hezbollah launches a ballistic missile towards tel aviv — israel says it's the first time the group has targeted the city. i am kasia madera in london. in other news... here in uk, winterfuel vote dominates final day of labour party conference. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has warned the world that russia is preparing a serious escalation of its war against his country. recently, i received yet another alarming report from our intelligence. now putin does seem to be planning attacks on our nuclear power plants and the infrastructure. iam i am live at the united nations in new york, where president zelensky is seeking strong support from world leaders gathered here before he heads

to the white house for a meeting with president biden. hello, you are watching bbc news, i am anna foster live in beirut. some breaking news. israel is calling up two additional army brigades to its northern border. this has been confirmed by the israeli defense forces in the last half an hour or so. they say the troops would be there to continue combat operations against hezbollah. many of hezbollah�*s leadership are based on the south and we have seen many strikes, including hezbollah�*s commander. joining me now from jerusalem is our correspondent daniel de simone.

talk us through the context of the idf' talk us through the context of the idf�* preparations on the northern border? the the idf' preparations on the northern border? the context is israel set a _ northern border? the context is israel set a goal _ northern border? the context is israel set a goal for _ northern border? the context is israel set a goal for itself - northern border? the context is israel set a goal for itself of - israel set a goal for itself of returning home 60,000 israelis who have been displaced in the north of the country due to rocket fire from hezbollah. that was the goal set at the beginning of last week and since then we have seen a series of attacks against hezbollah. we saw the and pager attacks as we can do extensive air strikes today, including in beirut against senior hezbollah figures. we then saw a division of the army move north. today the call up of reserve brigades. within the last 20 minutes, we have had remarks released by the chief of the general staff of the israeli military, which probably are the strongest indication yet that we may well be heading to a ground offensive in terms of what has been said. he was speaking to troops in the north of the country and he says, he talks about a possible entry on the ground. but then he says,

he speaks again about the goal but then says, we are preparing the process of a manoeuvre, which means your military boots, your manoeuvring boots will enter enemy territory, enter villages hezbollah has prepared as large military outposts. he says, your entry into those areas with force and you will encounter with hezbollah operatives and show them what it means to face a professional, highly skilled and battle trained force. there are further remarks also. so that appears to be an indication that we are heading to a ground offensive. that has long been speculated because the goal that israel has set for itself of stopping hezbollah rocket fire has clearly not been met through air strikes, clearly not been met through airstrikes, despite clearly not been met through air strikes, despite all of the extensive air strikes this week that have killed hundreds of people in lebanon and the un today said 90,000 people have been displaced in lebanon this week by the air strikes. that is in addition to 90,000 people

who had been displaced previously. who had been displaced previously-— who had been displaced reviousl . ~ ., previously. we were hearing that the un _ previously. we were hearing that the un over— previously. we were hearing that the un over the - previously. we were hearing that the un over the last - that the un over the last couple of days, calls for de—escalation. the us secretary of state antony blinken saying in the last few hours that intensive diplomatic work is going on behind the scenes to try and stop a further escalation. but as you say, an israeli ground offensive into lebanon would really be a step up lebanon would really be a step up in this conflict. as you said, it is something that israel have promised the people who have moved out of those northern communities but also a gamble for israel because they are still fighting a war in gaza as well?— are still fighting a war in gaza as well? they are. the israeli defence _ gaza as well? they are. the israeli defence minister- gaza as well? they are. the israeli defence minister last week spoke about the centre of gravity of this war, in singular terms, talking about one more, in gaza and in the north, has moved north and the israeli military is in a new phase of this war. so they very much rhetorically moved this conflict to the north. they are

