hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. israeli airstrikes have hit beirut — targeting the hezbollah commander it says was responsible for killing twelve young people in the golan heights. it has been a bumpy introduction for donald trump's running mate senatorjd vance. but upcoming, a big test this week out west starting tonight with a rally this hour on the las vegas strip. vance, the ohio republican is hoping to move on from a batch of headlines that have dredged up some of his more provocative comments including his thoughts on women

who do not have children. we're effectively run, in this country, be at the democrats, be it our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made, so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. typically, after the convention, the running mate would be heading out across the country introducing himself and trying to win over swing voters. not sure many are being won over by his rhetoric so far. it's a pretty odd dynamic. which last night forced the president to come out in his defence. they understand it — no, i think they understand it. the democrats are good at spinning things differently from what they are. all he said is he does like, i mean, for him, he likes family. i think a lot of people like family, and sometimes it doesn't work out. and you know why it doesn't? you don't need the right person or you don't meet any person, but you're just as good, in many cases, a lot better than a person that's

in a family situation. but they took it and they spun it differently. he seems to have a problem about people who don't have children. they've pulled up another interview that he gave to a conservative talk show that children are sociopathic. it is not typical for the former president or the candidate to have to come out and defend his running mate. it’s to come out and defend his running mate. �*, . ,. . to come out and defend his running mate. �*, ., ., _ to come out and defend his running mate. �*, ., ., mate. it's fascinating, obviously jd vance's meteoric _ mate. it's fascinating, obviously jd vance's meteoric rise _ mate. it's fascinating, obviously jd vance's meteoric rise preparing . mate. it's fascinating, obviously jd vance's meteoric rise preparing a i vance's meteoric rise preparing a stage where you become the vice presidential nominee and no one can argue because he said it with his mouth. he has to have media training, and obviously there is a lot of work that has to be done,

particularly given this early stage where the president, former president is coming to his defence. but you know what, i think he is saying what he really believes. i think he sometimes doesn't understand how it comes across. obviously people make different choices, some women cannot bear children. it's not always because they don't want to have children, but it's just a learning curve. coming back to the choice. isn't this why you have vetting? clearly there were people within the party, people in the wider conservative movement, including rupert murdoch who warned donald trump not to pick jd who warned donald trump not to pick jd vance. and they were ignored because... i jd vance. and they were ignored because- - -_ because... i don't thank you understand _ because... i don't thank you understand what _ because... i don't thank you understand what happened. | because... i don't thank you i understand what happened. jd because... i don't thank you - understand what happened. jd vance was never the former president's selection. it's the start of his convention, his eldest son really

wanted jd vance. and i convention, his eldest son really wantedjd vance. and i get convention, his eldest son really wanted jd vance. and i get there was a debate over it, and the former president does listen to his son. and so hejust president does listen to his son. and so he just threw his hands up president does listen to his son. and so hejust threw his hands up in the air and and so hejust threw his hands up in the airandjust and so hejust threw his hands up in the air and just caved in and stop the announcement he was going to make with the former governor and he went with jd vance. if make with the former governor and he went withjd vance. if he make with the former governor and he went with jd vance.— went with jd vance. if he does get to the white _ went with jd vance. if he does get to the white house, _ went with jd vance. if he does get to the white house, it _ went with jd vance. if he does get to the white house, it might - went with jd vance. if he does get to the white house, it might call. to the white house, it might call into question his judgment. to the white house, it might call into question hisjudgment. let me talk about kamala harris, down in georgia, which of course, president biden only won by 12,000 votes. it's quite a turnaround because they want a defensive in states that you would probably put in the blue column just a few weeks ago, and now they are expanding the map. why? why is she in georgia tonight? she expanding the map. why? why is she in georgia tonight?— in georgia tonight? she puts georgia back in play- — in georgia tonight? she puts georgia back in play- and _ in georgia tonight? she puts georgia back in play. and i— in georgia tonight? she puts georgia back in play. and i am _ in georgia tonight? she puts georgia back in play. and i am back- in georgia tonight? she puts georgia back in play. and i am back on - in georgia tonight? she puts georgia back in play. and i am back on the i back in play. and i am back on the national_ back in play. and i am back on the national finance committee. i was on the biden_ national finance committee. i was on the biden high harris finance

