tensions remain high in the middle east, following israeli strikes on southern lebanon and the occupied west bank overnight. this large explosion was seen near beirut�*s international airport, which borders the suburb of dahieh a hezbollah stronghold which has been a continuing target for israeli attacks. it comes as more chartered flights are expected to depart in the coming days. elsewhere, in the occupied west bank, the israeli military says it has killed a senior hamas figure, following a strike on a refugee camp in the city of tulkarm. palestinian health officials say at least 18 people were killed in the strike on a cafe. but first our middle east correspondent hugo bachega sent this report from beirut. another night in beirut and more israeli air strikes.

war returns to this city. and this attack came with no warning. we went to inspect the damage — a residential building near the lebanese parliament. beirut appears increasingly under threat. this is where an emergency response group linked to hezbollah operated, now gone. "there were just emergency service workers. "this is the truth. "we only saw them helping people out," says mustafa, who lives on the tenth floor of the building hit. the damage in this building gives you a sense of the power of this attack. and they've been cleaning up the rubble here, but we can still see some surgical masks and gloves and bandages

as well. and you can probably hear the sound of drones flying overhead. this is a densely populated district here in central beirut. hasan, who's a teacher, has lived in this neighbourhood for 2h years. these are some of the victims of the attack. they include one rescue officer and two paramedics. the recent israeli air strikes have killed 97 medical workers across lebanon, according to the health minister. the israeli military hasn't commented about this attack, but this hezbollah mp remains defiant. translation: things i are clear and our position has remained unchanged. we've not deviated an inch from it and we should continue down this path. the cemetery across the street wasn't spared the damage. these days in beirut, there's no peace for the living, or the dead. hugo bachega, bbc news, beirut. meanwhile, many israeli

communities close to the lebanese border have been sealed off, since israeli forces launched their land invasion on monday. the few remaining residents, many part of civil defence teams, want an end to hezbollah rocket attacks. lucy williamson has been to one of the villages along the frontier, and sent us this report. the communities along israel's northern border are now a closed military zone. the road in takes you through line of sight from hezbollah positions. israeli forces outnumber residents along this border many times over, fresh out of lebanon, or waiting to go in. we walked the last few metres to a vantage point in a near empty kibbutz. you can start to see the buildings we've taken out. buildings used by hezbollah lie broken. nearby, the town of bintjbeil, where israel's army said today it had killed hezbollah fighters. hezbollah has said it targeted

soldiers just over that hill. we're now very close to the lebanese border. locals here tell us the first hezbollah village is about a mile or so away from here. for the past year, people here have looked across this border and watched hezbollah fire rockets towards them. now, for the first time in almost two decades, they're looking across that border and watching israeli forces battle hezbollah fighters on lebanese soil. you can see into lebanon from the terrace of dean sweetland's house. when residents evacuated this area a year ago, this former british soldier stayed. eight years after moving here from london, his son is serving in the israeli army and this is home now. it's been very noisy. the house is shaking three, four times a day. running into the shelter, taking the dogs, the dogs are going crazy. you never know if it's anti—tank. you only hear the whooshing noise. we can't continue.

we can't continue this for another year, another two years of having hezbollah sitting on our border, just waiting to do an october the 7th on us, but, you know, my son is in the army, and do we want our kids being in there slaughtered where hezbollah have been waiting for this for nearly 20 years? they've been waiting for us to go in. both israel's previous ground wars here began as limited incursions. the risks of getting mired in lebanon, familiar terrain for those who trod this path before. lucy williamson, bbc news, the israel—lebanon border. with me is said shehata from bbc arabic. lovely to have you with us. anything further to add following those overnight strikes? , ., strikes? there is a continuing israeli airstrikes _ strikes? there is a continuing israeli airstrikes and - strikes? there is a continuing israeli airstrikes and one - strikes? there is a continuing israeli airstrikes and one of. israeli airstrikes and one of them, it is reported from israeli sources, threatening

the potential successor to the leader of hezbollah. there is no confirmation as to whether he is dead or not. there were targeting him but it was indeed underground. the explosion we heard in beirut, striking the stronghold of hezbollah. in addition to that, there are two muscles that launched —— missal is launched at the border crossing area between syria and lebanon because is real accusing hezbollah of smuggling weapons from syria to lebanon but the lebanese authorities said are controlled so they are denying this is happening. the israelis are working hard on this front in order to push hezbollah on the ground further and try to draw the source of weapons, according to israeli