seeing it as one conflict. hezbollah itself of course has always linked it firing of rockets, which started the day after the october the 7th attacks by hamas, they started on the 8th of october, they have linked it to gaza and their leader again linking it last week, saying they stop firing rockets, they would have a ceasefire if there was a ceasefire in gaza. but as things stand, there is no prospect of that happening. there is no ceasefire in gaza at the moment, despite everything the us has been saying and the conflict with hezbollah has been intensifying, deepening, increasing, to the point that now there is a possible ground offensive and we are hearing remarks like i havejust offensive and we are hearing remarks like i have just read out from the head of the israeli military. so i think there have been calls now for a while by world leaders, by the un, for a diplomatic route through this which would allow people on both sides of the border, lebanon and israel, to return home. but as things stand, thatjust is not on the table. we seem to be going into

a deeper and more violent conflict. ., ~ , ., conflict. daniel, thank you. our corresponding - conflict. daniel, thank you. our corresponding injuries. conflict. daniel, thank you. | our corresponding injuries. i 0ur corresponding injuries. i want to give you some figures released today that gives you an indication of the strikes we have been seeing here in lebanon. the lebanese health ministry said at least 51 people have been killed today, more than 220 wounded. the idf said they had struck maybe 300 targets here in lebanon. they said 60 of them were linked to lebanese hezbollah intelligence and all of that coupled with what daniel was just saying about the remarks being made by the israeli chief of the general staff shows you why we are seeing the international community and governments like the uk in the us urging people to leave. that has certainly become a lot more difficult in the last couple of days because basically all of the airlines that were flying in and of beirut, european airlines, gulf

airlines have now essentially stopped. i was checking the departures board at the airport a little earlier and really it is only the lebanese national carrier that still appears to be flying. that is why we were told in the last 2a hours that the uk government is already making plans for a military evacuation of those british expats who remain in the country who are now struggling to buy tickets on the limited number of flights out. joining me now is bethany bell, who is in cyprus. you are just across the mediterranean from where i am in beirut. why is that an important part of any uk effort to get people out of lebanon? the british government has announced it is sending 700 military personnel here to cyprus and i am in front of one of the main british hubs in the region. there says in order to help contingency planning for possible evacuations of uk

citizens from lebanon. we are told by officials that a lot will depend on whether commercialflights are will depend on whether commercial flights are still running or not. but certainly we have been told that the planning is ramping up, these extra personnel here, as well as their space here, also the navy has two ships in the eastern mediterranean and all that message has been over the last 2a hours from the prime minister, keir starmer, that it is time for uk citizens to leave lebanon.— is time for uk citizens to leave lebanon. �* ., , , ., ., leave lebanon. and as you are sa in: , leave lebanon. and as you are saying. this — leave lebanon. and as you are saying. this is _ leave lebanon. and as you are saying, this is an _ leave lebanon. and as you are saying, this is an operation - saying, this is an operation thatis saying, this is an operation that is not done lightly or easily and it is a call that has been sent out from other governments as well. is there any chance that the uk will perhaps coordinate with other european governments, with the us, to try and get people out in a large operation? irate

in a large operation? we haven't— in a large operation? we haven't been _ in a large operation? - haven't been given details specifically about certainly in the past, that is something that governments were closely in coordination with each other. but we have been told there is a significant british military and diplomatic presence in the region to give as much support to uk citizens as much support to uk citizens as possible. but for now, with some commercial flight still operating, as you said, british citizens have been urged to take all means to leave the country as they can, but the government says it is making plans in case that is not possible. plans in case that is not possible-— plans in case that is not ossible. ., �* possible. thank you, bethany. she was talking _ possible. thank you, bethany. she was talking about - possible. thank you, bethany. she was talking about what. possible. thank you, bethany. l she was talking about what keir starmer had to say in the last few hours. let's hear the message he sent to uk expats who remain here in lebanon.

