have nowhere to go. the safe areas that were _ have nowhere to go. the safe areas that were declared . the safe areas that were declared are no longer safe. and if these people have to move, where can they move? they move to the beach area, which is already overcrowded. results from the pakistan's general election see independent candidates allied to imran khan's pti emerging as the biggest group in parliament. the housing secretary michael gove says that no—fault evictions will be banned by the time of the general election later this year. and we'll talk american football, the half time show and taylor swift as the super bowl hits vegas. hello. we start in the middle east. israel is facing growing international warnings over its planned offensive in rafah — the city in southern gaza crammed with more than a million palestinian

who have fled their homes. the uk foreign secretary lord cameron says he's "deeply concerned" about the prospect of a military offensive and again called for an immediate pause in the fighting to get aid in and hostages out. the dutch foreign minister said there could be "many civilian casualties", describing the situation in rafah was very worrying". while saudi arabia warned of "very serious repercussions" if rafah was stormed. the israeli army has already been launching intensive airstrikes on rafah city since friday night. the gaza health ministry says 112 palestinians have been killed in the past 2a hours, bringing the total to 28,176 palestinians killed in gaza since october. our correspondent barbara plett usher has been speaking to the un humanitarian coordinator for the occupied palestinian territories, jamie mcgoldrick,

who has recently returned from gaza. she asked him how the united nations would respond if israel launches an offensive into rafah. very difficult to respond right now when people are static. people have come there looking for safety. it's the last resort for many people. [30 the last resort for many people. do ou the last resort for many people. do you have a contingency plan if there is a combat operation? the contingency _ is a combat operation? the contingency plan _ is a combat operation? iie: contingency plan was for is a combat operation? i"i;e: contingency plan was for them is a combat operation? iie: contingency plan was for them to arrive in rafah. now we are looking for another contingency plan but we are struggling to address it. if there was to be an incursion into rafah, which is a massively overpopulated city, it is about five times the population it was before the conflict, so everything is under pressure, we are under pressure, and the population have nowhere to go. the safe areas declared are no longer safe. the safe areas declared are no longersafe. if the safe areas declared are no longer safe. if these people have to move, where do they move? they moved

to the beach area, which is already overcrowded. we don't have the supplies available to take them, accommodate them, support them, because the environment is not conducive for humanitarian operation this kind. so we're really fearful of the horrific nature of of where we are. you can only get worse. it's unimaginable to think it could get worse. ii unimaginable to think it could get worse. , ., , unimaginable to think it could get worse. , . , ., unimaginable to think it could get worse. , ., , ., ., worse. if the israelis were to move in with a combat _ worse. if the israelis were to move in with a combat operation - worse. if the israelis were to move in with a combat operation that. in with a combat operation that allowed civilians to leave, they have nowhere to go?— allowed civilians to leave, they have nowhere to go? they have nowhere to _ have nowhere to go? they have nowhere to go. _ have nowhere to go? they have nowhere to go. it _ have nowhere to go? they have nowhere to go. it happened - have nowhere to go? they have nowhere to go. it happened in l have nowhere to go? they have - nowhere to go. it happened in khan younis. they were over 180,000 people moved. they didn't carry anything with them. so they arrived in small —— with small bags, no blankets, no mattresses, no warm winter clothing. if that happens again and i have to flee quickly without being able to take their time with them or material, we have to start again. you time with them or material, we have to start again-— to start again. you have been in many desperate _ to start again. you have been in many desperate humanitarian i many desperate humanitarian situations. you were in yemen for a while. how does this compare? this

is be ond while. how does this compare? “i“i 3 is beyond anything you would ever see it as the speed by which this has happened. the scale by which you see in front of you the task that we have in terms of the humanitarian response. and what's coming after it is uncertain, really uncertain. another crisis —— and other crises you see these things peak, flatten out and resolve themselves. there is no sense this is the case. this is building and building and building. the un agency that looks after palestinians, unrwa, more than hundred and 50 staff killed... the firht hundred and 50 staff killed... the fi ht 152 hundred and 50 staff killed... iia: fight 152 people have hundred and 50 staff killed... ii2 fight 152 people have died is the biggest number we have ever lost in any crisis since the start of the un. more importantly, it is the speed by which this has happened. this has happened in four months. barbara plett usher has been explaining more about the situation in rafah and where gaza residents could possible flee to. barbara has been explaining more about the situation in rafah and

