to the un agency for palestinian refugees, despite a plea from the un chief for countries to continue funding. israel says negotiations in paris over the release of hostages in gaza, and a possible new ceasefire, were "constructive" but "gaps remain". we start this hour with the breaking news that three us have troops have been killed in a drone attack on an american base near the jordan—syria border. us officials say more than 20 other personnel were injured. president biden said the the attack had been carried out by an iranian—backed militant group operating in syria and iraq and vowed reprisals. as yet, no group has claimed it was behind the attack, and we have had no word from iran.

jordan, a close ally of the us, has also said that the attacks didn't take place insidejordan, but occurred in syria. with me is our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. the attackers taken place in an area on that border between syria and jordan, perthe us on that border between syria and jordan, per the us has long had military facilities. we don't know what side of the border. joe biden says thejordanian side, the jordanians don't acknowledge that. these are facilities that are right on the border, so perhaps in that is less important, though clearly jordan has no interest in getting sucked into this whole original cauldron that we have seen for the last three or four months. the attack is the first time that

american troops in one of those bases, scattered across the middle east, of which they have many, had been killed in a drone attack like this. they did lose a couple of navy seals this. they did lose a couple of navy seals in the red sea a couple of weeks ago when they intercepting airport with weapons bound for yemen, but after dozens, i think as many as 150 attacks on us bases across the region since october and iraq and syria primarily, this is the first time it has resulted in american fatalities. the stark reminder, in case anyone needed one, ijust so dangerous reminder, in case anyone needed one, i just so dangerous and reminder, in case anyone needed one, ijust so dangerous and volatile this region is. and if it did in fact take place on thejordanian side, asjoe biden suggests, that is a first also. clearly, iran, has a keen interest and one that is demonstrated repeatedly in recent months, to make life as difficult and uncomfortable for american forces whatever the outcome is using

its proxies and allies to do precisely that.— its proxies and allies to do precisely that. its proxies and allies to do recisel that. ., ., , precisely that. there we have any idea who might _ precisely that. there we have any idea who might be _ precisely that. there we have any idea who might be behind - precisely that. there we have any idea who might be behind it? - idea who might be behind it? president biden seen a rainy and allies to do precisely that. there we have any idea who might be behind it? president biden seen iranian bats, but there are lots of groups in that area. i bats, but there are lots of groups in that area-— in that area. i think he actually said pro-iranian _ in that area. i think he actually said pro-iranian groups - in that area. i think he actually i said pro-iranian groups operating said pro—iranian groups operating and iraq and syria, so he seemed to be or less under the control or direction of iran in both syria and iraq. that border area is very adjacent to syria but close to iraq. the kits have come from either. there are fundamental operating with the same agenda, so arcane that is perhaps less of a concern. —— they are all fundamentally. did perhaps less of a concern. -- they are all fundamentally.— perhaps less of a concern. -- they are all fundamentally. did they get luc , are all fundamentally. did they get lucky. what — are all fundamentally. did they get lucky. what do _ are all fundamentally. did they get lucky, what do you _ are all fundamentally. did they get lucky, what do you think? - are all fundamentally. did they get| lucky, what do you think? possibly, es. as i lucky, what do you think? possibly, yes- as i say. _ lucky, what do you think? possibly, yes. as i say, after _ lucky, what do you think? possibly, yes. as i say, after 150 _ lucky, what do you think? possibly, yes. as i say, after 150 attacks - yes. as i say, after 150 attacks since october, it is kind of

remarkable that this is the first time we have seen any resulting in a us fatalities. if it took place at the base in the syria said, it is not the first time that bass has been attacked. it is a secretive facility for the americans have been operating with a couple of hundred troops in recent years. it has been there since 2016. it has been hit before, it suppose that the americans use for training syrian opposition, promoting counter terrorist operation. it was established at the height of the campaign against islamic state, ten years ago. but less than ten years ago. it has been a target. it is well defended. it is in the middle of an opera. it is in the middle of the desert. not an easy place to attack on the ground, but we have seen throughout this whole recent period, the use of drones and ballistic missiles, sometimes with

