Whether to cut Interest Rates from five percent. Hello, im martine croxall. We begin with the latest in the Middle East, following two days of explosions in lebanon. The united states says its involved in intensive diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict between Israel And Hezbollah escalating further. The comments come after explosions triggered in pagers and Walkie Talkies used by hezbollah killed at least 32 people and injured thousands. The leader of hezbollah, which some western states have designated a terrorist organisation, is expected to address the events in a speech later today. Israel hasnt confirmed it was behind the blasts, yet the Defence Minister Yoav gallant has said its opening a new phase in the war, with the centre of gravity shifting to the north. Our reporter simonjones has more. A funeral in Southern Lebanon is about to be interrupted. Explosion an explosion, injuring a hezbollah soldier, causing panic and fear. Screaming in beirut, another blast caused by a w
relations lawyer. also this afternoon. there were more excess deaths than usual in the uk last year. the highest number outside the covid pandemic in half a century. some shops open at midnight to meet demand for prince harry s heavily trailed autobiography, which is now on sale. and a setback, not a roadblock. the team behind a uk space mission which failed to launch say they will keep on trying. and this picture has been causing something of a stir on social media today, because someone or something is missing. we will be revealing all. good afternoon. in the last few minutes, the government has been introducing draft legislation to limit future industrial action in the public sector. the bill would cover health, fire and railway workers. ministers say it would introduce a minimum level of service. unions have reacted angrily to the proposals, which they say potentially are undemocratic and unworkable, and would limit the right to strike. the business secretary grant shapps
police in california are responding to a mass shooting during celebrations for the lunar new year in california. they say nine people have been killed. the shooting took place after 10 pm local time, around the location of a chinese new year celebration held in monterey park. tens of thousands of people had attended the festival earlier in the day. monterey park has a population of about 60,000 people and is home to a large asian community. jeong park is a reporter for la times and he joins us from monterey park. it s good to talk to you, thank you for taking the time, what more do we know at this point? goad for taking the time, what more do we know at this point? know at this point? good morning from monterey know at this point? good morning from monterey park, know at this point? good morning from monterey park, we - know at this point? good morning from monterey park, we know- know at this point? good morning| from monterey park, we knowjust know at this point? good