robert f kennedyjunior — suspends his campaign and endorses donald trump. you may be surprised to learn that up until today, there weren't just two, but three candidates in the race to be the 47th president of the united states. in the last few hours, robert f kennedy — yes, of that kennedy family — announced he was suspending his presidential election campaign. he's not terminating it — he says he will remain on the ballot in states where he could hamper the democrats — but he is throwing his support behind donald trump. rfk junior is part of us political royalty — the nephew of former president, john f kennedy. he was 1a when his father robert f kennedy was assassinated when he was running for president. he's built a reputation as an activist, author and lawyer campaigning on issues like clean water. but at times, that activism has

leant into conspiracy theories. most prominently with his views against vaccinations during the coroanvirus pandemic. in april last year he announced he was running for the democratic nomination. but by october, he'd dropped his primary bid and decided to run as an independent. but he did not receive the support of his political dynasty family. i want everyone to know that i am not terminating my campaign, i am simply suspending it, not ending it. my name will remain on the ballot in most states, but... scattered applause. in about ten battleground states, where my presence would be a spoiler, i'm going to remove my name, and i've

a spoiler, i'm going to remove my name, and i've already started that process and urged voters not to vote for me. and now to throw my support at president trump. rfkjunior�*s decision to back donald trump has been criticised by several of his relatives. his sister, kerry kennedy, posted this statement, signed by fourfamily members, on x — saying that her brother bobby's desicion to endorse trump is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear. it is a sad ending to a sad story. so what impact could it have on november's election? well — it's impossible to say for certain — most of his supporters are independent swing voters. here's what we know of his influence so far: as of wednesday, he was polling atjust under five per cent nationally. most of his support is made up of independent voters, who didn't want to vote for either donald trump orjoe biden. in fact — his support almost halved whenjoe biden quit the race injuly.

you can see it here on this graph, a huge drop in his support coming as soon as voters were given an option that wasnt trump or biden. with polls suggesting a large proportion of those voters switched their support to kamala harris. but what about those who remained loyal to rfk, even afterjoe biden left the race? well, take a look at this august poll from reuters/ispos. kamala harris leading donald trump by five points nationally, with 4% opting for rfk junior and 15% either undecided or voting for another candidate. but then if those same voters are forced to choose between ms harris and mr trump — you can see her lead shrinks tojust 2%. and in what is expected to be a very tight election, those few percent could make a difference. i'm joined now by our panel.

charles, maria, antonio, talk to me about what this changes, if anything. not a about what this changes, if anything. nota huge about what this changes, if anything. not a huge level of support behind rfkjunior, but that endorsement of trauma to the anger of his family could shape things differently for those swing voters in the middle, couldn't it? kennedy dro -|n~ in the middle, couldn't it? kennedy dronping out _ in the middle, couldn't it? kennedy dronping out is _ in the middle, couldn't it? kennedy dropping out is going _ in the middle, couldn't it? kennedy dropping out is going to _ in the middle, couldn't it? kennedy| dropping out is going to help trump more than it helps, le harris. in part because kennedy is weird, and as tim walz said, vance and trump are weird, so if you want to vote weird, you are going to go over trump, and the polls are showing that they are going to get a bit more of a bump in the swing states stand, harris. will it be a big enough bump? i tend to doubt it, and thatis enough bump? i tend to doubt it, and that is because by picking jd vance, donald trump has doubled down on the hard right. he picked someone who is very much already very popular among his very narrow voter base. it's not that narrow comments about 42% of

the american electorate. but he has to broaden his appeal into the centre by picking vance. he in many respects has left that centre open to come all harris. so bottom line here, not a huge impact on the outcome. here, not a huge impact on the outcome-— here, not a huge impact on the outcome. ., ., , outcome. maria, you are smiling alon: outcome. maria, you are smiling along there. _ outcome. maria, you are smiling along there, shaking _ outcome. maria, you are smiling along there, shaking your - outcome. maria, you are smiling along there, shaking your head l outcome. maria, you are smiling l along there, shaking your head as well. what strikes me about it he laid aim at the system as well. he said my father, my uncle, they thrived in a system that open debates with fair primaries. they said it was an independent media untainted by government propaganda and censorship. is thisjust untainted by government propaganda and censorship. is this just sour grapes? is he realising that he couldn't win and therefore he's bowing out and taking aim at the party? and then as the final parting gift, throwing his support behind donald trump. i gift, throwing his support behind donald trump.— gift, throwing his support behind donald trum. . ., ., , ., donald trump. i mean, all of us who are watching — donald trump. i mean, all of us who are watching us _ donald trump. i mean, all of us who are watching us politics _ donald trump. i mean, all of us who

