Us forces kill a top iranian general in an airstrike, escalating tension between the United States and iran. Qasem soleimani was the second most powerful person in iran and the countrys strategic mastermind. He was killed as his convoy left Baghdad Airport iran has vowed to take revenge. President trump who ordered the attack has tweeted a picture of the american flag. His secretary of state has defended the killing. President trumps decision to remove Qasem Soleimani from the battlefield saved american lives, theres no doubt about that. He was actively plotting in the region, to take actions, a big action as he described it, that would have put dozens if not hundreds of american lives at risk. Well be asking how dangerous a moment this is for the middle east. Also this lunchtime. Relief for australians rescued by the navy from the countrys wildfires. A judge rules that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and therefore protected by law. And Prince Williams film urging football fans to look after their mental health. And coming up on bbc news injury hit england lose both openers in the first session of the 2nd test against south africa in cape town. Good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. Tensions between the United States and iran have escalated dramatically after President Trump ordered the killing of the most powerful Iranian Military commander. Qasem soleimani died in a us missile strike on his convoy as he was leaving Baghdad Airport. The general ran an elite unit of irans revolutionary guard and masterminded iranian strategy in the middle east. Iran has now declared three days of mourning and sworn vengeance for the killing. The United States says it acted to stop an imminent attack that could have killed hundreds of americans. Our first report is from our middle east correspondent, quentin sommerville, in beirut. Untouchable no more. The aftermath of the us strike at Baghdad Airport and the middle easts most beautifully effective commander, Qasem Soleimani, is dead. He led irans quds force but his reach was far greater. Few men have shaped the countries around them like general soleimani. The order for the
assassination came directly from us president donald trump, who posted only a cryptic tweet, the us flag. His presence was felt or his name mentioned in almost every battlefield across the middle east. He served iran plasma interest with vicious efficiency. Here in lebanon and in iraq, syria and elsewhere, he leaves behind a brutal legacy. Qasem soleimani reshaped the world around him. Iran says there will be severe consequences for his killing. The public and guard spokesman broke down at the news and said that americanjoy at down at the news and said that american joy at Qasem Soleimanis death would be short lived and promised to take revenge for what he described as the death of a proud martyr. In iraq, for those protesting a rainy iranian influence, there are celebration at the news of his death. He was the mastermind behind iranian power
there, even rumoured showing the Prime Minister stayed in power. Translation we have not wanted irans influencing iran from the beginning and we condemn americas interference. We dont want iraq to be pushed into the american iranian conflict. He was an electrifying presence on the battlefield. Once described as a shadowy figure, he soon became the regions most photographed general, as militia men clamoured for a selfie with the iranian commander. The United States appeared caught on the hop when earlier this week pro iranian protesters launched a short lived attack on its embassy. But the gravity of this assassination seems to have been already understood. More american boots on the ground. The pentagon said the killing was a defensive act to prevent the deaths of us
personnel. Hundreds of us troops are flooding the region, while all other americans have been told to leave iraq. The country plasma disengagement from here may now be on hold. In life, Qasem Soleimani reshaped the countries around iran. His killing runs the risk of doing the same. Quentin sommerville reporting. So, who was general Qasem Soleimani . Well, he was widely seen as one of the most powerful men in iran second only in fact to the Supreme LeaderSupreme Leader ayatollah khamenei. He was hailed by many in the country as a heroic National Figure and a cult hero. Our security correspondent, frank gardner, reports. They called him the shadow commander. For 21 years, they called him the shadow commander. For2i years, general Qasem Soleimani commanded the quds force, directing irans military operations across the middle east. His death is a major blow to iran plasma conditions, one that is likely to be answered. Plasma conditions, one that is likely to be answeredlj plasma conditions, one that is likely to be answered. I think that things are going to get much uglier in the next few days and few weeks. For your own viewers, this is really a declaration of war by donald trump against the iranian government. Regardless of what you think of iran and general soleimani, and there is much blood on his hands, this is an attack on a nerve centre. In syria, he coordinated iran plasma bolstering of president assads regime, successfully helping him turn back the tide against the rebels. In iraq, he acted like a puppet master, pulling the strings of numerous shia militia often hostile to the us and helps them drive out Islamic State from iraqi towns. More recently, last summer, his special forces carried out operations in the gulf, seizing a british flagged tanker. And in the last week, tensions rose again with the United States. On the 27th of december, us contractor was killed
