hello and welcome. i'm catherine byaruhanga. paris has welcome to the olympic games with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring sports legends, musical stars and a lot of excitement, in spite of the rain. the first major eye—catching moment of the night came via a controlled explosion on a bridge over the river seine. the ceremony was officially kicked off by football legend zinedine zidane on, helped france win the world cup in 1998. a prerecorded video showed him carrying the olympic torch through the streets of paris. he was not the

only star on show. emerging from behind a veil of ink feathers was lady gaga, the first musical act of the night. now that of athletes then sailed down the river seine. total of 85 boats paraded the teams on a six km journey through the centre of paris, with more than 300,000 spectators lining the banks of the river without relentless rain put a damper on the party. there were more pyrotechnics throughout the evening. the only torts was used to light a massive display of fireworks alongside the river. the day he got off to a difficult start after a several of the acts sabotaged of several of the acts sabotaged of several acts of sabotage on france's high—speed railway network —— the olympic torts was used. more now from our correspondent andrew harding.

something the attackers clearly understood. the impact immediately felt across northern france, passengers forced to abandon this train stuck on the outskirts of paris. and in the capital itself, confusion at the busiest railway station in europe. delays and cancellations piled up from early morning, prompting frustration and some anxiety. are you concerned about these attacks? i'm not happy about them. i don't... as long as that's it, i'm happy, but i am concerned, cos i've got the family, and i want to make sure that we get home safe and sound. i'm concerned that... i don't want to be here with my little one any longer than what i need to be.

footage here shows passengers being escorted off one train and taken across the tracks after getting stuck on the outskirts of paris. the french prime minister noted today's sabotage was no amateur effort. translation: what we can see is that this operation _ was planned and coordinated, that sensitive targets were chosen, which shows some knowledge of the rail network and where to strike it. among those in the queue at st pancras station in london, the parents of one british athlete playing in the women's rugby sevens. we checked on eurostar, and as far as we're concerned, we came up here, and we're prepared to wait for however long just to get out to paris, so, you know, that's the thing. in france, engineers are racing to fix the damage, replacing cables on the three affected lines. including this one heading from paris to the atlantic coast. it's

already easing the strain in the french capital. there are plenty of frustrated travellers here, but the good news is that, while the high—speed lines have been affected across france, the bulk of the rail network is still operating just fine and is trying to pick up the slack. progress, then, but this has been an alarming experience for a city anxiously hoping nothing else will go wrong this olympic summer. with much of the rail network in france disrupted by several arson attacks ahead of the olympic opening ceremony tonight, bbc verify have been assessing the damage. richard irvine—brown has more. here at bbc verify, we've been analysing the locations of where the train network in france has been attacked. based on our assessment, the three confirmed locations of vandalism are all close to key intersections of the rail network, which, if they were coordinated, were done so to maximise disruption.

what we're seeing is that the route into paris from the north, south, east and west seem to have been targeted. they include arras—choisille, which is around 160 miles north of paris, courtalain, which is around 120 miles south—west, and pagny—sur—moselle, approximately 270 miles east of paris. now, while we haven't seen any footage of the attacks themselves, we have seen images which show damaged cable lines and repair works taking place at least three known locations. this image, for example, is near choisille, which we've geolocated to exactly where the train line deviates between — here we go — the line north to lille and the eurostar route and north—west to loop in the city of arras. and this facebook photo posted by the local authorities near courtalain, which again we've geolocated to here, is yet another key intersection, right between the point where the main east—west line between paris and cities like rennes in the west and bordeaux in the southwest, across the north—south line, which takes in chartres.

