this is bbc world news today. our top stories: growing pressure on president trump as reports suggest his aides restricted access to records of calls to several world leaders, including vladimir putin. police in hong kong use tear gas and water cannon to disperse pro—democracy protesters on the fifth anniversary of umbrella movement. voting finishes in afghanistan's long—awaited presidential election. the poll has been dogged by violence and low turnout. after nearly half of the competitors withdraw from the gruelling heat of the women's marathon in doha, we ask whether the event should even have been held.

hello and welcome to world news today. the white house has restricted access to transcripts of some of president donald trump's calls with foreign leaders. that's according to us media reports. officials say notes about calls to leaders including russia's vladimir putin and the saudi crown prince have not been handled in the usual way. it comes as an impeachment investigation into president trump over his administration's dealing with ukraine is gathering pace. live now to our north america correspondent, peter bowes. the white house acknowledged that it had restricted access to the transcript of the call between president trump and ukraine's leader. we now understand they did the same for other calls as well. what for other calls as well. is the significance of that development?

what is the significance of that development? it exposes two sides of the story. according to these reports, the white house has been restricting the transcripts of conversations that the president has had with world leaders like president putin, the crown prince of saudi arabia and essentially keeping that information on a special server with access only for a few people in the white house. the implication is that was done to stop leaks of conversations the president was having. there was one he had with malcolm turnbull, that then prime minister of prime minister, that was leaked. the suggestion is these controversial ones are being kept with tighter security. the other side of the story is that the democrats suspect that what is happening is the white house is trying to cover up details of that controversial conversation. all of

this comes as the impeachment inquiry seems to be gathering pace. beyond washington, dc and those who follow politics closely, how much of an appetite is there among the wide public for this impeachment investigation? there is certainly an appetite in terms of people following what has been happening over the last few days. it has dominated the news agenda here as it has around the world, but what is really interesting is that there have been opinion polls in the last few days asking people what they think about the impeachment inquiry into the president, and the numbers are moving in favour of those people who believe it is the right thing for the democrats to do. the numbers are now in the high 40s, so almost half of americans, at least those poked by these polls, believe it is the right thing to do, and the significance of that is it shows a shift of opinion because over the last few months and especially during the miller investigation into

donald trump's alleged collusion with russia, there was not much of an appetite for impeachment then, but the mood certainly changing. police in hong kong have used tear gas and water canon to disperse protesters hurling rocks and petrol bombs on a 17th consecutive weekend of anti—government demonstrations. earlier, thousands of people had filled a park near the city's parliament to mark the fifth anniversary of a pro—democracy campaign known as the umbrella movement. but as part of the crowd spilled out onto the road, the rally descended into another confrontation with the police. our correspondent, stephen mcdonell, has been on the streets of hong kong. these are the same streets which were occupied five years ago in the umbrella movement. but the mood is so different. then, it was like a mass, peaceful sit in. now it's much more tense. we have water cannon down the end of the road there, spraying water with blue dye in it.

there are people here smashing up government buildings. the authorities, in the lead—up to the 70th anniversary of the communist party coming to power in china, are not prepared to tolerate the type or the levels of disturbance that they were prepared to put up with weeks ago. you can see here these activists do not want to get arrested. the mere hint of the police coming through — and they've all taken off, you can see. . . ..how many people are now coming through here. i mean, just minutes ago, thousands of protesters were occupying this road. that street is now empty, and they've all come down here —

and now walking up because the police are in the underground train station, so they can't go there. for that reason, protesters are walking out. the polls have now closed in afg hanistan‘s presidential election. the campaign has been marred by violence and the collapse of us—led peace talks with the taliban. officials extended voting by two hours following a series of attacks across the country on saturday. the main candidates to become president are the incumbent, ashraf ghani, and the country's chief executive, abdullah abdullah. let's speak to seth jones, an afghan analyst at the think tank the center for strategic and international studies. why is this election important? this is still the country with the largest number of combat forces in a war zone for the united states, and

