the white house as the threat is real and viable. we're live injerusalem and washington. former post office boss says he did not know the institution was prosecuting its own staff. as meta reduces the minimum age to join whatsapp, a bbc investigation finds that children as young as nine are being added to groups with an appropriate contact. —— inappropriate. and later on the programme — researchers find the brightest burst of light ever recorded — was caused by an exploding star. that though — has created a new mystery for scientists. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live.

the white house has confirmed that an iranian attack on israel is a real and viable threat. national security communications adviserjohn kirby has told reporters that the danger was credible — and the white house was watching very, very closely. earlier, a us official told our broadcast partner cbs that strikes could start as early as today — although nothing is certain and other outcomes are possible. iran has been threatening reprisals, for the israeli strike on its consulate in syria, nearly two weeks ago. for its part, israel is threatening to hit back hard — if it is subjected to a direct attack by iran. french citizens are being asked not to travel to iran, lebanon, israel and the palestinian territories. the united states has told diplomatic staff and their families, not to travel outside three cities. the uk has also warned against travelling to israel, as has india. just a moment we will be live in

jerusalem and in washington to talk to our correspondence there. first david martin is a cbs news correspondent, he spoke to those us officials about what an attack on israel might look like. , ., what an attack on israel might look like. , . ., , like. the estimate actually comes from two us _ like. the estimate actually comes from two us officials. _ like. the estimate actually comes from two us officials. that - like. the estimate actually comes from two us officials. that iran i like. the estimate actually comes from two us officials. that iran is| from two us officials. that iran is preparing a strike against israel that would use more than 100 drones, dozens of cruise missiles and perhaps, ballistic missiles as well. and that this attack could come this evening at the earliest. as promised let's talk now to our state department correspondent tom bateman and also our diplomatic correspondent james landau who bateman and also our diplomatic correspondentjames landau who is in jerusalem. tom, how worried is the white house? it is jerusalem. tom, how worried is the white house?— white house? it is pretty worried because i think _ white house? it is pretty worried because i think it _ white house? it is pretty worried because i think it sees _ white house? it is pretty worried because i think it sees these - because i think it sees these threats as credible as you have been saying. it said john kirby, the

spokesman in the last hour and a half, that there is a serious threat and that it is watching very closely. this is been the messaging for around three or four days now, both in public and behind the scenes from the white house. i think what we have seen in the behind—the—scenes element of this is you were hearing from david martin is a bit more of the detail of what within the scope of their assessment. that is not to say they definitively think this will happen, but some of those things, including the potential missile attack on two israelis soil. but clarifying that this is effectively within a range of possibilities they think the iranians are looking at. that it could come as close as today within 24 could come as close as today within 2a hours or so. but there is not clarity about this. remember at the same time, we have had a lot of threatening rhetoric from the region, but we have also had some messages of de—escalation, fairly frantic diplomatic activity that the us has been pushing for example,

it's called allies to try to pass messages to the iranians to stand down. remember, the starting point of all of this is a sense of us frustration at irritation with the israelis. because this all began or this particular episode began last monday with that suspect it is really strike on a diplomatic compound that the iranians say was their consulate building in damascus that killed several members of the islamic revolutionary guard including a very senior general. that is why we have heard increasingly threatening rhetoric from the iranians. i think what we are seeing from the americans is this is all part of a process, pushing every diplomatic button they can, but trying to put as much information as possible out there about the potential scale of this threat, it is part of an attempt to try to lower the temperature and to give a sense of or tried to create a sense of restraint. i give a sense of or tried to create a sense of restraint.—

