and competition is under way at the paralympics in paris with 22 gold medals up for grabs today. hello. welcome to verified live. 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 bulldozers have been deployed, alongside other armoured vehicles. other armoured vehicles. there are also reports that there are also reports that a man was hit and killed a man was hit and killed by sniperfire in his home by sniperfire in his home in the nur shams refugee camp. in the nur shams refugee camp. that's located near tulkarem, that's located near tulkarem, where the palestinian armed where the palestinian armed group, islamichhad, group, islamichhad, says one of its top says one of its top

commanders in the area commanders in the area was killed in mosque. was killed in mosque. there have also been there have also been reports of deaths in other reports of deaths in other parts of the west bank, parts of the west bank, including here, in tubas. including here, in tubas. the israeli military says the israeli military says it is targeting what it it is targeting what it describes as terrorists, describes as terrorists, and has noted that it and has noted that it carried out an even larger carried out an even larger operation injenin last year. operation injenin last year. the united nations has the united nations has called for an immediate called for an immediate end to the operation, end to the operation, by the israeli army, saying israel is fuelling saying israel is fuelling an already explosive situation. an already explosive situation. our middle east our middle east correspondentjon donnison correspondentjon donnison is injenin — he told is injenin — he told us what the situation us what the situation was like there. was like there. well here injenin, well here injenin, eight palestinians have eight palestinians have been killed by israeli been killed by israeli forces since yesterday. forces since yesterday. one person today, and we just one person today, and we just actually saw an israeli actually saw an israeli military bulldozer head military bulldozer head towards the refugee camp, towards the refugee camp, which sits behind me injenin. which sits behind me injenin. so this operation is ongoing. so this operation is ongoing. a lot of the focus is in a lot of the focus is in tulkarem, as you say, tulkarem, as you say, which is a palestinian city which is a palestinian city to the west of here. to the west of here. just driving into janine this just driving into janine this morning, all but one road morning, all but one road was closed, blocked off 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. earlier, former israeli intelligence official, avi melamed, gave his thoughts on why israel have taken this step. what we are looking at in israel... this is the west bank, the iranians are smuggling weapons intojordan smuggling weapons into jordan and smuggling weapons intojordan and part of this weapon is finding its way to the west bank. israeland finding its way to the west bank. israel and jordan have a very long joined a border, some 325 mile long border and part of this border is rubbing shoulders with the west bank. the iranians and hamas are trying to flood the west bank

with all types of weapons so this is the right context to understand. d0 this is the right context to understand.— this is the right context to understand. ,., ~ ., understand. do think there are significant _ understand. do think there are significant and _ understand. do think there are significant and strategic - understand. do think there are significant and strategic risks l significant and strategic risks for israel in doing this and indeed, for other parties, other communities the? we equate him say that this is fuelling an already explosive situation so what are the strategic risk as far as you are concerned?— are concerned? there is a strategic _ are concerned? there is a strategic risk _ are concerned? there is a strategic risk but - are concerned? there is a strategic risk but when i are concerned? there is a | strategic risk but when you look at the other perspective, this strategic risk of not do anything is much bigger than doing something. at the end of the day, the iranians and hamas terrorists are very simple, they are trying to turn the west into... by the way, the palestinian authority is also well aware of this and the palestinian authority is also trying to block this iranian, joint iranians, hamas operation. let's speak to dalal iriqat

who's an associate professor of conflict resolution and diplomacy at the arab american university. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. of they

all over the west bank,... they are attacking the mosques, hospitals, every seven rear is under danger. they use a given occasion strategy where there is any targeting hamas and we have said several times that they were doing the same thing just to justify war crimes. under international law, what is today are war crimes. they are being sued for possibility of genocide, the icc is about toissue of genocide, the icc is about to issue arrest warrants against israeli war criminals. what israel is israel is doing is reaching any agreement that we have heard of, there are rallies in every un resolution and... —— they are violating every un resolution. if and... -- they are violating every un resolution. if israel is targeting... _ every un resolution. if israel is targeting... islamic - every un resolution. if israel is targeting... islamicjihad l is targeting... islamicjihad has said that five of its fighters have been killed and its operation ennis occupied

west bank since yesterday, so it would deny that it is doing anything other than carrying out a targeted operation to do —— to deal with terrorists. a guest that i spoke to just pick four b game —— but a question that are asked to guess just before we came to you, it strategically, it is going to make the situation even worse? is it any way of stepping back from this because there are accusations being levelled at israel that it is extending the war in gaza to the west bank? yes, let's remember that this is in peril. as we are witnessing the war crimes and the killings and by the way since october and seventh, we are we have had 670 bursting is murdered in the west bank. —— we have had the war after not stop in gaza so why they are trying to justify the war crimes and their organised its