authorities.— weapons, according to israeli authorities. what do we know about those _ authorities. what do we know about those supply _ authorities. what do we know about those supply chains - authorities. what do we know about those supply chains ofl about those supply chains of items trying to get into lebanon for hezbollah? i they supplied overground, supplied overg round, underground ? supplied overground, underground?- supplied overground, underground? supplied overground, under: round? . ., , underground? there are many wa s for underground? there are many ways for these _ underground? there are many ways for these weapons - underground? there are many ways for these weapons to - underground? there are many. ways for these weapons to come. it mainly came from iran but after what happened between iran and israel and one of the aeroplanes was stopped to land in beirut a few days ago because the israelis said there are some weapons on some personnel, even if it is a civilian aeroplane and also coming because there is a strong presence of hezbollah in syria to fight the extremists and revolt in syria. there are many sources but still according to statistics there is 150,000 missiles and drones.

a strong thing to face and a strong enemy. the war is not over yet so there is still hezbollah and of the evidence of that is israeli soldiers killed yesterday because according to the israeli military, after clashes on the ground, the fight is fierce between them and i think the ground operation will be faced by a strong opposition as the ability of hezbollah said they will be ready for any clashes with israeli on the ground. thank you. let's speak to dr simon frankel pratt — a senior lecturer in political science at the university of melbourne. hello and good morning. thank you forjoining us. if you those arms they are not i thank you forjoining us. if you could talk us through your could talk us through your

assessment of israel's current assessment of israel's current strategy around that border strategy around that border area. , . , , ., area. , ., , , strategy around that border area. , , , area. israel seems to be trying strategy around that border area. , . , , ., strategy around that border area. , , , area. israel seems to be trying to escalate _ area. israel seems to be trying to escalate things _ area. israel seems to be trying to escalate things in _ area. israel seems to be trying to escalate things in order - area. israel seems to be trying to escalate _ area. israel seems to be trying to escalate things _ area. israel seems to be trying to escalate things in _ area. israel seems to be trying to escalate things in order - area. israel seems to be trying to escalate things in order to l to escalate things in order to conclude the matter since the to escalate things in order to l to escalate things in order to conclude the matter since the other possible conclusion, a other possible conclusion, a hostage deal and these buy in hostage deal and these buy in gazais gazais hostage deal and these buy in gaza is clearly not forthcoming. israel has in the hostage deal and these buy in gaza is clearly not forthcoming. israel has in the past few weeks effectively past few weeks effectively deleted hezbollah pols make deleted hezbollah pols make strategic and single either strategic and single either ship. since hezbollah is now in ship. since hezbollah is now in a weak position, looks as a weak position, looks as though israel is try to impress though israel is try to impress the matter by invading the matter by invading underground and attacking and underground and attacking and destroying the physical destroying the physical infrastructure the rugby border infrastructure the rugby border area that has been phoning area that has been phoning israel. ~ , ., ., israel. ~ , ., ., israel. when you say hezbollah is a weak position, _ israel. when you say hezbollah is a weak position, _ israel. when you say hezbollah is a weak position, with - is a weak position, with talking about leadership or israel. when you say hezbollah is a weak position, with - is a weak position, with talking about leadership or arms? ., ., ., arms? ., ., ., arms? you can have all the items you _ arms? you can have all the arms? you can have all the items you _ arms? you can have all the items you want, _ arms? you can have all the items you want, if - arms? you can have all the items you want, if you - items you want, _ arms? you can have all the items you want, if - arms? you can have all the items you want, if you - arms? you can have all the| items you want, if you don't have the thoughts of veteran arms? you can have all the| items you want, if you don't have the thoughts of veteran commanders and strategists and commanders and strategists and leaders to direct the use of leaders to direct the use of those arms they are not going those arms they are not going to do you all that much good. to do you all that much good.

