and competition is underway at the paralympics in paris with 22 gold medals up for grabs today. hello, i'm annita mcveigh. welcome to verified live — three hours of checking out the day's mains stories and the facts behind them. palestinian sources say the number of people killed in the occupied west bank since israel launched a large military operation there has risen to 17. among the deaths — eight people injenin — where israeli forces have moved onto the streets. bulldozers have been deployed, alongside other armoured vehicles. there are also reports that a man was hit and killed by sniperfire in his home in the nur shams refugee camp. that's located near tulkarm — where the palestinian armed

group, islamichhad, says one of its top commanders in the area was killed in mosque. there have also been reports of deaths in other parts of the west bank, including here, in tubas. the israeli military says it is targetting what it describes as terrorists — and has noted that it carried out an even larger operation injenin last year. the united nations has called for an immediate end to the operation, saying israel is fuelling an already explosive situation. our middle east correspondentjon donnison is injenin — he told us what the situation was like there. well, here injenin eight palestinians have been killed by israeli forces since yesterday, one person today. and we just actually saw an israeli military bulldozer head towards the refugee camp, which sits behind me injenin. so this operation is ongoing. a lot of the focus is in tulkarem, as you say, which is a palestinian city

to the west of here. just driving intojenin this morning, all but one road was closed, blocked off by the israeli army, and we were told and warned by palestinian taxi drivers that their cars were being shot at by israeli soldiers. israel, for its part, of course, says it's carrying out a counterterrorism operation and is trying to protect its citizens. normally this is a vibrant, bustling, busy city and today it is absolutely deserted. all the businesses virtually are shuttered up and no one is out on the streets. everyone is in their homes. as for how long it's going to go on, well, we don't really know. israel says, as i say, that they are determined to tackle militant groups here in the northern west bank. they say that they have been stockpiling weapons. israel alleges that those weapons are

being funded by iran. and certainly when i was in tulkarem late last year, you do see people, militants with very, very sophisticated weapons, which cost a lot of money on the black market. now, people tell you that many of those weapons are actually being smuggled in by criminal gangs from israel, although some smaller weapons are coming in from jordan. we hope to speak very shortly to a former israeli intelligence official for the latest on that. here, the government is considering tighter restrictions on smoking outdoors as part of a drive to phase out tobacco. smoking could be banned in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, outside hospitals and sports grounds. the new measures would apply in england. wales said it would support the bill, while scotland and northern ireland say any proposals for restrictions are subject to approval

in the devolved nation. in the uk, smoking is currently prohibited in enclosed public places, workplaces, and on public transport. and since 2014, it's been against the law to smoke in a car which is carrying children. let's look at the legal situation in some other countries — mexico has some of the strictest anti—smoking laws in the world. smoking is banned at beaches, parks and in some cases private homes. within the eu, several countries have strong anti—smoking measures in place, but the european commission says, in reality, there was a problem with getting people and authorities to actually follow those laws. smoking ban forfuture generations — it was widely praised by health advocates across the globe. and yet, two years later, its latest government scrapped that landmark bill — citing the need to pay for tax cuts. let's speak to tony

sophoclides who is the strategic affairs director at uk hospitality. there's not much detail on these proposals but are your broad thoughts? we these proposals but are your broad thoughts?— broad thoughts? we were surprised- _ broad thoughts? we were surprised. we _ broad thoughts? we were surprised. we knew - broad thoughts? we were surprised. we knew there i broad thoughts? we were - surprised. we knew there would be legislation to tackle smoking, there was no secret made of that, and we recognise the ambition of the government to drive down the numbers of people that smoke, but the question is and the surprise is, is whether banning smoking in some outdoor areas is really the way to do that, not least when we know there will be an economic impact on our hospitality sector that is already facing many costs and challenges. fix, already facing many costs and challenges-— challenges. a lot of business owners have _ challenges. a lot of business owners have invested - challenges. a lot of business| owners have invested heavily since covid in their outdoor spaces, if they have them, so what do business owners say to you right now?— you right now? you have put our you right now? you have put your finger _ you right now? you have put your finger on _ you right now? you have put your finger on a _ you right now? you have put your finger on a sore - you right now? you have put your finger on a sore spot, l your finger on a sore spot, actually, and deliberately so, because it was only five months

