prime minister keir starmer backs police action against thuggery, after disorder during demonstrations in several cities across the uk. it follows days of unrest after the killing of three young girls in southport. the us and the uk are urging their citizens to leave lebanon amid escalating fears of an all—out war between israel and the lebanese militant group hezbollah. at the paris olympics, julien alfred of st. lucia wins gold in the women's 100 meters, securing the first—ever olympic medal for her country. and us swimmer katie ledecky wins the 800—meter freestyle, becomming the first female swimmer to win four olympic gold medals in the same event. hello, i'm vishala sri—pathma.

welcome to bbc news. clashes have broken out between police and far right protesters in several uk cities. prime minister keir starmer condemned the "far—right" for the violence and backed police to take strong action. several police have been injured during protests in a string of cities from belfast to liverpool and manchester as well as leeds, nottingham and hull, police have been on alert. merseyside police have confirmed two officers were taken to hospital, one with a suspected broken nose and another with a suspected brokenjaw. at least six arrests were made. in nottingham, police had to separate rival groups. the sides were facing off in the middle of the city with a line of officers between them. there were rival protests, too, in leeds.

organisers of the �*stand up to racism' protest said "peace won" in the city, claiming they had more individuals on their rally. the unrest wasn't restricted to england. in belfast, protesters outside a mosque threw objects at members of the media, and smashed windows in a cafe. in manchester, there have been scuffles between some protesters and police in the city centre. there was also a counter—protest and officers had to keep the groups separated. in liverpool, our reporter danjohnson witnessed the protests and sent this report. liverpool's waterfront was chaotic at times this afternoon as police struggled to maintain control and keep two sides apart. anti—fascist demonstrators marched to confront anti—immigrant protesters. the police are now forcing back the anti—fascist demonstrators. they are trying to create a bit of space between the two sides. bottles and paint tins were thrown.

at least one officer was injured. you can see a smoke canister that's just been thrown, that's just landed in the crowd. so all sorts here for the police to deal with. there was at least one arrest here, and there have been demonstrations in a number of towns and cities this afternoon. this was leeds. and there were arrests in manchester too. sunderland saw serious rioting last night after a far right demonstration erupted and a number of police officers were injured. today, they were clearing up and assessing the damage. during the course of the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. this was not a protest. this was unforgivable violence and disorder. let's go! the worst seems to have passed here now in liverpool, and people are starting to disperse. but what brought them

here in the first place? and it's angry, makes you angry. and that's why we're doing it. and it does need to stop. if the government don't listen to what the people who are working every day, it's going to go worse. it's going to go worse. they're just not listening, simple as that. there are fears this could escalate further this evening with another planned demonstration outside one of liverpool's mosques. and this was hull in the last hour. the demonstrations are spreading and so is the violence, but many are struggling to work out what any of this has to do with events in southport this week. danjohnson, bbc news, liverpool. speaking about the unrest across the country, the home secretary yvette cooper, gave a firm response. criminal violence and disorder has no place on britain's streets.

we have been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including we are making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready, because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price. there has been a call today among some cabinet ministers. what can you tell us about what was discussed and what further steps were potentially decided on? we were clear right across the government, the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the lord chancellor and for me as home secretary, that we will give the police on the backing they need in the actions that they are taking in response to this criminal disorder and thuggery, because it has no place on britain's streets, and that is why we are ensuring that there are additional prosecutors in place this weekend, that the courts stand ready as well. we have to make sure that anyone who engages in this kind of unacceptable disorder really pays the price. what further levers

on the government side have you got that you can pull in this? a lot of people turn to the government and say, �*what can you do to stop this happening?', but how much is there that you can do, or is this down to the police? police need to lead operations in communities across the country where there has been both violent disorder and thuggery on the streets, which is completely unacceptable, completely damaging, and where the police need to know they have our full support, taking the strongest possible action, making sure that these criminals face the full force of the law, and also already there are some of the suspect and perpetrators have already been arrested, already facing charges, and are in custody, but we expect more of that to continue, and we will support the police every step of the way. communities have a right to be able to feel safe. that was the home secretary yvette to speak a little earlier on. ——

yvette cooper speaking a little earlier on. misinformation about the identity and religion of the suspect in the southport stabbings this week has again fuelled anti—islam sentiment in cities across the uk, leaving muslim communities on edge. protesters have targeted mosques in several cities, including liverpool and sunderland. groups of counter—protesters have also rallied around the mosques to prevent damage. let's speak to ibrahim syed who is co—ordinator of the liverpool region mosque network. thank you very much forjoining us. firstly, your reaction to these protest? i firstly, your reaction to these rotest? ~ ., ., ., ., protest? i think what the motivation of these protests _ protest? i think what the motivation of these protests and _ protest? i think what the motivation of these protests and disturbances l of these protests and disturbances it is to shake up the nation and get the nation particularly thinking about a particular danger. the agenda that these far right activist, india or whoever they are, is to be anti—muslim and to stoke up hatred and enmity and welcomes

towards muslims. what i want to ask and what i want people to ponder on is consider what how we must be feeling? i am a british born muslim who is a0 years old, second or third generation in the uk like the vast majority of muslims in this country are. this is making us feel hour, that we don't be a long queue but actually, we are born and brought up here, we are raised here, we raised to, we are actually educated here. we contribute to society and we are very much belong here. so i am calling on the government to take strong action against these far right groups, like india and other far right groups like they have with extreme islamist groups. —— are like the edl and otherfar right extreme islamist groups. —— are like the edl and other far right groups. you said this is the reaction you would want from the government. what else would you like to see? there needs to be _ else would you like to see? there needs to be more _ else would you like to see? there needs to be more effort - else would you like to see? there needs to be more effort from - else would you like to see? there needs to be more effort from thisj needs to be more effort from this new government and community