in relation to lebanon, i'm very worried about the escalation and are calling for all parties to step back from the brink to de—escalate. we need a ceasefire so this can be sorted out diplomatically. but i've a very important message for british nationals in lebanon, which is — the time to leave is now. the contingency plans are being ramped up but don't wait for those. there are still commercial flights. it's very important that they hear my message, which is to leave and to leave immediately. that was sir keir starmer saying there quite rightly that there are commercial flights leaving lebanon in small numbers, but certainly the british nationals i have been speaking to today say those flights are now very difficult to get tickets on. many of them are sold out and also where tickets do remain, they are incredibly expensive, perhaps out of some people's financial reach. although the message from the uk government is a clear one. much more to bring you from here in lebanon and israel is well on this developing story, so do stay

with us. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

welcome back, you are watching verified live from bbc news. much more on the escalating tension in the middle east on our website and we will be coming back to that throughout the day. here in the uk, in the last couple of hours, trade unions have won a vote calling for the government to reverse cuts to the winter fuel payment. although the vote is non—binding, it will be seen as a blow to leadership on the final day of labour party conference. 0ur political correspondent iain watson sent us this report from liverpool. well, this didn't take long. the labour government was elected in july and is facing protests by september. save the winter fuel! members of some of the big unions are opposing cuts to the winter fuel allowance, and the unite union took the issue to the conference floor. friends, people simply

do not understand. i do not understand how our new labour government can cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners and leave the super—rich untouched. this is not what people voted for. it's the wrong decision and it needs to be reversed. the labour conference voted against the labour government's cuts to the winter fuel allowance, but that does not mean that they will be stopped. more than 11.5 million pensioners currently receive winter fuel payments of up to £300. the vast majority of them are set to lose this. the result of today's vote is not binding on the labour leadership, but the fact it is taking place at all is potentially embarrassing. and that is why the debate has been shunted right to the end of conference, after sir keir starmer has already left. before he left liverpool, he told bbc breakfast that the conservatives were to blame for some of the cuts he had to make, but that the poorest pensioners would be protected.

these are difficult decisions, but equally, as you would expect, we are getting as many pensioners as possible onto pension credit, which means they are guaranteed the winter fuel payment and many more have now got pension credit. that is a very good thing to ensure that they've got the protection they need and the allowance which will go towards their winter fuel. and the work and pensions secretary said there'd be more welfare reforms on the way, especially for those of working age. no more writing people off, then blaming them just to grab a cheap headline. no more denying people the chances and choices they deserve, but instead real opportunities so families can build a better future. children can fulfil their potential. and so we build a stronger economy and society too. the only way to get britain growing again is to get britain working again.

labour party members singing in harmony, but this week we've also heard discordant voices and the noises off are likely to continue. iain watson, bbc news, liverpool. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has warned the world that russia is planning a serious escalation of its war against his country. addressing the united nations general assembly, mr zelensky said that the russian leader vladimir putin is planning to attack nuclear power plants in ukraine. recently, i received yet another alarming report from our intelligence. now putin does seem to be planning attacks on our nuclear power plants and the infrastructure, aiming to disconnect the plants from the power grid. with the help of satellites, by the way, ladies and gentlemen. by the way, satellites of other

countries. russia is getting images and detailed information about the infrastructure of our nuclear power plants. but what does this really threaten? any missile or drone strike, any critical incident in the energy system could lead to a nuclear disaster, a day like that must never come. moscow needs to understand this and this depends, in part, on your determination to put pressure on the aggressor. these are nuclear power plants. they must be safe. ., ., , , be safe. volodymyr zelensky the are be safe. volodymyr zelensky they are addressing - be safe. volodymyr zelensky they are addressing the - be safe. volodymyr zelensky they are addressing the un l they are addressing the un general assembly. my colleague sumi somaskanda is at the un for us. sumi, you are monitoring the speech that happened in the past hour also?— speech that happened in the past hour also? that is right. it was past hour also? that is right. it was really _ past hour also? that is right. it was really a _ past hour also? that is right. it was really a stark- past hour also? that is right. it was really a stark message to delegates and world leaders gathered here in new york. president zelensky making very clear that it is notjust about