terror against palestinians, let's look at the pictures, the attack on the mosque, the hospitals, electricity —— electricity. hospitals, electricity -- electricity.— hospitals, electricity -- electricity. hospitals, electricity -- electrici . ., ., electricity. the opera -- at the university _ electricity. the opera -- at the university do _ electricity. the opera -- at the university do not - electricity. the opera -- at. the university do not operate, the university do not operate, the schools do not operate. this is not against hamas, for a new conscious person, they are targeting infrastructure, homes, any service that provides for palestinian services, the student did not go to university today. my professor colic did not arrive at the university today. everybody is living are living under for today.— everybody is living are living under for today. they say that the are under for today. they say that they are 20 — under for today. they say that they are 20 x _ under for today. they say that they are 20 x smuggle - under for today. they say that i they are 20 x smuggle explosive devices in with the aim of attacking israel. do you think iran is doing that?— iran is doing that? listen, i am an expert _ iran is doing that? listen, i am an expert in _ iran is doing that? listen, i am an expert in conflict - am an expert in conflict resolution, i think the root cause of the writers that we

are to witnessing, is the israeli occupation. —— of the violence that we are witnessing. let's remember that as long as writers is rewarded, things will only get worse. where is the role for peace talks here, can... as you say, you are put professor for conflict resolution, where is the role of diplomacy right now in this seemingly intractable situation?— in this seemingly intractable situation? ., ., , ., situation? unfortunately, for the ast situation? unfortunately, for the past 11 — situation? unfortunately, for the past 11 months, - situation? unfortunately, for. the past 11 months, diplomacy has failed for the palestinians. the only path forward is an imposed, permanent ceasefire and resolution based on the internationally agreed parameters. is one used to stop this insanity, its barbaric attacks against the palestinian people. they should not continue to wage wars against civilians in the west bank. every palestinian city, the checkpoints, it is insane what

the world is tolerating. they need to be a diplomatic multilateral... to be reminded of the obligations. under article 25 of the un charter, they need to stop this madness, they need to stop this madness, they need to stop this madness, they need to stop the palestinian civilians and they need to hold israel accountable again. as long as israel and the right wing government, netanyahu is enjoying impunity, nothing is going to stop the war crimes against the palestinians. the hope for the state organised israel is to... the palestinian they are staying on their land and yet, an imposed ceasefire is urgent. thank you very much for your time. of course, a reminder that israel would deny that it is carrying out war crimes in the situation. associate professor of conflict resolution and diplomacy at the

arab american university. apologies for some break—up on the line there. 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 and when new zealand announced its world—first 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. earlier, the bbc radio 5 live presenter, nicky campbell asked his callers for their thoughts on the restrictions. sue in south shields was one caller who thinks the ban is a good idea. i've had cancer. i've been there. i've been there with the other people who smoke. and i remember 2007, the ban on smoking in pubs, i was up in arms. you know what? now that i've had cancer, i don't want people to go through the hell that you go through because of a preventable cancer. i don't want my children passing them tea shops thinking that smoking is normal. it's not. it's an addictive habit.

tayub, who runs a shisha bar in manchester, was critical, he's worried that a ban would have a negative impact on the hospitality industry. it's a bit of overreach from the government and, you know, trying to ban smoking in outdoor spaces. and i mean, surely, you know, the british people can make a decision on whether they want to light up a cigarette or smoke a shisha and understand the health implications for doing so. hospitality. i mean, it's been through a lot with covid, it still hasn't fully recovered. so i just don't think there's any need for it. the hospitality industry will be largely affected if this ban comes into place. tony sophoclides — the strategic affairs director at ukhospitality told us what his members concerns were. we what his members concerns were. were surprised.

we were surprised. we need del —— from the king's speech, there would be legislation. we obviously recognised the government was an ambition to drive down the numbers of people that smoke. i think we are? is and there's a bias came from is that when the banning smoking in some outdoor areas is really the way to do that and not least when we know that there will certainly be an economic impact on our hasbro tally detector that is already facing many, many costs and challenges. —— a hospitality sector that is already facing many costs. in sector that is already facing many caste— sector that is already facing man costs. ., ., , many costs. in covid, there has been impacting _ many costs. in covid, there has been impacting outdoor - many costs. in covid, there has been impacting outdoor spaces | been impacting outdoor spaces if they happen. what has only spits into the room —— rockwood have owners been sailing? it was only five months ago, that some of the changes to regulations and requirements for outdoor spaces were made permanent following the introduction during the

pandemic. so that was, if you like, a green flag from businesses to go and invest in this structures to make it more comfortable for smokers and nonsmokers alike. because smokers don'tjust go out for appliance or meal with smokers, they go with nonsmokers as well. i know it is a different smoker —— mike and it is for a different government, to sector was so much potential in terms of helping the ink deaf economy and growth and are pregnant, it seems to the stark mixed message. —— it seems there is a stark mixed method. message. -- it seems there is a stark mixed method.— stark mixed method. they say it is absolutely _ stark mixed method. they say it is absolutely the _ stark mixed method. they say it is absolutely the best _ stark mixed method. they say it is absolutely the best health - is absolutely the best health plan. looking at the other side of the coin, are you hoping that the government will consult closely with business owners on this idea because people might say there's a huge difference between people gathered outside a hospital smoking versus a pub, for

