welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. our top stories: as facebook fights to fix its reputation, the company reveals new foreign attempts to influence the us midterm elections. donald trump's former campaign manager paul manafort goes on trial. the president insists the case has nothing to do with him. a passenger plane crashes just after takeoff in northern mexico. it is reported all on board have survived. and knocking out taboos — the young women and girls breaking down barriers against women in sports in pakistan. hello. interference by russia in the 2016 us election has been a controversial issue in the states, not least with the president himself. now, facebook says it has evidence of a new, more sophisticated, coordinated attempt to influence the midterm

elections this coming november, which crucially could change who controls at least one house of the us congress. facebook has removed nearly three dozen accounts and pages. it has not publicly identified russia as behind this campaign. in a moment we will hear from our technology correspondent dave lee. but first, here is what the director of homeland security said about russia's role in the 2016 presidential election. our democracy itself is in the crosshairs. let me take just a moment to touch on this, because i think it's very important to do so. two years ago, as we all know, a foreign power launched a brazen, multifaceted influence campaign to undermine public faith in our democratic process and to distort our presidential election. that campaign was multifaceted. it involved cyber espionage, leaks of stolen data, cyber intrusions into voter

registration systems, online propaganda, and more. let me be clear — our intelligence community has it right. it was the russians. we know that, they know that, it was directed at the highest levels, and we cannot and will not allow that to happen again. facebook released a bunch of information about this issue earlier. they say they removed 32 different pages and accounts which, given the huge user base, does not seem like much but between them they posted around 10,000 items and purchased 150 pieces of advertising at a cost of around $10,000. it's hard to quantify, but facebook say they were able to reach as many as a 250,000 people who were following the activities of these pages and accounts. facebook is trying to show that it is investing in this area and that it is working. since may 2017 facebook said these

groups tried to organise 30 different events, most of which had taken place, although it is not clear how successful they were. there was, however, one event planned for ten august in which 600 people said they planned to attend in 2600 people said they were interested in following that event. 0bviously now that has been cancelled. for facebook, this is all about showing that its huge investment in misinformation appears to be working. they have enlisted outside help in order to trace the problem. but of course, knowing the full scale of the issue is something that nobody knows, not even facebook, and so this may only be solving part of the problem. drjoseph fitsanakis is associate professor of the politics, intelligence and national securities programme at coastal carolina university. he is in myrtle beach, south carolina. thank you very much for your time.

what are you thinking about all of this? i am not in the least surprised. facebook and instagram have a combined 3 billion monthly active users, something like the equivalent to half the population of oui’ equivalent to half the population of our planet, so these platforms of communication are perhaps the most powerful means of global information in the history of the world. so their capacity to send information, also misinformation, is an absolute goldmine to those who are interested , goldmine to those who are interested, who seek to influence or perhaps alter events on a global scale. so that is not surprising at all. i guess as users we don't want to see the government regulating content, but it would be possible for the government, wouldn't it, to force social media to tell us when we are seeing advertising, and to pursue more fraud cases online. that's a nice wishful thinking, but see, the volume of information that is generated by these billions of

active users, it's absolutely impossible to regulate in anything like a systematic way. on top of that, governments today are simply too limited, too small, to really engage with the technical know—how, the volume of information that is generated. and on top of that, in a place like america, for example, many place like america, for example, ma ny voters place like america, for example, many voters just are not interested in having government regulate social media. i mean, americans wanta limited government, but at the same time they want the government that is strong enough to protect them. clearly those are mutually contrasting desires. how much credence do you give this latest announcement from facebook? it is of course desperate to show that it is on top of this problem. do you think it is? no, i very on top of this problem. do you think it is? no, ivery much on top of this problem. do you think it is? no, i very much doubt it. there is simply no way that a company like facebook can invest enough money to hire actual individuals who will comb through the volume of information that is created every single second of the

