the ascale of the ttack on the fact that it was targeted directly at israel are without precedent. it was a reckless and dangerous escalation. new pictures emerge — of some of the hundreds of missiles and drones fired at israel by tehran. we'll talk live to the former us national secruity adviser — john bolton. today's other main headlines: the hush money trial of donald trump — opens in new york — the first criminal trial of a former us president. i live outside the courthouse in new york where court is in session and a high—stakesjury york where court is in session and a high—stakes jury selection is set to begins shortly. sir salman rushie speaks to the bbc about the knife attack

which almost ended his life in new york two years ago. a new report — paints a bleak picture of the future — of coral reefs — us officials say another �*mass bleaching event�* is underway. hello, i m matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, 3 hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we start in israel, where the country's war cabinet has been meeting, to consider its response to iran's weekend drone and missile attack. iran has called on western nations to "appreciate its restraint" after its attack in retaliation for a deadly strike on its consulate in syria. it comes as international pressure for restraint mounts, with the un secretary—general — antonio guterres warning israel to "step back from the brink" and in the past hour, the british prime minister, rishi sunak, telling parliament that his government is working urgently to prevent further escalation in the region. let's cross straight to our chief international correspondent lyse doucet, in jerusalem.

i think it's fairly safe to say the region is on tender hooks. all eyes on israel after two extended meetings of the war cabinet. what has israel decided in terms of what will be its response after the unprecedented attack by iran on israeli territory and the early hours of sunday morning? the report on israeli media say there has been heated debate and argument among members of the war cabinet, which has been empowered to take that fatal decision in what seems to be emerging. although we don't have few details is that they have decided that israel will respond at a time in a manner of its choosing. the big debate is how soon will they do it. we understand that leading members of that cabinet, former army chiefs have argued that israel should hit back now. others are saying they

should build on the international support being shown to israel at this moment of peril. will have to wait and see. meanwhile calls grow around the world and many capitals for all size to show restraint. in the house of commons today the british prime minister rishi sunak said all sides should exercise restraint and he said he speaks for all of the g7 leaders in trying to ensure that tensions don't escalate in this region. iran has once again shown its true colours. they are intent on sowing chaos in their own back yard, on further destabilising the middle east. our aim is to support stability and security because it is right for the region and because, although the middle east is thousands of miles away, it has a direct effect on our security and prosperity at home. so we are working urgently with our allies to de—escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed.

we want to see calmer heads prevail and we are directing all our diplomatic efforts to that end. yesterday i spoke to my fellow g7 leaders. we are united in our condemnation of this attack. we discussed further potential diplomatic measures which we will be working together to coordinate in the coming days. i will also shortly be speaking to prime minister netanyahu to express our solidarity with israel in the face of this attack and to discuss how we can prevent further escalation. all sides must show restraint. that warning, those words calling for a straight were echoed in washington by the us secretary of state antony blinken who held a press conference alongside iraq's deputy prime minister for blinken underlining again america's commitment to the defence of israel but said both sides should try to find a peaceful way forward.

we have been coordinating a diplomatic response to seek to prevent escalation. strength and wisdom need to be on the same side two different sides of the same coin i've been in close communication with counterparts in the region and we will continue to do so in the hours and days ahead. at this moment as they argue over what is the best path forward many capitals are watching across this region and around the world. i'm joined now byjohn bolton, former national security adviser under president donald trump. a former diplomat with long experience in foreign policy, john bolton. thank you very much for joining us on bbc news. glad bolton. thank you very much for joining us on bbc news.- bolton. thank you very much for joining us on bbc news. glad to be with ou. joining us on bbc news. glad to be with yom you _ joining us on bbc news. glad to be with you. you have _ joining us on bbc news. glad to be with you. you have heard - joining us on bbc news. glad to be with you. you have heard these - with you. you have heard these statements _ with you. you have heard these statements coming _ with you. you have heard these statements coming out - with you. you have heard these statements coming out of- with you. you have heard these - statements coming out of washington, london, berlin, paris from all of