ina december, us contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi Military base, an attack blamed on an iranian backed militia. Two days later, the us responded with air strikes on hezbollah bases in the middle east, killing 25 fighters. On december 31, the us embassy in baghdad was attacked by a furious crowd, encouraged by a militia leaders. The pentagon said general soleimani was preparing further attacks on the us in iraq. To deter those attacks, us drone strike killed general Qasem Soleimani. The assassination of this man, general Qasem Soleimani, is probably the most significant event to happen in the middle east since the iraq invasion in 2003. Why . Because he was not some fugitive hiding out in mountain caves, he was the iranian state, answering direct to ayatollah khamenei. This takes the us iran tension to a new and dangerous
plateau. Already, the crowds were out into around today, shouting death to america. Washington has warned iran not to retaliate for soleimanis death, that iran has vowed to take revenge on its own time and in its own way. Frank gardner, bbc news. Our middle east editor jeremy bowen is here. Why do you think the americans have done this now . Avenue has been saying, there has been this build up in the last week or so. But it is not just that. This in the last week or so. But it is notjust that. This is a man who has beenin notjust that. This is a man who has been in the sights of the americans and israelis and probably others as well for a Long Time Coming years and years years. The question is why up and years years. The question is why up until now they never pulled the trigger. I think that is because they were worried about what would happen, the repercussions. Would it make a bad situation worse . Now the americans have flipped on that and decided it is time to kill him and
they had the opportunity and they took it. Why . Perhaps this is part ofa took it. Why . Perhaps this is part of a coherent strategy. Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps President Trump was being impulsive. Buti not. Perhaps President Trump was being impulsive. But i think that. This is surmised but perhaps going through his mind was an idea that because of the pressure the americans have been putting on iran three sanctions, the economic damage they have suffered as a result, the anti regime demonstrations that have taken place inside the country itself and in supposedly friendly countries as well, iraq notably, that this could be a time when they could push and the iranians would rage and they would have found path and threaten but they wouldnt actually do a great deal. Now that isa actually do a great deal. Now that is a dangerous assumption, because if it is wrong, then this is going to get much worse. Jeremy, thank you very much indeed. Jeremy to get much worse. Jeremy, thank you very much indeed. Jeremy bowen, l middle east editor. In a moment, well get uk reaction
from Jessica Parker at westminster. But first to our correspondent Gary Odonoghue in washington. We have been getting political reaction in washington. Joe biden for example saying President Trump has just thrown a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox. Yes, some similar reaction to that from other democratic politicians as well here. Also questioning whether or not President Trump had the Congressional Authority to carry out such an attack. But his allies have been rallying around him including Lindsey Graham and also the chairman of the Foreign Relations committee in the senate, all supporting what he has done. Mike pompeo, the secretary of state, has been out defending the actions this morning. This is how he talked about the imminent attack that he said had justified hitting soleimani at this time. President trumps decision to remove Qasem Soleimani from the battlefield saved american lives,
theres no doubt about that. He was actively plotting in the region to take actions, a big action as he described it, that would have put dozens if not hundreds of american lives at risk. We know it was imminent, this was an intelligence based assessment that drove our Decision Making process. The American People also know the history of Qasem Soleimani, hundreds of american lives on his hands too. There is no detail about what specifics there were around this imminent attack. The secretary of state being pretty coy about that in his interviews this morning. But of course, american interests will be on heightened alert throughout the region as this unfolds in the coming days, particularly bases in places like bahrain, tankers in the straits of hummus and much softer targets where american targets are present throughout the whole of that region. Back to you. Gary, thank you. Gary odonoghue in washington. Jessica parker joins
