a double treat for taylor swift fans — as she releases �*two sets of songs�* about her love life. welcome to the world today — an hour of international news from the bbc. we start in the middle east — as world leaders call for we as world leaders call for start in new york. in the l. half we start in new york. in the last half hour a man has set himself on fire closest to the courthouse where the criminal trial of donald trump will begin its opening arguments next week. we saw pictures of paramedics taking someone away on a stretcher. it was a lot of smoke and reports starting to from news agencies that

a manjury a man jury selection a manjury selection has been going on for that trial. we had just gotten word that the alternates had been selected in donald trump trial. all of us added we heard a pop, saw somebody, a young man. he doused himself on a lighter fluid and set himself on a lighter fluid and set himself on a lighter fluid and set himself on firejust himself on a lighter fluid and set himself on fire just before that he flew coloured pamphlets into the air. as you can imagine, people started screaming. others started screaming don't do it. others

screaming don't do it. others screaming for fire signature. just to give you a sense, we're barricaded off the park. two entrances close to us blocked off is up entrances close to us blocked off is up to enter the park you have to walk some ways around the back. while there is a large police presence here it did take them a few moments to get to that man who had set himself on fire. he immediately fell to the ground. his body was badly burned when eventually he was taken away in a stretcher. as you can imaginejust taken away in a stretcher. as you can imagine just the amount of police all descending onto this park. it was completely locked off. we were able to get a close look at the pamphlet that was thrown so is mould limited thematic motive is unclear. with trying to get answers from authorities. incrediblyjarring

moments for everyone down here, including us. of course the reason you were there in the first place was to report on the latest stage in the donald crump clean natural criminal trial with those alternate jurors. criminal trial with those alternate “urors. . �* , criminal trial with those alternate “urors. . �*, , jurors. that's exactly right. i cannot emphasise _ jurors. that's exactly right. i cannot emphasise enough i jurors. that's exactly right. i l cannot emphasise enough that jurors. that's exactly right. i - cannot emphasise enough that we still do not have a motive for why this man did this. i would note that this man did this. i would note that this is obviously a place where there is a lot of press gathered, a lot of attention. so let's be clear about the fact that there is no motive yet that we can't report. behind me, what we were here to cover was this final process, day fourin cover was this final process, day four in donald trump/ money trial. thejudge had sworn in the remaining five alternatejurors thejudge had sworn in the remaining five alternate jurors who will not

necessarily be in deliberations but will hear the in tile case. they have to be just as impartial and will hear the in tile case. they have to bejust as impartial and go through that same rigorous process as the otherjurors who were sworn in yesterday. that means this trial is on pace to begin with opening statements on monday. i can tell you based on what has happened here today that we're all preparing for security to get even tighter than it is already been around this area. and certainly the press and security situation has been tight already. we expected to grow even more so now. thank you very much let's go straight from new york to washington where the white house briefing we're telling you about is getting underway. white house press secretary and expecting jake sullivan to speak for that this is

in the middle of the day when the world has been talking about moral stories and calls for de—escalation. protect america's land and waters and fulfil our responsibility to the next generations of americans. on a more solemn note, as many of you know tomorrow march 25 years of the tragic shooting at columbine high school. two students killed 12 of their fellow classmates and one teacher with guns they obtained from unlicensed dealers and without background checks. we continue to pray for their families and victims of the columbine shooting as well as communities across the country that are being torn apart by gun violence. since columbine there've been hundreds of school shootings without exposing hundreds of students to the horrors

of gun violence. as a president has said, this is not normal and it must end. that's why he signed into law... ~ ., , , ,, end. that's why he signed into law... white house press secretary caettin law... white house press secretary getting that — law... white house press secretary getting that briefing _ law... white house press secretary getting that briefing underway. - law... white house press secretary getting that briefing underway. we | getting that briefing underway. we will come back to it when we start to hear the discussions about the situation in the middle east, which is our lead story on the world today for the world leaders calling for de—escalation following what was a presumed israeli strike on iran. iranian state media said explosions were heard, it claimed were iranian air defences hitting three drones. the action appears to been limited in scope with no casualties or major damage reported. protesters took to the street in tehran denouncing israel state media playing down the incident. no official comment about the strike but appears to been confirmed by the countries national security minister for the art middle east correspondent has the latest

