and with our executive tables around the executive table. rishi sunak has said this is a generous— rishi sunak has said this is a generous and _ rishi sunak has said this is a generous and fair— rishi sunak has said this is a generous and fair offer, - rishi sunak has said this is a | generous and fair offer, {3.3 billion, — generous and fair offer, {3.3 billion, and _ generous and fair offer, {3.3 billion, and it _ generous and fair offer, {3.3 billion, and it doesn't - generous and fair offer, {3.3 billion, and it doesn't seem i generous and fair offer, {3.3 i billion, and it doesn't seem like generous and fair offer, {3.3 - billion, and it doesn't seem like he is offering — billion, and it doesn't seem like he is offering you _ billion, and it doesn't seem like he is offering you more _ billion, and it doesn't seem like he is offering you more money. - billion, and it doesn't seem like he is offering you more money. whatl is offering you more money. what happens _ is offering you more money. what happens if— is offering you more money. what happens if the _ is offering you more money. what happens if the uk _ is offering you more money. what happens if the uk government- is offering you more money. what - happens if the uk government doesn't make more _ happens if the uk government doesn't make more money— happens if the uk government doesn't make more money available? - happens if the uk government doesn't make more money available? the. make more money available? the reali is make more money available? the reality is that _ make more money available? reality is that we need make more money available? tip; reality is that we need more make more money available? reality is that we need more to deliver good public services. the offer that has been put on the table sounds good in the face of it but when you break down into the detail there is more to be done. if we are going to be successful politically we need the resources to deliver good public services and i think the prime minister heard that loudly and clearly from all executive colleagues. you will be aware we have signed up to a joint letter which be handed to the prime

minister today and we are not working on failure, we are working on the basis we are going to be successful. we know we have a lot of work to do but we need the treasury to be engaged because for many years we have been underfunded and we want to transform our health service. we have an entry as long as your arm in terms of the issues we need to deal with and some of that we will discuss today. we have such a vast area of work we need to focus our attention on what we need to be able to have proper financial arrangements to allow us to to have properfinancial arrangements to allow us to do to have proper financial arrangements to allow us to do that. we are not going to give up on day one. we have made the case very strongly and we will continue to do that but the strength now is we are working together to try and secure what we need. we working together to try and secure what we need-— what we need. we have been very clear as well _ what we need. we have been very clear as well with _ what we need. we have been very clear as well with the _ what we need. we have been very clear as well with the prime - clear as well with the prime minister— clear as well with the prime minister and throughout this process that we _ minister and throughout this process that we do— minister and throughout this process that we do want northern ireland finances — that we do want northern ireland finances to be on a sustainable basis — finances to be on a sustainable basis. we've also highlighted in order— basis. we've also highlighted in order to — basis. we've also highlighted in order to do that it requires reform and that— order to do that it requires reform and that reform will require investment. we can only do that

white _ investment. we can only do that while supporting the continuance of our public— while supporting the continuance of our public services at the same time if we _ our public services at the same time if we are _ our public services at the same time if we are sufficiently resourced. that _ if we are sufficiently resourced. that is — if we are sufficiently resourced. that is something the prime minister is somebody who is very much part and parcel— is somebody who is very much part and parcel of the treasury for many years _ and parcel of the treasury for many years understands and that's why we appealed _ years understands and that's why we appealed to him to say it's notjust about— appealed to him to say it's notjust about reform and investment, it's notjust— about reform and investment, it's notjust about about reform and investment, it's not just about supporting our public services, _ not just about supporting our public services, it's about getting the right— services, it's about getting the right package in terms of public sector— right package in terms of public sector pay because we recognise the work is _ sector pay because we recognise the work is within that system absolutely necessary if we are going to achieve _ absolutely necessary if we are going to achieve what we want to achieve. michelle _ to achieve what we want to achieve. michelle has mentioned a number of the cases— michelle has mentioned a number of the cases on the agenda today, big issues _ the cases on the agenda today, big issues we — the cases on the agenda today, big issues we know are important to people. — issues we know are important to people, the challenges within special— people, the challenges within special educational needs, the issues — special educational needs, the issues with looking at urgent action to progress resolution to that issue. — to progress resolution to that issue, childcare which is a big one we are _ issue, childcare which is a big one we are conscious of, but all of these — we are conscious of, but all of these things require investment and we know— these things require investment and we know that. so we need to do reform — we know that. so we need to do reform trut— we know that. so we need to do reform but we do need investment in our public— reform but we do need investment in our public services. i don't think that's— our public services. i don't think that's an — our public services. i don't think that's an unreasonable request. in