ukraine's territorial sovereignty but how this conflict could be brought to the rest of the world. that is why he raised that point about nuclear plant safety. but i want to bring in our north america reporter who is listening to the speech and has been speaking to delegates here. it was interesting, especially to hear president zelensky have this pointed message for the global south. tell us more about what he said there. ., ., ~' tell us more about what he said there. ., ., ~ ., there. look, we heard in speeches _ there. look, we heard in speeches from _ there. look, we heard in speeches from brazil... | there. look, we heard in - speeches from brazil... that china — speeches from brazil... that china and _ speeches from brazil... that china and brazil have come up with. — china and brazil have come up with. the _ china and brazil have come up with, the peace plan ukraine has described as destructive because _ has described as destructive because it does not require russia _ because it does not require russia to _ because it does not require russia to withdraw before direct _ russia to withdraw before direct negotiations take place. on friday, others will be spoken— on friday, others will be spoken to about this peace plan — spoken to about this peace plan 50— spoken to about this peace plan. so it's interesting to see — plan. so it's interesting to see president zelensky, who is here _ see president zelensky, who is here in— see president zelensky, who is here in new york tried to push this idea — here in new york tried to push this idea that ukraine has to be coming from a place of

strength to force president putih— strength to force president putin to _ strength to force president putin to the negotiating table. so putin to the negotiating table. 50 he — putin to the negotiating table. so he directly criticise china and — so he directly criticise china and brazil, questioning what intentions were and that these, what _ intentions were and that these, what he — intentions were and that these, what he called half—hearted settlement plans, were just forsaking ukrainian interests and giving president putin the political— and giving president putin the political space to continue his war — political space to continue his war he — political space to continue his war. he said that ukraine wouldn't, ukrainians would not sacrifice — wouldn't, ukrainians would not sacrifice their future, essentially, for others to gain more — essentially, for others to gain more power. essentially, for others to gain more power-— more power. very interesting how he talked _ more power. very interesting how he talked about - more power. very interesting | how he talked about alternate peace plans that can be listened to. this is a lot part of a larger visit the president zelensky. he is heading to the white house to meet president biden. a lot of talk of this plan for victory that will be presented. tell us more about this diplomatic push we are seeing from president zelensky. he is going to be unveiling that— he is going to be unveiling that victory plan after he presents it to joe that victory plan after he presents it tojoe biden. we know— presents it tojoe biden. we know he _ presents it tojoe biden. we know he is really keen as well to meet— know he is really keen as well to meet with the candidates for

the us— to meet with the candidates for the us election, kamala harris, still questions over whether he will meet — still questions over whether he will meet president trump. some reports _ will meet president trump. some reports that has been cancelled because — reports that has been cancelled because of some remarks he has given— because of some remarks he has given to — because of some remarks he has given to the press, saying essentially that president trump _ essentially that president trump does not quite know how difficult — trump does not quite know how difficult it — trump does not quite know how difficult it would be to end the war. _ difficult it would be to end the war, nudging on his comments that if he was elected he would — comments that if he was elected he would end the war in ukraine ina he would end the war in ukraine iha day~ — he would end the war in ukraine in a day. but for president zelensky, it really isjust about— zelensky, it really isjust about getting the world united around — about getting the world united around his plan. not wanting any alternatives to be discussed. so he, for example, has spoken— discussed. so he, for example, has spoken at a security coundi— has spoken at a security council high—level meeting. he has spoken today in the general assembly passed and he said he has held — assembly passed and he said he has held meetings with leaders from _ has held meetings with leaders from germany, japan, all over the world, _ from germany, japan, all over the world, india, as well, to really— the world, india, as well, to really push for what he calls a 'ust really push for what he calls a just peace. there is a lot of state. _ just peace. there is a lot of state, certainly for ukraine, obviously. but when you look at the upcoming winter, he raised the upcoming winter, he raised the issue — the upcoming winter, he raised the issue of how things could

