welcome to bbc news. i'm lewis vaughan jones. our top stories: president trump defends the killing of iran's top military commander in an airstrike. safe at last — relief as the australian navy rescues a thousand people who'd been trapped on the coast by bushfires. hello and welcome to bbc news. iran has vowed ‘severe revenge‘ against the united states after the killing of iranian military commander qasem soleimani. he was blown up outside baghdad airport in the early hours of friday morning, on the orders of president trump. here's our middle east

editorjeremy bowen. this was the moment that the us assassinated qasem soleimani and pushed the middle east into a new year and new decade of uncertainty and more danger. the pictures came from a tv station controlled by iran. the attack, from a missile fired from a drone, hit his motorcade as he was being driven out of baghdad airport. the us and iran were already fighting a war in the shadows. neither side wants uncontrolled escalation, but the chances of miscalculation and a lurch into a bigger war have increased. qasem soleimani was no ordinary foe. for a generation, he was probably america's most capable enemy. his death delivers a blow to the heart of the iranian regime. for many years, soleimani built up iran's power outside its borders and made it, and himself,

a major player in iraq, syria and lebanon. he was a talisman for iranian hardliners who have been rocked to their core. they'll want to get even — perhaps more than that. last sunday, american air strikes killed 25 members of kata'ib hezbollah, an iraqi militia armed and trained by soleimani's quds organisation, after an american contractor was killed in a militia attack. the militiamen, undoubtedly on soleimani's orders, marched on the us embassy in baghdad and attacked its perimeter. the militias he created were a vital part of the fight against thejihadists of islamic state but they are also one way that iran projects power abroad. the huge american compound is a fortress and it wasn't breached but the attacks goaded and threatened the trump administration. the americans are rushing in reinforcements to the middle east

— 3,750 so far. us civilians told by their government to get out as soon as they can. but trump wanted to press home an american advantage. his reign of terror is over. soleimani has been perpetrating acts of terror to destabilise the middle east for the last 20 years. what the united states did yesterday should have been done long ago. we took action last night to stop a war. we did not take action to start a war. in baghdad, some iraqis celebrated the killing. for weeks, anti—government demonstrators have been demanding an end to iranian influence in iraq. in tehran, ayatollah ali khamenei,

iran's supreme leader, visited qasem soleimani's widow. he said severe revenge awaits the criminals. iranian hardliners are devastated. the spokesman for soleimani's republican guard corps was highly emotional in a tv interview. so were regime supporters on the streets. qasem soleimani was their hero at a time when they see themselves surrounded by enemies. iran was already under severe pressure from us sanctions. president trump might be gambling that he has so weakened iran that it will rage but not hurt the us badly. that assumption could be dangerous and wrong. jeremy bowen, bbc news. and within the past few hours iraqi television says there's been another air strike, this time targetting

a convoy of vehicles belonging to an iranian—backed militia. it happened on the taji road north of baghdad. a paramilitary group, known as iraq's popular mobilisation forces reportedly claimed that an air strike hit a convoy of medics. in australia, more than a thousand people have been safely evacuated by navy ships from the town of mallacoota which has been surrounded by wildfires. the prime minister scott morrison says his country is entering a critical few days, with more extreme fire conditions forecast for this weekend. there are now scores of fires burning across new south wales and victoria, fuelled by soaring temperatures and high winds. shaimaa khalil reports. for the first time in days, nearly a thousand tourists and residents can breathe a little more easily as they're finally moved to safety. the navy has stepped in to rescue those who were stranded on the beach in mallacoota when they were encircled by an uncontrollable fire on monday. a state of disaster has been