israel's allies around the world. describing what happened in the early hours of sunday morning here in israel as a success for israel. as israel has told the world, 99% of those drones and missiles were shot down. would you say israel's deterrence failed? why do you say that? ~ , deterrence failed? why do you say that? y , , deterrence failed? why do you say that? y , ., ._ that? when somebody shoots that many ballistic missiles, _ that? when somebody shoots that many ballistic missiles, cruise _ that? when somebody shoots that many ballistic missiles, cruise missiles - ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones— ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones that you that is an indication_ and drones that you that is an indication that deterrence has failed — indication that deterrence has failed to _ indication that deterrence has failed. to say you got a win simply because _ failed. to say you got a win simply because nobody has died is shameful. it encourages belligerent, aggressive dictatorships like iran to strike — aggressive dictatorships like iran to strike again. there is a very important _ to strike again. there is a very important piece of news in the wall street— important piece of news in the wall streetjournal important piece of news in the wall street journal citing official us sources — street journal citing official us sources that approximately 50% of the ballistic missiles that iran launched either failed at launch or crash _ launched either failed at launch or crash before they got far enough for us to shoot— crash before they got far enough for us to shoot them down. the us, uk

and israet— us to shoot them down. the us, uk and israel concurred there about 120 ballistic— and israel concurred there about 120 ballistic missiles shot down. meaning that iran actually launched 240. meaning that iran actually launched 240~ the _ meaning that iran actually launched 240. the number of total projectiles is not _ 240. the number of total projectiles is not 320 _ 240. the number of total projectiles is not 320 it— 240. the number of total projectiles is not 320 it is for 40 to add like _ is not 320 it is for 40 to add like to— is not 320 it is for 40 to add like to hear— is not 320 it is for 40 to add like to hear from one politician from _ like to hear from one politician from the — like to hear from one politician from the united states from britain, germany, _ from the united states from britain, germany, from any source you want that would _ germany, from any source you want that would say yes, if the united states— that would say yes, if the united states had been targeted by 540 mac projectiles we would exercise restraint, we wouldn't respond. —— 44050 _ restraint, we wouldn't respond. —— 44050 you — restraint, we wouldn't respond. —— 44050 you know what the united states _ 44050 you know what the united states would do for them to call on israel— states would do for them to call on israel not _ states would do for them to call on israel not to have further self—defense i think is reprehensible. as self-defense i think is reprehensible.- self-defense i think is rerehensible. a ,, ., self-defense i think is rerehensible. r ~' ., , reprehensible. as you know there is a treat reprehensible. as you know there is a great deal — reprehensible. as you know there is a great deal of _ reprehensible. as you know there is a great deal of peril— reprehensible. as you know there is a great deal of peril in _ reprehensible. as you know there is a great deal of peril in this - a great deal of peril in this moment. iran making it clear that if

israel does retaliate that iran will retaliate as well with even greater force in the region, will hurtle towards a very, very perilous escalatory spiral. i think you'd understand why this is ringing alarm bells across the region and across the world. i bells across the region and across the world. . , ., , ., the world. i have several things to sa about the world. i have several things to say about that. _ the world. i have several things to say about that. there _ the world. i have several things to say about that. there are - the world. i have several things to say about that. there are costs i the world. i have several things to say about that. there are costs in | say about that. there are costs in not responding to. and to come back to my— not responding to. and to come back to my analogy of what would happen if the united states were attacked for that _ if the united states were attacked for that once after harbour people it said _ for that once after harbour people it said to— for that once after harbour people it said to us to exercise restraint, we don't — it said to us to exercise restraint, we don't want a wider war in the pacific. — we don't want a wider war in the pacific. do— we don't want a wider war in the pacific, do the slow... it is and carr— pacific, do the slow... it is and can happen _ pacific, do the slow... it is and can happen. let's talk about what really _ can happen. let's talk about what really threatens not just can happen. let's talk about what really threatens notjust israel but the gult— really threatens notjust israel but the gulf arab states and the whole world _ the gulf arab states and the whole world and — the gulf arab states and the whole world and that is iran's nuclear weapons — world and that is iran's nuclear weapons program. we know that on saturday _ weapons program. we know that on saturday night the israeli authorities warned their citizens in authorities warned their citizens in a number— authorities warned their citizens in a number of locations you take

