced now and have been hit so hard. but we will not remain

silent. we have vowed, we have hit out and we will continue doing so against anyone who murders our citizens and hurts our country, then his days are numbered. citizens of israel, there are very challenging days ahead. we have been hearing those threats from everywhere. we�*re ready for any scenario and we will stanko he used and ready against any threat. they will pay the price if there is any aggression against where ever that theatre is. as fears of escalation grow, azadeh moshiri has more on the ties between iran and groups opposed to israel. you can barely see gaza on this map. and yet, as we�*ve seen over the course of this war, what happens on this small strip of land has far—reaching implications across the entire region.

and that�*s because of hamas, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation by the united states and the uk, as well as several other countries. and its long standing ties with iran, which is known to provide financing military support, weapons training, and because of that, any implications of actions. anything that happens with hamas also has implications in terms of what iran will do. and yet hamas is not the only one with these ties to iran. there�*s also hezbollah, an islamist military and political organisation in lebanon, which has considerable power. now, one of their top commanders was reportedly assassinated by israel last night. and we also know that one of their representatives was also in iran during that high profile event where ismail haniyeh was assassinated afterwards. now, they weren�*t the only one. palestinian islamichhad,

the second biggest group in gaza, also had a representative that day on iranian soil, and they are also known to receive military and financial support from iran. and that�*s not all. they�*re also the rebels in yemen. the houthi rebels, who are also known to have strong ties to iran. all of this is why you keep hearing that word escalation, why there are so many concerns that a war that has largely taken place in gaza will escalate further on that border with lebanon, as well as involve other fronts, including through shia militias in syria, who also have ties to iran. now, all of this is also why israel has been trying to disrupt supply chains from iran to hamas. in other parts of the map you�*re looking at right now, whether that�*s through sudan, the red sea, yemen, or even via smugglers

in the sinai peninsula. now, this isn�*t going to quell any of those fears from the international community. it�*s the reaction from iran�*s supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei, who said, we consider it our duty to avenge his blood. that�*s referring to the assassination of ismail haniyeh, because this was an attack on their own soil during the presidential inauguration of pezeshkian, no less, and is a blow to their security apparatus in the region. and that�*s why there are so many concerns that we could see an escalation in a war that�*s seen so much death and destruction. let�*s bring in today�*s panel: anna gross, political correspondent at the financial times and bhaskar sunkara, politicaljournalist and president of the nation magazine. anna, first i want to get your

reaction to president netanyahu whose words used earlier, were prepared for any scenario and stand united against any threat. he is expecting a retaliation from rihanna dues iran, isn�*t he? he expecting a retaliation from rihanna dues iran, isn't he?— dues iran, isn't he? he is certainly indicatin: dues iran, isn't he? he is certainly indicating that _ dues iran, isn't he? he is certainly indicating that he _ dues iran, isn't he? he is certainly indicating that he is. _ dues iran, isn't he? he is certainly indicating that he is. i _ dues iran, isn't he? he is certainly indicating that he is. i think - indicating that he is. i think the whole point of the attack, as supposed to been quite successful in doing this is showing we have might hold up we also have very successful, very capable intelligence capabilities. he is certainly trying to give the impression that he�*s ready for a fight or he is ready for any type of retaliatory response. when it comes to ismail haniyeh he is one of the most high—profile mothers of hamas to be killed. this is in some ways a positive moment for israel because they have spent months and months and months claiming to their public

that they are going to be able to neutralise the threat posed by hamas. and yet have failed to show any examples of anyone they been able to take out. they finally got an example of a single person. however this person was a mediator. he was a very key person and acting as an interlock between the various mediating groups. neutral parties like qatar have said this was a terrible person to take out and it�*s going to destabilise efforts to come to some sort of agreement. it to some sort of agreement. it certainly does change things when the death of some of its aligned to help with negotiation to come to some sort of cease—fire get taken out. what do you think the white house is thinking at the moment when they see these activities that israel is pursuing? presumably they