committee and it took me a year to raise _ committee and it took me a year to raise 1j— committee and it took me a year to raise 1.1 million. i raised 2 million _ raise 1.1 million. i raised 2 million over the past week. i will be personally hosting her in september. this isjust september. this is just unprecedented. september. this isjust unprecedented. it's a testament to the power— unprecedented. it's a testament to the power of, kamala harris. it's 'ust the power of, kamala harris. it's just incredible that everyone is lining — just incredible that everyone is lining un _ just incredible that everyone is lining up. big donors that are sitting — lining up. big donors that are sitting on— lining up. big donors that are sitting on the sidelines who are pouring — sitting on the sidelines who are pouring back in, lining up to get involved~ — pouring back in, lining up to get involved~ i— pouring back in, lining up to get involved. i do have to say something, i'mjumping out involved. i do have to say something, i'm jumping out of my seat to— something, i'm jumping out of my seat to say— something, i'm jumping out of my seat to say something about jd vance — seat to say something about jd vance i— seat to say something about jd vance. i don't own any cats, but i am childless _ vance. i don't own any cats, but i am childless by choice, and i do want _ am childless by choice, and i do want to— am childless by choice, and i do want to say, it is a choice. and i am not — want to say, it is a choice. and i am not lesser than because i do not have a _ am not lesser than because i do not have a chiid~ — am not lesser than because i do not have a child. and it is so heartbreaking for somebody to label us that— heartbreaking for somebody to label us that way. the that heartbreaking for somebody to label us that way. the— us that way. the that is the interesting _ us that way. the that is the interesting point, - us that way. the that is the interesting point, and - us that way. the that is the interesting point, and howl us that way. the that is the i interesting point, and how the party, there seems to be an issue trying to find the right attack line. they have been warned off talking about whether she has children, you know, some of the de i

comments repaired in recent days. what do you make of all of that? 50. what do you make of all of that? so, listen, the what do you make of all of that? sr, listen, the question that the republicans must ask themselves is what has kamala harris achieved as vice president of the united states? and the fact that it appears that she and the media are trying to convince the make and people that she was never given the border and that she was the borders are, that she is running away from it, will she is running away from it, will she continue the policies of foreign policy. will she continue the woke policies of the left that have become very divisive in this country. is she willing to move towards the centre? i think the gop needs to focus on her policies and what she believes in. and just have law enforcement to come out and she were elected it would be a very dangerous place for americans across this country. kamala harris needs to

speak to her record, her accomplishments and what she would do in the context of policy. i think that's her game. d0 do in the context of policy. i think that's her game.— do in the context of policy. i think that's her game. do you think we are auoin that's her game. do you think we are going t0- -- — that's her game. do you think we are going tom do _ that's her game. do you think we are going to- -- do you — that's her game. do you think we are going to... do you think we - that's her game. do you think we are going to... do you think we are - going to... do you think we are going to... do you think we are going to get a bit of that tonight? because obviously there has been a huge rush around her candidacy. she is a much easier person for you to sell to the donors, but in terms of policies, as was said, she is a talented person. she's been a prosecutor, she's been an attorney—general, a vice president, she has the background to do this job. but we are not that sure on what her policy is. i job. but we are not that sure on what her policy is.— what her policy is. i want to say is a moderate _ what her policy is. i want to say is a moderate democrat, _ what her policy is. i want to say is a moderate democrat, i— what her policy is. i want to say is a moderate democrat, i would - what her policy is. i want to say is| a moderate democrat, i would not what her policy is. i want to say is - a moderate democrat, i would not be supporting _ a moderate democrat, i would not be supporting her if she weren't ideologically aligned with where i am right— ideologically aligned with where i am right now. she is the law and order candidate in this race. let's be clear — order candidate in this race. let's be clear we _ order candidate in this race. let's be clear. we are running against a luy be clear. we are running against a guy with _ be clear. we are running against a guy with indictments. if you believe the rule _ guy with indictments. if you believe the rule of— guy with indictments. if you believe the rule of law, if you revere the constitution you would be supporting kamala _ constitution you would be supporting kamala harris. she was a formidable and strong _ kamala harris. she was a formidable