precautions near military bases in tel aviv— precautions near military bases in tel aviv and jerusalem. and also where _ tel aviv and jerusalem. and also where israel's nuclear reactor is. and although they don't acknowledge nuclear— and although they don't acknowledge nuclear weapons programme that is an important _ nuclear weapons programme that is an important if_ nuclear weapons programme that is an important if the iranians targeted there _ important if the iranians targeted there and — important if the iranians targeted there and nobody said anything about it i there and nobody said anything about it i find _ there and nobody said anything about it i find it _ there and nobody said anything about it i find it very significant. you really are _ it i find it very significant. you really are getting _ it i find it very significant. mt, really are getting into nightmare scenarios. john bolton, you've long been described and probably describe yourself as a foreign policy hawk. you've long called for regime change in iran, but that's not a view widely shared in the united states and in most western capitals even though they had their differences and deep concerns about iran. would you say the kind of views you are exposing today are also minority views? i exposing today are also minority views? ., �* ~' ., , views? i don't think there minority views? i don't think there minority views and the _ views? i don't think there minority views and the republican - views? i don't think there minority views and the republican party. i views and the republican party. frankly. — views and the republican party. frankly. i— views and the republican party. frankly, i think support for israel and america is much higher than it

is in the _ and america is much higher than it is in the united kingdom, germany or most _ is in the united kingdom, germany or most countries in europe. the point here is— most countries in europe. the point here is that — most countries in europe. the point here is that israel has been under attack— here is that israel has been under attack from iran since october the 7th. attack from iran since october the 7th not— attack from iran since october the 7th. not directly until saturday night _ 7th. not directly until saturday night but through iran's terrorist proxies, — night but through iran's terrorist proxies, hamas, who thieves, iraq he and siri _ proxies, hamas, who thieves, iraq he and siri shi'ite militia groups. it's and siri shi'ite militia groups. it's not — and siri shi'ite militia groups. it's not been a one—way street as you know. this has been a shadow war with two sides. you know. this has been a shadow war with two sides-— with two sides. yes. there is a shadow war — with two sides. yes. there is a shadow war indeed _ with two sides. yes. there is a shadow war indeed in - with two sides. yes. there is a shadow war indeed in the - with two sides. yes. there is a - shadow war indeed in the aftermath of hitler's _ shadow war indeed in the aftermath of hitler's attack on poland on september one, 1939. there was a frozen _ september one, 1939. there was a frozen conflict in western europe. who is— frozen conflict in western europe. who is to — frozen conflict in western europe. who is to blame, who is the aggressor here? it's iran that has armed, _ aggressor here? it's iran that has armed, equipped, trained in finance hamas. _ armed, equipped, trained in finance hamas. hut— armed, equipped, trained in finance hamas, but with these and that she had militia — hamas, but with these and that she had militia groups. it's iran that has launched a ring of fire strategy around _ has launched a ring of fire strategy around israel. it is iran that wants

longevity— around israel. it is iran that wants longevity within the islamic world. there _ longevity within the islamic world. there isn't— longevity within the islamic world. there isn't any doubt who the culprit— there isn't any doubt who the culprit is— there isn't any doubt who the culprit is here.— there isn't any doubt who the culrit is here. , ., 1, ., , culprit is here. john bolton, i wish we had more _ culprit is here. john bolton, i wish we had more time. _ culprit is here. john bolton, i wish we had more time. it's— culprit is here. john bolton, i wish we had more time. it's good - culprit is here. john bolton, i wish we had more time. it's good to i culprit is here. john bolton, i wish l we had more time. it's good to have you on the programme to hear your views on this. notjust a crisis between israel and iran but it global warming and the world is truly watching. thank you for joining us here on bbc news with the arguments going on in israel, around capitals here in this region, let him wondered where you are and many other places. that is just how high—stakes this moment is now. yes. high-stakes this moment is now. yes, a fascinating — high-stakes this moment is now. yes, a fascinating interview _ high—stakes this moment is now. yes, a fascinating interview aside from what has preoccupied every one of the last 48 hours for the let me ask you a quick question about the latest in gaza and also the latest in the west bank as you were doing that interview withjohn in the west bank as you were doing that interview with john bolton, in the west bank as you were doing that interview withjohn bolton, the state department saying the us is increasingly concerned by the violence against palestinian civilians and they are probably in