ago although under different government, but some of the changes to regulations and requirements for outdoor spaces were made permanent, following the introduction during the pandemic, so that was a green flag for many businesses to invest in making those permanent structures more comfortable for smokers and nonsmokers alike. smokers do notjust go out with other smokers, they are with nonsmokers, so there is a mixed message and i know that is a different government but it seems that for a sector that has so much potential in terms of helping revive the economy and growth and employment, it seems there is a start and message. seems there is a start and message-— seems there is a start and messaue. . ., ., _ message. the director of policy at the nhs _ message. the director of policy at the nhs federation - message. the director of policy at the nhs federation says - message. the director of policy | at the nhs federation says that prevention is the best health

plan, but looking at the other side, would you be hoping that the government would consult closely with business owners on this idea because some people might say there's a huge difference between people gathered outside a hospital smoking, versus a pub which has a large garden area? that smoking, versus a pub which has a large garden area?— a large garden area? that is exactly our _ a large garden area? that is exactly our point _ a large garden area? that is exactly our point in - a large garden area? that is exactly our point in terms i a large garden area? that isi exactly our point in terms of making sure there is scrutiny and extensive consultation on this and that is because a one size fits all solution is not necessarily a solution and there will be a different scenario for an urban cafe with a very small yard outside and the owners of that will know whether their customers want that to be a non—smoking zone or whether it is tolerated, compared to a rural pub with acres of pub garden, so it is clearly a lot more easy for

people to enjoy themselves there. we certainly are asking, once the details are out, because we are not panicking yet, but we would want due consultation.— consultation. i'm sure the conversation _ consultation. i'm sure the conversation will - consultation. i'm sure the | conversation will continue. tony, thanks forjoining us. the chinese president xi jinping has met the visiting us national security advisor, jake sullivan, in an indication of warmer ties between the two countries. mr sullivan has been in beijing for high—level talks for three days. he said america had deliberately tried to increase diplomatic contact with china over the last two years. his trip to beijing is seen as an effort to create more dialogue and reduce tensions between the two countries — with the white house wanting to avoid any miscommunication that could lead to conflict in the region. the chinese preseident said his country was committed to maintaining its relations with the us.

translation: while great changes have taken place in the two countries and in china—us relations, china's commitment to a goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable china—us relationship remains unchanged. its principle in handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win win cooperation remains unchanged. its position on firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, and its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the chinese and american people remain unchanged. mr sullivan held a press conference after his meetings — here's what he said... the most important thing and a core part of my extended engagement with director wong, notjust here, but in multiple meetings dating back to the beginning of last year, is overall responsible management of this relationship so that competition doesn't veer into confrontation or conflict. that is ongoing work,

and being able to reach the end of president biden�*s administration with the relationship on a stable basis, even though we have areas of difference and areas of difficulty, this is something we will work towards. our china correspondent laura bicker told us about the two main issues to come out of the press c0 nfe re nce . the first, i would say, is the fact that there's going to be a call between president xi and president biden in the coming weeks that could lay the groundwork for one final meeting between the two. mr sullivan, during the press conference, when pressed by one of my questions said, look, there are opportunities for the two to meet and it is very possible that they will. so that's one last meeting between the leaders of these two superpowers before president biden leaves the white house. and that kind of secures his legacy, i think. i think he wants to be known as someone who has tried to bring alliances across asia together and work with china where possible, where diplomacy is possible. i think the second thing that's

come out of it is that jake sullivan has been the first biden aide to meet with a top military general here in china. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

a bbc news investigation has uncovered a worrying trend of shopkeepers and traders in the uk buying stolen goods and selling them on. the most recent figures show that shoplifting offences rose by 30% across england and wales last year, that is more than 440,000 cases. that's the highest level for more than 20 years. but retailers believe only around a third of incidents are reported to the police. and that means that shoppers foot the bill, as a result an average household is paying an extra £133 per year. 0ur reporter, jim connolly, has the story.