are watching us politics new- donald trump. i mean, all of us who are watching us politics new that - are watching us politics new that this campaign of robert f k was absolutely weird from the very beginning. and i think once he talked about this strange thing about getting a bear and taking the dead bear and putting it in central park, i rememberwhen dead bear and putting it in central park, i remember when that happened. it was the strangest story, which was a bear in central park. what did he do? he crossed over the george washington bridge? it was very strange. and the thought that robert f kennedy was a part of viv, i don't think there was any way that you could come back from that. even with a worm in the brain that you might be able to come back from, carrie kennedy, i have two robert f kennedy awards. who ran for president and was assassinated. our attorney general, i know that it the family, this has been a horrible moment a family that has, yes, all kinds of

drama internally, but the name of robert f kennedy, john f. kennedy still in our country holds some value, and every day that he was running was a day that that name was being, frankly, trashed, so can the family come back from this? it's going to take a lot, obviously. you know, there are people who are kennedy watchers, and such, but most of america will now know about this strange kennedy who ran and endorsed donald trump. it's a gut punch to the kennedy family, and i am sure that robert and john f. kennedy are turning in their graves as they see this. ., �* , , turning in their graves as they see this. . �* , , ., , this. that's interesting as the family try _ this. that's interesting as the family try to _ this. that's interesting as the family try to distance - this. that's interesting as the - family try to distance themselves of that endorsement for trump and i wonder therefore whether actually rather than the criticism of the democratic party from rfk junior, actually democratic party from rfkjunior, actually the thing democratic party from rfk junior, actually the thing that will be most damning out of all of this will be that statement from the family,

family that says we want america filled with hope, bound together by a shared vision of a bright future, future enjoyed by individual freedom and national pride. they say that comes from harris and tim walz, not donald trump. and that might be the thing that hits through with voters potentially. thing that hits through with voters otentiall . �* , �* potentially. here's the thing. i'm from massachusetts. _ potentially. here's the thing. i'm from massachusetts. kennedy i potentially. here's the thing. i'm from massachusetts. kennedy is| potentially. here's the thing. i'm. from massachusetts. kennedy is a potentially. here's the thing. i'm - from massachusetts. kennedy is a big name there, obviously. ijust don't think is going to have all that impact. i think is going to have all that im act. ~' . ., , impact. i think when it comes to voters, impact. i think when it comes to voters. they _ impact. i think when it comes to voters, they want _ impact. i think when it comes to voters, they want to _ impact. i think when it comes to voters, they want to know - voters, they want to know what washington is going to do to address their concerns and needs. most people — their concerns and needs. most people are really going to start paying — people are really going to start paying attention once we are done with our— paying attention once we are done with our memorial day weekend, which will he _ with our memorial day weekend, which will he in _ with our memorial day weekend, which will be in about a week, and we will really— will be in about a week, and we will really start — will be in about a week, and we will really start tuning in. i think that robert _ really start tuning in. i think that robert f — really start tuning in. i think that robert f kennedyjunior is one of these _ robert f kennedyjunior is one of these moments in american politics where _ these moments in american politics where you _ these moments in american politics where you think, well, america, we are a _ where you think, well, america, we are a little — where you think, well, america, we are a little weird, and that's ok. thrat's— are a little weird, and that's ok. that's what— are a little weird, and that's ok. that's what makes america what it is. i that's what makes america what it