where the gals and restaurants —— residence completed. look at what the israelis have said, one of the spokesmen talked about sending them to open areas where they could put up a tents. the israeli prime ministerjust recently speaking on an american television network said they could go north of rafah to the areas that the israeli army had already cleared. so, not speaking about any specific place. also assuming that the un is in a position to set up another massive tent camp operation for that many people. i think mr mcgoldrick was also concerned about that. that they don't have the materials to have another big set up in the way that they have sought it managed to do in rafah. he was talking about how this was a contingency plan, what was a contingency plan. the aid has been getting in over the weeks, but not nearly the amounts that the un and others have said they needed. rafah

is the main point for the delivery of aid. it is the main gateway for delivery of aid. if it turns into a war zone, delivery of aid. if it turns into a warzone, again it delivery of aid. if it turns into a war zone, again it is not clear what the supply would be like. that is also a concern.— the supply would be like. that is also a concern. warnings they are from jamie _ also a concern. warnings they are from jamie mcgoldrick, _ also a concern. warnings they are from jamie mcgoldrick, but - also a concern. warnings they are from jamie mcgoldrick, but also l from jamie mcgoldrick, but also there have been warnings from the united states, the eu, from the british foreign secretary today. is there a sense where you are that israeli officials are taking heed of these warnings?— israeli officials are taking heed of these warnings? well, i think that mr netanyahu's _ these warnings? well, i think that mr netanyahu's decision - these warnings? well, i think that mr netanyahu's decision to - these warnings? well, i think that mr netanyahu's decision to ask i these warnings? well, i think that | mr netanyahu's decision to ask the army to plan for an evacuation of civilians is a response at least to the american concerns. the americans phrased it this way. they said, we would not support an operation like this unless there was proper planning for the evacuation of civilians. mr netanyahu said to the army, well, make a plan then. so that in itself was a response. but in terms of whether that is going to

stop the operation, public indications are no. he has said, we are going to do this. this is the last bastion of hamas in gaza. the band in order to win the war we need to do this. he is under international pressure by the humanitarian situation. he is also under pressure domestically from people who want him to agree to a ceasefire or a pause for the hostages can be released. that is one element of pressure within israel. he is under pressure from members of his cabinet on the hard right who have said they would quit if he stopped the war. and he is under political pressure himself. many people blame him for what is going on. they say he was an vigilant enough to stop the hamas attack. it was his policies in dealing with hamas that led to this. the idea now is to fight the war. what will happen when it is over in terms of his political situation? he is continuing the war right now. all of these things are factors that he

is weighing in terms of the next step. of the israelis have been quite clear that they want to eliminate and defeat hamas. they don't want to do leave it in any position where they could re—control raac regain control of gaza. what they are saying is they need to do this so they can achieve that goal. barbara plett usher injerusalem. live now to alistair burt — he served as the minister for the middle east from twenty—seventeen to twenty—nineteen. -- 2017 to 2019. thank —— 2017 to 2019. thank you for joining us on bbc news. so we have some strong warnings there from israel's allies, not least from the uk and the british foreign secretary, all of them saying it would be a mistake to have a ground assault on rafah. why do you think israel's allies, including britain, are making these comments publicly, ——? as background diplomacy failed? i think the background diplomacy is