the west bank.— civilians and they are probably in the west bank. , ., . ., , the west bank. yes. the violence has burned to the — the west bank. yes. the violence has burned to the west _ the west bank. yes. the violence has burned to the west bank— the west bank. yes. the violence has burned to the west bank at _ the west bank. yes. the violence has burned to the west bank at record . burned to the west bank at record levels ever since the israel— gaza war began six months ago. over the weekend there villages were put on fire. there was a search for a 14—year—old secular boy who went missing, sadly. it was found that he was found dead and hundreds of settlers went on a rampage attacking properties, setting houses on fire in a series of villages. the concert now that literally the west bank is on fire. as for gaza, the concerns of the world, the concerns of leaders in london, washington, a process region and among united nations and a cheese that gaza is notjust nations and a cheese that gaza is not just on the nations and a cheese that gaza is notjust on the brink of famine but there are famine like conditions in northern gaza and more aid has to go into gaza for the israel says it is trying to get more aid into gaza. it's been pushed a little bit of a

wave of the worlds attention but world leaders are trying to say they are still worried about gaza. israel says it is doing all he can but the worlds allies are saying you have to do more, gaza itself is on the brink. , , . ., ,, brink. lyse doucet, thank you very much, brink. lyse doucet, thank you very much. live — brink. lyse doucet, thank you very much. live in _ brink. lyse doucet, thank you very much, live in jerusalem. _ brink. lyse doucet, thank you very much, live in jerusalem. before i brink. lyse doucet, thank you very| much, live in jerusalem. before we much, live injerusalem. before we take a break let me show you pictures from new york. the us president standing trial and a criminal case. that is a seen live from the court. we will talk to our correspondent and a former prosecutor on this programme in a moment or two. you watching bbc news.

you are live with bbc news. now to new york, and history being made today with a former us president standing trial in a criminal case. this was donald trump setting off from central manhattan.

he's charged with 34 counts of fraud, relating to hush money allegedly paid to the former adult film star stormy daniels before the 2016 presidential election. he's been in the courthouse itself for the last few hours, for the start ofjury selection. prosecutors accuse him of arranging payments to stormy daniels in an effort to buy her silence. donald trump has pleaded not guilty. he spoke to the media just before heading into the courtroom. let's hear what he had to say. this is a persecution like never before, nobody has ever seen anything like it. and again, it is a case that should have never been brought. it is an assault on america, and that's why i'm very proud to be here. this is an assault on our country and it is a country that is failing. it is a country that is run by an incompetent man who is very much involved in this case. this is really an attack on a political opponent, that's all it is. so i'm very honoured to be here. thank you very much.

the usual misinformation that we've seen so regularly with truck court appearances. in a moment, i'll be speaking to neama rahmani, a former federal prosecutor. let's head to nada tawfik who is outside of the courtroom. just give me a sense of the drama of today and what is actually been happening in the courtroom itself. in what is actually been happening in the courtroom itself.— what is actually been happening in the courtroom itself. in side donald trump coming _ the courtroom itself. in side donald trump coming face-to-face - the courtroom itself. in side donald trump coming face-to-face with i the courtroom itself. in side donald | trump coming face-to-face with the trump coming face—to—face with the manhattan district attorney as both sides watch their teams battle this out for them in the courtroom. outside here a small group of counter protests going on. those for and against donald trump. it has been an interesting morning to see briefly tensions flaring with those protesters here outside of court.

we're still waiting for the high—stakes jury selection process high—sta kes jury selection process to high—stakes jury selection process to get underway. jury selection is often thought of as a make or break moment for either side because ultimately donald trumps fate will be in the hands of those 12 jurors and i2 alternates. both sides will be trying to go through and pick the most favourable jury be trying to go through and pick the most favourablejury for be trying to go through and pick the most favourable jury for their be trying to go through and pick the most favourablejury for their side. most favourable jury for their side. thejudge has said most favourablejury for their side. the judge has said this most favourablejury for their side. thejudge has said this is most favourablejury for their side. the judge has said this is the most favourablejury for their side. thejudge has said this is the most extensive questionnaire they have ever planned for age jury to go through, it includes more than 40 questions about what kind of news potentialjurors consume, if they belong to any extremist groups. we do expect that to get under way shortly. forthe do expect that to get under way shortly. for the moment court has beenin shortly. for the moment court has been in session really trying to tie up been in session really trying to tie up number of loose ends in regards to what evidence either side can produce for the prosecutors say they plan to ask that donald trump be held in contempt of court for

