she was a bum three weeks ago. she was a bum three weeks ago. she was a bum. a failed vice president and a failed administration. and rain and cooler temperatures bring some relief for firefighters battling wildfires in the canadian town of jasper. hello. i'm nicky schiller. we start where else but in paris and the olympics. the games opened in spectacular style with a stunning display of french culture, architecture, and heritage in the first opening ceremony staged outside rather than inside a stadium. 6,800 athletes from 205 delegations travelled on 85 boats and barges down the river seine past some of the french capital's most famous landmarks with bridges and riverbanks used as catwalks.

there was heavy rain but it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. there were surprise performances throughout. a pink—feathered lady gaga and the french—malian singer aya nakamura performed alongside teams of dancers high—kicking the cancan or perching perilously on poles. the olympic flame, which had been carried by a host of global sports superstars including rafael nadal, serena williams and zinedine zidane, was used to light a huge cauldron on a hot—air balloon that rose high into the paris sky. the culmination of the show included an emotional return of canadian icon celine dion — her first live performance for four years. she sang on a spectacularly illuminated eiffel tower for the first time since revealing a serious health condition. for rights reasons, we can't show any of celine�*s performance or the opening ceremony, but my colleague maryam moshiri watched in paris.

what a culmination, what an end to what has been at times a difficult day for the organisers of the paris olympics and, indeed, the ceremony. the day started with those train delays, with those attacks on various train lines around france, but it ended with a real bang. the opening ceremony was promised to be a joyful event, an event that would be beautiful theatre in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it really did deliver. we had the french celebrating their culture, their art, theirfashion, their music, but also celebrating a global sense of unity, a global sense of belonging together, and that really is what the olympics are about. the flame, well, that was also an amazing addition to the ceremony. it was lit on a hot air balloon, which then and flew up into the sky, and is now hovering over the paris skyline. you can still see the eiffel

tower is beautifully sparkling and lit behind me. the ceremony has been something to behold and it ended with an icon on an icon — celine dion, singing the most beautiful hymne a l�*amour, on the first floor of the eiffel tower. everyone went crazy. you could hear the screaming crowd from here in the bbc studio. it was immense. it has been a successful opening ceremony, and they really needed this, the french, given the difficulties earlier in the day. now, all that awaits for us is three weeks of amazing sport from paris, and i will be bringing it all to you, as well as the stories behind the sport, throughout the next few weeks here on bbc news. we'll get the first gold medals of the games handed out later, including in diving, fencing, road cycling, shooting, skateboarding and swimming. the games wouldn't be able to go ahead without an army of volunteers. let's go live to paris and speak to one of those, karolyn gaston, who previously

also volunteered at the london 2012 and rio 2016 games. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. first of all — what is the atmosphere like they're in paris? it what is the atmosphere like they're in paris?— they're in paris? it is absolutely _ they're in paris? it is absolutely amazing. | they're in paris? it is- absolutely amazing. you can still feel a bit of tension in the air, but after the opening ceremony last night, things are about to take off. we are awaiting to deliver the games to the world.— to the world. what was the o enin: to the world. what was the opening ceremony - to the world. what was the opening ceremony like - to the world. what was the opening ceremony like lasti opening ceremony like last night? we saw some of the pictures. it did look spectacular, if a little wet. it was a bit wet. i was not personally involved with the opening ceremony but i know some volunteers that were that i was living the dream. it was a life changing experience for many. a life changing experience for man . ., ., ., ., many. how do you get to go about being — many. how do you get to go about being a _ many. how do you get to go about being a volunteer - many. how do you get to go about being a volunteer and i about being a volunteer and what does it involve? i applied

about two _ what does it involve? i applied about two months _ what does it involve? i applied about two months ago - what does it involve? i applied about two months ago to - what does it involve? i applied about two months ago to be i what does it involve? i applied about two months ago to be a | about two months ago to be a volunteer just like 350,000 others around the world for 45,000 others around the world for a5,000 places. there is no guarantee, whether you have experience or no experience. it is the luck of the draw, i would say. you apply and you just go through the process and then i found out in november 2023 that i had a role, so i am working in the media operations area for the rugby sevens and then i will be starting in athletics.— then i will be starting in athletics. ,, ., ., . , athletics. so, the athletics will be amazing _ athletics. so, the athletics will be amazing and - athletics. so, the athletics will be amazing and we - athletics. so, the athletics l will be amazing and we have athletics. so, the athletics - will be amazing and we have the rugby sevens today. what exactly does it involve doing? well, i can't talk about it too much because of the area i am working in but it is a lot of long hours. it is worth every single second of your time and every day that you spend getting here as a volunteer. and you have done it before. how does this 0lympics compare to the ones that you did in