perfume, always a staple. box sets, cosmetics, leather handbags. a big box of lego can be £100. this is ross, for decades one of leeds most prolific shoplifters. i'm not allowed in most of the shops around here. is thatjust because you stole so much over the years? yeah, yeah, and now i'm banned from... yeah. he says he's been clean from heroin and crack for five months and hasn't shoplifted in that time. previously, he was stealing £300 worth of stuff every day to fund his addiction. it was just to buy drugs. i know it's in the tens of thousands. you've stolen tens of thousands of pounds? yeah, i'm ashamed to say. experts say 70% of shoplifters are addicts like ross. but there's no escaping the fact he's a criminal. 23 convictions in two decades, including 15 for shoplifting. but he's never been to prison. there was a weight of fear every day walking down the hill from where i live, which you've got to get rid of. if you can't, you've

just got to bury it. but that's there every day, yeah. because you thought you might get caught? yeah, and i was only ever inches away from it. um, and it's only ever temporarily relieved when you get out of each shop and you haven't been caught. was this an area you would shoplift in? yeah. ross says he only targeted larger retailers, believing they could afford the losses, overlooking the obvious cost to consumers. there really isn't such thing as a victimless crime, though, is there? shoplifting costs the country billions of pounds. what do you think about that? people who shoplift are ill, and that's why they're doing it. the law currently treats any theft under £200 less seriously, a rule the home secretary has promised to remove, this week adding that she wants to end the shameful neglect of the problem of shoplifting. west yorkshire police said it's aware of the concerns of businesses and regularly reviews offences to put robust plans in place. ross only made money if people were willing to buy stolen goods. whisky, vodka, baileys, tia maria, honey, cheese, washing tablets and liquid if you can, please, mate.

messages from a middleman, daily requests to steal to order. and even more surprisingly, his customers also included other shops all across the city. from my bag full of stuff, i'd know which shop to go to to sell it on. and, um, we'd discuss a price and i'm out of there with the money. it sounds crazy to say that, doesn't it? it's the economics, isn't it? i suppose i was the cheapest wholesaler at the end of the day. most shops, however, are simply the victims. this one targeted so often, thieves struck within minutes of us arriving. on a red light. so we're just getting reports through of a guy who's a potential suspected shoplifter by the sound of it. and we've had another shoplifter in this shop, so you can see just how active it is. can you describe what happened? just had someone come in and managed to steal one of our cat treats. this is the product that she actually ends up stealing. we kind ofjust have to stand there and watch it happen overand overagain. what happens if one of those three had a knife? yeah. so that is the risk that we

take with approaching them. it's a risk whether we go after them or whether we just let them get away with it, essentially. does that scare you? it does, yeah. those that represent high street stores say freya's fears are all too common among shop workers. they are facing the shoplifting, but also, in so many cases, the violence and abuse that comes with it day in, day out. and it is a real demoralising state of affairs, and one that is clearly unacceptable, that needs to be more highly prioritised and addressed. i get a sick feeling literally thinking about what i used to do. and yeah, the guilt. ross insists he never used violence. he says he's clean and trying to stay out of trouble. you say that you only targeted big chains, but the people that work in those big chains have told me they're terrified when shoplifters come in. can you understand the fear that you put through people? oh, yeah. please understand that it's

just a simple case of survival. it felt like... ifelt like i didn't have a choice. there's always a choice, but it doesn't feel like you've got one when you... when you're that desperate. it's that desperation that drives so much of the shoplifting blighting businesses across the country. and it also raises questions about how society tackles the problem. jim connolly, bbc news. we are getting a statement that says that keir starmer had emanuel macron discussed the situation in ukraine and emanuel macron discussed the situation in ukraine— situation in ukraine and they decided it — situation in ukraine and they decided it was _ situation in ukraine and they decided it was important - situation in ukraine and they decided it was important to l decided it was important to support ukraine for as long as necessary to guarantee the defence of the country and also europe as a whole, they also discuss the situation in the middle east and have repeated

their calls on all parties to de—escalate the situation and in addition, they reaffirmed their desire to deepen bilateral relations, especially in the fields of defence, security, and energy, and they say they also decided to deepen their cooperation on illegal migration in the english channel in particular with regards to human trafficking networks, and that has been one of the more difficult aspects of the more difficult aspects of the more difficult aspects of the relationship between the uk and france. that is the readout from the elysee palace on the meeting between the two leaders and it follows on from keir starmer being in germany to meet the german chancellor yesterday, there was the greeting from emmanuel macron earlier. keir starmer in both countries, saying that he wants to reset relations between the uk and the eu, after brexit. at pains to point out that what he was doing was not about trying