day by these billions of users. it is just day by these billions of users. it isjust simply day by these billions of users. it is just simply technically impossible. we have uncovered a number of cases like that in the last two or three years, but that must inevitably be just the tip of the iceberg. more stories like this will follow. states have always tried to interfere with others' elections, the us and the uk have certainly done it historically. do you suspect russia are behind this latest campaign? i personally do, but don't forget that there are huge swath of the american electoral map of voters who simply refuse to acknowledge that there are efforts out there to meddle with the us political process, and among them appears to be the very president himself, donald trump. thank you very much. the criminal trial of president trump's former campaign manager paul manafort has begun, and prosecutors have claimed he lied and placed himself above the law. they claim he tried to hide millions of dollars in income from lobbying in 30 foreign bank accounts, to evade tax and fund a lavish lifestyle. he faces 18 counts, including bank fraud, and could face up to 30 years injail.

he denies any wrongdoing. paul manafort held a coveted place in donald trump's inner circle as his campaign manager. but, just weeks after being seen here at the republican national convention in 2016, his political career began to unravel. forced to quit over his alleged ties to foreign governments. today he is injail, facing charges relating to his work before he joined the trump campaign. arriving at court in virginia, manafort is accused of laundering millions of dollars in cash while he worked as a political consultant in ukraine. his clients include the country's pro—russian former president viktor

yanukovych. prosecutors say he funnelled the money to offshore accounts in exotic locations, and with lavish purchases, buying multimillion—dollar properties in new york and virginia, and spending more than $1 million in men's clothing. mr manafort denies the charges. his former right—hand man, who also worked for donald trump is charged on a number of counts, but had most of those dropped in exchange for his cooperation during the investigation. he is expected to testify against mr manafort. you know, paul manafort worked for me for a very short period of time. the president isn't directly implicated in this trial, but these are the first charges brought by special counsel robert mueller, who is investigating if the trump campaign colluded with the russians. in a tweet, president trump claimed collusion isn't a crime, and denied there was any in the first place. a small group of anti—trump protesters who gathered outside the court believe the trump campaign did have ties to russia. paul manafort is one person who might have the answers, and as his trial

gets under way, it is believed he could co—operate with the wider investigation. let's get some of the day's other news: thailand has asked britain to extradite its former prime minister yingluck shinawatra. she fled the country last august to avoid being jailed over a rice subsidy scheme that ran up billions of dollars in losses. she has denied wrongdoing and said the trial was politically motivated. weather forecasters have warned that dry temperatures fuelling a series of wildfires in california will continue, with no rain in sight until next week. the carr fire, the deadliest ongoing blaze, is so strong that it has created its own local weather system, with errant winds. more than 11,000 fire crews and 950 trucks are fighting the fires, which have so far claimed seven lives. ajudge in the united states has blocked the online release of blueprints for the 3d printing of guns. injune, the trump administration decided to allow the designs to be made available for download. a federaljudge in seattle said the publication of the blueprints by a company in texas could cause irreparable harm to us citizens.

gun control advocates have been calling on president trump to reverse his administration's decision. it's only a matter of months now until the us midterm elections, and president trump has been back on the campaign trail. his latest stop was a rally in tampa, florida. the president gave his familiar stump speech, talking up the economy, and saying america was now respected again around the world. is this typically in a tweet saying pollution is not a crime. quite a statement, and one i have been saying to a lot of his —— put into a lot of his supporters. i asked if they believe russia interviewed in they believe russia interviewed in the election in 2016, and are they concerned going forward, particularly with the news that has come out today about the concerns about facebook that we will —— they will try and interfere or someone will try and interfere or someone will try and interfere or someone will try and interfere in the election is going forward at sometime in 2018, because november

has these crucial congressional elections, which donald trump is already on the campaign trail trying to get people out, trying to get people to vote. and when you listen to his supporters, they are saying very clearly that they are not concerned about that. some even denied the idea that there was interference, and they say it didn't change the vote, and they believe that what matters is what the american people here, and that is donald trump. donald trump is trying to ta ke donald trump. donald trump is trying to take a lead in this. of course, there are concerns among some republicans that he is such a divisive figure that it might get democrats out to vote. but he believes that he can really make a difference, and it is really interesting. if you take a look at this state, one of the candidates who is running for governor in this state, wants to be the republican candidate for governor, he has actually release specifically a campaign ad in which he references donald trump. he builds a wall, of course, build a wall at is a

