hello, and welcome to the programme. we start in the middle east, where israel's prime minister, binyamin netanyahu, says the only way to secure the release of hostages in gaza is to increase the military pressure on hamas. in his message to mark thejewish holiday of passover, mr netanyahu holiday of passover, mr neta nyahu vowed to holiday of passover, mr netanyahu vowed to hit hamas with painful blows. he said the army will launch a ground operation in the southern city of rafah, where more than a million displaced palestinians are sheltering. and in the latest air strike on the city, 15 children of one family are among the dead. this report on the continued suffering in gaza. air-raid siren blares the eyes of the world were on a bigger drama, played out in the skies above israel. but in gaza, nothing changed.

this was rafah today, after 15 children from one family were killed in an airstrike. translation: show me one man among them. l they're all children and women. you can see my identity is completely erased with the deaths of my wife and children. a pregnant woman was among the dead. her baby daughter was saved in an emergency operation. a child born to a mother she will never know.

there is the story of everyday death, and the story of what follows for the families caught in the shadows of death. nawara's husband, abdulrahman, was one of more than 70 civilians killed in an israeli raid to rescue hostages in february. these were the couple's children in the aftermath of their father's death. we went back to see nawara, now eight months pregnant with her dead husband's child, and in grief, awaiting the arrival of a new life. nawara's words — the elegy of a wife and mother for all that's been lost.

in central gaza, israeli forces hunt hamas. they're still launching attacks from tunnels and buildings. and thus the war rages on, sickness and hunger haunt gaza. these children in central gaza are queuing for food to try and feed entire families. many are weak, listless. the un says less than half the amount of food needed is reaching the population. translation: we have been coming here for six months, l and we are completely dependent on the food charity. we come here to take food, to eat and feed the other children. in the north, where the threat of famine is most acute. amjad kanu, age three,

suffers from kidney disease exacerbated by malnutrition. his six—year—old brother, ahmad, provides comfort for the youngster. souad has more than one sick child. her older boy has suspected cancer and in war ravaged gaza can't get the proper treatment. such are the days and lives of gaza after six months of war. fergal keane, bbc news, jerusalem. at least five rockets are reported to have been fired from northern iraq towards a us military base across the border in syria. three of the rockets are believed to have hit the kharab al—jir base or nearby, causing minor damage. they were said to have been fired from the town of zummar. some iraqi media say

the attack was launched by the shia popular mobilisation militia, which is backed by iran. they are also saying that a us fighterjet targeted a vehicle carrying rockets in zummar. we speak now to a research scholar at the australian national university in canberra, and former australian ambassador to lebanon. i want to get your take on these latest strikes coming from within iraq and aimed at us military assets in syria. well, at this stage, _ military assets in syria. well, at this stage, it _ military assets in syria. well, at this stage, it does - military assets in syria. well, at this stage, it does seem i military assets in syria. well, i at this stage, it does seem to be the popular mobilisation forces, the iranian—backed group in iraq. there was that explosion that you mentioned on saturday which did some damage to one of their bases, and this may be the retaliation that the popular mobilisation forces have launched. but they haven't claimed it as yet, as far as

we're aware. there's also the possibility that there could be an attack by islamic state, which has become more active in the region — and quite surprisingly, it was able to launch an attack on iran back injanuary this year. the point is that the us forces in northern syria are there with, really, two missions. one is to keep the islamic state under control, but the other one is also to disrupt iranian supplies of weapons going across the border into syria, and from syria into lebanon, to hezbollah. so they've got a dual mission there. there are about 900 of them. but they're not very well protected. and they are quite open to attacks from groups that are hostile to them. and in northern syria,

there's no shortage of groups hostile to the united states — you obviously have the assad regime itself, but also the iranian forces or iranian—influenced shi'ah elements, but islamic state as well. so it's a very difficult situation for the united states' forces, and it well may be that it was a us plane that attacked the so —— attacked the source of the five rockets. we've had direct confrontation between iran and israel over the last week, but not a lot of damage reported on either side. do you expect more direct confrontation? or will we go back to more proxy attacks like we've just seen? i back to more proxy attacks like we've just seen?— we've just seen? i think it's unlikely we'll _ we've just seen? i think it's unlikely we'll get _ we've just seen? i think it's unlikely we'll get some - we've just seen? i think it's . unlikely we'll get some attacks from iranian territory from iran into israel and vice versa, at this stage. there are a couple of reasons. one is