yes, hezbollah has plenty of rank and file present up at the single letters of the organisation cannot be easily replaced. they have many and some cases combat experience, long—standing relatives with partners and iran and other parts of the region and with other senior leaders, the organisation is way weaker than it has been in decades. we organisation is way weaker than it has been in decades.- it has been in decades. we will aet it has been in decades. we will net to it has been in decades. we will get to energy _ it has been in decades. we will get to energy and _ it has been in decades. we will get to energy and oral- it has been in decades. we will get to energy and oral in - it has been in decades. we will get to energy and oral in a - get to energy and oral in a moment for off, question i put my colleague and that was the supply of to hezbollah. what do we know about the roots, supply routes in which those items actually get into lebanon? it continues to be by assyria and for years now, israel will occasionally bomb shipments that travel from iran through

syria export oil

so, struck the export oil infrastructure it could cause a spike in oil prices. i'm not sure of the benefits to israel of doing this as a retaliatory act. i suspect the united states would push against either of these options. iran could also not make conclude what you were saying there. iran could also threaten oil and gas infrastructure outside of its country or threaten to close borders but this is fairly unlikely as it would bring in a number of western countries into the fight whereas currently iran is on fighting with israel.- whereas currently iran is on fighting with israel. thank you very much- — looking at the price of brent crude, and has risen at around $78 a barrel. we will address that shortly but we will stay with that point because the

ongoing crisis in the middle eastis ongoing crisis in the middle east is planning to have major economic impact, particularly when it comes to oil. the price of brent crude shot up 5% on thursday after president biden told reporters the us was �*discussing' the possibility of israel striking iran's oil industry, in retaliation to tehran firing missiles at israel on tuesday. do you support israel striking iran's oilfacilities, sir? we're discussing that. i think that would be a little... anyway. the high profile us republican, liz cheney, has campaigned alongside the democrat presidential candidate, kamala harris, in a repudiation of the republican contender, donald trump. ms cheney had voted to impeach mr trump, over the 2021 capitol riots and has since become a fierce opponent. she spoke at a rally in the battleground state of wisconsin.

what january six shows us is there is not an ounce of compassion in donald trump. he is paddy, he is vindictive and he is cruel. and donald trump is not fit to lead this good and great nation. meanwhile mr trump held a rally in michigan where he repeated his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. michigan is one of seven states that are seen as likely to determine november's outcome. let's get some of the day's other news now. dockworkers in the united states have reached a tentative agreement with employers to end their 3—day strike. �*the international longshoremen�*s association�* said the employers alliance — the usmx — had agreed to raise pay by more than 60% over 10 years. the strike involved more than 40,000 dockworkers, and is estimated to have cost up to $5 billion a day.

prosecutors in california are reviewing the convictions of two american brothers, jailed nearly 30 years ago for murdering their parents. erik and lyle menendez were accused of shooting their parents at their beverly hills mansion in 1989, in order to inherit their fortune and were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. there's been renewed interest in their case following a recent netflix tv series. the wife of donald trump and former first lady melania trump has expressed explicit support for abortion rights. in a short video posted on social media, she described individual freedom as an essential right that all women possess from birth. her husband has maintained an ambiguous stance on abortion rights in the run—up to november's presidential election but many in the republican party support a national ban.

around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

here campaigners for assisted dying have welcomed the news that parliament is to get an opportunity to vote on legalising the practice. proposals will be introduced later this month; mps rejected a bill on the issue in 2015. campaigners say things have changed since then, with assisted dying becoming legal in several other countries. here's our political correspondent helen catt. the last time mps voted on assisted dying was nearly ten years ago. they opposed changing the law. in a new set of mps will get a new vote in the coming months after labour came top in about the gives backbench mps time in the commons to propose laws and said she would put it forward.

i also think there is a real sense within parliament that now is the time for this debate. every ten years since there was debate in the chamber. most people, people are nervous, they know how serious the subject is and i understand that, ifeel serious the subject is and i understand that, i feel nervous about it but i think it is important enough that we show parliament added the best, which is debating something we know matters to a huge amount of people. know matters to a huge amount of --eole. ,, know matters to a huge amount of people-— of people. she be ignited because _ of people. she be ignited because for _ of people. she be ignited because for debate - of people. she be ignited because for debate and l of people. she be ignited i because for debate and vote of people. she be ignited - because for debate and vote on assisted dying and got a promise from secure stomach that he would support one happening. it that he would support one happening-— that he would support one haueninu. h, ., , happening. it is a tremendous thrill for me. _ happening. it is a tremendous thrill for me. i _ happening. it is a tremendous thrill for me. i do _ happening. it is a tremendous thrill for me. i do not - happening. it is a tremendous thrill for me. i do not expect l thrill for me. i do not expect to be alive when such a debate happened. i did not expect to be around. i do not think it would happen in time. if introduced, a new law would be likely to apply to people that have been told they have less than six months to live and two