from jerusalem. a message, not of war, but of warning — that israel could also strike its enemy at home if it wanted. after threatening a harsh and massive response to the smallest incursion, iran has downplayed this morning's strike. this is the picture of isfahan shown on iranian tv today. tehran�*s own message — nothing to see here. other than that, nothing has happened, everything is back to normal. israel was divided over how to respond to iran's barrage last weekend. thejudgment of one far—right cabinet minister this morning — lame. and, injerusalem's main market today, many others were disappointed. when a bully comes to you, we're going to respond to the bully with restraint, so the bully�*s just going to come back harder and harder and harder. if you want to take down a bully, you've got to take down with force.

i expected more, to be quite honest. i think more would have been evenjustified, considering they sent 300 rockets to kill so many people. i think that we're losing. we are losing the war with hamas, losing the war with hezbollah, - we're losing the war with iran. we are losing and it's a pity — we have so much strength . but we are afraid to use it. israel's allies had urged it to take the win after intercepting hundreds of drones and missiles from iran last weekend. this missile fuel tank, pulled by israel's army from the dead sea. we are committed to israel's security. we are also committed to de—escalating, to trying to bring this tension to a close. this strike, and iran's muted response to it, suggest both sides are keen to step back from this conflict, but their direct confrontation last weekend has left them in a new, more dangerous position. the immediate risk may be cooling

but, from where they stand now, it's a shorter route to war. one analyst says there is a lesson for the future in iran deciding to act, even when it knew israel would respond. they considered it and they took it into account and they decided to do it, so there is a change in the way that they are thinking. therefore, i have to take into account that in the future they will be doing the same things, and this is the big question, because israel is not going to stop attacking any arms that are coming across the iraqi—syrian border. iran today avoided blaming israel directly, even as crowds called for its destruction after friday prayers. but israel is already fighting iran—backed groups across the region. even if this crisis is subsiding, the sparks that triggered it will not. lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem.

let's speak to our north america correspondent nomia iqbal. let's ta ke let's take it back to the white house press briefing.- let's take it back to the white house press briefing. you ask me about escalation, _ house press briefing. you ask me about escalation, i _ house press briefing. you ask me about escalation, i will— house press briefing. you ask me about escalation, i will speak- house press briefing. you ask me about escalation, i will speak more l about escalation, i will speak more generally. we have been very clear from here from the beginning that we do not want to see this conflict escalates. we continue to consult with our allies and partners including in the region and to reduce further risk of escalation in the region. that's the sentiment expressed in the g7 foreign ministriesjoint expressed in the g7 foreign ministries joint statement that went out this morning. you heard that from secretary blinken who was part of that meeting. i'm going to be super mindful and not speculate or speak to any of the reporting is out there at this time.— there at this time. president biden said if israel— there at this time. president biden said if israel did _ there at this time. president biden said if israel did not _ there at this time. president biden said if israel did not change - there at this time. president biden said if israel did not change its - said if israel did not change its approach — said if israel did not change its approach with _ said if israel did not change its approach with regard - said if israel did not change its approach with regard to - said if israel did not change its approach with regard to the i said if israel did not change its| approach with regard to the us said if israel did not change its - approach with regard to the us would have to _ approach with regard to the us would have to change — approach with regard to the us would have to change its _ approach with regard to the us would have to change its approach - approach with regard to the us would have to change its approach with - have to change its approach with them _ have to change its approach with them can— have to change its approach with them can you _ have to change its approach with them can you bring _ have to change its approach with them can you bring us _ have to change its approach with them can you bring us up - have to change its approach with them can you bring us up to-