sense of restraint. i will come to a few of those _ sense of restraint. i will come to a few of those thoughts _ sense of restraint. i will come to a few of those thoughts in _ sense of restraint. i will come to a few of those thoughts in a - sense of restraint. i will come to a i few of those thoughts in a moment, but let's go to james, james, they're in israel, they know that there is going to be a response for that attack in damascus. give me a sense of the mood there where you are. , . , sense of the mood there where you are. ,. .,, sense of the mood there where you are. ,. ., ., are. israel is certainly on alert to. it is bracing _ are. israel is certainly on alert to. it is bracing itself - are. israel is certainly on alert to. it is bracing itself for - are. israel is certainly on alert| to. it is bracing itself for some kind _ to. it is bracing itself for some kind of— to. it is bracing itself for some kind of response by iran to that air strike _ kind of response by iran to that air strike in_ kind of response by iran to that air strike in damascus that tom referred to. i strike in damascus that tom referred w i have _ strike in damascus that tom referred w i have to — strike in damascus that tom referred to. i have to say, the remarks by the unnamed us official to cbs have not been _ the unnamed us official to cbs have not been echoed strongly here in israei _ not been echoed strongly here in israel. that could be a reflection of the _ israel. that could be a reflection of the fact— israel. that could be a reflection of the fact that today is friday, and sabbath is upon us, but equally, it has— and sabbath is upon us, but equally, it has not— and sabbath is upon us, but equally, it has not been echoed in israeli media _ it has not been echoed in israeli media here. the streets of israel, jerusalem — media here. the streets of israel, jerusalem today have not been filled with panic _ jerusalem today have not been filled with panic. there is some anxiety, but there — with panic. there is some anxiety, but there has been no panic buying, people _ but there has been no panic buying, people have been out shopping as normat _

people have been out shopping as normal. preparing for sabbath meals. those _ normal. preparing for sabbath meals. those israelis i spoke to, effectively shrugged their shoulders saying _ effectively shrugged their shoulders saying they live with this threat all the — saying they live with this threat all the time. so there is not a sense — all the time. so there is not a sense of— all the time. so there is not a sense of immanence here, but i think the authorities are making preparations behind—the—scenes. some schools— preparations behind—the—scenes. some schools have _ preparations behind—the—scenes. some schools have been telling parents, maybe _ schools have been telling parents, maybe they should prepare for the return _ maybe they should prepare for the return of— maybe they should prepare for the return of the distance learning they -ot return of the distance learning they got use _ return of the distance learning they got use to — return of the distance learning they got use to during covid. some local authorities— got use to during covid. some local authorities have been checking shelters— authorities have been checking shelters and things like that. but there _ shelters and things like that. but there is— shelters and things like that. but there is not an overwhelming sense of an— there is not an overwhelming sense ofan imminent there is not an overwhelming sense of an imminent threat on the streets here at— of an imminent threat on the streets here at the _ of an imminent threat on the streets here at the moment. and of an imminent threat on the streets here at the moment.— here at the moment. and that the detail from _ here at the moment. and that the detail from that _ here at the moment. and that the detail from that us _ here at the moment. and that the detail from that us official - here at the moment. and that the detail from that us official talking | detail from that us official talking to cbs, will concern many people because they talk about 100 drones, dozens of cruise missiles, perhaps ballistic missiles and they also add, it will be challenging for the israelis to defend against an attack of that magnitude. they, of course, have the iron dome, that defence

system, but the worry will be that if it is on the scale, perhaps he gets overwhelmed. that will the concern. ., , . concern. that will be the concern, if there was _ concern. that will be the concern, if there was to _ concern. that will be the concern, if there was to be _ concern. that will be the concern, if there was to be that _ concern. that will be the concern, if there was to be that max - if there was to be that max hallistic— if there was to be that max ballistic response by iran. but what is interesting is although they are saying _ is interesting is although they are saying publicly there must be some response. _ saying publicly there must be some response, the supreme leader has said to _ response, the supreme leader has said to israel that israel must be punished, — said to israel that israel must be punished, yesterday iran's foreign minister— punished, yesterday iran's foreign minister made clear, yes a response is a necessity, but also said that iran is a necessity, but also said that iran has— is a necessity, but also said that iran has no— is a necessity, but also said that iran has no incentive to expand the scope _ iran has no incentive to expand the scope of— iran has no incentive to expand the scope of this war. if iran was to launch— scope of this war. if iran was to launch an — scope of this war. if iran was to launch an attack on israel involving hundreds— launch an attack on israel involving hundreds of cruise missiles and drones. — hundreds of cruise missiles and drones, directly, not only would that he — drones, directly, not only would that be almost unprecedented, it would _ that be almost unprecedented, it would expand the scope of the war. so i would expand the scope of the war. so i think— would expand the scope of the war. so i think it — would expand the scope of the war. so i think it has been seen very much _ so i think it has been seen very much at — so i think it has been seen very much at the outset limit of the spectrum of responses that one could see from _ spectrum of responses that one could see from iran. let spectrum of responses that one could see from tram— see from iran. let me bring tom bateman back _

