two american astronauts originally sent into space for eight days could end up at the international space station for more than eight months. barry wilmore and sunita williams left earth at the start ofjune, but their boeing starliner spacecraft encountered problems and the pair are now stranded aboard the international space station. nasa says they have not made a firm decision on next steps yet, but one option being considered would be sending starliner back to earth with no crew. if that happened, the astronauts would return to earth in february with the spacex crew scheduled to head to space next month. that would be a big blow to boeing, who has been competing with spacex. earlier this week, nasa used a spacex rocket to deliver more food to the space station and extra clothes for the two astronauts. let's speak to bill mcarthur, who is a retired nasa astronaut

and veteran of three space shuttle missions. very good to see you. i believe you are there on earth despite your background. i was actually speaking to cady coleman, and i was saying to her that to someone like me it sounds like a nightmare but she said she was envious. what do you make of the situation?— the situation? helena, i would have to aaree the situation? helena, i would have to agree with _ the situation? helena, i would have to agree with cady. _ the situation? helena, i would have to agree with cady. when _ the situation? helena, i would have to agree with cady. when i - the situation? helena, i would have to agree with cady. when i was - the situation? helena, i would have to agree with cady. when i was in i to agree with cady. when i was in orbit, i was scheduled to be on these pages for 41 82 days. they told us we were extended to 190 days, and my only question was luckily not go to 200? so there is a silver lining to this cloud. being in space is a wonderful place to be. i think it definitely takes a certain type of person to become an astronaut. we are certainly seeing that from yours and cady�*s comments. i wonder if you are up there eight months what would be going through

your head? you been up at the iss three different missions. how do you cope with seeing the same people day in and day out. i am curious with regards to that kind of psychological perspective here? there is significant variety on orbit. your task during the day are quite varied, and your schedule changes. the experiments you do come of the maintenance tasks, larry and i had the good fortune to be able to go outside four times, twice on spacewalks sent twice to relocate are so use. and so those are things that break up the routine. plus, the earth is just fascinating watching it go by in your orbital track. that orbital track repeats but not every day, is a you get to see different parts of the world through different seasons, night and day, and then i

talked on the amateur radio a lot and so i got to speak to just hundreds of people that i had never met and would never meet. so it is not hard to stay entertained. i want to ask brian — not hard to stay entertained. i want to ask brian about _ not hard to stay entertained. i want to ask brian about that. _ not hard to stay entertained. i want to ask brian about that. when - to ask brian about that. when you listen to all of this, you are someone very familiar with the thrust of capitol hill, long hours and so on him about the fall of being stuck with your colleagues for eight months, what do you think of that? i eight months, what do you think of that? . ., ., ., , eight months, what do you think of that? _, ., ., , ., that? i could not do it. there is no wa . i that? i could not do it. there is no way- i could _ that? i could not do it. there is no way. i could not _ that? i could not do it. there is no way. i could not do _ that? i could not do it. there is no way. i could not do it. _ that? i could not do it. there is no way. i could not do it. listen, - way. i could not do it. listen, the men _ way. i could not do it. listen, the men and — way. i could not do it. listen, the men and women who were part of the space _ men and women who were part of the space programme are obviously the elite of— space programme are obviously the elite of the elite, they're the best that we _ elite of the elite, they're the best that we have not only physically but mentally. to be able to do that, it's pretty— mentally. to be able to do that, it's pretty remarkable. now they're not going _ it's pretty remarkable. now they're not going to back into potentially february — not going to back into potentially february of next year. i would hate to heat _ february of next year. i would hate to beat boeing right now. that's the horrible _ to beat boeing right now. that's the horrible add that they want to seats, — horrible add that they want to seats, but hats off to these brave men _ seats, but hats off to these brave men and — seats, but hats off to these brave men and women who are not only

