in the occupied west bank for two decades. and paris is ready for a glittering opening ceremony to the paralympics. i'm here as the crowds are gathering. people are looking forward to the next 11 days of competition. and coming up on sporstday in the next half an hour on bbc news — two days before the transfer window closes, we'll have the lastest moves, with liverpool looking to strengthen their forwrd line with the italian international federico chiesa. hello. on his first official visit to germany since becoming prime minister, sir keir starmer says a reset of relations with the european union doesn't mean reversing brexit.

he was speaking after talks with the german chancellor olaf scholz in berlin. both men are proposing a new bilateral treaty covering science, technology, trade and business, but sir keir says he has no plans for a youth mobility scheme, which could have given young people in the eu the right to live and work here in the uk. henry zeffman is travelling with the prime minister. clearing the way for something new. the prime minister's first official visit to germany, with early steps towards greater unity. the launch of talks on a treaty between the two countries, encompassing trade, defence, migration and plenty more. a new agreement, a testament to the depth and potential of our relationship with deeper links on science, technology, development, people, business, culture. a boost

to our trading relations. the german chancellor was _ to our trading relations. the german chancellor was notably _ to our trading relations. the german chancellor was notably promising - chancellor was notably promising too. translation: ., too. translation: . ., , _ ., translation: i am happy about the announcement _ translation: i am happy about the announcement by _ translation: i am happy about the announcement by keir _ translation: i am happy about the announcement by keir starmer - translation: i am happy about the announcement by keir starmer to . translation: i am happy about the l announcement by keir starmer to seek announcement by keir starmer to seek a reset_ announcement by keir starmer to seek a reset in_ announcement by keir starmer to seek a reset in the _ announcement by keir starmer to seek a reset in the relations to the european _ a reset in the relations to the european union. we want to take this hand which_ european union. we want to take this hand which has reached out to us. the uk _ hand which has reached out to us. the uk has — hand which has reached out to us. the uk has always been an indispensable partner when it comes to solving _ indispensable partner when it comes to solving the big issues affecting all of— to solving the big issues affecting all of europe. to solving the big issues affecting all of emme— to solving the big issues affecting all of europe. both the centre-left leaders who _ all of europe. both the centre-left leaders who entered _ all of europe. both the centre-left leaders who entered office - all of europe. both the centre-left leaders who entered office after. leaders who entered office after long periods of conservative dominance, keir starmerand dominance, keir starmer and olaf scholz dominance, keir starmerand olaf scholz are comfortable and each other�*s company. the mood music here unquestionably good, sir keir starmer talking again about a reset with the relations with europe in general and germany in particular. how much is possible without altering the fundamentals of the post—brexit settlement? a quick

visit to siemens energy this afternoon. the prime minister adamant that on the single market and customs union, nothing will change. free movement, too, even though some in europe are pushing for a deal to make it easierfor young people to move between the uk and the eu. olaf scholz lamented a massive decline since brexit in contact between germans and brits. and then to paris, notjust the paralympics but president macron too. for our political leaders at least, contact between britain and europe is only intensifying. this is intricate territory for the prime minister. he made his fortune politically in the labour party is the man who wanted another referendum on europe, but as a leader and now as prime minister, he has insisted the fundamentals of the uk's relationship with the eu are settled. i think how different parts

of sir keir starmer�*s electoral coalition will think today, with both the uk and germany committing to negotiating this treaty within six months, so not long for us to find out. henry, thank you, our chief political correspondent in paris there. thames water is warning the company won't survive unless it's allowed to raise bills by almost 60% over a five—year period. it follows an angry response from the water companies to a proposed cap on bills from the regulator. simonjack is here to tell us more. every five years, the water companies haggle with the regulator about how much they are allowed to raise bills over the next five years. thames said if you want to fix some of the problems that have provoked public fury, we need a 44% rise above inflation over five years. they were told they could