see from iran. let me bring tom bateman back in _ see from iran. let me bring tom bateman back in on _ see from iran. let me bring tom bateman back in on exactly - see from iran. let me bring tom bateman back in on exactly that| bateman back in on exactly that point, tom, of course there are still a range of responses that could happen. they could use proxies, there could be a tit—for—tat type of response, in line with what we saw in damascus. but the fear, always from the white house, since october the 7th, is of a wider war and if we were to get to a wider war and if we were to get to a moment where there were strikes on israeli soil, the americans of already made it clear there would also be an american response, haven't they?— haven't they? with yes, what americans — haven't they? with yes, what americans have _ haven't they? with yes, what americans have said - haven't they? with yes, what americans have said is - haven't they? with yes, what americans have said is there | haven't they? with yes, what - americans have said is there support for israel remains, and their words, ironclad, when in regards to the threat from iran. the white house is acutely aware of the fact that there is a perceived to be rift between it and israel on the mat matter of the conduct of israel in gaza and basically saying there to us and

israel adversities, that that split or particular row at the moment does not extend to us support. it does not extend to us support. it does not mean that us support could be come in question when it comes to any threat of iran and its allies in the region. so they are trying to make that abundantly clear. but remember what i had said before is still true, that there is frustration from the us administration from the way that they suspect the israeli attack in damascus was carried out because the us had to spend a lot of diplomatic energy after that saying to the iranians, we knew nothing about this, do not come back at us for this, do not come back at us for this one. effectively saying that this one. effectively saying that this is an issue for israel, but if there is a response, we have got their back. because that support, as they say, is ironclad. so i think there's a particular distinction there. the other thing to say about posturing is, ispent there. the other thing to say about posturing is, i spent a long time reporting in the middle east and whenever there is a huge amount of

telegraphing of an adverse three's intentions are people think that something is absolutely expected to happen, it is always wise to be careful. because it is better to report on things in the middle east that we know have definitively happen, and the outcomes on the ground. people put the stuff out for a reason. they want to influence behaviour. so the americans, via this behind—the—scenes briefing, without being so explicit, i think is intended as part of the water diplomatic effort to get any iranian in retaliation to be stood down or lessened in intensity. than in retaliation to be stood down or lessened in intensity. an important caveat there- _ lessened in intensity. an important caveat there. thank _ lessened in intensity. an important caveat there. thank you _ lessened in intensity. an important caveat there. thank you very - lessened in intensity. an important caveat there. thank you very much | caveat there. thank you very much there from washington and thank you as well to james injerusalem. now to a rather startling development today — at the post office inquiry in the uk. remember the inquiry is investigating why postmasters — who run local post offices were prosecuted for fraud when the problem appears to have been the central it system, known as horizon. a former managing director

of the post office, has told the public inquiry that he didn't realise the company itself, had been bringing prosecutions against sub—postmasters. hundreds of people were wrongly accused between 2006 and 2010, of theft and fraud, while alan cook, was in charge. here's the moment mr cook admitted he hadn't realised the post office itself brought prosecutions against some sub—postmasters. i was unaware that the post office were the prosecuting authority. i knew there were court cases, but i didn't realise that post office, in about two thirds of the cases, had initiated the prosecution as opposed to the dpp or the police or whatever. the expression you usually see is, the case would go to court. and i now know that a third went down that

route, but two thirds were the post office taking the decision to prosecute themselves. let's speak to azadeh moshiri, who's covering the inquiry for us. asi as i was saying, those quite an extraordinary admission, was it not? it was. there was of disbelief here victims watching and also ones i spoke to who were watching remotely. what's important to understand is that the post office was acting as the investigator, the prosecutor and the investigator, the prosecutor and the victim. the inquired council use the victim. the inquired council use the facts, judge and jury and executioner. so that is what led to more than 900 sub—postmasters being wrongfully convicted over faulty it software. so for alan cook, a managing directorforfour years in managing director for four years in charge managing directorforfour years in charge of all of this come to say he did not even know it was happening, that he did not know that the post

office was initiating these prosecutions, that the police were not involved was, to your point, extraordinary. whether that was believed by some of the victims here, that is not so clear and in fact adam kruse here, the witness who spoke to the inquiry gave evidence after him who was the chief executive of royal mail and overlapped with him, said he found that all hard to believe, his exact words. as for the victims, one said it was a complete disgrace and they were emotional reactions here. remember, people went to jail over this. as injanet skinner did. she was a victim i spoke to a few moments ago was jailed in 2007 as she was accused of stealing £59,000. to be honest, actually felt bigger than him — to be honest, actually felt bigger than him was a nice feeling and whether— than him was a nice feeling and whether he puts his apology sincere or not _ whether he puts his apology sincere or not but — whether he puts his apology sincere or not. but at least that way he has in his— or not. but at least that way he has in his mind —