to renegotiate brexit, mindful of the political situation at home. we can now talk to our guest. let's speak to pieter cleppe, editor in chief of brussels report. no surprise that there was a big focus on foreign policy, as well as more on the bilateral relations, so what do you make of that statement?— of that statement? interesting that they mention _ of that statement? interesting that they mention the - of that statement? interesting that they mention the english | that they mention the english channel and the problems of illegal migration, and of course this is a massive topic in the uk and as a result of brexit, the uk it had less leveraged to convince france to cooperate here but now what i would expect at the renegotiation of the relationship which is coming, this will also take that on

board. i expect it to be ending in a big package which will also include shadowing more eu regulations and of course foreign policy.— regulations and of course foreign policy. you talk about a renegotiation, _ foreign policy. you talk about a renegotiation, so _ foreign policy. you talk about a renegotiation, so what - foreign policy. you talk about a renegotiation, so what is i a renegotiation, so what is that going to look like in your opinion from the uk side and also that of the eu and what is in it for both of them? the uk prime minister has spoke about the number one priority is growing the economy. brexit introduced — growing the economy. brexit introduced a _ growing the economy. brexit introduced a lot _ growing the economy. brexit introduced a lot more - growing the economy. brexit| introduced a lot more friction on trade between the eu and the uk, and the brexit deal prevented some of the damage but still a lot of extra trade barriers were introduced and also freedom of movement ended. i think that keir starmer will

not openly say so but that he is very much in favour of the idea of reintroducing free movement of people but only for those between 18 and 30 and probably with a number of restrictions and safeguards, that there could be an emergency brake, a maximum per eu country if too many people from one specific country would migrate to the uk, so the uk would have the right to say no, so that will need to be negotiated.— so that will need to be neaotiated. , , ._ negotiated. he said yesterday in germany — negotiated. he said yesterday in germany that _ negotiated. he said yesterday in germany that that - negotiated. he said yesterday l in germany that that movement for 18—30 —year—olds was not on the table, but do you think that could be a bargaining issue between the uk and the eu? , , ., ., , eu? yes, first of all, it is something _ eu? yes, first of all, it is something that - eu? yes, first of all, it is something that the - eu? yes, first of all, it is something that the uk i eu? yes, first of all, it is - something that the uk would prefer to concede later but i do think that he left some

ambiguity in his statement there and at the end of the day it is probably for the better, and if you look at the uk debate, part of the problem is that since 2019, many people from non—judge—macro countries have been allowed to migrate to the uk, if you look at the figures, —— non—eu. iwould imagine there is some scope for keir starmer to make some changes there. it is notjust migration, though, and also agricultural trade, and i would expect to see some changes and maybe the uk were not completely shadow eu regulations but maybe they will make some concessions to also alleviate the problems and the challenges in northern ireland.

i think we will see but that is what i think will be expected, to have a grand deal at one point, maybe in a few years, where we will see an updated relationship.— relationship. really good to net our relationship. really good to get your thoughts _ relationship. really good to get your thoughts on - relationship. really good to get your thoughts on that i get your thoughts on that story. thanks forjoining us. it is day one of the paralympic games in paris. the competions are well underway. it has had a flying start following a spectacular opening ceremony. there's 22 gold medals up for grabs in games such as the para cycling and swimming. team gb�*s william ellard and olivia newman—baronius in with a chance — after winning their 100 metre butterfly heats this morning. and jodie grinham makes history in the individual compound archery —

competing at seven—months pregnant. now, boccia is one of the two paralympic sports which are not part of the olympics. to french audiences, it resembles the game of �*petanque', and more globally, �*bowls'. the game kicks off today with david smith representing team gb. let's speak to paul trayner who is the ceo of world boccia. he joins us from paris. thanks forjoining us. we had conversations about the pronunciation but i think i have got that right?- pronunciation but i think i have got that right? yes, that is riuht. have got that right? yes, that is right- for— have got that right? yes, that is right. for those _ have got that right? yes, that is right. for those who - have got that right? yes, that is right. for those who do - have got that right? yes, that is right. for those who do not| is right. for those who do not know what — is right. for those who do not know what it _ is right. for those who do not know what it is, _ is right. for those who do not know what it is, tell - is right. for those who do not know what it is, tell us - is right. for those who do not know what it is, tell us more | know what it is, tell us more about it and why it is in the paralympics. it about it and why it is in the paralympics-_ about it and why it is in the paralympics. it is a game that is very similar _ paralympics. it is a game that is very similar to _ paralympics. it is a game that is very similar to bowls - paralympics. it is a game that is very similar to bowls in - paralympics. it is a game that is very similar to bowls in the | is very similar to bowls in the uk, there is a white jack bowl and each competitor has six bowls each and the closer you get to the jack bowl the better. if you have three bowls