contributing the science but also contributing the science but also contributing to the advancement of mankind~ _ contributing to the advancement of mankind~ i— contributing to the advancement of mankind. i think it's critical what they— mankind. i think it's critical what they are — mankind. i think it's critical what they are dealing in my hat goes off of them _ they are dealing in my hat goes off of them. they are stuck until february— of them. they are stuck until february of next year. ijust could not do _ february of next year. ijust could not do it — february of next year. i 'ust could not do it. , . ., , february of next year. i 'ust could not do it. , ., ., , ., not do it. truly admirable i have to sa . not do it. truly admirable i have to say- nadine. _ not do it. truly admirable i have to say. nadine, listening— not do it. truly admirable i have to say. nadine, listening to _ not do it. truly admirable i have to say. nadine, listening to all- not do it. truly admirable i have to say. nadine, listening to all of - say. nadine, listening to all of that income to give me the jitters thing about it but i want for you and if you like this turns into desert island discs never would be your must—have item if you work stuck up there with matt what would you be doing? will stuck up there with matt what would you be doing?— you be doing? will it have to have a ruitar to you be doing? will it have to have a guitar to keep _ you be doing? will it have to have a guitar to keep myself _ you be doing? will it have to have a guitar to keep myself busy - you be doing? will it have to have a guitar to keep myself busy because | you be doing? will it have to have a | guitar to keep myself busy because i think i_ guitar to keep myself busy because i think i need — guitar to keep myself busy because i think i need to — guitar to keep myself busy because i think i need to be _ guitar to keep myself busy because i think i need to be in _ guitar to keep myself busy because i think i need to be in myself- guitar to keep myself busy because i think i need to be in myself and notl think i need to be in myself and not really— think i need to be in myself and not really phones — think i need to be in myself and not really phones and _ think i need to be in myself and not really phones and music— think i need to be in myself and not really phones and music or - really phones and music or stuff like that— really phones and music or stuff like that but _ really phones and music or stuff like that but ru— really phones and music or stuff like that but i'll have _ really phones and music or stuff like that but i'll have to - really phones and music or stuff like that but i'll have to have - really phones and music or stuff i like that but i'll have to have some kind of— like that but i'll have to have some kind of musical— like that but i'll have to have some kind of musical instrument. - like that but i'll have to have some kind of musical instrument. pianol kind of musical instrument. piano probably— kind of musical instrument. piano probably to — kind of musical instrument. piano probably to he _ kind of musical instrument. piano probably to be to _ kind of musical instrument. piano probably to be to put _ kind of musical instrument. piano probably to be to put in— kind of musical instrument. piano probably to be to put in a - kind of musical instrument. piano probably to be to put in a rocket i probably to be to put in a rocket but i _ probably to be to put in a rocket but i would _ probably to be to put in a rocket but i would definitely _ probably to be to put in a rocket but i would definitely picking - probably to be to put in a rocket but i would definitely picking a i but i would definitely picking a topic— but i would definitely picking a topic i— but i would definitely picking a topic i don't— but i would definitely picking a topic i don't think _ but i would definitely picking a topic i don't think i _ but i would definitely picking a topic i don't think i could - but i would definitely picking a topic i don't think i could be i but i would definitely picking a topic i don't think i could be inj but i would definitely picking a i topic i don't think i could be in a confined — topic i don't think i could be in a confined space _ topic i don't think i could be in a confined space floating - topic i don't think i could be in a confined space floating in- topic i don't think i could be in a confined space floating in space| confined space floating in space for months _ confined space floating in space for months and — confined space floating in space for months and months _ confined space floating in space for months and months but _ confined space floating in space for months and months but hats - confined space floating in space for months and months but hats off. confined space floating in space for months and months but hats off of| months and months but hats off of them _ months and months but hats off of them a _ months and months but hats off of them. a people _ months and months but hats off of them. a people that _ months and months but hats off of them. a people that work - months and months but hats off of them. a people that work for - months and months but hats off of them. a people that work for nasa are super— them. a people that work for nasa are super cool— them. a people that work for nasa are super cooland_ them. a people that work for nasa are super cooland i— them. a people that work for nasa are super cool and i feel— them. a people that work for nasa are super cool and i feel very- are super cool and i feel very privileged _ are super cool and i feel very privileged to _ are super cool and i feel very privileged to have _ are super cool and i feel very privileged to have been - are super cool and i feel very privileged to have been on i are super cool and i feel very privileged to have been on a | are super cool and i feel very. privileged to have been on a call with someone _ privileged to have been on a call with someone from _ privileged to have been on a call with someone from manassas i privileged to have been on a call with someone from manassas to privileged to have been on a call- with someone from manassas to keep doin- with someone from manassas to keep doing what— with someone from manassas to keep doing what you — with someone from manassas to keep doing what you were _ with someone from manassas to keep doing what you were doing _ with someone from manassas to keep doing what you were doing him - with someone from manassas to keep doing what you were doing him a - doing what you were doing him a man because _ doing what you were doing him a man because i_ doing what you were doing him a man because i think— doing what you were doing him a man because i think it's— doing what you were doing him a man because i think it's pretty— doing what you were doing him a man because i think it's pretty awesome. i because i think it's pretty awesome. it's because i think it's pretty awesome. it's very— because i think it's pretty awesome. it's very cool —

because i think it's pretty awesome. it's very cool i— because i think it's pretty awesome. it's very cool-— it's very cool. i would grant you that guitar _ it's very cool. i would grant you that guitar if — it's very cool. i would grant you that guitar if i _ it's very cool. i would grant you that guitar if i could. _ it's very cool. i would grant you that guitar if i could. to - it's very cool. i would grant you that guitar if i could. to me - it's very cool. i would grant you | that guitar ifi could. to me back that guitar if i could. to me back to you, bill, what he think the chances they may come home before february next year?— february next year? welcome a first come if they — february next year? welcome a first come if they don't _ february next year? welcome a first come if they don't come _ february next year? welcome a first come if they don't come home - february next year? welcome a first come if they don't come home soon | come if they don't come home soon that i think they will be committed for a longer stay in space because at some point, nasa really... if nasa cannot within the next few weeks become comfortable with the return, then i think wejust weeks become comfortable with the return, then i think we just have to commit because there is going to be a big impact. they are going to come back on a dragon. crew nine is already had their lots delayed, and so i think at some point nasa does need to commit and i would like to roll back, though. at least at one point there was a guitar on board the space station. hopefully it is still there, and gosh, ijust want to say is that cady had a keyboard up to say is that cady had a keyboard up there. and so those who are