is ithink— that's what makes america what it is. i think we all probably remember when _ is. i think we all probably remember when there — is. i think we all probably remember when there was a headline in the new york times _ when there was a headline in the new york times that he had a brain worm. i york times that he had a brain worm. i remember— york times that he had a brain worm. i rememberthinking york times that he had a brain worm. i remember thinking that day that i can't believe that this is what american _ can't believe that this is what american politics is, but alas, that's— american politics is, but alas, that's what it is. we are a big, loud _ that's what it is. we are a big, loud country, anyone can run for office. _ loud country, anyone can run for office. even_ loud country, anyone can run for office, even the nephew of a former president— office, even the nephew of a former president who is a little weird. but that is_ president who is a little weird. but that is his — president who is a little weird. but that is his right and he has pulled out and _ that is his right and he has pulled out and i— that is his right and he has pulled out and i think he is going to have very little — out and i think he is going to have very little impact on much of anything _ very little impact on much of anything except in those sort of circles — anything except in those sort of circles in— anything except in those sort of circles in massachusetts and other places _ circles in massachusetts and other places i_ circles in massachusetts and other places. i don't think most voters care _ places. idon't think most voters care much— places. i don't think most voters care much at all. it�*s places. i don't think most voters care much at all. it's interesting, some reports _ care much at all. it's interesting, some reports say _ care much at all. it's interesting, some reports say he _ care much at all. it's interesting, some reports say he reached - care much at all. it's interesting, some reports say he reached out| care much at all. it's interesting, i some reports say he reached out to the harris campaign, to the democrats, with a view to joining their ticket and actually serving in her cabinet in some shape or form, we are told there was no response and that he didn't hear back. but this could have worked out quite differently, couldn't it? probably not. no, i— differently, couldn't it? probably not. no, i don't— differently, couldn't it? probably not. no, i don't want— differently, couldn't it? probably not. no, i don't want to - differently, couldn't it? probably not. no, i don't want to see - not. no, i don't want to see another alternative — not. no, i don't want to see another alternative i'rn _