london and rio?— to the ones that you did in london and rio? . , ., london and rio? finally enough, i was talking _ london and rio? finally enough, i was talking to _ london and rio? finally enough, i was talking to a _ london and rio? finally enough, i was talking to a few— london and rio? finally enough, i was talking to a few other - i was talking to a few other volunteers the other night and everyone is a bit different and experiences it differently. paris is just exciting and i am probably a bit more excited about paris. london 2012 was a game changerfor me about paris. london 2012 was a game changer for me for personal reasons. rio was absolutely stunning and amazing as well. so, every single one brings that different unique experience, and paris isjust — i mean, it is amazing. experience, and paris is 'ust - i mean, it is amazingh i mean, it is amazing. you mentioned _ i mean, it is amazing. you mentioned that _ i mean, it is amazing. you mentioned that you - i mean, it is amazing. you mentioned that you have i i mean, it is amazing. you mentioned that you have been talking to others. does that mean that some volunteers like yourself have done more than one games?— yourself have done more than one games? ., , ._ one games? somehow. yesterday evenina one games? somehow. yesterday evenin: i one games? somehow. yesterday evening i was _ one games? somehow. yesterday evening i was talking _ one games? somehow. yesterday evening i was talking to _ one games? somehow. yesterday evening i was talking to a - evening i was talking to a 19—year—old — bless him — and it is his first experience and that was lovely to see. the atmosphere is electric, particularly from the volunteers who have not done it before. forthose volunteers who have not done it before. for those who have done it before, you just get a different experience every time you do this.

different experience every time you do thia— you do this. karolyn gaston, have an amazing _ you do this. karolyn gaston, have an amazing day. - you do this. karolyn gaston, have an amazing day. thank| you do this. karolyn gaston, - have an amazing day. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. thank you. the french authorities say rail travel is likely to remain disrupted during saturday, a day after sabotage attacks on the rail network coinciding with the start of the paris games. signal boxes and fibre—optic cables on the high—speed rail system were vandalised, causing fires, and around 800,000 passengers are expected to see theirjourneys affected this weekend — including on eurostar — where one in four services between london and paris were cancelled. the police are hunting for those involved, including a group seen running away from a thwarted sabotage attempt south of the capital. french engineers gathered beside one of the sabotaged railways. this is north of paris, on the high—speed line heading to london. the french system relies on these sensitive fibre—optic cables, something the attackers clearly understood when they set fire to three separate sites in a coordinated attack. 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 gare du nord, 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. as long as that's it, i'm happy, but i am concerned, because i've got the family, and i want to make sure 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. paris is already on high alert, amid concerns about potential russian cyber attacks, and actions by violent islamist groups. the french prime minister noted that 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 stuck in a queue at st pancras station in london, the parents of one 0lympic 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. we just want to get out to paris, that's the thing. in france, engineers are still racing to fix the damage, replacing cables on three affected lines, including this one, heading due west 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

0lympic summer. and a reminder — you can follow the olympics in paris across the bbc. right now online you can find some of the spectacular photos from the opening ceremony if you missed it. throughout the games, we will, of course, have all the results and action. check out the bbc news website or app for the latest. to the united states now. donald trump has launched a scathing attack on of kamala harris at a christian conservative political conference amid signs that the race for the white house is tightening. in a vitriolic, hour—long address to the believers' summit in florida, mr trump described his likely opponent in november's election as a radical liberal and a bum, and mocked the pronunciation of her name.

she was a bum three weeks ago. she was a bum three weeks ago. she was a bum. a failed vice president and a failed administration with millions of people crossing where the borders are. so, now we have a new candidate to defeat the most incompetent, unpopular and far left vice president in american history. that is what she is — the most incompetent but certainly the most far left. , , , . ~' but certainly the most far left. , ,, .,~ ., but certainly the most far left. ., left. lets speak to david willis in _ left. lets speak to david willis in washington - left. lets speak to david willis in washington for| left. lets speak to david i willis in washington for us. this is an indication on how donald trump is going to attack kamala harris and try and rally his face? , . ~ his face? very much so. an hour-long _ his face? very much so. an hour-long address - his face? very much so. an hour-long address to - his face? very much so. an hour-long address to the l hour—long address to the christian convention in palm beach, florida, and we had some of the mud slung by donald trump, calling kamala harris a bum, trump, calling kamala harris a burn, the most far left vice president in american history