odonoghue in washington. Jessica parkerjoins us from westminster. What is british political reaction to this . I dont think we will see the early recall of parliament, for example. Mps are due back here at westminster on tuesday, following the christmas break. Unsurprisingly, there has already been political reaction, including from the foreign secretary dominic raab who has today spoken to his us counterpart. Earlier, in a statement he said the uk government has always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the iranian quds force, led by pezz on a grand following his death, we urge all parties to de escalate. So striking quite a cautious tone there, dominic raab, not offering up a full clear endorsement for the actions taken by donald trump. We also heard from the labour leader jeremy corbyn, who has used some quite Strong Language to criticise the us Authorities Saying its an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the middle east. He calls for restraint on both sides but also urges the uk government, in his words, to stand
up government, in his words, to stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States. I think there will also be focused here on what the uk government and the Prime Minister borisjohnson, who government and the Prime Minister boris johnson, who has government and the Prime Minister borisjohnson, who has been abroad on holiday, did or didnt know in advance of this strike. Reports that the uk government wasnt informed in advance havent been officially confirmed or dismissed. There will be questions as to whether the us authority should have a given the uk, given there are 400 british troops in iraq and training duties and given uk shipping industries in the gulf. Jessica, thank you. Jessica parker. Also Gary Odonoghue in washington. More than 1000 people have been safely evacuated by navy ships from the australian town of mallacoota which has been surrounded by wildfires. The Prime MinisterScott Morrison says his country is entering a critical few days, with more extreme fire conditions forceast for this weekend. There are now are now
scores of fires burning across New South Wales and victoria, fueled by soaring temperatures and high winds. From New South Wales, our correspondent phil mercer reports. Help has finally arrived in the beleaguered town of mallacoota. About 1000 people have boarded two navy ships in the seaside community, which has been cut off since fires tore through the area on new years eve. Havent been able to process it, no. Not yet, no. Were all down at the foreshore and its something that i want to forget. Others have been flown out by military helicopters. But those who remain have been told it could be two weeks before the roads reopen. Across the border, the mass exodus from southern parts of New South Wales is continuing. Residents and tourists have been urged to get out while they can, ahead of extreme fire conditions
forecast for saturday. If you can leave, you must leave. Thats the only safe thing for you, yourfamily and, indeed, for others who may be called to your assistance. We cannot guarantee your safety. Thousands are on the move, but not everyone is leaving. Some homeowners are determined to stay, to defend their properties, in a region thats already seen widespread devastation. Thats what were worried about, fires starting around the house. So, were going to stay and defend and put those out the best we can. If it gets too much, the cars packed, ready to go. Trying to work out what the best option is and whether we go. Weve been reading about the reports of it taking sort of three hours to travel a few kilometres along the highway in either direction. So, not wanting to get trapped on the highway in a fire, weve decided to stay. More than 125 fires continue to burn in New South Wales. Since september, the blazes have killed 19 people. The Authorities Say that 28 others are unaccounted for in the state of victoria. This is a nationwide crisis. Fires are also burning in western australia, South Australia and tasmania, and there is no end in sight. The blazes have been so big and have raged with such intensity, that the smoke haze has drifted across the tasman sea to new zealand. Phil mercer, bbc news, in nowra, New South Wales. Three Energy Companies have agreed to pay more than £10 million for their role in a power cut last august, which left more than a Million People without electricity. The blackout lasted less than an hour but afftected homes, businesses and hospitals and caused travel chaos. Our Business Correspondent emma simpson reports. Remember this . The biggest blackout in a decade, chaos and confusion, hundreds of trains cancelled and thousands of passengers stranded. This is bbc 5live. How long have you been on that train for now . I think we are onto hour nine. Michael wilson eventually made it home to london from newcastle at 1am with his daughter, an experience he told me he never wants to repeat. When youve been on the train for that long, there were babies crying, there were people getting quite upset. There was one point where there was a member of staff who quite clearly was in tears over the tannoy because people were getting quite agitated. So, whos to blame . There was a Lightning Strike on a transmission line just before 5pm. They are fairly routine, and power stations are required to cope, but hornsey offshore wind farm lost power. Little ba rford gas fired station also tripped. Ofgem says there was an equipment failure, two