have half, and now they will appeal that. they say, given stuff you want us to do, we need nearly a 60% raise. if we don't get much more than a0%, our survival is in jeopardy. we might not be able to provide water and waste services to 60 million people at the future. thames water is not alone. the rest of the country is having the same haggling match, and they say unless ofwat relents and allows higher prices across the board, then it is going to be impossible to find the investment and cash injections into the companies in order to fund the things that have got people so angry. they say ofwat has prioritised keeping bills low at the expense of investment. critics will say the companies have prioritised big salaries and paying shareholder dividends over investment. the final decision on this is due in december, but at the moment, the parties are miles apart. but at the moment, the parties are miles apart-— but at the moment, the parties are miles apart. simon, thank you. our business editor _ miles apart. simon, thank you. our business editor simon _ miles apart. simon, thank you. our business editor simon jack. -

the chancellor has been defending the government's decision to abolish winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. it comes as energy companies and charities met ministers today, with bills set to rise again in october as the price cap goes up. emma simpson is watching developments. emma. yes, we're still in summer, but citizens advice is already dealing with record numbers of people behind with energy bills. it says nearly 7% of households across britain are in debt to their supplier. and that's before the impact of rising prices this winter. a typical household's gas and electricty bill is due to rise by about £12 a month. but it could be more depending how much energy is used. the government hosted a big industry meeting today and told energy companies they need to do more to protect vulnerable customers. and it seems there was a good exchange of ideas. it was crystal clear that we all agree there is a real problem for this winter, and they will continue

to be a problem in winters to come. that implies that we need additional support for this winter. some of thatis support for this winter. some of that is about the industry doing more voluntary stuff on our own behalf, but actually some of it will have to come from government. thea;e have to come from government. they are all meeting _ have to come from government. they are all meeting again _ have to come from government. they are all meeting again in a month to discuss progress. the energy minister said the government was committed to putting in place winter support. now they've got to hash out the details, but the heat is on. the government has already decided to restrict winter fuel payments worth up restrict winter fuel payments worth up to £300 for pensioners unless they're on pension credit or other means tested benefit, saying difficult decisions have to be made. emma, thank you. cleveland police have arrested an 11—year—old boy, during raids in connection with the recent riots in middlesborough. in all, ia people have been detained today on suspicion of violent disorder, including a woman and her son. daniel sandford is here. 11 is probably one of the youngest

ages so far. 11 is probably one of the youngest ages so far-— ages so far. yes, clive. although the number _ ages so far. yes, clive. although the number of _ ages so far. yes, clive. although the number of people _ ages so far. yes, clive. although the number of people being - ages so far. yes, clive. although - the number of people being arrested and taken through the courts linked to the riots has slowed slightly in the last few days, police forces right across england are still investigating at pace. today cleveland police were carrying out raids in a number of houses linked to the riots in middlesbrough, and among the 1a people arrested was this 11—year—old boy. that is actually the second time that cleveland police have arrested an 11—year—old. the last time was an investigation into the riots in hartlepool this summer, so that is 211—year—olds, and at this stage neither of them has been charged. the bbc is tracking all of the cases linked to this summer's disorder as they go through the courts. we have identified more than 200 adults who have already been convicted and sent to prison as part of their sentence. the longest sentence anyone has got to six years. the average sentence is about two years. among the

children that have actually pleaded guilty but haven't yet been sentenced, two, 12—year—old boys and a 13—year—old girl, but it is not just kids. of the more than 500 people that have been charged, around one in ten over the age of 50, the oldest 81.— 50, the oldest 81. daniel, thank ou. at least nine people have died in the biggest israeli military operation in the occupied west bank for 20 years. last month, the international court ofjustice ruled that israel's continued occupation of the area, captured in 1967, breached international law. violence has been increasing in the west bank since the hamas attacks on october 7th, with the un saying more than 650 palestinians have been killed, while there's also been violence against israelis. this latest massive military operation involved israeli forces simultaneously entering the cities ofjenin, tulkarm, nablus and tubas,

in what the defence forces say is a counter—terrorism strike. lucy williamson is live with the very latest from jenin. just in the last hour or so, we have heard a series of explosions and a lot of gunfire coming from jenin refugee camp which is just behind lot of gunfire coming from jenin refugee camp which isjust behind me “p refugee camp which isjust behind me up the hill there. it comes after a day when there has been a very low level of confrontation compared to previous operations here injenin, and the number of troops moving around the city. i think now night has fallen, we are seeing more gunfire, more explosions and more confrontation. it was a message of force, delivered quietly at first. israeli soldiers seeking their targets street by palestinian street.

