retaliate by attacking but will it retaliate by attacking iran directly? that will also be unprecedented after decades of a shadow_ unprecedented after decades of a shadow war and covert operations. those _ shadow war and covert operations. those israeli senior figures have been _ those israeli senior figures have been talking _ those israeli senior figures have been talking not _ those israeli senior figures have been talking not about - those israeli senior figures have been talking not about wreaking i been talking not about wreaking vengeance, _ been talking not about wreaking vengeance, but_ been talking not about wreaking vengeance, but about _ been talking not about wreaking l vengeance, but about maintaining been talking not about wreaking - vengeance, but about maintaining an international— vengeance, but about maintaining an international alliance _ vengeance, but about maintaining an international alliance against - vengeance, but about maintaining an international alliance against iran. i israel says it has killed a senior his brother commander israel says it has killed a senior commander in a strike on lebanon. what does that mean for the shadow war with iran? some speculation benjamin netanyahu has been avoiding rishi sunak. —— a senior hezbollah commander. not until late this afternoon did the pm make contact with his israeli counterpart. still we wait for a clear signal of israel's next move. also tonight, drama in brussels.

police move in on a conference of right—wing conservatives, while nigel farage was on the stage at the time. and with 50 days to the vote in europe, we will be in the netherlands tonight, for the first in our europe—wide series, election 202a. good evening. let's begin then with the air strike in southern lebanon today that killed one of hezbollah�*s top commanders. ismail yusaf baz had served as a senior official in hezbollah�*s military wing. the idf said he had planned rocket and anti—tank missile launches toward israel from lebanon's coastal area. i don't need to remind you regional tensions remain extremely high after iran launched its missile and drone attacks on israel over the weekend — that in retaliation for an israeli strike on tehran's consulate in damascus. israel's foreign minister, israel katz, has written to more than thirty countries today has written to more than 30 countries today calling for sanctions against iran's missile programme. the israelis have been showing journalists one the war cabinet met

for a fifth time today. of the ballistic missiles fired towards israel on saturday. the war cabinet met for a fifth time today. the have not yet released any details on what further steps they are planning, although israel's military spokesman said the attack would not go unanswered. we have the body of one of the ballistic missiles we will not allow this in the region. this coalition is directing a message to iran. this coalition is an opportunity for the middle east, a strategic opportunity for the middle east, for countries who share the same threat from iran. firing 110 ballistic missiles directly to israel will not get scot—free. we will respond in our time, in our place, in the way that we will choose. downing st said tonight that rishi sunak and the israel prime

minister have spoken. it took some time. mr sunak said he had warned his israeli counterpart against any "further significant escalation" in response. joining me now is dan arbell. he is a scholar in residence at the centre for israeli studies at the american university. he was also the former deputy chief of mission at israel's embassy in washington. joining me tonight is a scholar in residence at the centre of israeli studies. 99% taken out, and one set as far as they're concerned, equilibrium has been re—established. is that wishful thinking? been re-established. is that wishful thinkin: ? , ., . been re-established. is that wishful thinkinu? , ., . ., thinking? they do want to highlight the fact that _ thinking? they do want to highlight the fact that it — thinking? they do want to highlight the fact that it became _ thinking? they do want to highlight the fact that it became almost - the fact that it became almost unscathed from the attack. but i think the administration is under no illusion that israel will not respond. i think they do expect

israel to respond. they are sending us strong messages to not lead to further conflict. what does that look like to you? what does that look like to you? what sort of auctions are on the table? i what sort of auctions are on the table? ~' ., , ~' table? i think to strike targets, like in syria _ table? i think to strike targets, like in syria or _ table? i think to strike targets, like in syria or iraq. _ table? i think to strike targets, like in syria or iraq. i _ table? i think to strike targets, like in syria or iraq. ithink- like in syria or iraq. i think israel will want to send a clear message as iran attacked israeli soil from message as iran attacked israeli soilfrom iranian soil, israel will want to send a message of a clear direct attack.