still going on. i think it has increased in its intensity. talk of those who have been dealing with the negotiations through the qataris, this work carrying on at significant pace at the moment. and i think that will continue to go on. but it is significantly that the united states and the united kingdom, strong allies of israel, have expressed their concern because of their belief that this will not end the issue, it will not result in the release of hostages, it will only store up further security difficulties for the future. and the concerns of states in the region that i think have been even more uncompromising, their concerns about the humanitarian impact of a ground assault in rafah, also cause for concern. 50 assault in rafah, also cause for concern. ., ., , ., ~ concern. so what do you think the ho -e is concern. so what do you think the none is here _ concern. so what do you think the hope is here from _ concern. so what do you think the hope is here from israel's - concern. so what do you think the hope is here from israel's allies? | hope is here from israel's allies? is it simply to maybe change the

direction of the assault? do they think that maybe israel won't stage a ground invasion of rafah? what are they trying to achieve here? i do think they _ they trying to achieve here? i do think they are — they trying to achieve here? i gr think they are trying to they trying to achieve here? i r.i think they are trying to make they trying to achieve here? i ii think they are trying to make it clear their concerns about the humanitarian impact of an assault. there may also be messages given from those holding the hostages. all this pressure on the state of israel is one thing. hamas are holding the hostages. they could ended tomorrow by releasing all the hostages. that might produce a change in the negotiating to allow the ceasefire, the inclusion of aid, and the negotiations that must bring an end to this. also, israel is demonstrating its absolute determination to rid itself of an enemy which has pledged to destroy it. maybe also its determination is having an impact on those who are making calculations on behalf of hamas. but i don't think anyone should be under any illusion that

this has now reached a stage of catastrophic concern in the region and allaround. catastrophic concern in the region and all around. the humanitarian disaster can be seen on the ground. jim mcgoldrick spoke accurately of the situation. this threatens to get even further out of control because of the knock—on effects throughout the region and the determination of all parties to see an end to the fighting, the return of the hostages, and an end to the humanitarian disaster. it's absolutely acute. and everything must be done to press for that end. thank you for sharing your thoughts. pakistan 5 election commission has declared the final results of the parliamentary and provincial elections held on thursday. independent candidates allied to imran khan 5 pti party emerged as the biggest grouping in parliament. mr khan is injail and was barred from competing. courts had reportedly been flooded with legal challenges

to the general election results, with mr khan and his rival, nawaz sharif, both claiming victory. earlier i spoke to our correspondent in pakistan caroline davies and asked her how imran khan 5 pti party could form a government. final results we have got so far are that there are 101 independents, 92 of those are pti affiliated candidates. bear in mind there are a few independents elected in the country that are not the ones given the pti ticket. they were not represented the pti directly as independents. sharif has won 75. the

ppp party has secured 5a. the big question at the monitors every time we seen nawaz sharif appear on stage he has repeatedly talked about the fact we are the biggest party. imran khan's independents ranjust as that, independent candidates. the electoral commission here in pakistan no longer recognised the pti because they said that imran khan's party hadn't done its internal elections properly and therefore it lost the ability to campaign as a party and said they are all independent. that now presents imran khan's party with your real issue about what they will do next. in order to be able to form a government, they need to be, they need to be seen as not independent but part of a party. what will they do? it is very unlikely they will get their pti party to be recognised again in a relatively short space of time. and the other alternative is

that they form an alliance with another party, whether that is a very small party, which they can essentially come in and dominate, or whether they form an alliance with a larger party. in order to be able to get the numbers to form a government. so, this is what is happening at the moment in pakistan. it is all about the political wrangling is going on behind the scenes. who is trying to form an alliance with you and can they get the numbers? it is a race, really. everybody wants to be the first to say we have the numbers, here they are. we have both sides are saying, we think we can do this, we are victorious. but at the same time neither of them have been able to prove, here are our numbers, we are in the majority, we can form a government. that has not been recognised yet. caroline davies. voting is getting under way in finland — in the second round of its presidential poll. the election is the first since the countryjoined nato last year, following the russia's full—scale invasion of ukraine.