not. no, i don't want to see another alternative. i'm going _ not. no, i don't want to see another alternative. i'm going to agree - not. no, i don't want to see another alternative. i'm going to agree withl alternative. i'm going to agree with every— alternative. i'm going to agree with every other— alternative. i'm going to agree with every other panelist _ alternative. i'm going to agree with every other panelist on _ alternative. i'm going to agree with every other panelist on here - alternative. i'm going to agree with every other panelist on here saying j every other panelist on here saying robert _ every other panelist on here saying robert f _ every other panelist on here saying robert f kennedy— every other panelist on here saying robert f kennedy is _ every other panelist on here saying robert f kennedy is weird, - every other panelist on here saying robert f kennedy is weird, very- robert f kennedy is weird, very weird _ robert f kennedy is weird, very weird and _ robert f kennedy is weird, very weird. and his— robert f kennedy is weird, very weird. and his party— robert f kennedy is weird, very weird. and his party has- robert f kennedy is weird, veryl weird. and his party has become weirder— weird. and his party has become weirder than— weird. and his party has become weirder than former— weird. and his party has become weirder than former president i weird. and his party has become - weirder than former president donald trump _ weirder than former president donald trump this _ weirder than former president donald trump this has — weirder than former president donald trump. this has gone _ weirder than former president donald trump. this has gone way— weirder than former president donald trump. this has gone way too - weirder than former president donald trump. this has gone way too far. - trump. this has gone way too far. would _ trump. this has gone way too far. would like — trump. this has gone way too far. would like to _ trump. this has gone way too far. would like to highlight, _ trump. this has gone way too far. would like to highlight, yes, - would like to highlight, yes, america _ would like to highlight, yes, america has— would like to highlight, yes, america has a _ would like to highlight, yes, america has a 2—party - would like to highlight, yes, . america has a 2—party system, would like to highlight, yes, - america has a 2—party system, and this is— america has a 2—party system, and this is when— america has a 2—party system, and this is when the _ america has a 2—party system, and this is when the flaws _ america has a 2—party system, and this is when the flaws —— _ america has a 2—party system, and this is when the flaws —— this- america has a 2—party system, and this is when the flaws —— this is- this is when the flaws —— this is one _ this is when the flaws —— this is one of— this is when the flaws —— this is one of the _ this is when the flaws —— this is one of the flaws _ this is when the flaws —— this is one of the flaws in _ this is when the flaws —— this is one of the flaws in it. - this is when the flaws —— this is one of the flaws in it. we've . this is when the flaws —— this is| one of the flaws in it. we've had third _ one of the flaws in it. we've had third or— one of the flaws in it. we've had third or fourth _ one of the flaws in it. we've had third or fourth or— one of the flaws in it. we've had third or fourth or fifth— one of the flaws in it. we've had third or fourth or fifth parties. one of the flaws in it. we've had third or fourth or fifth parties inl third or fourth or fifth parties in there. — third or fourth or fifth parties in there. we — third or fourth or fifth parties in there, we could _ third or fourth or fifth parties in there, we could have _ third or fourth or fifth parties in there, we could have a - third or fourth or fifth parties in there, we could have a better. third or fourth or fifth parties in- there, we could have a better piece of policy, _ there, we could have a better piece of policy. we — there, we could have a better piece of policy, we could _ there, we could have a better piece of policy, we could put— there, we could have a better piece of policy, we could put a _ there, we could have a better piece of policy, we could put a better- of policy, we could put a better candidates _ of policy, we could put a better candidates and _ of policy, we could put a better candidates and have _ of policy, we could put a better candidates and have better- of policy, we could put a better. candidates and have better policy discussions. _ candidates and have better policy discussions, but _ candidates and have better policy discussions, but we _ candidates and have better policy discussions, but we are _ candidates and have better policy discussions, but we are stuck- candidates and have better policyl discussions, but we are stuck with rfk~ _ discussions, but we are stuck with rfk~ this— discussions, but we are stuck with rfk~ this is— discussions, but we are stuck with rfk. this is one _ discussions, but we are stuck with rfk. this is one of— discussions, but we are stuck with rfk. this is one of the _ discussions, but we are stuck with rfk. this is one of the problems. rfk. this is one of the problems that we — rfk. this is one of the problems that we do— rfk. this is one of the problems that we do have _ rfk. this is one of the problems that we do have that _ rfk. this is one of the problems that we do have that we - rfk. this is one of the problems that we do have that we will- rfk. this is one of the problems| that we do have that we will look into _ that we do have that we will look into there — that we do have that we will look into there is— that we do have that we will look into. there is a _ that we do have that we will look into. there is a huge _ that we do have that we will look into. there is a huge contrast - into. there is a huge contrast between _ into. there is a huge contrast between vice _ into. there is a huge contrast between vice president, - into. there is a huge contrast. between vice president, harris into. there is a huge contrast - between vice president, harris and former— between vice president, harris and former president— between vice president, harris and former president donald _ between vice president, harris and former president donald trump, i between vice president, harris and . former president donald trump, let's 'ust former president donald trump, let's just stick— former president donald trump, let's just stick with — former president donald trump, let's just stick with that _ former president donald trump, let's just stick with that for— former president donald trump, let's just stick with that for now. _ former president donald trump, let's just stick with that for now. i- former president donald trump, let's just stick with that for now.— just stick with that for now. i have never heard _ just stick with that for now. i have never heard the _ just stick with that for now. i have never heard the word _ just stick with that for now. i have never heard the word "weird" - just stick with that for now. i have never heard the word "weird" so i just stick with that for now. i have - never heard the word "weird" so much and a description about politics as i have in the last hour. a good to talk to all. thank you stay with us. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

you are with the context on bbc new now 's —— news now. with both presidential candidates officially locked in, we can ask — where does that leave us? for starters, with a closer race than maybe either side would have imagined a month ago. a recent cbs poll — taken ahead of the dnc — had kamala harris with a three—point edge over trump among likely voters in the battleground states, the pair were 50—50. compare that to as recently as july, whenjoe biden was trailing trump. we've spoken a little about donald trump earlier this hour. we will again shortly. let's first look at kamala harris. there is still one issue causing problems for the vice president — the conflict in the middle east. there were protests throughout the week — largely from pro palestinian groups, calling on the biden administration to end funding to israel and commit to a ceasefire in gaza. and there has been criticism of the democratic party for not

granting any palestinian americans a speaking slot at the convention. what has happened in gaza over the past few months is devastating. so many innocent lives lost, desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. the scale of suffering is heartbreaking. president biden and i are working to end this war, such that israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in gaza ends and the palestinian people can realise they are right to dignity, security, freedom and self—determination applause so a lot of applause there for that comment. she also of course talked about israel having the right to security and not see a repeat of what happened on october the 7th.