that's an unreasonable request. in your that's an unreasonable request. in your speech on saturday you made it clear you _ your speech on saturday you made it clear you want — your speech on saturday you made it clear you want to _ your speech on saturday you made it clear you want to reach _ your speech on saturday you made it clear you want to reach out - your speech on saturday you made it clear you want to reach out to - clear you want to reach out to unionists _ clear you want to reach out to unionists across _ clear you want to reach out to unionists across that - clear you want to reach out to unionists across that divide. l clear you want to reach out to . unionists across that divide. you made _ unionists across that divide. you made it— unionists across that divide. you made it clear— unionists across that divide. you made it clear you _ unionists across that divide. you made it clear you would - unionists across that divide. you made it clear you would like - unionists across that divide. you made it clear you would like to i made it clear you would like to dismantle _ made it clear you would like to dismantle the _ made it clear you would like to dismantle the union... - made it clear you would like to dismantle the union... you. made it clear you would like to dismantle the union... you are watchin: dismantle the union... you are watching the — dismantle the union... you are watching the first _ dismantle the union... you are watching the first minister- dismantle the union... you are - watching the first minister michelle o'neill and the debris minister emma little—pengelly holding a press conference at stormont castle talking about day one of power—sharing returning of the virtual year pause that we have seen. today we've had rishi sunak there. let's listen to the answers. we have an executive in place to be home to tackle the issues. we stand in front of you today and we are trying to do our best to get to grips with some of these issues. they will be plenty of opportunity to talk about the issues you want to talk to us about as individual clinical parties. today we are focusing on the fact we have united

and we have presented a united front in terms of the finance because we are trying to do our best and we are all going to work together to try and do whatever we can to secure the best possible financial situation to allow us to deliver good public services. �* , . ., services. it's important to recognise _ services. it's important to recognise that _ services. it's important to recognise that within - services. it's important to | recognise that within every department there are very important issues _ department there are very important issues but _ department there are very important issues but the key thing is that we are only— issues but the key thing is that we are only going to find resolutions for those — are only going to find resolutions for those by working together and working _ for those by working together and working constructively. the rest of the executive is up for the challenge and that is what we need to do— challenge and that is what we need to do to _ challenge and that is what we need to do to deliver four people. that is what _ to do to deliver four people. that is what the — to do to deliver four people. that is what the public expects of us. they— is what the public expects of us. they want— is what the public expects of us. they want us to do our best, fixed for public— they want us to do our best, fixed for public services and create a sustainable future for northern iretand — sustainable future for northern ireland. we will be working together on a positive basis to do that. they are aaivin on a positive basis to do that. they are giving their _ on a positive basis to do that. they are giving their first _ on a positive basis to do that. tie: are giving their firstjoint press conference. let's bring in our correspondence was also there. they

were just talking very repeatedly about how important the money is on the investment and securing sufficient resources to try and get what the country needs. we had michelle o'neill saying the prime minister rishi sunak heard that from them loud and clear.— them loud and clear. that's right. that was the _ them loud and clear. that's right. that was the first _ them loud and clear. that's right. that was the first time _ them loud and clear. that's right. that was the first time we - them loud and clear. that's right. that was the first time we heard i them loud and clear. that's right. | that was the first time we heard a joint news conference by the new leaders of northern ireland's power—sharing devolved government. michelle o'neill the sinn fein vice president in the first irish nationalist to hold the position of first minister and standing beside her the deputy first minister emma little—pengelly of the dup, someone for whom keeping northern ireland in the uk is really her major political objective. while you have two people with very different views on the constitutional status of northern