have to change its approach with l them can you bring us up to speed about what— them can you bring us up to speed about what israel— them can you bring us up to speed about what israel has _ them can you bring us up to speed about what israel has done - them can you bring us up to speed about what israel has done other. about what israel has done other than the — about what israel has done other than the steps _ about what israel has done other than the steps it _ about what israel has done other than the steps it announced - about what israel has done other than the steps it announced in i about what israel has done other. than the steps it announced in the immediate — than the steps it announced in the immediate hours— than the steps it announced in the immediate hours after— than the steps it announced in the immediate hours after the - immediate hours after the president _ immediate hours after the president. . ._ immediate hours after the president... immediate hours after the resident... ~ _, ., ., president... were continuing to have conversations _ president... were continuing to have conversations with _ president... were continuing to have conversations with our _ president... were continuing to have conversations with our counterparts l conversations with our counterparts in israel. you know we put out a readout of the rafah meeting yesterday and it was a constructive meeting for the the readout speaks for itself. as it says, the united states and israel agreed on the shared objective to see hamas defeated in iraq. the us side continues to express concerns with various courses in action in raw file for them and israeli participants agreed to take these concerns into account in a follow—up can discussions. we will have more to share. we will continue to have those conversations with the israeli government, with our counterparts there and the president made himself clear. ., ~

there and the president made himself clear. . ~ ., u, , clear. talking about the commitments to do more to — clear. talking about the commitments to do more to protect _ clear. talking about the commitments to do more to protect civilians - clear. talking about the commitments to do more to protect civilians and - to do more to protect civilians and aid workers — to do more to protect civilians and aid workersjust_ to do more to protect civilians and aid workers just this _ to do more to protect civilians and aid workers just this week. - to do more to protect civilians and aid workers just this week. israelil aid workers just this week. israeli strike _ aid workers just this week. israeli strike hit— aid workers just this week. israeli strike hit a — aid workers just this week. israeli strike hit a refugee _ aid workers just this week. israeli strike hit a refugee camp - aid workers just this week. israeli strike hit a refugee camp that - strike hit a refugee camp that killed — strike hit a refugee camp that killed several— strike hit a refugee camp that killed several children. - strike hit a refugee camp that killed several children. i'm i strike hit a refugee camp that - killed several children. i'm asking about— killed several children. i'm asking about the — killed several children. i'm asking about the commitments - killed several children. i'm asking about the commitments to - killed several children. i'm asking about the commitments to betterj about the commitments to better protect _ about the commitments to better protect people _ about the commitments to better protect people and _ about the commitments to better protect people and to _ about the commitments to better protect people and to get - about the commitments to better protect people and to get more . protect people and to get more humanitarian _ protect people and to get more humanitarian aid _ protect people and to get more humanitarian aid in. _ protect people and to get more humanitarian aid in.— protect people and to get more humanitarian aid in. speaking about rafah who is — humanitarian aid in. speaking about rafah who is also _ humanitarian aid in. speaking about rafah who is also protecting - humanitarian aid in. speaking about rafah who is also protecting almost| rafah who is also protecting almost 1.5 million palestinians who are seeking refuge in rafah. that is something that i wanted to make sure was very clear. we care about that, which is why the president has been consistent about not wanting to see a major military operation. i think thatis a major military operation. i think that is important for folks out there to note. we've been really clear, the president had a conversation with the prime minister about making sure that we protect innocent civilians as ijust mentioned. also humanitarian aid workers. we do not want to see any

