we are really fearful that the horrific nature of where we are could only ever get worse and it was unimaginable that it could get worse. the white house condemns remarks by donald trump in which he said he would encourage russia to attack any nato ally that failed to meet its financial obligations. king charles arrives for his first church service since his cancer diagnosis was announced. and we'll talk american football, the half—time show and taylor swift as the super bowl hits vegas. hello, i'm catherine byaruhanga. we start in the middle east, and israel is facing growing international warnings over its planned offensive in rafah — the city in southern gaza where more than half the territory's population is sheltering after fleeing their homes

elsewhere in the strip. 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, hanke bruins slot, said there could be "many civilian casualties", and described the situation in rafah as "very worrying". while saudi arabia warned of "very serious repercussions" if rafah was stormed. the israeli army continues to target rafah with shelling and air strikes, which are reported to have killed more than a0 people in the last day. the hamas—run health ministry says 112 palestinians have been killed across the whole of gaza in the past 2a hours, bringing the total number killed there since october 7th to 28,176. on saturday it was announced that

a six—year—old girl, hind rajab, who went missing in gaza city after the car she was travelling in came under fire was found dead, along with two paramedics from the palestinian red crescent who tried to save her. the palestinian red crescent has been speaking about the deaths. here's what they said. what we observed in gaza last week was unimaginable. the level of devastation and suffering is unlike anything i've seen in 35 years of my humanitarian work all over the world. this is unacceptable, this madness must stop,. this madness must stop. enough is enough. the protection of humanitarian workers and medical missions is not optional under international humanitarian law, it's mandatory. this displaced palestinian mother is in rafah. she explained how difficult it's

been to find shelter. translation: we left our house, and, as you know, my daughters are sick- and i don't have anything or anyone to help me with them. we were displaced to the camp, then we went by the sea. then there were air strikes and we spent a very difficult night with the strikes over our heads. then we came to rafah. there is no safe place to stay or to sort our lives. there is no space, we are cramped. there is no food or drink, not even water to drink or clean ourselves. 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 in rafah. very difficult to respond right now,

where people are static. people have come there looking for safety. it's the last resort for many people. do you have a contingency plan if there is a combat operation? the contingency plan was for them to arrive in rafah. that was the contingency plan we had. now we are looking for another contingency plan but we are struggling to address this contingency plan. 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 themselves have nowhere to go. 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. we don't have the supplies available to take them, accommodate them, support them, because the environment there is not conducive for a humanitarian operation this kind. so we're really fearful of the horrific nature of where we are could only get worse. it's unimaginable to think it could get worse. if the israelis were to move

in with a combat operation that allowed civilians to leave, they have nowhere to go? they have nowhere to go. it happened in khan younis, when there was all the military activity in khan younis recently. there were over 180,000 people moved from khan younis. but they didn't carry anything with them. so they arrived with small bags, no blankets, no mattresses, no warm winter clothing. if that happens again and they have to flee quickly without being able to take their tent with them or material with them, we have to start again. you have been in many desperate humanitarian situations. you were in yemen for a while. how does this compare? this is beyond anything you would ever see, because it is 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 a humanitarian response. and what's coming after it is uncertain, really uncertain. in other crises you see these things peak, then flatten out and resolve themselves. there is no sense this is the case.

this is building and building and building. so the un agency that looks after palestinians, unrwa, has been hit really hard, nearly 150 buildings damaged, more than 150 staff killed. the fact that 152 people have died, it's the biggest number we've ever lost in any crisis that we've ever been in since the start of the un. but more importantly, it is the speed by which this has happened. this has happened in a period of four months. that was the un humanitarian coordinator for the occupied palestinian territories, jamie mcgoldrick, speaking to my colleague barbara plett usher. barbara has been explaining more about the situation in rafah and where gaza residents could possibly flee to. if you look at what the israelis have said, one of the government spokesmen talked about sending them to open areas where they could put up tents. and the israeli prime ministerjust recently speaking in an interview with 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. and also assuming that the un is in a position to set up another massive tent camp sort of operation for that many people, and i think mr mcgoldrick was also concerned about that, that they don't really have the materials to have another big set—up in the way that they have sort of managed to do in rafah. he was talking there about this being a contingency plan for what was a contingency plan. and the aid has been getting in over the weeks but not nearly the amounts that the un and others have said they needed. and rafah is that main point for the delivery of aid, it's the main gateway into gaza at the moment for delivering aid. and so if it turns into a war zone then again it's not clear what the supply would be like. so that is also a concern. so, warnings there from jamie mcgoldrick, but also there have been warnings