declared in eastern victoria ahead of tomorrow's extreme conditions. up to 100,000 residents are being told to evacuate. if you can leave, you must leave. that is the only safe thing for you, yourfamily, and, indeed, for others who may be called to your assistance. we cannot guarantee your safety. in new south wales, the message is the same. fire authorities have said that saturday's blazes could be as bad as, if not worse, than those of new year's eve. in the coastal town of batemans bay, firefighters are racing to protect those who have decided to stay. despite the warnings, geoff and pamela zorbas decided they are not leaving their small town of sussex inlet. hopefully it's not going to be as bad as they're predicting but we've got the hoses ready and we just hose the house down if the embers come. and if the fires do hit hard, we've got a boat here. we're going tojump in the boat

and we're going to get out to sea. i'lljust take the family and the dogs and away we go. jay martin is also staying put to defend his house and help friends and neighbours. he tells me the anticipation of disaster is what worries him. waiting. that's the hardest part. we've been at it for two weeks and it's just waiting. and there's people doing it a lot tougher than me. i've just been waiting and helping out, just getting through tomorrow and hope it all passes and we get a bit of rain on monday. a blaze has just started on the bush in this area, just beyond that tree line. firefighters are watching closely here. their concern is that, with the wind picking up, this could travel very fast and get here. they've been patrolling the area and making sure that properties are protected. that's really the main aim. politically, this has been a rough ride for the prime minister, who's been regularly criticised for how he has handled the bushfire crisis. and it's notjust the residents

who have made their feelings clear. i don't really want to shake your hand. scott morrison said he understood the anger but was focusing on the task in hand. 0ur concerns are obviously now looking out over the next sort of 2a, 48—hour period. this is a ferocious fire that is still out there and the climatic conditions are going to be very difficult to contain that in the next 2a to 48 hours. that is why the evacuation messages are so incredibly important. there is a real sense of dread here about what will happen in these coming hours. at a time when many had planned family holidays, australians now wait for yet another firestorm to blaze through. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, on the southern coast of new south wales. more on all our stories on the website. log onto bbc.com/news or download the app. so iran is vowing to avenge general soleimani's death. what kind of retaliation could there be? here's our chief international

correspondent lyse doucet. well, iran has many ways and many means to strike back and judging by its past military operations, its response will be carefully calibrated. it will want to be seen to reply in equal measure to what it has described as a declaration of war. but it wants to avoid a direct military confrontation with the united states, which it knows could push this region into an ever more unpredictable and deadly escalation. so its next move could possibly be through some of its many proxies across this region, possibly in iraq where there are us forces, us targets, where i am now in afghanistan where us forces are also based. but given iran's vast intelligence network, could also take place in another corner of the world, far from iran's borders. but iran will want to have an operation which shocked and surprises at a time of its own choosing,

which stops short of an all—out war. but the repercussions of this major turning point answer a question of days, weeks, or even months, this will play out across this region for many years. more now on those reports from iraqi state television of another air strike, this time targetting a convoy of vehicles belonging to an iranian—backed militia. with me is the bbc‘s rich preston. knost too many details i understand at the moment. what are we learning? —— knost too many. very little verified information out there, lewis. this information is coming from iraqi state media and it says a us airstrike targeted a convoy of vehicles belonging to a group known as the popular mobilisation force. that's an umbrella group of iranian backed militia.

some names started floating around with some militia leaders, but nothing verified to the bbc or by official sources. the us news source newsweek quoted pentagon officials and said it was told by them that the target was the imam ali brigade group, part of the popular mobilisation forces. and in particular they wanted to target the group's leader. that is what newsweek are reporting. we have had nothing independently verified to us at the bbc. for its part, the popular comey mobilisation force so there was a strike but medics were hit and not leaders of the milita group. no comment from 0ssington yet. i know you will be keeping across those details are —— washington. thank you. the husband of british—iranian dual national nazanin zaghari ratcliffe says he's worried for his wife after the assassination of the iranian general qasem soleimani. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe has been

held in iran since 2016, when she was arrested and accused of spying. 0ur correspondent charlotte gallagher has been speaking to her husband, richard, who gave his reaction to the death of the general in this morning's us air strike. shock is probably the honest reaction. it's the revolutionary guard that hold nazanin. what does that mean for nazanin? it's not clear. it probably means an escalation and foreboding for everyone in the region, and we are all watching in different ways. there's probably a concern at a selfish level of what this means for nazanin‘s case and tension increasing is always bad for a solution — you know, someone being released soon. there is always the worry that things could get worse. at times it seemed that you were making progress and nazanin would be released quite soon, and then you go backwards. it must be really hard for you personally. we've had lots of near misses and missed opportunities.