musically inclined, there are options. musically inclined, there are 0 tions. �* �* musically inclined, there are otions. �* �* ., options. all right, well, i'm not sure if that _ options. all right, well, i'm not sure if that release _ options. all right, well, i'm not sure if that release all - options. all right, well, i'm not sure if that release all of - options. all right, well, i'm not sure if that release all of us, i options. all right, well, i'm notl sure if that release all of us, but either way, sure if that release all of us, but eitherway, bill sure if that release all of us, but either way, bill macarthur, thank you so very much for sharing your experience with us.— you so very much for sharing your experience with us. helena, thank ou for experience with us. helena, thank you for the — experience with us. helena, thank you for the unity — experience with us. helena, thank you for the unity to _ experience with us. helena, thank you for the unity to join _ experience with us. helena, thank you for the unity to join you. - experience with us. helena, thank you for the unity to join you. very| you for the unity to 'oin you. very cool, as nadine — you for the unity to join you. very cool, as nadine said. _ two giant pandas are making their public debut at the san diego zoo in california. yoon chu—an and xin bao are the first new pandas to enter the us in 21 years. they arrived in late june, and the zoo has been working to help them settle in before a big ceremony and unveiling on thursday. china legally owns all the pandas in the world, but leases them out to various countries as a form of panda diplomacy. the first pair of pandas in the us arrived over 50 years ago to the national zoo in washington, dc. but in recent years, several us zoos have had to return their pandas at the end of their leases as tensions increased between beijing and the west. last year, chinese president xi jinping said his country would start sending pandas again

after he and presidentjoe biden met in california. isabel hilton is a visiting professor at the lau institute at kings college london and is an expert in so—called panda diplomacy. very good to have you with us. this is the first time in 21 years that pandas have been sent to the us. an awful lot of attention. you might call it panda—monium. i've seen foreign dignitaries get less of a welcome, so what is the significance here? welcome and they get a big welcome party because that's also a condition of the deal. and there is this conviction that pandas boost revenue for zoos and from the chinese side, they make a considerable demand of the host zoos was that they have to build special enclosures. the chinese experts have to be allowed to supervise the care of the pandas and so on, so, yeah,

they are treated rather like royalty. they are treated rather like ro al . ., ., royalty. something of divas almost, ou miaht royalty. something of divas almost, you might say- _ royalty. something of divas almost, you might say- they _ royalty. something of divas almost, you might say. they are _ royalty. something of divas almost, you might say. they are also - royalty. something of divas almost, you might say. they are also a - royalty. something of divas almost, you might say. they are also a sign| you might say. they are also a sign of conservation. how well is china doing in that regard?— of conservation. how well is china doing in that regard? well, they are sort of a side _ doing in that regard? well, they are sort of a side of _ doing in that regard? well, they are sort of a side of conservation. - sort of a side of conservation. notoriously because they are black—and—white, they became the world wildlife fund plus �*s logo because it was very easy to recognise them on a postage stamp size but there is a mixed picture in conservation. actually the san diego zoo was a partner of the chinese conservationists in the early captive breeding programmes. pandas are very slow to breed. the problem that pandas have in the wild in china is habitat destruction, and frankly that continues so what we have now is a large population of pandas that have been bred in captivity. and the reintroduction to the wild has not gone well. and that's partly why we are seeing a lot of pandas being used as diplomats. it's doubled in the last

five years, so it's a very mixed picture in terms of actual conservation, but at least as a species, there are quite a lot of them now but they tend to be domesticated effectively. and them now but they tend to be domesticated effectively. and 'ust tell us more fl domesticated effectively. and 'ust tell us more about i domesticated effectively. and 'ust tell us more about their�* domesticated effectively. and 'ust tell us more about their role h domesticated effectively. and just tell us more about their role as i tell us more about their role as diplomats because i understand when there is something of a diplomatic furore or incident or tension and they are recalled, it's not often over or the reason is not always given as to why the pandas are suddenly coming home.- given as to why the pandas are suddenly coming home. that's right, but it is very — suddenly coming home. that's right, but it is very much _ suddenly coming home. that's right, but it is very much a _ suddenly coming home. that's right, but it is very much a signal _ suddenly coming home. that's right, but it is very much a signal that. .. i but it is very much a signal that... i mean, they are negotiated at very high levels, so the ritual is that some extremely senior figure, be a head of state or a member of the royalfamily, have to request head of state or a member of the royal family, have to request a panda, and xijinping gradually allows a plaintiff to be leased. as you said, they are not given, they