ireland, that is the nature of power—sharing, it's the reason why it can be a fragile coalition, but you heard from the two leaders they are very much today focusing first of all on the big issue that they can agree on and that is their view that northern ireland needs more money from the british government in order to reform public services and put public sector pay on a more sustainable footing. so the background is all of this is it's just totally since northern ireland had its largest ever strike with public—sector unions taking industrial action is. health care workers, train drivers and teachers all withdrawing their labour. they say their pay is behind their counterparts in great britain. you can expect that they should be top of the agenda as the new ministers in belfast meet over the next couple of hours and when the prime minister rishi sunak visited from london earlier this morning that a case for

extra funding was put to him by the parties that will form the new power—sharing devolved government. so is part of the deal to get a devolution here back up and running, already the uk government has promised an extra £35 billion in funding. that will include almost £600 million to go towards raising public sector pay but the parties are saying that will only deal with the problems in the short term. they want a longer term financial settlement and a funding formula if you like the northern ireland. they made their arguments for that to rishi sunak this morning and amidst the handshakes and goodwilljust there was also a firm message being put to him by the politicians back in charge of northern ireland that they are going to continue to press they are going to continue to press

the london government, in particular for more cash. the british government has said they believe the funding package which has been offered is fair and generous so it's going to be an ongoing negotiation if indeed more money is to be sent here by the government in london. however, you can tell as well as this being something the party she genuinely want and say they need, it's also a way of them making the point, look, for the time being we are going to put our political differences aside and unite around this issue and it's an issue they think will be for the benefit of all the people in northern ireland. thanks very much. you are watching bbc news. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, is on another diplomatic tour of the middle east — his fifth visit to the region since the conflict erupted between israel and hamas. he will be visiting saudi arabia, israel, egypt, qatar and the occupied west bank. mr blinken's trip follows days of airstrikes by the united states against iranian—linked targets

in iraq, syria and yemen. ahead of his arrival, a drone attack killed six us—backed kurdish fighters at an american base in eastern syria. mr blinken is also expected to discuss boosting aid to gaza, as well as a possible ceasefire and hostage deal between israel and hamas. more than 130 hostages are still being held in gaza. the un has warned of an impending famine in the strip, affecting more than two million people. let's speak to our correspondent, barbara plett usher, who's injerusalem. talk us through the main aim of this visit by antony blinken. that ossible visit by antony blinken. that possible ceasefire _ visit by antony blinken. that possible ceasefire deal- visit by antony blinken. trust possible ceasefire deal which would involve the release of some of the israeli hostages being held in gaza in exchange for palestinian prisoners being held by israel as one of his priorities. because on

top of the dotted of the hostages that would be a pause in the fighting which would mean a dramatic increase is hoped of humanitarian aid into gaza at a time when as you said the situation is very desperate although the un is warning of pockets of famine. there is also something that's politically important for the biden administration because it's facing domestic criticism from some domestic criticism from some domestic constituencies about american support for israel. when you have these dire humanitarian consequences because of the military campaign. so to get a ceasefire and be able to deal with those consequences would be important to the americans as well. the other main issue i think is this issue of the air strikes in the region against the iran linked militias. they have been quite a few in the last couple of days and the americans responding at least in

part to their attack which killed three us soldiers and they have been telegraphing throughout they are not trying to escalate the conflict in the region especially with the run because these militias are backed by iran, but they want to be able to deliver that message in person to be able to say our soldiers were killed and this is how we said we would respond that is what we are doing but we don't want things to escalate. and again to get a ceasefire in gaza at this point would help in this respect as well probably because these militias have begun their attacks since the war started and same of them say they are doing so in response to the situation in gaza. so if there was a ceasefire presumably things might calm down a bit. flan ceasefire presumably things might calm down a bit.— calm down a bit. can you 'ust tell us where things * calm down a bit. can you 'ust tell us where things are h calm down a bit. can you 'ust tell us where things are orh calm down a bit. can you just tell us where things are or what - calm down a bit. can you just tell us where things are or what we i calm down a bit. can you just tell- us where things are or what we know of where things are in terms of those talks between hamas and israel? . ., ,, ., , .