or not. but at least that way he has in his mind what was said to him the human— in his mind what was said to him the human it— in his mind what was said to him the human it has — in his mind what was said to him the human it has caused under his watch. i human it has caused under his watch. i was _ human it has caused under his watch. i was least _ human it has caused under his watch. i was least the top of a full 2007 from _ i was least the top of a full 2007 from prison and i want accountability for what they have done _ accountability for what they have done to — accountability for what they have done. to what they've done for so many— done. to what they've done for so many families. we need accountability and we need to have faith in— accountability and we need to have faith in the — accountability and we need to have faith in the justice system and know that the _ faith in the justice system and know that the justice system is actually going _ that the justice system is actually going to — that the justice system is actually going to do the right thing. people 'ust going to do the right thing. people just need _ going to do the right thing. people just need to be prosecuted. you referenced _ just need to be prosecuted. you referenced the _ just need to be prosecuted. 7m, referenced the evidence from adam a little earlier, tell me a little bit more about what he said in terms of his evidence and what he was asked. a lot of what he said was that he was not aware of the problems. what the inquiry has been trained to counsel was trying to establish was whether he knew about the

prosecutions, the post office prosecutions, the post office prosecutions and whether he knew about the horizon problem. as far as he was concerned, he did not know and try to push for transparency and said he wanted bad to travel fast he realised that was not happening but that he did not accept any specific responsibility for this because as many people, executives have been saying is they did not know that this was happening.— saying is they did not know that this was happening. thank you for the latest. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

you are live with bbc news. social media giant, meta — has been criticised by campaigners, for lowering the minimum age for whatsapp users in the uk and europe from 16 to 13. it comes as a bbc investigation has found, primary school children, are being added to groups on the messaging app — that contain inappropriate content. here's martin lindsay.

i noticed a real personality change in my 12—year—old. after some coaxing, she told me she'd been added to a whatsapp group. i immediately removed my child from the group and deleted it. this is one mum's story, but it's every parent's worst nightmare. i was shocked to see inappropriate sexual images, racism and swearing among the messages. we've got someone else to voice her words so we don't identify her or her child. her daughter, who's 12, was added to this whatsapp group, and we've seen some of the content, which included sexual images, pictures of mutilated bodies and racist comments. screenshots we've seen showed it had more than 900 members. and it also meant children's phone numbers were in the hands of strangers. she also told me a boy had called her as a result of getting her number from the group and had invited his cousin to talk to her, too. thankfully, she was savvy enough to end the call and reply to their text

messages saying she was not prepared to give them her surname or tell them where she went to school. it's an incredibly disturbing case to have heard about. and the fact that primary school—age children have been added to this group and are seeing such dangerous content that they don't want to see and don't want to be exposed to is incredibly upsetting. it comes as an urgent message was sent to parents from tyneside schools, which warned of another whatsapp group encouraging self—harm. it said 500 children had been added and it was targeting year—six pupils, which is ten or 11—year—olds. the question of who set up the group and for what purpose is now the subject of a police investigation. meta, which owns whatsapp, says "we give all users options "to control who can add them to groups, and the first time "you receive a message from an unknown number, you can block or report it." i felt sick to my stomach. she's only 12 and now i'm worried about her using her phone. i find it absolutely terrifying. martin lindsay,

bbc news, tyneside. let's speak to pepe di'iasio will be the next general secretary of the association of school and college leaders. thank you for being on the programme. he told bbc radio earlier in the day that you likened whatsapp to a gateway drug which takes children beyond messaging to a whole realm of potentially harmful content. give me a sense of what you, in terms of the teaching profession, are actually experiencing. i profession, are actually experiencing.— profession, are actually experiencing. profession, are actually ex-ueriencin. ,, ., ., experiencing. i think what we are seeinu experiencing. i think what we are seeing with _ experiencing. i think what we are seeing with whatsapp _ experiencing. i think what we are seeing with whatsapp is - experiencing. i think what we are seeing with whatsapp is that - experiencing. i think what we are i seeing with whatsapp is that many parents are using whatsapp for messaging or communication. in fact over 50% of the population are using it right now. so they are seeing that whatsapp is a safe platform for their young children to use. in fact, it is not a safe platform because other people are able to

