hello, i'm helena humphrey.

you're watching the context on bbc news. coming up — we discuss king charles�* visit to southport, the town in the northwest of england where three young girls were fatally stabbed at a dance class last month. scotland holds a grim record in europe — the highest number of drug deaths as a result of misuse. and despite measures to address the issue in recent years, the numbers are rising again. data from the national records of scotland for 2023 revealed that 1,172 people died. that's up 121 on the previous 12 months, marking a 12% increase. but as you can see, the rise comes after a clear drop off in 2022. at the time, that drop was seen as an early sign that progress was finally being made in scotland. there has been a huge amount of investment

in rehab and front—line emergency services across scotland to deal with the crisis. this time last year, there was hope. now there is more concern. in other parts of europe, maybe 70—80% of people who are experiencing problem drug use or engage or retained in treatment. experiencing problem drug use or engaged and retained in treatment. in scotland, that's fallen to 40, perhaps even less than 40% at times. so that protective safety net hasn't been at a level that we would want. the vast majority of drug—related deaths came heroin, methadone and other opioids were found to be a factor in 80% of all deaths. often they were mixed with benzodiazepines — known as �*benzos' which are strong sedatives prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. health officials say they are especially concerned about the prominence of one particular benzo called bromazolam. it went from being a factor in sa deaths in 2022 —

to a whopping a26 in 2023. that's a rise of 788% in just one year. there's also concerns about super strong synthetic opioids called nitazenes. in 2022, they played a part in just one death. in 2023, that rose drastically — with the drug found to be a factor in 23 deaths. we can talk about this once again with my panel. thank you very much for being with us. anna, the number of people dying from drug—related deaths are extremely concerning — a rise of 12% in one year. these numbers are shocking. people in deprived areas more likely to die from drug misuse. this felt like something we were speaking about in the 1990s — and here we are again —

did we take our eyes did we take our eyes off this issue? i think you did touch on something, the synthetic opioid issue. i think across the world, a lot of countries are struggling with this. in the united states, where these are new types of drugs effectively that are much more potent and are much more dangerous, people are taking them thinking they are effectively normal opioids. so there probably needs to be... there's a lag in regulation, there is a lag in both public health authorities and governments being able to address it. but with scotland as well, i think critics of the government will say there's not enough talk about trying to address root causes. we touched a little on trying to help people who are

addicts, and of course that is incredibly important, but equally, there needs to be funding, there needs to be polity developed for actually trying to stop people getting to that position. talking about the —— quality out specs. and brian, again — we can draw that comparison — with the us — fentanyl and the the opioid crisis. there is knowledge about this, we talk about this, and still, there doesn't seem to be any kind of real meaningful action. people's lives are still being ruined this. because so much of — are still being ruined this. because so much of this _ are still being ruined this. because so much of this is _ are still being ruined this. because so much of this is generational, i are still being ruined this. because so much of this is generational, so j so much of this is generational, so much _ so much of this is generational, so much of— so much of this is generational, so much of this— so much of this is generational, so much of this runs in families. of course not in every cases, but we are talking — course not in every cases, but we are talking about a cycle that decades_ are talking about a cycle that decades in the making and takes an equally— decades in the making and takes an equally long time to address. i

think_ equally long time to address. i think one — equally long time to address. i think one of the x factor is here regardless _ think one of the x factor is here regardless of country is the pandemic, and the lingering effects. you think— pandemic, and the lingering effects. you think about your experience and your family's experience during isolation — your family's experience during isolation i_ your family's experience during isolation. i know my relationship with who — isolation. i know my relationship with who has changed... with various reasons, _ with who has changed... with various reasons, struggled in 2020 and beyond — reasons, struggled in 2020 and beyond. in many countries and communities, there is still lasting trauma _ communities, there is still lasting trauma with the pandemic. it's more complicated — trauma with the pandemic. it's more complicated than any one year or moment— complicated than any one year or moment in— complicated than any one year or moment in time, but i do think we have _ moment in time, but i do think we have to _ moment in time, but i do think we have to think about some of the exacerbating factors. the big one that stands out to me is the covid oandemio — that stands out to me is the covid pandemic. in many ways, we've all tried to _ pandemic. in many ways, we've all tried to move on from, and yet that period _ tried to move on from, and yet that period of— tried to move on from, and yet that period of isolation made a bad thing worse _ period of isolation made a bad thing worse for— period of isolation made a bad thing worse for many people struggling