israel? the framework for this truce was agreed — israel? the framework for this truce was agreed between _ israel? the framework for this truce was agreed between the _ israel? the framework for this truce | was agreed between the intelligence chiefs of the united states, israel, qatar and egypt and then presented to hamas so that is where things are. we are waiting for hamas to respond to the framework and what we understand is it includes the idea of doing this in several phases, each phase would involve releasing some israeli hostages in exchange for some palestinian prisoners but the key sticking point is that it does not guarantee an end to the war. that is something israel said is not ready to do and it's something hamas is demanding. we are waiting to see how hamas will respond to the framework and whether it's willing to build on it toward something that it feels it could work with. something that it feels it could work with-— something that it feels it could work with. ., ~' ,, , . john bolton is a former us national security adviser and was the us ambassador to the united nations. he gave us his assessment of the us strategy in the region so far. the strategy is close to incoherent and i don't think it's going to lead

to addressing the real problem here and what has been the real problem since october the 7th, and that is iran, which is at the centre of this web of attacks by its terror surrogates around the region, including the shia militia in iraq and syria who killed the three americans at the base injordan. and until the administration acknowledges the reality on the ground, almost by definition it can't have a strategy that will bring the result they say they intend, and that's the right result, which is lasting peace and security in the region. i'm joined now by political analyst and former middle east advisor at the pentagon, jasmine el—gamal. what do you make of that —— of what john bolton were saying about the policy being incoherent? there john bolton were saying about the policy being incoherent?— john bolton were saying about the policy being incoherent? there is a lot of criticism _

policy being incoherent? there is a lot of criticism right _ policy being incoherent? there is a lot of criticism right now _ policy being incoherent? there is a lot of criticism right now at - policy being incoherent? there is a lot of criticism right now at the - lot of criticism right now at the biden administration both from former officials likejohn bolton as well as former generals in the us military who are talking about face a strategy or lack of a strategic vision for the us in the middle east. i have spoken about this before several times as well and i've talked about the difference between tactical moves and strategic vision. the fact is that what's been happening over the last few weeks and since october seven and the israeli response is they have been this dramatic rise in attacks against us interests and us allies, commercial shipping by these iran backed militias. it's called the so—called axis of resistance. you have hezbollah in lebanon, hamas and gaza and these militias in iraq and

syria. they've had a lot of, they feel empowered because they've been attacking the us and they have been attacking the us and they have been attacking these commercial shipping routes. pare attacking these commercial shipping routes. �* attacking these commercial shipping routes. . . , routes. are the attacks in response ofthe routes. are the attacks in response of the us not _ routes. are the attacks in response of the us not had _ routes. are the attacks in response of the us not had an _ routes. are the attacks in response of the us not had an effect? - routes. are the attacks in response of the us not had an effect? if- routes. are the attacks in response of the us not had an effect? if we i of the us not had an effect? if we look at what _ of the us not had an effect? if we look at what we _ of the us not had an effect? if we look at what we see _ of the us not had an effect? if we look at what we see in _ of the us not had an effect? if we look at what we see in front - of the us not had an effect? if w9 look at what we see in front of us, the us has started to respond to these attacks both in the red sea and in iraq and syria. every time the us response and retaliate you see another attack coming from these groups. in fact notjust on us personnel but now also on us allies in the region. there was an attack against the syrian democratic forces which are a kurdish led group of forces in syria that have been allies in the war against isis. so they have just been attacked by these groups as well in retaliation for the us retaliation. so you can