from the us, the eu, today from the british foreign secretary. is there a sense or an indication where you are that israeli officials are taking heed of 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. and then mr netanyahu said to the army, well, make a plan then. so that in itself was a response, but in terms of whether that's going to stop the operation, indications, public indications are no. i mean, he has said, we are going to do this, this is the last bastion of hamas in gaza and in order to win the war we need to do this. those of us who are telling us not to do it are telling us, don't win the war. he is under this international pressure about the humanitarian situation. he is also under pressure

domestically from people who want him to agree to a ceasefire or a pause so that the hostages can be released. that's one element of pressure within israel. he is under pressure from his cabinet, 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's going on, they say he wasn't vigilant enough to stop the hamas attack, that it was his policies in dealing with hamas that led to this. and the idea now is to fight the war. but what will happen when it's over in terms of his political situation? so he is continuing the war right now. all of these things i think are factors that he is weighing in terms of the next step, but the israelis have been quite clear that they want to, they say, eliminate and defeat hamas. they don't want to leave it in any position where it could retain control of gaza or reconstitute itself. and so what they are saying about rafah is that they need to do this, an operation there, in order to get that goal.

let's go to the us now, and the white house has described comments by donald trump about nato as appalling and unhinged. he said he would encourage russia to attack nato members who don't meet their financial obligations to the western military alliance. nato members have agreed to spend 2% of their gdp on defence. mr trump made the comments during an election campaign rally in south carolina on saturday — take a listen. nato was busted until i came along. i said, everybody�*s got to pay. they said, if we don't pay, are you still going to protect us? i said absolutely not. they couldn't believe the answer. they asked me that question, one of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, "well, sir, if we don't pay and we are attacked by russia, will you protect us?" i said, "you didn't pay, you're delinquent?" he said, "yes, let's say that happened." "no, i would not protect you." in fact, i would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. you've got to pay. you've got to pay your bills.

for more lets speak to dr patrick bewry, defence and security expert at the university of bath and former nato analyst. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. when he was president, donald trump often threatened to pull out of the nato alliance, but i guess on the saturday these statements where he was saying he would encourage putin to attack allies if they didn't pay up their bills, what do you make of those comments? are they new? , ., ., you make of those comments? are they new? . “ you make of those comments? are they new? . ~ ., new? good afternoon. i think on the one hand they _ new? good afternoon. i think on the one hand they are _ new? good afternoon. i think on the one hand they are absolutely - one hand they are absolutely outrageous, in the fact that the cold warrior republican presidents like nixon, reagan, senior bush, would be rolling in their graves at the idea that these hard—won gains for the us in terms of its security rivalry with russia would be undone by a president who is like, well, if

you don't pay then we are not going to protect you at all. i think that's the outrageous part. but exactly like you said, in the context of donald trump's presidency, in the context of how he views politics is transactional, loyalty as transactional, i think in that context it is actually more of the same, in terms of what he is saying, when i was president i told nato they must meet that 2% and if they don't then we won't protect you. and he knew by saying that and by at least coming across as serious about it, that nato allies would start to increase their spending, and they have. in 2014, just three countries met that 2% and it is now eight out of 30 and it is increasing. so there has been a change and in some ways playing hardball with nato allies is correct. itjust depends on how far you go and these comments are too far, really. d0 you go and these comments are too far, reall . , ., ~' you go and these comments are too far, reall . i. ~ , you go and these comments are too far. really-— far, really. do you think this is a

real concern _ far, really. do you think this is a real concern for— far, really. do you think this is a real concern for nato _ far, really. do you think this is a real concern for nato countries i far, really. do you think this is a i real concern for nato countries and european partners, not only the president's comments but also the political climate in the us, where many politicians don't necessarily want to continue funding for example the war in ukraine but are also questioning whether they should be picking up the majority of the bill when it comes to nato? this must be concerning for european countries and their nato allies? £31 concerning for european countries and their nato allies?— and their nato allies? of course it is. it will and their nato allies? of course it is- it will be _ and their nato allies? of course it is. it will be interesting _ and their nato allies? of course it is. it will be interesting to - and their nato allies? of course it is. it will be interesting to see - is. it will be interesting to see how nato secretary—generaljens stoltenberg response, if he does, but i'm sure he will feel he probably needs to weigh in on this. i think two things. first of all, trump is speaking to his base here. what we can call maybe the internet angry is. i am a veteran myself and have been engaged with us veterans on this and the level of anger amongst them, normally when you are in an allied military there is a good deal of respect and joviality but there is a lot of anger among some us veterans about the fact that nato is not paying its way, and many