familiar statement shouted at these rallies. he builds a wall with his daughter's blocks, he talks about making america great and he dresses his child in a trump onesie. it gives you the sense that there are some people who regard this upcoming election is not a battle between republicans and democrats, but rather a battle between trump supporters and those who are against him. he might not be on the ballot, but he does believe he can make a real difference. a plane has crashed in the capital of mexico's durango state. the state governor has tweeted that there were no deaths among the 97 passengers and four crew aboard, although there were injuries. the aeromexico flight was flying from guadalupe victoria international airport to mexico city. the crash happened 10km from the airport, just after take—off. 0n the scene, reports say passengers were seen walking to a nearby road to seek help. andrew plant has the latest. thick plumes of smoke in the distance, from a passenger jet which crashed shortly after takeoff. it is not clear yet how many people have been injured, but officials say no—one was killed.

the photos, though, show the plane was severely damaged. the plane was on its way to mexico city when it crashed. it had tried to take off from durango state on the two—hour flight south from guadalupe victoria international airport, with 97 people on board. this footage has also emerged — a hailstorm in durango around the time of the crash. it is not clear if the weather was a factor in what happened. the state governor has said that there are have been injury, although it is not clear how serious they are. 0ne local tv network said people were seen walking off the plane. the airport has been closed while emergency services deal with the crash and family suite on the news on the condition of the passengers and crew on—board. andrew plant, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: inspired by the american game, nigerians are turning to basketball.

but the sport has some tough competition. the us space agency, nasa, has ordered an investigation after confirmation today that astronauts were cleared to fly while drunk. the last foot patrol in south armagh. once an everyday part of the soldier's lot — drudgery and danger — now no more after almost four decades. if one is on one's own in a private house, not doing any harm to anyone, i don't really see why all these people should wander in and say, "you're doing something wrong." six rare white lion cubs are on the prowl at worcestershire park, and already they've been met with a roar of approval

from visitors. they‘ re lovely, yeah. really sweet. yeah, they were cute. this is bbc news, the latest headlines: facebook has announced that it shut more than 30 accounts apparently aimed at influencing this yea r‘s mid—term elections in the united states — some of which may have had links to russia. a plane carrying 90 people has made a forced landing in northern mexico — many people have been injured but everyone is reported to have survived. aid agencies are accused of being "almost complict" in sexual abuse across the sector, in a damning report by british members of parliament. the british international development committee says the delivery of aid has been subverted by sexual predators — and that there's been a "culture of denial" since revelations that workers for 0xfam paid for sex while helping victims of the 2010 earthquake in haiti. charities have welcomed the report, and 0xfam concedes it has

"further to go." here's our special correspondent, lucy manning. the charity workers were supposed to bring help, not abuse. they were supposed to bring aid, not exploitation. but when people were at their most vulnerable, they couldn't rely on their rescuers. haiti, the aftermath of the earthquake in 2010. an investigation by the times earlier this year discovered 0xfam had covered up its staff using sex workers, exploiting vulnerable women and young girls. those who highlighted sexual abuse allegations were ignored. there just wasn't the internalisted acknowledgement of hwo big a problem this was. it is hard for aid agencies focused on doing good things to acknowledge there was this systemic issue and the aid sector has had its metoo moment. the mps reportsfinds many charaities and aid agencies have failed to deal with abuse, rape and their workers demanding sex in return for handing out food.