whether it's a defence facility, that will have to... that will raise no questions asked of the fact that israel conducted a strike inside iran. there is a hard right element that demands a response. thomas presser is he under that the deterrence is diminished? i is he under that the deterrence is diminished?— diminished? i think netanyahu is walkin: a diminished? i think netanyahu is walking a very — diminished? i think netanyahu is walking a very thin _ diminished? i think netanyahu is walking a very thin line. - diminished? i think netanyahu is walking a very thin line. on - diminished? i think netanyahu is walking a very thin line. on one. walking a very thin line. on one end, he wants to not have this escalating want this response to be enough to suffice and not lead to an iranian retaliation. the same time as bases are demanding more effective targeting, and i think in that way, he's kind of in a bind.

he's balancing between those demands and what the international communities are expecting. i don't think these will prevail. i think at the end, it will be more of a limited response. it’s the end, it will be more of a limited response.— the end, it will be more of a limited response. it's taken rishi sunak nearly _ limited response. it's taken rishi sunak nearly 72 _ limited response. it's taken rishi sunak nearly 72 hours. _ limited response. it's taken rishi sunak nearly 72 hours. amid - limited response. it's taken rishi sunak nearly 72 hours. amid the | sunak nearly 72 hours. amid the speculation he was being avoided. the speculation would be that of course, mr netanyahu wants the freedom to make his own choices, but i wonder what would happen where this to be a sizeable response. what might happen then? it’s this to be a sizeable response. what might happen then?— this to be a sizeable response. what might happen then? it's hard for me to abandon the _ might happen then? it's hard for me to abandon the us _ might happen then? it's hard for me to abandon the us will— might happen then? it's hard for me to abandon the us will not _ might happen then? it's hard for me to abandon the us will not not - might happen then? it's hard for me to abandon the us will not not not . to abandon the us will not not not be in the loop. i think they would be in the loop. i think they would be made aware of israel's intentions

and the scope that israel intends to respond in, because if it doesn't, it sort of puts us personnel and others in the region in great danger, as can be seen as colluding with israel, as playing a part in these attacks. i don't think netanyahu want to jeopardise his relations in the us or the uk. i think it will be very responsibly in updating in both countries and making sure... that's not the exact specifics, but to the general nature and scope of what he plans to do. on the other side, we're told there's been a meeting between the iranians and the russians. how precarious do you think this is at the moment? what is the level of risk that we're looking at? i’m what is the level of risk that we're looking at?— looking at? i'm sorry, can you re eat looking at? i'm sorry, can you repeat that — looking at? i'm sorry, can you repeat that question? - looking at? i'm sorry, can you repeat that question? i - looking at? i'm sorry, can you repeat that question? i was i looking at? i'm sorry, can you l

repeat that question? i wasjust repeat that question? i was “ust mentioning fl repeat that question? i was “ust mentioning the i repeat that question? i was “ust mentioning the meeting i repeat that question? i wasjust mentioning the meeting today | repeat that question? i was just - mentioning the meeting today between the iranians and the russians. i just wonder what the scale of the risk is in mind of that developing relationship. risk is in mind of that developing relationship-— risk is in mind of that developing relationship. this relationship has been ongoing _ relationship. this relationship has been ongoing and _ relationship. this relationship has been ongoing and taking - relationship. this relationship has been ongoing and taking place - relationship. this relationship has| been ongoing and taking place and developing since 2015 when both countries became heavily involved in syria. iran is supplying russia with drones and russia is helping iran armaments. it's certainly very concerning. certainly, this could lead to further escalations. tomorrow, the us congress is holding a special hearing to focus on the russian iranian relationship. i think this should be intensifying between russia and iran. infer? between russia and iran. very . rateful between russia and iran. very grateful for — between russia and iran. very grateful for your _ between russia and iran. very grateful for your time. - between russia and iran. very grateful for your time. thank i between russia and iran. very - grateful for your time. thank you, that evening- _ mps have been voting tonight on legislation that would create

