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's 100 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.

hello we begin in the uk. 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 broken jaw. at least six arrests were made. three officers are believed to have been injured during the disorder in hull city centre, according to humberside police. four people have been arrested. 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. let's speak to sue sim, former chief constable of northumbria police. thank you very much forjoining us. in terms of today's events angus yesterday a's events, what is your initial reaction to that? —— today's and yesterday's events. i initial reaction to that? -- today's

and yesterday's events.— and yesterday's events. i am absolutely — and yesterday's events. i am absolutely horrified - and yesterday's events. i am absolutely horrified as - and yesterday's events. i am absolutely horrified as the i and yesterday's events. i —.n absolutely horrified as the level, it and crime in general that is being caused allegedly on the back of the death of three young girls in southport, bb, alice and lc. iwould just add everybody to please calm down, this is not helping the families, this is not the answer. in relation, to which is actually happening, the police are responding to outbreaks of disorder as they should be doing. hi i would have managed the situation like this —— but how i would have monetary situation like this in public order terms is when you know that there is a planned protest going ahead that has been authorised. then, you make sure you have someone he was actually negotiating and discussing

with the organisers and making it very, very clear that you're going to provide fair, but firm policing so that if people start breaking the law, if you have violence, if you have criminal damage, if you have violent disorder. then arrest will be made. i would make sure that i deployed all the evidence gatherers that were available to me said that any such outbreak of criminality could be captured and those who are perpetrating those crimes are brought to justice swiftly and put before the court and treated accordingly. i would also ensure that all of the intelligence that can be gathered, the social media intelligence is spread to colleagues around the country as quickly as possible. this is a very fast

moving, series of events. how does this compared _ moving, series of events. how does this compared to _ moving, series of events. how does this compared to clashes _ moving, series of events. how does this compared to clashes that - moving, series of events. how does this compared to clashes that you . this compared to clashes that you have had to deal with in your time? because with technology, with social media, as it was in the way that it has, it makes it quite different. the social media angle is very different. as is the propensity that it is providing. this information, this is the major problem. people are being told —— this information, this is the major problem. people are being told that the young man who had committed a crime in southport had either come unabated, was an asylum seeker or a refugee. as we know, he was born in cardiff and lived in southport. i led one of the largest of the english defence league matches when i was the chief constable, it was thousands and

thousands of people marching through a very sensitive area in newcastle. we manage that and we had absolutely no arrests but it took a great deal of negotiation. we had also made it very clear that if people were going to transgress, if people going to break the law, they were going to get locked up and put before the courts. our community cohesion is dependent on everybody trying to work out these issues together. what work out these issues together. what do think, what _ work out these issues together. what do think, what sort _ work out these issues together. what do think, what sort of— work out these issues together. what do think, what sort of deterrent would be effective because clearly, what is already in place has not put people of being finance in practice in which we have seen across several cities? , ., , , ., cities? -- people being violent? i think we need _ cities? -- people being violent? i think we need to _ cities? -- people being violent? i think we need to speed _ cities? -- people being violent? i think we need to speed up - cities? -- people being violent? i think we need to speed up arrest| think we need to speed up arrest much quicker. when people would actually feel being arrested and

being put into police stations and before the courts as quickly as possible, then anyone who was just thinking that i'm just going to join these as a bit of fun, will soon change their minds. what we need is to see very speedy, very swift justice in relation to violent disorder outbreaks.- justice in relation to violent disorder outbreaks. what about olice disorder outbreaks. what about police numbers? _ disorder outbreaks. what about police numbers? the _ disorder outbreaks. what about police numbers? the amount . disorder outbreaks. what about| police numbers? the amount of disorder outbreaks. what about - police numbers? the amount of police on the streets, do you think that would make a difference? the police across england. _ would make a difference? the police across england, wales _ would make a difference? the police across england, wales and _ would make a difference? the police across england, wales and scotlandl across england, wales and scotland has always have what we called a mutual aid capability. their trained resources can come across all sources of the country. it is with the same when i led the major incident, i had 23 forces in that operating, it was very similar in public order policing. in something like -- is something _ public order policing. in something like -- is something like _ public order policing. in something like -- is something like stop - public order policing. in something like -- is something like stop and l like —— is something like stop and search effective in this situation, do you think?—