we've reached the conclusion that in the aid sector there has been complacency verging on complicitly with what has happened and that has been because organisations all too often have been appeared more concerned to protect our reputation in the sector, rather than protecting victims and survivors. the charity sector has helped many, but the report found abuse was an open secret, that the response was patchy and sluggish, little has changed since the uncovering of a sex for food scandal in west africa 16 years ago. there hasn't been change because organisations have become complacent, they have been left to their own devices, there is no external scrutiny or pressure. this is only the second time in 16 years there has been global media attention to this. the international development committee recommends independent aid ombudsman to help victims,

annual safeguarding reports, and a register of aid workers to try to stop sexual predators working in the sector. sometimes people target our industry to get access to these people. i think what is very welcome about this report is that recognition that this needs to be treated as kind of large—scale criminal activity. 0xfam says it is incredibly painful to read the report and it is truly sorry that it failed to protect vulnerable women in haiti. it says improvements have been made, but it accepts all charities need to give the same priority to stopping sexual abuse as they do to saving lives when helping in disaster areas. the public gives money to help those in need but charities, the un and governments all stand accused of failing to tackle a problem ignored for years. lucy manning, bbc news. basketball is a huge draw of course at college

and professional level in the united states. in africa the sport is still catching on, but it helps that in the us, two thirds of players in the nba are african americans. as the bbc‘s janine anthony reports, there is stiff competition though on the african continent. basketball. fast paced, energetic and intense and mesmerising. it is becoming more popular across africa with young people hoping to re—enact the moves they see the pros make. here in nigeria there is something of a renaissance in the men's team qualified for the olympic games in three years after, they won the afro basket title and that seen the sport going from strength to strength but they are not the only ones enjoying strength. the women are also representing africa in spain.

across the continent, the sport feels close to the culture of young urban africa. there is also a growth in the number of those following the united states of america's nba, a league which is three quarters black and includes some the best talent from africa. it's held clinics for young kids and it's about to hold the third nba game in south africa involving nba stars of african origin. it is also established an academy in senegal. what can we learn from the americans? now we provided the opportunity to be younger generation so we don't have to worry about in five to ten years missing the chance to play the game of basketball so we are pouring it back into our community and into the continent of africa. so can we possibly dream of the day when basketball overtakes football in the hearts of sports fans? as an ambassador of basketball in the game, i will say yes, we can take over because our game doesn't ask so much space.

there is only a small place in the garage or the backyard for basketball. i'm not sure if it's ever going to overtake soccer, just because soccer has been around forever and we love soccer, we love the super eagles, i love the super eagles but i think we can get to where we are neck and neck. it seems as if the stars could be in mining for basketball in africa but a lot of work still needs to be done. adequate funding, more infrastructure and player development. if all this can't be harnessed, who knows, this might be the slam dunk that puts football into second place? there is growing tension in zimbabwe

after the opposition party has claimed victory in the election. the electoral commission accused of delaying the result. they insist there has been no cheating and say there has been no cheating and say the results are still being counted. 0ur editor reports. this was a day in which conflicting hopes would finally collide. a day that began with the first results being posted outside polling stations. and a day of checking and listening. with this assurance to those who remembered rigged elections of the past. we are absolutely confident there was no cheating, we are absolutely confident there was no rigging and we would like to assure the zimbabwean people that we will not steal their choice of leader. we will not subvert their will. the opposition does not is accept

that but its supporters still celebrated as the victory was already in the bag. it did feel premature. the results show beyond reasonable doubt, that we have won this election. sources on both sides say they are confident who to believe. the people spoke. president mugabe is unelectable. the people spoke. there isa unelectable. the people spoke. there is a battle here to shape local and international opinion ahead of an official announcement. but the government also escalated its rhetoric warning the opposition leader he could face jail for declaring victory early.|j leader he could face jail for declaring victory early. i am sure no—one wants to provoke the wrath of the law and risk being sent to prison. the zimbabwean government is

equally perturbed with the high level of incitement and violence being perpetrated by certain individuals and some political players who have declared themselves winners even before the announcement of results. this afternoon we filmed police water cannon as they deployed near opposition headquarters. until now the election has proceeded calmly and with tolerance. it will ta ke calmly and with tolerance. it will take cool heads to keep it that way. we will have the latest on that as soon as we we will have the latest on that as soon as we have we will have the latest on that as soon as we have more we will have the latest on that as soon as we have more and we can can earn that bring you this, the story ofan earn that bring you this, the story of an unusual burglary. a story of a most unusual burglary is grabbing headlines. thieves tried to steal a shark from a texas aquarium. the horn shark called miss helen was taken from her tank and wrapped in a blanket. but here comes the weird part — she was then placed in a bucket and put in a baby pram. i swear i am not making this up. luckily the public helped track the thieves and the shark is now resting in quarantine.