are released and it cost about $1 million a year to lease a panda. many cubs it or born should you be lucky enough to get a panda to breed still belong to china, and so that zeus have to make much of their pandas because they have to recover at least some of the expenditure. in his pandas become a little more common, you know, they're not quite the drawer that they used to be. but nevertheless, they are a signal of china's approval or not, so you tend to find that for example after eight trait deal has been negotiated, a pan that will turn up in the partner's suit, that kind of thing, so they act were at one point known as a seal the deal bears.— as a seal the deal bears. talking about those _ as a seal the deal bears. talking about those bears _ as a seal the deal bears. talking about those bears then, - as a seal the deal bears. talking about those bears then, i - as a seal the deal bears. talking about those bears then, i was i about those bears then, i was covering the summit in san francisco last year and we saw that meeting with president biden and xijinping and then all of a sudden there was kind of the press going wild when it was announced at some pandas were

coming back, it kind of a cliff that one point some of the other questions that i was being asked on air. what do you make of this idea of panda diplomacy because i think it's fair to say that relations between the west and china at times are still pretty tense? it’s between the west and china at times are still pretty tense?— are still pretty tense? it's kind of are still pretty tense? it's kind of a wholesome _ are still pretty tense? it's kind of a wholesome from _ are still pretty tense? it's kind of a wholesome from a _ are still pretty tense? it's kind of a wholesome from a diplomacy. l are still pretty tense? it's kind ofj a wholesome from a diplomacy. i are still pretty tense? it's kind of- a wholesome from a diplomacy. i had no idea _ a wholesome from a diplomacy. i had no idea that _ a wholesome from a diplomacy. i had no idea that pandas were used so extensively in relations with china and i_ extensively in relations with china and i really have learned something as a journalist today. but i think i'd as a journalist today. but i think i'd really— as a journalist today. but i think i'd really see that than trying to have _ i'd really see that than trying to have a — i'd really see that than trying to have a trade war or harsh rhetoric or a war— have a trade war or harsh rhetoric or a war of— have a trade war or harsh rhetoric or a war of words. exchanging pandas feels quite _ or a war of words. exchanging pandas feels quite kind of nice, and i'm sure _ feels quite kind of nice, and i'm sure there — feels quite kind of nice, and i'm sure there is a darker side to all of it _ sure there is a darker side to all of it but — sure there is a darker side to all of it but as— sure there is a darker side to all of it. but as long as the pandas are well looked — of it. but as long as the pandas are well looked after and as long as we are going _ well looked after and as long as we are going to keep making sure that they conservation work is done properly— they conservation work is done properly and that we can enjoy pandas — properly and that we can enjoy pandas for years to come, if you look— pandas for years to come, if you look you — pandas for years to come, if you look you can only be a good thing close _ look you can only be a good thing close to _ look you can only be a good thing close to me maybe there will be a panda that — close to me maybe there will be a panda that i can see in the uk soon. i panda that i can see in the uk soon. i don't _ panda that i can see in the uk soon. i don't know— panda that i can see in the uk soon. i don't know how many pandas are here and _ i don't know how many pandas are here and i'm — i don't know how many pandas are here and i'm going to will that after— here and i'm going to will that after this— here and i'm going to will that after this is even a pandas i can see in— after this is even a pandas i can see in the — after this is even a pandas i can see in the uk soon. i don't know how