doctors would have to approve it. there are some concerns for them in the current nhs crisis where we are not providing adequate social care or adequate social care or adequate psychological support, or adequate palliative care, then people who have, are faced with very difficult circumstances may consider taking their own life because the means is offered to them. and the option is there. the vote in parliament _ and the option is there. the vote in parliament is - and the option is there. the vote in parliament is likely to be a free one which means it would be up to individual mps to back it. the government says it will stay neutral last night the cabinet secretary wrote to minister saying they could stand both use the previous list dated if asked about them directly but should exercise discretion and not take part in the public debate. it is not certain mps will back a change in the law but the conversation about assisted dying that has been growing outside the walls of westminster will now be

decided inside them. the african union has called the uk's decision to hand over sovereignty of the chagos islands in the indian ocean to mauritius "a major victory for the cause of decolonisation and international law". more than a,000 people were forcibly removed to make way for a military base on the island of diego garcia over 50 years ago. andrew harding reports. a scattering of tiny islands deep in the indian ocean. british for now but, after today's agreement, not for much longer. the chagos islands are all uninhabited, save for one — an important one, diego garcia. it is home to a big and secretive american military base. today, britain agreed to hand the whole archipelago over to mauritius but, crucially, the americans will remain

in place. this is a very, very important agreement between our countries. crucially protects the national security interests of the united kingdom and our allies, and this has been reached in full agreement with the united states, retaining the crucial base on diego garcia. also closes down a potential route for migrants. but some have warned that china could exploit the deal to extend its influence. it is over half a century since the inhabitants of the island were deported forcibly by the colonial power, britain. this deal will now give them the right to return home at last, perhaps even to resettle there. it's about a sense of belonging. it's something that was robbed from me, a place that we can call home. we will be free and we will be able to participate and get back what really belongs to us. that's happiness.

mauritius has been campaigning for this dealfor years, recently planting their flag on one of the atolls and winning growing international support... ..11 of the charter... ..not least at the united nations and its top court, which called on the uk to end its illegal occupation. finally, negotiations began and today, reluctantly but peacefully, the government agreed to hand over one of the very last scraps of britain's old empire. andrew harding, bbc news. a cruise ship that has been stranded in northern ireland for four months has finally set sail. the odyssey left belfast port on monday night, but only travelled a few miles because of concerns it might need to refuel. relieved passengers are now en route to france, on the first leg of their world tour. our ireland correspondent, chris page, sent this report.

four months into its world tour, the odyssey had covered about 15 miles. after 17 weeks in belfast hobo, it dropped anchor here in belfast lock. for 2.5 days its top speed was zero knots. but then the horn sounded. zero knots. but then the horn sounded-— zero knots. but then the horn sounded. ~ ., sounded. we were in our room and heard... _ sounded. we were in our room and heard... the _ sounded. we were in our room and heard... the message - sounded. we were in our room i and heard... the message came across, we are leaving. abs, across, we are leaving. a christening ceremony confirmed it was time to cast off. we don't even _ it was time to cast off. we don't even know— it was time to cast off. - don't even know where we are going, trying to find a port, cool going, trying to find a port, cool, we are finally going. figs cool, we are finally going. as the horizon back and at last on board, there was an ocean of emotion. board, there was an ocean of emotion-— board, there was an ocean of emotion. ~ ., , ., ., emotion. we really are moving! we are moving! _ emotion. we really are moving! we are moving! back _ emotion. we really are moving! we are moving! back on - emotion. we really are moving! we are moving! back on shore, | we are moving! back on shore, --eole we are moving! back on shore, people came — we are moving! back on shore, people came to _ we are moving! back on shore, people came to watch - we are moving! back on shore, people came to watch the - we are moving! back on shore, people came to watch the nowl people came to watch the now famous ship disappear from view across the irish sea. the famous ship disappear from view across the irish sea.— across the irish sea. the sun set a look — across the irish sea. the sun