and i tell you that but i am sure i believe any of it. rounding up the main story now, interference by russia has long been a controversial issue in the united states, not least with the president himself now facebook says it has evidence of the newer and more sophisticated comical board unaided attempts to influence the mid—term elections in november. those elections could be crucial and change it controls one house of congress. facebook has removed nearly three dozen accounts and pages. it has not identified russia is being behind the campaign. the other breaking story, a plane has crashed in mexico and a state governor insists that there were no deaths among the almost 100 passengers and crew. that is it for now, thank you for watching. hello there.

just when you thought we were done with the heatwave, the temperatures are beginning to climb again over the next few days. particularly across southern parts of the uk. further north and west of there will be a little bit of rain at times, but certainly not all the time. 0n the satellite picture from a little earlier on, you can see clumps of cloud circulating around an area of low pressure and as we go through the next couple of days, we will continue to seek areas of cloud feeding in from the south—west. we start tomorrow with temperatures across the country, 11—14 degrees, the best of the morning sunshine will be found across england and wales and for the far north—east of scotland. as we go on through the day to the parts of the midlands, we will develop more cloud. best of the sunshine towards the south—east and for northern ireland and western scotland, the cloud thickens up all the while and we will see outbreaks of mostly light and patchy rain. quite easy across these western areas, north—east scotland holding onto a little bit of brightness. some of this rain pushing out of northern ireland towards the north—west of england and north—west of wales, further south and east of what we are into good spells

of sunshine and temperatures in london getting up to around 26 degrees. as we go through wednesday evening, there will be some sunshine to end the day in the south as we go through the night we are to be piling a lot of cloud in from the south—west. it will turn misty and murky for coastal areas, a few splashes of rain and those temperatures begin to come up, and increasingly humid feel into thursday morning because we will have brought this warm front across the country. not much rain on it, but that is the reason for extra cloud and with high pressure to the south, southern areas particularly are going to start to tap into increasingly warm air from the near continent. further north and west, a somewhat fresher feel of air from the atlantic. temperatures not as high. during thursday, a lot of cloud in through western and parts

of the uk, particularly the odd spot of rain and showers. further south is the best chance of seeing sunshine, those temperatures creeping upwards, 29 in london on thursday. we keep that split in temperature fortunes as we head to the end of the week and western areas have seen more in the way of cloud, mostly dry temperatures, generally in the low 20s. further south, it will be the low 30s, 32, maybe 33 degrees, with plenty of sunshine to take us into the weekend. this is bbc news.

the headlines: the us homeland security secretary has welcomed an announcement by facebook that it has shut more than 30 accounts apparently aimed at influencing the country's midterm elections later this year. the social media firm said some of the fake posts had links to accounts used by the russian government. an airliner has crashed shortly after takeoff during a heavy hailstorm in northern mexico, injuring 85 people. officials in the state of durango said the pilot had tried to abort the flight when the plane got into difficulties. an aviation spokesman said many passengers had walked from the wreckage. the much—anticipated trial of donald trump's former campaign manager paul manafort has begun in the state of virginia. federal prosecutors say he filed false tax returns and tried to hide millions of dollars in foreign banks. he has pleaded not guilty to charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. now on bbc news, panorama.

britain is divided. the rich live far longer than the poor. you look and you see somebody‘s age and you think that that's far too young. and you're seeing that all the time? too frequently, much too frequently. and it's getting worse. the life expectancy gap is widening. seeing my kids cry, listening to my children turn round and say my dad is going to die soon. that's horrible. tonight, we meet the families behind the statistics.