closer than you are payment, you score three, for example, and there are individual competitions, but also teams and pairs competitions.- and pairs competitions. what should the — and pairs competitions. what should the viewers _ and pairs competitions. what should the viewers be - and pairs competitions. what should the viewers be watching out for when it comes to the boccia competitions?- out for when it comes to the boccia competitions? one thing is the skill _ boccia competitions? one thing is the skill level _ boccia competitions? one thing is the skill level of _ boccia competitions? one thing is the skill level of the - is the skill level of the athletes involved, it is quite incredible, and i would encourage people to have a go at home, to see how difficult it is. it is a real tactical game. boccia, in terms of the athletes involved, they have very high support needs, probably more so than any other athletes at the paralympics, so they are all in wheelchairs and some of the athletes are able to throw it and some kick it and some in one particular

category, they cannot grip and throw it, so they use a head pointer or they can touch it with theirfinger pointer or they can touch it with their finger with a ramp to assist them in propelling it onto the field of play. the competition is extremely close. paul, i'm so sorry, i have got to stop you there because we are out of time but we look forward to seeing that in the paralympics. thanks forjoining paralympics. thanks for joining us. you are watching bbc news. hello there. yesterday in cambridgeshire, the temperature reached 30 degrees. it's quite a bit cooler and fresher today, but at least there's some sunshine around. these were the earlier showers and increasingly becoming confined to the north west of scotland, keeping it cool here. one or two showers potentially this afternoon across some other western areas, but in the east, in the dry weather and sunshine, temperatures are pleasant, 22 or 23 degrees. now this evening, a lot of that cloud willjust tend to melt away. the showers in scotland

becoming confined towards the far north, and the winds are easing here as well. with clear skies and quite chilly air, it will turn quite cold overnight — temperatures in scotland and northern ireland could be as low as 4 or 5 degrees and quite chilly as well across england and wales, but those clearer skies mean plenty of sunshine to start the day. it will warm up quite quickly. the showers move away from northern scotland and the winds continue to drop. we'll see some sea breezes developing, keeping coastal areas sunny. some cloud develops over land but it should be dry. temperatures still 17—18 in scotland and northern ireland, and around 24 or so in the southeast of england. high pressure to end the week. over the weekend it starts to move away and on saturday it allows this weather front to move up from the south and that is going to bring with it much more cloud northwards across england and wales on saturday. maybe the odd shower, but a lot of places i think will be dry. and we've got the sunnier skies further north. now the winds will be picking up a bit on saturday for much of england and wales. it's an easterly wind.

it'll keep the east coast of england a little cooler and the breeze picks up in scotland and northern ireland. but we do have the sunshine here and so it may well be a warmer day for scotland and northern ireland, with temperatures in glasgow potentially the same as london, where we've got more cloud until later in the day. that cloud does move northwards, though, on saturday night — the high pressure continues to move away. this weather front slides in from the atlantic and ahead of it we start to draw up a bit more heat, a bit more humidity and the potential for some storms. but that cloud is further north as we head into sunday. following that, there will be some sunshine and that will allow the cloud to develop, which could trigger a few thunderstorms, especially later on in the day. and some heat and humidity is coming in from the near continent, so temperatures could peak at 26 or 27 degrees. but with more cloud in scotland and northern ireland, temperatures on sunday will be lower.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the israeli army says it's killed 5 palestinian fighters on day two of its major military operation in the occupied west bank here in the uk the government is considering banning smoking in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and outside hospitals and sports grounds. survivors of a famine that killed at least three million people in british india's bengal region recount their experiences for the first time.

passengers on a round—the—world cruise have been left stranded