at dawn, hundreds of troops backed by armoured bulldozers arrived in the refugee camps of tulkarem, nablus, tubas, jenin, home to armed palestinian groups and unarmed civilians. at least nine palestinians have been killed. hamas says six of them were its fighters. masoud najjar said he was injured when he opened the door to his house after some young men nearby asked for water. translation: we felt like something came down on — translation: we felt like something came down on us _ translation: we felt like something came down on us from _ translation: we felt like something came down on us from the _ translation: we felt like something came down on us from the sky - translation: we felt like something came down on us from the sky and - came down on us from the sky and there _ came down on us from the sky and there was— came down on us from the sky and there was an — came down on us from the sky and there was an explosion. i was unaware of what was going on. when i put my hand on my chest, it was all shrapnel and blood. injenin, army vehicles surrounded the city's two main hospitals. ambulances stopped and checked by militaryjeeps. israel's foreign minister said iran was financing and arming

groups in the west bank, describing it as a war for everything that israel must win. the idf and our security forces are operating in tulkarem, jenin and other places from which murderous attacks have been launched. we will fight to eliminate terrorism wherever it emerges. israel's army has been targeting the same areas in the same cities, week after week for the past ten months, determined to dismantle the armed palestinian groups based here. now it's launched a wider, more coordinated operation across the west bank on a scale not seen for 20 years. arriving injenin today, the west bank head of the red crescent. you've had ten months of these sorts of incursions. how worried are you by what's happening today? i'm very much worried because it seems there's a new stage. there's a new, er... they are escalating,

scaling up their operation. when they talk about evacuating civilians and using the air force to bombing the camps. this reminds us of gaza. explosion. tonight, explosions and gunfire injenin's refugee camp. this city full of unmarked battlegrounds, roads and alleyways where armed palestinians test the army's control. lucy williamson, bbc news, jenin. jeremy bowen is here with me. this does seem on the face of it to be another escalation of what we are seeing going on in gaza. yes. seeing going on in gaza. yes, undoubtedly _ seeing going on in gaza. yes, undoubtedly as _ seeing going on in gaza. yes, undoubtedly as lucy - seeing going on in gaza. yes, undoubtedly as lucy was - seeing going on in gaza. ye: undoubtedly as lucy was saying, there have been pretty much constant raids into these areas, but this is bigger, the biggest in more than 20 years, the biggest military operation in the west bank, and i think it does show that there is this other theatre that has been bubbling along and getting worse and worse over the months, nearly a year

now since those attacks out of gaza by hamas. that is getting worse because there is notjust this military operation, there has been a lot of violence as well from armed jewish settlers, often operating under the protection of the israeli army. the israelis say that the official position of the government is that all of the land between the riverjordan and the mediterranean sea is jewish riverjordan and the mediterranean sea isjewish land belonging to jewish people. prime minister netanyahu is putting effectively as government of the west bank, a man who is a very hard—line nationalist, and ultranationalist. but the israelis are saying they are looking to iran which is opening another front. they are saying in the west bank. and they may well be providing weapons. i don't know, i don't have evidence of that. but the thing is, what it all comes down to is this better, immutable conflict which has never had a military solution, but

once again they are going down this road, of this very large military operation and this is a very important theatre is at boiling point. jeremie, thank you. our top story this evening... sir keir starmer says he wants to "reset" relations with the eu, after talks with the german chancellor in berlin. with the german and still to come... with the german england's blood donor service warns stocks remain low, as it launches a fresh appeal for donations. coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on bbc news — is it the end of the american football dream for louis rees zammit? he fails to make the cut with the kansas city chiefs with the new nfl season starting next week. the opening ceremony of the paralympic games gets under way in less than an hour in paris, with 4,400 athletes, from 184 delegations, competing over the next 11 days.