with the president of the us wanting to leave, a lot then hinges on the legitimacy of the afghan government, said the election is one way to test that. who do you think the white house will be hoping will emerge as the winner in the selection?” house will be hoping will emerge as the winner in the selection? i am not sure the white house is necessarily hoping there is a winner, but what the white house is doing is that the election is clear cut, and that afghans generally accept the winner. there may be concerns about fraud, there has been violence, but generally they accept the outcome, and that's what most people hoping for.” the outcome, and that's what most people hoping for. i mentioned the colla pse people hoping for. i mentioned the collapse of those talks with the taliban which were being led by the united states. what hope is there of those peace talks being revived?” think it was probably good timing for the collapse of the peace talks. they were potentially going to be

right before a presidential election when it was not clear who would be the leader of afghanistan just three weeks later. the step now is, once there is a leader that emerges, then we can turn... return to rid talks with the taliban and shift the talks between the us and the taliban to those where they need to go between the afghan government and the taliban. and we have seen that the selection has been marred by violence, attacks, and also it seems a low turnout. how problematic do you think that is the legitimacy of the outcome, whatever it may be?” don't think it's necessarily legitimate. i think the problem will be, if there is significant fraud and the outcome is very close, that is where we will see the bigger

series of concern because in that case it would tip the vote. people should also remember that under taliban government there is no voting or elections, there isjust ruled by sharia law, so we get a very different system if we were to move to something else. opposition parties in britain have been considering their next steps as they try to head off the possibility of the uk leaving the european union without a deal at the end of october. the scottish nationalists have reiterated their support for an early vote of no confidence in boris johnson's government. all this comes at the end of a tumultuous week for mrjohnson, who's just arrived in manchester for his party's annual conference. chris mason reports. is this a leadership bid, mrjohnson? the conservative conference one year ago, the smiles of the carefree backbench challenger, the mobbed darling of the party faithful. boris johnson will arrive at conference this year

as prime minister, in office, but barely in control. defeated in court, but defiant. what a week it's been. the prime minister's advice to her majesty was unlawful. parliament has not been prorogued. welcome back to our place of work. many of us in this place subject to death threats... i never heard such humbug in all my life. he faces huge questions about the future of the country and his own past. the mayor of london supports you. borisjohnson has been referred to the police watchdog over a potential criminal offence relating to his relationship with the businesswoman jennifer arcuri over allegations she received favourable treatment, including grants and a place on trade trips while mrjohnson was mayor of london. the prime minister denies any wrongdoing. this issue is being politically driven and motivated. and the prime minister has been clear that proprieties were observed. all in all, is all of this

an open goalfor labour? they hope so, even if some privately wonder if their leader is match—fit. if the government loses a vote of no confidence, could jeremy corbyn become caretaker prime minister? at the moment, he does not have the numbers, and yet... it is getting more likely every single day because this government is collapsing. it's now lost all seven votes since borisjohnson became prime minister, and this tory government has been defeated over 45 times in parliament. they don't have a majority, they don't have a programme, they don't have policies and they don't have any credibility. the scottish national party want to be seen to be trying to bring down the government next week and could live with mr corbyn in downing street — the only way to guarantee another brexit delay, they think, and then have a general election. it's only right and proper that he, as the leader of the largest opposition party, should have the first opportunity to form an administration, but if another name appears

in the frame, a ken clarke or a dominic grieve that people can coalesce around, i personally — and i think the snp would have very little difficulty with that. no one but no one knows what is over the horizon right now, but this is a party, despite everything, determined to show the world its best side. stay with us on bbc world news, still to come: growing pressure on president trump as moves towards impeachment gather pace in washington. in all russia's to a model it has never come to this. so many people are playing at the final active. russians are killing russians and

trying to make a grandstand audience. it was his humility which produced affection from catholics throughout the world but his departure is a tragedy for the catholic church. this man visited the religious compound that started the religious compound that started the trouble. he was to have sovereignty, and idea that is unthinkable to palestinians. up up to 45 years of division, germany is one. a million germans celebrate the rebirth of europe's richest nation. pressure grows on president trump as reports suggest his aides restricted access

to records of calls with several world leaders including vladimir putin. let's get more now on our top story as the democratic party's moves towards the impeachment of president trump gather pace in washington. i'm joined from washington now by harlan hill, a republican political consultant. presumably you welcome the impeachment inquiry to establish whether or not there has been wrongdoing? i actually don't welcome it because it isa i actually don't welcome it because it is a tremendous waste of time, and i'm frustrated that the democratic party, the party in opposition, will not allow us to govern oi’ opposition, will not allow us to govern or come to the table. instead they want to take these potshots. i don't welcome it. i think it's a tremendous waste of time and money, but the truth is on our side so we will prevail in the end. you say it