let's talk to the panel. maria, what did you make a bet? because this is a difficult issue. it's been a difficult issue forjoe biden, and, harrison in a position where she cannot distance yourself too much. she still his vice president. can she strike out on her own with any new ideas and that idea of not granting a palestinian speaker platform at the convention has caused herfurther platform at the convention has caused her further problems, platform at the convention has caused herfurther problems, hasn't it? -- caused herfurther problems, hasn't it? —— kamala harris. it caused her further problems, hasn't it? -- kamala harris.— caused her further problems, hasn't it? -- kamala harris. it was such an easy thing — it? -- kamala harris. it was such an easy thing to _ it? -- kamala harris. it was such an easy thing to do- — it? -- kamala harris. it was such an easy thing to do. i _ it? -- kamala harris. it was such an easy thing to do. i mean, _ it? -- kamala harris. it was such an easy thing to do. i mean, even - easy thing to do. i mean, evenjoe biden said they have a point. the protesters have a point. we have to listen. so to not grant... i mean, you have to understand, as you know, the convention starts at five, liz30pm or 5pm the convention starts at five, liz30pm or5pm in the convention starts at five, liz30pm or 5pm in chicago and ends at 1030 p.m. orii p:m., all of that time is for speakers. and the speakers are many and many of them get very short presentations. it would've been so easy to do this, and what kamala harris, she knows

this, right? there has to be an unequivocal position. it was good what she said last night, ultimately sing the suffering has to end. she has to make it clear that something is going to be different, and that the lines of communication from the protesters are able to get to her campaign, right? that there is an open line of community should because, frankly, we are tired of seeing people take part in peaceful protest being sought after by police. it needs to stop, that culture of our protests are not violent to the united states, but suddenly they are perceived in this way and managed in this way. so if she does make an unequivocal statement about a cease—fire now, this in fact could help her with a very specific group of voters, latino and latina voters. this is an issue that they care about a lot, and in all of the swing states, in

all of those battleground states, latino and latinas are the swing within the swing. and when i asked about her in chicago i said, why does this issue matter so much to you? why is it the number two issue for you and she said it's about children. we care about children. we can't see this any more. it needs to stop. and this would actually help deliver a lot of voters and help move those numbers up for her. swing within a swing- — move those numbers up for her. swing within a swing. charles, _ within a swing. charles, interesting, because, of course, family members of an israeli american family were asked to do because well, so there was a sort of stark contrast, but we get the sense that this convention was so carefully scripted. it was all going to follow this narrative about unity, hope, optimism, and they were worried about anything potentially derailing that plan. is that a fair assessment of how this was put together? assessment of how this was put to . ether? �* , , ., together? i'm guessing that there was a lona together? i'm guessing that there was a long discussion _ together? i'm guessing that there was a long discussion behind - together? i'm guessing that there was a long discussion behind the l was a long discussion behind the scenes about whether to have an air

of palestinian descent speak looks like they decided against it, and i would just make one other point in addition to what maria said, there is a large arab—american votes in michigan which is a key swing state, in fact, they voted noncommitted in the primary to opposed biden's position on this issue. i think that kamala harris put herself in that sweet spot in the middle last night, talking about israel's right to defend itself, the united states standing by israel, but in some ways going further than president biden in expressing her heartache over what has happened to the palestinians and coming very firmly out in favour of self determination, i think that is where she is going to be. the best thing that could happen to her candidacy now is that tony lincoln, mr biden, jake sullivan, the national security advisers succeed in getting a cease—fire before november.

advisers succeed in getting a cease-fire before november. we've not not a cease-fire before november. we've not got a lot — cease-fire before november. we've not got a lot of— cease-fire before november. we've not got a lot of time _ cease-fire before november. we've not got a lot of time left _ cease-fire before november. we've not got a lot of time left on - cease-fire before november. we've not got a lot of time left on the - not got a lot of time left on the programme, but i am interested because we are talking about the latino and latina voters, the swing within the swing, who do the democrats need to win over if they were to win the white house? weill. were to win the white house? well, it's simple- — were to win the white house? well, it's simple- i — were to win the white house? well, it's simple. i think— were to win the white house? well, it's simple. i think it _ were to win the white house? well, it's simple. i think it goes _ were to win the white house? well, it's simple. i think it goes down to the same — it's simple. i think it goes down to the same story as before, democrats have to _ the same story as before, democrats have to have — the same story as before, democrats have to have a huge showing from african _ have to have a huge showing from african american populations, which we have _ african american populations, which we have seen the upsurge from vice president _ we have seen the upsurge from vice president harris. independents need to swing _ president harris. independents need to swing more towards democrats, and as we _ to swing more towards democrats, and as we know _ to swing more towards democrats, and as we know with reproductive health care and _ as we know with reproductive health care and the abortion on the ballot, white _ care and the abortion on the ballot, white women will play a pitted —— critical— white women will play a pitted —— critical role — white women will play a pitted —— critical role on this. we will see with— critical role on this. we will see with the — critical role on this. we will see with the messaging pulls out. a final with the messaging pulls out. final thought from you, in terms of 72 days to go, it is a long time, a lot will happen and we will talk about all of it right here, but how do they keep up the momentum on both sides? it is a long and grueling campaign, the democrats have the