the longer this has gone on, the more worried you are things could escalate in a bad way. we are obviously not hopeful at the moment. just before christmas, nazanin had her parole refused, so we were feeling like there has been no good news for a while, and i was getting ready to push the prime minister and the government to do more and be a lot more assertive. in some ways, that still feels the right thing to do but absolutely the wrong time at the moment. how is nazanin doing in prison at the moment? i spoke to her on christmas day and new year's day. she was, as you might expect, fairly low on both occasions, partly because it's a family occasion where she is still stuck in prison. and in some ways, this year was different for us because it was the first year we had gabriella back, so life was moving on for me and gabriella, and we were celebrating in a way that wasn't true last year. and in a way, it adds its complexities if you are sitting in a prison cell where that doesn't happen. the added thing this year was that she was on hunger strike both days, in solidarity with kylie moore—gilbert.

so it was... tough conversations, she was fairly glum and i don't know how she's reacting to the latest events. it's hard in prison not to feel despairing at small things, so a big thing, i'm sure, will be taking her low. do you think it gives her hope that when things like this happen today, a lot of people were saying how will this affect nazanin? she is still fresh in people's minds even though it has been a few years and she was put in prison. i think that is absolutely right. the fact that people care and follow her, remember our story, think of her in tough times is only good for keeping her safe but also good for morale and for knowing that people care. and we wouldn't have got this far without the care and kindness of people out there. richard ratcliffe, husband of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, speaking to charlotte gallagher. this is bbc news. the headlines: president trump defends the killing of iran's top military commander qasem soleimani — insisting that washington is not looking for regime change.

iran's supreme leader has vowed severe revenge on those responsible for the death of the iranian general. since confirming the attack, the us has stressed that with qassem soleimani dead, american lives are safer. i spoke with professor of middle east studies narges bajoghlie and asked her whether she thinks that is the case. no, whether she thinks that is the case. most definitel' that? no, most definitely not. woah was that? right now, with this action, the united states killed one of run‘s most powerful military figures in the country and that means... along with the deputy of one of iraq's most powerful paramilitary groups in the region so that means that american troops and american personnel in the region will be potential targets. this is a huge symbolic figure, both in iran and

around the world and the trump administration will feel that by removing their spreads, they have done theirjob. but symbolism goes both ways. symbolism also can prove that it can make people move to action within iran and the region in order to seek revenge and vengeance for qasem soleimani's killing. what you think happens next? it is really difficult to tell because some of the forces that are allied to iran could try to have attacks on their own without necessarily the approval ofa own without necessarily the approval of a referee. it is going to be difficult to figure out what would happen at that point if that happens first. iran will probably take its time to respond to an action like this and it will be patient in responding and try to make it a large response but wonder that will not have direct repercussions for

the homeland within iran itself. it is very difficult to tell what the short—term consequences of this is going to be but the long—term consequences are going to be more violence in the region. more violence in the region. more violence in the region. more violence in the region. just give us an idea on the power structures here. he was obviously a key figure. now he is gone, what kind of impact does that have on things like decision—making and how things are in organised and what happens? wondering i think that people misunderstand when it comes to the revolutionary guard in iran's decision—making structure in general in iran, the revolutionary guard functions much more on a ad hoc leadership structure that goes back to its foundation in the fight in the iran iraq war in the 1980s. in that war, iran had to fight an asymmetrical war in iraq that was supported by the united states and western powers at the time. but fighting and asymmetrical warfare and since then iran, and the