events which triggered the wider shutdown. Hornsey is co owned by the Danish Company orsted. Today, it agreed to pay £4. 5 million for failing to remain connected to the grid. So too is rwe, the german utility giant which operates little barford. And uk power networks, which operates the local Power Distribution grid in the east and south east of england, is paying £1. 5 million for reconnecting customers too early, a technical breach of the rules. National grid keeps the lights on in the uk, balancing our Electricity Supply and demand. Ofgem says it wasnt responsible for what happened, but its not completely off the hook. We want to look at that part of the National Grid that maintains security of supply and operates the system and make sure it is fit for purpose as our Energy System changes. Lessons then to be learned. The government said today it will implement an action plan to help prevent future power disruptions. Emma simpson, bbc news. The time is. 18 minutes past one. Our top story this lunchtime Us Forces Kill a top iranian general in an air strike, escalating tension between the United States and iran. Coming up england wobble as south africa take root in the second test. Coming up on bbc news Cameron Norrie has got the british team off to a winning start against bulgaria with victory over Dimitar Kuzmanov in the first atp cup. The met office says the last decade was the second hottest in the uk in the past 100 years, with eight High Temperature records being broken. Last year alone, four new records were set, including the highest winter and summer temperatures ever recorded in the uk. The met office says it is a consequence of our warming climate. Heres our environment
analyst, roger harrabin. As what to stay on record came in cambridge lastjuly. The heat there felt punishment. 38. 7 celsius. Transport struggled to cope with fires by train lines. It was one of eight temperature records set in the last decade, a Record Number of record temperatures. Meanwhile, it looks like a town in the Scottish Highlands so the uks highest winter temperature, recorded on the 28th of december. By contrast, there was just one low temperature record, the beast from the east in march last year. Our climate changes naturally and we see fluctuations from year to year and month to month sometimes, but because of man made climate change, you have that extra level of warning, so when you see heatwave events coming, that extra level of
warming means we get more intense heat waves and more extreme temperatures within those, so it just adds that extra layer, leading to greater impacts from the weather than we would normally see. 2019 was wetter tha n than we would normally see. 2019 was wetter than average, the met office say. They say rising temperatures are likely to bring more extreme rain to the british isles. What we are seeing in the uk and the climate records is consistent with this wider picture we are seeing in other parts of the world, so we are seeing increases in certain types of weather extremes across different parts of the world, including here in the uk, and thats part of this wider picture of our changing climate. Overall, this decade was the second warmest since 1910. Last year was the 11th warmest year, and all the uks warmer years came this century. Globally, it will be the second or third hottest on record. As pollution from our societies continues to heat the planet. Roger harriman, bbc news. A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of two people who were stabbed at a house in derbyshire on new years day. Rhys hancock is accused of murdering his estranged wife Helen Hancock and her partner Martin Griffiths in the village of duffield. Our correspondent phil mackie was in court. Rhys hancock spoke only at south Derbyshire Magistrates Court to confirm his name, age, address and nationality. He was charged with the murders of Helen Hancock, his estranged wife, and her new partner, Martin Griffiths. Their bodies were discovered on the early hours of new years day at her home in the village of duffield. Paramedics tried in vain to revive her. Mr griffiths was already dead, and rhys hancock had been arrested outside the house. He was charged last
night. Weve had statements today from the Marketing Agency where mr griffiths work. They say the news came as a shock to them. And the special school in Burton Upon Trent where mrs hancock was a pe teacher said it was saddened by the truly awful news and described her as a well liked member of staff who made a real difference to them. Rhys hancock, her husband, was remanded in custody and will appear at Derby Crown Court on monday. Meanwhile, another investigation is still under way, by the iop see. Derbyshire police referred itself to them because they had had prior contact with mrs hancock before the awful news came out yesterday morning. As i say, rhys hancock back in court at the crown court in derby on monday. The fashion Retailer Next has reported better than expected sales in the three months to christmas. Full price sales rose by 5. 2 percent