many pandas — see in the uk soon. i don't know how many pandas are here and i'm going to will— many pandas are here and i'm going to will that _ many pandas are here and i'm going to will that after this is even see one in— to will that after this is even see one in the — to will that after this is even see one in the flesh because they are quite _ one in the flesh because they are quite adorable even though i sometimes forget they are still there — sometimes forget they are still there i— sometimes forget they are still there. ~ ., �* sometimes forget they are still there. ~ . �* .,, there. i think and brett lost their andas there. i think and brett lost their pandas recently _ there. i think and brett lost their pandas recently so _ there. i think and brett lost their pandas recently so perhaps - there. i think and brett lost their pandas recently so perhaps you i there. i think and brett lost their i pandas recently so perhaps you will be the panda diplomacy envoy making that case, nadine, but coming to you on it, they are not gifts any more actually. isabeljust mentioned actually. isabel just mentioned there actually. isabeljust mentioned there they are leased and pretty pricey little bears at about $1 million every year. worth it, do you think, in a fractious world?- think, in a fractious world? yeah, listen, ithink— think, in a fractious world? yeah, listen, i think everything - think, in a fractious world? yeah, listen, i think everything is - think, in a fractious world? yeah, listen, i think everything is within a fractious— listen, i think everything is within a fractious world. _ listen, i think everything is within a fractious world. first _ listen, i think everything is within a fractious world. first of- listen, i think everything is within a fractious world. first of all, - a fractious world. first of all, kudos — a fractious world. first of all, kudos to— a fractious world. first of all, kudos to the _ a fractious world. first of all, kudos to the pandas - a fractious world. first of all, kudos to the pandas was - a fractious world. first of all, j kudos to the pandas was that a fractious world. first of all, - kudos to the pandas was that they are in— kudos to the pandas was that they are in san— kudos to the pandas was that they are in san diego _ kudos to the pandas was that they are in san diego and _ kudos to the pandas was that they are in san diego and i— kudos to the pandas was that they are in san diego and i got - kudos to the pandas was that they are in san diego and i got cannot. are in san diego and i got cannot think of— are in san diego and i got cannot think of a — are in san diego and i got cannot think of a more _ are in san diego and i got cannot think of a more people _ are in san diego and i got cannot think of a more people placed i are in san diego and i got cannot think of a more people placed in| are in san diego and i got cannot. think of a more people placed in the us to _ think of a more people placed in the us to san _ think of a more people placed in the us to san diego, _ think of a more people placed in the us to san diego, california. - think of a more people placed in the us to san diego, california. they. us to san diego, california. they are not— us to san diego, california. they are not in— us to san diego, california. they are not in dc_ us to san diego, california. they are not in dc so _ us to san diego, california. they are not in dc so they— us to san diego, california. they are not in dc so they are - us to san diego, california. they are not in dc so they are in - us to san diego, california. they are not in dc so they are in a - us to san diego, california. they. are not in dc so they are in a much better— are not in dc so they are in a much better place — are not in dc so they are in a much better place. my— are not in dc so they are in a much better place. my kids _ are not in dc so they are in a much better place. my kids miss - are not in dc so they are in a much better place. my kids miss the - are not in dc so they are in a much i better place. my kids miss the panda when they— better place. my kids miss the panda when they left — better place. my kids miss the panda when they left because _ better place. my kids miss the panda when they left because there - better place. my kids miss the panda when they left because there are - better place. my kids miss the panda when they left because there are a i when they left because there are a lot of— when they left because there are a lot of news — when they left because there are a lot of news here _ when they left because there are a lot of news here i _ when they left because there are a lot of news here i was _ when they left because there are a lot of news here i was happy - when they left because there are a lot of news here i was happy to - lot of news here i was happy to tell them _ lot of news here i was happy to tell them they— lot of news here i was happy to tell them they were _ lot of news here i was happy to tell them they were going _ lot of news here i was happy to tell them they were going to be - lot of news here i was happy to tell them they were going to be is - them they were going to be is sending — them they were going to be is sending a _ them they were going to be is sending a because _ them they were going to be is sending a because we - them they were going to be is sending a because we have i them they were going to be is - sending a because we have family there _ sending a because we have family there that — sending a because we have family there that they— sending a because we have family there that they can _ sending a because we have family there that they can visit _ sending a because we have family there that they can visit but - sending a because we have family there that they can visit but i - there that they can visit but i think— there that they can visit but i think all— there that they can visit but i think all these _ there that they can visit but i think all these things - there that they can visit but i think all these things are - there that they can visit but i i think all these things are good. there that they can visit but i - think all these things are good. i think— think all these things are good. i think $1— think all these things are good. i think $1 million _ think all these things are good. i think $1 million and _ think all these things are good. i think $1 million and we - think all these things are good. i think $1 million and we should i think all these things are good. i i think $1 million and we should pay more because _ think $1 million and we should pay more because we _ think $1 million and we should pay more because we need _ think $1 million and we should pay more because we need more i think $1 million and we should pay more because we need more thatl think $1 million and we should pay. more because we need more that of tissue _ more because we need more that of tissue between— more because we need more that of tissue between our— more because we need more that of tissue between our two _ more because we need more that of tissue between our two economies i more because we need more that of| tissue between our two economies if we are _ tissue between our two economies if we are going — tissue between our two economies if we are going to— tissue between our two economies if we are going to thrive. _ tissue between our two economies if we are going to thrive. tind- tissue between our two economies if we are going to thrive. find i- tissue between our two economies if we are going to thrive.— we are going to thrive. and i hate to sound kind _ we are going to thrive. and i hate to sound kind of— we are going to thrive. and i hate to sound kind of like _ we are going to thrive. and i hate to sound kind of like pushy i we are going to thrive. and i hate| to sound kind of like pushy parent or grandparent here by any chance of any panda cubs, do we think?

laughter. well, pandas are notoriously bad at this, i'm afraid. i honestly, they often don't take much interest in each other, but if anything is going to happen, it may happen in san diego because they have been very good at panda artificial insemination. rather unromantic. well, he did say that sending it was a nice area and it was a nice news we will see what happens will stop isabel, thank you very much indeed. it's a pleasure, thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

now it's time for the panel. nadine, you wanted to talk about that breakthrough in gene editing, really remarkable science.

