paris on correspondent in london and paris on the impact of the disruption. the other main headlines this hour. former us president barack obama endorses kamala harris in the race for the white house. israeli prime minister bejamin netantyhu is to meet republican presidential nominee donald trump later. for the first time in nearly four years. and the leader of mexico's sinaloa cartel, one of the world's most powerful drug lords, is arrested in texas. hello. welcome to bbc news now. the countdown is on before the countdown is on before the the countdown is on before the paris the countdown is on before the paris olympics opening ceremony gets under way. but within a matter of hours, there have been a series of fires hitting french high—speed real lines. the transport minister has

condemned what has been described as coordinated, malicious attacks. the rail company sncf says some 800,000 customers will be affected, we disruption expected all weekend. eurostar is now encouraging passengers travelling from london st pancras to postpone travel if possible, with delays and cancellations to services between the uk and france. take a look at this. this is the scene live at montparnasse station in the south of france. and you can see there are plenty of gendarme outside the station. people milling around outside. —— gendarmes. delays across the country. today is the opening ceremony of the olympic games, many expected to travel from all over france and europe to get to the olympic games. it is a sustainable olympic games. it is a sustainable olympic games, a lot of people having and encouraged to take

trains. the mayor of a commune in north—central france has shed photographs with the bbc, take a look at these. this is an image which appears to show child wires which appears to show child wires which the mayor says were taken at a railway rain 88 miles from paris. you can see the lines have been charged slightly. speaking at a press conference earlier... speaking at a press conference earlier... the chief executive of the french rail network, sncf, said an investigation was in progress, but they didn't yet know who was responsible for the attacks. no, i don't know. i don't know. there is an inquiry running at the moment. so the police force are looking for the people who have committed this assault against the french network, so it's ongoing. i have no information, no specific information on that. with this wide scale disruption occurring just hours before the

opening ceremony of the paris 2020 file olympics, i spoke to the games executive director about whether he was worried about the delays —— 2024. what was worried about the delays —— 202a. what concerns he had. the 2024. what concerns he had. the organisers _ 2024. what concerns he had. the organisers and — 2024. what concerns he had. tue: organisers and i 2024. what concerns he had. tte: organisers and i say 2024. what concerns he had. "tte: organisers and i say organisers 2024. what concerns he had. tte: organisers and i say organisers at large, including the authorities, and for that matter, sncf, you have to prepare for different scenarios. what i see here is a very, very quick reaction. that gives me a lot of confidence. although at the same point, we have to feel for all those impacted by these delays. the train commute to paris will be much slower. people will arrive in paris. but a lot of people are impacted by these events. so it is a mixed feeling for all those going through very tough times. but also, the confidence that the organisers are really well—prepared for any kind of situation. and this is definitely one. �*

situation. and this is definitely one. ~ , ., situation. and this is definitely one. ~ ., . ,, one. are you in touch with the sncf orthe one. are you in touch with the sncf or the train — one. are you in touch with the sncf or the train operators _ one. are you in touch with the sncf or the train operators at _ one. are you in touch with the sncf or the train operators at the - or the train operators at the moment, is there any kind of communication between the ioc and the train operators? triat communication between the ioc and the train operators?— the train operators? not directly, but through _ the train operators? not directly, but through the _ the train operators? not directly, but through the organising - but through the organising committees, we have a superb relationship. so we are being kept appraised of the progress. the first thing we heard very quickly this morning as the works on the train tracks both east, west and north were very quick, with teams on board to make sure the traffic would resume. although at a slower pace. but yes, very quickly, we were informed and that is how it should be, they are the entry point for us. that was christophe dubi, executive director of the international olympic committee. we have also been hearing from the president of the international olympic committee, thomas bach. he says he has full faith in the authorities. trio.