that the iranians have declared the exercise closed now. they've retaliated against the attack on the iranian consulate in damascus. they seem to be happy to leave it at that at this stage. i think further attacks on israel from iranian influence will be by its proxies, primarily hezbollah in lebanon, but also through the various iranian—influenced militia groups in syria and iraq. the other point is, from israel's perspective, israel is very determined to get back onto the operation in gaza. it seems that the hostage negotiations have broken down irreparably at this stage — there just is no way in which it looks as if they're going to

have success at this point. and it's important for binyamin netanyahu to resume the operation in gaza.- netanyahu to resume the operation in gaza. sorry, 'ust cuickl operation in gaza. sorry, 'ust quickly - fl operation in gaza. sorry, 'ust quickly - me i operation in gaza. sorry, 'ust quickly - we've only i operation in gaza. sorry, 'ust quickly - we've only got h operation in gaza. sorry, just i quickly - we've only got 20-30 quickly — we've only got 20—30 seconds left. what are you looking out for next that will tell us what direction the tensions in the middle east will take?— will take? well, i think the next step _ will take? well, i think the next step will— will take? well, i think the next step will be _ will take? well, i think the next step will be that - will take? well, i think the| next step will be that israel will probably start dropping leaflets in gaza telling people in rafah to get out of the area. where they may go is very hard to know. but i think that will be the next step — that they'll want to give an indication that they're trying to get civilians out of the rafah area. because that's where the israelis are determined to go into in their efforts to defeat hamas. mi efforts to defeat hamas. all riuht. efforts to defeat hamas. all right. we'll leave it there. thank you so much for your insight and your perspective today. former australian ambassador to lebanon, and

research scholar at the australian national university in canberra. we've got a lot more coverage on the middle east tensions on our website at bbc.com. you can also check it out on our mobile app also check it out on our mobile app as well. president volodymyr zelensky says the military aid package approved by the us house of representatives will give ukraine a chance of victory in its war against russia. he said it would help it retake the initiative. he pushed back at complaints that the us had spent too much on the war, saying ukraine was protecting freedom and democracy across europe. our correspondent in kyiv, james waterhouse, has the latest. a production line waiting for a presidential sign—off. freshly made artillery shells in this factory in pennsylvania, usa — now almost certain to make their way to a ukrainian battlefield, where there are holes instead of rounds. after america threw its weight

back behind ukraine the message here is — "you make it, we'll use it." near kupiansk in the north—east, it's the russians who are edging closer. translation: it's better now if we let them attack - and we defend but when we get the shells, joints, and whatever else in this package, we can turn things around. it's hoped this us aid will save ukrainian lives and cities like kyiv — but it's been a painful wait. translation: our guys need help because they have nothing - to protect us. we always need help because without it, our enemy can advance further and can be in the centre of our city. translation: of course it is not too late. - in any case, it is needed, and whether it would be later or earlier, in any

case it will help. there has been a constant flow of diplomats through kyiv as they have tried to pave the way for this bill to be passed. "better late than never" is the reaction we are hearing this weekend. "never" would have meant almost certain defeat for ukraine. however, "late" still means it'll be difficult for kyiv to change momentum on the battlefield straightaway. translation: this aid will strengthen ukraine and send the kremlin a powerful signal that it will not be the second afghanistan. the united states will stay with ukraine and it will protect democracy in the world. this is a show of leadership and strength. while the west has wavered, russia has stayed committed to its invasion. ukraine needs to make america's return count to keep moscow and western doubt at bay. i spoke to the director of research at the united states studies centre. he gave us his