must�*ve known to a certain extent or perhaps assisted in these activities will but what do you think about those claims? i will but what do you think about those claims?— those claims? i think the white house as a _ those claims? i think the white house as a whole _ those claims? i think the white house as a whole feels - those claims? i think the white house as a whole feels like - those claims? i think the white | house as a whole feels like they those claims? i think the white - house as a whole feels like they are totally _ house as a whole feels like they are totally out _ house as a whole feels like they are totally out of control. they have no control_ totally out of control. they have no control over — totally out of control. they have no control over israeli action. obviously the us has been the primary— obviously the us has been the primary benefactor of israel for many— primary benefactor of israel for many decades will stop at the biden administration has continually tried to urge _ administration has continually tried to urge caution to netanyahu whose government. in return they've gotten basically— government. in return they've gotten basically nothing back. if anything they've _ basically nothing back. if anything they've gotten further netanyahu posing _ they've gotten further netanyahu posing for photo ops with donald trump _ posing for photo ops with donald trump on — posing for photo ops with donald trump on the presidential campaign. i wouldn't _ trump on the presidential campaign. i wouldn't be so certain that the white _ i wouldn't be so certain that the white house gave any sort of approval— white house gave any sort of approval for this action. i also in general— approval for this action. i also in general question the long—standing belief_ general question the long—standing belief that israel is primarily a

tool of— belief that israel is primarily a tool of us interest. i think the israeli — tool of us interest. i think the israeli government is exercising a huge _ israeli government is exercising a huge amount of autonomy and risks escalation— huge amount of autonomy and risks escalation that the united states definitely does not want. what ha--ens definitely does not want. what happens if _ definitely does not want. what happens if there _ definitely does not want. what happens if there is _ definitely does not want. what happens if there is an - definitely does not want. �*w�*isgt happens if there is an escalation? does it shake the commitment that us has for israel? i does it shake the commitment that us has for israel?— has for israel? i think biden is relative every _ has for israel? i think biden is relative every era _ has for israel? i think biden is relative every era crack. - has for israel? i think biden is relative every era crack. i - has for israel? i think biden is | relative every era crack. i think has for israel? i think biden is i relative every era crack. i think is where _ relative every era crack. i think is where we — relative every era crack. i think is where we have to go beyond the rational— where we have to go beyond the rational interests of nations and think— rational interests of nations and think about his own political trajectory. he's going to change in the next _ trajectory. he's going to change in the next few months. i do think there _ the next few months. i do think there is— the next few months. i do think there is real potential for change with the — there is real potential for change with the new democratic party administration. the democratic party is change _ administration. the democratic party is change. it's not unified behind the same — is change. it's not unified behind the same consensus in support of lsraet _ the same consensus in support of lsraet i_ the same consensus in support of israel. i think there is an understanding in the mainstream of the democratic party that israel has certain— the democratic party that israel has certain rights of self—defense. and the language they use but i do think there _ the language they use but i do think there will— the language they use but i do think there will be less of a feeling that there _ there will be less of a feeling that there is— there will be less of a feeling that there is a —

there will be less of a feeling that there is a blank check. i think it is telling — there is a blank check. i think it is telling that harris was not present— is telling that harris was not present for netanyahu speech. i think— present for netanyahu speech. i think it — present for netanyahu speech. i think it avoided in an uncomfortable discussion— think it avoided in an uncomfortable discussion even mainstream supporters of the democratic party, the presidential discussion has been potarised _ the presidential discussion has been polarised around israel in ways i personally did not expect. do stay with us. personally did not expect. do stay with us- we _ personally did not expect. do stay with us. we have _ personally did not expect. do stay with us. we have plenty _ personally did not expect. do stay with us. we have plenty more - personally did not expect. do stay with us. we have plenty more to i personally did not expect. do stay i with us. we have plenty more to talk about in the hour ahead. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. huw edwards, once the bbc�*s most senior news presenter, has pleaded guilty to having images showing show child sex abuse after exchanging messages with a convicted paedophile on whatsapp. at westminster magistrates�* court, he admitted to having 41 indecent images of children. our media editor katie razzall has more on the bbc�*s handling of their former employee. the bbc, as you said,

continued paying huw edwards, his vast salary, for five months after he was arrested, so questions around why that was. why also did they let him leave on his own terms? you remember, he resigned from the bbc in april, he said on the medical advice of doctors. we heard only last week he was the third highest paid presenter on the bbc, that he was paid for months while he was suspended, and of course people will ask will the bbc he trying to recoup that money? my understanding is there�*s no legal recourse, no legal way of doing that. protesters have attacked police outside downing street in central london, throwing cans and glass bottles at officers in riot gear. the protest is being held after the stabbings in southport on monday when three young girls were killed and eight other children injured. detectives investigating the attack have been granted more time to question a 17—year—old boy.