the run—off sees the centre right former prime minister, alexander stubb, taking on the green party member and ex—foreign minister, pekka haavisto. both take a hardline approach towards russia. the winner will be finland's first new head of state in 12 years. two huge sporting events will get underway tonight — the superbowl — we'll have plenty on that in a moment — and the final of the africa cup of nations, to be held in a 60,000 seater stadium, where hosts ivory coast take on fellow former champions, nigeria. the super eagles are aiming for a fourth afcon crown in abidjan while the ivorians are looking to add to their triumphs in 1992 and 2015. in saturday's third place play—off final south africa beat the democratic republic of congo 6—5 on penalties.

we're nowjoined by the ivory coast ambassador to the united kingdom, sara amani. thank you forjoining us. i see you are wearing your ivory coast football shirt. are wearing your ivory coast footballshirt. i imagine are wearing your ivory coast football shirt. i imagine you must be incredibly excited. as well as the football, of course your country is hosting the tournament. what do you think the impact of hosting this big championship tournament has been for ivory coast? big championship tournament has been for ivory coast?— for ivory coast? thank you first of all for having _ for ivory coast? thank you first of all for having me. _ for ivory coast? thank you first of all for having me. i— for ivory coast? thank you first of all for having me. i can _ for ivory coast? thank you first of all for having me. i can say - for ivory coast? thank you first of all for having me. i can say that i all for having me. i can say that the impact of this tournament, this continental event, is great. we have 34 continental event, is great. we have 3a countries which is taking part in this event. and we have the whole world gazing at cote d'ivoire, what is happening in our country. we have

had feedback in terms of economics, in terms of also culture, in terms of tourism. it's a very, very great moment for the ivorian people. as you say, we organised these events in 1984. two generations of ivorian is have not seen these events. so, they are very excited about what is taking place in our country. it is they are very excited about what is taking place in our country.- taking place in our country. it is a vibrant city- _ taking place in our country. it is a vibrant city. the _ taking place in our country. it is a vibrant city. the nightlife - taking place in our country. it is a vibrant city. the nightlife is - vibrant city. the nightlife is incredible. just describe the mood back on. it has not been an easy journey for ivory coast to get to the final. there have been some hiccups and challenges. were you hoping they would get to the final, and what is the mood back, as the match comes?—

and what is the mood back, as the match comes? . ., , ., match comes? yeah, we did not start ve easil match comes? yeah, we did not start very easily in — match comes? yeah, we did not start very easily in this _ match comes? yeah, we did not start very easily in this competition. - match comes? yeah, we did not start very easily in this competition. but i very easily in this competition. but we enjoy watching our football team develop its game over the course of the different matters. not being a football specialist, the different matters. not being a footballspecialist, i the different matters. not being a football specialist, i feel a burst of pride, and a team spirit about ourfootball of pride, and a team spirit about our football team. of pride, and a team spirit about ourfootball team. they of pride, and a team spirit about our football team. they have a very strong desire to win. we did not start easily. but what we see is that... we have had supremacy over great teams who deserved just as much as us to be in the final of this competition, of the africa cup of nations. find this competition, of the africa cup of nations-— this competition, of the africa cup of nations. “ . , ., ., ,, of nations. and ambassador, you talk about a fighting _ of nations. and ambassador, you talk about a fighting spirit. _

of nations. and ambassador, you talk about a fighting spirit. but _ of nations. and ambassador, you talk about a fighting spirit. but who - of nations. and ambassador, you talk about a fighting spirit. but who do - about a fighting spirit. but who do you think is going to win tonight? all the ivorian people is waiting for this third of for our team. we did great to arrive at this level. and all our country, all our people, awaiting for this victory. as we say in our country, we are hosting this competition and the cup must remain in our country. we think that we will win. ., ,, in our country. we think that we will win. ., ~ , ., we think that we will win. thank you very much- — we think that we will win. thank you very much- we _ we think that we will win. thank you very much. we will _ we think that we will win. thank you very much. we will have _ we think that we will win. thank you very much. we will have more - we think that we will win. thank you very much. we will have more news| we think that we will win. thank you i very much. we will have more news on it that throughout the day on bbc news. moving to news here in the uk, the housing secretary michael golf

