privacy law under the age of 18. privacy law restricts — under the age of 18. privacy law restricts somebody— under the age of 18. privacy law restricts somebody who - under the age of 18. privacy law restricts somebody who has - under the age of 18. privacy law restricts somebody who has not under the age of 18. privacy law- restricts somebody who has not been charged _ restricts somebody who has not been charged being — restricts somebody who has not been charged being named _ restricts somebody who has not been charged being named and _ restricts somebody who has not been charged being named and there - restricts somebody who has not been charged being named and there are l charged being named and there are laws around — charged being named and there are laws around young _ charged being named and there are laws around young people. - charged being named and there are laws around young people.- laws around young people. gentle ruestions laws around young people. gentle questions or _ laws around young people. gentle questions or stoking _ laws around young people. gentle questions or stoking the - laws around young people. gentle questions or stoking the unrest? l laws around young people. gentle i questions or stoking the unrest? the method of using the gentle questions i think_ method of using the gentle questions i think is_ method of using the gentle questions i think is an _ method of using the gentle questions i think is an interesting one because _ i think is an interesting one because it is not about inciting any violence. — because it is not about inciting any violence. it— because it is not about inciting any violence, it is not about suggesting anything _ violence, it is not about suggesting anything as fact, because we have been _ anything as fact, because we have been looking at the issue of disinformation. it is gently guiding people _ disinformation. it is gently guiding people towards the idea that actually law and order has broken down _ actually law and order has broken down. nigel farage is now a parliamentarian, he is someone who would _ parliamentarian, he is someone who would benefit from some of this attention— would benefit from some of this attention and the reform party would benefit _ attention and the reform party would benefit from some of this attention, so i benefit from some of this attention, so i think— benefit from some of this attention, so i think it — benefit from some of this attention, so i think it was a calculated intervention at this point in time. of the _ intervention at this point in time. of the most irresponsible sort. he said that they said it was not terrorist, in the same way they said

it wasn't terrorist, on the man attacked in kent. he said that at a point when the internet, as he would have known, was filled with allegations that it was something to do with islam. triat allegations that it was something to do with islam-— allegations that it was something to do with islam. not 'ust. .. there was a false name _ do with islam. not 'ust. .. there was a false name put— do with islam. notjust. .. there was a false name put out, _ do with islam. notjust. .. there was a false name put out, there - do with islam. notjust. .. there was a false name put out, there was - a false name put out, there was speculation that he had just arrived on a boat, speculation that it was an islamic attack. yvette cooper said that social media companies have a responsibility. fiend said that social media companies have a responsibility.— have a responsibility. and so do politicians _ have a responsibility. and so do politicians. i— have a responsibility. and so do politicians. i completely- have a responsibility. and so do politicians. i completely agree | have a responsibility. and so do i politicians. i completely agree with yvette about that because the way that social media, especially twitter, was dealing with that but also other social media companies, the thing that the social media was most engaged in, so the topic kept coming up. is most engaged in, so the topic kept comine u-. . ., most engaged in, so the topic kept comine u-. , . . ., , ., coming up. is that the algorithms on social media? _ coming up. is that the algorithms on social media? there _ coming up. is that the algorithms on social media? there was _ coming up. is that the algorithms on social media? there was something | social media? there was something from andrew tate yesterday, pretty offensive, that kept popping up on my timeline and kept coming back.