innocent civilians lives taken. we don't want to see any humanitarian aid workers, there lies being taken as well as they are doing really brave actions by making sure that what we're seeing and gaza, the humanitarian crisis that they are attending to that making sure that people get the food, the aid that they need. we're going to continue to have those conversations with the israeli government said they're going to take action and were going to continue to speak with our part two counterparts there. than? two counterparts there. any indication — two counterparts there. any indication that _ two counterparts there. any indication that they were open to changing — indication that they were open to changing plans?— indication that they were open to changing plans? were you certainly have those conversations. - changing plans? were you certainly have those conversations. they - have those conversations. they shared their side of their concerns, we shared our concerns. i'm knocking to go into detail. we have the readout that we share with all of you ijust don't have anything beyond that. you ijust don't have anything beyond that-— you ijust don't have anything be ond that. �* , beyond that. after the g7 meeting the italian prime _ beyond that. after the g7 meeting the italian prime minister - beyond that. after the g7 meeting the italian prime minister said - beyond that. after the g7 meeting the italian prime minister said the| the italian prime minister said the us was— the italian prime minister said the us was informed _ the italian prime minister said the us was informed by— the italian prime minister said the us was informed by israelis - the italian prime minister said the us was informed by israelis at - the italian prime minister said the us was informed by israelis at the last minute — us was informed by israelis at the last minute about _

us was informed by israelis at the last minute about this _ us was informed by israelis at the i last minute about this counterstrike for that— last minute about this counterstrike for that is— last minute about this counterstrike for that is not— last minute about this counterstrike for that is not accurate? _ last minute about this counterstrike for that is not accurate? i’m“ - last minute about this counterstrike for that is not accurate?— for that is not accurate? i'm not to seak for that is not accurate? i'm not to s - eak to for that is not accurate? i'm not to speak to a — for that is not accurate? i'm not to speak to a diplomatic _ for that is not accurate? i'm not to | speak to a diplomatic conversation. domestically here at home the republicans _ domestically here at home the republicans expected - domestically here at home the republicans expected to - domestically here at home the republicans expected to join . domestically here at home the - republicans expected to join speaker johnson _ republicans expected to join speaker johnson from — republicans expected to join speaker johnson from his— republicans expected to join speaker johnson from his post, _ republicans expected to join speaker johnson from his post, with- republicans expected to join speaker johnson from his post, with the - johnson from his post, with the president— johnson from his post, with the president encouraged - johnson from his post, with the. president encouraged democrats johnson from his post, with the - president encouraged democrats to save speaker— president encouraged democrats to save speakerjohns_ president encouraged democrats to save speakerjohns at _ president encouraged democrats to save speakerjohns at his _ president encouraged democrats to save speakerjohns at hisjob, - president encouraged democrats to save speakerjohns at hisjob, is. president encouraged democrats to save speakerjohns at his job, is a i save speakerjohns at hisjob, is a part of— save speakerjohns at hisjob, is a part of the — save speakerjohns at hisjob, is a part of the conversation _ save speakerjohns at hisjob, is a part of the conversation he - save speakerjohns at hisjob, is a part of the conversation he had? i part of the conversation he had? i'll part of the conversation he had? i'it say— part of the conversation he had? i'it say this _ part of the conversation he had? i'll say this. we've _ part of the conversation he had? i'll say this. we've been - part of the conversation he had? . i'll say this. we've been consistent and what i will say will answer the question. we do not get involved when it comes to leadership and whether it's in the senate or in the house for that we're very mindful that that is something that the members in congress have to decide on. as it relates to democrats, leader hakeem jeffries, that something that he and his caucus have to make a decision on. we do not get involved. sham; have to make a decision on. we do not get involved.— not get involved. any opinion that the democrats _ not get involved. any opinion that the democrats would _ not get involved. any opinion that the democrats would help - not get involved. any opinion that the democrats would help save i not get involved. any opinion that. the democrats would help save the republican — the democrats would help save the republican speaker— the democrats would help save the republican speaker his? _ the democrats would help save the republican speaker his? fit- the democrats would help save the republican speaker his?— republican speaker his? at the knossos question _ republican speaker his? at the knossos question many - republican speaker his? at the knossos question many times | republican speaker his? at the - knossos question many times without whether it's on the house side, almost three years when we've gone through these types of exercises are