-et the issue of how things could get more _ the issue of how things could get more difficult for his country— get more difficult for his country and he claimed that russia — country and he claimed that russia is— country and he claimed that russia is even planning attacks on their— russia is even planning attacks on their nuclear facilities. that— on their nuclear facilities. that is— on their nuclear facilities. that is exactly what he said in his speech to the delegates. 0ne his speech to the delegates. one more point we keep hearing is president zelensky will push again to be able to use western long—range missiles into russian territory. that is something we can anticipate will be discussed with president biden? �* , , will be discussed with president biden? , , ., president biden? and because of the threat of _ president biden? and because of the threat of russia _ president biden? and because of the threat of russia wanting - president biden? and because of the threat of russia wanting to l the threat of russia wanting to target — the threat of russia wanting to target ukraine's nuclear facilities and how detrimental that would be, he said it is necessary for ukraine to go on the military offensive. he says that is— the military offensive. he says that is part of his victory plah _ that is part of his victory plan. they have already had an incursion— plan. they have already had an incursion into kursk. he says that— incursion into kursk. he says that shows the ukrainian spirit will not — that shows the ukrainian spirit will not be broken but there is that— will not be broken but there is that key— will not be broken but there is that key demand from western allies— that key demand from western allies to — that key demand from western allies to be able to use long—range missiles to hit inside _ long—range missiles to hit inside russia. president biden has not — inside russia. president biden has not committed to that. western— has not committed to that. western leaders haven't committed to that because of president putin saying that he would — president putin saying that he would see that as direct

involvement by nato in the conflict _ involvement by nato in the conflict. so that will certainly be a topic i am sure he will— certainly be a topic i am sure he will be _ certainly be a topic i am sure he will be bringing up with president biden.— he will be bringing up with president biden. thank you so much. president biden. thank you so much- we _ president biden. thank you so much. we will— president biden. thank you so much. we will be _ president biden. thank you so much. we will be following . president biden. thank you so much. we will be following allj much. we will be following all of president zelensky�*s movement here in new york but as we heard, this is a very critical week for president zelensky as he essentially is closing ranks behind his efforts to get more support for ukraine as the country heads into this long winter and with that very big unknown of the us presidential election coming up. back to you in london. many thanks, sumi. _ lots to pick up on this. michal baranowski, is managing director of german marshall fund east. thank you forjoining us. what do you make of what we heard from the un general assembly from the un general assembly from president zelensky because he invoked what happened in

chernobyl and talked about the facility of russia attacking nuclear power stations. a stark, stark warning for the international community? absolutely. i mean, this is a real danger. we are talking about it here in poland. this would be a catastrophe that impacts not only ukraine but also neighbouring countries, including russia, by the way, and president zelensky was right to pressure the unit elite international community to do something about this real danger and also he made a case about bringing russia to the table but really, at this point, it is president putin who has to be forced to come to the table because russia is just continuing attacking both the border regions but also civilian populations in ukraine. so he is asking for the world to finally act. 50 ukraine. so he is asking for the world to finally act. so he is askin: the world to finally act. so he is asking for _ the world to finally act. so he is asking for the _ the world to finally act. so he is asking for the world - the world to finally act. so he is asking for the world to - is asking for the world to finally act, is that why he is

not asking for permission to use those from the meat long—range missiles into russian territory? is he balancing what he is asking for and trying to keep the international community on his side? ., , .., side? that request will come. that request _ side? that request will come. that request is _ side? that request will come. that request is specifically - side? that request will come. that request is specifically to | that request is specifically to president biden. it is really for his one—on—one meeting and i hope that there will be a movement in american position. the reason why ukrainians need the ability to strike deeper inside russia is to be able to reach the airports from which the flights take off to bombard ukrainian cities and potentially destroy ukrainian power plants, as well, including damaging nuclear power plants. so it is really a request to be able to defend itself in much more effective way but that is for a

conversation specifically with president biden, who right now is not allowing for this to go forward, including the ability to use, for example, british weapons that ukraine already has. 50 weapons that ukraine already has, ., , ., weapons that ukraine already has. ., , ., ., has. so a question for president _ has. so a question for president biden, - has. so a question for - president biden, possibly also a question going forward when there is a new president in the white house. how does volodymyr zelensky future proof his victory plan for whoever takes over the oval office? i victory plan for whoever takes over the oval office?- over the oval office? i don't think there _ over the oval office? i don't think there is _ over the oval office? i don't think there is a _ over the oval office? i don't think there is a way - over the oval office? i don't think there is a way to - over the oval office? i don't| think there is a way to future proof the relations between the us and ukraine. that is why it is so critical for president zelensky to also meet with former president trump. he is meeting with candidate and vice president kamala harris. what he can do and what he is asking president biden to do is to move forward in support of ukraine, precisely when it comes, specifically when it