momentum of this convention, they are white —— riding that way. they got their honeymoon period, how do both sides keep up the momentum up ahead of november? by, both sides keep up the momentum up ahead of november?— ahead of november? a couple important _ ahead of november? a couple important things _ ahead of november? a couple important things will- ahead of november? a couple important things will happen l ahead of november? a couple | important things will happen in september. we start having debates. the debates are going to be huge and they are going to be watched. so they're going to be missteps on both sides and there's going to be a lot of different big aggressive advertising pushes and we need to remember when we look at those polls that you all showed commits the battleground states that matter. we know california new yorker going to vote for kamala harris. we texas and alabama are going to vote donald trump. it is within those swing states. and they've got to turn out their rotors and they've got to expand. one thing i would note, just talking about the situation in gaza, i understand it's a very divisive issue in the democratic party, i would also know to a lot of independent voters and a lot of parts of the country that have seen a lot of violence on campuses and in the streets and union station with the streets and union station with the american flags burned, that is a

huge turn—off to centrist voters as well. so there is going to be these things that are going to happen in terms of debates and there are the things that we don't know that are going to happen. there could be an attack overseas, for example, we hope not, but there are a lot of different variables in play, but this is when things get ugly. they present their positive side and they are going to attack the heck out of each other leading into november. it's those unseen things that could take us all by surprise quite clearly. a long time to go 72 days, but so good to talk to all. thanks for being with us tonight thank you for being with us tonight thank you for being with us tonight thank you for being on the programme. headlines coming up for you next. have a great evening. see you very soon. goodbye.

england are in the driving seat after the 3rd day of their first test against sri lanka at old trafford an all round performance from the hosts with jamie smith completing his maiden test century before the bowlers did the damage to leave sri lanka 82 runs ahead but with just 4 wickets remaning. joe wilson was at old trafford for us it felt like one of those days on tour for sri it felt like one of those days on tourfor sri lanka. first, they watched jamie smith bat. in just his fourth test match, smith made his first hundred four england, no one expects it to be his last. then mark would had fun and more to the point as we follow the ball, so did the crowd. a catchier merits some close attention, one—handed, not forshow attention, one—handed, not for show but for a attention, one—handed, not forshow but for a practical purpose, there was a drink to hold and protect in the other hand. very difficult to coach such technique, as england staff acknowledged, minimalspills, full respect, and england led. sri lanka 's start of the second innings 122 runs behind and they were soon

in trouble. 0—1 trouble. 1—2 trouble. quick wickets were welcome news in particularfor england because my captain. ollie pope was leading on the field while the injured ben stokes retains a strong influence. in fact, at times seemed like he was everywhere. sri lanka's skipper was out lbw with his side still trailing. but there is normally light in a test match if you really seek it and longer than steadily battered towards it, a significant partnership built between angela matthews, shifting the mood. sri lanka closed 82 ahead but six wickets down. matthews fell to a catch, even the crowd might have been proud of. joe wilson, bbc news, old trafford. world number one nelly korda has a three—shot lead after a blemish—free 68 in the second round of the women's open at st andrews. the american is eight—under for the week with england's charley hull —

who led after round one — and defending champion lilia vu, her closest challengers, on five under. jane dougall was at the old course in scotland to round up the action. an impressive second day from the american, she beganjust one an impressive second day from the american, she began just one shot behind the overnight leader, charlie hall. but then showed why she is the world number one with a flawless second round with four birdies for the american. she birdied the 17th and 18th and then in her back nine went on to bertie the fifth and the ninth, meaning that nelly korda is on eight underfor the ninth, meaning that nelly korda is on eight under for the tournament and tops the leaderboard. england's charlie hall is still very much in contention. she was the overnight leader but has dropped several shots on her second round. she's three shots back on five under after a very up and down day. also in the mix for this women's open is the defending champion, america's lilia, she finished on five under as well