tens of thousands of people will watch the opening parade down the champs—elysees, and nikki fox is there for us now. that's right, i am on the champs—elysees an hour away from and thousands of athletes from all around the world will start their parade down the street, and it's a very long street. this part of the event is completely free, so anyone can watch. the athletes will end up at conclude place for the ticketed part of the ceremony, which organises described as bold and revolutionary and ambitious. much like the opening ceremony, it's going to be all outdoors, which is a first for the paralympics. the only difference being the weather is a whole lot nicer. earlier, i nipped out to speak to some excited fans. in the baking hot parisian sun, fans have been queueing for hours

to get their hands on tickets for tonight's paralympic opening ceremony. cheering and screeching. archie's so excited for the games to start, he arrived earlier this week. hiya. good to meet you. hello, how are you? because the paralympics are so close to home this year, archie is able to stay for the whole two weeks. i really cannot wait for the games to actually start. we're all in that little bubble that nothing else matters but sport. and i wish it could be like that all the time. but it's paris. it's back with a bang. it's... we're all ready to get started again. someone who's been to more paralympic games than most, as an athlete and a presenter, is tanni grey—thompson. right, tanni, is this going to be the best paralympics of all time? i'm so excited about the paris games. i really hope it's going to be the best paralympics of all time. london raised the bar, but i don't want it to be

the best games ever. i want it to be one of the best. but it's really important for the movement, for the athletes, that we keep evolving, and i think france has the potential to do that. we're on the cusp of something really special. do the athletes sit around and eat tarte tatin with a nice, sweet little drizzle there? no. you see, in competing days, you couldn't touch this, no! a record number of broadcasters are set to cover the games for fans around the world. but wheelchair racer sammi kinghorn would like to see more para sport coverage on tv throughout the year. do you think that we are getting closer to equality, between the olympics and the paralympics? i think we are getting nearer something. i think there's still a lot to do in society, and there always will be, i think, which is really sad. it's hard, i think, because we don't have the same sponsorship and the same money, and that's the kind of thing we are fighting for. because we are not on the telly all through the year, people can't relate to us. more than 2 million tickets have been sold for the games,

and these fans can't wait for it all to begin. what an opportunity! it's so close. we live in london, so to get here is really easy and to have the opportunity to see these athletes is amazing. this family have travelled all the way from the us to support their daughter. this is herfirst games. and what are you expecting from the opening ceremony tonight? well, we know we are going to be wowed. and probably crying the whole time. paralympic fan miguel is hoping he'll get to see loads of sport. untranslated. but i want to go to see... but i want to go to see paralympics. the paralympics is a world—class, highly competitive event. but it's also an opportunity for disabled people to have their moment in front of a global audience.

now, there have been concerns leading up to the game is about how the hundreds of thousands of disabled fans will get around but money has been spent on accessible transport and tonight it's all about celebration. thank you, nikki fox. the blood donor service in england is warning that supplies remain unstable, one month after issuing an "amber alert", meaning shortages of blood could affect patient care. the nhs says three donations every minute are needed, to provide enough blood for emergencies, childbirth and routine treatments. with a shelf life of 35 days, blood stocks must be continually replenished. after the alert was issued in late july, there was an initial surge in donors, but that's now dropped off. here's dominic hughes. another life—saving blood donation, this patient one of thousands of people who every day benefit from the precious gift of blood. on the trauma ward at manchester's royal infirmary,

they know the importance of having reliable stocks of blood. and we've sorted out a package of care for home? an amber alert, meaning supplies are low enough to affect patient care, is uncharted territory for many staff. i don't think as clinicians working in the uk, we've ever been in a situation where we've actually ran out, and i've never been in a situation with a patient where we've ran out of blood. but the idea of then having to ration when you've got someone who's desperately sick in front of you, it's very anxiety—provoking, and i wouldn't know quite how to do that, i don't think. the earlier we give blood, the better, and blood saves lives. just across the road from the hospital, donors are doing their bit. the blood given here is used in emergency surgery, during childbirth and planned operations. for those who donate, there is a real sense of satisfaction. you're doing something good for everybody, and it doesn't matter who they are. you never know whose blood, you know, who you're saving and who you're giving your blood to. yeah, it's a really nice feeling. it'sjust something, you know, i think people should do. - it takes half an hour of your day,