that is an algorithmic trend, isn't it? y ., ~ that is an algorithmic trend, isn't it? ~ ., ., that is an algorithmic trend, isn't it? do you think nigel farage looks at a social media _ it? do you think nigel farage looks at a social media and _ it? do you think nigel farage looks at a social media and was - it? do you think nigel farage looks at a social media and was aware i it? do you think nigel farage looks at a social media and was aware of| at a social media and was aware of what was floating towards the top? i what was floating towards the top? i just want to say, you are a legal expert — just want to say, you are a legal exert. �* ., . . just want to say, you are a legal exoert-_ even - just want to say, you are a legal expert._ even new| expert. i'm not at all. even new wood bulk _ expert. i'm not at all. even new wood bulk at — expert. i'm not at all. even new wood bulk at the _ expert. i'm not at all. even new wood bulk at the idea _ expert. i'm not at all. even new wood bulk at the idea of - expert. i'm not at all. even new wood bulk at the idea of state l wood bulk at the idea of state intervention or certainly technology intervention or certainly technology intervention in platforms, policing platforms — intervention in platforms, policing platforms and content. my worry is that we _ platforms and content. my worry is that we have had the 0nline safety act which _ that we have had the 0nline safety act which is supposed to have governance rules around social media companies _ governance rules around social media companies. there is a step away from where _ companies. there is a step away from where you _ companies. there is a step away from where you are going to start asking companies — where you are going to start asking companies to start policing what is on their— companies to start policing what is on their platforms.— on their platforms. there is a difference — on their platforms. there is a difference between _ on their platforms. there is a difference between chatter i on their platforms. there is a i difference between chatter and wilful intent by influencers like andrew tate.— wilful intent by influencers like andrew tate. and nigel farage ex . loitin . andrew tate. and nigel farage exploiting it- — andrew tate. and nigel farage exploiting it. this _ andrew tate. and nigel farage exploiting it. this is _ andrew tate. and nigel farage exploiting it. this is about i andrew tate. and nigel farage i exploiting it. this is about people ex . loitin . exploiting it. this is about people exploiting a _ exploiting it. this is about people exploiting a division _ exploiting it. this is about people exploiting a division that - exploiting it. this is about people exploiting a division that exists. l exploiting a division that exists. if exploiting a division that exists. if we _ exploiting a division that exists. if we are — exploiting a division that exists. if we are talking about responsibility we also need to look at mainstream parties, that you and i at mainstream parties, that you and i belong _ at mainstream parties, that you and i belong to — at mainstream parties, that you and i belong to come and try and understand some of the division and

tensions— understand some of the division and tensions that exist, why they exist and why— tensions that exist, why they exist and why people are so susceptible to being _ and why people are so susceptible to being exploited in this way by this kind of— being exploited in this way by this kind of messaging. this being exploited in this way by this kind of messaging.— being exploited in this way by this kind of messaging. this is some of the tension — kind of messaging. this is some of the tension tonight _ kind of messaging. this is some of the tension tonight in _ kind of messaging. this is some of the tension tonight in london, i the tension tonight in london, incidentally, so it isn't over. it incidentally, so it isn't over. it isn't over and it will spread and even _ isn't over and it will spread and even when _ isn't over and it will spread and even when the news media has moved away from _ even when the news media has moved away from this, this, for a lot of these _ away from this, this, for a lot of these communities, will continue. so i say these communities, will continue. so isav that— these communities, will continue. so i say that the responsibility also lies with — i say that the responsibility also lies with mainstream parties to try and understand where the division is coming _ and understand where the division is coming from that allows people like ni-el coming from that allows people like nigel farage to be able to ask these" — nigel farage to be able to ask these" gentle questions" and spread hate~ _ these" gentle questions" and spread hate. au— these" gentle questions" and spread hate. �* . these" gentle questions" and spread hate. . , ., these" gentle questions" and spread hate. . , . ., these" gentle questions" and spread hate. , . ., , hate. all the parties have to focus on immigration _ hate. all the parties have to focus on immigration but _ hate. all the parties have to focus on immigration but that _ hate. all the parties have to focus on immigration but that is - hate. all the parties have to focus on immigration but that is no i hate. all the parties have to focus i on immigration but that is no excuse for the way that nigel farage behaved. i for the way that nigel farage behaved. ., �* . , for the way that nigel farage i behaved._ this behaved. i don't excuse it. this programme _ behaved. i don't excuse it. this programme is _ behaved. i don't excuse it. this programme is never _ behaved. i don't excuse it. this programme is never long i behaved. i don't excuse it. this i programme is never long enough! we could talk about that for plenty more time. let's have a look at the front pages. do we have them? yes, they are here. the sun

newspaper, guilty, trusted face of bbc exposed by the sun the same on the front of the times newspaper, edwards pleaded guilty to viewing indecent images. guardian, a fear of escalation, that stories about israel, and edwards could face jail after indecent images of children. the daily mirror, child abuse shame. the daily mirror, child abuse shame. the daily mirror, child abuse shame. the daily mail, russia linked to fake news that sparked the mosque riot. we didn't talk about outside states and the influence they may have on the national debate. that's it for us, thank you to my guests. katie razzall is here tomorrow. till then, sleep well. goodnight.

