who began gathering outside a mosque who began during bricks, bottles and other missiles at the police and also the building itself. one policeman we are told was injured, and missiles continuing to be thrown, our reporters will bring you more on that as we get it. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh ferris. after withdrawing from the tokyo olympics three years ago to protect her mental health — simone biles has returned in style — to guide the usa to gold once again — in the team gymnastics final, giving the sport's superstar her fifth olympic title. biles is the most decorated gymnast of all time and impressed on all four rotations, consistently amongst the leading scorers through all the disciplines. team usa have now won this event in three of the last four games with the only silver following biles�* withdrawal three years ago. they finished ahead of brazil, who thanks to rebecca andrade lept from sixth to second in the final rotation while italy

took the bronze. the defending champion beat the world record holder in the final of the 100 metres backstroke. australia's kaylee mckeown retained the title she won in toyko despite not being in the top three at the turn. but mckeown registered a new olympic record after powering past america's regan smith, who took the silver ahead of her team—mate katherine berkoff. the men's 800 metres freestyle brought a first gold of the games for ireland. daniel wiffen winning in an olympic record time after the world champion hauled in italy's gregorio paltrinieri, who eventually finished third with defending champion bobby finke of the usa getting the silver. wiffen is the first athlete from northern ireland to win an olympic gold since 1988. new zealand have retained their women's rugby sevens olympic title, but they were made to work for it against canada. at half time, it was the underdogs who led, but two second half tries saw the the reigning champions fight back to take the gold again with a 19 points to 12 win. the usa secured bronze, their first olympic rugby sevens medal after beating australia.

the tennis has featured two legends attempting to extend their careers. one of them is andy murray, who with partner dan evans is playing a second round doubles match against belgium. the match before on court suzanne lenglen saw rafael nadal successfully keep his career going with the spaniard potentiallyjoining murray in retiring after the olympics. he's playing doubles with carlos alcaraz, and they booked their place in the last 8 with a victory over the dutch pair of tallon griekspoor and wesley koolhof winning on a deciding tie break. meanhwile there was a big shock in the women's singles as second seed coco gauff was beaten by donna vekic in the last 16 with the croatian — seeded 21st — winning in straight sets. the number one seed iga swiatek is also into the quarter finals beating china's xiyu wang also in straight sets. olympic organisers say the men's and women's triathlons only have a 60% chance of going ahead on wednesday after the men's event was postponed on tuesday.

tests of the river seine in the early hours of the morning revealed the water was not clean enough for the swimming part of the race to take place. heavy rain in the french capital over the weekend had caused the water quality to diminish and two training sessions had already been cancelled. the decision was taken to postpone after a meeting early on tuesday morning with the men's event now scheduled to take place following the conclusion of the women's event. we are very close to the threshold of the triathlon, which means we haven't 2a hours, we have a detail on the river, especially three summers so we can assist. we know that the sun and the heat have a very strong impact on the quality of the water, and that is why we feel because we are so close this morning that we can hopefully believe that tomorrow morning the water quality will be better. chelsea head coach enzo maresca says all of his players have accepted

enzo fernandez�*s apology after the argentinian midfielder was filmed singing a derogatory song about france's black players. fernandez was accused of "uninhibited racism" by chelsea's french defender wesley fofana for a video fernandez posted after argentina beat colombia in the copa america final earlier this month. afterjoining up with the squad, fernandez is understood to have addressed the incident and chelsea will take no further action. and that's all the sport for now. still a bit of action to go in paris in the next half hour or so. you can follow at the our website. we will do that. thank you very much. let me show you the live pictures from beirut. this is the apartment block that was hit with a drone strike several hours ago. they missiles fired above the lebanese capital into an area of south beirut controlled by hezbollah. if you are justjoining us, israel says it was targeting a senior hezbollah commander in that attack that it