and strong prosecutor, and he is a predator — and strong prosecutor, and he is a predator |— and strong prosecutor, and he is a redator. .., , and strong prosecutor, and he is a redator. , , , ., ., and strong prosecutor, and he is a redator. , , ., ., predator. i can see why you are a very effective _ predator. i can see why you are a very effective fundraiser. - predator. i can see why you are a very effective fundraiser. people | very effective fundraiser. people were sold- _ very effective fundraiser. people were sold- i _ very effective fundraiser. people were sold. i did _ very effective fundraiser. people were sold. i did not _ very effective fundraiser. people were sold. i did not have - very effective fundraiser. people were sold. i did not have to - very effective fundraiser. people were sold. i did not have to go l very effective fundraiser. people l were sold. i did not have to go out and promote her, people werejumping off the sidelines trying to get involved. they were so relieved that we finally have a communicator. the presidency is more than just about policy, right? is about telling america people what you've done and finally we have someone who can go across the country and tell people about the infrastructure act, tell people about the amazing things that the biden administration has done because i do believe that he is the most successful president of my lifetime. irate most successful president of my lifetime. ~ ., ., ., joining us now on the line is ben roberts haslam, who is a reporter at the liverpool echo. he's been following events on the ground in the last few minutes. tell me from where you are standing. goad

me from where you are standing. good evenina. me from where you are standing. good evening- yes. — me from where you are standing. good evening- yes. it— me from where you are standing. good evening. yes, it is _ me from where you are standing. good evening. yes, it is chaos, _ me from where you are standing. (limp. evening. yes, it is chaos, in all honesty. people have come out in their hundreds, potentially more than 1000 people here on the streets of southport. pallets on fire, police cars on fire. barricading a local mosque off from the crowd of people that arrived here tonight. it all kind of kicks off at eight o'clock it was a peaceful protest that had circled around social media before all of these people descended onto the streets of southport. is onto the streets of southport. is there a muslim community in this area where the protest is? and what does the situation for them tonight? the protest has been gathered around

at the local mosque and sussex road, three or four minutes walk away from the scene of the staffing the other day. it is... is kind of incomprehensiblejust day. it is... is kind of incomprehensible just how horrific the scenes have been tonight over the scenes have been tonight over the last two and a half hours. and the last two and a half hours. and all of this as _ the last two and a half hours. and all of this as we _ the last two and a half hours. and all of this as we were told earlier in the programme, is around the speculation that there has been regarding the suspect, is that correct? , . . correct? yes. so police concerned that the 17-year-old _ correct? yes. so police concerned that the 17-year-old arrested, - correct? yes. so police concerned that the 17-year-old arrested, i i that the 17—year—old arrested, i think there has been an escalation in kind of fake news and false narratives shared across social media regarding this individual.

what... there is clearly a vigil in the close vicinity to this. a lot of people coming out to pay their respects. are the two incidents separated? orare respects. are the two incidents separated? or are they in quite close vicinity? i'm trying to get an understanding of the location here. yes, the vigil... all you have to do is walk ten minutes away towards him towards ready areas of the town where you find the mosque. i was there myself, people stuck around and wanted to pay their respects, wanted to, you know, it was for the families and for the people who had been affected by this tragedy, and thenit been affected by this tragedy, and then it was you know, an hour and a half afterwards when these groups of people gathered on the corner of this road outside the mosque the