assessment on the main takeaway from the bill finally making it through the house this weekend. this is a major change for speakerjohnson. let's not forget, he did not come to congress expecting to be speaker. he came to congress as a conservative republican. he voted against ukraine aid packages, but it has undergone quite a change in the past few months. the biden administration went out of its way to show him the intelligence, to show what they think the kremlin�*s intentions are through ukraine and europe more widely, and why they think it's in us national interests to support ukraine and nato more broadly. this is something to see a republican speaker go against the majority of the republicans in congress — it's no small matter. i think this is a major development not only for ukraine, but also for where the republican party is in its

questions about whether it's in the midst of a realignment or not. this shows there is some value or still some perception of value in the reagan—esque republican party that we may have been more accustomed to in prior decades. have been more accustomed to in prior decades-_ prior decades. yeah, this bipartisan _ prior decades. yeah, this bipartisan sort _ prior decades. yeah, this bipartisan sort of - prior decades. yeah, this - bipartisan sort of agreement, if you like, does pose some problems for house speaker mike johnson, though, doesn't it? he could now find himself in a difficult position? do you expect now to see attempts to oust him?— expect now to see attempts to oust him? , . ,., ,, oust him? very much so. i think mar'orie oust him? very much so. i think marjorie taylor-green _ oust him? very much so. i think marjorie taylor-green has - marjorie taylor—green has indicated she plans to do that. this was basically the last vote the house had before they went on a week—long recess. i think mikejohnson and his allies — including some democrats now — are hoping that members of congress go home and focus on the re—election campaign, and this sort of news item passes, that the news cycle about ukraine passes and they can start focusing on

other areas where they want to vote or support ahead of the 2024 november election. johnson and democrats who have said now they would vote to keep him if people like marjorie taylor—green want to oust him — they're saying thatjohnson did they're saying thatjohnson did the right thing. that they didn't like speaker mccarthy, the prior republican speaker of the prior republican speaker of the house, who was ousted by his own party members — but at the same time, mikejohnson, in their view, the same time, mikejohnson, in theirview, did the same time, mikejohnson, in their view, did the right thing on these aid packages to israel and gaza, ukraine, and taiwan and gaza, ukraine, and taiwan and the pacific more broadly. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

you're live with bbc news. let's turn our attention to the maul dvds —— to the maldives now. the house had been

dominated by the pro—india democratic party. some saw saturday's test as a test of the plan for closer economic co—operation with china. since the september election, mr muizzu has been trying to send home a smaller garrison of 89 indians stationed in the archipelago. to ecuador: the national prison agency says they are trying to establish who's behind the death of a prison director who died on sunday. his death comes as ecuadorians have been voting in a referendum to bolster security in response to a surge in violence by drug gangs. measures include an expansion of military and police powers that will allow the military to patrol the streets alongside the police. they'll also significantly boost gun controls and impose harsher prison sentences for terrorism and drug trafficking.

president daniel noboa also wants to change the constitution so ecuadoreans wanted abroad for organised crime—related offences can be extradited. president naboa said —— declared a state of emergency in january declared a state of emergency injanuary and sent declared a state of emergency in january and sent the army to take control of prisons after a gang leader escaped. this referendum was really all about tightening security measures in the country after a wave of violence earlier this year that led to a state of emergency being called in the country. this included armed gunmen storming a television station while it was live on air, prison riots, and various politicians being killed as well. people in ecuador today were voting on a range of different measures which included enshrining the military�*s presence on the streets to help police tackle organised crime, but also things like increasing prison sentences and allowing extradition of violence criminals as well. lots of people we've spoken to today in ecuador were voting for these

measures, saying that they think it would make them feel personally safer, particularly those who may have experienced some kinds of violent crimes, kidnappings, thefts and robberies themselves — but there was also a significant amount of people who were voting no too — people who worried that, for example, increasing the powers of the police and military could lead to more arbitrary arrests and potentially even human rights abuses if police or the military were to abuse any of those powers. our south america correspondent ione wells. good the us house of representatives passed legislation over the weekend by a margin of 360—58 to ban tiktok. presidentjoe biden has previously said he would sign the legislation on tiktok. in other news: authorities in southern china

have introduced emergency response plans in preparation for severe floods. there have been heavy downpours in recent daysin been heavy downpours in recent days in the guangdong province, which is home to around 127 million people. according to state media, landslides have injured six people and trapped others, with some villages being cut off. local officials say some rivers are hitting water levels, which have a 1-in-50 water levels, which have a 1—in—50 chance of happening every year. to some sporting news now: a record—breaking day at the london marathon. more than 50,000 people took part in this year's event, and olympic champion set a new world record for women of 2 hours, 16 minutes, 16 seconds. our sports reporter was there cheering on the runners who made it over the runners who made it over the finish line. there was drama earlier in the day in the elite races. a new women's—only world record set by kenyan olympic champion, taking about a minute off the reigning world record set in