live from london, this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the culture secretary, lisa nandy, has tonight called for an urgent meeting with the bbc director general over the handling of the case of huw edwards. earlier today, the former bbc news presenter pleaded guilty at westminster magistrates�* court, to accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. the bbc says it knew he'd been arrested back in november, on suspicion of serious offences. at the time he'd been suspended from duties, but was still being paid his full salary, and later received a pay rise. earlier this year, he resigned from the corporation allowed to leave on his own terms. lucy manning has more. the man who read the news

headlines is now in them, in the middle of the jostling cameras and reporters who he would normally have worked alongside, facing serious charges that he accessed indecent photographs and videos of children, including a boy as young as seven to nine years old. no words outside court, but three key ones inside. the former newsreader stood in the dock and, as the counts were read out, calmly, quietly, he replied, "guilty". then again, "guilty," and for the third time, "guilty". the court heard huw edwards had been in a whatsapp chat with a man he met online, who sent him pictures and videos. of the 377 sexual images, 41 were indecent images of children, mostly between 12—15 years old. but two of the most extreme images were videos of a child who could have been as young as seven. the court heard on two occasions

he asked the man not to send underage or illegal pictures — but, after the first time, he still accessed more that were sent, including the video of the young boy. mr edwards' lawyer said the former bbc newsreader hadn't kept any images or sent them to anyone else. in the last year, huw edwards has gone from the top of the bbc to suspension, to resignation, and now pleading guilty to these serious offences. a downfall for a man who was at the pinnacle of his career. there are 650 mp5... leading the bbc�*s election and royal coverage, the man entrusted to announce the death of the queen. good evening. the unrelenting pressure... the main presenter of news at ten, he left the bbc in the aftermath of separate allegations from the sun that he had paid for explicit photos. he left, but not before he'd received a £40,000 pay rise. in a statement, the bbc said...

the police revealed this afternoon that the man who shared the indecent images with huw edwards is convicted paedophile 25—year—old alex williams. they only began investigating the former newsreader after they seized a phone in an unconnected investigation and discovered the whatsapp messages.

huw edwards now faces a possible jail sentence, which will be decided in september. he has accepted his guilt, but the man who was the face of bbc news, who was the watchword for reliability and trust, has forfeited all of that and so much more. lucy manning, bbc news. well, we now the bbc knew back in november, that huw edwards had been arrested. to be clear, we here at bbc news are editorially independent, when reporting on the corporation, and the news division only learnt of his arrest and the charges, along with the rest of the media, on monday. our culture editor katie razzall spoke to my colleague, clive myrie. serious questions for the bbc and director general — not least why the bbc paid huw edwards for five months after it knew he had been arrested. because he was so well—renumerated — the third—highest paid bbc presenter — that would've meant a total of more than £200,000 of public

money from the licence fee going to him after the arrest. 0n the face of it, that looks hard to justify in hindsight. and the bbc says it was told in confidence about the arrest and decided it would act if he was charged — and in the end, he left before that happened. there are also questions about why huw edwards was wasn't sacked in november, but instead was given the space to resign, albeit without a payout. in mitigation, the bbc had a duty of care to an employee, he was likely getting legal and hr advice that he needed to be in that contract, that he had serious health issues — but the optics are reputationally difficult, and there are questions about who in the bbc knew what when. in the end, it comes down to difficult decisions that were made with a lot of competing advice by the most senior people in the bbc — but, with the facts as we now have them, did they make the wrong judgment call? yeah, and lisa nandi, the culture secretary,

now wants to see tim davie, the director general — a significant meeting. yeah, i think that is significant in the sense that lisa nandy has said she wants further clarity from bbc management about the case. and it's another sign that the decisions they took really are under scrutiny. we understand she wants answers to some important questions, not least the issue of using public money in that way. she's talking about transparency, she wants to find out who made the decisions, when, and what structures and safeguards are in place at the bbc. it was fairly common for previous conservative culture secretaries to call urgent meetings with the director—general when the bbc was facing questions — and lisa nandy�*s team are making clear she isn't politicising the bbc, but it's in the public interest for questions be answered. but it does, of course, add the pressure on the people at the very top of the organisation. and this story is dominating the front pages of thursdays papers — let's take a look

at some of them now. "edwards fall from grace" splashes the mirror. let's show you that again if we can. it was a bit brief, let's see if we can — nope, we are struggling with our papers. there you go. "guilty" leads the sun. the independent says huw edwards faces jail over shocking child abuse images. and the metro leads with the mother of one of the southport stabbing victim's outrage at last night's violence, with huw edwards' guilty plea also making the front page. detectives investigating the mass stabbing in southport that left three children dead have been granted more time to question a 17—year—old suspect. meantime, protesters clashed with police near downing street on wednesday, as britain faced a second night of demonstrations. there were violent protests on tuesday night in southport itself.