believes was linked to the golan heights attack at the weekend, that killed 12 children. you will see from the pictures as we zoom into the apartment, they will do that as we are talking, this was a precision strike on an apartment block in the city. the blocks alongside it are still standing, but we have seen the affront of that apartment block and it is charred black. in fact we saw at the time of the blast, flames above the apartment in the night sky. there are conflicting reports at the moment as to whether the target was killed. the lebanese media are saying that this man, he is a high—ranking military official and was able to escape and left the building several minutes earlier. in the last few minutes, the israeli public state media is saying that he was killed, so confusion about his fate but, clearly the first reprisal we've seen since the question now, where

does it end? isjust seen since the question now, where does it end? is just dose the beginning or are we heading for a major escalation? let's get a view on that because there will be communities on tenterhooks tonight. joining me now is malwan abdallah head of foreign affairs department at the lebanese kataeb party, that christian maronite party in lebanon, sometime known as the phalange. you are very welcome to the programme, thank you for being with us. before we talk about tonight's strike, i'mjust us. before we talk about tonight's strike, i'm just keen to know what your role is in the politics right now in lebanon and how you are trying to influence hezbollah. thank ou for trying to influence hezbollah. thank you for having _ trying to influence hezbollah. thank you for having me. _ trying to influence hezbollah. thank you for having me. first _ trying to influence hezbollah. thank you for having me. first of - trying to influence hezbollah. thank you for having me. first of all - trying to influence hezbollah. thank you for having me. first of all come | you for having me. first of all come as a party we are a leading party of the opposition and countering hezbollah�*s attempt to take over since 2005 since the withdrawal of civilian troops from the country. our world todayis today is to bring back solutions to that function there is a vacuum in

the presidency that are caused by hezbollah and their allies. there is a community drowning in the financial system that is dominating as well and we blame all of this on the fraction that hezbollah and their allies because of their behaviour to destroy the state from one side and on another side to keep the economy cash economy for them to be able to escape, so our effort as opposition and within the democratic institutions is to try to reinstate the state's power, rule of law and also the transition of power and security forces without other militia present. we security forces without other militia present.— security forces without other militia present. security forces without other militia resent. ~ ~ ., ., militia present. we will know that because of the _ militia present. we will know that because of the precision - militia present. we will know that because of the precision guided i because of the precision guided missiles that iran has supplied to hezbollah they are much stronger than the lebanese military. talk to me about this area of beirut, south beirut. how much control does

hezbollah have in this area? and who is there? how much free reign to the military commanders have in this part of the city? 50 military commanders have in this part of the city?— part of the city? so the southern suburb of beirut _ part of the city? so the southern suburb of beirut is _ part of the city? so the southern suburb of beirut is not _ part of the city? so the southern suburb of beirut is not part - part of the city? so the southern suburb of beirut is not part of i suburb of beirut is not part of the capital but it enters into the capital but it enters into the capital from the southern side, and this is controlled by hezbollah because it has a majority shieh population. so it is a stronghold. the main entities, the social entities, the media entities in military and religious entities. in the southern suburb of beirut. who is there? we don't know. nobody knows. we don't over the commanders of hezbollah are. nobody knows their location, but this is a crucial area for the capital of hezbollah. i remember covering the war in 2006 in lebanon that the strikes the israeli strikes were not confined to

southern beirut. this will impact the entire country, the entire capital. how concerned are you tonight that we are right on the precipice of something extremely dangerous? precipice of something extremely dancerous? , ., precipice of something extremely dangerous?— dangerous? christian i'm very concerned- — dangerous? christian i'm very concerned. you _ dangerous? christian i'm very concerned. you know, - dangerous? christian i'm very concerned. you know, the - dangerous? christian i'm very - concerned. you know, the lebanese people did not choose to enter this work, since october eight, hezbollah and otherfactions that work, since october eight, hezbollah and other factions that are present in south lebanon against the international resolution and security council resolution, they started a war to support hamas's effort and resistance in gaza. it is not the enemy state it is not to the lebanese people of the lebanese government who decided to do this. today all the lebanese people are suffering from the decisions taken by one militia that is controlled. and this is the fate of the lebanese. we are stuck in a place where we need to be messengers, we need to be a platform as a country,