cohesion. we saw in the aftermath of the 2001 rise, there is a lot of investment and effort and energy by 23 years later, britain has changed. it is much more diverse. the country and demographics have changed. it is much more focus that needs to be put on community cohesion and building a more inclusive society. you on community cohesion and building a more inclusive society.— more inclusive society. you feel safe, ibrahim? _ more inclusive society. you feel safe, ibrahim? and _ more inclusive society. you feel safe, ibrahim? and the - more inclusive society. you feel safe, ibrahim? and the sea, - more inclusive society. you feel| safe, ibrahim? and the sea, no. more inclusive society. you feel - safe, ibrahim? and the sea, no. we feel that there _ safe, ibrahim? and the sea, no. we feel that there are _ safe, ibrahim? and the sea, no. we feel that there are people _ safe, ibrahim? and the sea, no. we feel that there are people causing . feel that there are people causing havoc across cities, across our country and the anger that we see putting towards shop fronts and police is actually directed at us as muslims and i think that is quite dangerous, and muslims up and down this country at this moment are feeling vulnerable, anxious and targeted. feeling vulnerable, anxious and tarueted. ~ ., feeling vulnerable, anxious and tarueted. ~ . .,~ feeling vulnerable, anxious and tarueted. . ., , targeted. what you make of this olice targeted. what you make of this police response _ targeted. what you make of this police response so _ targeted. what you make of this police response so far? - targeted. what you make of this police response so far? i - targeted. what you make of this police response so far? i think. targeted. what you make of this police response so far? i think i | police response so far? i think i can speak _

police response so far? i think i can speak specifically _ police response so far? i think i can speak specifically at - police response so far? i think i can speak specifically at the - police response so far? i think i l can speak specifically at the back about a most merseyside police. they have been fantastic and can't fault them in a shape orform. the miss so supportive to the erotic that we represent, 20 mosques across the liverpool region —— but they have been so supportive to the mosque we represent. the abyss our channels and kept as outdated almost hourly, there has been reassuring for the communities and police presence in contact with the must have been fantastic. our message to be communities is not to confront and not to come out to face these protesters and writers because that is what we want, they want to fight us on the streets. and that is the reaction we are not going to give them, you're going to let the police take care of the rioters and disturbances but we are calling on the government to take strong action which i am hopeful that this government will. which i am hopefulthat this government will.— which i am hopefulthat this government will. �* , , , government will. and 'ust briefly, we are government will. and 'ust briefly, we going * government will. and 'ust briefly, we are going into _ government will. and 'ust briefly, we are going into the _ government will. and just briefly, we are going into the night - government will. and just briefly, we are going into the night of- we are going into the night of saturday, we had a lot of violent events a day across the country.

liverpool had some big scale protests so how are you feeling going into the night?— protests so how are you feeling going into the night? anxious as we seak, going into the night? anxious as we speak. there _ going into the night? anxious as we speak. there is _ going into the night? anxious as we speak, there is another _ going into the night? anxious as we speak, there is another mask- going into the night? anxious as we speak, there is another mask which | speak, there is another mask which is a smaller mosque and we have learned from the police that protesters and riot are going towards. we advise that mosque to be close so nobody will be at that mosque and if they do is hack it, hopefully, they will be no people who will be hurt or injured. so please have reassured us because they said there are lots of resources available. unfortunately, police have been injured so we are very grateful for the police who have been doing a fantasticjob. ok. have been doing a fantastic 'ob. 0k, thank ou have been doing a fantasticjob. 0k, thank you very much forjoining us. our correspondent, thomas magill, has been keeping across events thomas, several arrests, footage on social media. thomas, lots of arrests have been

made? ~ , ,., , thomas, lots of arrests have been made? ~ , ., made? absolutely, fast moving stories, lots _ made? absolutely, fast moving stories, lots of _ made? absolutely, fast moving stories, lots of footage - made? absolutely, fast moving stories, lots of footage of - made? absolutely, fast moving | stories, lots of footage of social media, horrific events across parts of the country. lots of it is unverified by the bbc but sadly, they are out there showing looting, attacks, fighting in the streets, parades and marches. also, police are being attacked. following that, they have been arrested across the country and in blackpool for example, multiple arrests take place and the police actually rattled the live cattle to around a0 protesters during the day there. in hull, officers injured and four people arrested, again, fights then clashed with police and a hotel that was used to house asylum seekers had a window smashed and attempts to start fires. there were cars burning in hulljust several hours ago as well. in belfast, they are still dealing with an incident there. there are

still people on the street in parts of south belfast —— michael belfast, the m5 remain closed. there is also an ongoing incident and disturbances in liverpool as well. two more arrests in stoke, the list is endless and there are lots and i still happening on the streets tonight. still happening on the streets toniaht. , ., i. still happening on the streets toni.ht_ , ., , ., ., still happening on the streets toniaht. , . ,, ., ., tonight. yes and you mentioned that about the footage _ tonight. yes and you mentioned that about the footage online, _ tonight. yes and you mentioned that about the footage online, lots - tonight. yes and you mentioned that about the footage online, lots of- about the footage online, lots of vintage social media. you can't quite verify that yet? yes vintage social media. you can't quite verify that yet?— vintage social media. you can't quite verify that yet? yes that is ri . ht. quite verify that yet? yes that is right- some _ quite verify that yet? yes that is right. some very _ quite verify that yet? yes that is right. some very disturbing - quite verify that yet? yes that is i right. some very disturbing images in hull, i think, footage of shops being looted and windows being smashed. seat of police officers being pushed over motorbikes and attacks and fights in manchester city centre. as well as appearing on social media, we have not been able to confirm or verify that but certainly, there are out there and give a sense of what today has been