and it could be a life—saver. - if anybody�*s thinking of doing it, i would definitely recommend it. the problem today is that even though stocks have recovered since the end ofjuly, they remain unpredictable as we head into autumn. we never know when we might need blood, and we are all a potential recipient of blood. we all want to think, and we all expect that that blood is going to be available for us when we need it, and i think that's what's really important. it's kind of giving something into the nhs that you may or may not get back, but if you need it, you would want it to be there. at the manchester centre, we were given exclusive access to the journey that donated blood takes. first, it is analysed and tested for blood group type and for viruses such as hepatitis. every donation is carefully screened. then it's processed, split into red blood cells and plasma. and the blood stored here can end up almost anywhere in the north of england. how are your legs feeling? yeah, they're all right. back on the trauma ward, shahzad is recovering

after falling off a roof. the treatment he's received has been eye—opening, and it's convinced him he also needs to become a blood donor. it costs nothing. it's nice to be nice. if it does save a life, - then everyone should do it. dominic hughes, bbc news, manchester. doctors are calling on the government to ban flavoured and disposable vapes, in a bid to protect children against what they warn is a "growing epidemic". ministers say they'll bring in a new law on the sale and marketing of vapes, but that further restrictions would involve public consultation. here's catherine burns. how is this for a late summer sugar rush? cola, blue sour raspberry, or the classic strawberry? and bubble gum. we are not talking about sweets or fizzy drinks, they are all vape flavours and leading doctors are worried they are too appealing for children and young people. it's

estimated almost 8% of 11 to 17—year—olds vape. it's illegal to sell vapes to anybody under 18 but the new government says it will bring in a law stopping them being to liberal appetite to children and young people. it says this will include regulating flavours but there is no detail yet on how this will look it up in the meantime, the bma once all flavours except tobacco to be banned. bma once all flavours except tobacco to be banned-— to be banned. vapes are a really aood wa to be banned. vapes are a really good way to _ to be banned. vapes are a really good way to help _ to be banned. vapes are a really good way to help people - to be banned. vapes are a really good way to help people stop i to be banned. vapes are a really - good way to help people stop smoking and, if you are stopping, you need a tobacco flavoured vape. there is no need for any of the colourants or flavourings that we see at the moment. ~ ., , ., , , ., , moment. would they vape if they only sold tobacco — moment. would they vape if they only sold tobacco flavour? _ moment. would they vape if they only sold tobacco flavour? not _ moment. would they vape if they only sold tobacco flavour? not a _ moment. would they vape if they only sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i would sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i would still — sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i would still do _ sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i would still do it _ sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i would still do it for _ sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i would still do it for the _ sold tobacco flavour? not a chance. i would still do it for the rush, - i would still do it for the rush, for the — i would still do it for the rush, for the bus. thank you are addicted to nicotine? —

for the bus. thank you are addicted to nicotine? unfortunately. i for the bus. thank you are addicted to nicotine? unfortunately.- to nicotine? unfortunately. i don't think it's a — to nicotine? unfortunately. i don't think it's a matter— to nicotine? unfortunately. i don't think it's a matter of— to nicotine? unfortunately. i don't think it's a matter of the - to nicotine? unfortunately. i don't think it's a matter of the flavour. l think it's a matter of the flavour. it might even push kids towards smoking if that's what they decide to do, so perhapsjust keep smoking if that's what they decide to do, so perhaps just keep the flavours. to do, so perhaps 'ust keep the flavours. �* ~ �* to do, so perhaps 'ust keep the flavours. �* ~ , to do, so perhaps 'ust keep the flavours. �* ~ ~ , , ., flavours. the bma says there is no reason for — flavours. the bma says there is no reason for boots _ flavours. the bma says there is no reason for boots to _ flavours. the bma says there is no reason for boots to be _ flavours. the bma says there is no reason for boots to be sold - flavours. the bma says there is no reason for boots to be sold in - reason for boots to be sold in colourful displays and it wants them in plain packaging behind shop counters. the vaping industry doesn't want that but agree something needs to be done. when --eole something needs to be done. when people switch _ something needs to be done. when people switch to — something needs to be done. when people switch to vaping _ something needs to be done. barren people switch to vaping they want something needs to be done. its“i;ez“i people switch to vaping they want to disassociate themselves from the taste of tobacco so why do we want anything to be reminding them that they were a smoker every time they tried faith? we have to make sure young people conquer these products, and that's where we licensing would be a better strategy. the and that's where we licensing would be a better strategy.— be a better strategy. the nhs says vain is be a better strategy. the nhs says vaping is much _ be a better strategy. the nhs says vaping is much less _ be a better strategy. the nhs says vaping is much less harmful- be a better strategy. the nhs says vaping is much less harmful than l vaping is much less harmful than smoking but we don't know enough yet about long—term risks. last summer, millions around the world donned pink, as the barbie film dominated the box office.