see where this is going. both these groups themselves as well as iran and now russia which has called for and now russia which has called for an emergency security council meeting of the un today to discuss this, those actors are all saying what you are doing, there is no point behind it, no strategy behind it and it doesn't align with what the us is saying about not wanting to start or aggravate a regional war. :, , to start or aggravate a regional war. . , , to start or aggravate a regional war. :, , y :, war. the argument is trying to de-escalate — war. the argument is trying to de-escalate but _ war. the argument is trying to de-escalate but some - war. the argument is trying to de-escalate but some could . war. the argument is trying to - de-escalate but some could argue the de—escalate but some could argue the biden administration wanted to respond and gave the warnings in terms of the attacks on iraq and syria and the aim perhaps is to give people the chance to get out. that thread. i don't _ people the chance to get out. trisgt thread. i don't disagree with that. the us did two things in their mind

that would ensure the situation doesn't escalate or at least that the message isn't that the us wants escalation. number one, it did not target or hit any targets inside iran itself which some people were advocating for an pushing president biden to do. they didn't do that. they stick to syria and iraq. the other thing is that when the us is retaliating a message that comes along with that is we are doing this in retaliation or in the case of the who thees we are striking both these because there was an imminent threat against us forces so they are trying to put these actions in a language thatis to put these actions in a language that is defensive and a bit deterrent but that's not quite aggressive. the problem and the reason this could eventually lead to an escalation or miscalculation is that those words and those actions are not met with a vision, strategy for how to de—escalate and start

addressing the root causes of these tensions, including calling for a ceasefire in gaza and addressing whatjohn bolton was talking about witches the iran us relationship. thank you so much for talking to us. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. worsening health among the underfives in the uk needs to be urgently addressed, experts say. the academy of medical sciences highlights what it says are major health issues like infant deaths, obesity and tooth decay. it says society is betraying children and the problems are limiting their future and damaging economic prosperity.

the business organisation — the cbi — says it's reached what it's called an "undisclosed settlement" with its former boss tony danker. he brought a wrongful dismissal case after being sacked in april last year — when complaints were made about his behaviour. he has admitted making staff uncomfortable — but denied sexual harassment. the prince of wales is to return to royal duties on wednesday for the first time since his wife had abdominal surgery last month. prince william will conduct an investiture at windsor castle before attending a fundraising gala in london in the evening. the princess of wales is recuperating at home after leaving hospital last week. here in the uk, a former senior police officer has told the bbc that the man suspected of carrying out a chemical attack in south london last week, could be being hidden by someone. the hunt for abdul ezedi has entered its fifth day. a woman remains in hospital with injuries thought to be life—changing after the attack on wednesday. let's speak to our correspondent, charlie rose, at new scotland yard. it's been a long time now and in terms of developments they have been

very little. terms of developments they have been ve little. : :, , terms of developments they have been ve little. : . , very little. after last wednesday's horrific attack _ very little. after last wednesday's horrific attack on _ very little. after last wednesday's horrific attack on clapham - very little. after last wednesday's horrific attack on clapham this - horrific attack on clapham this large—scale police operation, this manhunt has now entered a new week and even though the police have issued all sorts of information and images and cctv footage, there is still no sign of the suspect. we know that he left the newcastle area in the early hours of wednesday. he made his way down to london and the last confirmed sighting of him is at tower hill tube station in london two hours after the attack. police say they know there are people who know where he is, which is why they've offered a reward of up to £20,000 for any information which may lead to his arrest. there are three main victims in all of this. asi—year—old woman and her two young

daughters aged eight and three. those two girls, the injuries they suffered are now not thought to be life changing but police say their mother is in a critical but stable condition in hospital. detectives have advised anyone who sees him not to approach him but instead to dial 999. forthe to approach him but instead to dial 999. for the being at least he appears to have vanished into thin air. new research suggests millions of barrels of fuel made from russian crude oil are still being imported to the uk despite sanctions over the war in ukraine. countries such as india take russian crude and refine it, then sell it on to the uk. the trade does not breach the uk's russian oil ban, but critics say it undermines efforts to restrict moscow funding the conflict in ukraine. i'm joined now by tyler kustra — he's an assistant professor of politics and international relations at the university of nottingham.