like for many of the towns and cities around the country. we have seen in liverpool— cities around the country. we have seen in liverpool that _ cities around the country. we have seen in liverpool that day - cities around the country. we have seen in liverpool that day events l seen in liverpool that day events from early on in the day when we spent two and reporter danjohnson where it was quite busy and a noisy protest. we saw that footage online of a police officer being pushed of his motorcycle. it's been slightly dissipated now, a lot quieter, is that the case across the uk? bristol, in particular tonight, that the case across the uk? bristol, in particulartonight, have seen clashes that went on during the day. people have been turning up today and there is around a thousand people of the street at the moment. they have clashed with the right to police, some on horseback. but perhaps, these section 60 order in liverpool is having an effect. to enable it in liverpool are subject to that special order by the police and kensington are up to midnight

tonight. maybe there is having an effect which is why the us not so be put out a livable force. certainly in blackpool, we are hearing reports of things going on as well. it is important _ of things going on as well. it is important to — of things going on as well. it is important to mention the rival prater is going on as well. the arrival protest to these anti immigrant sentiment. absolutely, althou:h immigrant sentiment. absolutely, although we _ immigrant sentiment. absolutely, although we have _ immigrant sentiment. absolutely, although we have seen _ immigrant sentiment. absolutely, although we have seen pictures i immigrant sentiment. absolutely, although we have seen pictures ofj although we have seen pictures of the police standing between these two separate groups. suddenly, there have been far right protesters but there have been antifascist and other protesters, counter protests, many were flags and manners a saying stand up to racism. they have in some places, bigger than the far right movements as well. yes. some places, bigger than the far right movements as well. yes, we have been — right movements as well. yes, we have been hearing _ right movements as well. yes, we have been hearing that _ right movements as well. yes, we have been hearing that on - right movements as well. yes, we have been hearing that on our- right movements as well. yes, we have been hearing that on our live page. some of the stand up to race and have got more individuals than the opposite. in terms of what has been going on throughout, it was our live page and we have got loads of

updates on our website. thank you for keeping us up—to—date. now it's time for a look at today's sport with hugh. what a night ahead in saint lucia. they have not only won their first olympic medal, but they've won gold in one of the most prestigious events at the olympics. julian alfred is their hero, winning the women's 100 metres and she did it with relative ease, winning by 0.15 seconds ahead of the favourite and world champion sha'carri richardson. fellow american melissa jefferson was third behind alfred who'd never even finished on the podium at a major championship before now. the netherlands are the new a by a00 metre mixed relay champions after an incredible final leg. the netherlands were fourth when femke bol picked up the baton, but the a00 metre hurdler specialist chased down belgium, great britain and then the usa on the line to snatch victory. it's been a fine night

for the caribbean nations. after st lucia's historic win. 1—2 for dominica. theirfirst medal ever is also a gold from thea lafond in the women's triple jump. her second effort of 15 metres and two centimetres was a national record and enough to claim the title. america's ryan crouser has now done the same in the shot put three times. he's the first man to do that at the olympics in the shot put. his season's best throw of 22.90 metres added another gold to his packed trophy cabinet. here's another american making history in paris where swimmer katie ledecky is on top of the podium yet again. she's won her ninth olympic title, her latest in the women's 800 metre freestyle. ledecky has now equalled the record for the most gold medals by a female olympian. she's also become the only swimmer other than michael phelps to win the same olympic event four times in a row. 10 years younger than

ledecky — a new star. 17—year—old summer mcintosh has won her third gold medal of this games, snatching victory in the final freestlye leg of the 200 metre individual medley — adding to her a00m medley and 200m butterfly titles. hungary's kristof milak is the new 100 metre butterfly champion. he won gold in a thrilling race, finishing just nine hundredths of a second quicker than canada'sjosh liendo. fellow canadian ilya kharun took bronze. earlier on saturday, the world's most decorated gymnast simone biles won a seventh olympic title and a third gold of paris 202a. she's added the vault title to the team and individual all around golds already won in paris. her first effort was the hardest vault of all those attempted in the final, landing what's become known as the biles 2. it was enough to keep her rivals at some distance with brazil's rebecca andrade second and fellow american jade carey with bronze. it's biles' a0th major medal.

not many people can do it to this level in this world. so it's kind of like, when we are at there, the floor is a west stage. it is so free for us because we are in an element, and it is so fun to do. i think that is why i enjoyed so much but at a certain point, as we get older, it does get a little bit more scary and we are more aware of what we are doing. it is always fun. one of the boxers whose gender eligibility has been called into question has made the semi finals of the welterweight division, guaranteeing hera medal. imane khelif was in tears after her quarter final victory over hungarian luca anna hamori. the algerian winning on a unanimous points decision. khelif is one of two boxers competing in paris despite being banned from last year's world championships by the international boxing association after she was reported to have failed gender eligibility tests, a situation which has sparked huge controversy. and finally from paris, more history on the courts of roland garros as china's zheng qinwen won her first major title.