this report now from judith moritz. when a knifeman walked into leanne lucas's dance class she showed incredible bravery, shielding the children from danger. her cousin has told bbc how she is doing now. all we know is she's still not out of the woods yet but she is definitely talking. we're not allowed to say too much. but she is a hero. the attack has devastated this community and made an impact far beyond here. nine—year—old alice aguiar, elsie dot stancombe, aged seven, and bebe king, who was just six, were all killed. eight other children were hurt. another adult was injured too. jonathan hayes was stabbed

in the leg as he tried to stop the knifeman, and today from his hospital bed, he told bbc he does not see himself as a hero and wishes he could have done more. in southport, it's a time to hold your children tight. all over this town, parents are in turmoil. gemma's daughter was meant to be at the dance class, but it was fully booked. i just want to keep them close to me. they've been in my bed every night since it happened, i do not want them to go anywhere. she is meant to be at preschool today and i would not let her go. last night, things took a violent turn — rioting broke out, and more than 50 officers and three police dogs were injured. a mosque was targeted and a corner shop looted. today, it was being boarded up by volunteers and its owner is worried about more trouble. they came just like a human flood inside, and theyjust took all the cigarettes and valuable alcohol, and smashed a couple of bottles. sweets and chocolates,

just threw it everywhere. the chief constable of merseyside came to the streets where her officers were attacked. they were faced with that disgusting level of violence from people who do not represent our communities here in southport. do you feel that they came from outside the community? there were people who travelled into southport, people have attended then after the vigil for the purpose of mindless violence and thuggery, and hooliganism. and they do not represent southport. do you worry about misinformation that circulates online, is that providing a new challenge? it absolutely is in terms of there is a lot of misinformation out there, a lot of the speculation, and i would just urge people, we will give you the information when we can. though there is no sign of the rioters returning, the police are here in number. this place is putting

itself back together. but it is one thing to mend the broken brick and repair the roads where fire caught hold. quite another to heal the hearts of people here who have seen the worst of humanity in their town. judith moritz, bbc news, southport. there are growing fears of region—wide conflict in the middle east. the un security council has just wrapped up an emergency session. the secretary general is warning of a "dangerous escalation" and israel's prime minister says his country has "challenging days" ahead. all this follows the killing of senior leaders from two iranian—backed groups — hamas and hezbollah — both considered terrorist organisations by the uk and us governments. 62—year—old ismail haniyeh was the political leader of hamas, the group that runs gaza. he was killed in an air strike in tehran while visiting the iranian capital. he's the most senior hamas leader to be killed since israel was attacked by the group in october last year. hamas blame israel for the killing,

but israel hasn't responded. iran has vowed to avenge his death. his death came just hours after israel said it had attacked a building in beirut, killing fuad shukr — a senior commander of the hamas—supporting group, hezbollah. shortly, we'll have a report from quentin sommerville in beirut — but first, here's our diplomatic correspondent paul adams, from jerusalem. across the west bank this morning, a furious reaction to the news from tehran. they knew ismail haniyeh had a target on his back. and israel has assassinated many palestinian leaders before. but that doesn't lessen the shock. in ramallah, seat of the palestinian government, they gathered at noon. the palestinian authority declaring this a day of mourning. condemnation here from supporters, and opponents of hamas. israel has just committed a terrible criminal,

political act by assassinating a political leader. they have assassinated the person they were negotiating with about a ceasefire. so this sends a very clear message to palestinians. israel doesn't want peace, israel doesn't want a ceasefire. all israel understands is only the language of force. this city, ramallah, is not exactly a stronghold of hamas, and today's demonstration isn't huge, a few hundred people at most. but no—one should underestimate the strength of feeling, of dismay and anger, generated by the killing of ismail haniyeh. the hamas leader, seen here on the left, was in tehran for the new president's inauguration. iran backs hamas as well as the houthis in yemen and hezbollah in lebanon. for one former israeli national security adviser, this was a perfect opportunity. in a way, it's the best place to kill him because it shows

a connection between tehran and hamas. and in tehran, no—one can complain about it because they made hamas, and now hamas is paying the price. but is there another price? has the torturous business of bringing israeli hostages home just got that much harder? daniel's elderly grandfather was taken by hamas gunmen on october the 7th. it might hurt from one side of negotiations, from the other side, ismail haniyeh is responsible for the attacks of october the 7th, i think that assassinating someone like ismail haniyeh should not bother the negotiations. in gaza, the house where ismail haniyeh once lived, lies, like so much else, in ruins. but the war he watched from exile goes on. paul adams, bbc news, jerusalem. it was grief and defiance today at the beirut funeral for two children killed in last night's