has vowed that the section 21 practice of landlords evicting tenants for no real reason will be banned by the time of the next general election. he was speaking on the bbc�*s laura kuenssberg show where he was grilled on his party's 2019 manifesto pledge. with more on this let's talk to our political correspondent tony bonsignore. yeah, housing is going to be a huge issue at the upcoming general election in the uk. this issue of section 21 evictions. it was a promise on the 2019 conservative manifesto. it has got bogged down and delayed many, many times. the bill is now going through parliament. big questions though about how effective the legislation thatis about how effective the legislation that is being proposed is and when it will come into effect. when the section 21 no—fault evictions, people essentially being turfed out of the homes they are renting for no

reason, when that practice will actually. we have got some movement on this from the levelling up secretary michael gove today. he was pushed on by laura kuenssberg. you are explicitly saying this morning that practice will be banned, it will not be allowed to happen before the next general election? ., , ., happen before the next general election? . , ., , election? that is what it says in the bill. the — election? that is what it says in the bill. the bill— election? that is what it says in the bill. the bill ends— election? that is what it says in the bill. the bill ends section i election? that is what it says in | the bill. the bill ends section 21. previously— the bill. the bill ends section 21. previously you have said the courts might not be able to cope so we might not be able to cope so we might bring in the new law but it might bring in the new law but it might actually still happen because the courts aren't ready. i ask you again, just to be really explicit, will this practice have any —— ended by the time of the next general election? we by the time of the next general election? ~ ., ., ., election? we will have outlawed it and we will _ election? we will have outlawed it and we will put — election? we will have outlawed it and we will put money _ election? we will have outlawed it and we will put money into - election? we will have outlawed it and we will put money into the - and we will put money into the courts — and we will put money into the courts in— and we will put money into the courts in order to ensure that they can enforce — courts in order to ensure that they can enforce that. housing secretary michael gove there. and tony, another key issue is the environment, net—zero policies, and labour had some questions to answer? yeah, they have. it has been the

defining issue for labour in the past seven days. because for a long time they promised they would be spending £28 billion if they are elected, and transforming the economy, turning it into a net—zero economy, turning it into a net—zero economy, which they say will create jobs. just this week, after weeks, months, in fact, jobs. just this week, after weeks, months, infact, of jobs. just this week, after weeks, months, in fact, of speculation and uncertainty as to whether they were still committed to that number, they came out and said they want. the conservatives have pounced on this, saying it is a u—turn from labour. there were some within the party unhappy about this as well. this is one senior party mp pat mcfadden had to say about it also. this is a decision taken by keir starmer— this is a decision taken by keir starmer and this is a decision taken by keir starmerand taken this is a decision taken by keir starmer and taken for good reasons. when _ starmer and taken for good reasons. when this_ starmer and taken for good reasons. when this policy was announced a couple _ when this policy was announced a couple of— when this policy was announced a couple of years ago, interest rates were _ couple of years ago, interest rates were 0~i%~ — couple of years ago, interest rates were 0.1%. they are now at 5.25%. anyone — were 0.1%. they are now at 5.25%. anyone viewing this programme with a

mortgage _ anyone viewing this programme with a mortgage will know what that is meant _ mortgage will know what that is meant for their finances. now the parallel— meant for their finances. now the parallel between household finances and of _ parallel between household finances and of the country follows like finances — and of the country follows like finances doesn't always hold. but when _ finances doesn't always hold. but when you — finances doesn't always hold. but when you look at the country's public — when you look at the country's public finances, what that change in interest— public finances, what that change in interest rates has meant is it is costing — interest rates has meant is it is costing £70 billion more now to service — costing £70 billion more now to service our— costing £70 billion more now to service our national debt than when the policy— service our national debt than when the policy was first announced. pat mcfadden there. the argument being, that labour is making, is we made those promises when the country was in a very different economic state. but it is i think a communication challenge for labour that will get accused of a u—turn. the government, rishi sunak has also u—turn on some of his own party's commitments when it comes to net—zero. thank you. to the us and the super bowl, as football fans gear up for the final showdown later tonight between the kansas city chiefs