she beat donna vekic of croatia in straight sets in the gold medal match. zheng, who reached the final of the australian open this year, came through in straight sets — winning 6—2, 6—3. and west have added to their squad with the new premier league season just around the corner. they've brought in crysensio summerville from leeds united. summerville was named the championship player of the year, last season. this was after scoring 21 goals in all competitions last season. he is alleged to have cost $32 million. and cost $32 million. that's all the sport for now. we are going to get more on these protests that have been taking across —— taken place across the country. what is going now in bristol? we had earlierfrom a... 17

bristol? we had earlier from a... we have been running battles through the city centre. literally, you can see people having a nice drink and the next thing, there will be protesters are running back and throwing things at police who are coming through with dogs and horses, trying to dispose people. but currently, we are outside the macri hotel, in saint mary, redcliffe that is because the original protesters protesting against migration have come to this hotel because they are asylum seekers and migrants held here. when they got here, they were counter protesters protecting their migrants and for that reason, the police got infant between them. the clouds dispense have been one of many disperse tonight. —— recipes got in between them. they have been a few hundred people there. that is the counter protesters such as the anti—nazi league, they were saying

that migrants were working here. there were sounds of in cattle back. there were sounds of in cattle back. the police were getting in between them as best they could. they have had multiple arrests and needs describe the behaviour as completely unacceptable. they do admit they are in for a long night. as i said, it has been three or four hours of standards and running street battles. i would say the police have done a good job as to better people, we have not seen every big picture battles. we have a see any nasty injuries of either overseas or protester. but, iwould injuries of either overseas or protester. but, i would say the night is not over yet.— protester. but, i would say the night is not over yet. scott, you mentioned _ night is not over yet. scott, you mentioned there _ night is not over yet. scott, you mentioned there police - night is not over yet. scott, you mentioned there police are - night is not over yet. scott, you - mentioned there police are present, we can see police vans behind you. can you to scrap the scale there? —— can you describe the scale there? can you repeat a question? just

talking about the police pressing the live presence where you are. there is probably a hide of police, setting on this rain. vans behind me there are the people protecting the hotel. there are probably a hundred people there we have got here to protect the migrants, basically in the hotel and on the other side, there have been certainly people from the original protests. they have appeared pigeon moved on, their property somewhere else in the city so as i say, a moving battle really but i have not heard of any serious incidents —— but they have appeared to have moved on. incidents -- but they have appeared to have moved on.— incidents -- but they have appeared to have moved on. thank you so much for “oininr to have moved on. thank you so much forjoining us- — to have moved on. thank you so much forjoining us. scott _ to have moved on. thank you so much forjoining us. scott ellis— to have moved on. thank you so much forjoining us. scott ellis in _ to have moved on. thank you so much forjoining us. scott ellis in the - forjoining us. scott ellis in the city centre of bristol where violent clashes have been going on. i will correspond it is still with us. thomas you had us to live that from bristol. a sudden middle, where a lot of those violent protests have started. have you had an update from

sunderland? , started. have you had an update from sunderland?— sunderland? yes, this is day two of rotest. sunderland? yes, this is day two of protest- and _ sunderland? yes, this is day two of protest. and yesterday, _ sunderland? yes, this is day two of protest. and yesterday, we - sunderland? yes, this is day two of protest. and yesterday, we saw - protest. and yesterday, we saw damage because in sunderland and ten people were arrested yesterday. two more have been arrested, a a3—year—old woman and a 55—year—old man from the sunderland area. today, the clean—up is under way and the deputy leader of sunderland city council, blamed the violence on a tiny minority with an agenda of change. but, ithink tiny minority with an agenda of change. but, i think the scale of these arrests, it is not over yet, there is more to come. certainly in sunderland, the police said there are more arrested, and across the country. we had from the home secretary yvette cooper who said that she is giving her full backing to police forces in iraq forces around the country and that this sort of criminal violence is snow place. she said she will also be providing original prosecutors.

thank you thomas, clearly, have been keeping up—to—date throughout the day on these events, lots of events did arrest made and police officers injured. our reporters are across the country and they have been updating us on the situation there. from nottingham to manchester, and also belfast, thank you very much thomas. you can see that life on page they're on our screens. that has a government response as there. if he had to our website, with got reports from across the country from our regional reporters. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello, if it has been too hot and humid to you, you will probably be grateful for this we can. not great news if you want to such an out at the beach. this was swanage in dorset a few hours ago. the second half of the weekend looks like to carry you on a similar story. a great start for most of us, biting up a little bit later on but they will be more significant rain put it into the northway. into this area of low pressure, the winds threatening with it as well. further south, with this region of south, keep things quiet but overcast. gusts of winds in excess of a0 miles of an hour with the arrival of that rain into scarborough, particularly in the expos was good. in the middle of the afternoon, the cow should start to thin. temperatures will pick from 20 to 23 degrees. the rain

is turning quite heavy, the right greens and yellows, go into western fringes of scotland as well. it may stay dry during daylight hours from had been —— aberdeen into edinburgh. that area of low pressure is not moving very far, very fast, the warm front eases way but as the cold front eases way but as the cold front moves, we will see some heavier rain developing. at the same time, the wind direction from the south—west is going to tap in, albeit briefly to some more heat and humidity. not for all of us bust central and eastern england where we see the best of the sunshine. it is going to feel quite humid once again. some really heavy bass of rain, into northern ireland and western scotland. we will need to keep an eye on that. they're largely seeing 50 to 70 millilitres of rain before that system clears the. because at sea temperatures, highs of 26 and 27 degrees, that is 80

fahrenheit once again. —— look icy temperatures. we keep a low pressure to the north as we go to was in the end of the week,. the south is where the best of the dry and writer weather is likely to be. but it gets fresher the further north you are.

this is bbc news. the headlines: prime minister keir starmer backs police action against thuggery, after a wave of far—right demonstrations in several cities across the uk. some protests turned violent, injuring sevaral police officers. it follows days of unrest after the killing of three young girls in southport. the us and the uk are urging their citizens to leave lebanon. the warning comes after iran vows "severe" retaliation against israel, which it blames for the death of hamas chief ismail haniyeh in tehran. at the paris olympics, julien alfred of st lucia wins gold in the women's 100 meters, securing the first—ever olympic medal for her country. and us swimmer katie ledecky wins the 800—metre freestyle, becoming the first female swimmer to win four olympic gold medals in the same event.