do you think? yes, and we can authorise _ do you think? yes, and we can authorise section _ do you think? yes, and we can authorise section 60 _ do you think? yes, and we can authorise section 60 stop - do you think? yes, and we can authorise section 60 stop and | authorise section 60 stop and search. that is a demand for a specific area at a specific time. the normal rules around stop and search are lifted and you can stop and search anybody in that area who you believe is there for an unlawful purpose. you believe is there for an unlawful --urose. ., ., ., ., you believe is there for an unlawful ”urose. ., ., ., ., ., , purpose. now, we have had from lots of arou -s purpose. now, we have had from lots of groups that — purpose. now, we have had from lots of groups that a _ purpose. now, we have had from lots of groups that a lot _ purpose. now, we have had from lots of groups that a lot of _ purpose. now, we have had from lots of groups that a lot of the _ purpose. now, we have had from lots of groups that a lot of the people - of groups that a lot of the people out protesting and participating in violent clashes are effectively repeat offended. do you think arresting them actually has an effect in preventing them doing the same thing again and again? i think arrestin: same thing again and again? i think arresting them _ same thing again and again? i think arresting them and _ same thing again and again? i think arresting them and putting - same thing again and again? i think arresting them and putting them i arresting them and putting them before the court and then the court determining the punishment is important. i think for too long, public order offences are seen as minor and they public order offences are seen as minorand they are public order offences are seen as minor and they are not. they are very significant potential breakdown

in society and it has to be treated seriously. but these individuals breaking the law into the courts and let the courts give them the full benefit of the sentences that they can do. 50 benefit of the sentences that they can do, ,., benefit of the sentences that they can do, y., “ benefit of the sentences that they can do. ,, ., benefit of the sentences that they can do. i. ,, ., ., can do. so you think a longer sentence _ can do. so you think a longer sentence for _ can do. so you think a longer sentence for this _ can do. so you think a longer sentence for this sort - can do. so you think a longer sentence for this sort of- can do. so you think a longer| sentence for this sort of crime would be a more effective deterrent? yes i do. i do. i think when you have people who have gone out with a deliberate intention to break communities, to cause absolute terror and that is what happens, there are two communities, then they deserve the absolute full effects of the law that the law can give them. with this sort of widespread rallies across the country. and we mention social media which enables groups to mobilise more effectively, do you

think these companies behind these social media platforms need to be held accountable? is very hard to do that to sit given these are very big technology companies.— that to sit given these are very big technology companies. when we listen to circuits, technology companies. when we listen to circuits. the — technology companies. when we listen to circuits, the other _ technology companies. when we listen to circuits, the other day, _ technology companies. when we listen to circuits, the other day, during - to circuits, the other day, during his address, which he actually said is that the government is now going to working with the police —— back when we listen to say keir starmer. he said the government is going to work with the police and social media companies to address the dissemination because they are inciting violence disorder by allowing the scene to stay on the platform. the other thing the police need to get much more advanced act is to start monitoring the public social media platforms themselves in relation to individuals known to be organising these events.— relation to individuals known to be organising these events. thank you ve much organising these events. thank you very much for— organising these events. thank you very much forjoining _ organising these events. thank you very much forjoining us. _ organising these events. thank you very much forjoining us. the - organising these events. thank you | very much forjoining us. the former chief constable of northumbria police.