road was filled with people who were dressed in black, who were wearing facemasks balaclava was... we dressed in black, who were wearing facemasks balaclava was. . .- facemasks balaclava was... we can see the police _ facemasks balaclava was... we can see the police man _ facemasks balaclava was... we can see the police man that _ facemasks balaclava was... we can see the police man that is - facemasks balaclava was... we can see the police man that is on - facemasks balaclava was... we can see the police man that is on fire i see the police man that is on fire there, i was talking about all of there, i was talking about all of the rocks and the bottles that had been thrown on police at that line. are you getting a sense now that it has been contained? or is it still a very precarious situation? that has been contained? or is it still a very precarious situation?- very precarious situation? at the moment, very precarious situation? at the moment. the — very precarious situation? at the moment, the numbers _ very precarious situation? at the moment, the numbers have - very precarious situation? at the j moment, the numbers have died very precarious situation? at the - moment, the numbers have died down a lot. especially the last half an hour. lots of people were dispersed from the scene. at the moment, it's a smaller group that are congregating around the police fans. in an attempt to push them back a bit. ., ~ , ., , in an attempt to push them back a bit. ., ~ i. , . ., bit. thank you very much for “oining us tonight. — bit. thank you very much for “oining us tonight. we fl bit. thank you very much for “oining us tonight. we are i bit. thank you very much for “oining us tonight. we are very h bit. thank you very much forjoining us tonight. we are very grateful, i us tonight. we are very grateful, busy reporting for the paper, but it is good of you to come up and give us an update. i is good of you to come up and give us an update-— us an update. i appreciate your time.

that's the situation in southport. it does appear to be dying down. still small groups of these protesters wandering around south part. but as we are telling you just a short time ago, a lot of people coming in from route side the merseyside area. it's not the sort of thing the community needs while they are grieving for these three children who died. two children still in intensive care, two adults as well. and as you were hearing there, plenty of people coming out for the vigil tonight who will be staying away from this part of the town where things have turned pretty ugly. there is not much in —— there's not much in us politics that is bipartisan these days. but tonight we have brought you two examples. we have that cross party support for the task force that will investigate the attempted assassination of donald trump. and in the last few hours, the senate has passed legislation designed to protect children from dangerous online content. it's the first major effort in decades to hold tech companies more accountable for the harms they cause.

the bill will forces companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm on online platforms that frequently used by children, requiring the companies to exercise a "duty of care" and ensure that they generally default to the safest settings possible. joining us now is technology columnist for the washington post, taylor lorenz taylor, always good to have you on the programme. so what is in this? yeah, i cannot see what in this bill would possibly protect children. what this bill does do is basically come as you mentioned, mandate that tech companies take steps to remove content that could be perceived as potentially harmful to children. that's why you have all the major lgbtq groups, reproductive rights groups, civil liberties groups coming out against this bill, because such content could be seriously restricted under it. there was absolutely _ seriously restricted under it. there was absolutely gob _ seriously restricted under it. there was absolutely gob smacked - seriously restricted under it. there was absolutely gob smacked up congress is not actually attempting to legislate social media companies

since 1996. is that right?— since 1996. is that right? yeah, i mean, i since 1996. is that right? yeah, i mean. lthink— since 1996. is that right? yeah, i mean, i think we _ since 1996. is that right? yeah, i mean, i think we have _ since 1996. is that right? yeah, i mean, i think we have seen - since 1996. is that right? yeah, i mean, i think we have seen time and time again including with this build up time again including with this build up these lawmakers don't want to do anything to target the fundamental business models of social media. they want to make these rules around content, restricting content that people can see, but the tech industry has really progressed pretty unregulated and will continue to as well with this bill as this bill does not target any of the underlying structural issues that can cause harm. ibig underlying structural issues that can cause harm.— underlying structural issues that can cause harm. �* , .,~ , . can cause harm. big stakes here. we shouldn't underestimate _ can cause harm. big stakes here. we shouldn't underestimate the - can cause harm. big stakes here. we shouldn't underestimate the stakes l shouldn't underestimate the stakes that are in play here. $1 billion in advertising. lots of people want to advertise to young children, so there's been a very intense lobbying. flit there's been a very intense lobbying-— there's been a very intense lobb inc. , ., ., lobbying. of the social media companies — lobbying. of the social media companies have _ lobbying. of the social media companies have attempted . lobbying. of the social media | companies have attempted to lobbying. of the social media - companies have attempted to lobby and explained that actually this bill would cause them to have to collect more data, surveilled users even more than they do now. but the thing is, as you mentioned, there is not a lot that bipartisan lawmakers can come together on. and basically