the us and the uk have again urged their citizens to leave lebanon, because of fears of an all—out war between israel and the lebanese militant group hezbollah. the american embassy in beirut said people should leave on "any ticket available." in a similar warning here, the uk foreign secretary, david lammy, said "the situation could deteriorate rapidly." trita parsi is the executive vice president at the quincy institute for responsible statecraft — a think—tank which advocates for a us foreign policy centered on diplomacy and military restraint. he gave us his view on what iran's response will be. i think it's very likely that there will be a strong iranian response, retaliation for the assassination that took place in tehran, but it will be different from what we saw in april, after the israelis struck

the iranian consular section at the embassy in damascus, which was aimed to essentially signal iran's capabilities but designed to minimise any significant damage in israel and certainly not cause any casualties. i fear that this time around, the aim will actually be to inflict some military damage, including casualties. not necessarily to escalate it to a war, and i think that we're hearing clear signals from iran that they're quite aware that netanyahu seems to be goading them into war, and they want to avoid that. but this is going to get some form of an answer. and the risk for that to then lead to a much larger escalation in the region, a regional war that also drags the united states into it is very, very significant at this point. what needs to happen for de—escalation, then? because we've heard, you know, from both sides, that they don't want the situation

to escalate and that it's not inevitable that that will happen. what needs to happen for that not to happen? well, first of all, if the united states had actually pressed strongly for a ceasefire in gaza in the first place, this would not have happened and we would not be at this stage in which we're asking, "ok, what can we do now to de—escalate?" there's been ten months of opportunities to de—escalate that have been forsaken. but at this point, what the us is doing is that it's sending more troops to the region and to a certain extent, that is helping send a signal to the iranians that they have to be very careful not to do too much, not to escalate this too much. but on the other hand, absent this similar signal to the israelis, the ones who actually initiated, we are not going to be able to see a successful de—escalation. there is a need for a very strong signalfrom the united states to the israelis as well, that they cannot count on the united states bailing them out when they're provoking escalation and war. that was trita parsi speaking to me a little bit earlier on. the uk government has joined several other countries in urging their citizens to get out of lebanon as soon as possible. our diplomatic correspondent,

caroline hawley, says special flights might need to be ordered so everyone there can leave. the foreign secretary today was blunt. he said, "leave now." now, david lammy was in beirut this week with the new defence secretary. he said the situation could deteriorate rapidly. he said the consequences could be catastrophic. they hope that people will leave by commercial flights, which are still operating, but the government is now gearing up for a possible evacuation, if that's needed. and to that end, they're sending extra military personnel, they're sending extra consular officials and border force staff to the region as contingency planning. they won't say how many people are going or where, but the last evacuation from lebanon, when there was a war in 2006, that was by boat to cyprus, which is very close to lebanon, where there's already a british army presence. now, the statement issued by the government today said that two military ships are already in the region, and the raf is putting helicopters on standby. the government is still hoping for a diplomatic solution, for de—escalation, but fears are growing that if and when hezbollah retaliates for that killing, israel will attack lebanon hard.

that was caroline hawley speaking a bit earlier on. let's get some of the day's other news around the world. venezuela's opposition leader, maria corina machado, has turned up at a mass rally in caracas, defying government calls for her arrest. ms machado went into hiding earlier this week, after accusing president nicolas maduro of defrauding the opposition candidate, edmundo gonzalez, of a clear victory in sunday's presidential election. the government—controlled electoral commission says mr maduro received 52% of the vote, securing a third term in office. but the us and most countries in latin america have rejected the official results. the prime minister of bangladesh has proposed unconditional talks with student leaders over protests aboutjob quotas.

but the offer has been rejected. more than 200 people were killed during protests last month, many of them shot by police. student leaders are calling for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign starting from sunday. it's emerged that the former chair of the bbc publicly thanked disgraced newsreader huw edwards for his contribution to the organisation, despite knowing he had been arrested last november. dame elan closs stephens says at the time she was not aware of the details which have come to light this week. our reporter gwyn loader has more. dame elan closs stephens was appointed interim chair of the bbc injune last year, just weeks before the sun newspaper first published allegations about mr edwards' private life. now, to be clear, those allegations were completely separate to the recent criminal charges brought against him — didn't lead to any criminal investigation. but referring to those allegations on a welsh—language radio programme,

dame elan referred to the now disgraced newsreader as "poor huw". she also went on to praise what she deemed to be his huge contribution. now, in a statement to me, she has confirmed that she was aware that edwards had been arrested in november last year but says she wasn't aware of the details which have emerged in court on wednesday this week and said she is horrified by those details and that her thoughts are with the children whose images are so central to this story. i did ask her whether she was made aware of the nature of the police investigation into edwards in november last year. she hasn't answered that question. neither has she answered my question whether she stands by the comments made on that radio programme. but there will be people asking whether she was wise to publicly praise someone she knew, at the very least, had been arrested in november last year. let's turn to the olympics now, one of the biggest surprises of the season so far — julien alfred stormed to the olympic women's 100m title at paris 202a tonight,

to make history as st lucia's first ever medallist at a games. straight off the starting blocks, it was neck and neck, with richardson pegged as the favourite to win. but alfred cleared the gap between her and her competition fast and took the victory by a clear margin in a national record of 10.72 seconds. american world champion sha'carri richardson took silver in 10.87, with compatriot melissa jefferson. alfred will certainly be the pride of her country, which is home tojust 180,000 people. st lucia is an island nation located northeast of the island of saint vincent, northwest of barbados and south of martinique. it covers an area of 238 square miles. let's speak to chris chavez, founder of city—us mag, a track and field magazine. this is clearly a very significant