platform for regional powers to send a military message to each other. it wasn't decided by the lebanese people. it wasn't asked by the lebanese people. wejust want people. it wasn't asked by the lebanese people. we just want to get out of the economic and financial misery, try to fix the political system and have at least five years of peace and normal life like any other human being. so today's move might escalate any scrimmage that might escalate any scrimmage that might happen, somebody would hit the missile further by both sides and the other one has to see today. we saw 12 children, today israel wanted to kill the most senior military commander of hezbollah. but cannot confirm of his death or not. this is the most important. we are on a slippery slope. aha, the most important. we are on a slippery shine-— slippery slope. a tit-for-tat situation. _ slippery slope. a tit-for-tat situation. he _ slippery slope. a tit-for-tat situation. he described - slippery slope. a tit-for-tat

situation. he described the| situation. he described the situation. he described the situation very well, the big powers have always used lebanon for its proxy wars, and the various groups in lebanon to that end. you were the head of the foreign affairs wing of your party. and i know that you have contact services. how much contact if you had with the americans and the biden administration. what have they told you about how far this goes from an israeli perspective? first of all we tend to talk to everyone whenever we go overseas, especially to europe in the us because they are the most engaged in the lebanese affairs. however, our problem is that lebanon does not have any priority under the administration or the europeans because of the security of israel the protection of the trade routes, you know, whatever is happening there, the energy supply to europe the rest of the world and

then lebanon security safety comes under... there is no priority for lebanese affairs or the fate of the lebanese affairs or the fate of the lebanese state. this is our issue. but we are trying to make sure they understand the benefit of a peaceful and prosperous and safe lebanon or the region, for the security and also for the rest of the world, because the west, they need a partner in the region and they have been the partner to the west to link them with the for centuries. but lebanese only... them with the for centuries. but lebanese only. . ._ them with the for centuries. but lebanese only... that would depend on ricin: lebanese only... that would depend on pricing lebanon _ lebanese only... that would depend on pricing lebanon from _ lebanese only... that would depend on pricing lebanon from the - lebanese only... that would depend on pricing lebanon from the grip - on pricing lebanon from the grip of syria and iraq. {iii on pricing lebanon from the grip of syria and "34-— on pricing lebanon from the grip of syria and hair-— syria and iraq. of course, that is what we are _ syria and iraq. of course, that is what we are asking. _ syria and iraq. of course, that is what we are asking. in _ syria and iraq. of course, that is what we are asking. in lebanonl what we are asking. in lebanon suffered a lot with iran and thejcp 08 and 2015 and or with iran as a

distraction. they all benefited, iran and hezbollah, but it was worse times on lebanese people. policy in the west that is becoming a burden on us and would be considered the natural partners of the west. lebanon is sharply in focus and tonight you can be assured of that. thank you very much for coming on the programme. we appreciate it. yum! i thank you, christian. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

so much happening tonight. we are keeping across the issues in beirut and a developing situation in southport, moments ago things have turned nasty, there was a far right to protest outside a mosque in southport this evening, missiles being thrown at the mosque and at the police as well. we've heard in

the police as well. we've heard in the last few minutes that police charged the group that were throwing the missiles and since then a police man has been set on fire. we are told by our reporter on the ground that a police helicopter is now hovering over the area. residents out on the streets, the roads busy with traffic still. one man said it feels very edgy, another described the situation is horrendous tonight. multiple police cars and vans blue lights flashing sirens, sirens blaring. lots of onlookers gathering in the area as well, but clearly a serious confrontation tonight between the police in southport and these far right protesters who have gathered to express their anger at what happened on monday, the stabbing at that dance hall in which three children were killed. we will try and get to our reporter in southportjust try and get to our reporter in southport just as soon try and get to our reporter in southportjust as soon as we can make contact with him.