anything to do with kids online safety, it sounds good, especially in an election year. they know constituents want them to to crack down, so this is their effort to be seen as if they are doing that. i think that there is some very legitimate concerns being raised by all of these organisations and the harm that this could do to martin generalise children —— marginalised children. the generalise children -- marginalised children. . , . generalise children -- marginalised children. ., , ., , ., ., children. the laws that the senator lookin: for children. the laws that the senator looking for it _ children. the laws that the senator looking for it to _ children. the laws that the senator looking for it to rain _ children. the laws that the senator looking for it to rain and _ children. the laws that the senator looking for it to rain and a - children. the laws that the senator looking for it to rain and a social i looking for it to rain and a social media companies certainly in respect with how they deal with children. the fact is that these big tech companies have ranch bought and paid for many— companies have ranch bought and paid for many of— companies have ranch bought and paid for many of these legislatures that are making the decisions on this and so they— are making the decisions on this and so they are — are making the decisions on this and so they are not going to compromise their fundraising apparatus. you remember early on when the supreme court ruled _ remember early on when the supreme court ruled 6—3, that the government can still—

court ruled 6—3, that the government can still work social media companies when people thought they were being infringed upon, but it is a business — were being infringed upon, but it is a business. it's smoke and mirrors. it's a business. it's smoke and mirrors. it's not _ a business. it's smoke and mirrors. it's not even — a business. it's smoke and mirrors. it's not even a _ a business. it's smoke and mirrors. it's not even a slap on the wrist. it's not even a slap on the wrist. it's a _ it's not even a slap on the wrist. it's a slap — it's not even a slap on the wrist. it's a slap on _ it's not even a slap on the wrist. it's a slap on the little hair on your— it's a slap on the little hair on your little _ it's a slap on the little hair on your little finger. there is nothing there _ your little finger. there is nothing there and — your little finger. there is nothing there. and everybody knows it is it is business — there. and everybody knows it is it is business as usual in these kids are exploited and exposed to things they have _ are exploited and exposed to things they have no business seeing and yet who is— they have no business seeing and yet who is protecting children? it's up to the _ who is protecting children? it's up to the parent to make sure they regulate — to the parent to make sure they regulate their children on these platforms. that is the best they can do is _ platforms. that is the best they can do is discipline and regulate their kids _ do is discipline and regulate their kids. , , ., ., do is discipline and regulate their kids. , , do is discipline and regulate their kids. , i, kids. disappointing to a pretty big movement here _ kids. disappointing to a pretty big movement here in _ kids. disappointing to a pretty big movement here in the _ kids. disappointing to a pretty big movement here in the uk, - kids. disappointing to a pretty big movement here in the uk, who i kids. disappointing to a pretty big i movement here in the uk, who want kids. disappointing to a pretty big - movement here in the uk, who want to these social media companies to take much greater care of children, particularly online harms, the self—harm things that they are seeing, we've got plenty of documented cases of children taking their own lives from things they've seen on social media. why is congress so low that you put in place much tougher restrictions on these american social media

companies?— these american social media comanies? , , these american social media comanies? , ., , companies? christian, you bring up a reall aood companies? christian, you bring up a really good point- — companies? christian, you bring up a really good point. i— companies? christian, you bring up a really good point. i hate _ companies? christian, you bring up a really good point. i hate to _ companies? christian, you bring up a really good point. i hate to say - companies? christian, you bring up a really good point. i hate to say it, - really good point. i hate to say it, but it is the truth, its campaign contributions, they are in the chokehold of big tech, it is not just big tech, it's all sorts of industries, oil, guns, everything, untilwe industries, oil, guns, everything, until we clean up the money situation and until we do something about citizens united, it is really hard to get congress to pass any sort of meaningful legislation, that is just the truth. and we have seen many studies that show that mental health amongst teens has precipitously declined in recent years and obviously parallels the advent of social media and it is devastating. and as someone who is a young teen about a decade ago, i remember how difficult it was to be surrounded by images of skinny women, these unrealistic images of models, negative impacts that it had on me. this is something that teens shouldn't have shoved down their throats every single time they turn on their phones. so i'm just afraid