a smoke—free generation — a major public health intervention. in the last hour the tobacco and vapes bill passed and vapes bill passed on a free vote. the ayes to the right, tragedy three — that's a majority 316, to give the bill a second reading. the size of the support suggests it will be supported by all sides. and when it becomes law, then young people born since 2009 will be banned from ever buying a cigarette. but some tory mps have described the plans as "profoundly unconservative". borisjohnson branded the bill "nuts". this was the health and social care minister victoria atkins opening the debate this afternoon. nicotine robs people of their freedom to choose. the vast majority of smokers _ freedom to choose. the vast majority of smokers start young, and three

quarters _ of smokers start young, and three quarters say if they could turn back the clock, — quarters say if they could turn back the clock, they would not have started — the clock, they would not have started. . �*, . ~ , started. labour's health minister echoed that. _ started. labour's health minister echoed that. this _ started. labour's health minister echoed that. this is _ started. labour's health minister echoed that. this is a _ started. labour's health minister echoed that. this is a legal - echoed that. this is a legal addition, — echoed that. this is a legal addition, a _ echoed that. this is a legal addition, a scourge - echoed that. this is a legal addition, a scourge on - echoed that. this is a legal i addition, a scourge on society echoed that. this is a legal - addition, a scourge on society -- a addition, a scourge on society —— a lethal _ addition, a scourge on society —— a lethal a _ addition, a scourge on society —— a lethal a drag _ addition, a scourge on society —— a lethal a drag on _ addition, a scourge on society —— a lethal. a drag on our— addition, a scourge on society —— a lethal. a drag on our economy. - addition, a scourge on society —— ai lethal. a drag on our economy. and it is time _ lethal. a drag on our economy. and it is time to — lethal. a drag on our economy. and it is time to consign _ lethal. a drag on our economy. and it is time to consign it— lethal. a drag on our economy. and it is time to consign it to _ it is time to consign it to the dustbins— it is time to consign it to the dustbins of— it is time to consign it to the dustbins of history. - it is time to consign it to the dustbins of history. but- it is time to consign it to the dustbins of history. but among the critics was the _ dustbins of history. but among the critics was the former _ dustbins of history. but among the critics was the former prime - critics was the former prime minister, liz truss.- critics was the former prime minister, liz truss. the instinct of this establishment, _ minister, liz truss. the instinct of this establishment, reflected - minister, liz truss. the instinct of this establishment, reflected by l minister, liz truss. the instinct of this establishment, reflected by a j this establishment, reflected by a cross—party consensus today in today's — cross—party consensus today in today's chamber, is to believe that they, _ today's chamber, is to believe that they, the _ today's chamber, is to believe that they, the government, are better at making _ they, the government, are better at making decisions for people and people _ making decisions for people and people themselves. so, making decisions for people and people themselves.— people themselves. so, nuts or sensible? _ joining me now is dr rob branston, associate professor at the university of bath and member of the tobacco control research group. thank you for being with us. not a single person, liz truss says,

raises on the doorstep. issue right? ifind it hard raises on the doorstep. issue right? i find it hard to believe. raises on the doorstep. issue right? ifind it hard to believe. they suggest the vast majority of the public support this. i find it hard to believe. but public support this. i find it hard to believe-— to believe. but there will be a whole new — to believe. but there will be a whole new enforcement - to believe. but there will be a - whole new enforcement challenge for the police. why is this a better way to forward the public education programme? i to forward the public education programme?— to forward the public education programme? i think much of the rationale is _ programme? i think much of the rationale is simply _ programme? i think much of the rationale is simply the _ programme? i think much of the rationale is simply the very - rationale is simply the very addictive and lethal nature to that product. somewhere like two out of three people who try cigarette are going to be addicted. so, tobacco is a product that is unique in that regard, and it is also incredibly bad for people who smoke. i think

tobacco is an incredibly important case where we need to take the measures to encourage individuals to take sensible decisions. in terms of enforcement, but i would say is the industry made a very big deal about things like the smoking bans, saying it could never be in force. we saw the vast majorities, something like 90% of those mentioned it forced was in eight months —— 98. i think fears of... i think lack of compliance. what about the risk of pushing smoking into the shadows? is there a danger that you make smoking cooler, or you create a black market? i or you create a black market? i think the detail is really important here. if this becomes law, it's all about banning smoking. billions of