let's return now to our olympic coverage with a particular eye this afternoon on the irrepresible simone biles. the four time olympic gold medallist has been in action tonight, trying to lead the usa to victory in the women's team event. and she has done it — it was tense, going right down to the final routine. but four gold medals has now become five. the most highly decorated us olympic gymnast now with five gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals. let's speak now to someone who knows simone biles very well — aimee boorham, herformer coach and the usa women's gymnastics head coach for the 2016 rio olympics. it isa it is a real treat to talk to you. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for coming on the programme-— thank you for coming on the rorramme. ., ~ i., ., ., programme. thank you for having me. you started coaching _ programme. thank you for having me. you started coaching simone - programme. thank you for having me. you started coaching simone when - programme. thank you for having me. | you started coaching simone when she was eight years old. what are your early memories? filth. was eight years old. what are your early memories?— early memories? 0h, she was 'ust a bubbly utue — early memories? 0h, she was 'ust a bubbly little kid i early memories? 0h, she was 'ust a bubbly little kid that i early memories? 0h, she was 'ust a bubbly little kid that came h early memories? 0h, she wasjust a bubbly little kid that came into - early memories? 0h, she wasjust a bubbly little kid that came into the i bubbly little kid that came into the gym. just wanted to have fun, wanted to flip, wanted to fly. she

gym. just wanted to have fun, wanted to flip, wanted to fly.— to flip, wanted to fly. she rose to stardom quickly. _ to flip, wanted to fly. she rose to stardom quickly. she _ to flip, wanted to fly. she rose to stardom quickly. she was - to flip, wanted to fly. she rose to stardom quickly. she was clearly| stardom quickly. she was clearly able to deal with the pressure very well. , ~ able to deal with the pressure very well. , ,, ., able to deal with the pressure very well. , ~ ., ., , able to deal with the pressure very well. , ,, ., ., , ., ., able to deal with the pressure very well. , ,, ., ., ., ., well. yes. i think that has a lot to do with her _ well. yes. i think that has a lot to do with her upbringing _ well. yes. i think that has a lot to do with her upbringing in - well. yes. i think that has a lot to | do with her upbringing in the gym. every day wasjust do with her upbringing in the gym. every day was just a normal practice. she wasn't treated special, she was treated like all of her other team—mates. so it kept her very grounded and that is how her family treated her at home as well. so when we stepped out on the competition for, it was just part of her normal day. she competition for, it was 'ust part of her normal dayh competition for, it was 'ust part of her normal day. she has been very 0 en her normal day. she has been very open about — her normal day. she has been very open about the _ her normal day. she has been very open about the mental— her normal day. she has been very open about the mental health - open about the mental health pressure she's faced while competing. pressure she's faced while competing-— pressure she's faced while com -aetin. ., ~ ., competing. right. you know, when i was coaching — competing. right. you know, when i was coaching her, _ competing. right. you know, when i was coaching her, we _ competing. right. you know, when i was coaching her, we had _ competing. right. you know, when i was coaching her, we had a - competing. right. you know, when i was coaching her, we had a very - competing. right. you know, when i. was coaching her, we had a very open line of communication, so she was always able to talk to me and it was never having to express that she was scared of something or not feeling well or if she needed some assistance somewhere. so i think that that helped her take that into her adult life as well. what that that helped her take that into her adult life as well.— her adult life as well. what to do ou her adult life as well. what to do you think. _ her adult life as well. what to do you think, what _ her adult life as well. what to do you think, what sort _ her adult life as well. what to do you think, what sort of _ her adult life as well. what to do you think, what sort of influence | you think, what sort of influence do you think, what sort of influence do you think, what sort of influence do you think simone has on the rest of the team? because i was watching