houses gone through this exercise and we've been pretty consistent, there is nothing new here. we have said were not hard to involve ourselves in this. this is something for the members of congress to decide. , , ., ,., for the members of congress to decide. , , ., , decide. just about the calls yesterday _ decide. just about the calls yesterday between - decide. just about the calls yesterday between us - decide. just about the calls yesterday between us and| decide. just about the calls - yesterday between us and israel, what extent — yesterday between us and israel, what extent did _ yesterday between us and israel, what extent did iran— yesterday between us and israel, what extent did iran come - yesterday between us and israel, what extent did iran come up- yesterday between us and israel, what extent did iran come up on. what extent did iran come up on the call? _ what extent did iran come up on the call? vit— what extent did iran come up on the call? �* , , , �* ., call? i'll be super mindful, i'm not iioin to call? i'll be super mindful, i'm not going to speak— call? i'll be super mindful, i'm not going to speak to _ call? i'll be super mindful, i'm not going to speak to diplomatic- going to speak to diplomatic conversations we put out a readout and so i'm going to leave it and not go beyond that. could you... i'm not going to go beyond the readout. lobbying israel at all in a smaller scale _ lobbying israel at all in a smaller scale response? _ lobbying israel at all in a smaller scale response? and _ lobbying israel at all in a smaller scale response? and you - lobbying israel at all in a smaller scale response? and you talk- lobbying israel at all in a smaller. scale response? and you talk about that? _ scale response? and you talk about that? i— scale response? and you talk about that? .. scale response? and you talk about that? ., ., , that? i can say, going to be mindful because i'm — that? i can say, going to be mindful because i'm not _ that? i can say, going to be mindful because i'm not going _ that? i can say, going to be mindful because i'm not going to _ that? i can say, going to be mindful because i'm not going to speaker i because i'm not going to speaker speculate to any of the events from last night for the i know you all have a lot of questions on that. i get it, i understand ijust want to

be mindful here. get it, i understand i 'ust want to be mindful here._ get it, i understand i 'ust want to be mindful here. domestic policy, a us deal, i know _ be mindful here. domestic policy, a us deal, i know you _ be mindful here. domestic policy, a us deal, i know you spoke - be mindful here. domestic policy, al us deal, i know you spoke yesterday as well— us deal, i know you spoke yesterday as well the _ us deal, i know you spoke yesterday as well the transaction _ us deal, i know you spoke yesterday as well the transaction is _ us deal, i know you spoke yesterday as well the transaction is under- as well the transaction is under review, — as well the transaction is under review, that _ as well the transaction is under review, that process— as well the transaction is under review, that process will- as well the transaction is under review, that process will play. as well the transaction is under. review, that process will play out. japan _ review, that process will play out. japan is _ review, that process will play out. japan is an— review, that process will play out. japan is an ally _ review, that process will play out. japan is an ally. what _ review, that process will play out. japan is an ally. what israel- japan is an ally. what israel national— japan is an ally. what israel national concert— japan is an ally. what israel national concert he - japan is an ally. what israel national concert he here? i japan is an ally. what israel| national concert he here? is japan is an ally. what israel. national concert he here? is it business — national concert he here? is it business in _ national concert he here? is it business in china? _ national concert he here? is it business in china? at - national concert he here? is it business in china? at the - national concert he here? is it. business in china? at the same national concert he here? is it - business in china? at the same time the president— business in china? at the same time the president of— business in china? at the same time the president of course _ business in china? at the same time the president of course pledging... i the president of course pledging... conversation — the president of course pledging... conversation moving _ the president of course pledging... conversation moving away- the president of course pledging... conversation moving away from - the president of course pledging... | conversation moving away from the middle east was that we did hear from the us press secretary which is been the watchword throughout the day and since hearing about the incident in iran and the word is de—escalation. they do not want to see this conflict in the middle east escalate. she was asked about rafah and she said that president biden is

been consistent about military operations from israel in rafah. as regard to other conversations she did not want to be drawn on those. clearly the watchword is de—escalation for the middle east from the us. around the world and across the uk. this is the world today on bbc news.