thomas bach. he says he has full faith in the authorities.— faith in the authorities. no, i don't have — faith in the authorities. no, i don't have concern. - faith in the authorities. no, i don't have concern. we - faith in the authorities. no, i don't have concern. we havej faith in the authorities. no, i- don't have concern. we have full confidence in the french authorities, all the measures are being taken. and the french authorities are assisted by 180 other intelligence services around the world. not only by information, some them are even deploying their human resources. so we have good reasons to have full confidence. let's just bring you a statement now from eurostar. and they have said, i think, that eurostar trains, one in four will be cancelled today and over the weekend following arson attacks on the french railway network. that is coming in in the last few minutes. that is 20% of all

eurostar trains, 25% of all eurostar trains will be cancelled today. as i mentioned, it is an absolutely crucial day for travel to the olympics for many, many people trying to get to events for which they have tickets. let's speak to two of our correspondent. paris correspondent hugh schofield, who's at montparnasse station, in southern paris. and ashitha nagesh, who's at st pancras station, in central london. whether eurostar is based. let's cross to hugh and get an update. what more do we know about the disruption being caused around france and around paris and how much longer it is going to take to try and sort it out?— longer it is going to take to try and sort it out? well, it is severe, particularly _ and sort it out? well, it is severe, particularly here — and sort it out? well, it is severe, particularly here at _ and sort it out? well, it is severe, | particularly here at montparnasse. the western line, trains go from here to brittany and the south west. it has been very, very badly affected. there are no trains running on the tgv lines as of now and there is no prospect of the trains resuming for at least another

hour. there are still people arriving here you have not heard the news on the scene on the platform is one of misery. lots of people sitting around looking extremely groom just gone because the holidays had been disrupted. you have to remember this certainly is a big day for arrivals for the olympics. it is also probably an even bigger day for departures here and france. it is the start of the school holiday for a lot of people or the summer holiday for a lot of people. it is a day when tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands are on the move anyway and france to go to the holidays. and that has been totally wrecked for a number of people. but of course, the symbolism of it all is clear to everyone. i don't think anyone doubts this was arranged because it was on the morning of the olympic games. and it will affect people trying to get to the ceremony, but also more importantly for events over the weekend. how long it will last, it won't be ready or back up and running normally until monday. fibre optic cables

which are vitalfor until monday. fibre optic cables which are vital for ensuring signals are transmitted from one part of the line to the other to ensure safety, they have been badly damaged in these fires. they will have to be put back together manually one by one in each of the three spots where there have been arson attacks. then they will have to be tested. it will take a while before anything can happen. police have to examine the scene to make sure all possible clues had been recouped. so it is going to be a long process and people should be prepared for this not to be resolved imminently at all. �* ., ., , ., , ., all. and one more question before i let ou all. and one more question before i let you go- — all. and one more question before i let you go- the _ all. and one more question before i let you go. the french _ all. and one more question before i let you go. the french prosecutor's| let you go. the french prosecutor's office, the paris prosecutor's office, the paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into what they are calling deliberate damage calls —— caused to picnic sites and what call harm to fundamental national interest. it says it will investigate what it happened overnight.- says it will investigate what it hauened overniaht. ~ ., , happened overnight. well, of course. and that will — happened overnight. well, of course. and that will be — happened overnight. well, of course. and that will be an _

happened overnight. well, of course. and that will be an absolute - and that will be an absolute priority to find out who was behind this. it is absolutely routine what you just laid out. of course there is an investigation under way. but we can be sure that huge resources will be put into this come a suspicion, although i will not say more than that, there is deep conspiracy behind all of this. we don't know anything. the first line of inquiry, the first sign of suspicion will be the far—left or the far, far, far—left. the ultra left. it has done this sort of thing before. beyond that, questions will before. beyond that, questions will be asked about whether there was outside manipulation from foreign countries as well. i am not for a minute suggesting there is any proof of that all that is the case, but it will be a line of inquiry and russia undoubtedly is top of the list of countries that might have an interest in undertaking this kind of sabotage. that is a line of inquiry, i stress. i don't know anything more than that. certainly, it is what people have been looking into. thank ou ve

people have been looking into. thank you very much _ people have been looking into. thank you very much indeed. _ people have been looking into. thank you very much indeed. life _ people have been looking into. thank you very much indeed. life to - people have been looking into. thank you very much indeed. life to st pancras. talk to me about the latest. eurostar have come up with a statement that one in four trains will be cancelled. what is the situation there?— will be cancelled. what is the situation there? , . ., , situation there? yes, well, crowds and side are _ situation there? yes, well, crowds and side are starting _ situation there? yes, well, crowds and side are starting to _ situation there? yes, well, crowds and side are starting to form. - situation there? yes, well, crowds and side are starting to form. that is quite a long managed to queue going down the st pancras concourse. if you have been a side say pancras station, it has a long concourse running from one end to the other. —— if you have been inside st pancras. the queue being managed alongside the shops now. we have been spoke —— we have been speaking to people inside and spirits are quite high, people are not worried. they feel although they will hit delays on their way to paris, they are going to get there eventually. but now eurostar has said they are going to cancel one in four trains at least for the next few days. so this will likely be quite a blow to people's travel plans. earlier,