moment for saint lucia.- this is clearly a very significant moment for saint lucia. yes, it is the first medal— moment for saint lucia. yes, it is the first medal of— moment for saint lucia. yes, it is the first medal of any _ moment for saint lucia. yes, it is the first medal of any colour - moment for saint lucia. yes, it is the first medal of any colour and | the first medal of any colour and for such a small country, like you said, 180,000 people or so, they now get to lay claim to the fastest woman in the world. find get to lay claim to the fastest woman in the world.- woman in the world. and it is interesting — woman in the world. and it is interesting because - woman in the world. and it is interesting because she - woman in the world. and it is interesting because she wasl woman in the world. and it is i interesting because she was not tipped as being the favourites but as events played out in the last few days, she clearly emerged as someone who could be a dark horse. certainly, julien alfred may be odds —wise was not the favourite and a lot of people were looking at yukari richardson as the reigning world champion is the potential medal favourites here and then it was a particular tip of the likes of shirley and price not running in the final. —— sha'carri richardson. it has not been the strongest year for the jamaican sprint so someone like julien alfred it is not a total shock to fans of athletics because she is set in an caa champion in both the 100 metres and 200 metres in texas last year and she was so

close to winning a medal in the 200 metres last year so she has certainly been a name within the track and field space but this was definitely her crowning moment. find definitely her crowning moment. and ou definitely her crowning moment. and you mentioned that people are familiar with her work and who she is as an athlete, but she was not featured in the first season of sprint and there was some controversy around that, which is this documentary on netflix. yes. this documentary on netflix. yes, so, i think— this documentary on netflix. yes, so, i think with _ this documentary on netflix. yes, so, i think with a _ this documentary on netflix. yes, so, i think with a project - this documentary on netflix. yes, so, i think with a project as - this documentary on netflix. ya: so, i think with a project as big as trying to follow the fastest sprinters in the world, you run into a challenge with an athletics that it is an individual sport and so you kind of can work backwards from the medallist last year and so last year, julien alfred missed the podium and so in order to expend a bunch of time crafting her storyline i bet the cameras were definitely following her but an editing decision probably had to be made at some point when you only have six episodes and a certain amount of run time to be able to fit in all the

athletes that you want to storyteller around, athletes that you want to storytelleraround, it athletes that you want to storyteller around, it probably was a very tough decision by the producers to leave out someone like julien alfred and it is a challenge where in an individual sport someone can sometimes have a stellar season and is makes it clear that these are the people we should be following so i think it definitely wasn't anything mullin tended towards the likes ofjulien alfred but it was just a challenge with fitting six episodes, each one of them, three or five minutes or so but i certainly think the cameras have been following her around this season because it has been great from start to finish and she still has the 200 metres so there could be more medal for her. ' :: :: , , metres so there could be more medal for her. ':: :: , , ., ., for her. the 100 metres is always an excitin: for her. the 100 metres is always an exciting race. _ for her. the 100 metres is always an exciting race, isn't _ for her. the 100 metres is always an exciting race, isn't it? _ for her. the 100 metres is always an exciting race, isn't it? tell— for her. the 100 metres is always an exciting race, isn't it? tell is - for her. the 100 metres is always an exciting race, isn't it? tell is a - exciting race, isn't it? tell is a bit more about the atmosphere down at the track. , bit more about the atmosphere down at the track-— at the track. yes, the stag do has been absolutely _ at the track. yes, the stag do has been absolutely electric - at the track. yes, the stag do has been absolutely electric and - at the track. yes, the stag do has been absolutely electric and each| been absolutely electric and each one of the sessions, even the

morning sessions where there aren't any of the finals there are still many fans in attendance. —— stade de france. today we had a bit more rain before the women's final was just added some more mystique to the race as to how it would affect things but it did not affect the fans at all and they were still loud and yes, the hush of a crowd that peaked right before the start of a ten second race, there is nothing like it at sports and then we get treated to the men's edition tomorrow. and to the men's edition tomorrow. and ou have to the men's edition tomorrow. and you have lots _ to the men's edition tomorrow. and you have lots of other events coming up you have lots of other events coming up over the next few days. which one are you looking forward to the most? i feel like this is are you looking forward to the most? ifeel like this is not are you looking forward to the most? i feel like this is not because are you looking forward to the most? ifeel like this is not because i are you looking forward to the most? i feel like this is not because i am talking to the bbc but i certainly am looking forward to the men's 1500 am looking forward to the men's1500 metres and right now it is shaping up metres and right now it is shaping up to be a epic clash between the likes ofjosh kerr, the reigning world champion and reigning olympic champion out of norway, yet could be

no bridson, plenty of time for some drama to unfold so i am looking forward to that one and then with my personal bias looking forward to seeing whether an american can sneak onto that podium as well so we had a couple days for that one so i'm definitely looking forward to that. or do you think will win the 100 metres? , , , metres? this is interesting. the rei . nin . metres? this is interesting. the reigning world _ metres? this is interesting. the reigning world champion - metres? this is interesting. the reigning world champion did - metres? this is interesting. the reigning world champion did not quite have the best first round today, but i think it might have been enough for him to wake up and potentially come away with a medal, and whether it is gold is going to be tough. to make a's shane thompson, who is the fastest man in the world this year, he looked really good and so it is very tough to call, but yes, i obviously think i have to be rooting for the american so if nohl liles or fred curley comes away with a gold medal

i have to be happy. we curley comes away with a gold medal l have to be happy-— i have to be happy. we had a surrise i have to be happy. we had a surprise to — i have to be happy. we had a surprise to date _ i have to be happy. we had a surprise to date with - i have to be happy. we had a surprise to date with the - i have to be happy. we had a i surprise to date with the winner i have to be happy. we had a - surprise to date with the winner of the women's hundred metre race, what other surprises do you think we have in store? who are we to watch? i think this track is proving to be fast and we had our first world record set yesterday in the mixed axa, and so there are still athletes that we have not seen just quite yet on the track and i look at to the women's a00 hurdles with those two runners that every single time she stepped out onto a track for this championship there is potentialfor i will trickle to and this season that runner from the netherlands who just delivered a medal in the axa for the netherlands has been looking fantastic and i expect those due to be challenged ridiculously and on the men's sight of that race, in 2020 at the olympics carson warhol