them tonight. i get the sense that when she is on form, when she's performing at her highest, she brings the rest of the team with her. , . ~ brings the rest of the team with her. , . ,, ., , �*, her. right, yeah. i think that she's taken on that _ her. right, yeah. i think that she's taken on that responsibility - her. right, yeah. i think that she's taken on that responsibility of - taken on that responsibility of being the mother hen, per se. so if she is up, everybody is up. the interesting thing about simone, is evenif interesting thing about simone, is even if she is down, she still tries to bring the team up. it's about the team when she's out there competing for a team medal. we team when she's out there competing for a team medal.— for a team medal. we noticed the other day when _ for a team medal. we noticed the other day when they _ for a team medal. we noticed the other day when they were - for a team medal. we noticed the | other day when they were working for a team medal. we noticed the - other day when they were working on her calf muscle, did you think the injuries were bad?— her calf muscle, did you think the injuries were bad? welcoming you know, it injuries were bad? welcoming you know. it was _ injuries were bad? welcoming you know. it was a _ injuries were bad? welcoming you know, it was a concern _ injuries were bad? welcoming you know, it was a concern of - injuries were bad? welcoming you know, it was a concern of mine . know, it was a concern of mine because i have known herfor so long and my biggest worry as her coach was never if she was going to medal or how she was going to do in competition it's if she would walk away from every competition safe and healthy. so, of course, when i saw herfavouring healthy. so, of course, when i saw her favouring that a leg, it did concern me a little bit, but she seemed to be just fine today. yes. seemed to be 'ust fine today. yes, well, the seemed to be just fine today. yes, well, the individual— seemed to be just fine today. yes, well, the individual routine still to come. so there could be more medals before the end, right?

absolutely. me medals before the end, right? absolutely-— medals before the end, right? absolutel . ~ ~ , ., , absolutely. we will keep our fingers crossed for her. _ absolutely. we will keep our fingers crossed for her. thank _ absolutely. we will keep our fingers crossed for her. thank you - absolutely. we will keep our fingers crossed for her. thank you very - absolutely. we will keep our fingers l crossed for her. thank you very much indeed for coming on the programme. lovely to talk to you.— we have been talking about the policy blitz in the house of commons this week. keen to make an impression before the mps all disappear for the summer recess. today, it was changes to the planning laws. angela rayner, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government has been setting out her ideas to supercharge the building of houses across the country. number one she will demand every local authority produces targets for more homes. two, she is opening up that section of the green belt that is less valuable, wasteland, disused car parks, often referred to as the grey belt where local authorities could better use of spare land. and three, she wants to spread the distribution of new homes — so less pressure on big cities to find available plots, and more focus everwhere else. the plan is to build 370 thousand new homes in england each year to hit labour's target of 1.5 million by the end of the decade. let's hearfrom founder and ceo of

ml property venture, melissa lewis good to have you on the programme. you should know better than most whether this goes far enough. what do you think of what you have seen sent out today?— sent out today? yes, i mean, i do have mixed _ sent out today? yes, i mean, i do have mixed reviews _ sent out today? yes, i mean, i do have mixed reviews myself. - sent out today? yes, i mean, i do have mixed reviews myself. we i sent out today? yes, i mean, i do i have mixed reviews myself. we were targeting the green belt sites at one point, but theyjust don't like it, so this is a good change. this means that we can kind of broadened the kind of land that we are looking at and, yeah, the kind of land that we are looking atand, yeah, it the kind of land that we are looking at and, yeah, it is good. it is good. at and, yeah, it is good. it is aood. at and, yeah, it is good. it is ood. ., ., ., at and, yeah, it is good. it is aood. . ., ., ., , , at and, yeah, it is good. it is aood. . ., ., , _ good. the annual target as set by the last government _ good. the annual target as set by the last government was - good. the annual target as set by| the last government was 300000 good. the annual target as set by - the last government was 300000 and its target the uk keeps missing or england and wales keep missing. what do you see in today's announcement that would convince you a target much higher of 370,000 could be hit? well, i mean, so i looked at all councils. we look at essex and, for example, brentwood at the start of the year was very red, they were