giving a lot of people, i think, a good news story and some hope, too. yeah, it's about a blood disease and many people that live with it have to have frequent blood transfusions. i watched it interview on tv and women talk about how she was having to have a blood transfusion every ten days. that can be really aborted if you can find a stem cell match but unfortunately for a lot of ethnic minorities in the uk, they are not well resourced and there is are not well resourced and there is a lack of minority donors and so often people are kind of stuck and having to keep having these blood transfusions to save their lives essentially from a very young age. i think this woman in particular has been doing this since she was three months old or something to this breakthrough is going to mean which is going to be free on the nhs and another reason why the nhs is so important and why all the issues we are seeing need to be resolved. this will transform so many lives across

this country or they won't have to have these blood transfusions and they won't have to worry about stem cell transplants are living in pain any more. and i see this really amazing story and it makes me proud of the british that we can offer this on the nhs now and it's going to save lives and transform lives and ijust think it's really good news in a very difficult week for the country. that's a thing we can take from. the country. that's a thing we can take from-— the country. that's a thing we can take from. ~ . , ., ., take from. when i was reading more about this, — take from. when i was reading more about this, this _ take from. when i was reading more about this, this is _ take from. when i was reading more about this, this is a _ take from. when i was reading more about this, this is a condition - take from. when i was reading more about this, this is a condition that i about this, this is a condition that makes people feel very tired. they are in a great deal of pain, and as you say, an important piece of science here they will be available to people from all backgrounds regardless of their income. absolutely, and i think it's often living here we sometimes forget how fortunate we are to have access to free health care. there are treatments that are not available to people on the nhs that they want to be available and people have to campaign for this. there are people within the community that is with this blood it sort of the have to

kind of lobby for this with the government come up manage to get it. when you look at other countries, sometimes when i'm following politics in the us and i hear about some of the medical bills of people end up facing there, it'sjust some of the medical bills of people end up facing there, it's just such a stark contrast of the things we don't have to maury about. i do say the nhs is not perfect as you have issues with waiting lists and labour have a big job to clear that up but fundamentally, and people in this country will be getting a treatment of people elsewhere will not have been able to dream of or either afford or have access to. i think that's really special. $5 afford or have access to. i think that's really special.— afford or have access to. i think that's really special. as you say, a beacon of hope — that's really special. as you say, a beacon of hope there. _ that's really special. as you say, a beacon of hope there. brian, i beacon of hope there. brian, coming to you with beacons of hope and inspiring stories, the us fencing team finishing with four metals including their first—team gold. pretty inspiring stuff. it including their first-team gold. pretty inspiring stuff.— pretty inspiring stuff. it is. fencinu pretty inspiring stuff. it is. fencing is _ pretty inspiring stuff. it is. fencing is not _ pretty inspiring stuff. it is. fencing is not new - pretty inspiring stuff. it is. fencing is not new to i pretty inspiring stuff. it is. i fencing is not new to america. pretty inspiring stuff. it is. - fencing is not new to america. it's obviously— fencing is not new to america. it's obviously international sports, but i obviously international sports, but i live _ obviously international sports, but i live in— obviously international sports, but i live in northern virginia and have a young _ i live in northern virginia and have a young daughter who wants to be princess _ a young daughter who wants to be princess leia from star wars that he picked _ princess leia from star wars that he picked up _ princess leia from star wars that he picked up the light sabre and she is now picked — picked up the light sabre and she is now picked up the sable. she is very

much _ now picked up the sable. she is very much into— now picked up the sable. she is very much into it — now picked up the sable. she is very much into it and we see more and more here — much into it and we see more and more here in— much into it and we see more and more here in northern virginia so it's a _ more here in northern virginia so it's a good — more here in northern virginia so it's a good thing that the women's team _ it's a good thing that the women's team won — it's a good thing that the women's team won the gold medal for the first time — team won the gold medal for the first time in its broad intravenous amount— first time in its broad intravenous amount of— first time in its broad intravenous amount of attention to the sport was amount of attention to the sport was a messy— amount of attention to the sport was a messy young girls all over our neighbourhoods now walking around the lightsaber is calling themselves jedi as _ the lightsaber is calling themselves jedi as a _ the lightsaber is calling themselves jedi as a result of this impact of the fencing and the women pop up missing _ the fencing and the women pop up missing teams with the it's a good thing _ missing teams with the it's a good thing as— missing teams with the it's a good thing as a — missing teams with the it's a good thing as a girl dad, i'm happy to see the— thing as a girl dad, i'm happy to see the enthusiasm on a sport that brings— see the enthusiasm on a sport that brings a _ see the enthusiasm on a sport that brings a lot — see the enthusiasm on a sport that brings a lot of smiles to young ladies — brings a lot of smiles to young ladies faces. | brings a lot of smiles to young ladies faces.— brings a lot of smiles to young ladies faces. i love that. really these olympics _ ladies faces. i love that. really these olympics for _ ladies faces. i love that. really these olympics for women i ladies faces. i love that. really | these olympics for women have ladies faces. i love that. really i these olympics for women have been these 0lympics for women have been full of inspiring stories and knitting, what do you think? living with the fencing, _ knitting, what do you think? living with the fencing, i _ knitting, what do you think? living with the fencing, i think _ knitting, what do you think? living with the fencing, i think woman i with the fencing, i think woman while she was seven months pregnant which ijust think it is amazing. women are amazing the fact that she is able to go to the olympics and do that. i'm not pregnant and not might be younger but i cannot imagine doing that. it's been amazing to see and even still the kind of entertainment value and the shocks and come with it and even tonight,