and san francisco 49ers. las vegas is hosting one of the world's biggest sporting events for the first time. fans have been pouring into the city. rnb star usher will be performing the famous half time show. although it is another musician stealing all the pre—game headlines. this is believed to be taylor swift's private jet landing back in the us after she raced back from her tokyo concert to witness her boyfriend chiefs star travis kelce attempt to win the trophy for a second year running. as excitement builds, here's just what some of the fans are saying. i started watching football when maybe i was 21, my early 20s. back in mexico. that was thejoe montana era. that's when i became a 49ers fan, always, till i die. chiefs, because i have been a fan for over 20 years so and we are finally here again and i am excited.

i would really like the chiefs to win. we want the 49ers to win but chiefs are gonna be really tough to beat. we want purday, our number 10, to come and make it big. but i think chiefs are tough to beat in super bowl so we will see what happens. it's going to be a great game i think, we are looking forward to it. all of us 49ers, we are very loyal. the fans are very loyal and we are very proud to be 49er fans as well. we've been wanting this for a long time and it's coming, we're going to get it tomorrow. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. it has been a rather misty and murky start to the day. we had quite a bit of fog first thing this morning across parts of north wales, the midlands, northern england and central scotland. much of that mist and fog has tended to

clear away. this was the scene in edinburgh first thing. tricky driving conditions. it has also been pretty wet. that rain in eastern england is clearing away. it will stay wet in the final —— in scotland this afternoon. elsewhere, some showers pushing their way in. they could be on the heavy side in the south—east of england. also, some sunny spells with maximum temperatures getting up to 6 degrees in aberdeen. about 11 celsius in london. through tonight we will continue with some showers, especially around western areas. they could turn wintry of a higher ground. clearskies they could turn wintry of a higher ground. clear skies elsewhere. that means it could be quite chilly to start off on monday morning. certainly in the countryside, in more rural areas, we will see some frost. in the towns and cities temperature staying above freezing. it is because we have this area of low pressure and around this area of low pressure and around this area of low pressure and around this area of low pressure we will see the winds coming in from scandinavia, through iceland, the north atlantic. all of

us are in the colder air to start off the new working week. so yes, pretty cold, pretty chilly first thing. furthershowers pretty cold, pretty chilly first thing. further showers from the west, especially in northern ireland, western scotland. again, falling as snow over the higher ground in scotland. elsewhere, largely dry with sunny spells, maximum temperatures on monday afternoon seven or 10 celsius. for the rest of the week we will have some areas of low pressure and weather fronts moving their way in from the south—west. bouts of rain. it will not be a complete wash—out, just spells of rain moving on. tuesday morning drive, fairly bright to start, the cloud increasing, you can see the rain moving into south—west thing and then, wales, northern ireland. some wintry showers over the higher ground of scotland. temperatures at this stage about nine to 11 degrees. they will start to rise even further as we go through the rest of the week. you can see that moderate south—westerly wind. the far north—west of scotland

staying in the colder air. temperatures will come up above the average for the time of year. 13, 14 degrees in southern areas. quite mixed throughout the week with spells rain. bye—bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. international warnings mount over israel's planned offensive in the southern city of rafah

in gaza, that is crammed with more than a million palestinian refugees. the un 5 humanitarian coordinator, jamie mcgoldrick, said it wasn t clear where they could run next, as the organisation doesn't have the supplies to take, accommodate and support them. the housing secretary michael gove says that no—fault evictions will be banned by the time of the general election later this year. bosses at tech company fujitsu, were paid more than a million pounds a year on average at the height of the post office scandal. a vigil�*s to be held in the memory of brianna ghey, a year after the teenager was stabbed to death in a warrington park. you're watching bbc news. let's go back to uk politics and housing is on the agenda today, with the housing secretary, michael gove announcing a new law allowing empty high street shops

to be quickly converted into homes. he's been speaking to the bbc�*s laura kuenssberg .