we continue with our main story as leaders call for a de—escalation of the situation in the middle east following what is a presumed israeli strike in iran. it's an area which has a facility which includes a number of nuclear facilities and drone production bases for the as i mentioned a second ago,

much of the commentary from the west has been for de—escalation. what is your reaction to the relatively muted response from iranian leadership who don't seem to be making a fuss about too much of this incident? ., ., ., , ., incident? your iranians from the very beginning _ incident? your iranians from the very beginning that _ incident? your iranians from the very beginning that the - incident? your iranians from the very beginning that the news - incident? your iranians from the i very beginning that the news broke started downplaying the importance and the significance of this attack. iranian media is showing the alleged attack took place, showing the street showing how calm they are just a few hours ago iranian foreign minister who is in new york said the alleged drone strike did not have any impact or did not damage any iranian facility. any impact or did not damage any iranianfacility. iranians any impact or did not damage any iranian facility. iranians from the very beginning saying there were three tiny drones for the that were

noticed in their airspace and they managed iranian air defence system downed all three tiny drones. however we see the israeli media saying this was a missile strike which changes the narrative totally. the mood inside iran is also extremely important. for example, what you see they show at friday prayer these are people must to these rallies. the people we've been talking to —— people were bost. we witness a great sense of despair in the few days many people reach out to me and my colleagues asking worriedly if there's going to be an all—out war between the two enemies. many iranians local time woke up to the sound of explosion in the city were scared, worried that this is

the beginning of an all out war. after a few hours, it took iranian authorities a good few hours to react and say no, this is just a limited, tiny drone strike. many iranians at this moment hope that this is the end of the israeli retaliation and out the scores are settled between the two countries. thank you for that. ican speak i can speak out to the former head of the idf military and intelligence director. thank you for your time. we spoke yesterday looking at what the possible israeli reaction to the drone attack, the missile attack by iran on israel might be. so whether this response has been drones or missiles, what is your view? i think israel missiles, what is your view? i think israel found — missiles, what is your view? i think israel found a _ missiles, what is your view? i think

israel found a good _ missiles, what is your view? i think israel found a good solution - missiles, what is your view? i think israel found a good solution to - missiles, what is your view? i think israel found a good solution to the | israel found a good solution to the dilemma, how we should retaliate and future deterrence. at the same time not reach or escalate to a full—scale war. i think what israel demonstrated, if it is an israeli attack that one, two or three missiles can do what 300, 500 iranian projectiles were unable to do. so israel demonstrated as we can do. so israel demonstrated as we can do very good defense. and if israel attack it is demonstrated this ability to penetrate iranian airspace and to hitch important targets. that hit important targets. this is what would happen if 100

missiles launched. they downplayed the attack, is a way of having another story for them in the meantime it is certainly both countries. because both countries do not want to escalate to a full—scale war. but the decision makers in iran, after cheating the people know exactly what happened, they will think twice about attacking israel. do you think this effectively draws a line between this latest phase between israel and iran for the moment, at least? i between israel and iran for the moment, at least?— between israel and iran for the moment, atleast? �* , moment, at least? i hope so. because israel has moment, at least? i hope so. because israel has two — moment, at least? i hope so. because israel has two other _ moment, at least? i hope so. because israel has two other goals _ moment, at least? i hope so. because israel has two other goals to _ moment, at least? i hope so. because israel has two other goals to keep - israel has two other goals to keep the coalition, it has helped us stop the coalition, it has helped us stop the iranian attack. the us, uk,

