Newshour

In a social media post earlier today, US President Donald Trump seemed to double down on claims his country would fight to control the territory of Gaza. He had also suggested recently at a press conference that Palestinians should leave the region and be taken in by neighbouring nations. We explore to what extent a US takeover of Gaza would be in violation of international law.

Also on the programme: A US immigration lawyer weighs in on whether President Trump can end birth-right citizenship, after the US leader tried to have the constitutional right rescinded; new findings on where Indo-European languages originated; and the launch of lab-grown meat for dogs in a world first.

(Photo: Demonstrators attend a protest against US President Donald Trump's plan to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, in front of the US consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, 6th February 2025. Credit: Umit Bektas/REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump has restated his plan for a US takeover of the Gaza Strip, after his idea was rejected by Palestinians and leaders around the world on Wednesday. Writing on social media, Trump said Gaza, "would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting." We speak to a former foreign minister of Jordan about the idea and an Israeli politician.

Also in the programme: European Union scientists say the world has just experienced the hottest January on record; and reggae legend Bob Marley's birthday. He would have been 80 today.

(Photo: The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US President Donald Trump during a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, 04 February 2025. Credit: Photo by Shawn Thew /POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

We hear from a resident of Gaza who gives her reaction to Donald Trump's announcement that he wants to take over Gaza and move out the 2m people living there while it's redeveloped; also on the programme, are President Trump's orders to shut down a federal agency and fire federal employees legal; and the legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath say they'll play their final concert in July. How influential were they?

(Picture: Palestinian children repair a portion of a building destroyed during the Israeli offensive in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza. Credit: Reuters/Hatem Khaled)

There's been international condemnation of plans by US President Donald Trump to seize control of Gaza. He said he wants the US to take a "long-term ownership position" and turn it into the "Riviera of the Middle East", while Palestinians could be resettled in other countries. We have reactions from a Palestinian representative in London and a former Israeli official.

Also in the programme: The spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims worldwide, the Aga Khan, has died in Portugal at the age of eighty- eight; and the new study which shows people usually feel their best in the mornings.

(Picture: US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the White House in Washington on 4th February, 2025. Credit: JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

China is retaliating against US tariffs by restricting exports on a group of rare metals crucial to defence and other industries.

Also, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is to meet with president Trump for talks in Washington later today.

And Spain's scientists search for solutions to a fungus that ravages valuable olive crops.

(Photo credit: REU)

Mexico will increase its efforts in combating drug trafficking. Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, says the US has agreed to take steps to limit the flow of guns south.

Also on the programme: the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is taking over the running of the US aid agency, saying he's determined to end its refusal to follow Mr Trump's agenda; and we meet the pub landlady who promised her customers a free drink every time her favourite football team scored a goal, only to see them win seven nil.

(Picture: Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum. Credit: Reuters / Cunha)

President Trump says he has spoken to Canada's prime minister about the sweeping tariffs he has imposed. He is also expected to speak Mexico's president. Both countries have said they will retaliate to US tariffs, though the White House has suggested a solution could yet be found. There are fears of the trade war widening, with Mr Trump threatening to target the EU. Global stock markets have fallen.

Also, our BBC team reaches the eastern hub of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as we try to unpick who is really in charge there.

And Beyonce's groundbreaking country album Cowboy Carter scoops up the top award at the Grammys.

(Photo: Donald Trump waves. Credit: EPA)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is en route to meet US president Donald Trump. He will be the first foreign leader to meet President Trump since his return to office. The meeting comes as the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues. However, negotiations on phase two are meant to start tomorrow except that negotiator Qatar says there are no clear plans to do so at the moment.

Also in the programme: The US warns Panama it must make immediate changes to what it calls the "influence and control" of China over the Panama canal; and we find out about the early years of the tech billionaire Bill Gates.

(FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress on July 24, 2024. REUTERS/Craig Hudson)

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is in Panama to meet its president and tour the canal. Mr Rubio's meeting with President Jose Raul Mulino has taken on urgency following President Trump’s stated determination to take back the canal, with military force if necessary.

Also on the programme: We look at how the US freeze on foreign aid has impacted HIV treatment in South Africa; and the storytellers of Marrakesh - spinning a yarn for a new record.

(Photo: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is received by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha. Credit: Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS)

The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on the US's three largest trading partners: Mexico, Canada and China. Canadian officials say twenty-five percent tariffs will come into force on Tuesday. We get the reactions on those import duties from former Mexican foreign Minister Jorge Castenada and Miles Yu, China advisor to former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Also on the programme: the BBC visits the Panama Canal ahead of a US Secretary of State visit and; the Taliban has taken over the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, one correspondent tells us what it was like to stay there.

Image: Trudeau speaks on U.S.-Canada relations in Toronto, January 31, 2025. (Credit: Cole Burston for Reuters).