israeli air strike. but the threat of war hangs heavy here, too. this is the moment the air strike hit, captured from a nearby sports club, where people escaped. and the aftermath. here, israel killed the hezbollah leader they believed responsible for the attack on the golan heights. israel's previous attacks have been linked to the border. the iranian—backed group is more formidable and more heavily armed than hamas. in this neighbourhood in beirut, support for iran and hezbollah is strong. so is hatred for israel. but today, they were burying ten—year—old hassan and his six—year—old sister, amira.

he never left her side, the family said. he played football, too — his team were among the mourners. their mother, miriam, stood by, overcome with grief. their aunt, zainab, promised vengeance. translation: the only criminals are israel and america. _ they are solely responsible for this act. and may all the martyrs rest in peace. my son and their older brother willjoin the resistasnce and avenge their death. this has now claimed the lives of two more children and set up an unpredictable chain of events, and the fragile understandings which kept lebanon out of the war have never looked more precarious. hezbollah's response and israel's, too, will decide whether a new war costing countless more lives

will ignite here in lebanon. quentin sommerville, bbc news, beirut. experts say there's more hope than "ever before" that nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed. researchers have identified two new risks — high or bad cholesterol from the age of about 40, which they say accounts for an estimated 7% of cases. while another 2% of cases are attributable to untreated vision loss in later life. they say addressing these factors, as well as a number of others, gives people the best chance of reducing the chances of developing dementia, even if they have a high genetic risk. let's speak now to gill livingston. she's professor of psychiatry of older people at university college london, and the lead author of the report. shejoins me now from philadelphia. professor, thanks very much for joining us. just tell us why you believe these two factors are significant. believe these two factors are significant-— believe these two factors are sienificant. . ,, , ., ., significant. thank you for inviting me. the reason _

significant. thank you for inviting me. the reason why _ significant. thank you for inviting me. the reason why we - significant. thank you for inviting me. the reason why we do i significant. thank you for inviting me. the reason why we do is i significant. thank you for inviting i me. the reason why we do is there's clear consistent evidence that people with these risk factors are more likely to get dementia some years down the line, and it's of high scientific quality — but the excellent news is that people whose cholesterol is treated, or whose vision loss is treated are no longer at any excess risk. so the art —— these are two extremely modifiable risk factors which treating for individuals and populations can make an enormous difference. is it an enormous difference. is it related to — an enormous difference. is it related to vascular _ an enormous difference. is it related to vascular function ings, in some way there? irate related to vascular function ings, in some way there?— related to vascular function ings, in some way there? we are talking about cholesterol _ in some way there? we are talking about cholesterol - _ in some way there? we are talking about cholesterol - cholesterol i in some way there? we are talking | about cholesterol - cholesterol has about cholesterol — cholesterol has two ways it may work. one is related to vascular functioning issues, two ways it may work. one is related to vascularfunctioning issues, as you said, and people with high cholesterol are more likely to have tiny strokes or larger strokes. but

excess cholesterol is also related to increase to amyloid deposition, which are the two crucial proteins in alzheimer's disease. what which are the two crucial proteins in alzheimer's disease. what does this mean for— in alzheimer's disease. what does this mean for people _ in alzheimer's disease. what does this mean for people who - in alzheimer's disease. what does this mean for people who have i this mean for people who have already been diagnosed with dementia? is there any way this research can help them? i dementia? is there any way this research can help them?- dementia? is there any way this research can help them? i think for --eole research can help them? i think for people who — research can help them? i think for people who already _ research can help them? i think for people who already have _ research can help them? i think for| people who already have dementia, then it's obviously important — it's important for all of us, with or without dementia, we can see well. and for people with high cholesterol, who are at high risk of cardiac problems, then it's still a partial preventative strategy for them as everyone else. but treating high cholesterol and vision loss in people who already have dementia doesn't reverse it. so people who already have dementia doesn't reverse it.— doesn't reverse it. so what can --eole doesn't reverse it. so what can people do _ doesn't reverse it. so what can people do in — doesn't reverse it. so what can people do in light _ doesn't reverse it. so what can people do in light of _ doesn't reverse it. so what can people do in light of this i