isa will prevail in the end. you say it is a tremendous amount of time and money but wouldn't the us congress be failing its constitutional duty if these concerns raised by a whistle—blower thought to be from within the cia of allegations of serious wrongdoing if congress fail to even investigate those? this entire impeachment inquiry is predicated on a whistle—blower who blew the whistle on hearsay. he does not have first person knowledge, or she, of what happened here. they we re she, of what happened here. they were not in the room or listening to the phone call. all the evidence that we have, the transcript, totally acquits the president of any wrongdoing. it is a waste of time, without question. the transcript has not been made public. that was moved toa not been made public. that was moved to a secure server. not been made public. that was moved to a secure server. what was released were notes taken of the phone call, not the transcript. how did those notes clear the president?

it isa did those notes clear the president? it is a transcript. you go and read it, it's a transcription of what both parties said. you can go and look it up. it's not a verbatim transcript, it's notes made the call. that is the best that we have. ido call. that is the best that we have. i do not have a recording of it that ican i do not have a recording of it that i can provide to you, but that is real evidence, not hearsay, which is what we have from the whistle—blower. what we have from the whistle-blower. but the notes suggest that that conversation matches up with what the whistle—blower says was related to him or her. 0k, whistle—blower says was related to him or her. ok, that's not true at all. i repeat that point. if you look at it, the president says, i wa nt look at it, the president says, i want you to look into what happened with the server, which was something the democrats wanted. they wanted to understand who had the server. we

know the hacking happened using russian resources based in ukraine, and the president asked for the ukrainians' help. this was not for any quid pro quo, or going afterjoe biden, that was an afterthought at the end of the transcription. you cannot meld these things together like it seems you are trying to do. i'm not trying to do anything, i'm just looking at the evidence cited in the whistle—blower‘s letter. just looking at the evidence cited in the whistle-blower's letter. read it back to me. i have laid out for you. the president said, i need you to look into what happened in the 2016 elections, we want to get to the bottom of this server, that is what he asked for. time and time again, people in the media have cut out the paper the president has asked for and have tried to provide favour and biden, that is not the president was asking. if you read the transcript you will see exactly what i am saying. i am sure the

story will continue to move and we look forward to getting your thoughts in the future. ben croucher has all the sport. (2114 bulletin) hello and thanks forjoining us. we'll start with the rugby world cup — three matches on saturday with wins for south africa, argentina and japan, who caused the biggest shock at the tournament so far. they beat ireland 19—12 in shizuoka to throw pool a wide open. the irish came into the world cup as the number one side in the world. their coachjoe schmidt congratulated the japanese for a "furious and intense performance". our sports correspondent andy swiss was at the match. what a memorable night for the thousands of japan fans here. four years ago at the world cup, of course, it was south africa, now it was ireland on the end of another remarkable giant killing. ireland seem to have taken control in the past half, scoring two early tries,

the first from ringrose as he collected a fine kick, and then carty set up the second try as well from rob carney. at that point, ireland seemed in control, they were 12—3 up, butjapan upped the tempo, they came back before the break, three penalties meant ireland led only 12—9 at half—time, butjapan had all the momentum, and then, with 20 minutes to go, japan scored the try that sent theirfans into raptures, the try courtesy of the man who went over in the corner. that gave them the lead. ireland could find no way back as japan landed a late penalty to make it 19—12 at the final whistle. such disappointment for ireland but, forjapan, it is now two wins out of two and, after a memorable night here, they are on course to make the quarterfinals. it's as you were at the top of the premier league with wins for manchester city and liverpool on saturday. liverpool laboured to a 1—0

win over newly promoted sheffield united, needing georginio wijnaldum's second—half strike to earn them all three points. it owed largely to sheffield united keeper dean henderson, who allowed the speculative effort to squeeze under him. they stay 5 points clear of city, who beat everton 3—1. it was never easy today. we needed everybody for defending, we needed nearly everybody attacking, in the end we scored a lucky girl, but the boys worked so far hard for it. sheffield united would have an luck as well but you do earn every day but if they stay playing like this this will be a really tough place the whole premier league season. spurs are into the top form, overcoming their iffy form of late to beat southampton 2—1 and climb into the top 4. hugo lloris there made a dreadful