that passing this legislation will actually preclude meaningful legislation because congress can say we did something when they really didn't actually do anything. that we did something when they really didn't actually do anything.- didn't actually do anything. that is a really serious _ didn't actually do anything. that is a really serious issue _ didn't actually do anything. that is a really serious issue that - didn't actually do anything. that is a really serious issue that you - a really serious issue that you are nodding along with, and i as a father of a daughter have real concerns about what she sees in terms of models, thin models, what she eats, the sort of image pressure thatis she eats, the sort of image pressure that is put on young people these days. that is put on young people these da s. �* , , that is put on young people these da 5. �* , , . ., that is put on young people these das. . ., days. let's be clear, the social media led _ days. let's be clear, the social media led to _ days. let's be clear, the social media led to the _ days. let's be clear, the social media led to the body - days. let's be clear, the social| media led to the body positivity movement. social media is the reason we see a diverse group of bodies. if you want to look at the traditional media. i grew up in women's magazines and the 2000 �*s. so let's be careful about what we attribute, there is no link between social media use and negative mental health on a broad spectrum for children. that... ., ., �* , on a broad spectrum for children. that... ., ., �*, ., that... you wouldn't put some of the mental health _ that... you wouldn't put some of the mental health issues _ that... you wouldn't put some of the mental health issues down _ that... you wouldn't put some of the mental health issues down to - mental health issues down to social media? , ., , ., ., media? there is, there was a great iece in media? there is, there was a great piece in the — media? there is, there was a great piece in the atlantic, _ media? there is, there was a great piece in the atlantic, i _ media? there is, there was a great piece in the atlantic, i know - media? there is, there was a great piece in the atlantic, i know there l piece in the atlantic, i know there is all this hype saying this, we have failed time and time again to

find any correlation. that does not mean that the companies can't do more, by the way. {in mean that the companies can't do more, by the way.— mean that the companies can't do more, by the way. on that issue, i know some _ more, by the way. on that issue, i know some people _ more, by the way. on that issue, i know some people would - more, by the way. on that issue, i know some people would disagreej more, by the way. on that issue, i - know some people would disagree with you on that particular point, but i will take what you say at face value. in terms of what more they can do, clearly you would expect the house to pass this because it's been passed on a bipartisan level in the senate. do you think there is a framework and what they have done here for congress to do more in respect of social media companies? this bill simply does not protect children. if they want to protect children, i could not agree with everything that she said more. if you want to fix these problems, you need to target the fundamental business model, the money behind all of this. you need to target the data advertising. this bill will cause them to collect more data, surveilled people even more, surveilled people even more, surveilled users even more with potential age verification. this is not... they can come together on this sort of legislation because it doesn't fundamentally target these companies business models, and i think we need to look at things like that if we want real change. taylor,

aood to that if we want real change. taylor, good to get — that if we want real change. taylor, good to get your — that if we want real change. taylor, good to get your thoughts - that if we want real change. taylor, good to get your thoughts on that. l good to get your thoughts on that. thank you. i am sorry it has been a little tight on some of the stories we were going to discuss, but that is because of that developing situation in southport, which i wa nt to want to finish with tonight. we have been showing you the pictures are from southport over the last hour. pretty ugly �*s scenes around the town this evening running battles with police. here is the home secretary, yvette cooper. in southport this morning, a secretary, yvette cooper. i�*i southport this morning, a community that was coming together to grieve together, to support each other and also to thank the police for their heroism yesterday in the face of the horrific attack, where there is an urgent criminal investigation now under way. at that is why it is so appalling to now see those same police facing violent attacks from thugs on the street to have no respect for a grieving community. it does a total disgrace. frankly this is a time when everyone should be

showing respect for a community and for the police. showing respect for a community and for the police-— for the police. there's been a lot of speculation — for the police. there's been a lot of speculation about _ for the police. there's been a lot of speculation about exactly - for the police. there's been a lot| of speculation about exactly what may have happened and the background of the person and all of that kind of the person and all of that kind of thing. has the speculation been unhelpful, do you think in terms of the scenes tonight? i unhelpful, do you think in terms of the scenes tonight?— unhelpful, do you think in terms of the scenes tonight? i think everyone should be showing _ the scenes tonight? i think everyone should be showing some _ the scenes tonight? i think everyone should be showing some respect - the scenes tonight? i think everyone should be showing some respect for| should be showing some respect for the community that is grieving and also for the police who are pursuing an urgent criminal investigation now and who showed such heroism and bravery yesterday in the face of these horrific attacks. i think everyone needs to support the police and that work and frankly the scenes of thuggery that we have seen are on the streets of southport this evening how are no relation to the way in which the southport community has been coming together to support each other and to support grieving families. we need to see some �*s respect for the grieving community and for the police in their urgent