doesn't reverse it. so what can people do in light of this new l people do in light of this new research, these new findings? what can people do to try to prevent themselves developing dementia later on? i themselves developing dementia later on? .. ., �* . themselves developing dementia later on? .. ., f ., on? i think that's what the excellent _ on? i think that's what the excellent news _ on? i think that's what the excellent news is - - on? i think that's what the excellent news is - nearly| on? i think that's what the i excellent news is - nearly half of excellent news is — nearly half of all dementias with these risk factors, and broadly they are to do with keeping yourself cognitively stimulated, doing things which are interesting, socially stimulating, seeing other people, and keeping yourself physically active. so doing these things — all of which will make you feel better — mean you are at much lower risk of developing dementia. and one of the ways you can easily be cognitively stimulating is by hearing and seeing — so making sure that your vision and hearing is correct, and if there's a problem with it, correcting it. it's good news because treating these things makes

you feel better and leads to a longer, healthier life. there will still be some people who will develop dementia, but they'll develop dementia, but they'll develop it later in life and have it for a much shorter time. and i think that what people are really dreading and concerned about as they grow older is having a long, unhealthy life. ., , older is having a long, unhealthy life. ., . ~ y older is having a long, unhealthy life. ., . ~ , . life. professor, thank you very much for speaking — life. professor, thank you very much for speaking to _ life. professor, thank you very much for speaking to us. _ life. professor, thank you very much for speaking to us. thank _ life. professor, thank you very much for speaking to us. thank you - life. professor, thank you very much for speaking to us. thank you for. for speaking to us. thank you for havin: for speaking to us. thank you for having me. _ for speaking to us. thank you for having me. by- _ we'll finish tonight in paris — where team gb have picked up another five medals on the fifth day of the olympic games. alex yee secured gold after a sensational sprint finish in the men's triathlon. the triathlon had been due to take place on tuesday but was rescheduled because of poor water quality in the river seine. meantime, team gb�*s women's quad sculls edged out the netherlands in a dramatic photo—finish to secure rowing gold. time for a look at the weather now with stav danaos.

hello there. temperatures reached 29—30 celsius across southern parts of the uk again today, but we're starting to see a few changes. there has already been the odd shower around, but things are going to get more active overnight and into tomorrow with the risk of some thundery downpours, mainly across england and wales. but if we look towards the west, across northern ireland, there are some showers here and those will develop and push their way across southern scotland and then really generate some heavy, thundery downpours across england and wales later on in the night. a lot of cloud around overnight. it's going to be pretty warm out there, 17 celsius minimum in the south—east of england. and for scotland, it's going to be a lot warmer than it was last night. but we've got the downpours to begin with across the midlands, northern england — it could be thundery — move out of the way and then we get a bit of sunshine that will trigger some further thundery showers for england and wales, whereas scotland and northern ireland, looking much drier. and, with a bit more sunshine in the afternoon, temperatures could be a little bit higher than today. elsewhere for england and wales, temperatures aren't going to be as high as they have been,

but still very warm out there, particularly if you do miss those showers. now, we started the week with high pressure dominant. we're going to end the week with low pressure more dominant. there still could be some showers to clear away from eastern parts of england on friday morning. and then we look to the west because we've got this cloud thickening the wind picking up a bit and some rain moving in too. so northern and western areas will see temperatures a little bit lower. but ahead of that rain through the midlands and eastern england, it's going to be a very warm end to the week. we've still got temperatures 27—28 celsius. that will change, though, as we head through the weekend, because that weather front that's bringing the rain in the west will move its way eastwards may not be huge amounts of rain affecting some eastern parts of england on saturday morning. that moves away, sunshine follows on many places will be dry on saturday, but the wind picking up in the north west will bring showers to northern ireland and western scotland, and those temperatures are going to be lower. we're looking at a top temperature of 25 celsius. we're all in this cooler and fresher air on saturday, with more of a west to south—westerly wind. further low pressure heading

towards the north—west of the uk will eventually bring this rain in from the atlantic, so not such a good weekend for this part of the country. elsewhere, for england and wales, it's likely to be dry. there'll be some cloud, but some sunshine through the midlands and eastern parts of england and feeling quite pleasant — temperatures 23—24.

next on bbc news, hardtalk with stephen sackur. welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur. how close are we to a multi—front war in the middle east? with or without formal confirmation, it seems israel has assassinated two two key enemies in 2a hours — a hezbollah commander in beirut, a hamas leader in tehran. meanwhile, israel's assault on gaza continues with no sign of a ceasefire or the release of israeli hostages.