nations are not paying its way. it is quite extreme. and in some ways trump is playing into his base on that, regurgitating what makes them angry. it does have an impact and there is a real worry i think emerging in nato about this fact. one, russia has put its economy onto a war footing ads is increasing one, russia has put its economy onto a warfooting ads is increasing its capability relative to the rest of europe, ok? and there is now an unlikely worst course of action, but still a course of action leading that way where russia would keep going after ukraine, especially if trump was in the white house and there was a split within nato about either over ukraine and should it respond, or how would it respond to say a small incursion which should in theory trigger article five. so i think that's really where the nato alliance is worried, these what—ifs. there is now an emerging path where things could really get quite

serious. ., ~ , ., , . serious. thank you very much, defence and _ serious. thank you very much, defence and security _ serious. thank you very much, defence and security expert i serious. thank you very much, defence and security expert at| serious. thank you very much, - defence and security expert at the university of bath. king charles has thanked everyone who has sent him messages of support since his cancer diagnosis, saying the kind thoughts have been a great comfort. these are the latest pictures from sandringham, where king charles arrived earlier for his first church service since his cancer diagnosis was announced on monday. he's withdrawn from public duties to undergo regular treatment for the unspecified cancer. well—wishers and press have gathered on the outskirts of the estate to try to catch a glimpse of the king. let's get more from our correspondent louisa pilbeam at sandringham. you saw the king walking to church with his wife, queen camilla. there was a gathering of well—wishers. i wouldn't say they perhaps knew he was going to be there,

because it seemed very spontaneous. so this parkland is actually open to the public. there is a cafe and various other things here, so this crowd had gathered, around 100 people. once they knew the king would be there, there was this excitement that they might be able to perhaps get a word of well—wishing to him. but the estate is closed off at the moment. we were at the gates with many press and photographers and then this crowd started to come together hoping they might get a word with the king or that he might wave. but actually the king just sort of stoically walked towards the vicar, who you saw greeting him there outside the small medieval church. he didn't say anything to the crowd. he didn't wave but gave a look of acknowledgement, i would say. perhaps that's because we have received this public statement from the king, haven't we, where he has spoken very personally,

saying he is thankful for the warm wishes from the public and so you will be seeing shots of many people who came out, children and parents, families, as well as all the camera people and the photographers, all coming together. so there is certainly an interest, and he has felt that. he perhaps feels he has given the public his moment, from the heart, he has spoken from the heart with his very warm words saying he is overwhelmed with the warm support he has received from the public so perhaps today he didn't feel that he needed to engage again with the public directly. and as i said, the estate is actually closed, so it's not the same situation as at christmas, where they open the gates, famously, and allow people to walk up the gravel drive and get close to the king. it's not that situation so we were divided by the gates

today and so were the well—wishers. two huge sporting events are taking place tonight — the final of the africa cup of nations, which we'll have more on shortly. we will be going live to the ivory coast for that. and the super bowl — where the kansas city chiefs take on the san francisco 49ers. las vegas is hosting one of the world's biggest sporting events for the first time, and fans have been pouring into the city. r'n'b star usher will be performing in the famous half—time show. but it's 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. with me isjoe cardona, a nine—year nfl veteran who won the super bowl twice with his team, the new england patriots. and you are flashing your super bowl rings, ouraudience and you are flashing your super bowl rings, our audience can see them. it is rare to see them so i'm happy to witness one for the first time. i want to take you back to the us and your colleagues who are obviously now taking part in the super bowl. what do you think will be going through their minds with all this international attention? preparing for a su er international attention? preparing for a super bowl— international attention? preparing for a super bowl is _ international attention? preparing for a super bowl is something - for a super bowl is something different, it is something very special, because every... you know that the world is watching. usually we get great viewership in the us but the where with all that international media is following this one game and you are the only show on tv is pretty overwhelming. and now obviously the focus and attention has been raised by the fact that taylor swift could be there. obviously this has brought a

lot of attention to the sport. what do you think about all the press and buzz around taylor swift and bnfl? it has been really interesting to watch, and how it developed. i think all of us nfl players are really happy to see a guy like travis kelce have such an awesome experience there. but i think as players we are also happy to see that the game is growing and we are getting more fans, whether that be different parts of the world that our taylor swift friends or whether itjust be a lot of young ladies tuning in. some of herfans a lot of young ladies tuning in. some of her fans who are trying to catch a glimpse of her. but taking us to the game itself, what do you make of it and how much of a big tournament or how exciting that the game itself before people viewing? i think for anybody tuning in, it's a great matchup. you have two teams are really at the top of the game.