eurostar had already warned people try —— people planning to travel today they should cancel or postpone if possible. that is because the damage we heard about on the french side has hit lines running from the north of france down along the eurostar�*s normal route into paris. so as a result, they are having to redirect trains along what they called the classic route. and that is adding for the trains that are running about an hour and a half to journey time at least. but customer service agents are also on hand in the station trying to help people and keep spirits up. they are also giving people advice if they need to reschedule their plans or postpone their trips or cancel. and eurostar did earlier say that anyone who needs to cancel can do so free of charge and get a full refund. or if they need to modify bookings, they can also do that free of charge. tqm.

can also do that free of charge. 0k, thank ou can also do that free of charge. 0k, thank you very _ can also do that free of charge. 0k, thank you very much indeed for that. also thanks to hugh schofield, who was in paris. just to update you if you want to know more about what is happening with these delays, there is a qr code on your screen right now. you can click onto it and go to the live page which is being updated minute by minute with the latest travel information and news about these delays. you also sing live pictures from northern france of engineers trying to deal with the damage caused by these fires —— you are also seeing. away from train delays, let's talk about what is going to be happening here in a few hours. this will be the first and the big games opening ceremony held outside the stadium. people in paris are so excited about it. —— the first olympic games. this map is from french news website le monde starting from their seine starting in the east and finishing in the west by the eiffel tower, the heart of the french capital transformed

into a stadium and theatre running along the river seine. the traditional parade of athletes will take place in dozens of boats along the seine, passing the most iconic parisian landmarks on a six kilometre floating parade. the content and the detail of the ceremony remains very much under wraps. but the organisers have promised a show like no other. they say it will be daring and joyful. so things will be very different this year. but let's take a brief look at the ceremony is gone by. tokyo 2020 was a very different ceremony because of the covid pandemic. even further back to brazil in 2016. rio dejaneiro brought the carnival atmosphere to their opening ceremony. that was amazing. and who can forget london 2012? we were treated to the delights of the spice girls. and remember the queen? that stunt with 007 james bond. that was pretty iconic. volunteers are a crucial part of the games. there

will be 45,000 of them at the olympics and paralympic games. and one person who knows about what it takes to volunteer as a volunteer from the united states who first volunteered in the 1996 olympics in atlanta. ernie is with me. you have joined me in your busy schedule. you are very busy today volunteering. there are 45,000 of you. let's take you back to 1996. what got you into volunteering in olympics? just you back to 1996. what got you into volunteering in olympics?— volunteering in olympics? just the atmosphere _ volunteering in olympics? just the atmosphere of _ volunteering in olympics? just the atmosphere of being _ volunteering in olympics? just the atmosphere of being in _ volunteering in olympics? just the atmosphere of being in the - volunteering in olympics? just the i atmosphere of being in the olympics. and as a volunteer, i could be part of it and give something of myself. i had a great time. i got hooked on it and decided at that point that i would start doing them and i have done them all over the world since then. 50 done them all over the world since then, ., ., , done them all over the world since then. ., ., , ., ., then. so how does one do it? ifi want to volunteer, _ then. so how does one do it? ifi want to volunteer, how - then. so how does one do it? ifi want to volunteer, how do - then. so how does one do it? ifi want to volunteer, how do i - then. so how does one do it? ifi want to volunteer, how do i get l then. so how does one do it? if i i want to volunteer, how do i get on there? , , ., there? the next site will be for the winter olympics — there? the next site will be for the winter olympics and _ there? the next site will be for the winter olympics and you _ there? the next site will be for the winter olympics and you just - there? the next site will be for the | winter olympics and you just apply. there are things they look for. bilingual, different things like that. , that. cross your fingers you get selected. and _ that. cross your fingers you get selected. and you _