jump because other people are able to jump onto groups and to access groups. but seeing is that predators are moving from online situations where they have been trying to get in touch with young people or perhaps pervert young people and move into an off—line situation where they can access them through a whatsapp group. it is quick to everyone involved in this big tech companies are not taking this seriously. they are not prepared to act voluntarily despite changes in the laws do to common force next year and it is clear that they are tone deaf to how people are feeling and the impact of are having on young peoples lives right now. there are so many — young peoples lives right now. there are so many areas _ young peoples lives right now. there are so many areas of— young peoples lives right now. there are so many areas of concerns, - young peoples lives right now. there are so many areas of concerns, one is you have touched on is concerning is you have touched on is concerning is that children who had actually left the chat group could still be contacted. there is a lot of concern about the lowering of the minimum age. give me an idea of how much this is absorbing teachers on a daily basis, trying to actually

intervene, to safeguard children and protect children? i intervene, to safeguard children and protect children?— protect children? i would say that over 8096 of _ protect children? i would say that over 8096 of the _ protect children? i would say that over 8096 of the time _ protect children? i would say that over 8096 of the time of pastoral| over 80% of the time of pastoral leaders in schools is taking up by issues connected to and in association with social media. so much of that takes place beyond the school gates outside the school gates. you have seen recent changes to use of mobile phones in schools and it is not the mobile phones that are the problem, it is the social networks that are the problem and to the policing of the security of the social networks. and until we ensure those social networks that look after children at her and take children safety more seriously, we will not see a change in this. thank ou for will not see a change in this. thank you forjoining _ will not see a change in this. thank you forjoining us — will not see a change in this. thank you forjoining us here _ will not see a change in this. thank you forjoining us here on - will not see a change in this. thank you forjoining us here on the - you forjoining us here on the programme. thank you for your time. let's end where we started. fears of an iranian attack on israel.

the white house spokesman john kirby holding a briefing, saying the reportedly imminent attack is a 'real and viable threat�*. let's speak to rouzbeh parsi, head of mena programme at the swedish institute of international affairs. thank you for being here on the programme. in terms of what you see as the possible potential responses from iran, take me through what you think are the options here.— think are the options here. usually iran tries think are the options here. usually lran tries to _ think are the options here. usually iran tries to retaliate _ think are the options here. usually iran tries to retaliate by _ think are the options here. usually iran tries to retaliate by not - iran tries to retaliate by not attacking itself, but rather have its proxies do so and usually in a way that the does not necessarily require an escalation from the counterpart. but in this case because the attack was a iranian, they see it as a direct propagation so there is more of a chance they were tadic —— retaliate directly themselves. 0n the other hand they

did not want a retaliation so they may not want to attack themselves. so when you hear a us official talk about the magnitude he is talking about, what is your gut instinct? this about, what is your gut instinct? as i about, what is your gut instinct? is i said, about, what is your gut instinct? sis i said, usually they would have someone else do it, but with israel thatis someone else do it, but with israel that is more difficult because the israelis will not accept something that they do not need to respond to full so this will be one way of trying to attack israel without attacking israel which may work, but the big? is of course how the israelis will react. so far their response and rhetorical output has been that any kind of attack on anywhere, they will respond directly towards iran. anywhere, they will respond directly towards tram— anywhere, they will respond directly towards iran. those talks of drones, also of cruise _ towards iran. those talks of drones, also of cruise missiles, _ towards iran. those talks of drones, also of cruise missiles, give - towards iran. those talks of drones, also of cruise missiles, give me - towards iran. those talks of drones, also of cruise missiles, give me an l also of cruise missiles, give me an idea of the location, where with the actually be fired from, potentially? they could fire, because they do have long—range missiles and they could attack directly from iranian soil and they could also have their