now, this video shows emergency services at the scene less than three kilometres south of pagny—sur—moselle. yet again, it's another intersection between the line heading from east—west out to strasbourg, to metz in the north and nancy in the south. aside from what we've shown you, we've also been speaking to those who have been caught up in this disruption. diana perez, whose train out of paris was delayed, travelled for about five minutes and then sat still on the track for 2.5 hours with no electricity before passengers were led off the train. and collins onyewu, who travelled to france from lagos, nigeria, told us he got stuck in bordeaux — here's the station — by the disruption, had to pay 1,200 euros, just over £1,000 for a 600—kilometre taxi ride to paris with his family. while the sncf, the national company of the french railways, say they are slowly resuming high speed rail services and limited

travel is available to the west, the southwest and between paris, lille and strasbourg, they have warned that disruptions will last all weekend. in the meantime, we'll continue to monitor the situation here at bbc verify. let's show you some pictures we have coming in from let's show you some pictures we have coming infrom paris, and let's show you some pictures we have coming in from paris, and this is the opening ceremony, these are delayed pictures, just to warn you there might be some flashing images that you will see on your screen, so we understand the ceremony is still under way there in paris, injusta ceremony is still under way there in paris, in just a few moments, the expectation is that the olympic flame will officially be lit there in the city. the ceremony has been happening for several hours this evening, and as we mentioned, earlier, we had the regatta, this show, 85 boats sailing along the river seine earlier with different teams from around the world there in

paris, so these are some of the latest pictures we have coming in from paris. a warning that there are some flashing images there. the expectation is that any moment now, the olympic torch will be lit in paris, concluding that opening ceremony there for the paris olympics. as we mentioned, the ceremony was watched by more than 300,000 people earlier today, who were lined across the river seine. there was a performance earlier from the american superstar lady gaga, and of course she was the key performer tonight, ahead of the opening of the ceremony, and today's event were overshadowed by the arson attacks their inference, that pause —— their

inference, which caused trouble disruptions. our correspondent leigh milnerjoins us live from our london newsroom. we have been reporting on the trouble disruptions in france. what is the latest? it’s trouble disruptions in france. what is the latest?— is the latest? it's been a horrible da for is the latest? it's been a horrible day for thousands _ is the latest? it's been a horrible day for thousands of _ is the latest? it's been a horrible day for thousands of people - is the latest? it's been a horrible day for thousands of people in i day for thousands of people in london, trying to leave the uk to get to paris, but it's also affected millions of french people who were hoping perhaps to attend the opening ceremony this evening which, as we know, is well under way. ceremony this evening which, as we know, is well underway. instead ceremony this evening which, as we know, is well under way. instead we woke up to the news that three key high—speed lines to paris had been attacked, around 2500 people suddenly realise that they would not be on their way to paris. yes, they could get a refund, yes they could postpone it, but as we've already heard from our travel expert simon calder of the most of those trains had already been booked up this

weekend. i have tried to get in touch with your e—star, but the latest we have is that things in france have actually started to pick up, about two thirds of trains are running on the line from the north —— get in touch with eurostar. it includes most eurostar trains as well as trains from the netherlands and from belgium, as well as that, you have 80% of the normal trains on the west line, southwest to bordeaux and from strasbourg, there's also a full—service, they reckon, believe it or not, so great news for people wanting to catch the olympics over the weekend. for those of you who still are worrying about what to do if you're trains have been cancelled and you're thinking, perhaps i should take a flight instead, it would just pause on that thought, just for now, because as we've heard, there is a no—fly zone across northern france right now, so for people desperately trying to book a ticket, they can't, and won't be

able to until that no—fly zone ends at midnight tonight. also, would you believe, that prices for long—distance bus services are rising to £200? that's 250 dollars for a 12 hourjourney over night to paris, but i'm sure there we plenty of people willing to pay that price. leigh, thank you. that is the bbc�*s leigh, thank you. that is the bbc�*s leigh milner there and we will continue to keep an eye on that opening ceremony in paris and bring you the latest as soon it comes to a conclusion. the chief constable of greater manchester police has said he deeply regrets the shock and upset caused by an incident at the city's airport on tuesday. stephen watson says senior officers have been meeting community representatives to ensure their voices are heard, after videos emerged of a constable kicking and stamping on a man as he lay on the floor. earlier, the watchdog, the independent office for police conduct, said a constable was under a criminal investigation. this report from ed thomas contains violent scenes from the start.