that. cross your fingers you get selected. and you pay - that. cross your fingers you get selected. and you pay for - that. cross your fingers you get selected. and you pay for all i that. cross your fingers you get l selected. and you pay for all your travel and accommodation, so you are 100% volunteering and getting nothing back other than the joy of taking part? t nothing back other than the 'oy of taking tami taking part? i am in a club called rotary and _ taking part? i am in a club called rotary and they _ taking part? i am in a club called rotary and they help _ taking part? i am in a club called rotary and they help me - taking part? i am in a club called rotary and they help me find - taking part? i am in a club called rotary and they help me find a i rotary and they help me find a rotary and they help me find a rotary host and i have one here. i had one in brazil and one in vancouver. so that really helps a lot. ., ., , lot. tell me a little about 'ust tell me a fi lot. tell me a little about 'ust tell me a little i lot. tell me a little about 'ust tell me a little bit * lot. tell me a little about 'ust tell me a little bit about h lot. tell me a little aboutjust tell me a little bit about your| tell me a little bit about your day—to—day activities for the olympics. day-to-day activities for the olympics-— day-to-day activities for the ol mics. , ., ., ~ olympics. this time, i am working protocol, which _ olympics. this time, i am working protocol, which will— olympics. this time, i am working protocol, which will be _ olympics. this time, i am working protocol, which will be mainly - protocol, which will be mainly working with the olympic family. in the past in rio, i helped with the interviews of the raiders in equestrian. in russia, iworked interviews of the raiders in equestrian. in russia, i worked for the interviews also.— equestrian. in russia, i worked for the interviews also. what languages do ou the interviews also. what languages do you speak? _ the interviews also. what languages do you speak? english. _ the interviews also. what languages do you speak? english. what - the interviews also. what languages do you speak? english. what about| do you speak? english. what about the bilingual— do you speak? english. what about the bilingual element _ do you speak? english. what about the bilingual element customer - do you speak? english. what about the bilingual element customer it l the bilingual element customer it helps to know some, i had some french in high school and college. —— the bilingual element? it seems to be english is the language used

at the olympics are most. t5 to be english is the language used at the olympics are most.- at the olympics are most. is this auoin to at the olympics are most. is this going to be _ at the olympics are most. is this going to be your— at the olympics are most. is this going to be your last _ at the olympics are most. is this going to be your last olympics i at the olympics are most. is this| going to be your last olympics or at the olympics are most. is this . going to be your last olympics or do you have it in you to go to la in 2028? i you have it in you to go to la in 2028? . , , , 2028? i always say this will be my last one. 2028? i always say this will be my last one- i — 2028? i always say this will be my last one- i am _ 2028? i always say this will be my last one. i am 72. _ 2028? i always say this will be my last one. i am 72. you _ 2028? i always say this will be my last one. i am 72. you are - 2028? i always say this will be my last one. i am 72. you are not - 2028? i always say this will be my last one. i am 72. you are not 72! | last one. i am 72. you are not 72! you look _ last one. i am 72. you are not 72! you look amazing. _ last one. i am 72. you are not 72! you look amazing. thank - last one. i am 72. you are not 72! you look amazing. thank you. - last one. i am 72. you are not 72! you look amazing. thank you. it i last one. i am 72. you are not 72!| you look amazing. thank you. it is the olympics! _ you look amazing. thank you. it is the olympics! yes, _ you look amazing. thank you. it is the olympics! yes, it _ you look amazing. thank you. it is the olympics! yes, it is _ you look amazing. thank you. it is the olympics! yes, it is the - you look amazing. thank you. it is the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. | the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. but i the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. ltut l have — the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. but i have the _ the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. but i have the winter— the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. but i have the winter coming - the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. but i have the winter coming up. | the olympics! yes, it is the spirit. but i have the winter coming up. i also do other things like the superbowl in america. i do other events. but i am getting to the point i have to stop playing golf or fishing or something. {suit point i have to stop playing golf or fishing or something.— fishing or something. golf is an ol mic fishing or something. golf is an olympic sport- _ fishing or something. golf is an olympic sport. you _ fishing or something. golf is an olympic sport. you could - fishing or something. golf is an l olympic sport. you could become fishing or something. golf is an - olympic sport. you could become the next olympic golf champion. t olympic sport. you could become the next olympic golf champion.- next olympic golf champion. i don't think so! what — next olympic golf champion. i don't think so! what is _ next olympic golf champion. i don't think so! what is it _ next olympic golf champion. i don't think so! what is it about _ next olympic golf champion. i don't think so! what is it about working i think so! what is it about working at the olympics — think so! what is it about working at the olympics that _ think so! what is it about working at the olympics that makes - think so! what is it about working at the olympics that makes you l think so! what is it about working - at the olympics that makes you come back every time?— back every time? people like you. wh , back every time? people like you. why. thank _ back every time? people like you. why. thank you! _ back every time? people like you. why. thank you! i— back every time? people like you. why, thank you! i have _ back every time? people like you. why, thank you! i have met - back every time? people like you. | why, thank you! i have met people from all over the world and i always have a tradition they come to my house and stay with me and experience things like thanksgiving oran experience things like thanksgiving or an event. i have friends all over the world now.—