you have the biggest stars, whether it be patrick mahomes or travis kelce on the chiefs, and christian mccaffrey and brock purdy on the 49ers. it will be a great match up, two of the best teams in the nfl without a doubt and it'll be fun to watch. ~ ., ,, ~' without a doubt and it'll be fun to watch. ~ ., , ., ~' without a doubt and it'll be fun to watch. ~ ., , ., ~ i watch. who you think will win? i like the 49ers _ watch. who you think will win? i like the 49ers in _ watch. who you think will win? i like the 49ers in this _ watch. who you think will win? i like the 49ers in this one. - watch. who you think will win? i like the 49ers in this one. that l like the 49ers in this one. that would disappoint _ like the 49ers in this one. that would disappoint a _ like the 49ers in this one. that would disappoint a lot - like the 49ers in this one. that would disappoint a lot of swifties who are watching who want her boyfriend to win the. brute who are watching who want her boyfriend to win the.— who are watching who want her boyfriend to win the. we are not t in: to boyfriend to win the. we are not trying to disappoint _ boyfriend to win the. we are not trying to disappoint the - boyfriend to win the. we are not| trying to disappoint the swifties, but that team is so good in their defence is great. it will be a great match up. defence is great. it will be a great match u. ., ~ i. defence is great. it will be a great match u. ., ~ , defence is great. it will be a great matchu. ., , . ., match up. thank you very much, and ou can match up. thank you very much, and you can flash — match up. thank you very much, and you can flash your — match up. thank you very much, and you can flash your rings _ match up. thank you very much, and you can flash your rings again - match up. thank you very much, and you can flash your rings again for- you can flash your rings again for our audience, a once in a while viewing there. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. from the super bowl to the final of the africa cup of nations, where hosts ivory coast will 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. let's speak to our sports reporter mimi fawaz, who's live in abidjan in the ivory coast. you must have the best gig on the bbc today, being in abidjan in the lead up to the afcon finals. describe the mood there. the lead up to the afcon finals. describe the mood there. the mood is incredible. ivory _ describe the mood there. the mood is incredible. ivory coast _ describe the mood there. the mood is incredible. ivory coast is _ describe the mood there. the mood is incredible. ivory coast is a _ describe the mood there. the mood is incredible. ivory coast is a country - incredible. ivory coast is a country that definitely loves its football, and everywhere you go people are turning out for the final today. let me tell you something, i went to try to get an ivory coastjersey as a bit of memorabilia, as a journalist i try to get the jerseys of countries i have been to, it is sold out everywhere. the stadiums are always packed whenever ivory coast are playing. i went for the senegal match where ivory coast knocked out champions senegal and it was a sea of orange in the stadium. time of

nigerian heritage, so around town people were saying today, we are going to beat you! people are in a celebratory mood ahead of the big game. celebratory mood ahead of the big name. , ., , ., . , celebratory mood ahead of the big ame. , ., , ., game. the question is the legacy of these games- _ game. the question is the legacy of these games. some _ game. the question is the legacy of these games. some say _ game. the question is the legacy of these games. some say this - game. the question is the legacy of these games. some say this is - game. the question is the legacy of these games. some say this is the l these games. some say this is the best football there has ever been at an afcon so describe a bit more about this. i an afcon so describe a bit more about thie— an afcon so describe a bit more about this. ., , _, ., about this. i have been coming to the africa cup _ about this. i have been coming to the africa cup of— about this. i have been coming to the africa cup of nations - about this. i have been coming to the africa cup of nations for - about this. i have been coming to| the africa cup of nations for many years for bbc and it is definitely one of the best tournaments i have covered. in the past people were talking about favourites, there is always a competition where people talk about favourites, but in this competition most of the favourites were knocked out of the group stages. we saw teams who are traditionally seen as underdogs such as cape verde and equatorial guinea springing surprises and putting in really good results. we are now seeing in african football the gap between teams that are top teams traditionally and teams that are