well, now, as many parents worry about their children's access to social media, could a new barbie flip—phone be the answer? you can use it to go online, but there's no access to social media or apps. zoe kleinman has that story. barbie, the 65—year—old brand which was given a new lease of life last summer when the star—studded film hit cinemas, is back again. hi, barbie! this time it's in the form of a flip phone made by the mobile phone company hmd, the same budget brand behind nokia. it's a feature phone, also known as a dumb phone, meaning there's no access to social media and it can only perform basic functions like texting and calling. as concern about the impact of social media on young people grows, so are the sales of these devices. industry analysis predicts around 400,000 feature phones will be sold in the uk this year. hmd hopes gadgets like this might prove popular with parents who only want their children to have phones so they can keep in touch.

i asked the firm whether the phone will live up to expectations among young people who are more likley to be used to smartphones. this phone comes without social media, and because we've seen this surge in actually young people wanting to have a digital detox, no, this is actually delivering on what they're demanding right now. and while the barbie phone can text, it doesn't recognise rcs, which is a form of messaging that plenty of smartphones used by default these days. and that could be a problem if you're a parent trying to contact your child quickly. earlierthis week, ee, one of the uk“s largest mobile networks, said that children under 11 should not be given smartphones. but some industry experts question the longer term appeal of handsets like the barbie phone. the grim reality is when i talk to people who've got smartphones and explain to them the implications of giving up their smartphone for something much more basic, it's a pretty tough sell. yeah, i already have tiktok. we decided to put the phone to the test with its key target audience. so i'd like if there

was things like google and you could take pictures, and more games. i probably wouldn't use a phone like that because it doesn't have all the apps that i usually like to use. | in terms of introducing childrenj to using a phone with restricted kind of access to social media, i'd get on board with that. - hmd is also working with parents to design a completely new device that is child friendly but perhaps a bit smarter than the barbie handset. for now, though, texting and calling will have to be enough. zoe kleinman, bbc news. one of the rarest of wild orchids has been spotted in the uk, 15 years after it was last seen. called the ghost orchid, it grows only in the darkest woodland, and feeds off fungi. the most recent sighting was by the horticulturalist richard bate, who's keeping its location secret. after 30 yea rs of after 30 years of looking for this

plant and to being regularly let down, it was a feeling of elation but mainly relief. we have unfortunately seen this plant declared extinct in the past, so to find it and see it still thriving is incredibly exciting as well as relieving. time for a look at the weather. here's chris. we have had a mixed picture today, with north and western areas having thick cloud and some bands of rain, but it's not been like that everywhere. across east anglia and south—east england, we've managed to keep some sunny skies and in the best of the sunshine it“s keep some sunny skies and in the best of the sunshine it's been quite a hot day. in cambridge, we had temperatures reached 29, making it one of the warmer days of the year. we had summer sunshine in kent. tonight, a cold front will be pushing through east, and with that slightly fresher air and ultimately

a drop in temperatures tomorrow across eastern areas of england, where it's been very warm. temperatures overnight, ten to 13, but down to about eight in eastern scotland. tomorrow, a zone of cloud and framework in across northern ireland and scotland first thing, which cleared through, and sunshine and showers following to up a few showers possible for wales and western england but, across east anglia, the midlands and southern england, it should stay dry. 22 or 23 indeed, still feeling pleasant, little change further north for scotland and northern ireland. as you see this area of high pressure moving through friday and the weekend, gradually, it“s moving through friday and the weekend, gradually, it's set to get warmerfor weekend, gradually, it's set to get warmer for scotland and northern ireland. forecast for friday, as high pressure builds in, most of the uk having a dry with sunny spells, the mist and fog patches early on and the threat of a few blustery showers for orkney and shetland but otherwise a fine —looking day with temperatures high teens to low 20s.

for the weekend, temperatures for