or an event. i have friends all over the world now. whereabouts in the states are you _ the world now. whereabouts in the states are you from? _ the world now. whereabouts in the states are you from? i _ the world now. whereabouts in the states are you from? i say - the world now. whereabouts in the | states are you from? i say orlando. i am in orlando. you are taking me to disney world, see you in september. the tradition wrong is strong. thank you for speaking to me. —— the tradition runs strong. we spoke about the train delays and we had a clip of the executive director of the ioc christophe dubi. i also spoke to him about the legacy of the games and impact on local communities.— games and impact on local communities. ,.,, ,.,. games and impact on local communities. ,.,, . ., communities. the positive impact of these games — communities. the positive impact of these games probably _ communities. the positive impact of these games probably for _ communities. the positive impact of these games probably for the - these games probably for the communities to start, they were very smartly designed from the very beginning that we wouldn't build. but where we do, and olympic village, a swimming pool or a new arena, it has to be in the most disenfranchised communities. the jobs that we create in hospitality, cleaning and waste, security, also in the community. so really, the

games are designed for the hosts. for the context. and that was what we wanted when we came with our strategic board map ten years ago. the games have to adapt to the local conditions. and this is exactly what paris has been doing. so that is one powerful legacy. but the second thing that is immensely important is that we are in a society that won't wait ten years for the results to be felt. so all of these programmes, activities were delivered prior to the games. in delivering the goods before generates a lot of sympathy, a lot of support. and these games will be those ones where people do not have to wait for the opening ceremony, but the communities here around paris and in france by the way were involved for a very long time. that way were involved for a very long time. �* ., �* , way were involved for a very long time. �* ., �*, . ., , time. at tonight's ceremony we will of course see _

time. at tonight's ceremony we will of course see the _ time. at tonight's ceremony we will of course see the climax _ time. at tonight's ceremony we will of course see the climax of - time. at tonight's ceremony we will of course see the climax of the - of course see the climax of the ceremony, which is the lighting of the cauldron. always an iconic moment following that huge torch relay across france and its territory. i am relay across france and its territory. iam happy relay across france and its territory. i am happy to say i am joined by a torchbearer who kicked off the relay in paris, remy. what an experience to have, but why did they ask you to hold that torch to kick things off?— they ask you to hold that torch to kick things off? well, i have been for many years — kick things off? well, i have been for many years now _ kick things off? well, i have been for many years now working - kick things off? well, i have been for many years now working on i kick things off? well, i have been l for many years now working on the acceptance of the lgbtq rights in the sports and especially, i have created a gay football team in 2012 in the south of france. so as a kid, as a child, i was really stressed and in my closet playing football with the insults around the football court. i was playing with my brothers, my father was my coach, so it was a very difficult moment when i was young and ijust came out at the age of 25. so when i came out and i said, i don't want other