people hardly smart to eat —— is marked in the uk. it's simply about stopping more people �*s cell starting. —— stopping people starting. —— stopping people starting. but actually, we saw no increase in this market first tobacco when the age of smoking increased from 16 to 18 back in 2007. ~ , ., ., increased from 16 to 18 back in 2007. . , ., ., ., ., , 2007. we did see a move towards vain 2007. we did see a move towards vaping and — 2007. we did see a move towards vaping and l— 2007. we did see a move towards vaping and l we — 2007. we did see a move towards vaping and i we have _ 2007. we did see a move towards vaping and i we have a _ 2007. we did see a move towards vaping and i we have a problem i 2007. we did see a move towards i vaping and i we have a problem with underage people turning to vapes. indeed, but this is why we are dealing with the tobacco and vapes bill, because part of the law is to increase the regulation of vaping to make sure young people don't start vaping when they have the previously —— haven't previously smoked. this is a win—win policy because it looks to address tobacco use and cigarettes, which are incredibly damaging, but it also looks to protect young people from the current trend of using vaping products which are not risk—free.

this could only be used by people who are trying to quit smoking. britain is the first. a new zeal in government stepped back. —— the new zealand government. it's significant. with that suggest to you that government of any colour would opt to follow the same path and not reverse it?— and not reverse it? well, i can't sneak to and not reverse it? well, i can't speak to the — and not reverse it? well, i can't speak to the political _ and not reverse it? well, i can't speak to the political situation l and not reverse it? well, i can'tl speak to the political situation in the future of what may or may not happen, but certainly, this is a policy that has widespread public support and supported by pretty much all public health professionals. it's based on the science of tobacco interventions and what it's like to work. i predict that the uk will be the first country, but many others will follow suit, because it is such an effective policy intervention. so, i welcome the strong majority for the bill today and i hope that

continues into the future. goad for the bill today and i hope that continues into the future. good to talk to you — continues into the future. good to talk to you tonight. _ around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. a muslim student lost a hard court challenge against the ban of prayer is on school. the makayla community school introduced the band last year. the challenge argued that the band discriminated against muslim pupils. it was rejected by the court. the uk unemployment rate increased to 4.2% between december and february. that's the highest level for six months. the number of people who are economically inactive rose partly due to long—term sickness. economists suggest and could push the bank of england but rates in the centre. easyjet

announce it will not operate to israel before the end of october. i had already suspended its flights, but said the continued situation means the services not resume until at least the autumn. customers booked to fly are being offered a full refund. you're watching bbc news. in brussels, a big political event opened today — the national conservative conference. ttar speakers included nigel farage, suella braverman, tomorrow victor orban, the prime minister of hungary is expected. but things have not gone according to plan because today police in brussels turned up to shut it down. there are confused accounts of what has happened. police insist they weren't there to stop it, but apparently they did tell registered attendees to leave and refused to permit them to return. the local mayor, emir kir, said public concerns had been raised that some of the attendees hold anti—gay and anti—abortion views. this is the third venue that was supposed to hold this event, after two others pulled out amid protests.

the belgian prime minister alexander de croo writing on x said... here's our europe correspondent nick beake with the details the authorities have decided to shut the event. at brussels today, a movement that wants to go global collided with very local politics. the police came to shut down a gathering of conservatives from across europe and the us because the local socialist mayor declared the far right were not welcome here. the leading lights of this anti—eu movement, which says it champions traditional values, had already filed in. top of the bill, the uk's former home secretary, suella braverman. i understand the police are keen to close this down. but by now, local officials had decided the views of the speakers could cause public disorder

so ordered the event to stop., and so ordered the event to stop. what do you make of this? it's monstrous, - absolutely monstrous. a very decent, respectable gratip of people - - prime ministers, academics and business people - being told they cannot i have an alternative view. thank god for brexit. there were fears over anti—abortion and anti—gay sentiments held in the building. cobblers. so, was this silencing free speech or protecting people from extremist ideology? what's happening now is that the brussels police have lined up outside the venue and are refusing entry lined up outside the venue and they're refusing entry to anyone wanting to get in. they're not, though, going inside and dragging people out vote. many delegates here say they've been cancelled, but the reality is that this conference is continuing, at least for now. the ban did mean the far—right french politician here was unable to give his speech, and it's unclear where the event