behind on their local housing delivery, so, yeah, ithink... right so these targets that are being set for local authorities are good idea? it's all going to feed into the plan, isn't it? so i think, yeah, with new plans coming into place, i think it is a good thing. if with new plans coming into place, i think it is a good thing.— think it is a good thing. if this is su osed think it is a good thing. if this is supposed to _ think it is a good thing. if this is supposed to put _ think it is a good thing. if this is supposed to put rocket - think it is a good thing. if this is| supposed to put rocket boosters think it is a good thing. if this is . supposed to put rocket boosters on house building, why is she cutting the target for building london homes by 20,000? i mean, london is already the most unaffordable place in the country. surely we need more houses in london and not less. yes. country. surely we need more houses in london and not less.— in london and not less. yes, but then let's _ in london and not less. yes, but then let's look _ in london and not less. yes, but then let's look at _ in london and not less. yes, but then let's look at the _ in london and not less. yes, but then let's look at the land - in london and not less. yes, but then let's look at the land that i then let's look at the land that needs to be developed. we are talking about green belt land here, so this is land that is very beautiful as we all drive past, but it is really unused. developers are notjust it is really unused. developers are not just wrecking it is really unused. developers are notjust wrecking houses and on. we are building communities. there is notjust houses and that's it, there are parks, there's greenery, there's commercial units. it's kind of opening up areas more. part commercial units. it's kind of opening up areas more. part of this

announcement _ opening up areas more. part of this announcement we _ opening up areas more. part of this announcement we have _ opening up areas more. part of this announcement we have yet - opening up areas more. part of this announcement we have yet to - opening up areas more. part of this announcement we have yet to see i announcement we have yet to see because in the budget, next year's spending review, they will have to set out how they are going to incentivise councils to do this and to spend money. is it part of the problem that local councils don't have spare funding for more affordable housing?- have spare funding for more affordable housing? well, this is what i've been _ affordable housing? well, this is what i've been hearing, - affordable housing? well, this is what i've been hearing, but - affordable housing? well, this is what i've been hearing, but i - affordable housing? well, this is. what i've been hearing, but i can't even comment because i hear so many different things on this matter, and you know, from a council perspective, some councils say, yes there is budget cuts and funds are being placed elsewhere, but i really think that housing is a priority at this stage. think that housing is a priority at this sta . e. g , think that housing is a priority at this state. g , ., n ., this stage. right. just a quick one on the response _ this stage. right. just a quick one on the response from _ this stage. right. just a quick one on the response from the - this stage. right. just a quick one i on the response from the opposition today, the shadow housing secretary says angela rayner wants to build ugly homes in england, that the new government wants to drop this requirement for homes to be beautiful. i guess beautiful homes,

thatis beautiful. i guess beautiful homes, that is a subjective thing. it's in the eye of the beholder, isn't it, how do we ensure that there is some sympathy for the areas in which the houses are being built? local councils do — houses are being built? local councils do have, _ houses are being built? local councils do have, there - houses are being built? local councils do have, there is - houses are being built? local. councils do have, there is local planning, because i am live on here, i cannot think of the name of it, but each council has a deciding plan to follow. so i disagree with... what about a particular area? so what about a particular area? sr when they are developing, so, for example, if there are two levels above ground, then, of course, local councils need to keep within that criteria. so, each counsel, local councils said what they like to see ideally, so if people are following this, and i don't see why it should be framed as ugly houses. we will kee an be framed as ugly houses. we will keep an eye _ be framed as ugly houses. we will keep an eye on — be framed as ugly houses. we will keep an eye on most _ be framed as ugly houses. we will keep an eye on most targets - be framed as ugly houses. we will keep an eye on most targets and i keep an eye on most targets and thank you for coming on the programme this evening. good to talk to. i want to take our viewers