france and our neighbours and to go back to the main priority of its war, to dismantle hamas and bring back the hostages. a war between israel and iran, back the hostages. a war between israeland iran, besides back the hostages. a war between israel and iran, besides being a global nightmare from the price of oil point of view and a lot of destruction and the two country is also the dream of the leader of hamas. that it will divert the attention from israel and bring all that israel is helping with with a full—scale, height intensity war. this is not israeli interest, it's nobody in the world interest only the terror organisation of hamas who is hoping to continue and have the misery on the people of gaza and holding the hostages of israel. irate

holding the hostages of israel. we must leave it there. thank you very much for your time today. amos yadim, former head of military directorate. just a very quick look in new york where a short time ago a man set himself on fire outside or very close to the courthouse where the opening statements in the trial of former president donald trump will start next week for the you are watching bbc news. hello. for some parts of the uk, april has been a very wet month so far, but this weekend does promise something a little bit drier. however, it isn't all plain sailing. certainly, if you're hoping for warmth and sunshine, it will often be quite cloudy and quite chilly. the best of the warmth and the sunshine will be across the west of the uk, particularly in northern ireland. so, an area of high pressure is building in from the west — that is what is drying things out. but around the top of the area of high pressure, that's

where we find the jet stream passing well to the north of the uk and then diving down across continental europe. there's some cold air to the east of the jet and as the jet bends its way back towards us, it will introduce some of that colder air into the south and the east. now, as we go through tonight, actually, it's going to turn pretty chilly under largely clear skies. still a few showers grazing this east coast, where it will stay quite breezy, more in the way of cloud into the northwest of scotland. but those temperatures dropping very close to freezing, dropping below freezing in a few spots. so, yes, a touch of frost to start saturday morning, but quite a lot of sunshine. first thing, however, i think we will see cloud amounts increasing as the day wears on and also still some showers close to eastern counties of england, some patchy rain passing across the far north of scotland. the best of the sunshine out towards the west, particularly in northern ireland, where temperatures could reach 15 degrees. but with cloud and that breeze along the east coast, maybe just eight, nine or ten degrees —

high pressure still with us into the second half of the weekend. but this dangling weather front here, certainly providing a fly in the ointment, more clouds, some showery rain. so, the forecast for the london marathon looks like this — quite a chilly start to the morning. then a lot of cloud, the chance of one or two showers. it will be quite breezy. the weather fronts i spoke about sitting just about here, a band of clouds, some showery rain with that across parts of eastern scotland and northeast england. the rain not coming to very much. it'll still be largely dry, best chance of sunshine again for northern ireland. temperatures here maybe up to 18 degrees. compare that with eight, nine or ten for some north sea coasts. and into the start of next week, there will be parts of central and eastern england, particularly on monday. they really struggled temperature wise with some spots of rain, the highest temperatures further north and west across the uk.

this is the world today from bbc news, the headlines... the us calls for calm in the middle east following a presumed israeli strike on iran. donald trump is back in court ahead of opening arguments next week in his historic hush money trial. # it's a cruel summer... �* trial. # it'sa cruel summer... . ., # it's a cruel summer... and a double treat _ # it's a cruel summer... and a double treat for _ # it's a cruel summer... and a double treat for taylor - # it's a cruel summer... and a double treat for taylor swift i # it's a cruel summer... and a i double treat for taylor swift fans as she relates to sets of songs about her love life.

let's get more now on the rising tension between israel and iran, and spend a few minutes to look at how we arrived at this point, with what appear to be tit—for—tat strikes. here's are some of the key moments of escalation since the gaza war broke out on october 7th. on that date, thousands of hamas—led militants stormed across the border into israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostages. a day later, the lebanese group hezbollah, which is backed by iran, starting firing toward israel. that set off months of low—intensity but deadly exchanges along israel's northern border. in november of last year, another armed group became involved. the houthis in yemen are a rebel group supported by iran. that month, they launched a series of attacks in the red sea on vessels which they say are associated with israel. on the 1st of april of this year, there was another significant

escalation a strike on an iranian consular building in syria.