unrest broke out in the merseyside town hours after a vigil to honour the victims of monday�*s knife attack at a dance school. more than 50 police officers and three police dogs were injured during the violence, which erupted after false information circulated about the suspect who is being held. local mp patrick hurley said "thugs" who travelled to southport to use the deaths of three children "for their own political purposes" were to blame. ellie, tell us what the situation is at the moment.— ellie, tell us what the situation is at the moment. this is not a riot. you can see _ at the moment. this is not a riot. you can see from _ at the moment. this is not a riot. you can see from behind - at the moment. this is not a riot. you can see from behind me - at the moment. this is not a riot. | you can see from behind me there are probably more police and protesters here. as we�*ve been standing police have been leading the way protesters, many in handcuffs. we understand more than a dozen arrests have been made. but by no means has this been described as a riot. i�*ve

heard glass being thrown, chance at police as well as very homophobic chance being made around here in whitehall. where right in the centre of london. down to the left is downing street the resident of the prime minister. you can see the cenotaph, the most famous war memorial here in london. just behind me a group of around 17 protesters were essentially pended by police. to give you a bit more geography, either end of whitehall is also cordoned off by police officers. probably never hundred police manning the barricades. there has been these chance, the suggestion of scuffles but by no means a riot here. i understand a number of about four bouquets of flowers have been put on the barrier of downing street. we understand those are floral tributes paying tribute to

those young children who were murdered in southport the other day. at the moment quiet here but it certainly has been rather loud in the past couple of hours. hope the past couple of hours. how would ou the past couple of hours. how would you describe — the past couple of hours. how would you describe it _ the past couple of hours. how would you describe it now? _ the past couple of hours. how would you describe it now? is _ the past couple of hours. how would you describe it now? is quieter- the past couple of hours. how would you describe it now? is quieter than| you describe it now? is quieter than it has been. is there any thought that numbers could resurface onto the streets? i that numbers could resurface onto the streets?— the streets? i think there's a sense of olice the streets? i think there's a sense of police rrot _ the streets? i think there's a sense of police not taking _ the streets? i think there's a sense of police not taking anything - the streets? i think there's a sense of police not taking anything for. of police not taking anything for granted. certainly because of the scenes we saw in southport last night for the this playwright in the centre of london, the prime is residents right there. absolutely no chances being taken whatsoever. it is quiet. you can hear the talking of protesters, those people being led away in handcuffs certainly not very happy. some obviously showing their displeasure to the police at they are led away. i can�*t even hear they are led away. i can�*t even hear the chance so far as i stand here. last chance. there are two cordons

stopping other people for entering this area. it is difficult to see what you are on that side who is here to protest and who is simply here to protest and who is simply here to protest and who is simply here to wonder what�*s going on. i spoke to a taurus as i was walking up spoke to a taurus as i was walking up who said what are they protesting for and it�*s difficult sometimes to give an answer to that question. —— taurus. give an answer to that question. -- taurus. . ~ give an answer to that question. -- taurus. ., ,, , ., ., , ., our bbc verify reporter merlyn thomas has been taking a look at the disinformation that lead to the violence. for a closer at how those false rumours about the suspect began and how quickly the violence escalated, here�*s our bbc verify reporter, merlyn thomas: this poster started circulating on social media hours after the stabbing on monday. now, almost immediately after the incident, baseless rumours began spreading online that claimed without evidence that an asylum seeker who arrived to the uk by boat last year was responsible for the attack. an incorrect name for the suspect was also shared widely.

now, this is despite merseyside police confirming that the 17—year—old suspect was born in cardiff and lived locally in southport. and so far as we know, the suspect has no known links to islam. other images like this have also been shared by social media influencer andrew tate, incorrectly identifying a man as the attacker, and sharing a photo of an arrest that actually took place last year. but the damage was already done. these posts had already been viewed by millions, and this misinformation, along with the local shock and grief, was likely a contributing factor to the anger and violence. now, at around 7.45 pm, a large group of protesters began to gather outside the mosque and in videos verified by our team, you can see them attacking police. in live streams, some protesters on the streets of southport repeated false claims about the attacker and claimed that authorities were hiding information from the public. there were also chants against islam and in support of stephen yaxley—lennon, otherwise known as tommy robinson, the far right activist. now, we also saw several people holding placards with messages like this with anti—migrant