is it surprising to hear this? that somehow russia is able to get around the sanctions. it’s somehow russia is able to get around the sanctions-— the sanctions. it's very disappointing - the sanctions. it's very disappointing but - the sanctions. it's very disappointing but it. the sanctions. it's very disappointing but it is l the sanctions. it's very - disappointing but it is something the sanctions. it's very _ disappointing but it is something we have known for a while, that russia is selling oil to india and then india is selling it on to the global market and unfortunately some of that oil ends up in the uk. in market and unfortunately some of that oil ends up in the uk. in terms ofthe that oil ends up in the uk. in terms of the sanctions _ that oil ends up in the uk. in terms of the sanctions that _ that oil ends up in the uk. in terms of the sanctions that were - that oil ends up in the uk. in terms of the sanctions that were imposed j of the sanctions that were imposed on russia and the fact, do you think it's having an impact? i on russia and the fact, do you think it's having an impact?— it's having an impact? i absolutely think the sanctions _ it's having an impact? i absolutely think the sanctions are _ it's having an impact? i absolutely think the sanctions are having - it's having an impact? i absolutely think the sanctions are having an l think the sanctions are having an impact on russia. russia has to make a decision are they going to produce guns or butter? every rouble we can take from their economy means they have one less rouble to spend, meaning they don't have the ability to produce as many guns. if you look at it, the russians economy is doing very well but i would contrast that,

they have 16% inflation, 7.5% interest rates, that is not an economy doing very well, it's an economy doing very well, it's an economy is overheating because president putin is trying to produce too much and so our sanctions means they are not able to produce as many guns to kill ukrainians as they would like to. but guns to kill ukrainians as they would like to.— guns to kill ukrainians as they would like to. �* ,:, would like to. but the uk imported 5.2 million barrels— would like to. but the uk imported 5.2 million barrels of— would like to. but the uk imported 5.2 million barrels of oil— would like to. but the uk imported 5.2 million barrels of oil that - 5.2 million barrels of oil that originated from russia just last year. the money from that would have gone into the war effort. it year. the money from that would have gone into the war effort.— gone into the war effort. it would have and that's _ gone into the war effort. it would have and that's very _ gone into the war effort. it would l have and that's very disappointing and i think we should put pressure on india to stop buying russian oil. we should ensure that it's very difficult for the russians to sell oil to india and we should say to india, if you want to do business with the russians and by the royal we are not going to buy any of your oil products. we are not going to buy any of your oil products-— oil products. that would be the sim - lest

oil products. that would be the simplest answer, _ oil products. that would be the simplest answer, for _ oil products. that would be the simplest answer, for the - oil products. that would be the simplest answer, for the uk i oil products. that would be the simplest answer, for the uk to | oil products. that would be the - simplest answer, for the uk to stop buying and there are moves in the us to bring in a lot along those lines. in terms of what else the uk could get its oil from, in terms of what else the uk could get its oilfrom, as it in terms of what else the uk could get its oil from, as it massively dependent on what it's getting from india? i dependent on what it's getting from india? ., dependent on what it's getting from india? ~" :, , . _ india? i think it would be easy enou:h india? i think it would be easy enough to _ india? i think it would be easy enough to find _ india? i think it would be easy enough to find other - india? i think it would be easy enough to find other buyers. i india? i think it would be easy i enough to find other buyers. it's india? i think it would be easy - enough to find other buyers. it's a small proportion of what the uk consumes on any given day. we don't necessarily need these products from india. we can look elsewhere. itruihat india. we can look elsewhere. what do ou india. we can look elsewhere. what do you making _ india. we can look elsewhere. what do you making general _ india. we can look elsewhere. what do you making general in terms of the sanctions and in terms of the russian economy? would you expect it to be faring worse than it is currently? is it surprising its twin better—than—expected? i currently? is it surprising its twin better-than-expected?_ currently? is it surprising its twin better-than-expected? i don't think it's doinu better-than-expected? i don't think it's doing better— better-than-expected? i don't think it's doing better than _ better-than-expected? i don't think it's doing better than expected - better-than-expected? i don't think it's doing better than expected i - it's doing better than expected i don't trust anything vladimir putin says and i don't trust any numbers that he gives me on how well the russian economy is doing. he says it slightly growing but i don't think that's true. and even if it is you