devastating effects, and it does seem as though this was a drone. —— the middle of an opera. seem as though this was a drone. -- the middle of an opera.— the middle of an opera. president biden rubbing _ the middle of an opera. president biden rubbing retaliation. - the middle of an opera. president biden rubbing retaliation. in - the middle of an opera. president biden rubbing retaliation. in whatj biden rubbing retaliation. in what form of outcome? that biden rubbing retaliation. in what form of outcome?— form of outcome? that is already happening- _ form of outcome? that is already happening- the — form of outcome? that is already happening. the americans - form of outcome? that is already happening. the americans and i form of outcome? that is already i happening. the americans and their trailers have mounted air strikes against targets in syria. again�*s pro—iranian malicious. that is an ongoing conflict, not something that is new to the last three or four months. that is a long—standing confrontation, albeit at a rather low level. i guess we will probably see more of that. i think the americans clearly are not interested in seeing a major escalation, so i don't think you are going to be seeing necessarily arching directed at iran, for example. despite everything, and despite the sense of our news, that neither the americans know the iranians want to see image

for long escalation. it is not in anybody�*s interest, and so i suspect what people see as more american intelligence led operations of the country have been seen in recent months, but not much more than that. you don't think it is a tipping point? you don't think it is a tipping oint? ., ., �* �* ., point? no, i don't. bearing in mind what else is— point? no, i don't. bearing in mind what else is going _ point? no, i don't. bearing in mind what else is going on, _ point? no, i don't. bearing in mind what else is going on, the - point? no, i don't. bearing in mind what else is going on, the region . point? no, i don't. bearing in mind what else is going on, the region is full of spots. the houthi rebels and yemen being one we have been reminded often the last couple of days. but we are also at a time when there is a intensive negotiations going on involving intelligence officials. wejust going on involving intelligence officials. we just saw them today in paris, the israelis, the egyptians, the qataris, and the americans, talking about a deal that could result in a 60 day ceasefire in gaza. if that were to happen, then the houthi rebels have already said they would cold off their attacks on they would cold off their attacks on the red sea commanded but also reduce the imperative for some of those pro—iranian militias in the region to keep up the heat on

american troops as well. the americans will be as keen as anyone to dry and see if a ceasefire as possible in gaza, because even though that doesn't do a bit with all the difficulties that have been so regularly exposed over the last few months, it would remove the approximate, immediate cause for what everyone is so worked up about. paul, thank you so much for your insight. and paul has posted on the bbc news life it is welcome if you want to read some more of his analysis. earlier, senior resident scholar at arab states institute in washington hussein ibish spoke to bbc about the incident well, i think the biden administration is going ..this is a nightmare for them because their main goal since october 7th was to prevent the crisis in in the middle east and the conflict in gaza from spreading beyond gaza in a meaningful way, especially not to draw in the united states.

so at this point, even beyond the exchanges of hostilities with the houthis over piracy in the red sea, this is going to demand a serious us response against iranian backed groups, i would suggest, in syria and lebanon. i don't think the us is going to do anything that is seen as provoking iran or hezbollah to get further involved in the conflict, because i think those are the real bigger nightmare scenarios, but the us is not going to take this lying down. the last time there was a set of deadly attacks against us forces, it ended up with the assassination of qassem soleimani, the head of the quds force, the iranian expeditionary force that runs the network of armed gangs and militia groups that iran maintains in the arab world, and their chief ally in iraq, al—muhandis. so, you know, i'm not sure that it's going to go to that level,

but some serious deadly response, kinetic military response against these groups is absolutely unavoidable for the biden administration. dr laura james is a senior middle east analyst at oxford analytica. there will be a step up from what we've already seen, and that's pretty serious. so it seems that this attack was carried out by a group calling itself the islamic resistance in iraq. that's not a real group. that's a name that's been used by various militias, iranian—backed militias that are tend to be iraqi but also operate in syria. and they've been using that name during the gaza conflict as they have stepped up drone attacks and missile attacks on us interests. previously, the us has responded by targeting senior leaders, by killing members of the groups who have been about to launch attacks. so this will have to be an escalation from that and that's