chaos and violence, images now seen by millions of people, placing the conduct of greater manchester police under the spotlight. and today, brothers fahir and akhmed were told by the police watchdog, the iopc, that the police officer responsible for the kicks and stamps on them is being criminally investigated. we've got the statement from the iopc. it says, "we've served the police constable with a disciplinary notice, to inform him he's being investigated for potential gross misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of police professional standards, including his use of force." we still don't know what sparked this violence. we've only seen this mobile video, filmed by witnesses. police bodycam footage could show

what led up to this. that's now being examined by iopc investigators. last night, hundreds attended a protest outside the offices of the mayor of greater manchester. today, andy burnham says he met community partners in rochdale. people spoke of the family's appeal for calm. it was echoed in the room and i am today amplifying that message as loudly and clearly as i can. it's in everyone's interest that, from here, we proceed with things in a measured and a peaceful way. the brothers and two other people who were arrested here remain on bail. the iopc says it's hoping to interview the gmp officer involved under caution as soon as possible. ed thomas, bbc news, rochdale.

these are the latest pictures we have coming in from paris, the olympic ceremony there. we are expecting that the flame will be lit there in paris. let's take a listen. commentator: in the centre of paris, and some others further away, as we know, tahiti, but the city is going to these grid landmarks around this wonderful city, providing the stage for the athletes to compete upon. tony parker, the embodiment of success of french sport, basketball player, made his mark in the nba, a

league where no french player had yet managed to make their mark, he has become a bit of a legend stop for titles, several times and the fee in the finals and the first frenchman to be inducted into the nba hall of fame. he really did pave the way for an entire generation of basketball players in france. he was ashley born — basketball players in france. he was ashley born in _ basketball players in france. he was ashley born in belgium. _ basketball players in france. he was ashley born in belgium. -- - basketball players in france. he was ashley born in belgium. -- actuallyl ashley born in belgium. —— actually born. they may claim him! this ashley born in belgium. -- actually born. they may claim him! we are in the louvre. we moved into the final tableau. _ we are in the louvre. we moved into the final tableau. moved _ we are in the louvre. we moved into the final tableau. moved his - the finaltableau. moved his residence — the finaltableau. moved his

residence to _ versailles. one of the world's most decorated athletes _ versailles. one of the world's most decorated athletes at _ versailles. one of the world's most decorated athletes at the _ decorated athletes at the paralympics. decorated athletes at the paralympics— decorated athletes at the paralympics. decorated athletes at the paral mics. ,, ., paralympics. she has won nine titles. a true _ paralympics. she has won nine titles. a true leader _ paralympics. she has won nine titles. a true leader of - paralympics. she has won nine titles. a true leader of the - titles. a true leader of the paralympic movement. titles. a true leader of the paral mic movement. ,, , ~ ., paralympic movement. studio: we are auoin to paralympic movement. studio: we are going to step — paralympic movement. studio: we are going to step away _ paralympic movement. studio: we are going to step away from _ paralympic movement. studio: we are going to step away from the _ paralympic movement. studio: we are going to step away from the opening i going to step away from the opening ceremony there in paris, those are the latest pictures we have coming up, and of course we will bring you more on that as soon we have more or as soon as the flame is lit there. returning to that video in manchester... shabnam chaudhri is a former detective superintendent in the metropolitan police. she explained how the iopc came to that decision to launch that criminal investigation. well, i think that reasonable suspicion, obviously we have that already,

but i think that they feel that they have sufficient evidence now for this to be a criminal investigation. that means that they've looked at either all the footage, they've also taken into account interviews with various members of the public, and potentially, possibly, the officer himself who is now facing criminal charges. i have to be honest with you — that is super, super quick action by the iopc. it's not anything i've heard of where they've made that decision as quickly as they have. so i think that should be really welcome news by the local community, hopefully. i doubt that it's a question of the two are connected, more so the fact that i think there was some very strong evidence in the first instance, and therefore they may have prioritised that along with any other evidence—gathering before they made that ultimate decision. as ever, we have been keeping an eye