have to remember that those figures include military production so in fact if you strip that out the standard of living has gone down and the sanctions are putting pressure on president putin. the sanctions are saying, look, you are going to be more constrained than you would be more constrained than you would be without sanctions, you're not going to be able to produce as much and that's going to make him make hard choices and mean he cannot produce as many guns as you would like to murder innocent ukrainians. thank you for talking to us. one line we are getting through from israel's prime minister saying he will not accept the demands of hamas over hostages. these discussions are ongoing about potential poses and fighting and the release of hostages that would mean the releasing of some palestinian prisoners but benjamin netanyahu will not accept

the demands of hamas. stay with us. hello there. whilst we saw a bit of sunshine here and there, on the whole it's been a cloudy start to the new week and particularly gray and gloomy across northern parts of scotland, with persistent thick, low cloud bringing a lot of rain, actually — there's been over 100 millimetres of rain in highland scotland on that slow moving weather front bringing that band of thicker cloud. the weather front will take rain southwards over the next few days, followed by colder air from the north. at the moment, that colder air is in the far north of scotland. away from here, we're still in very mild air and those temperatures won't change a great deal, actually, overnight. we've still got a brisk south—westerly wind bringing in all the cloud, a little drizzle. the main band of rain pushes a bit further south across scotland, allowing northern areas to see a few wintry showers, some clear spells, icy conditions as we see a touch of frost. quite a contrast here with those temperatures that we start tuesday with across england and wales. the main rain band sitting across southern scotland and northern ireland in the morning

pushes southwards, takes some rain into northern england and wales, heavy over the hills. sunshine follows to the north and we've got a few wintry showers coming in to northern parts of scotland. it will feel chillier across scotland and northern ireland and northernmost parts of england. but ahead of the rain in southern england, where it's still dry, cloudy and very mild, temperatures are 13 or ia degrees. but even here we'll get some rain overnight as that weather front pushes its way southwards. it allows that colder air to move down across more of the country and there will be a frost in many places early on wednesday morning, but hopefully some sunshine, as well. the far south of england, through the english channel, still cloudy, a bit of rain at times. across northern scotland we're looking at some snow showers even to low levels. it's going to feel cold here. typical temperatures on wednesday will be six or seven degrees. there's a weather frontjust hanging around in the english channel by the end of wednesday. as we head into thursday, it's going to move northwards again as this big area of low pressure comes in from the atlantic.

that wet weather moving northwards is moving into cold air, so we may well see rain across the far south of england and south wales, but a mixture of sleet and snow as you move further north. there is a warning out for thursday and thursday night, we're widely looking at two to five centimetres of snow in this area. it is a yellow warning from the met office. it's still a long way ahead and the details could change, as well.

this is bbc news, the headlines: america's top diplomat visits the middle east for talks — after the latest round of us strikes on iran—linked targets in the region. the british and irish prime ministers meet northern ireland's political leaders in stormont — as power—sharing returns after a two year stalemate. a deadly combination of war and drought leaves ethiopia's tigray region facing famine — we have a special report. and we hear about efforts to build the world's biggest atom smasher — to unlock some of the secrets of the universe. sport now and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. hello from the bbc sport centre. england captain ben stokes has said he was happy with the way england went about their run chase, despite losing the second test by 106 runs. the series against india is now levelled at 1—1.