with substance abuse.— with substance abuse. super interesting _ with substance abuse. super interesting point _ with substance abuse. super interesting point there. - anna, in the uk, you could argue that this is part of a levelling up up agenda, because if the way is has disproportionally impacted scotland ?. just to address something brian says, i do think one of the reasons this is having a lasting effect is both in the uk and the this is having a lasting effect is both in the uk an- this is having a lasting effect is both in the uk and the us, there has been a michigan _ both in the uk and the us, there has been a michigan cut _ both in the uk and the us, there has been a michigan cut in _ both in the uk and the us, there has been a michigan cut in mental- both in the uk and the us, there hasj been a michigan cut in mental health provision. that was happening before covid, that has continued since because the health service — well here, you have such a long waiting list, so you have to redirect sources. i agree having to go through that very strange period in our history took a huge told. also, you don't have the network to deal

with it. sadly, as is the answer with it. sadly, as is the answer with a lot of policymaking, a lot of this involves money, funding, funding that the uk, rachel riese certainly doesn't have much room to play with —— rachel reeves. levelling up as one of those very good policies if done properly, but it takes years and years to see effects. and brian, if you think ofjd vance and his book hillbilly elegy, he painted a picture of drug—addicted communities. what does that mean for how this could play out in the election from someone likejd vance, who would be looking at that as an agenda? it is

looking at that as an agenda? it is advantageous _ looking at that as an agenda? it is advantageous when you have one of the leading political figures in a country— the leading political figures in a country that personal experience. hillbilly— country that personal experience. hillbilly elegy has been back on them _ hillbilly elegy has been back on the... people are trying to get to know— the... people are trying to get to know vance, but also trying to know about _ know vance, but also trying to know about the _ know vance, but also trying to know about the issue. it was underneath the surface — about the issue. it was underneath the surface for far too long because elites _ the surface for far too long because elites in _ the surface for far too long because elites in washington, new york and elsewhere _ elites in washington, new york and elsewhere were not paying the price, they weren't paying attention... you don't _ they weren't paying attention... you don'tjust_ they weren't paying attention... you don'tjust see that in the us either~ _ don'tjust see that in the us either. you see that in all sorts of countries — either. you see that in all sorts of countries. that was true with the end crisis— countries. that was true with the end crisis and is still here today. stay with us, more to

king charles has been meeting families and survivors of last month's knife attack in southport — three weeks after a knife attack that claimed the lives of three children. the king also thanked emergency services workers when he visited the southport community fire station in the local town hall — and tomorrow, king charles is scheduled to meet with three bereaved families in london. elsie dot stancombe, bebe king and alice dasilva aguiar were stabbed to death at a taylor swift—themed dance class. hours after three girls were killed in southport, misinformation spread online and fuelled riots across parts of the uk. my my panel remains with me. and i, of course we've seen that visit from king charles. this means an awful lot to many people there in the community, but in light of what we've seen, notjust a horrific killing of three little girls, but

the riots as well. how do you think the riots as well. how do you think the uk is digesting what is happening and trying to heal? weill. happening and trying to heal? well, as ou happening and trying to heal? well, as you say. — happening and trying to heal? well, as you say. i — happening and trying to heal? well, as you say, i think— happening and trying to heal? well, as you say, i think the _ happening and trying to heal? well, as you say, i think the king's - happening and trying to heal? .m as you say, i think the king's visit has been very welcomed by the community. he's taking time, he's met the people there, and tomorrow he'll be inviting the families of the three girls to buckingham palace, i believe. in the context of the riots, i think what was one of the riots, i think what was one of the worst aspects of that — and it was fuelled by misinformation online — one of the worst aspects is it took away from what should've just been days and weeks of processing the grief of this absolute tragedy in this lovely community of children whojust went to in this lovely community of children who just went to a taylor swift themed dance class. it was absolutely unimaginable. you did