revolutionary guard has perfected, has meant that they are very well versed in having a leadership structure that relies on many groups of men to make decisions, notjust one at the top such as qasem soleimani. him being gone is a blow to iran, however he was not the only ones who had relationships with these arms groups in lebanon and iraq and other places in the region and he is not the only what he was able to do strategic and military actions in those areas either. professor of middle east studies speaking to me a little earlier. the un secretary general antonio guterres has called for world leaders to exercise maximum restraint after general solemaini's death. he says the world can't afford another war in the region. his warning comes amid fears the latest government offensive in the syrian province idlib could lead to another humanitarian catastrophe. more than 235,000 people have been displaced in the past three weeks.

the syrian regime has been advancing into the province in stages, pushing up from the south in what appears to be an effort to capture strategic motorways. residents are fleeing north to the border with turkey and other parts of northern syria. barbara plett usher reports. the bombs have been falling relentlessly. this is a particularly brutal offensive in syria's long war. regime forces backed by russia are pounding the last stronghold of the armed opposition. they insist they are targeting islamist extremists who lead the rebels, but are making no effort to spare civilians, striking homes, hospitals, markets, women, children.

nine—year—old fatimah survived the bombing of her home. so did her 11—year—old sister, islan, who was also trapped in the rubble. rescue workers tried to free her legs, but a secondary explosion sent them ducking for cover. eventually they pulled her to safety. the girls' mother died in the attack. a new tide of people have led the advance of the government, —— has fled. emptying towns and villages in southern idlib. many had already been uprooted by fighting in other parts of syria. for some, this is the fifth, even tenth time on the road. and it's the worst time of year, especially for those who have not found refuge with relatives. camps near syria's border with turkey are overcrowded, already filled by those displaced from previous regime attacks in italy. -- idleb. conditions were bad and will probably get worse.

translation: we became homeless. we left with the clothes on our back. we can't do anything. we have no money, no heating. we have nothing. across the border, turkey used to be a refuge for syria's homeless, but it says it can't afford to take any more. abdul arrived in istanbul more than three years ago. he works for an opposition radio station broadcasting into rebel—held areas. his family was among those who fled to the intensive bombing. they found a safe place for now in northern syria. wendy think you're going to see your family again? translation: never? not for at least ten yea rs translation: never? not for at least ten years he says. there certainly won't be a quick end to the misery because the syrian regime has vowed not to stop until it retakes the entire rebel two rebel province.

let's get some of the day's other news. indonesian authorities are turning to the technique of cloud seeding to try to stop more rain falling in the flood—hit capitaljakarta. planes have been sent to inject chemicals into clouds in an effort to alter the storms that have left large areas underwater. at least 43 people are known to have died, with some 192,000 evacuated from their homes. french police have shot dead a knifeman who killed one person and injured at least two others in a suburb south of paris. police said the man attacked several people in a park in the town of veel which is five miles from central paris. he then fled the scene which was near a supermarket before police said the knifeman was neutralised. a former mexican security minister, genaro garcia luna, has pleaded not guilty in a new york court to accusations of taking bribes to allow the sinaloa cartel to ship

drugs into the united states. mr garcia luna was arrested in texas in december after a former cartel member testified that he had twice met him to hand over suitcases holding at least $6 million. the testimony had been given during the trial of the former head of the sinaloa cartel, joaquin "el chapo" guzman. several people have been injured after a bull ran wild at a new year's festival in peru. it happened in the city of wankavellika. bullfighting and running with bulls are popular in the country — but animal rights groups say they are cruel and inhumane. the bbc‘s tim allman has more. even by the standards of this festival... this scene is pretty chaotic. the ball is let loose in an