from norway beat out richard benjamin from the united states and both of them beat that world record that had stood for a long time and both of those guys i've been firing on all cylinders and we have dos santos from brazil also in the neck so when you have these titans of the sport at full health and ready to 90, sport at full health and ready to go, i think you could see something very specialfor the go, i think you could see something very special for the record go, i think you could see something very specialfor the record books. thank you very much forjoining us, chris chavez, who has been there in paris covering the olympics for his magazine. thank you very much, chris chavez. let's cross live to atlanta, where senatorjd vance is speaking. he is donald trump's running mate.

but we are not done yet. the border isn't the only thing, kamala harris has wrecked during her time in office. in 2021, she was the tie—breaking vote on $2 trillion of reckless spending thatjuiced this inflation crisis and sent a lot of money to china, i don't think we should send money to china, i think we should keep it right here at home. applause remember the inflation reduction act which was really the inflation is a disaster act, she cast the deciding vote and trickled the worst affordability crisis in generations. —— triggered the worst. at the same time, she said high gas prices with the price to pay for democracy, or woman who has never owned a boat for president of the united states, that is the price for democracy. it is

not the price for democracy, my friends, it is the price we paid for herfailed leadership. now, paris wants to ban fracking, ban offshore drilling, take away your gas cars and by the way, i think in america you ought to be able to drive whatever the hell you want to because this is america and we believe in freedom. applause she wants to take away your gas stoves and she even wants to take away your ability to eat red meat. that is how out there she is. that is real. the fake news will fact check it and they will fact check it through, she actually said that. in other words, she think she is better than us and she thinks she is better than us and she thinks she is better than you. she thinks she is smarter than you. she thinks she is smarter than you. she thinks she is smarter than you. she thinks you need to be told how to live your life, but this november, let's tell the washington elites, let's tell kamala harris, mind your own damn business, we are

electing donaldj trump president of the united states. applause jd vance speaking at a trump rally there in atlanta, georgia. jd vance is a former president of donald trump's running mate in the elections in november. more now on those far right protests here in the uk. journalist martin booth works for the news website, bristol 2a—7. he gave us this update from the protest in bristol. a row of police and riot gear are standing in front of a group of

several dozen protesters and behind the police and the riot gear are about a dozen the police and the riot gear are about a doze— the police and the riot gear are about a doze . ., ., ., . about a dozen police that are forced back as well — about a dozen police that are forced back as well so _ about a dozen police that are forced back as well so what _ about a dozen police that are forced back as well so what the _ about a dozen police that are forced back as well so what the police - about a dozen police that are forced back as well so what the police are l back as well so what the police are currently doing in bristol is separating two rival groups of protesters. brute separating two rival groups of protesters-— separating two rival groups of rotesters. ~ . , , . , protesters. we are seeing pictures on our screens _ protesters. we are seeing pictures on our screens at _ protesters. we are seeing pictures on our screens at the _ protesters. we are seeing pictures on our screens at the moment - protesters. we are seeing pictures on our screens at the moment and they are not to live pictures at the moment but this is footage that we have of the protests. could you give us an idea of the scale of the protests going on at the moment? right now there is may be about 50 protesters on bristol bridge facing off against police and i can see bottles being thrown, the protesters are chanting, the police horses are trotting a way as i speak to you, actually, but right now there are several hundred antifascist protesters on the castle park side of bristol bridge and the police are

between the two rival sets of protesters. d0 between the two rival sets of protesters-— between the two rival sets of rotesters. , ., , , protesters. do you get the sense that things — protesters. do you get the sense that things might _ protesters. do you get the sense that things might turn _ protesters. do you get the sense that things might turn violent? l protesters. do you get the sense - that things might turn violent? what is the sense of violence and clashes between the two groups? . is the sense of violence and clashes between the two groups? , between the two groups _ between the two groups? , between the two groups i _ between the two groups? , between the two groups i have _ between the two groups? , between the two groups i have already - between the two groups? , between the two groups i have already seen i the two groups i have already seen some scuffles and i think the main job of the police from what i can see is trying to keep those two groups separate. when they are close to each other, that is when the trouble begins, so right now, from my vantage point someone just unfurled a st george's flag in front of me but behind the protesters so from my vantage point i can only see one set of protesters that are now charging, they are kind ofjogging into the police line. to charging, they are kind of “ogging into the police linefi into the police line. to get the sense that _ into the police line. to get the sense that things _ into the police line. to get the sense that things might - into the police line. to get the sense that things might wind i into the police line. to get the -

sense that things might wind down as we go into the night? right sense that things might wind down as we go into the night?— we go into the night? right now it looks to me _ we go into the night? right now it looks to me like _ we go into the night? right now it looks to me like the _ we go into the night? right now it looks to me like the group - we go into the night? right now it looks to me like the group of- looks to me like the group of protesters i am behind, i have heard them chanting the name of tommy robinson and they have been chanting an england chant and they don't look like they want to move anytime soon, look like they are ready to continue here. there was about half an hour ago, there is a hotel about half an mile from bristol bridge which has been housing some asylum seekers and occasionally i have heard people say, let's go to the hotel, so i think that could well still be on their minds. brute think that could well still be on their minds.— think that could well still be on their minds. we heard from our correspondence _ their minds. we heard from our correspondence up _ their minds. we heard from our correspondence up in _ their minds. we heard from our. correspondence up in sunderland about the sort of white demographic, if you can describe it as that, of people that came out to protest ——