on the olympic ceremony, and our chief presenter maryam moshiri has been taking into night's ceremony from paris. over to you.— from paris. over to you. lovely to see ou from paris. over to you. lovely to see you stubby — from paris. over to you. lovely to see you stubby us, _ from paris. over to you. lovely to see you stubby us, i _ from paris. over to you. lovely to see you stubby us, i am _ from paris. over to you. lovely to see you stubby us, i am here - from paris. over to you. lovely to see you stubby us, i am here in l see you stubby us, i am here in a very, very damp, wet, prescient night. you may think that i wish i was where she is now, but please don't, it is extremely damp here. the organisers of the opening ceremony never really thought, when they are thinking about a july evening seven years ago, when paris was awarded the olympic games, never really thought it would be so wet and miserable, but the ceremony itself has been anything but miserable. it has been a celebration of all things french — french culture, french sport, french art and fashion but also global culture. it really has been something in my mind at least unifying, inclusive, as joyful as well, and mind at least unifying, inclusive, asjoyful as well, and given mind at least unifying, inclusive, as joyful as well, and given the damp conditions, given the fact that the audience, the 30,000 people are so lucky enough to get tickets had

to sit through it, it really was something i think that lifted the spirits. it's still happening, you can see it there on your screens right now. we have torchbearers, passing it from one person to the other, closer and closer to lighting the cauldron. i cannot tell you how it is going to be lit. there is always quite a wow factor when the cauldron is lit at the end of these ceremonies. it is the moments when the elliptic flame has been passed on from the last olympics, tokyo 2020, to the current ones, here in paris in 2024, but we know that earlier on we saw zinedine zidane, the famous french footballer taking the famous french footballer taking the torch with him onto the french subway, he then, that was a tape video recording, then it was passed on to various sporting heroes. we had rafael nadal, we had also among the mahrez know, a whole load of

people, serena williams, all different kinds of sporting heroes, taking the torch of the one by and closer to the cauldron —— amelie mauresmo. the same thing is happening. you have sporting legends taking the flame with them, step—by—step, towards the cauldron. a moment or so ago we saw them walking through the louvre, we saw them on a boat in the seine. this is incredible. it really is taking in all the big landmarks in paris. it's making the most of the back drop. so, now, we can see the athletes, in unison, walking with that famous flame, the flame that signifies the eternal light, the eternal warmth, inclusion and joy of the olympics. let's have a listen in. find inclusion and joy of the olympics. let's have a listen in.— inclusion and joy of the olympics. let's have a listen in. and now we aet a let's have a listen in. and now we get a first — let's have a listen in. and now we get a first look— let's have a listen in. and now we get a first look at this _ let's have a listen in. and now we

get a first look at this cauldron. i get a first look at this cauldron. paul. _ get a first look at this cauldron. paul. who — get a first look at this cauldron. paul, who won gold in london. at a fencer. _ paul, who won gold in london. at a fencer. first— paul, who won gold in london. at a fencer, first french _ paul, who won gold in london. at a fencer, first french on _ paul, who won gold in london. at a fencer, first french on the - paul, who won gold in london. at a fencer, first french on the camp- paul, who won gold in london. at a fencer, first french on the camp he| fencer, first french on the camp he and in _ fencer, first french on the camp he and in epee, — fencer, first french on the camp he and in epee, five _ fencer, first french on the camp he and in epee, five appearances - fencer, first french on the camp he and in epee, five appearances in i and in epee, five appearances in olympic— and in epee, five appearances in olympic games _ and in epee, five appearances in olympic games. in _ and in epee, five appearances in olympic games. in the - and in epee, five appearances in olympic games. in the oldest i and in epee, five appearances in i olympic games. in the oldest living french_ olympic games. in the oldest living french olympic— olympic games. in the oldest living french olympic champion, - olympic games. in the oldest living french olympic champion, cyclist, i french olympic champion, cyclist, a-e french olympic champion, cyclist, age100,— french olympic champion, cyclist, age100,0lyrnpic_ french olympic champion, cyclist, age 100, olympic cycling - french olympic champion, cyclist, l age 100, olympic cycling champion, in london _ age 100, olympic cycling champion, in london in — age 100, olympic cycling champion, in london in 1948. _ and...