bristol has become the scene of protests this evening. our reporter scott ellis is there and sent this update. you can see people having a nice drink in the sun, crowds of them and the next thing is, there will be crowds of protesters running back and throwing things at police who are coming through with dogs and horses, trying to disperse people. but currently, we are outside the mercure hotel, in saint mary, redcliffe, just behind me here. that is because the original protesters protesting against migration have come to this hotel because there are asylum seekers and migrants held here. when they got here, they were counter—protesters protecting the migrants and for that reason, the police got in between them. one of many events of the night. there are 300 people there, that was the counterprotest. 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. they were stand offs in the park. 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 stand off and running street battles. i would say the police have done a good job ato dispering people, we have not seen every big picture battles. we have a see any nasty injuries of either officer or protester. but, i would say the night is not over yet. scott, you mentioned there police are present, we can see police vans behind you. can you describe the scale there? there is probably 100 police, certainly on this road. the vans behind me there

are the people protecting the hotel. so there are probably 100 people there who have got here to protect the migrants, particulary in the hotel and then on the other side, there have been certainly people from the original protest. they have it appears, moved on, they're probably somewhere else in the city so as i say, a moving battle really but i have not heard of any serious incidents. 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 there. our correspondent, thomas magill, has been keeping across events thomas, several arrests, footage on social media. thomas, we have heard from a lancaster police as well. we are startin: lancaster police as well. we are starting to _ lancaster police as well. we are starting to get _ lancaster police as well. we are starting to get a _ lancaster police as well. we are starting to get a bigger - lancaster police as well. we are starting to get a bigger picture i starting to get a bigger picture tells of a rest. like the stubbies

haveissued tells of a rest. like the stubbies have issued a statement saying that more than 20 people have been arrested across the country following the incident in blackpool, preston and blackburn as well —— lancaster police have issued a statement. influences include possession of and a offensive weapon, and clear at the live conspiracy to commit violent order. also a social media, we saw a group of festival properly about a0 kettles and in one of theirs, there was a series of protest there today. —— a series of kettles. they were two in belfast, an update in sunderland. you remember the terrible pictures yesterday and a police station was bad in violence inside and it is. tow have have been arrested in, including 8a3 old woman and a a5 your would mount —— i2 arrested in, including 8a3 old woman and a a5 your would mount —— 12 have been arrested. —— including a a3—year—old woman and a 55—year—old

man. yvette cooper said more arrests are to come and given full backing to police forces across the country. you mention social media footage and there are lots of social media at there are lots of social media at the moment but we can't verify that at the moment either. lots the moment but we can't verify that at the moment either.— at the moment either. lots swirl swirly around — at the moment either. lots swirl swirly around from _ at the moment either. lots swirl swirly around from across - at the moment either. lots swirl swirly around from across the i at the moment either. lots swirl. swirly around from across the towns and cities that have seen protests both planned, far right and counterprotest as well. lots of footage of shops being looted, police officers been attacked and of course, the protest themselves and the violence that we have been reporting on today as well. as you say, not verified but certainly, it does seem that there was a lot of disruption and lots of the country remains tense tonight. it is disruption and lots of the country remains tense tonight.— remains tense tonight. it is not 'ust in remains tense tonight. it is not just in england. _ remains tense tonight. it is not just in england, some - remains tense tonight. it is not just in england, some events i just in england, some events happening in belfast as well. absolutely, we have been updated and saying that police have been dealing

with sporadic disorder and are stealing dealing with it. the m5, one of the main motive ways have remained close. people have been gathering there —— one of the main motorways in northern ireland has remained a close. that is ongoing as is, the incident in bristol tonight as well. we is, the incident in bristoltonight as well. ~ ., is, the incident in bristoltonight as well. ~ . ., ., is, the incident in bristoltonight aswell. . . ., ., as well. we are hearing that an extra 70 prosecutors _ as well. we are hearing that an extra 70 prosecutors are - as well. we are hearing that an extra 70 prosecutors are on - as well. we are hearing that an - extra 70 prosecutors are on standby this weekend to charge people arrested in connection with violent disorder. is there any signs of the of protest sort being dispersed or deterred from coming out and clashing with police?- deterred from coming out and clashing with police? resort dan johnson's reported _ clashing with police? resort dan johnson's reported earlier - clashing with police? resort dan johnson's reported earlier that i johnson's reported earlier that showed the clashes in liverpool. we understand that there are still people on the streets of liverpool but certainly, it is very much done there. liverpool, to liverpool is their have a section 60 order given their have a section 60 order given the police special powers to deal