know what lyle is running with covid—19, it's been action—packed and dramatic and it's been amazing to see people achieve the most difficult to come with bits of their lives broadcaster on the role and i think privilege to watch these 0lympians every four years and i will miss it when it's gone. absolutely. we are over halfway through now and coming back to you on that, a great success therefore that us fencing team butjust the fact that little girls of people like your daughter are watching this and feeling inspired by it.— and feeling inspired by it. listen, i think and feeling inspired by it. listen, i think it's _ and feeling inspired by it. listen, i think it's great. _ and feeling inspired by it. listen, i think it's great. she _ and feeling inspired by it. listen, i think it's great. she has - and feeling inspired by it. listen, | i think it's great. she has watched the gymnastics and is watching fencing — the gymnastics and is watching fencing and our house is very pro—woman house with her and my wife and our— pro—woman house with her and my wife and our mum _ pro—woman house with her and my wife and our mum coming into visiting. so it's inspiring — and our mum coming into visiting. so it's inspiring to see my daughter sort of— it's inspiring to see my daughter sort of see — it's inspiring to see my daughter sort of see how the role models come in and _ sort of see how the role models come in and put _ sort of see how the role models come in and put the working day in and day out _ in and put the working day in and day out and — in and put the working day in and day out and making sure they can have _ day out and making sure they can have success for it. she is excited and her_ have success for it. she is excited and her girlfriends in the neighbourhood are excited and we cannot _ neighbourhood are excited and we cannot dummett maybe we put the fever _ cannot dummett maybe we put the fever for _ cannot dummett maybe we put the fever for women positive missing in northern— fever for women positive missing in northern virginia. love fever for women positive missing in northern virginia.—

northern virginia. love that. in the sirit of northern virginia. love that. in the spirit of fencing, _ northern virginia. love that. in the spirit of fencing, thank _ northern virginia. love that. in the spirit of fencing, thank you - northern virginia. love that. in the spirit of fencing, thank you to i spirit of fencing, thank you to our panel. nadine, and brian there for spar with the rest of the course of the evening, always love getting your insights and think it's much for being with us here on the programme. you are watching bbc news and you can always get the latest on the day's news on her website. you can also follow me on social media on x. i would love to hear what you think of the show. more on the way at the top of the hour, stay with us here on bbc news if you can bye for now. hello from the bbc sport centre. let's start on the track, and what a run from botswana's letsile tebogo, who claimed a surprise 0lympic 200—metres gold medal, denying noah lyles a sprint double at paris 202a. it's a first olympic gold of all time for botswana.

tebogo's winning time, 19.46 seconds, ahead of the american kenny bednarek, who took silver, with lyles having to settle for bronze. it emerged after the race that lyles had tested positive for covid and had to be helped off the track in a wheelchair. katarina johnson—thompson leads the olympic heptathlon after the first day of competition at the stade de france. johnson—thompson regained her advantage after clocking 21.41; seconds in the 200—metres. her main rival is belgium's nafi thiam, and the pair briefly swapped places following the evening's shot put session. but it's kjt who leads with a combined 4055 points, 48 more than thiam and 99 ahead of the united states' anna hall. to a stunning performance now from sydney mclaughlin—levrone in the women's aoo—metres hurdles, which saw her win gold in a new world record time of 50.37 seconds. mclaughlin—levrone was uncatchable on the final straight, the defending champion improving

on her own record time set earlier this year, and was far ahead of compatriot anna cockrell, who won silver in a personal—best time of 51.87, and the netherlands' femke bol, who won bronze in 52.15. a gold for team gb in the sailing earlier thanks to ellie aldridge to bring great britain's total up to 13. it's the first time the women's kite has been at the olympics, so history then for aldridge and gb. the discipline involves competitors flying above the water at up to a0 knots powered by huge kites. 27—year—old aldridge won both races in the final series in marseille to finish ahead of france and the netherlands. an emotional aldridge knew what was needed to bring home the win. today is all about winning races. like, if you don't win the races, you're not going to win. so that's how you have to approach today.