and i think for the first time, we are getting — and i think for the first time, we are getting an_ and i think for the first time, we are getting an idea _ and i think for the first time, we are getting an idea of— and i think for the first time, we are getting an idea of the - and i think for the first time, we are getting an idea of the form i and i think for the first time, wel are getting an idea of the form of the olympic— are getting an idea of the form of the olympic flame, _ are getting an idea of the form of the olympic flame, the - are getting an idea of the form of the olympic flame, the elliptic. the olympic flame, the elliptic cauldron. — the olympic flame, the elliptic cauldron, whatever— the olympic flame, the elliptic cauldron, whatever you - the olympic flame, the elliptic cauldron, whatever you like . the olympic flame, the elliptic cauldron, whatever you like to| the olympic flame, the elliptic. cauldron, whatever you like to call it, cauldron, whatever you like to call it. how _ cauldron, whatever you like to call it. how the — cauldron, whatever you like to call it, how the olympic _ cauldron, whatever you like to call it, how the olympic flame - cauldron, whatever you like to call it, how the olympic flame is- cauldron, whatever you like to call| it, how the olympic flame is going to burn _ it, how the olympic flame is going to burn for— it, how the olympic flame is going to burn for these _ it, how the olympic flame is going to burn for these games _ it, how the olympic flame is going to burn for these games —— - it, how the olympic flame is going l to burn for these games —— olympic cauldron _ to burn for these games -- olympic cauldron. �* . . ., , . ~ cauldron. amazing ceremony. talked b a hot cauldron. amazing ceremony. talked by a hot air— cauldron. amazing ceremony. talked by a hot air balloon _ cauldron. amazing ceremony. talked by a hot air balloon rising _ cauldron. amazing ceremony. talked by a hot air balloon rising 30 - by a hot air balloon rising 30 metres— by a hot air balloon rising 30 metres into the air. applause lighting the flame, lighting this... we are _ lighting the flame, lighting this... we are watching _ lighting the flame, lighting this... we are watching now— lighting the flame, lighting this... we are watching now the - lighting the flame, lighting this... we are watching now the olympicl we are watching now the olympic flame being lit, at a great cheer coming out from the crowds and we

can listen in on our bbc colleagues who are commentating on this iconic moment. $5 who are commentating on this iconic moment. �* , ., ., , ., moment. as mentioned, attribute to two of the inventors _ moment. as mentioned, attribute to two of the inventors of _ moment. as mentioned, attribute to two of the inventors of the _ moment. as mentioned, attribute to two of the inventors of the gas - two of the inventors of the gas balloon, — two of the inventors of the gas balloon, who— two of the inventors of the gas balloon, who made _ two of the inventors of the gas balloon, who made a - two of the inventors of the gas balloon, who made a short - two of the inventors of the gas i balloon, who made a short flight from _ balloon, who made a short flight from here — balloon, who made a short flight from here in— balloon, who made a short flight from here in 1783, _ balloon, who made a short flight from here in 1783, not— balloon, who made a short flight from here in 1783, not long - balloon, who made a short flight from here in 1783, not long afterj from here in 1783, not long after the mongol— from here in 1783, not long after the mongol fee _ from here in 1783, not long after the mongol fee brothers- from here in 1783, not long after. the mongol fee brothers managed from here in 1783, not long after- the mongol fee brothers managed the first manned _ the mongol fee brothers managed the first manned flight _ the mongol fee brothers managed the first manned flight in— the mongol fee brothers managed the first manned flight in a _ the mongol fee brothers managed the first manned flight in a hot— the mongol fee brothers managed the first manned flight in a hot air- first manned flight in a hot air balloon — cheering applause