and he also attacked a record on immigration, saying her policies and those ofjoe biden had led to millions of people entering the country illegally. it is amazing to think that just a week ago donald trump was basking in the adulation of republican party members who had conferred on him their presidential nomination for the elections in november, and now he finds himself battling against a much younger, more energetic candidate in kamala harris, and somebody who is doing quite well in the opinion polls as well. the latest polls show that they are basically neck and neck, the two candidates, and that kamala harris has gained some of the territory lost, as far as opinion polls are concerned, to joe biden. there is a two point difference between the candidates, according to that

poll in the wall street journal, in donald trump's favour, but obviously some way to go. 100 days and a little bit, but this election campaign is really heating up now.- is really heating up now. and, david, it does _ is really heating up now. and, david, it does matter, - is really heating up now. and, david, it does matter, those l david, it does matter, those polls across the country, but in particular it is those key swing states where we have to really look at the difference between the two candidates and how they are going down, particularly, say, amongst black, latina, younger voters and in donald trump's case, those christian voters he was talking to at that conference. you are absolutely right. it is significant that kamala harris is due to be in the vital swing state of pennsylvania this weekend. incidentally, donald trump has announced plans as well to return there to the town of butler where he narrowly survived that assassination attempt. no date has been given for that gathering with he said will be to honour the firefighter who

died and the two other supporters who were injured in that attack. but it is the black, latino and youth votes that both of these candidates are going for and it is interesting that this poll in the wall streetjournal shows kamala harris doing particularly well amongst those groups of voters.— groups of voters. david willis in washington, _ groups of voters. david willis in washington, thank - groups of voters. david willis in washington, thank you. i this comes as the former us president barack 0bama and his wife michelle have endorsed vice—president kamala harris to be the democratic presidential nominee. it ended days of speculation over whether she'd gain their support. they said in a phone call they'd do everything they could to help her win. with more, here's our north america editor sarah smith. everywhere he goes in america, prime minister netanyahu is met with protests against the war in gaza. "convicted felon invites a war criminal" reads one sign, as he heads to meet donald trump in florida. the greatest dinner i've ever had.

their falling out seems to be forgotten. donald trump was reported to be furious when mr netanyahu congratulated joe biden for winning in 2020, when mr trump was falsely claiming he had not lost. now he thinks it's good politics to be seen supporting the prime minister as much as possible, and attacking what kamala harris had to say about israel. i think her remarks were disrespectful. they weren't very nice, pertaining to israel. i actually don't know how a person who isjewish can vote for her. for her first steps onto the world stage as the likely presidential candidate, kamala harris looked very uncomfortable with such a controversial leader. this symbolises the blood of palestine! many pro—palestinian protesters said joe biden's support for israel's war in gaza had lost him their votes. kamala harris wants to win them back with a subtly different policy, stressing empathy for the civilian victims in gaza. we cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. we cannot allow ourselves to become

numb to the suffering, and i will not be silent. kamala? hi! her campaign got a boost with a personal endorsement from barack and michelle 0bama — curiously, the last key senior democrats to get behind her. michelle obama: my girll kamala, i am proud of you. this is going to be historic. and it's hardly theirfault that this video is so cringe. barack obama: 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. but not quite as cringey as the attempts from jd vance, donald trump's running mate, to explain away his criticism of childless cat ladies with an apology... ..to cats. obviously, it was a sarcastic comment. i've got nothing against cats, i've got nothing against dogs. i've got one dog at home and i love him, megyn. but, look, people are focusing so much on the sarcasm and not on the substance of what i actually said, and the substance of what i said, megyn, i'm sorry, it's true.