and anti—refugee sentiment. our teams also looked into how this information spread online. so islam, muslim and terror were among the most used words posted by people on x with the southport hashtag. even though the suspect has no known links to islam. now, it�*s worth noting thatjust because posts might be using these keywords, it doesn�*t mean that they�*re all spreading misinformation. some have used these terms to just push back against false claims and racism. meanwhile, the misinformation continues online and more protests are still being called for. let�*s bring in the panel: anna gross, political correspondent at the financial times and bhaskar sunkara, politicaljournalist and president of the nation magazine. anna, what do you make about the speed at which it turned violent and how social media played a part? it is incredible to see the degree of disinformation that was spread and how it happened. you�*ve got a

growing phenomenon where a very large portion of the public get pretty much all of their information from social media, from whatsapp, from social media, from whatsapp, from twitter, from tiktok and therefore have very little other sources to counterbalance claims that they receive there. adding to the mix, as a reporter pointed out, you have very prominent right—wing figures exacerbating a narrative. you had nigel farage the leader of reformed uk and now in mp saying there are questions to be answered here. and raising the question of whether things will be in head to and from the public. tommy robertson, the far right activists said in a post on x that people were justified in their anger. you have

this hotbed of information that is being drummed up and exacerbated by prominent figures. also i think what we�*re seeing here is that there is a quite receptive audience to some of these arguments. and there has been growing resentment around asylum seekers coming over that has been drummed up by certain areas of the media, certain prominent figures. a growing phenomenon of islamic phobia, which is not completely distinct from that concern about people arriving, asylum—seekers, people arriving, asylum—seekers, people sense the feeling that people take jobs, people sense the feeling that people takejobs, taking homes. ithink is a mixture of all of those things coming together. you are seeing that anger ferment coming together. you are seeing that angerferment and bubble

coming together. you are seeing that anger ferment and bubble over. coming together. you are seeing that angerferment and bubble over. it coming together. you are seeing that anger ferment and bubble over. it is really quite concerning to see. you are based in _ really quite concerning to see. you are based in the _ really quite concerning to see. you are based in the states. i want to ask you if you see parallels with what�*s been happening in the uk. first i want to show you this clip from the republican senator george lange and get your reaction to it. we�*re in a fight for our kids and our grandkids, a fight that we can never imagine. i believe wholeheartedly that trump and jd vance are the last chance to save our country, politically. i�*m afraid if we lose this one it�*s going to take a civil war to save the country. it will be saved. it�*s the greatest experiment in the history of mankind. and if we come down to a civil war, i�*m glad we�*ve got schmidy and bikers for trump on our side. he apologise for those remarks. but

clearly the sentiment that you can hear from clearly the sentiment that you can hearfrom places clearly the sentiment that you can hear from places like the uk as well play out in the us. that question for you. play out in the us. that question foryou. i play out in the us. that question for ou. ., �* ~' play out in the us. that question for ou. ~ , ., ., for you. i don't think the situation is as bad in _ for you. i don't think the situation is as bad in the united _ for you. i don't think the situation is as bad in the united states. - for you. i don't think the situation is as bad in the united states. in | for you. i don't think the situation | is as bad in the united states. in a certain— is as bad in the united states. in a certain sense i think the united states— certain sense i think the united states pushes images to the world of our very— states pushes images to the world of our very worst most eccentric politicians, the most contentious protests. — politicians, the most contentious protests, would push out images of a country— protests, would push out images of a country disorder. i think the key difference — country disorder. i think the key difference right now is probably that there is still a pretty booming economy— that there is still a pretty booming economy in the united states. i think— economy in the united states. i think there is still a stance in certain— think there is still a stance in certain quarters, less desperation around _ certain quarters, less desperation around cost—of—living, around the housing _ around cost—of—living, around the housing crisis was that we have all these _ housing crisis was that we have all these things in the united states but it— these things in the united states but it is— these things in the united states but it is i— these things in the united states but it is i think at a lower level. and _ but it is i think at a lower level. and it _ but it is i think at a lower level. and it feeds into less overall bubbles _ and it feeds into less overall bubbles of xenophobia and immigrant sentiments on the one—hit you've got