traditionally and teams that are traditionally seen as minnows being really closed. it shows you that football in africa is developing. the quality has been fantastic at this competition. 50 the quality has been fantastic at this competition.— the quality has been fantastic at this competition. so who is going to win? with my _ this competition. so who is going to win? with my nigerian _ this competition. so who is going to win? with my nigerian heritage... l win? with my nigerian heritage... that's the easy — win? with my nigerian heritage... that's the easy way _ win? with my nigerian heritage... that's the easy way out, - win? with my nigerian heritage... that's the easy way out, it's - win? with my nigerian heritage... j that's the easy way out, it's about the football, don't take the easy way out, who will win?— the football, don't take the easy way out, who will win? what i will sa is it way out, who will win? what i will say is it will— way out, who will win? what i will say is it will be _ way out, who will win? what i will say is it will be a _ way out, who will win? what i will say is it will be a very _ way out, who will win? what i will say is it will be a very good - way out, who will win? what i will say is it will be a very good game | say is it will be a very good game and a very tight game. nigeria are the highest ranked team right now left in the competition. they have a very strong defence throughout the competition. the ivory coast, the hosts, they have had second chances. they were meant to be on their way out of the group stages but got a second lifeline as one of the best third placed teams to make it through and they have got better and better in the knockout stages, knocking out champions senegal. lots of great results like against mali. both sides come you never know, but

they both come into the game very strong. they both come into the game very stronu. ., ~ they both come into the game very stronu. . ~' ,, they both come into the game very stronu. . ~ i. ., they both come into the game very stronu. ., ~ ., a ., ., strong. thank you from abid'an, and i'm sure it will— strong. thank you from abid'an, and i'm sure it will be h strong. thank you from abid'an, and i'm sure it will be a h strong. thank you from abid'an, and i'm sure it will be a great _ strong. thank you from abidjan, and i'm sure it will be a great night - i'm sure it will be a great night there. we will have more updates on afcon throughout the day here on bbc news will stop one way to follow the game would be on social media where i'm sure there will be great rivalry online between ivorian and nigerian fans. laterwe online between ivorian and nigerian fans. later we will hear from the diaspora here in the uk who will be tuning in on this fabulous night of football and sport, as we will also be talking about the super bowl. you are watching bbc news. stay with us, the headlines are next. hello there, it's been a rather misty and murky start to the day and 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 but this was the scene in edinburgh first thing this morning, tricky driving conditions if you're on the roads. it has also been pretty wet, that rain across eastern england is clearing away. it will stay wet in the far northeast of scotland throughout this afternoon, elsewhere showers will push in. they could be on the heavy side, especially in the south—east of england but also some sunny spells this afternoon with maximum temperatures of six degrees in aberdeen, about 11 celsius in london. through tonight, we continue with some showers especially around western areas, those could turn wintry over higher ground. clear skies elsewhere and 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 temperatures just staying above freezing. it is because we have this area of low pressure and around this area we will see the winds coming in from scandinavia, through iceland and the north atlantic so all of us are in the colder air to start off the new working week. so yes, pretty cold and chilly first thing. further showers will spread in from the west, especially over northern ireland, western scotland and again

falling as snow over the higher grade of scotland, elsewhere should be largely dry with sunny spells and maximum temperatures on monday 7—10 celsius. for the rest of the week we will have areas of low pressure and weather fronts moving on from the south—west so bouts of rain, it will not be a complete wash—out, just spells of rain moving in. tuesday morning dry, fairly bright to start off with. cloud increasing from the south—west and you can see rain moving in to south—west england, wales, northern england and northern ireland. again there could be one or two wintry showers over the higher ground in scotland. temperatures 9—11 celsius, but they will rise further as we go through the rest of the week. you can see that milder south—westerly wind, except the far north and west of scotland, herejust staying in the colder air. temperatures will come up above the average for the time of year, 13—14 celsius for southern areas.

as i said, quite mixed throughout the week with spells of 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, where around one and a half million palestinians have sought shelter. the un's humanitarian coordinator, jamie mcgoldrick, has told the bbc it isn't clear where they can run

next, as the organisation doesn't have the resources to take, accommodate and support them. final results from pakistan's election show independent candidates won the most seats in parliament — a total of 101. 93 of them are allied to jailed leader imran khan, whose party was barred from running. and the uk housing secretary michael gove has said that the practice of landlords evicting tenants for no real reason will be banned before the uk's next general election later this year. the final results of the parliamentary election in pakistan showed that independent candidates

link to imran khan won