set a look at _ across the irish sea. the sun set a look at now _ across the irish sea. the sun set a look at now and - across the irish sea. the sun set a look at now and the - across the irish sea. the sun | set a look at now and the one whether all the time is something we are all looking forward to. something we are all looking forward to-— forward to. what was it like when you — forward to. what was it like when you heard _ forward to. what was it like when you heard the - forward to. what was it like when you heard the engine | when you heard the engine starting up?— when you heard the engine starting up? there was very uuided starting up? there was very guided happiness. - starting up? there was very guided happiness. is - starting up? there was very guided happiness. is it- starting up? there was very | guided happiness. is it really happening? is it not? because we have been so used to with over and over again. and then like i'm breaking up my happy dance. , , ., , dance. the party is only starting _ dance. the party is only starting for _ dance. the party is only starting for the - dance. the party is only l starting for the seafarers. many have been planning for a few years, even longer than their stay in northern ireland. they call him the boss and now bruce springsteen has announced who he wants to be the boss of the united states. the legendary singer—songwriter has endorsed kamala harris to be the next us president. in a statement on instagram — he said the current vice—president had the same vision of america that he'd been writing about for 55 years. stay with us here on bbc news.

coming up in a moment we will be taking a further look at the impact of the crisis in the middle east on oil prices. hello there. it's a dry, chilly, bright start to the day on friday for much of the country. however, we have been seeing some changes taking place overnight with a weather front pushing into northern ireland and western scotland. that's brought more cloud, breeze with outbreaks of rain. but elsewhere, it stays dry all day, thanks to this area of high pressure. this is the weather front that's been working its way in off the atlantic — the first of a series of fronts tied in with low pressure there. so, a cloudy start, breezy. outbreaks of rain for northern ireland, western and northern scotland but southern and eastern scotland, england and wales, it's a chilly start, bright, some early mist

and fog, and it stays dry with sunshine into the afternoon. light winds, as you can see, but breezier further north and west. temperature—wise, well, after that chilly start, we could be up to 17 or 18 degrees in the warmest spots in the south. closer to the mid—teens further north. and where we have the breeze, the cloud and the rain, it will actually feel quite cool. as we head through friday night, it stays cloudy, breezy across northern and western areas. but large parts of england and wales will see lighter winds, clearskies so, again, it will turn quite cool. perhaps a bit of mist and fog here and there. temperatures in low single digits out of town but a recovery in temperatures for scotland, northern ireland — we're into double digits there throughout the night. into saturday, our area of high pressure holds on for at least one more day for central and eastern areas but these weather fronts are really ganging up on us out west, so it looks like england, wales, parts of eastern scotland should see another fine day with some sunshine around after that cool start. the breeze picking up. the rain out west turns heavier later on — certainly for northern ireland. again, those temperatures mid—teens in the north, 17 or 18 in the south. but it is all change for part two of the weekend. that area of high pressure eventually breaks down, low pressure takes over

and sends weather fronts across the country. there are more isobars on the chart. so, it's a cloudy day on sunday, more of a breeze coming up from the south, outbreaks of rain — most of the rain towards southern and western hills, the odd heavier downpour there. brightness will be limited. could see a little bit for north east scotland at times. temperatures could be up to 18 or 19 degrees in any brightness, the mid—teens further north. but nights will start to get milder as we import this milder air off the atlantic on a southwesterly wind. the upcoming week stays unsettled with low pressure always nearby. there's a chance around the middle part of the week we could see the remnants of hurricane kirk bring some rain and gales, so stay tuned.

oil under pressure: pricesjump as president biden says the us is discussing possible israeli strikes on iran's oil facilities. back to work: tens of thousands of dock workers agree to suspend their strike action while negotiations continue. holding back the tide: the eu votes on whether to hike tariffs on chinese—made electric vehicles, as it says china is flooding the market. and changing the face of sin city: is vegas really all about gambling, bright lights and a sore head? we'll be finding out what else

is drawing the crowds to one of the world's top tourist destinations. live from london, this is business today. i'm lukwesa burak. we start with the price of oil, whichjumped on thursday following comments from president biden on the possibility of israeli strikes on iran's oil infrastructure in response to tehran's ballistic missile attack on israel on tuesday. in what appeared to be something of an off—the—cuff remark while speaking to reporters outside the white house, president biden was asked if he would support israel striking iran's oil facilities. the president remarked: "we're discussing that." the price of oil responded, soaring by 5% on thursday. let's just show you how one of the main benchmarks, brent crude, is trading now.

it has