and it is safe to say that she will make the predicted cuts, which at the moment is for over. but it's going to take quite some doing to catch the american, nelly korda. to the bmw championship in denver, colorado, where adam scott produced a flawless of nine birdies without a bogey to set a course record of 63 and take the clubhouse lead at the midpoint of the competition, the penultimate event of the pga tour's fedex cup playoffs. but not such good news for rory mcilroy, who struggled with his distance control, and unusally his temper as well — his frustration boiling over after a wayward drive on the 17th saw him throw his club into the water. he's ten shots adrift of scott with a lot of work to do to put himself in contention. leeds united's season is finally up and running, daniel farke's side picking up theirfirst victory of the campaign in the championship. last season's beaten playoff finalists won 2—0 against their yorkshire rivals sheffield wednesday at hillsbrough. brendan aaronsen gave them a first—half lead before danjames

sprinted clear to add a second after the break. leeds had started the league season with two draws. the playoff hopes of leeds rhinos in super league remain alive after victory over catalans dragons. leeds scored three tries as they came from behind to win at headingley, having begun the night four points adrift of the playoff places. they were 6—0 behind at the break, but tries from david fusitu'a, matt frawley and this from lachie miller earned leeds a vital18—6 win. meanwhile, warrington secured their playoff place with a 28—6 vitory over castleford tigers. and that's all the sport for now. from me and the rest of the team, bye—bye.

hello. over the last 2a hours, storm lilian has brought us weather that felt more like autumn than august. the storm has now cleared, but things do stay quite unsettled through this weekend. rather windy, not as windy as it has been, though. some heavy rain at times, but some spells of sunshine in between. there goes storm lilian. it has been clearing away rapidly northeastwards during today. we've been in a window of somewhat drier weather, albeit with some showers, but further frontal systems approaching from the southwest, most notably this one here, bringing cloud and heavy rain across southern england, clipping into the south midlands and southeast wales as we go through the night. cooler, fresher but still rather showery conditions further north and west. but here at least there should be some sunny spells to start saturday morning. not so across the southern counties of england into the midlands, southeast wales, some heavy and persistent rain and in spots to the southeast of london, there is this met office yellow warning because some places could see up to 70mm of rain in the very wettest locations. that could cause some localised flooding and some travel disruption.

that rain struggling to clear, i think it should clear around orjust after lunchtime, but some hefty, thundery downpours following on behind. for wales, for northern england, northern ireland, scotland, a mix of sunny spells and showers for much of the day, but those temperatures — a little bit disappointing to say the least, well below the average for this time of year. now, into sunday, another little frontal system pushes in from the west, so that'll pep up the rain again across parts of northern ireland, central and southern scotland, parts of northern england into wales, the north of scotland perhaps not faring too badly, with some sunshine, staying largely dry down towards the south. a windy day on sunday, not quite as windy as it has been, though, and those temperatures maybe just recovering a little bit north to south — 14—20 degrees will cover it for most of us. and then into monday, which is a bank holiday for the majority. this probably looks like the driest day of the long weekend. some spells of sunshine, a bit of patchy cloud, some rain into western counties

of northern ireland later on. temperatures 01:14 to around 23 degrees. as we head through next week, actually, signs are that things will turn warmer for a time, but always a greater chance of rain further north and west.

sacked bbc presenter jermainejenas has apologised tonight for his conduct — but says he's done nothing illegal. his contract on programmes including the one show, was terminated this week — he's admitted sending inappropriate texts.

this is completely on me. i am 100% in the wrong and i accept full responsibility for that... the sister of 18—year—old hannah lynch, who died with her father in the sicily yacht sinking, has paid tribute, calling her 'joyful and amazing'. energy bills on the up — they'll increase from october, after the regulator set a new price cap. we report from burundi, as one of africa's poorest countries fears it won't be able to cope with the spread of mpox. and catch of the day — how a cricket fan stole the show in the first test at old trafford. and stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world.