that was 1. 5 percent ahead of the companys own expectations. The firm says that Colder Weather in november might have helped its performance. The figures were boosted by online growth. However, sales on the high street were down. An employment tribunaljudge has ruled that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and is therefore protected by law. The case was brought by a man who says he was unfairly sacked by the league against cruel sports after disclosing it invested Pension Funds in firms involved in animal testing. Our Legal CorrespondentClive Coleman is here talk us through this ruling and its implications. Talk us through the ruling and what the implications of it are. A fascinating ruling with huge implications. The man who brought this case worked for the league against cruel sports and claimed he had found that they were investing their Pension Funds in some companies that tested on animals or we re companies that tested on animals or were involved in that testing. He
told his employers and they did nothing so he told other workers and was sacked as a result. He claims he was sacked as a result. He claims he was discriminated against on the basis of his belief as an ethical vegan. I stress ethical rather than dietary, because he avoids any form of animal harm or exploitation, for instance, refusing to take the bus u nless instance, refusing to take the bus unless there is an accidental crash with a bird or an insect. To someone at the supermarket at the checkout had something to the jacket . To someone who is placing
change mean that they refused to travel for work by car, feeling the train . The implications are vast, it is in employment and environmental services. Thank you. England have lost crucial wickets in the first day of the second test against south africa in cape town. Captainjoe root were among them. There are hundred 94 to the interval, south africa read the full test series 10. Africa read the full test series 1 0. Ive corresponded has been watching the action. Enjoy the view for the moment. The Cricket Ground in cape town is beautiful, but what lies close up . England is up for the open innings. It lasted 13 minutes. Crowley was only playing because
rory burns had hurt himself yesterday, playing football. South africa dont need extra assistance. On the attack. Don sibley, building his england career and building his england career and building his england career and building his innings in this test match. Thats the kind of shot made for replays. Judge emmet was doing his bit and many in the crowd were glad made cape town their new years destination. In an edge, in an insta nt, destination. In an edge, in an instant, it was over. No south africa were coming out england hard. Blows of the helmet are always worrying but then we stayed at the crease after concussion checks. When joe root deflected this one with his glove, as innings ended. It was su btlety that glove, as innings ended. It was subtlety that did fraternally what flight subtlety that did fraternally what flight and spin on the bill was gone. To think down we noticed the
glorious scenery as he trudged off . No. A short film narrated by the duke of cambridge will be played at effie cup matches this weekend, encouraging football fans do it after their mental health. It features some of the gamess biggest names. It will be shown just before kick off before every third round match. It is part of the campaign by Prince William to get men talking about mental health. In life as in football we all go through highs and lows. This player knows exactly what thatis lows. This player knows exactly what that is like. I could not control it. I could be happy and bubbly but then all of a sudden you doubt this would come over me. I would be totally different. I could see that coming on me but i have no control over it. He has given his backing to
a new film that also features england stars as narrated by the duke of cambridge. Its focus . Keeping your mind healthy. We can all keeping your mind healthy. We can a ll start keeping your mind healthy. We can all start to change things. A chance for millions of fans to pause to think about their own well being. Men are less likely than women to take action to do something about it, whether thats stress or for feeling low or difficulty sleeping, so the film asks football fans to take a minute to learn about what they can do to improve their mental health. Every mind matters and heads up will show you the simple steps you can take to look after your mental health. That includes downloading a mind plan which can give guidance on coping with common issues such as feeling anxious or sleeping badly. Prince william is president of the fa, and ending the Stigma Around Mental Health struggles is a goal he has championed. He discussed it with high profile footballers for a special bbc programme in october. Through this campaign, he hopes to bring those passions together again and use football to start the largest ever conversation around mental health. Katy austin, bbc news. Time for a look at the weather. Heres ben rich. After what has been a gloomy start to 2020, today most of us get to see something a little brighter. This is how it looked in belfast earlier, sunny skies overhead and cloud rolling away east on the satellite picture. Some speckled shower clouds following from the north west but a decent amount of sunshine. We have been bringing in cold air and temperatures have been dropping away as the day has gone on. The coldest air across the far north of
scotland. For