2017 on this very course by mary kittany. also, there was some brilliant races in the wheelchair races, especially by marcel hugh, who one his fourth out of four, the silver bullet doing it again. the swiss katherine de bruyne dominated her race. this year, taking home the exact same prize money as able—bodied athletes, after organisers said this would be the most inclusive london marathon winner ever. £44,000 for the winner. it's notjust about the elites, but for these guys �* about the elites, but for these guys — raising money for charity, training for 16—20 weeks. earlier, icaught charity, training for 16—20 weeks. earlier, i caught up with an actor you may well know from ted lasso, phil dunster. he told me an emotional story about his reason for running — because of the tragic death of

the son of his cousin. tragically, he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, and, ah, passed away a few months after that. i saw his dad along the way, and... ..it�*sjust, yeah — there were a couple of moments there where, um...— a couple of moments there where, um... ~ ., ., ~ where, um... what do you think this means _ where, um... what do you think this means to _ where, um... what do you think this means to his _ where, um... what do you think this means to his family? - where, um... what do you think this means to his family? well, | this means to his family? well, i think this means to his family? well, i think they _ this means to his family? well, i think they probably _ this means to his family? well, i think they probably had - this means to his family? well, i think they probably had a - i think they probably had a laugh at me when i was going �*round, seeing how out of puff i was. but anything i can do, really, to — you know, just to keep him with us and — i�*m just incredibly proud to do it in his memory, but for matt and amy and for phil and lara and the whole family, really... there�*ve also been a number of changes made to the finish area here at the 44th london marathon. one is a faith space which allows people of all religions to go and reflect and pray after their race. there�*s also a quiet space where neurodivergent participants to go and get away from the noise and the crowds. there�*s a

family unit as well which offers mothers the privacy to breast—feed their children. a little bit earlier, i got the thought of a comedy duo who have been doing the 26.2 miles on these changes — the inclusivity and the access of the london marathon — ivan graham and rosiejones. it�*s graham and rosie jones. it's such an graham and rosiejones. it�*s such an incredible thing already. talking to strangers, bumping into friends, my brother was with me last year. but rosie and i, start to finish — like, what a special thing to have shared. i feel absolutely, like — blown away by it. and also just — people love rosie. she�*s a force of nature. and being the person who got to transport that energy around the marathon, it was a huge honour, rosie. thank you so much for doing it. let�*s you so much for doing it. let's talk to the _ you so much for doing it. let's talk to the person _ you so much for doing it. let's talk to the person who - you so much for doing it. let's talk to the person who did - you so much for doing it. let's talk to the person who did the | talk to the person who did the real work, shall we? talk to the person who did the realwork, shall we?— realwork, shall we? here we to. realwork, shall we? here we go- how— realwork, shall we? here we go- how was _ realwork, shall we? here we go. how was it _ realwork, shall we? here we go. how was it for _ realwork, shall we? here we go. how was it for you, - real work, shall we? here we i go. how was it for you, rosie? so good! _

go. how was it for you, rosie? so good! i _ go. how was it for you, rosie? so good! i mean, _ go. how was it for you, rosie? so good! i mean, absolutely i so good! i mean, absolutely losing — so good! i mean, absolutely losing their voice because they were _ losing their voice because they were screaming the whole time. but to— were screaming the whole time. but to take part in a marathon — something that i never thought— — something that i never thought would have happened to me - _ thought would have happened to me - its— thought would have happened to me — it's truly a dream come true — true. five years true. — five years ago, this race hit a landmark £1 billion raised for charity. of course, that�*s going to keep going up and up, especially with the record number of participants today. if you�*ve been inspired by anything you have seen on our coverage of this fantastic race, the ballot opened yesterday, so why not get yourself a place for 2025? well done and congratulations to all those that finished and, to all those that finished and, to the london marathon as well, for being so inclusive. before we go, take a look at this — a magical moment shared by hawaiian surfer gabriella brian and a pod of dolphins as she won herfirst brian and a pod of dolphins as she won her first world championship tour event in a