quite serious, not least because these groups are officially part of the iraqi security services. and so this can't be done without the iraqi state being involved. joining us now on the line from amman is jawad al—anani. he is the former deputy prime minster ofjordan. thank you so much forjoining us on bbc news. i wondered if i could first get your reaction to this a drone attack. it first get your reaction to this a drone attack.— first get your reaction to this a drone attack. it was surprising in every sense _ drone attack. it was surprising in every sense of— drone attack. it was surprising in every sense of the _ drone attack. it was surprising in every sense of the world. - drone attack. it was surprising in | every sense of the world. nobody expected it so close tojordan, are that it will involve jordan expected it so close tojordan, are that it will involvejordan in any way. it creates a problem for us in jordan, and i'm sure thatjordan does not like that at all. jordan has one of your ex guess has said, would like to be aloof, and at the same time, as well as sympathising and emphasising with the people of gaza, and sending help and humanity

need, but we are not encouraging an extension of the war beyond what it is taking place, and i think we will do it their utmost to contain the war in gaza. anyway, it is surprising. jordan have already expressed the fact that geographically it did not happen in jordan, and it is very close to the jade border. so, an airway, this area, part of it is inside the sodium territory —— sytian territory. but for sure, sodium territory —— sytian territory. but forsure, it sodium territory —— sytian territory. but for sure, it is a challenge forjordan and will are not fit for a while. [30 challenge forjordan and will are not fit for a while.— challenge forjordan and will are not fit for a while. do you have any idea who might _ not fit for a while. do you have any idea who might be _ not fit for a while. do you have any idea who might be behind - not fit for a while. do you have any idea who might be behind the i not fit for a while. do you have any i idea who might be behind the attack? the elephants of the crime are

there, and if you look at them in detail to say, who stands to benefit from such an attack? first of all, the islamic movements, especially the islamic movements, especially the smaller ones who would like to use this opportunity to do that. and i'm sure they are supposed to have succeeded. —— they are surprised. therefore, they are bodied about how the united states is going to react. and the second, people who would like to see this war expanded to different fronts on borders. and i think the israelis must also feel that they should make sure that to vindicate himself from this attack. they have been attacking in the

area, and so probably... i don't know. if you open the door for possibilities, the possibilities out there. and i think that the americans should not overreact. immediately after the news broke out, but so many eggs american generals on major networks, coming out and say you should do that. but this at the american should not overreact and that should keep it narrow, not to get entangled with hezbollah or with the iran itself. jordan is a close ally of the us. what advice do you thinkjordan will

be seeing to the us over that arching the president biden has vote will happen at some point in time? —— offer that action. we appreciate the fact that this issue of action to the houthi attacks and other attacks inside iraq in syria has been more than what the ex—president of the united states wanted, so trump is using that as a campaign to two attackers merge an opponent. in the same thing will happen. —— two attackers merge at a point. the american elections will soon take place, and how back the reaction is going to have repercussions for sure. and jordan understand that. butjordan the promising is to

engage the american diplomacy, becausejordan has no interest in seeing the war expanded. what because jordan has no interest in seeing the war expanded. what is the answer to step _ seeing the war expanded. what is the answer to stop it _ seeing the war expanded. what is the answer to stop it spreading? - seeing the war expanded. what is the answer to stop it spreading? well, i answer to stop it spreading? well, the answer — answer to stop it spreading? well, the answer is _ answer to stop it spreading? well, the answer is we _ answer to stop it spreading? well, the answer is we need _ answer to stop it spreading? well, the answer is we need to - answer to stop it spreading? well, the answer is we need to go i answer to stop it spreading? well, the answer is we need to go to i answer to stop it spreading? -ii the answer is we need to go to the root cause, which is the war in gaza. everybody is using the war in gaza. everybody is using the war in gaza for a pretext to do what they want to do. everybody has an agenda in this part of the world for different reasons, and there are many players subverted. if you look at syria, you have six different arm is already there. iraq proper has the four. the whole region is full of adversaries who are trying to impress their point onto look like they are going to wind. an airway, such details could evolve into