ms harris has had a good start this week, with enthusiastic crowds and record fundraising. but she has got a lot to do before an election that's just over 100 days away. sarah smith reporting. to venezuela now where people are gearing up for a pivotal presidential election on sunday. president nicolas maduro, who's been in office since 2013, is seeking a third consecutive term. he is trailing in the polls and has told voters they have a choice between war and peace and warned of a bloodbath if he loses. the opposition candidate edmundo gonzalez is leading most opinion polls, but fears the vote won't be free and fair. he says it's time to re—establish democracy and prosperity in the country after a quarter of a century of socialist rule. panama, meanwhile, has accused venezuela of blocking a flight carrying former latin american leaders to observe the election on sunday. the panamanian president said venezuela allowed the flight to go ahead only after

the former leaders agreed to get off the plane. let's speak now to iria puyosa, senior research fellow with the democracy tech initiative at the atlantic council in washington. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. this could as we said be a pivotal vote, couldn't it? yes, it will. as you say, most people agree that edmundo gonzalez is leaving and he will likely win with a huge difference of probably 20—30%, depending on the turnout. but the question is whether president nicolas maduro will recognise defeat immediately and a process, or he will cling to power. that is the issue which is still waiting for

resolution after tomorrow's voting day. resolution after tomorrow's voting day-— voting day. the opposition candidate _ voting day. the opposition candidate edmundo - voting day. the opposition i candidate edmundo gonzalez voting day. the opposition - candidate edmundo gonzalez is ahead in the opinion polls that he says he fears the vote will not be free and fair. do you believe those fears are founded?— believe those fears are founded? , ., founded? yes. the environment is very restrictive. _ founded? yes. the environment is very restrictive. there - founded? yes. the environment is very restrictive. there is - is very restrictive. there is persecution against the opposition leader, most independent media with fact checking and human rights defenders are under attack. so, the government has technical capacity, police capacity and communications and they have been using that to prosecute

the opposition, journalists and human rights defenders. this is the contest as the elections are taking place, but besides that, there is a very good chance of going to war against the regime. chance of going to war against the regime-— chance of going to war against the reaime. . ~' ,, , . the regime. thank you very much for “oinint the regime. thank you very much forjoining us— the regime. thank you very much forjoining us on _ the regime. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc— the regime. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. - forjoining us on bbc news. appreciate your time. a greater manchester police constable is under criminal investigation for assault after a video emerged of a man being kicked and stamped on as he lay on the floor at manchester airport. the announcement came from the independent office for police conduct. this report from ed thomas contains violent scenes from the start. shouting for the first time the police officer at the centre of the chaos and violence has been told he is facing a criminal investigation not only for the kicks and stamps... ..but also for his use of pava spray. screaming brothers fahir and amaad, seen

here showing their injuries, have been told by the police watchdog the iopc that the officer who kicked and stamped on them is being investigated for assault. we have got the statement from the iopc and it says, "we have served the police constable "with the disciplinary notice to inform him "he is being investigated for potential gross misconduct "for a number of alleged breaches "of police professional standards, "including his use of force." we understand the brothers were at the airport to meet a relative. police say they arrived here after reports of an assault but we still don't know what sparked this violence. we have only seen this mobile video filmed by witnesses. police bodycam footage which could show what led up to this is being examined by the iopc investigators. on thursday, hundreds attended

a protest outside the offices of the mayor of greater manchester who oversees gmp. andy burnham called for calm. it is clear your voices have been heard because what is now moving forward is a process of investigation that clearly is rigorous and is going to be conducted as swiftly as it can, but critically, it's got to be fair to all sides. the brothers and two other men arrested here remain on bail while the chief constable of greater manchester police said he profoundly regretted the shock and upset this has caused. rain and cooler temperatures have brought some relief for firefighters battling wildfires in the historic canadian town of jasper. entire streets have been affected by the blaze, with homes turned to rubble. officials say the full extent of the damage is not yet known. no deaths or injuries have been reported. our correspondent will vernon has more.

as far back as you can see... in the town of jasper, entire streets have been consumed by fire. homes, businesses reduced to smouldering ruins. officials say around one third of the town has been destroyed. this is an area famous for its tourism, visited by millions of people each year. we tourism, visited by millions of people each year.— tourism, visited by millions of people each year. we share the sense of loss _ people each year. we share the sense of loss with _ people each year. we share the sense of loss with all— people each year. we share the sense of loss with all of - people each year. we share the sense of loss with all of those l sense of loss with all of those who live in the town, who care for it, and who have helped build it. .y , . , build it. emergency services evacuated — build it. emergency services evacuated the _ build it. emergency services evacuated the town - build it. emergency services evacuated the town quickly, j evacuated the town quickly, which officials say save lives. 20,000 tourists and 5000 residents of sought refuge in neighbouring areas. kind residents of sought refuge in neighbouring areas.- neighbouring areas. kind of frustrated, _ neighbouring areas. kind of frustrated, for _ neighbouring areas. kind of frustrated, for sure, - neighbouring areas. kind of frustrated, for sure, by - neighbouring areas. kind of| frustrated, for sure, by lack of communication or communication that we did get not being accurate, but — i don't know — i am just trying