the first race was pretty close. just same again for the second race. i'm going to take you back in time to 2018 when an e—mail came from the federation suggesting perhaps a new career. could you have believed six years ago as a young dinghy sailor, you would be standing here with the gold medal? no! she cries. we'll come back to that. i know your dad was a great windsurfer. they're all here. half of poole harbour have come to marseille. it's quite a moment! it's so nice. very much enjoying her win, as you can see. 0n the eve of the start of the english football season, the sport's governing bodies have met with government officials to discuss how they can calm rising

tensions during the worst riots in a decade. violence in towns and cities in england and northern ireland over the last ten days has resulted in hundreds of arrests. the north—east of england is one of the areas that's been affected, and today the newcastle manager had this message. newcastle, as you say, is my home, and no—one i think associated with newcastle united wants to see any trouble at the weekend in the streets. newcastle is an amazing place with great people. ijust hope there's no conversation, there's no aggressive scenes. we want to promote inclusivity for everyone connected with newcastle, and we want to see the place respected how it should be. defending men's hundred champions 0val invincibles have overtaken southern brave to go top of the table after beating them by six wickets. brave reached 118—8 in their 100 deliveries in south london, but 46 from 29 balls forjordan cox helped steer invincibles

to a comfortable victory. earlier, danni wyatt top—scored for southern brave women with a6, as the bottom side chased down their rain—reduced victory target of 80 to beat invincibles. both games between welsh fire and northern superchargers were abandoned due to the bad weather. an appeal against red bull team principal christian horner about allegations around controlling behaviour has been dismissed by an independent lawyer. in march, a female employee suspended by red bull appealed against the decision to clear horner of inappropriate behaviour. horner has always denied the claims made against him and has continued in his role as red bull f1's ceo and team principal. and that's all the sport for now. we will have more later on, see you then. hello there. we did have a lot of cloud through thursday afternoon, and with that came drizzle, some heavier outbreaks of rain across northern portions of the uk, for example here in stirling.

with that rain, some low cloud and misty conditions, the air�*s actually been very humid. the humidity caused by south—westerly winds brought in by a warm sector. cold front out in the atlantic is going to be spreading fresher air in from the west over the next few hours, and with that, drizzle will tend to ease away from scotland, northern ireland, northern england and wales, eventually leaving the rather humid air to start the day on friday across east anglia, south—east england, where there could well still be a few patches of drizzle a bit of mist around, too. but that lot should clear out of the way quite quickly, and then we're looking at those fresher conditions spreading across all of the uk. sunny spells widespread. 0k, there could be some patches of cloud at times across england and wales, won't be completely gin—clear sunny skies, and there will be some showers, particularly for western scotland, one or two possible for northern ireland and north wales. but there will be a lot of dry weather through the afternoon and plenty of pleasant, warm spells of august sunshine. now, for the weekend, we have weak weather fronts pestering england and wales, bringing a rather mixed weather picture here. cloud will vary through the day. it will tend to come and go.

there could be a few patches of rain, but equally some warm spells of sunshine. the sunniest weather, though, will be further northwards for scotland, northern ireland, northern england. could be a few showers, though, for western scotland once again. temperatures widely climbing into the low to mid—20s, so again it's going to feel warm in that august sunshine. but then, for some of us, it gets hot on sunday. the reason? well, we get this ridge in thejet stream. that encourages air to descend over parts of the uk, and that boosts temperatures. now, the hottest weather on sunday will always be across parts of england and wales. to the north—west, we're going to have to watch this area of potentially heavy, thundery rain. it could get into northern ireland and western scotland through the day, so it certainly won't be hot and sunny absolutely everywhere, but it will be pretty humid for most of us. and in the sunshine across england and wales, yes, you do have hot weather, high 20s to low 30s. sunday night and into monday, quite extensive, heavy and thundery outbreaks of rain across the uk. could cause some localised surface waterflooding issues, but towards the south—east

and probably parts of east anglia, it's another hot day — temperatures peaking somewhere between 30—33 celsius before those temperatures drop away again as we head into tuesday. bye for now.

at ten, sir keir starmer says police forces should remain on high alert for more nationwide unrest. in the thick of it — new pictures show the view of one police officer

facing down the rioters. 0n the other side, a labour councillor is arrested after an anti—racism march on suspicion of encouraging murder. meanwhile, more people, including john 0'malley from southport, are now injailfor their part in the violence. there is very clear footage the developing disorder, and you were at the front of what was essentially a baying mob. we've tracked down some of the first people who shared the original misinformation online that helped fuelled the unrest. also tonight... here in the united states, donald trump has started his counterattack against the resurgent new democratic ticket of kamala harris and tim walz. at the olympics, team gb's ellie aldridge wins the first ever gold medal in kite sailing.

and the nobel prize—winning science that could cure blood disorders,