have people at the time from southport telling the media, basically pleading with the rioters, please stop, you're completely... this isn't in our name. we don't want it associated with southport. so, it's nice to see the king there and a completely different narrative, and rightly, the focus on the grieving families and the community, which is going to take a very long time to heal.— very long time to heal. brian, it's an awful thing — very long time to heal. brian, it's an awful thing to the _ very long time to heal. brian, it's an awful thing to the state, - very long time to heal. brian, it's an awful thing to the state, but i very long time to heal. brian, it's. an awful thing to the state, but we know the united states knows what it's like to grieve young children killed at the hands of guns. i want to get your take, and it doesn't feel like gun control is much of an election issue. it feel like gun control is much of an election issue.—

election issue. it is not. kamala harris would — election issue. it is not. kamala harris would like _ election issue. it is not. kamala harris would like it _ election issue. it is not. kamala harris would like it to _ election issue. it is not. kamala harris would like it to be. - election issue. it is not. kamala harris would like it to be. you i election issue. it is not. kamala l harris would like it to be. you see the democrats trying to make that a major _ the democrats trying to make that a major issue. it is not. it becomes put major issue. it is not. it becomes out in _ major issue. it is not. it becomes out in a _ major issue. it is not. it becomes put in a bucket of intractable things— put in a bucket of intractable things that policymakers are not willing _ things that policymakers are not willing to — things that policymakers are not willing to struggle with because it's inconvenient for one of the parties — it's inconvenient for one of the parties - — it's inconvenient for one of the parties - in— it's inconvenient for one of the parties — in this case, the republicans. but it's important to have these moments where there is an acknowledgement of the loss and suffering, and the visit today as part of— suffering, and the visit today as part of that. so please moments in time do _ part of that. so please moments in time do not — part of that. so please moments in time do not become —— these moments in time _ time do not become —— these moments in time do _ time do not become —— these moments in time do not— time do not become —— these moments in time do notjust become numbing and forgotten over time. i fear that's— and forgotten over time. i fear that's sometimes what happens in america _ that's sometimes what happens in america when they are the killings of these _ america when they are the killings of these children, whether in school or other— of these children, whether in school or other settings. people just begin to forget— or other settings. people just begin to forget because it's too painful. i to forget because it's too painful. i read _ to forget because it's too painful. i read a _ to forget because it's too painful. i read a story earlier today about the bbc— i read a story earlier today about the bbc and people in southport bringing — the bbc and people in southport bringing in the teddy bears when it rains to _ bringing in the teddy bears when it rains to make sure the bears don't get what _ rains to make sure the bears don't get what and putting them back out when _ get what and putting them back out when the _ get what and putting them back out when the rain stops. it tears me up. it's when the rain stops. it tears me up. it's the _ when the rain stops. it tears me up. it's the kind —

when the rain stops. it tears me up. it's the kind of compassion that makes — it's the kind of compassion that makes us — it's the kind of compassion that makes us really human. it shows us that hate _ makes us really human. it shows us that hate ultimately never wins. there _ that hate ultimately never wins. there are — that hate ultimately never wins. there are so many good people in the world, _ there are so many good people in the world, so— there are so many good people in the world, so many more than there are these _ world, so many more than there are these troublemakers. but we have to see that, _ these troublemakers. but we have to see that, we have to know that, we have _ see that, we have to know that, we have to _ see that, we have to know that, we have to hear — see that, we have to know that, we have to hear the reports and see it. thats— have to hear the reports and see it. that's why — have to hear the reports and see it. that's why think the visit today was important — that's why think the visit today was important. the that's why think the visit today was im ortant. , ., important. the message from the government. _ important. the message from the government, there _ important. the message from the government, there has _ important. the message from the government, there has to - important. the message from the government, there has to be - important. the message from the | government, there has to be some kind of action out of that, and we know the home secretary has declared violence against women to as an emergency. the weather we talk about violence, the rise of incel culture online, it needs to be tackled and addressed. online, it needs to be tackled and addressed-— addressed. yes, there's been an interesting _ addressed. yes, there's been an interesting focus _ addressed. yes, there's been an interesting focus on _ addressed. yes, there's been an interesting focus on the - addressed. yes, there's been an interesting focus on the home l interesting focus on the home secretary, specifically saying she wants to tackle something that she is raising as extreme misogyny, putting it in the same bracket as terrorism. now, ithink putting it in the same bracket as terrorism. now, i think there is a

