Good evening. Israel has declared an area around its border with Lebanon A Closed Military Zone and has told the united states that its going to launch a limited Ground Operation against hezbollah. Earlier today, the Deputy Leader of the iranian backed Military Group said they were ready to face israeli soldiers. President biden has called for an immediate ceasefire, a view echoed again tonight in the uk by foreign Secretary David Lammy. Israeli tanks have been massing close to the lebanese border and israelS Top general has told troops to prepare to operate inside hezbollah strongholds. Tonight, well be looking at how challenging a Ground Offensive could be and how iran and the us may react. Our senior international Correspondent Orla Guerin will be reporting from here in beirut, but first tonight, lets join Lucy Williamson on the israeli side of the israel lebanon border. Tonight Israels Army has sealed off several areas towards the eastern end of the border, not farfrom where we are
Senior international correspondent has the latest from beirut. Israel waging war from the air in Southern Lebanon today. But there are growing signals that its planning a ground war, perhaps within hours. In beirut, israel has struck near the heart of the city, killing three palestinian militant leaders in this Apartment Block overnight. This attack marks a new moment. Were in the centre of the city here. The area is densely populated. Usually, these streets are full. Theres a major university just around the corner. The War Isnt confined to the hezbollah suburbs now, its right here and all the signs point to escalation. Hezbollah said today there could be a long war, in its first public address since israel killed its leader, hassan nasrallah, on friday. The armed Groups Number two, sheikh naim qassem, said hezbollah i pulled my cousin, his brother and his Sister In Law from the rubble, says mahmoud barakat. He asks god to bring destruction on israel. There was funeral after funeral t
it s wednesday, 31st january. our main story. scotland s former first minister, nicola sturgeon is due to give evidence about the decisions she took during the pandemic, when she appears before the covid inquiry today. ms sturgeon, who led the scottish response to the coronavirus outbreak is expected to face questions surrounding lockdowns, and missing whatsapp messages as the inquiry continues sitting in edinburgh. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon reports. 1,044 positive cases were reported yesterday. nicola sturgeon was at the helm throughout scotland s pandemic response. as head of the scottish government, she was the key decision maker and first in the firing line when things went wrong. we will have made mistakes on all aspects of the handling. now about to be questioned on that handling and how decisions the truth, the whole truth. the former first minister s closest political ally amongst those who admitted texts between the pair no longer exist. are those t
for centuries, potters in staffordshire have been making ceramics for royal events and with just a month to go until the king s coronation, they are getting ready to mark the event in style. they certainly are. from tankards and trinket boxes, to commemorative mugs and even gifts fit for a king, the region has been producing some of the most magnificent souvenirs. it appears roger has quite a few of them! our reporter liz copper has more. the company was started by my father, we have been in business for 75 years nearly. we mainly produce china because china plates, commemorative ware for celebrations. it s a special occasion and it s an honour and a privilege to do something for the coronation and for the king. and it is a souvenir, something to keep forever, really. i m john french, i ve been a ceramic craftsman for nearly 40 years. - i decided to make for the coronation a piece that incorporates all the skills i ve usedl over the last 40 years. the picture here that i
hello, i m frankie mccamley. a number of people have been have been arrested at one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, the grand national. a number of protesters made their way onto the track at antrie their way onto the track at aintree which had delayed the race. as you can see from these images the protesters got right onto the course. animal rights activists had warned they would try to disrupt the world famous race. a large number of police had been deployed to the raceground and they went onto the course to remove the protesters. the start of the race was delayed for m minutes whilst the protesters were cleared from track. the race eventually went ahead and was won by corach rambler ridden by the jockey derek fox. our correspondent sharon barbour has been following the developments in aintree. she s been speaking to protesters to get their perspective on the afternoon s activity. people cut through the defences to get onto the track. you 500 million peop