something much bigger and could mushroom. so, we need to really resolve the gaza issue and end up with a ceasefire. and also, probably a complete stoppage of this war. in orderfor players to a complete stoppage of this war. in order for players to sit down and really work the site soberly and with the intent of realising some sort of peace in this part of the world. at the same time, china as a player, and he is becoming a player, and those that don't really have any military presentation in this part of the property are working. india is becoming a player.— of the property are working. india is becoming a player. former deputy prime minister _ is becoming a player. former deputy prime minister of _ is becoming a player. former deputy prime minister ofjordan, _ is becoming a player. former deputy prime minister of jordan, thank i is becoming a player. former deputy prime minister ofjordan, thank you | prime minister ofjordan, thank you

very much forjoining us on bbc news. we have a special live page up and running on the bbc news website and app, which includes the latest analysis from the bbc team of experts. staying in the middle east, the uk government says it remains "undaunted" after houthis targeted a british warship in the red sea during the latest round of strikes. these pictures show the moment hms diamond repelled the attack by firing sea viper missiles at an incoming which was heading directly towards the ship. the warship is currently situated in the red sea to protect merchant ships from houthi attacks. the uk ministry of defence says there were no injuries or damage. this latest strike from the iran—backed group comes days after an oil tanker with british links was also hit and went up in flames.

the fire on the marlin luanda was extinguished with no crew injured after french, indian and us naval ships provided assistance to the vessel. responding to the recent attacks, defence secretary grant shapps wrote... 0ur political correspondent harry farley has the latest. this is isn't even the first time hms diamond, which is a british navy destroyer in the red sea, not the first time that hms diamond has been targeted by houthi drones. 0ur political correspondent harry farley has the latest. the statement from the ministry of defence in london saying that this was an intolerable and illegal attack, which is completely unacceptable and the ministry of defence says it is our duty to protect freedom of navigation in international waters. and as you say, the defence secretary grant shapps also condemning this attack.

he says that the uk remains undaunted. so what happened, we understand, yesterday afternoon, the houthi group in yemen launched a drone targeting hms diamond. the crew on hms diamond activated the ship's sea viper missile system, a missile system that costs more than £1 million per missile, and destroyed the drone. they say that there was no damage or injuries to anyone on board. but of course this isn't the first time that hms diamond has been attacked and it does raise questions about whether the uk will be drawn into future air strikes. of course, the uk is already has already struck houthi targets in yemen once, joining the us in doing that, and it is raising the question of whether it will do that again. harry farley. next a major story here in the uk — a murder investigation has been launched after two boys, aged 15 and 16, were killed in a stabbing in bristol last night.

avon and somerset police say they were attacked by a group of people who fled the scene in a car. a 44—year—old man and a 15—year—old boy are in custody, but police are looking for more suspects. a vehicle has also been seized. people from around the area have come out to pay their respects and lay flowers in tribute. locals have said they are shocked by the incident. dan johnson reports. another street turned crime scene after a deadly knife attack. everyone here is trying to work out why two young lives were taken late last night. that poor boy's family. so many people affected. it needs to stop, it really needs to stop. i don't want my girls to grow up. i don't want them to grow up.

do you worry that it's getting out of control? yeah. yeah, a lot. yeah. i thought it was bad when we were young. then, but, no, it wasn't hard. that double decker bus marks where this attack happened, but we don't believe that was involved. itjust happened to be passing at the time. what we are told is that the two boys lived on this street. so it really has hit people here hard. officers were here quickly and tried first aid. they found a car, but not yet the others they think were involved. it's demoralizing, but it makes me determined to support the community. it makes me determined to work with the team of police officers that we have committed to this to identify those and bring them tojustice. any idea what was happening beforehand and why these boys may have been attacked at this stage? not at this stage. and that's still subject to the ongoing investigation looking for that cctv and accounts from people in the locality. no child be on our street with a knife. this evening there is anger in this community as well as sadness.

their parents have got to live the rest of their life in their brothers and sisters name. it's heartbreaking. heartbreaking. there's talk of gang rivalries fueled by social media. people here believe these boys are two of knife crimes. of knife crimes innocent victims. the 16th century work by leonardo da vinci is protected by bulletproof glass, so is unlikely to have been damaged. the two eco—protesters are reported to have been demanding the right to "healthy and sustainable food", saying "our agricultural system is at risk". it is the latest attack on the masterpiece in the louvre museum, after an activist threw a cream pie at the painting in 2022.