wide demographic. families, young families, children out on the streets. describe what you can see now. , ., , ., ., , now. yes, there was one family with either a mum _ now. yes, there was one family with either a mum or _ now. yes, there was one family with either a mum or dad _ now. yes, there was one family with either a mum or dad holding - now. yes, there was one family with either a mum or dad holding a - now. yes, there was one family with | either a mum or dad holding a young child in their arm as police forces approached so there are a few younger people dotted around and i would say it is about 80% of male and almost entirely white males, so thatis and almost entirely white males, so that is the site that i am behind right now. among the other protesters, the anti—fascists who have come out to make a really strong point that this type of behaviour, this type of action, these type of people, they aren't

chanting they are not welcome in our cities. ., ., , ., ., cities. you said there was a line of olice cities. you said there was a line of police officers _ cities. you said there was a line of police officers separating - cities. you said there was a line of police officers separating the - cities. you said there was a line of police officers separating the two l police officers separating the two groups. have there been any arrests you have seen, any clashes between the police and individual protesters? i the police and individual protesters?— the police and individual protesters? the police and individual rotesters? . , . protesters? i am standing back enou:h protesters? i am standing back enough now — protesters? i am standing back enough now to _ protesters? i am standing back enough now to talk _ protesters? i am standing back enough now to talk to - protesters? i am standing back enough now to talk to you - protesters? i am standing back enough now to talk to you so i | protesters? i am standing back. enough now to talk to you so i can still see what is going on and earlier i did see one of the antifascist protesters held up by about half a dozen police. hang on, the crowd are now running in my direction as the police line moves forward, so the police are now moving forward in formation along bristol bridge and i have people running towards me and there are police dogs separating. i saw what looks like one person being arrested there and someone on the floor, as

there and someone on the floor, as the police forces horses now walking across bristol bridge so i have seen one arrest so far but i don't doubt that there have been several more. martin booth speaking to me a bit early on from bristol city centre, where protests are still going on and police presence is pretty high there. we have had clashes across there. we have had clashes across the uk that are broken out between police and a far right protesters and prime minister sir keir starmer has spoken out about the violence and condemned to the far right for the violence and told the police to take strong action and we know several police have been injured during those protest as well and is our cities across the uk, from belfast, liverpool, to manchester as well as nottingham, leeds and hull so police have been on alert across all the cities and various regions have confirmed injuries of officers so merseyside police confirmed two officers were taken to hospital, one

with a suspected broken nose and another with a suspected broken jaw and also six arrests were made there in merseyside and also three officers are believed to have been injured during the disorder in hull city centre as well, according to humberside police where four people have been arrested and also in nottingham, police have had to separate rival groups there, the two sides facing off in the middle of the city with a line of officers between them and that is what we have seen in bristol as well that there are rival protesters to, the kinder pockets of far right that have popped up across the uk, that happened in leeds as well and the organisers of the stand to racism campaign said that peace one in the city, claiming they had more individuals on their side of the rally. we will have much more here on bbc news, stay with us and you can also check updates on our web page. —— piece won in the city. ——

peace won. hello there. if it's been too hot and humid of late for you, you're probably really pleased with how this weekend is shaping up. it's been quite cloudy, hasn't it? and noticeably fresher, but not great news if you wanted sunshine at the beach. this was swanage in dorset a few hours ago, the cloud thick enough for a spot or two of drizzle. and the second half of the weekend looks likely to carry on on a similar story. a grey start for most of us, brightening up a little bit later on, but there will be more significant rain pushing into the north west, all tied into this area of low pressure, and the winds strengthening with it as well. further south, we've got this brief ridge of high pressure keeping things largely quiet but pretty overcast. gusts of winds in excess of a0 miles an hour with the arrival of that rain into scotland, particularly on those exposed west coasts. but by the middle of the afternoon, the cloud should start to thin and break. there'll be glimpses of sunshine from time to time, and temperatures peaking from 20 to 23 degrees.

the rain, turning quite heavy, though — the brighter yellows and greens denoting this into northern ireland and gradually pushing in to western fringes of scotland as well. it may well stay dry during daylight hours from aberdeen down to edinburgh, but fresher here — 15 to 18 celsius, the overall highs. now, that area of low pressure is not moving very far, very fast. the warm front eases away but then as the cold front moves in, we'll see some heavier rain developing and at the same time, the wind direction coming from the southwest. so that's going to tap in, albeit briefly, to some more heat and humidity. not for all of us, but central and eastern england, where we see the best of the sunshine, it is going to feel quite humid once again. some really heavy bursts of rain developing into northern ireland and western scotland. we'll need to keep an eye on that. that could have an impact, largely seeing 50mm to 70mm of rain before that system clears through. but look at the temperatures — highs of 26 or 27 degrees. that's 80 fahrenheit. that weather front clears through, bringing some light rain

for the south east, but we keep low pressure to the north as we go towards the end of the week. the azores high always trying to sneak in to the south. that's where the best of the drier, brighter weather is likely to be, but it stays pretty changeable and fresher the further north and west you are.

live from london. this is bbc news.

prime minister keir starmer condemns far—right violence and backs police action, after clashes broke out during demonstrations in several cities across the uk. the us and the uk are urging their citizens to leave lebanon amid escalating fears of an all—out war between israel and the lebanese militant group hezbollah. at the paris olympics, st. lucian sprinterjulien alfred wins gold in the women's100 metres, securing the first—ever olympic medal for her country. and us swimmer katie ledecky wins the 800—meter freestyle, becoming the first woman in history to win four olympic golds in the same individual event in any sport.