donald _ sentiments on the one—hit you've got donald trump as this figure with a tremendous reach that is advocating about— tremendous reach that is advocating about these incredible measures like mass deportation and undocumented immigrants on his election. on the other— immigrants on his election. on the other hand — immigrants on his election. on the other hand 60% of americans still believe _ other hand 60% of americans still believe in — other hand 60% of americans still believe in birthright citizenship for the — believe in birthright citizenship for the children of people even when they are _ for the children of people even when they are here undocumented. this is ithink— they are here undocumented. this is i think something that would be the case in _ i think something that would be the case in most parts of europe, even in the _ case in most parts of europe, even in the uk — casein most parts of europe, even in the uk i— case in most parts of europe, even in the uk. i do think it boils down to beating — in the uk. i do think it boils down to beating this xenophobia through an economic programme, in large part for them _ an economic programme, in large part for them not _ an economic programme, in large part for them not through cultural re—education. obviously, there are certain— re—education. obviously, there are certain people that should be pushed back against when they are advocating islamic views and the like fundamentally we have millions of people _ like fundamentally we have millions of people across the uk who feel they have — of people across the uk who feel they have no control over their economy, _ they have no control over their economy, seeing vasily deindustrialisation of their city. and this — deindustrialisation of their city. and this feeling of a lack of

control— and this feeling of a lack of control was a spur behind support for brexit — control was a spur behind support for brexit. in economics policies have _ for brexit. in economics policies have only— for brexit. in economics policies have only made problems worse. i think— have only made problems worse. i think the _ have only made problems worse. i think the politicians need to speak to that _ think the politicians need to speak to that through economic redress and through— to that through economic redress and through promoting a vision of growth that shows _ through promoting a vision of growth that shows that it's not a zero—sum and that— that shows that it's not a zero—sum and that immigrants are taking but rather— and that immigrants are taking but rather contributing to the functioning society and economy. yes and the functioning society and economy. jazz and they could feel inclusive as well perhaps that will calm tensions. to stay with us. i want to bring you pictures to london where we can see things are looking quite a bit calm her. we see some people being led away. —— a bit calm her. it�*s a people being led away by police. in light of protest in london which appears to be dispersing relatively calmly. a different picture what we saw last night in southport. will be following the story and will have

more conversation with our guests in just a few moments with them to stay with us right here on bbc news. hello there. temperatures reached 29—30 degrees across southern parts of the uk again today, but we�*re starting to see a few changes. there has already been the odd shower around, but things are going to get more active overnight and into tomorrow with the risk of some thundery downpours, mainly across england and wales. but if we look towards the west, across northern ireland, there are some showers here and those will develop and push their way across southern scotland and then really generate some heavy, thundery downpours across england and wales later on in the night. a lot of cloud around overnight. it�*s going to be pretty warm out there, 17 degrees minimum in the south—east of england. and for scotland, it�*s going to be a lot warmer than it was last night. but we�*ve got the downpours to begin with across the midlands, northern england — it could be thundery — move out of the way and then we get a bit of sunshine that will trigger

some further thundery showers for england and wales, whereas scotland and northern ireland, looking much drier. and, with a bit more sunshine in the afternoon, temperatures could be a little bit higher than today. elsewhere for england and wales, temperatures aren�*t going to be as high as they have been, but still very warm out there, particularly if you do miss those showers. now, we started the week with high pressure dominant. we�*re going to end the week with low pressure more dominant. there still could be some showers to clear away from eastern parts of england on friday morning. and then we look to the west because we�*ve got this cloud thickening the wind picking up a bit and some rain moving in too. so northern and western areas will see temperatures a little bit lower. but ahead of that rain through the midlands and eastern england, it�*s going to be a very warm end to the week. we�*ve still got temperatures 27—28 degrees. that will change, though, as we head through the weekend, because that weather front that�*s bringing the rain in the west will move its way eastwards may not be huge amounts of rain affecting some eastern parts of england on saturday morning. that moves away, sunshine follows on many places will be dry on saturday,

but the wind picking up in the north west will bring showers to northern ireland and western scotland, and those temperatures are going to be lower. we�*re looking at a top temperature of 25 degrees. we�*re all in this cooler and fresher air on saturday, with more of a west to south—westerly wind. further low pressure heading towards the north—west of the uk will eventually bring this rain in from the atlantic, so not such a good weekend for this part of the country. elsewhere, for england and wales, it�*s likely to be dry. there�*ll be some cloud, but some sunshine through the midlands and eastern parts of england and feeling quite pleasant — temperatures 23 or 24.

hello, i�*m steven lai. you�*re watching the context on bbc news. kamala harris heads to texas in a few hours — after being confirmed that she�*s the only democratic candidate in the race for the white house. will dive into us politics in a bit. experts say there�*s more hope than "ever before" that nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed. researchers have identified two new risk factors: high or bad for an estimated 7% of cases, while another 2% of cases are attributable to untreated vision loss in later life. they say addressing these factors —

as well as a number of others — gives people the best chance of reducing the chances