people to live that difficulty, so that's why i decided to create a safe place for football players. and we won the olympics. gay games in 2019 in paris. we we won the olympics. gay games in 2019 in paris-— 2019 in paris. we were in brazil in the final. you _ 2019 in paris. we were in brazil in the final. you beat _ 2019 in paris. we were in brazil in the final. you beat brazil, - 2019 in paris. we were in brazil in i the final. you beat brazil, amazing? that was an amazing experience. it must mean a lot to you, given the work you have done for the lgbtq pass community in sport, it must mean a lot to you to be asked to do this. it shows the ioc takes this seriously. yes, it shows that they take it seriously. but a few weeks ago, there is still a lot of problems in football. i think we still have a long way to go and a lot of mentalities to change, a lot of education to do. so i am hoping to be a part of that and i am going to be a part of that and i am going toa lot to be a part of that and i am going to a lot of sports during the olympics and i will be going with my lgbtq flag. so i am working on the visibility and i hope that people will be educated and less racing ——

less bullying people. [30 will be educated and less racing -- less bullying people.— less bullying people. do you think ol mics less bullying people. do you think olympics brings — less bullying people. do you think olympics brings about _ less bullying people. do you think olympics brings about inclusion . less bullying people. do you think. olympics brings about inclusion and acceptance and kindness? t olympics brings about inclusion and acceptance and kindness?— olympics brings about inclusion and acceptance and kindness? i have hope so. acceptance and kindness? i have hope so- yesterday. — acceptance and kindness? i have hope so- yesterday. l— acceptance and kindness? i have hope so. yesterday, i have _ acceptance and kindness? i have hope so. yesterday, i have to _ acceptance and kindness? i have hope so. yesterday, i have to say _ acceptance and kindness? i have hope so. yesterday, i have to say that - so. yesterday, i have to say that entering the field, they asked me to hide the flag. —— i hope so. thea;r hide the flag. -- i hope so. they asked you _ hide the flag. -- i hope so. they asked you to _ hide the flag. -- i hope so. they asked you to hide _ hide the flag. -- i hope so. they asked you to hide the _ hide the flag. —— i hope so. they asked you to hide the lgbtq flag. did you ask them why? thea;r asked you to hide the lgbtq flag. did you ask them why?— asked you to hide the lgbtq flag. did you ask them why? they said they 'ust acce -t did you ask them why? they said they just accept the — did you ask them why? they said they just accept the flags _ did you ask them why? they said they just accept the flags of _ did you ask them why? they said they just accept the flags of the _ did you ask them why? they said they just accept the flags of the teams - just accept the flags of the teams participating yesterday at the rugby competition. so i don't know. i was kind of disappointed and that is a question i wanted to ask you, if you know anything about it. if you have any information regarding the flags. are we not allowed to bring them inside? because i would think that is a shame. inside? because i would think that is a shame-— is a shame. remy, thank you for talkint is a shame. remy, thank you for talking to _ is a shame. remy, thank you for talking to us _ is a shame. remy, thank you for talking to us and _ is a shame. remy, thank you for talking to us and taking - is a shame. remy, thank you for talking to us and taking the - is a shame. remy, thank you for talking to us and taking the time j is a shame. remy, thank you for i talking to us and taking the time to speak to us. we will of course be covering all of the events running up covering all of the events running up to that opening ceremony today. let's take you back to the top story. the train delays being caused by what is suspected to be targeted

arson attacks across france. the latest lines are from the eurostar. they are saying they are cancelling 25% of all eurostar trains from london to paris today. we are also looking into exactly where these attacks happened. we can now say there have been attacks or arson attacks in various locations from at least three or four around paris, between paris and strasbourg, between paris and strasbourg, between paris and lille and between paris and bordeaux. we will always have more information on this developing story on the bbc website and news app from wherever you are in the world. i'll be back throughout the day bringing you the latest lines from paris as we look ahead to the opening ceremony of the 33rd summer olympics. back to you in the studio. thank you very much. let's bring you some other news now. former us president barack obama has endorsed the vice president, kamala harris, in the race

for the white house. in a video message, mr obama and his wife, michelle, said they would do everything to get her into the oval office. kamala! hello. hi! hey there! oh, hi, you're both together! oh, it's good to hear you both. i can't have this phone call without saying to my girl, i kamala, i am proud of you. this is going to be historic. we called to say michelle and i couldn't be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the oval office. oh, my goodness. michelle, barack, this means so much to me. i am looking forward to doing this with the two of you, doug and i both, and getting out there, being on the road. but most of all, i just want to tell you that the words you have spoken and the friendship that you have given over all these years mean more than i can express, so thank you, both. it means so much. and we're going to have some fun