pumping surf at the western australian margaret river pro on sunday. to win and have those dolphins for company as well — wonderful stuff. thanks for your company here on newsday. see you again tomorrow. bye for now. hello there, good evening. the sunshine has a little kick to it for the second half of april. feeling pleasantly warm in the best of the sunshine. best spots are the western spots, this was northern ireland earlier today, but towards the northeast, it is chilly with a brisk north—easterly wind. temperatures struggling here and will continue to do so, we will be in this chilly air mass through the rest of the week so temperatures below the seasonal average. further east across the uk, it remains cold. particularly so across north—eastern parts of england, with cloud and breeze coming in off the north sea. high pressure is close by, but it is tending to edge away. that�*s allowing these weather fronts to bring cloud and even some rain southwards overnight. but ahead of that, we�*ve got clearer skies for east anglia and the south—east, so

temperatures could be close to freezing first thing in the morning before that cloud comes in. there will be a lot of cloud on monday. light rain and drizzle affecting northern england, the midlands, wales, heading towards the south—west. there could be spots of rain heading towards scotland before northern area seize sunshine returning in the afternoon. won�*t be as much sunshine in northern ireland. it won�*t be as warm on monday. it may make 16 degrees in glasgow. it�*ll be particularly chilly for the midlands and eastern parts of england. that area of high pressure continues to just get pushed away, and these weather fronts move southwards overnight, with clearer skies following into scotland. there could be an early frost around here. most of the cloud will be reflecting in eastern parts of england heading to the south—east. cloud will tend to build up. the sunnier skies for western scotland, northern ireland and wales. here, temperatures will be 13 or 14 degrees. but again, it�*s going to be colderfurther degrees. but again, it�*s going to be colder further east. generally over the next few days, west is going to be best.

high pressure is no longer with us by wednesday, but we�*re still in that colder airstream with a northerly wind bringing the odd shower down some of those north sea coasts, where it will feel particularly cold. we may well see a touch of frost here and there if the cloud breaks, but the cloud will tend to build up through the day on wednesday, and that could lead to a few showers, mainly for england and wales. looking a bit sunnier, perhaps, to western scotland and northern ireland. temperatures are 11 degrees in belfast. that�*s going to be a typical best number on wednesday. it is going to be a chilly week ahead. temperatures dropping across northern areas. there�*s even the risk of frost overnight, before lower pressure maybe brings some rain by the end of the week.

tiktok�*s future hangs in the balance in the us as lawmakers move closer to banning the popular social media app. we�*ll explain. and, oil markets breathe a sigh of relief as iran downplays last friday�*s reported missile strike by israel. hello and welcome to asia business report. i�*m steve lai. to one of our top stories today: the us house of representatives have passed a bill that would ban

the popular social media app tiktok if its chinese owner does not sell its stake within a year. our business reporter this morning monica miller has more on the story. monica, is the writing of the wall for tick—tock? the monica, is the writing of the wall for tick-tock? the senator is expeeted _ wall for tick-tock? the senator is expeeted to _ wall for tick-tock? the senator is expected to take _ wall for tick-tock? the senator is expected to take up - wall for tick-tock? the senator is expected to take up the - wall for tick-tock? the senator is expected to take up the billl is expected to take up the bill over the next couple of days. previously, president biden said of the bill lands on his deskit said of the bill lands on his desk it will sign it. lawmakers in the us are bitterly divided, especially going into this election year. however, on this particular issue, they have had bipartisan support. really, what is at the heart of the matter is tiktok owner by tech. they are concerned the us data from its users is being passed along to the chinese government. they are also awoke the chinese government is using this as a platform for its own propaganda. this site is used by many young people who rely on this as one of the main forms of information. if this bill is passed the owner will

be forced to divest