work. , ,., , ., and for the police in their urgent work. , , ., ., . work. the response to the violence we've seen — work. the response to the violence we've seen in _ work. the response to the violence we've seen in southport _ work. the response to the violence we've seen in southport this - we've seen in southport this evening. policing they are dealing with a lot of criminal behaviour, violence with bottles, wheelie bins being thrown at them. one of the vans was set alight in the course of these protests that we've seen here. really i should redo the commons from assistant chief constable from the merseyside police which does sum up the merseyside police which does sum up what has happened here. he said there's been an awful lot of speculation, hypothesis and the last 24 speculation, hypothesis and the last 2a hours around the status the 17—year—old male currently in police custody connected to the knifing at the dance hall. some individuals are using that to bring violence and disorder to our streets. he said in the last 2a hours, we've seen overwhelming support and sympathy from the community. the actions in southport tonight will involve many people who do not live in the merseyside area and do not care about the people of merseyside. the police are saying that those

protesters who've come are from the english defence league and they are urging calm tonight i made some pretty ugly scenes that we have been witnessing in southport. you are watching bbc news. we will be back at the same time tomorrow. hello there. it's not just been it's notjust been the warmest day of the year, we've also officially seen a heat wave already in some regions, especially kent, east marling and branham. these areas have seen temperatures exceed the heat wave threshold sunday, monday and tuesday. already three consecutive days and we may well see another day or so of heat wave conditions in some areas. still warm and humid again, but a thunderstorm risk as we head through wednesday in the southeast of england. to start the southeast of england. to start the day, some heat and humidity in the day, some heat and humidity in the south from the word go, it's

pressure from the north. long spells of sunshine, lots of dry weather, light winds, really pleasant late july day. humid towards the south end as we head through the afternoon, you can see the showers and thunderstorms starting to crop up, particularly so across parts of kent into sussex as well. they are going to be hit and miss, but if you do catch one there could be some localised flooding. top temperatures 28-29 localised flooding. top temperatures 28—29 cemex excesses for central and southern areas. low 20s or high teens further north. heading on into wednesday evening and overnight into thursday, those heavy showers and thunderstorms may become a bit more extensive, especially across parts of england and wales, bit of rain across western scotland heading on into thursday as well. another really muggy, sticky night in the south, mid to high teens here. a little bit warmer further north than it has been overnight. through thursday, this massive heavy showers and thunderstorms. it clears away. through the day, caught him showers bubble up so again some thunderstorms potentially breaking outcome especially for england and wales during the afternoon. driver

scotland and northern ireland. temperatures 22—28 some exiles he has come above average for most of us, that warm air with us as we had the ready. later friday into saturday a frontal system pushes its way east end allows fresher air to start to move in from the west. so a change in weather type as we head through friday into saturday. still quite warm and sunny in the south and east i think through friday but the winds pick up in the north and the winds pick up in the north and the west with some showers as low pressure starts to move in. temperatures around about 16—21 for northern ireland and scotland, still about 28 in the far southeast, but then eventually things do turn a little bit fresher and more unsettled as we head into the weekend. goodbye for now.

tonight at ten: the faces of three little girls killed in the southport knife attack — bebe, who was six, seven—year—old elsie, and alice, who was nine. earlier, thousands gathered for a vigil to remember all the victims of the stabbings. i'm here in southport, where many have been united in grief. but also tonight, there have been violent scenes and rioting. clashes have broken out between far—right protesters and police

just up the road from here. we have witnessed large rocks raining down on police officers and police vehicles being set alight. and our other main story on the programme tonight: israel hits a built—up neighbourhood in lebanon's capital beirut. one woman is killed and others injured. building on england's green belt: the government gives details of its plans for 1.5 million new homes by 2029. it isa it is a golden moment! in paris! the gymnast simone biles dazzles the paris olympics, leading the us to victory in the women's team event. gold to great britain for the men! and a spectacular swim by team gb earns them a gold in the men's 4x200 freestyle relay. and stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world.