with this too, aren't we? for more on, let's speak now to cbs news correspondent, jarred hill. lots of people have been wondering prior to this why the obamas had not endorsed kamala harris. now that they have, how significant is this? it is yet to be seen because all of this is going to be the question of donor money as well as what kind of votes this potentially could bring down the road. we do note that this is something that is relatively large moment because the obamas are two of the most popular democrats in the united states at this point and now the one of them is in office, so having that backing is just another step of approval —— stamp of approval. continued stamps of approval. continued stamps of approvalfrom democrats approval. continued stamps of approval from democrats and approval. continued stamps of approvalfrom democrats and labour organisations in the united states as vice president kamala harris really starts to round out the first week of her candidacy for the democratic nomination. thank you very much- — democratic nomination. thank you very much- let _ democratic nomination. thank you

very much. let me _ democratic nomination. thank you very much. let me just _ democratic nomination. thank you very much. let me just remind - democratic nomination. thank you | very much. let me just remind you democratic nomination. thank you i very much. let me just remind you if very much. let mejust remind you if you want to keep up—to—date with the impacts of those arson attacks in paris and the french rail network, you can look at our live page on bbc news. that will keep you up—to—date. there is a map at the top of the story showing you where those arson attacks were. some were successful and a foiled attack as well. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. while some of us stay dry and sunny this friday, for others, there have been a few downpours already, some more to come through today. and then other areas will see the showers tomorrow. but the overall trend over the next five days, things become drier, sunnier and also warmer. now, the view from space earlier in the day shows that this is cloud from yesterday, but that's affecting northern france — that's crucial later. this is the clump of

cloud which will affect us through tomorrow. but in—between, a lot of clear skies around to begin with. we've seen the shower clouds build up, but in—between the shower clouds, some sunshine. showers most frequent through parts of scotland, northern ireland and maybe less so in northern england. but the showers in scotland could become heavy and thundery in the north—east later. away from northern england, midlands, southern england and wales, very few showers, many stay dry. and whilst we've got a slightly fresher feel out there with the westerly breeze, it's still going to feel pleasant enough in those sunnier moments. 17—24 celsius, a little bit down for some north—western areas on where you want this stage injuly. i mentioned the cloud over france. thickens up later, as we head in towards the evening. crucial, of course, because it's the olympics opening ceremony. and never mind lady gaga or celine dion — a greater chance of some heavier rain arriving as we go through the ceremony and into the first part of the night. for us, though, actually, many showers fade this evening and into the first part of the night, before returning across parts of southern scotland, northern england and later into ireland — that clump of cloud, i showed you on the satellite imagery.

where you've got the clear skies, temperatures down a little bit on last night, into single figures in some rural areas. but where it's coolest, the best of the sunhine to start the morning. a bit more cloud in northern england, southern scotland, outbreaks of rain in ireland pushing away, so northern ireland will have a drier, brighter day. western scotland will compared with today. but eastern scotland, northern england, wales and the south—west, a greater chance of some showers through tomorrow. parts of the south—east midlands, east anglia, south—east and channel islands staying dry throughout, and temperatures just up a little bit. and with high pressure then building in through the rest of the weekend into the start of next week, there will be more in the way of sunshine, but we start to bring in a bit more warmth from the south. on sunday, it will feel warmer, after a slightly fresh start, mist and low cloud in the west breaking up. lots of sunshine for many into the afternoon, strong sunshine at that, and temperatures more widely into the 20s, maybe 25, 26 in the south—east of england. could get 30 degrees here by tuesday, but across the uk, many will be dry into the start of next week and feeling very warm in the sunshine too. take care.

this is bbc news. france's high—speed rail work has been sabotaged in a coordinated attack.

the north of ethiopian is facing a humanitarian crisis. new research by schoolchildren in england are using vapours that have been laced with the dangerous drug spice without their knowledge. we speak to the professor who carried out the study. let's pick up on the news coming out of france today. a series of fires has set french high—speed rail lines just before that ceremony. the rail company sncf says it is a massive attack aimed at paralysing the network and france's transport minister has condemned the coordinated malicious acts. the rail firm says some 800,000 customers will be affected with disruption expected all weekend. we can show

you some live pictures from the