several schools one person has been killed and several people injured and a attack on a catholic church in istanbul. the interior minister has condemned the violent attack and said an investigation has been launched. the police are still searching for the suspects. 0ur senior international correspondent give us the latest from the church. there is a real sense of shock here in the community about what has happened. the interior minister has just left. he made a visit to the church behind me, offered his condolences to the congregation unto the priest. as super sleeping, he said that those who are trying to destroy the unity that exists between different religions in turkey would not succeed. local officials here have been stressing to us that this is an area where christians and muslims have lived

together in harmony. 0ne local official who be this morning so distressed he was close to tears and could speak. cctv footage has emerged which appears to show the moment of the attack. it is very chilling. two gunmen, who art master, bought into the back of the church. they appear to be following it man in black. the congregation are already on their feet, facing the altar. they become aware of the shooting behind them and start to dock and tried to hide. but this appeared very much to be a targeted killing. the gunmen went directly for this one month, they shot him, and once that happened, they moved quite calmly towards the back of the church under. —— directly for this one man. we have been hearing police helicopters. the search for the attackers is ongoing. there has been no claim of responsibility. we don't know what the motive may be. attacks like this on turkey's christian

minority are rare. they have happened in the past, but they are a recurrence. finally, mexico's most famous giraffe hasjoined his new herd. this is benito, who was last year found all alone along in a dusty urban park. well, now the four—year—old has been introduced to his new mates at a large conservation park in the centre of the country. the good news is keepers say that his first meeting with the seven other giraffes was successful, without any mishaps. hello there. we did expect it to get a bit warmer today, but it may well turn out to be a record—breaking day. with some sunshine and a southerly wind ahead of a band of rain in highland scotland, temperatures reached close to 20 degrees earlier, and that would smash the previous january temperature record in the uk. the winds are dropping, actually, and temperatures will drop too.

this band of rain moving thorugh scotland and northern ireland is heading into northern england and wales. following that, in the lighter winds, we get into colder air, so much so that in northern parts of scotland, there is likely to be a frost overnight tonight, whereas ahead of the rain across england and wales, it is still a mild start to monday. this rain will hang around in northern england and wales, heavy over the hills, particularly in the north west of england. much of scotland and northern ireland is likely to be dry with some sunshine. lighter winds, but much colder than today. temperatures typically 7—8. where it is dry across the midlands and southern england, still mild, temperatures of 1a may, maybe 15. it will notjust be rain we will see on monday. they could be some snow after dark in the southern uplands, leading to icy conditions by tuesday morning, by which point the area of low pressure will have taken away the wet weather, and we are left with a cloudy start for england and wales. some sunshine for scotland

and northern ireland will push southward through the day. the mild air will be pushed away, but 12 degrees is still possible in the south—east. for many in the afternoon, nearer eight or so, so turning chillierfrom the north. towards the middle of the week, more isobars, more weatherfronts, turning wet and windy into scotland. widespread gales on wednesday, ,and across northern ireland, but the highlands, we could see a couple of inches of rain. the wet and windy weather in scotland will sink down into northern ireland. england and wales looking dry, winds much lighter further south, and sunshine, temperatures of 10—11. the weather front bringing that rain will move southwards overnight. the rain peters out. chilly weather for a while, but then we change the wind direction by thursday, bringing in a milder air and also more cloud.

the headlines: three american soldiers are killed in a drone attack near the jordan—syria border. more than 20 others were injured. the white house said the attack had been carried out by an iranian—backed militant group. president biden promises to retaliate. knife crime in the uk: two people are arrested after a 15—year—old and 16—year—old are killed in a stabbing attack by a group of people in bristol. police say they are looking for futher suspects. police say they are looking

for further suspects. france has become the latest government to suspend payments to the un agency for palestinian refugees, despite a plea from the un chief for countries to continue funding. and israel says negotiations in paris over the release of hostages in gaza and a possible new ceasefire were "constructive" but "gaps remain". we will have a full bulletin of news at the top of the hour. now on bbc news — sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday with me, sarah mulkerrins. coming up... a famous test victory for england in one of the toughest places to tour. ben stokes calls the win over india his greatest triumph since he became captain.

as the fifth round of the fa cup continues,