to the sounds of perhaps the greatest _ to the sounds of perhaps the greatest and celebrated love song, written _ greatest and celebrated love song, written and song lyrics by edith piaf. _ written and song lyrics by edith piaf. as— written and song lyrics by edith piaf, as the cauldron rises high above — piaf, as the cauldron rises high above the _ piaf, as the cauldron rises high above the parisian sky. # le ciel bleu sur nous peut s�*effondrer # et la terre peut bien s'ecrouler # peu m'importe si tu m'aimes

#je me fous du monde entier the inimitable voice of celine dion, and we had been talking about the possibility of celine singing this evening. she had been seen in paris, and there she is, the only pic rings have turned white, her dress is white, and a moment or two ago, we saw the flame rise above the city. what a moment. i've never seen an olympic cauldron lit in that way. it was incredible. # j'irais jusqu'au bout du monde # je me ferais teindre en blonde # si tu me le demandais j'irais decrocher la lune # j'irais voler la fortune

# si tu me le demandais #je renierais ma patrie # je renierais mes amis # si tu me le demandais # on peut bien rire de moi # je ferais n'importe quoi # si tu me le demandais the absolutely beautiful voice of celine dion they and moments like this really one forgets about everything that's come before, it's been a difficult day for the organisers, been tough with those attacks on the train lines around france. some people did not think they would be able to arrive, get here in time, budge looking at this and the reaction of the crowd, which we heard here in the bbc studio, was incredible, and this, definitely, marks the beginning of the 33rd

summer olympic games in paris. the eiffel tower — summer olympic games in paris. the eiffel tower isjust summer olympic games in paris. the eiffel tower is just sparkling, sparkling behind me as well, i can see it in the studios. # monamour, crois—tu qu'on s�*aime? cheering we are going to leave you... with the beautiful voice of celine dion, the beautiful voice of celine dion, the gorgeous city of paris and the beginning of the 33rd olympic games, paris 2024.

# dieu reunit ceux qui s'aiment. # cheering thank you, and thank you so much and thank you for your coverage throughout the day, and what a way to and that and to see that ceremony coming to an end there in paris. celine dion performing there. let's get some other news here in the uk. a metropolitan police officer who stole from a man who had collapsed and died in the street in london has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office. 51—year—old craig carter, from harlow in essex, took £115 from a wallet belonging to an italian film—maker who was in the capital attending a festival. carter will be

sentenced in september. the health secretary wes streeting says the regulator for nhs and care services in england is "not fit for purpose". he's promised urgent action to reform the care quality commission. he was reacting to the interim findings of an independent review of the coc which found significant failings. our health correspondent jim reed has the latest. from hospitals to gps surgeries and dentists to care homes, the coc is the organisation in england meant to regulate all these crucial parts of our lives. a new independent review out today, though, will say the whole system needs urgent reform, and the new health secretary agrees. there are brilliant people working throughout the nhs and social care, but what we can't do is pretend that there are also not enormous amounts of failure to be seen. and for that failure to be rotting at the heart of the coc is intolerable.

we will not tolerate it, we will take the action needed to deliver the radical reform that organisation needs. according to the government, the report will say a large backlog means one in five services have never been inspected by the coc. one nhs hospital has gone more than ten years since its last review. one inspector said they'd never visited a hospital before starting work, whilst some care home inspectors had never met a person with dementia. it's really important that the public have information for life—changing things, like deciding to go and live in a care home, or for the smaller things in terms of hospital procedures, which carry a lot of risk. you want to know that they're being managed safely. in the past, the history has been that sometimes, if you don't have this external scrutiny of health services, institutional culture is build—up and unacceptable practices get normalised. the cqc has been responsible for overseeing hospital trusts,

including east kent and shrewsbury, where a series of maternity scandals