attacking potential witnesses on social media, in violation of that partial gag order that the judge imposed on him. a lot of back and forth of the nuts and bolts of this case before we get out of the trial. certainly an historic moment as you mentioned. in a moment notjust important on the legal front but in the united states politicalfront important on the legal front but in the united states political front as donald trump tries to reenter the white house. donald trump tries to reenter the white house-— donald trump tries to reenter the white house. . . . , ,, ., ~ white house. nada tawfik, thank you ve much, white house. nada tawfik, thank you very much. live _ white house. nada tawfik, thank you very much, live at _ white house. nada tawfik, thank you very much, live at the _ white house. nada tawfik, thank you very much, live at the courthouse. i very much, live at the courthouse. thank you forjoining us for the a brief thought on the moment we have reached with the former us president bearin reached with the former us president bear in a courtroom, potentially in the dark. , , . bear in a courtroom, potentially in the dark. , . bear in a courtroom, potentially in thedark. , . the dark. this is an historic day in new york- _ the dark. this is an historic day in new york. for _ the dark. this is an historic day in new york. for the _ the dark. this is an historic day in new york. for the first _ the dark. this is an historic day in new york. for the first time i the dark. this is an historic day in new york. for the first time in i new york. for the first time in american _ new york. for the first time in american history a former president has been _ american history a former president has been prosecuted. even though it's the _ has been prosecuted. even though it's the least serious of the four

criminal— it's the least serious of the four criminal cases, district attorney was the — criminal cases, district attorney was the first to charge donald trump and really— was the first to charge donald trump and really opened the door for folks like jack— and really opened the door for folks like jack smith, fulton county, fani williams _ like jack smith, fulton county, fani williams to— like jack smith, fulton county, fani williams to follow suit. it will be interesting to see what the result is because — interesting to see what the result is because of course we know this is 'ust is because of course we know this is just the _ is because of course we know this is just the beginning of trumps criminal— just the beginning of trumps criminal problems.— just the beginning of trumps criminal problems. just the beginning of trumps criminal roblems. ., , ~ . criminal problems. four cases. what do ou criminal problems. four cases. what do you make — criminal problems. four cases. what do you make of _ criminal problems. four cases. what do you make of the _ criminal problems. four cases. what do you make of the strength - criminal problems. four cases. what do you make of the strength or i do you make of the strength or weakness of this one? it’s do you make of the strength or weakness of this one?— do you make of the strength or weakness of this one? it's a strong case with respect _ weakness of this one? it's a strong case with respect to _ weakness of this one? it's a strong case with respect to the _ weakness of this one? it's a strong i case with respect to the misdemeanor charges _ case with respect to the misdemeanor charges i_ case with respect to the misdemeanor charges. i believe the jury will find that— charges. i believe the jury will find that trump did falsify those business — find that trump did falsify those business records and paid stormy daniels— business records and paid stormy daniels and he unlawfully reimbursed michael— daniels and he unlawfully reimbursed michael cowan and categorise it as a le-al michael cowan and categorise it as a legal expense. the question is, under— legal expense. the question is, under new york law, was it in furtherance of a cover—up and other crimes? _ furtherance of a cover—up and other crimes? you — furtherance of a cover—up and other crimes? you see the district attorney— crimes? you see the district attorney talking about campaign—finance violation or tax evasion — campaign—finance violation or tax evasion a — campaign—finance violation or tax evasion. a little bit of a convoluted argument because if trump

is able _ convoluted argument because if trump is able to— convoluted argument because if trump is able to prove that the payment didn't— is able to prove that the payment didn't happen ora is able to prove that the payment didn't happen or a that he just made the payment to protect his family and save — the payment to protect his family and save them from embarrassment, that's— and save them from embarrassment, that'sjust _ and save them from embarrassment, that's just a _ and save them from embarrassment, that'sjust a misdemeanor and a slap on the _ that'sjust a misdemeanor and a slap on the wrist— that'sjust a misdemeanor and a slap on the wrist under new york law. we're _ on the wrist under new york law. we're going to watch and see what transpires. it is unlikely to have any impact on trumps base. is it a different story when it comes to those perhaps in the middle, the undecided, the independence? because potentially here you could have a convicted felon standing to be your next president. i convicted felon standing to be your next president.— next president. i think it will turn off some undecided _ next president. i think it will turn off some undecided biters - next president. i think it will turn off some undecided biters if i next president. i think it will turn i off some undecided biters if trump is indeed _ off some undecided biters if trump is indeed convicted. a certain percentage of the american people will never— percentage of the american people will never believe that trump is done _ will never believe that trump is done anything unlawful, only he's been _ done anything unlawful, only he's been treated unfairly and re—reloaded by a criminaljustice system — re—reloaded by a criminaljustice system for— re—reloaded by a criminaljustice system for the if he is conducted