example, which has a large guided area?— example, which has a large guided area? that is exactly ask in terms _ guided area? that is exactly ask in terms of— guided area? that is exactly ask in terms of making - guided area? that is exactly ask in terms of making sure| ask in terms of making sure that there is a reduced scrutiny and extensive consultation on this. as you also suggest, it is because a one size fits all solution is not necessarily a solution. there will be a very different scenario for an urban cafe with a very small yard out side. the owners of that wall know exactly whether their customers white that should be a non—smoking zone or whether it is tolerated there. compare that to a rural pub with acres of pub garden, is clearly a lot more people for people to drew themselves the there. so yeah, we certainly are asking, than editors aren't out so we aren't panicking yet. —— read the details aren't out so we aren't panicking yet. but once they are, he sadly what a

consultation. —— we certainly want a consultation. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

the chinese president xi jinping has met the visiting us national security adviser, 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 i 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. and 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. to paris now where french president emmanuel macron has met with the british prime minister keir starmer at the elysee palace. the prime minister travelled from berlin to paris to hold more meetings designed to show the uk wants to �*reset�* its relationship with the european union following years of post—brexit turmoil. both leaders reaffirmed their desire to deepen bilateral relations and also reiterating their call for an immediate ceasefire in gaza. earlier, i spoke to pieter cleppe, editor in chief of brussels report, about his thoughts on the statement. ido i do think that he left some ambiguity in a statement there. and probably, it is for the better. if you look at a uk debate, part of the problem is that since 2019, many people from non—eu countries have been

allowed to migrate to britain. if we look at the figures. so it i can imagine that there is some political scope for keir starmer to make some changes there. it is notjust migration however, also, agricultural trade, i would expect to see some changes. perhaps, the uk would not 100% shadow eu regulations but would make some concessions there to also alleviate the problems and the challenges in northern ireland. so yeah, i think everything is linked with everything so that is what will be expected, i think, to have a grand deal in at one point. maybe in a few years, we will see an updated relationship.

japan has ordered more than five million people to evacuate their homes as a major storm crosses the country. typhoon shanshan has left hundreds of thousands without power after it made landfall on the island of kyushu. the storm is expected to travel up towards tokyo this weekend, with japan airlines cancelled 275 domestic flights on thursday, with more disruption expected into friday. three people from the same family have already been killed in a landslide which buried their home, after the powerful typhoon hit japan. south korea's constitutional court has ruled that the government has not done enough to say how it plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. in what is asia's first such case, the ruling is a partial victory for more than 250 young climate change activists, who named an embryo as their lead plantiff.

the court said the government had not outlined how it planned to get to carbon neutrality in the two decades from 2030, and ordered it to work on a scheme. in 2021, south korea made a legally binding commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 5.4% every year from 2023, a target they have so far failed to meet. it is day one of the paralympic games in paris. already the medals are being won. china won the see one thing, the velodrome pursued. team gb won silver. it was a good day for china on the cycling track with this athlete winning god on the men's individual pursuit. the netherlands took gold in the women's ca five, 500 metres time trial. stunning images of the natural world have been shared by the natural history

museum as part of its wildlife photographer of the year competition. this jaguar with a caiman in its jaws was captured in the pantanal wetlands in brazil, by british photographer ian ford. this stoat was seen �*dancing' over the snow in france. the image was taken by manuel grandio, who called it �*twist and jump'. and a colourful david bowie spider was photographed carrying an egg sack in the cameroon highlands in malaysia. you are watching bbc news. hello in cambridgeshire. .. hello in cambridgeshire... one or two showers this afternoon across some other western areas but in the east dry weather and tension, temperatures are a pleasant 20 to 23 degrees. this evening, a lot of the

cloud will melt away. showers in scotland... 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 2a 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.

the us economy has been growing even more strongly than previously thought. a rise in consumer spending has helped the boost second quarter growth to 3%. ai reality check. nvidia posts record sales but disappoints investors. has ai mania passed its peak? the path is cleared for the uk to join this group of trading nations. britain will become part of the trans pacific partnership on the 15th december.

welcome to business today. the world's biggest economy is growing more strongly than previously thought. the second official estimate of economic growth in the united states in the second quarter of the year has been published today. it's 3% on an annualised basis. better than the 2.8% which was first forecast. there's also been some upbeat economic data on unemployment with the us labour department reporting 231,000 new claimants for unemployment benefit last week, which is lower than forecast. ritika gupta is in new york for us. ritika, break down the data today for us. what's it telling us? it is telling us that the