not to stress. don't know - i am 'ust trying not to stress.— not to stress. buyers also burned in — not to stress. buyers also burned in british - not to stress. buyers also l burned in british columbia. not to stress. buyers also - burned in british columbia. in this video earlier in the week, you can see the scale of the inferno. tens of thousands of acres of land destroyed in an area renowned for its natural beauty. back injasper, rain and cooler temperatures over the past 2a hour�*s have helped firefighters battled the flames, but the fire is still burning and it is not yet safe for people to return to the area. a very rare piece of sports memorabilia is up for auction next week and interest is already running high. this is basketball legend kobe bryant's locker which he used for most of his career at the los angeles lakers. he spent his entire nba career at the la team. the locker is being auctioned by sotheby�*s and is expected to fetch up to $1.5 million. the locker itself was saved from a skip when the staples centre arena was being renovated in 2018. kobe bryant was killed in a helicopter crash four years ago.

ijust want i just want to take you to some of the live pictures in paris where it is coming up to 6:30am. of course, the olympic stadium unofficially gets under way with medal events like diving, fencing, the rugby sevens, shooting and skateboard. look at the weather. light winds and misty there. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. it's hotting up this weekend, particularly sunday onwards into next week. temperatures could reach the low 30s in one or two spots but humidity will also increase as well. this weekend's a bit of a mixture. saturday will be one of sunshine and showers. sunday — drier, sunnier and warmer as high pressure starts to establish itself across the country. the reason for more showers around saturday is this feature pushing in from the west, bringing showery rain to northern ireland, parts of southern scotland, northern england and into wales. this will fragment and become showery through the day.

elsewhere, we start off with sunshine but then, even the clouds bubbling up here to allow for a few showers to develop but most of the showers will be through central, northern and western areas. the odd heavier one. winds will be light so the showers will be slow—moving, but there's a chance many places, particularly into the south and east, may escape them and stay dry. temperatures reaching 211—25 celsius in the warmest spots. otherwise, it's the high teens, the low 20s further north. those showers fade away during saturday night. it does turn dry as high pressure starts to build in across the uk with light winds, clearskies. could see some mist and fog patches parts of scotland, northern ireland, western england and wales the most favoured spots there. a cool night to come, i think, out of towns and cities. otherwise, just into double figures in urban areas. we start sunday, then, on a cool note. early mist and fog clears away and looks like it will be a dry, sunny day for most of us. widespread sunshine. a bit more cloud for northern and western scotland. more of a breeze there. temperatures high teens here but low 20s, southern and eastern scotland, northern ireland and high 20s parts of central,

southern and eastern england. as we move into monday and tuesday, we start to import some very warm air from the near continent on a south—easterly breeze. humidity levels will be rising. this weather front, though, out west will start to push into scotland and northern ireland, bringing more of a breeze, some showers and cloud. but elsewhere, dry. a sunny day on monday. those temperatures climbing further to the high 20s. one or two spots could get close to 30 celsius on monday, and that chance increases again on tuesday. but we'll start to see low pressure taking over around the middle part of the week. that could bring a thundery breakdown to the country with some showers and thunderstorms at times. so, a very warm start to the week. by tuesday and wednesday, we start to see some showers and thunderstorms developing and temperatures slowly coming back down closer to normal.

this is bbc news. the headlines: let the games begin: the olympic flame is lit in central paris during a spectacular but rain—soaked opening ceremony for the 2024 games in the french capital. an icon on an icon to conclude the ceremony: celine dion makes a triumphant return, singing on the eiffel tower in herfirst live performance since revealing a serious health condition. donald trump uses a speech to a religious political conference to attack his likely opponent in november's us presidential election,

kamala harris. she was a bum three weeks ago. she was a bum three weeks ago. she was a bum. a failed vice president and a failed administration. and rain and cooler temperatures bring some relief for firefighters battling wildfires in the historic canadian town of jasper but fires are still burning and officials say it's still too dangerous for evacuated people to return. now on bbc news, the travel show. this year, all eyes are on the french region of normandy as it prepares to celebrate some major anniversaries. it might not be as well visited as paris or as sunny as the south of the country but if you come here and explore, you're going to fall in love with

this part of france. it's the place that gave us a king that changed