and perjured himself and system for the if he is conducted and perjured himselfand i system for the if he is conducted and perjured himself and i fully ekpect— and perjured himself and i fully expect him to testify, even though he doesn't — expect him to testify, even though he doesn't have to legally, politically he does. i think that something that in swing states in certain— something that in swing states in certain voters could cost him the election— certain voters could cost him the election if— certain voters could cost him the election if he loses here. as certain voters could cost him the election if he loses here.- election if he loses here. as we introduce _ election if he loses here. as we introduce you, _ election if he loses here. as we introduce you, you _ election if he loses here. as we introduce you, you are - election if he loses here. as we introduce you, you are a - election if he loses here. as we | introduce you, you are a former prosecutor. we don't know if donald trump will take to the stand. if he did what would your strategy be? would you be trying to go to him trying to how would you put forward by the prosecutor and former president?— by the prosecutor and former president? , . ,, , ., . president? trump taking the stance of a sub'ect president? trump taking the stance of a subject to _ president? trump taking the stance of a subject to that _ of a subject to that cross—examination will be fireworks i personally would have gone after him very— i personally would have gone after him very aggressively. he took the stand _ him very aggressively. he took the stand in— him very aggressively. he took the stand in the civil fraud case in new york _ stand in the civil fraud case in new york. obviously a different case and a bench _ york. obviously a different case and a bench trial, not a jury trial.

he's— a bench trial, not a jury trial. he's got— a bench trial, not a jury trial. he's got to _ a bench trial, not a jury trial. he's got to take the stand and explain — he's got to take the stand and explain why he would make this payment — explain why he would make this payment to stormy daniels, to say he made _ payment to stormy daniels, to say he made the _ payment to stormy daniels, to say he made the paymentjust payment to stormy daniels, to say he made the payment just to payment to stormy daniels, to say he made the paymentjust to keep her quiet. _ made the paymentjust to keep her quiet. to— made the paymentjust to keep her quiet, to try to win the election. we're _ quiet, to try to win the election. we're talking about a former pawn star~ _ we're talking about a former pawn star~ an _ we're talking about a former pawn star. an extramarital affair, those are the _ star. an extramarital affair, those are the types of things that some voters _ are the types of things that some voters will— are the types of things that some voters will not light for that i would — voters will not light for that i would be _ voters will not light for that i would be very aggressive if i were the prosecutor handling this case. | the prosecutor handling this case. i am the prosecutor handling this case. am reading the prosecutor handling this case. i am reading here that as we're talking prosecutors are asking the judge to find donald trump $1000 each for the three posts that violate the gag order in place. he at regular intervals and have been really going after the judges daughter, witnesses, how much of a potential problem is not likely to be if he continues to behave like that? ., ., , ., that? the gag order is a huge roblem that? the gag order is a huge problem because _ that? the gag order is a huge problem because the - that? the gag order is a huge problem because the orders | that? the gag order is a huge i problem because the orders are that? the gag order is a huge - problem because the orders are being enforced _ problem because the orders are being enforced. even ill in the new york's

civiljudge _ enforced. even ill in the new york's civiljudge imposed fines of $10,000, that is nothing for someone like donald _ $10,000, that is nothing for someone like donald trump. so for prosecutors to be asking trump to be sanctioned _ prosecutors to be asking trump to be sanctioned $1000, that is knocking to do— sanctioned $1000, that is knocking to do anything. he needs to be held in contempt. contempt can result in 'ail in contempt. contempt can result in jail time _ in contempt. contempt can result in jail time. judges have been hesitant to take _ jail time. judges have been hesitant to take the — jail time. judges have been hesitant to take the unprecedented step of jailing _ to take the unprecedented step of jailing a _ to take the unprecedented step of jailing a former president. otherwise these gag orders are worth a electronic— otherwise these gag orders are worth a electronic paper there written on. we have _ a electronic paper there written on. we have to — a electronic paper there written on. we have to leave it for the patapsco talk again for the upgrade to have you on the program. the future of the ocean's coral reefs is more perilous than ever — that's according to the us national oceanic and atmospheric administration. it's just announced that what it calls the fourth mass coral—bleaching event is under way. this is what's at risk — mile after mile of coral reef slowly