lot of hate towards women, but the concern is this is a bit of a sound bite. how will this actually tackle the root issues, so i think we will wait and see on that front. absolutely an important one to keep following. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

now it's time for the panel. anna, you'd like to talk about a certain lawmaker heading off to the us — not an american lawmaker but the new mp for clacton — which is nigel farage. it's another transatlantic story. nigel farage is today having to defend himself after it was announced that he is going off to

america a second time in about a month after getting elected — this time to make a speech. now you might think why is this a story? it is recess after all. but mps in the uk have to declare their interest. 0utside earnings are absolutely allowed as long as they properly and fully declared. last week, the long—awaited for nigel farage, a big name in british politics, came out. it shows that he is the highest—paid mp by far outside of politics, paid well over1 million a year. the other thing is that mps have to declare their hours — not only their pay, and when you trot up the hours, some might say the new constituents of clacton might say, "hold on, how much time is our new mp spending very far away from home?" nigel

farage has come out batting and saying hejust farage has come out batting and saying he just works very hard and hardly get any sleep and starts at 5am and keeps going. so there we are. i 5am and keeps going. so there we are. . , , 5am and keeps going. so there we are, ., , , ., 5am and keeps going. so there we are. .,, , ., ., , are. i wasjust wondering about his constituents. _ are. i wasjust wondering about his constituents. what _ are. i wasjust wondering about his constituents. what did _ are. i wasjust wondering about his constituents. what did they - are. i wasjust wondering about his constituents. what did they do - are. i wasjust wondering about his constituents. what did they do if . constituents. what did they do if they need to contact him? he will have an office. _ they need to contact him? he will have an office. he'll _ they need to contact him? he will have an office. he'll have - they need to contact him? he will have an office. he'll have staff, . have an office. he'll have staff, he'll have people to... mps do jet around quite a lot, so i have to say as this is all quite a good, exciting story, twice in one month is really, really not the worst i've seen it all! as he pointed out, the first visit was to visit his good friend donald trump, who had been recently the subject of an assassination attempt. i think most of clacton with a fair play, he can reach out to the possible future president. bit reach out to the possible future resident. �* ., ., reach out to the possible future

president-— reach out to the possible future resident. �* ., ., , ., ., president. bit of a segue. how do i to about president. bit of a segue. how do i go about this? _ swifties for trump? what's going on here? the single most powerful — what's going on here? the single most powerful voter _ what's going on here? the single most powerful voter in _ what's going on here? the single most powerful voter in america l what's going on here? the single| most powerful voter in america is taylor— most powerful voter in america is taylor swift, and there is so much buzz _ taylor swift, and there is so much buzz about — taylor swift, and there is so much buzz about whether she will endorse kamala _ buzz about whether she will endorse kamala harris, maybe even show up in chicago _ kamala harris, maybe even show up in chicago. she's finishing her london shows~ _ chicago. she's finishing her london shows i_ chicago. she's finishing her london shows. i predict she's not going to show— shows. i predict she's not going to show up _ shows. i predict she's not going to show up in — shows. i predict she's not going to show up in chicago. she doesn't need to. show up in chicago. she doesn't need to all— show up in chicago. she doesn't need to all she's _ show up in chicago. she doesn't need to. all she's going to do is tell her fans— to. all she's going to do is tell her fans to vote. she's not going to tell them who to vote for. that's my addiction. _ tell them who to vote for. that's my addiction, i'll probably be wrong. there _ addiction, i'll probably be wrong. there are — addiction, i'll probably be wrong. there are so many swifties, so many young _ there are so many swifties, so many young girls. — there are so many swifties, so many young girls, so many young boys, so many— young girls, so many young boys, so many fans— young girls, so many young boys, so many fans of— young girls, so many young boys, so many fans of hers, who do get vote for the _ many fans of hers, who do get vote for the first — many fans of hers, who do get vote for the first time. most will vote for the first time. most will vote for kamala harris, but trump claims there _ for kamala harris, but trump claims there is— for kamala harris, but trump claims there is a _ for kamala harris, but trump claims there is a movement called swifties for trump~ — there is a movement called swifties fortrump. he's there is a movement called swifties for trump. he's using ai generated photos— for trump. he's using ai generated photos to _ for trump. he's using ai generated photos to claim that there is this movement. you never know how serious