directly to southport, because i'm seeing the first live pictures from that scene that have been described. these are the latest pictures. i do beg your pardon, because it does have darkness following in southport. you can see the police lined up here. and also some of the scenes around that barrier that is being set up. i told you earlier in the programme the focus was on a mosque near to the scene of the stabbing and this is a far right protester that has been organised earlier in the day. there have been missiles thrown at police. in the last few minutes we've been told by our reporter on the scene that a police man has been set on fire and there have been i think confrontations between the police and the protesters, so it seems as if the police have been trying to push them back from the area around the mosque, but it is a very tense situation tonight with the residents out on the streets observing what is going on here. and of course, it is

a community that is in shock and has suffered enough in the last few days. we will bring you more on that in the next hour. to stay with us here on the next bbc news. hello there. one of the more predictable features of hot weather is as soon as we see temperatures rocket upwards, we see the beaches fill up, like here in broadstairs in kent. and it has been a very hot day. we've seen temperatures go over the 30 degree mark, notjust in london, but also in dorset, hampshire, surrey and sussex as well. and after such a hot day, temperatures very slow to ease down. a very warm night for sleeping, with temperatures still up into the 20s at 11:00 tonight. however, it's not everywhere. it's the concrete jungle that really holds on to the heat, whereas in the countryside, temperatures will actually be about four or five degrees lower and therefore a lot more comfortable. and in any case, as we go through the night, eventually,

those temperatures will drop back into the teens. but a very slow process — an uncomfortable night's sleep ahead for quite a few in england and wales. scotland, northern ireland, northern england, a much more comfortable feel to the weather overnight. tomorrow, well, the heat is still with us across england and wales, another largely dry day with sunshine for most areas. sunny spells for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, still with temperatures close to average, so very pleasant weather conditions here. the hottest weather probably not in london, but actually to the west — central, southern england and the midlands could see temperatures up to about 32. the capital might be closer to about 29, because we're quite likely to see some thunderstorms break out across parts of south—east england. those storms, then, around through wednesday afternoon, wednesday night and into thursday. the amount of rain we see from these downpours is going to vary a lot from place to place. some places will get away with not seeing much in the way of rain. others could see a deluge, with perhaps as much as a month's worth of rain falling in the space ofjust a few hours, so there is a threat of seeing some localised flash flooding and disruption from these big storms. now, towards the end of the week and the weekend beyond,

low pressure is going to take up residence to the north and west, and eventually this is going to bring cooler and fresher air back in. for northern ireland and scotland, it's here that we see the first signs of this change on friday. the rain could be heavy and thundery, the winds pick up and temperatures, well, still into the 20s for the most part. england and wales, hazy spells of sunshine and temperatures still quite widely mid—to—high 20s. it's not really until the weekend that we see those temperatures drop back closer to average. there will still be some sunny spells around, and in the sunshine, it will still feel pretty pleasant.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. i do have to bring you some breaking news. we do understand that in the past few minutes, there have been reports from several sources of a blast in the southern suburbs of the lebanese capital, beirut. the question tonight will be whether that is a one—off targeted strike which appears to have been hitting a senior hezbollah commander. the attack area, i have i been there many times, it's a very packed area, - and is very close to a mosque, a very famous mosque, - and also close to a hospital,

so it is still not clear— what is the scale of the damage. joining me tonight are armstrong williams, american political commentator and baltimore sun owner, and lindy li, democratic strategist first, the latest headlines. israel says it's carried out a strike in beirut on the hezbollah commander it says was responsible for a deadly attack in the israeli—occupied golan heights on saturday. the statement came shortly after a major blast in the southern suburbs of the lebanese capital, where hezbollah has its main stronghold. the fate of the targeted commander isn't yet clear. violence has erupted in the town of southport in northwest england, scene of a deadly knife attack on monday. these attack on monday. are some of the latest pictures these are some of the latest pictures from the town.

missiles have been thrown and a police van set on fire.