turning white or even dying out altogether. by some estimates, around 50% of coral has been lost in the last 20 years. our science reporter, georgina rannard, told me more about the findings. we are now in the fourth global mass coral bleaching event. the first one was in 1998 and we've had two since then and now we're in the fourth one. so, what this means is, coral is a very sensitive animal. it lives often in shallow waters. but when the water its living in gets too hot, it gets stressed. it expels an algae that lives inside it and then it can turn white and, often, it can die. and this is interesting also because we've been seeing for months these broken climate records. ocean heat driving up and really seeing unprecedented levels of warming in the oceans. that's partly driven by climate change — or, mostly driven by climate change — and, also, by el nino, this natural climate fluctuation that started last year. we've been reporting on those broken records for months but this is now the first really solid global evidence

ofjust what that heat is doing to the oceans and to this really fragile, sensitive ecosystem. a really important point. let's end this half hour, we started in the middle east becausejoe biden is currently meeting with the iraqi prime minister and committing the us to israeli security, also talking about protecting us interests and partners in the region, including iraq for the a little earlier we reported the latest line coming from that war cabinet in israel, israel's objective is to hurt iran without causing all out war. that is the latest from the middle east here on bbc news. hello there. april certainly can be quite a fickle month. in fact, we had four seasons in one day today. just take a look at wet and windy, at times strong enough to blow down

trees in parts of nottinghamshire. and there were two tornadoes reported. we also had a light dusting of snow in bradford earlier on this morning. but at the same time as the cloud, the wind and the rain eased away. there were windows of brighter, sunnier spring like moments. this was deal in kent. so let's take a look atjust what was responsible. this area of low pressure, the front moved through quite quickly, but a strong north westerly wind fed quite a lot of showers in and yes, to higher ground. they'll continue to be some wintry showers from time to time as well. so the showers will gradually recede as the low pulls off into the north sea. always the risk of a cold northerly wind driving more cloud and showers along that east coast. but clearer skies elsewhere mean a chilly start to our tuesday morning. tuesday, on the whole, will be a slightly quieter day for most of us. again, anywhere from yorkshire down towards east anglia could continue to see some cloud and showers.

and with that strong northerly wind, a cold feel to the day. but further west, lighter winds a little more in the way of sunshine coming through. there will still be some showers, but hopefully few and far between in comparison to today. and with those winds a little bit lighter, temperatures are likely to peak generally between nine and 13 degrees. now, as we move out of tuesday into wednesday, we're starting to see an area of high pressure trying to build in from the atlantic. we'll need to be patient, but it does indicate a slightly quieter story as we head towards the weekend. still, there will be outbreaks of rain from this weather front that's toppling across that high pressure. so a quiet start on wednesday, a chilly start for some of us, but there will be some sunshine clouding over from the west across northern ireland, down through the irish sea, some rain into wales by the end of the afternoon and a few scattered showers elsewhere. temperatures starting to climb up to around 13 or 14 degrees. then the high pressure will tend to build, keep things largely fine and quiet as we head towards the weekend. a degree of so warmer with it as well. that's it. take care.

this is bbc news, the headlines the hush money trial of donald trump opens in new york — the first criminal trial of a former us president. new pictures — of the barrage of missiles and drones launched by iran — at israel — as tehran rejects western criticism of its attack.

parliament today resumes voting on the government's plan to send asylum seekers to rwanda — the bill could be given final approval by the end of the week. why mack the knife attack which almost ended his life in new york and prince harry and prince harry loses a high court challenge over appeals for his personal security not to be downgraded when he visits the uk. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. thank you, starting with all the drama at the top of the table in the premier league yesterday — attention turns to matters at the bottom. everton are just two points above the relegation zone, following their points deduction for breaching premier league financial rules —

more on that in a moment. tonight they go to chelsea who are pushing for a top six place