friends in hezbollah do something. they have drones in missiles that could be used, but again, i think it is about whether it is worth the risk, worth the price. because if it comes from hezbollah, then israel will most likely directly attack and there is a very large risk that this will simply escalate out of hand. so in that sense, the iranians do not have that many options in terms of, the same time as they are retaliating, not allowing the israelis to take it as a excuse for further escalation.— further escalation. there were re orts further escalation. there were reports earlier _ further escalation. there were reports earlier in _ further escalation. there were reports earlier in the - further escalation. there were reports earlier in the week - further escalation. there were | reports earlier in the week that tehran through back channels told washington that they did intend to attack, that perhaps would adapt their plans, if the president biden insisted on a cease fire. do you think all of that is weaved into all of this? ~ ,,., , ~' think all of that is weaved into all of this? ~ ,,., , ~ , of this? absolutely. i think it is artl of this? absolutely. i think it is partly about— of this? absolutely. i think it is partly about the _ of this? absolutely. i think it is partly about the posture - of this? absolutely. i think it is partly about the posture of - of this? absolutely. i think it is i partly about the posture of being able to retaliate, but also, if you don't retaliate, what can you show for your restraint? what is your

reward for having shown restraint? and of course in this case, the perfect rhetorical political and also partly strategic way out for the iranians would any kind of movement on gaza which they could point to it and say, this is what we got which is more important than us using lethalforce to got which is more important than us using lethal force to retaliate. just 20 seconds if you would, how critical do you think are the next 72 hours? , . critical do you think are the next 72 hours? , s, , s, critical do you think are the next 72 hours? , s, , ., 72 hours? they are, but at the same time, remember _ 72 hours? they are, but at the same time, remember when _ 72 hours? they are, but at the same time, remember when things - 72 hours? they are, but at the same time, remember when things are . time, remember when things are advertised in this way, it is sometimes also to avoid something happening. sometimes also to avoid something ha eninu. . s sometimes also to avoid something ha eninu. . ~' ,, sometimes also to avoid something ha eninu. ., ,, ," ., sometimes also to avoid something haueninu. ., ,, ., happening. thank you and you conclude on _ happening. thank you and you conclude on the _ happening. thank you and you conclude on the same - happening. thank you and you conclude on the same thought happening. thank you and you - conclude on the same thought that tom bateman, our state department correspondent was underlining to so short while ago. thank you for joining us here, on the programme. that is the latest from the programme today. stay with us for more of the days had plans coming up injust a moment. hello. temperatures for some of us today

got up into the high teens, the low 20s celsius — particularly where we saw some sunshine — but don't expect those warm conditions to last. it's actually going to turn cooler this weekend. 0ften windy, the wettest weather towards the north and the west of the uk. today, we've had this feed of south or south—westerly winds bringing this relatively warm air, but notice some colder air lurking out in the atlantic. that will head our way as westerly winds start to kick in through the weekend. those westerly winds moving in behind various different frontal systems. here comes one. not much more than just a little bit of showery rain, certainly more cloud with that. most places, i think, will be largely dry through the night. some further hefty showers into north—west scotland, where it will be windy. it's going to be mild to take us into saturday morning. so, for saturday, a couple of different weather fronts to pass across the uk. this first one here bringing some mostly fairly light, showery rain. this next weather front here bringing some more intense downpours across northern ireland and the north—west of scotland. some heavy, thundery downpours are possible. between the rain bands, we will see some spells of sunshine

and what will be quite a windy day, particularly across northern areas, gusts of a0 mph or more, but a pretty windy day wherever you are. temperatures in the south—east corner getting up to 20 degrees celsius. further north and west, it will be turning cooler as the day wears on, and actually saturday night could be quite cold. we could see a touch of frost in northern areas. these weather fronts moving out of the way, a window of drier weather, but we're into those westerly winds and that chillier air mass by this stage. sunday is going to be a sunshine and showers day. it could be a frosty start for some northern areas, then some spells of sunshine. showers getting going, particularly across northern ireland, scotland, northern england, some down into wales. some of the showers wintry over the highest ground in the north. not as many showers down towards the south—east corner, 9—15 degrees. that is about where we should be temperature—wise for this time of year. now, monday, we'll see this area of low pressure passing across the uk.

we'll see showers or longer spells of rain, some pretty blustery winds as well. the showers becoming fewer and further between as we head deeper into next week. temperature—wise, well, around the average for the time of year.

this is bbc news. the headlines —

fears are growing of an iranian attack on israel. the white house as the threat is real and viable. the climate minister grant stewart steps down and says he will not stand at the election. police are investigating claims labour's deputy leader, angela rayner, may have broken electoral law. she denies any wrongdoing. the nhs notices thatjunior doctors are leaving at a record rate. and researchers find the brightest burst of light ever recorded was caused by an exploding star. that, though, has created a new mystery for scientists. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh ferris.

hello to you, matthew.