he's actually _ movement. you never know how serious he's actually being, but his spokesman said it was growing. this is actually— spokesman said it was growing. this is actually a — spokesman said it was growing. this is actually a serious point about the state — is actually a serious point about the state of american politics. trump — the state of american politics. trump and his allies and try to say something — trump and his allies and try to say something over and over until they make _ something over and over until they make it _ something over and over until they make it true or until people actually— make it true or until people actually believe it, when in fact, it's bogus — actually believe it, when in fact, it's bogus. swifties for trump is not really— it's bogus. swifties for trump is not really a _ it's bogus. swifties for trump is not really a real thing, but it goes to show— not really a real thing, but it goes to show how insecure trump might be feeling _ to show how insecure trump might be feeling about all the attention around — feeling about all the attention around harris this week and about all the _ around harris this week and about all the star— around harris this week and about all the star power that is supporting her for president. may swift _ supporting her for president. may swift will— supporting her for president. may swift will surprise us, surprise me and and _ swift will surprise us, surprise me and and or— swift will surprise us, surprise me and and or someone. if she does, i don't _ and and or someone. if she does, i don't think— and and or someone. if she does, i don't think it — and and or someone. if she does, i don't think it will be donald trump. he doesn't— don't think it will be donald trump. he doesn't risk eventually offending —— does, and we know the swifties are a powerful force. —— does, and we know the swifties are a powerfulforce. she is the leader of the cat ladies. big thanks to our panels.

hello from the bbc sport centre. i'm paul scott. let's start with the next. —— tennis. world number one jannik sinner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance. an independent tribunal has ruled he bears no fault or negligence — and accepts that his samples were contaminated by a hand spray, used by his physio. here's our correspondent andy swiss. it's emerged in march, jannick sinner was tested at a tournament at indian wells and he tested positive for a substance. he tested positive again later. it is on the banned list. sinner says the reason was that his physiotherapist had cut his finger, and he was using a spray to treat it. he bought it over the counter and a

farmer and is italy. unknown for the physio, this spray contained the substance. in the process of giving him a sausage, he passed it on his skin —— giving him a massage. the international tennis integrity agency accepted jannick sinner�*s explanation. he has released a statement. what it does mean is that he loses the points and the prize money that he picked up during that tournament at indian wells more than $300,000. with england's three—match test series against sri lanka getting under way on wednesday, stand—in captain 0llie pope says he will be able to call upon the advice of injured skipper ben stokes. stokes has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury but will be in and around the squad.

i think he's going to let me go do my thing. it's good for me, but at the same time, he's obviously going to be watching, chatting with baz and having those conversations in the intervals. ifi if i think anything needs to change, we can bounce ideas off each other. i think he said he's more than happy to let me do my thing, and we've got some great coaches. he's just another player in the changing room. i think it's certainly a positive having him around. one other cricket story to bring you — and with less than six weeks to go, the upcoming women's t20 world cup has been moved from bangladesh to the united arab emirates. bangladesh's former prime minister sheikh hasina recently resigned and fled to india, after weeks of anti—government protests and unrest in the country. the international cricket council says the tournament will now be staged at dubai and sharjah starting on october the 3rd. england and scotland are both taking part. manchester city's phil foden has been named the professoinal

footballer�*s association men's player of the year. foden scored 19 goals in 35 top—flight appearances last season and helped city to an unprecedented fourth premier league title in a row. the 23—year—old beat his city team—mates rodri and erling haaland, to the title. and erling haaland to the title. haaland won the award last year. it was a double for city, as khadija shaw was named women's player of the year. shaw was the wsl�*s leading scorer last season, netting 21 times. injury curtailed the jamaica international�*s season as city finished the campaign in second to chelsea on goal difference. some football transfers for you — southampton have signed midfielder mateus fernandes from portuguese club sporting on a five—year deal, believed to be worth £15 million. the 20—year—old came through the sporting youth system and has represented portugal at every age group from under—18s through to under—21s. he spent last season on loan at estoril, helping the club reach their first