will be held tomorrow. and so, a gathering of only a few hundred people was catapulted onto the front pages of papers and websites. as one organiser put it, you can't buy publicity like this. nick beake, bbc news, brussels. not much more about european politics —— we will talk. second day ofjury selection in the criminal trial of donald trump. prosecutors and trump's lawyers have been questioning 18 potentialjurors on whether they can remain impartial in this case. the questioning is being used to strike jurors, if they don't believe they can render a verdict fairly. a panel of 12 new yorkers — six alternates — will ultimately be selected. meanwhile the manhattan district attorney has filed a motion in court alleging that that donald trump violated the gag order imposed byjudge juan merchan, three times in recent posts on truth social. the prosecutors are asking the court to fine trump $1,000 per violation. merchan is scheduled to hear the motion next week.

meanwhile the manhattan district attorney has filed a motion in court alleging that that donald trump violated the gag order imposed byjudge juan merchan, three times in recent posts on truth social. the prosecutors are asking the court to fine trump $1,000 per violation. merchan is scheduled to hear the motion next week. every legal scholar said this trial is a disgrace. we have a trump—hating judge. we have a judge who shouldn't be on this case. he's totally conflicted. but this is a trial that should never happen. it should have been thrown out a long time ago. joining me now is jacob eisler. he's a professor of law at florida state university. good to have you with us. help me understand what is going on in court at the moment. how does the questioning go and what are they looking for? 50. questioning go and what are they looking for?— questioning go and what are they looking for? so, the real question is the degree _ looking for? so, the real question is the degree to _ looking for? so, the real question is the degree to which _ looking for? so, the real question is the degree to which donald - is the degree to which donald trump's illegal activity, prospectively, particularly related to january the 6th riots, will be

result in court instead of the ballot box. the real complexity is that charges are also brought against other participants. it today, there was an argument in fisher versus us, addressing the lawsuit brought against trump. what lawsuit brought against trump. what we saw today — lawsuit brought against trump. what we saw today is _ lawsuit brought against trump. what we saw today is this _ lawsuit brought against trump. what we saw today is this cross—examining of the gers in the conflict between donald trump —— thejury. what did you make of that? donald trump -- the “ury. what did you make of that?— donald trump -- the “ury. what did you make of that? might view is that the donald trump _ you make of that? might view is that the donald trump is _ you make of that? might view is that the donald trump is facing _ you make of that? might view is that the donald trump is facing perpetual difficulty in that his tendency to opine on matters related from anything to the ongoing election to the rule of law puts him in a position of perpetual difficulty. a litigant is typically instructed to remain cautious when engaging in

prosecution. trump's inclination is to go to the public and seek to appeal to the public. suggesting a judge should not be sitting is a remarkable move and typically never undertaken by litigant.— undertaken by litigant. there are his comments _ undertaken by litigant. there are his comments on _ undertaken by litigant. there are his comments on truth _ undertaken by litigant. there are his comments on truth social - undertaken by litigant. there are his comments on truth social, i undertaken by litigant. there are - his comments on truth social, which the da will discuss with the judge next week. the gag order, it's a tricky thing for the judge because we are in the campaigning season. what is permissible and what is not when donald trump is campaigning in and around the courtroom? this when donald trump is campaigning in and around the courtroom?— and around the courtroom? this is alwa s a and around the courtroom? this is always a difficult _ and around the courtroom? this is always a difficult point _ and around the courtroom? this is always a difficult point for- and around the courtroom? this is always a difficult point for courts l always a difficult point for courts to decide. in america in particular, there's a general... judicial intervention that limits a political candidate from saying what they wish is highly disfavored. even though