comes, specifically when it comes to extending the range of weapons and there will also be a request to buttress their security guarantees from the united states to ukraine. so a piece can be reached with russia, but from a just position, from a position of strength. now the next president of the united states can turn it all around. that is why i don't think that what president zelensky can get in this trip is a resolution of this... ., this... you will need -- he will need _ this... you will need -- he will need to _ this... you will need -- he will need to be _ this... you will need -- he will need to be quick - this... you will need -- he i will need to be quick because he is meeting president biden tomorrow. thank you so much for joining us on bbc news. hello. we saw intense rainfall and flooding for many on monday. tuesday brought a slightly drier day for some of us. but now, wednesday, we are seeing the arrival of more rain. it's going to last

on and off for many of us over the next few days. the winds are going to be strengthening too. so a fairly unsettled spell of weather, certainly until friday. let's take a look at the rainfall that we're expecting to accumulate over the next few days. some places, particularly northeast england, but also central and southern england and into wales, could see up to about 80mm of rain and some of that is falling on very saturated ground. so i think we're going to see some further problems with localised flooding later in the week. so low pressure is driving our weather at the moment. it's slowly moving its way in from the west, so for the rest of today, we're seeing rain across central and northern parts of england into northern ireland, some heavy showers rattling into wales and southwest england overnight as well. now, this rainfall across the north east of england is going to be particularly persistent, blown in by that fairly brisk easterly wind as well. so a pretty damp start to your thursday, i think, for many areas, with some heavy showers, perhaps some thunderstorms towards the south. temperatures 10 or ii in the south. we're going to see single figures across the north of scotland, which is seeing some of the drier and clearer weather at the moment. now through tomorrow, then, we've still got persistent rain pushing in across parts of northern england, particularly heavy in the northeast. also northern ireland

seeing some heavy rain. wales, central and southern england is going to see a mix of some sunshine, but also some scattered heavy showers and some thunderstorms as well. it is again the north of scotland that is drier but also cooler — temperatures there only around 11 degrees. the teens further south because we've got this colder air as we move towards the end of the week. it's going to be filtering its way in from the north. by the time we get to friday, still a weather front bringing some heavy rain initially for central, southeastern parts of england. that should tend to ease away through the day. so we're into the clearer skies, but colder conditions. the winds coming in from the north, so temperaturesjust around about 9—ilt degrees for most of us north to south. perhaps just a little bit milder towards the far south west. but by first thing saturday morning scenes like this, i think — quite a frosty start. even in our towns and cities, temperatures 2 or 3 degrees first thing saturday. colder than that, though, in the more rural spots. so into the weekend then, we have got high pressure that's going to be keeping the weather fronts at bay, at least for a time. so largely dry and settled. but with that cold air in place, some frosty nights to come. but for most of us, it is looking drier

with some sunny spells. perhaps a bit more rain in the north west later in the weekend.

where's boeing going? striking workers reject the latest pay offer sending the plane—maker back to the drawing board an upgrade for the uk economy. a forecast boost

despite sticky inflation. and has the humble wallet had its day? is it past its sell by date as more and more people pay for things with smartphones? welcome to business today, i'm mark lobel. the crisis at boeing rumbles on. the union representing thousands of striking boeing workers posted on social media to say they were not interested in the aviation giant's latest pay offer. the company proposed a 30% pay rise over four years and the reinstatement of a performance bonus and improved retirement benefits. the international association of machinists and aerospace workers said that a survey of its members called the offer "inadequate". so how damaging is this to boeing — i asked tourism and aviation leadership expert anita mendiratta. i think we need to put this in context, there is significant difficulty as a result of the

entire airline as ultimately