cup final in 80 years. liverpool are closing in on a move for valencia goalkeeper giorgi mamardashvili in a deal believed to be worth around £30 million. the 23—year—old excelled for georgia at euro 2024 and is expected to be liverpool's first signing of the summer. but he may return to valencia on a season—long loan deal. conor gallagher's move to atletico madrid could be back on, after chelsea agreed a fee in the region of £16 million for portugal international joao felix to move in the opposite direction and return to stamford bridge. felix had a loan spell at chelsea in 2023, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. three—time champion primoz roglic has taken the overall lead after stage four of the vuelta a espana. despite a summit finish after 106 miles and almost four and a half hours of riding, it all came down to a sprint to the line. the result leaves the slovenian eight seconds clear of portugal'sjoao almeida. adam yates, wearing white, is the top british rider

almost two minutes behind. and that's all the sport for now. thanks for watching. hello there, good evening. some unseasonably wet and windy weather coming up in this forecast. it certainly is going to feel like autumn at times this week, but there will also be some sunshine. lots of blue sky around today, for example, but also some heavy, blustery showers — most of those out towards the north and the west, such as here in the lake district. now, that really sets the scene as we head through the rest of the week, with northwestern areas of the uk bearing the brunt of the worst of the weather, wettest and windiest here. but there will be some sunny spells. it's looking quite changeable at times, and you can just see that tight squeeze on the isobars out towards parts of western scotland earlier on today. strong gusty winds, a cold front going through, introducing fresher feeling conditions for tonight. so, the skies will clear,

the winds will ease down a little. there'll still be a few showers around, but a largely dry start to the day tomorrow, and certainly a cooler one than we saw earlier on this morning. many of our temperatures could drop back into high single figures. so, a mostly dry start to the day on wednesday with some early brightness around, but cloud is thickening from the west and through the morning, we're going to see rain piling across northern ireland into western scotland. the rainfall totals really starting to rack up here, and that rain will be pushing eastwards across scotland and perhaps as far eastwards as the pennines. some strong, gusty winds, too, and there could be some coastal overtopping, some large waves with high spring tides. but further south, it's a mostly dry story, butjust turning a lot cloudier — temperatures below the seasonal average. and it's the same again on thursday, more rain on the way, although this time the rain is a lot further south — some humid—feeling air. this system contains the remnants of hurricane ernesto, and that humid air will last longest across parts of east anglia. very windy on thursday across the board, guest of wind of 40—50 miles an hour, potentially. once again, temperatures in the high

teens, the low 20s in celsius. so, you can see the tight squeeze on the isobars on thursday. the winds turn a little lighter for most on friday, but still blustery by anyone's standards, and some more heavy downpours of rain as we head through friday. possibly some more rain, too, in the south and the east as we head into friday night and saturday morning. here's the outlook for our capital cities as we head through the rest of the week. do keep an eye on the forecast. at the moment, it looks like an improving picture through the weekend. bye— bye.

at ten, six people are still unaccounted for, after the sinking of a luxury british yacht off the coast of sicily. new cctv images appear to show the vessel in the middle of a violent storm before the tragedy. 0ne body has been recovered, believed to be that of recaldo thomas, who was the yacht�*s chef. friends say he was a well loved and kind human being. in sicily a second day of searching for the _ in sicily a second day of searching for the missing has proved fruitless because _ for the missing has proved fruitless because rescues have struggled to -et because rescues have struggled to get inside — because rescues have struggled to get inside the wreckage. also tonight — more jail time for those arrested after this summer's violent disorder across england. they include an 18 month sentence for a former army driver. health officials in africa say mpox is "not the new covid" but appeal for strong international action to stop it's spread. and the world war two bomb detonated in county down. a controlled explosion sees the local community evacuated.