trump is saying things that might not be smart for his litigation, hesitant to prevent him on the campaign trail. a strong tradition in american politics. trump is really pushing the limits of how far this idea that political candidates should not be prevented from courts from saying what they wish is the highest principle.— highest principle. over in washington, _ highest principle. over in washington, the - highest principle. over in | washington, the supreme highest principle. over in - washington, the supreme court highest principle. over in _ washington, the supreme court was hearing arguments on a keyjanuary the 6th case. it was whether prosecutors improperly stretched the law. what is it stating here if the supremejustice law. what is it stating here if the supreme justice decides it was too wide and that a narrow interpretation was required? 50. interpretation was required? so, this decision _ interpretation was required? so, this decision is interpretation was required? 5rr, this decision is about interpretation was required? 5r>, this decision is about peace legislation that is at its core

designed of evidence tampering. prosecution is being somewhat aggressive or creative in applying this to january the 6th writers. the rider issue is facing issues, —— riots are. if he decides —— if they decides he cannot be executed under this statute, it will make it more difficult for prosecutors to bring the same charge against trump. this statute has additional language. any obstruction of an official proceeding. what the court will have to decide is if this particular rioter can be prosecuted. jacob, really good _ rioter can be prosecuted. jacob, really good have _

rioter can be prosecuted. jacob, really good have you _ rioter can be prosecuted. jacob, really good have you on - rioter can be prosecuted. jacob, really good have you on the - really good have you on the programme tonight. thank you very much for your time. we're going to get to a short break. we're going to get to a short break. we're going to begin a new series. we are 51 days from the european parliamentary elections. what does it mean for you? we'll dig into it. we will start tonight in the country that goes first. do stay with us. one morning on. hello there. it's not been as windy today, but it certainly still felt on the cold side. and we're not alone because colder air has pushed all the way into many parts of europe. in actualfact, bringing with it a lot of showers, we're still in that colder air at the moment with the northerly breeze and high pressure for now is sitting to the west, and that will bring some more cloud

towards us for tomorrow. but at the moment, we've still got the showers and we've seen them streaming across northern england into the midlands and into the southeast of england, where there's been a few thundery showers around it as well. now, those should tend to fade away during this evening. we could see a few more showers coming into northern england and wales for a while and we've still got those wintry showers affecting north—eastern areas of scotland. but with some clearer skies developing and the winds easing, it's going to turn quite cold out there. we're looking at the risk of a touch of frost across northern england and also into scotland. we'll start with some showers across northeast scotland. many places, though, starting dry and quite sunny. the cloud will build up again and we will see a scattering of showers with the odd heavy one arriving. but there's more cloud and some outbreaks of light rain affecting northern ireland moving over the irish sea into western parts of wales later in the day. but ahead of that, we've got that northerly breeze. it is not as strong as it has been, but it's still cold air. but it's still cold air, and so temperatures are going

to struggle again on wednesday. that cloud that's coming in from the atlantic on that weather front that's moving away. high pressure still to the west, another weather system coming in around the top of that. but we'll have some clearer skies overnight into thursday morning, overnight into thursday morning — this time more across england and wales, so there's a risk of a touch of frost here in actual fact. sunny start here, but it will cloud over from the north and we'll see outbreaks of rain coming into scotland, perhaps affecting northern ireland and then pushing into northern parts of england, limiting the sunshine in the afternoon more towards the southwest of england and the channel islands. temperatures could reach 12 degrees in cardiff so still, it's not particularly warm out there. now, the weather system, an area of low pressure that's bringing the rain, pushes away quite quickly overnight and into friday, allowing this to arrive. high pressure to build across the uk — now, that's going to bring some uncertainties. it looks like we're in for a much needed drier spell of weather, but we could introduce more cloud and it's not going to be as warm as last weekend.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. injune, europeans head to the polls — tonight, special programme taking a look at what might shape their votes — and what the impacts of that could be. cows, climate and choice — we report from the netherlands — and ask what impact the environment will have on upcoming european elections.

you are watching the context. this week — we want to bring you a new series. from the sixth to ninthjune millions of people in the eu will take to the polls to elect 720 politicians to the european parliament. in 27 countries in 2a official languages it is one of the most significant elections this year. and so at this time, each week, from here to the vote onjune sixth, we're going to devote half an hour in this programme to focus on what is at stake, and why it is relevant to you wherever you might be watching around the world.

on what is at stake, and why it is relevant