open field and is allowed to pretty much run wild. —— bull. this the almost inevitable result, people thrown around like rag dolls. 0thers are god, lucky that only their close had been torn. it is all part of a four day religious festival held to celebrate the new year. locals call ita celebrate the new year. locals call it a much loved tradition. critics insist it is cruel and the animals are insist it is cruel and the animals a re clearly insist it is cruel and the animals are clearly distressed. 0ften following an event like this, the bulls are taken away to face a matador and almost certainly an untimely demise. this is a controversial and upsetting and. a raging bull that rages no more. and before we go, a reminder of our top story:

president trump says the killing of qasem soleimani is meant to prevent a war, not start a war. mr trump ordered the pre—dawn attacked that killed the iranian military leader. tehran has vowed severe revenge for his death. us officials have said 3,000 additional troops will be sent to the middle east as a precaution. the us state department has urged americans to leave iraq immediately for their own safety. and iraqi state television says there has been another airstrike in there has been another airstrike in the country. it is reporting that the country. it is reporting that the united states has targeted a convoy of iranian backed iraqi militia just north of the capital baghdad, destroying two vehicles. the iraqi military says at least six people have been killed. the umbrella militia group, the popular mobilisation force has confirmed the strike and said it hit a medical convoy not a military one but there

has been no comment from washington. first the weather with louise lear. despite some early morning rain in the south—west and gale force winds in the northern isles, for many it was a better day and more sunshine for many that we have seen this year. we can see this from the weather watch picture that is been sentin weather watch picture that is been sent in from cambridge share, not a cloud in the sky. there was the early morning clouds that eased away. clear skies behind and just some shower clouds from the in the far north. with those clear skies continuing overnight, it means a chilly start to our saturday morning. low single figures in the south—east, a touch of light frost ina south—east, a touch of light frost in a sheltered rural parts as well. saturday shaping up to be a reasonable day. as i pressure builds from the south, across the top of the high we have those weak weather fronts and always a bit more of a breeze with the isobar squeezing together here. generally speaking,

it is not looking like a bad weekend at all. sheltered eastern areas perhaps the best of the brightness. some sunshine across eastern scotla nd some sunshine across eastern scotland and england. the classic enoughin scotland and england. the classic enough in the west for a spot or two of drizzle and into the far north—west with that weather fronts not too far away. maybe some persistent showery rains and strengthening winds here. temperatures at around eight to 10 degrees and that is down from what we scene of late but still not too bad really for this time of year. as you move out of saturday and into sunday, a high—pressure system starting to drift off into the near consonant. again these weather fronts creeping in across the top of the height and again those isobar still a feature. the winds will strengthen and start to swing around to more of a south—westerly direction on sunday. again, always the risk of more clouds along the west facing close two coasts. persistent drizzle and rain in the far north—west but again sheltered and faroff far north—west but again sheltered and far off eastern areas seeing some sunshine and temperatures at around nine to 12 degrees is a high.

as we move out of sunday and into the start of the new working week. we have to look high up into the atmosphere. yes, thejet stream. it looks like it may turn into quite a powerful jet looks like it may turn into quite a powerfuljet and looks like it may turn into quite a powerful jet and that looks like it may turn into quite a powerfuljet and that is going to be responsible for driving areas of low pressure a cross responsible for driving areas of low pressure across the uk. it does look as though we are set for another unsaddled spell of weather at the start of the new working week. a long weather fronts to sweep through only to be replaced by another does look at is like it's going to be wet and increasingly when you have plenty of isobars on the chart. potentially on tuesday quite a stormy spell with gail likely in some of that rain quite heavy. enjoy the weekend if you can.

this is bbc news, the headlines: president trump says the us killed iran's top military commander, qassem soleimani, to stop a war, not to start one. in a televised address, mr trump said the us had killed the number one terrorist in the world. he said soleimani had been plotting imminent attacks. the iranian government said it would retaliate against what it called an act of international terrorism by the united states, at a time and place of its choosing. many world leaders have said the killing of general soleimani