with crowds in certain areas. perhaps, people are listening to that. in, as you mentioned, the home secretary said... i that. in, as you mentioned, the home secretary said. . ._ secretary said... i don't mean to interact but _ secretary said... i don't mean to interact but we _ secretary said... i don't mean to interact but we are _ secretary said... i don't mean to interact but we are showing - secretary said... i don't mean to| interact but we are showing some fitted at the moment and you mentioned elio about a policeman being pushed of his bike. we can see that now and we believe that that is in liverpool circulating on social media. as you can see, it was a stationary bike and the police officer appears to be pushed off by protesters. you can't verify that footage at the moment but that is something that is being viewed quite a lot on different social media platforms. it a lot on different social media platforms-— a lot on different social media latforms. . ., , , a lot on different social media latforms. . . , ., platforms. it certainly gives you a sense of what _ platforms. it certainly gives you a sense of what is _ platforms. it certainly gives you a sense of what is the _ platforms. it certainly gives you a sense of what is the mag - platforms. it certainly gives you a sense of what is the mag is - platforms. it certainly gives you a sense of what is the mag is going j platforms. it certainly gives you a i sense of what is the mag is going on in the streets and in other —— what is going on in liverpool and in other towns and cities across the country. it appears that yvette cooper, the home secretary, and prime minister keir starmer have both condemned the violence. she

home secretary, yvette cooper, said that the rise and that we have no place on the streets. additional prosecutors have been brought in to deal with these arrest. she said other police forces, have been brought in as well, there will be more arrest to follow. 12 in lancashire and many more to come tonight and more to follow. find lancashire and many more to come tonight and more to follow. and this was all triggered _ tonight and more to follow. and this was all triggered by _ tonight and more to follow. and this was all triggered by the _ tonight and more to follow. and this was all triggered by the tragic - was all triggered by the tragic killing of three young girls at a taylor swift themed dance class in southport, that happened on monday. we have seen these events unfold and southport saw some unrest as well on the night of those killings. yes. the night of those killings. yes, the night of those killings. yes, the niahts the night of those killings. yes, the nights that _ the night of those killings. yes, the nights that followed. - the night of those killings. 1a: the nights that followed. we saw really the very best and worst of southport. there was a ritual at the time where people came together to gather their thoughts —— make a visual at the time. those images were very moving. afterwards,

processes and rioters, people link to the far right came out onto the streets of southport and caused concern and violence there as well. yes, there has been tension as the man up there since tuesday and it moved to sunderland yesterday and then to do, we have seen these protest in many of the towns and cities from liverpool and manchester, belfast to smaller places like stoke—on—trent and of course blackpool. just places like stoke-on-trent and of course blackpool.— course blackpool. just finally, there are _ course blackpool. just finally, there are rival _ course blackpool. just finally, there are rival protests - course blackpool. just finally, there are rival protests as - course blackpool. just finally, i there are rival protests as well. these anti—immigrant groups, lots of —— a lot of them have said they have had bigger numbers than these anti—immigrant groups. had bigger numbers than these anti-immigrant groups.- had bigger numbers than these anti-immigrant groups. you'll see the opposite _ anti-immigrant groups. you'll see the opposite graduate _ anti-immigrant groups. you'll see the opposite graduate has - anti-immigrant groups. you'll see the opposite graduate has been i the opposite graduate has been happening. the police has been standing in between the far right protesters and the antiracism protesters and the antiracism protesters who have been carrying banner sinks and up to racism. so very much a large —— carrying

banners saying stand up to racism. this is out... banners saying stand up to racism. this is out- - -_ banners saying stand up to racism. this is out... thank you very much. our correspondent _ this is out... thank you very much. our correspondent keeping - this is out... thank you very much. our correspondent keeping up - this is out... thank you very much. our correspondent keeping up to i our correspondent keeping up to across events. 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. this was on the killing of a high—profile hamas leader. 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. you can read more you can read more on you can read more on storage on our website —— on that story, when we have more on the middle east. stay with us here on bbc news.

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.

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 metres, 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.