mistake himself to allow danny ings to equalise for the saints, but england captain harry kane scored the winner. i feel so happy for the ifeel so happy for the players, so happy for the fans. and of course we needed to work a lot. and that showed our spirit back to the team, thatis showed our spirit back to the team, that is the way we need to work, that is the way we need to work, thatis that is the way we need to work, that is the way we need to work, that is the way we stay together, trying to get the result we expect. elsewhere, there were wins for chelsea, crystal palace, and wolves. aston villa and burnley drew, as did bournemouth and west ham. since f1 has returned from the august break, there's been a standout driver and once again — charles leclerc shone in sochi. he qualified his ferrari on pole position for sunday's russian grand prix with lewis hamilton a fair chunk off the pace in second. sebastian vettel is in third.

that's all the sport for now. organisers of the world athletics championships being held in doha, qatar, say the 50 km walk events will go ahead despite the hot and humid conditions of the women's marathon on friday. 28 of the 69 runners in the marathon failed to finish, prompting criticism of the decision to hold the race. the sport's governing body said the completion rate was comparable to women's races at tokyo in 1991 and moscow in 2013. but even in the stadium, where there is air conditioning, athletes have struggled with the heat. let's talk now tojohn brewer, professor of sports science at buckinghamshire new university and advisor to the london marathon on nutrition and training. do you think it was the right thing ora

do you think it was the right thing or a mistake to hold that race? probably a mistake. i have done a lot of research on the science of marathon running, and the one thing we know is a real enemy to marathon runners is hot and humid conditions. this isn't a race like the london marathon where people can take their time and complete the course. all of the athletes are competing, forcing themselves to run as quickly as possible, and in terms of the science, when the human body produces energy to run, it also produces energy to run, it also produces heat, and unless we efficiently lose that heat, body temperature rises rapidly, and when conditions are hot and humid the body sweats and that is inhibited greatly. as a consequence body temperature can rise and that's why we saw so many athletes dropping out. it was very fortunate there was nothing more serious than that because you can have a condition called hypothermia where the body

overheats to dangerous levels. my view is the decision to run the race was taken by officials who would never run a marathon before or even tried to run any endurance race in hot and tried to run any endurance race in hotand humid tried to run any endurance race in hot and humid conditions. they did not understand the science, and i hope those doing the 50 kilometre walk in the men's marathon get round the call safely. that said, the location was known for some time. is that not something, the humidity, the athletes would factor and build into their training? you try to. uk athletics centre team out there with two weeks to go the athletes will try to increase their distances in training to academic to those hot conditions, and the body tolerates hot and conditions, and the body tolerates hotand humid conditions, and the body tolerates hot and humid conditions, but what you can't replicate other different conditions of racing in a hot and humid climate. when you race, you push yourselves at a high exercise intensity, temperature rises rapidly, heart rates are higher, the

body produces more energy, that will not be replicated when you do your prerace training runs. in prerace training, none of the athletes would have tried to run 22.6 miles so marathon is demanding enough in normal conditions that when you factor in hot and humid conditions for athletes who are never conditioned to running in those conditions than we do have a potentially dangerous situation. if you are out and about, you can find those stories on the bbc news app. you can get in touch with me and some

of my team on twitter. i'm @benmbland. the weather has been going downhill. the weather has been going downhill. the earlier satellite picture shows this curl of cloud. an area of low pressure spinning itself up, heading in ourdirection, bringing pressure spinning itself up, heading in our direction, bringing heavy potentially fighting rain, driving northwards. some really strong winds down towards the south. some of that rain getting into northern ireland and southern scotland. the northern half of scotland escaping with a few showers where we will have the lowest of the temperatures but is this area of low pressure slides its way through, we will see very gusty west or south—westerly winds on its southern flank, those winds gusting to 50 or 60 mph in the most exposed

spots. as we go through sunday the persistent rain settles across northern england, a soggy day to come. to the south of that, sunny spells and heavy thundery showers. in northern ireland and scotland, there will be some rain here. on the cool side. is this area of low pressure clears away eastwards, notice the white lines squeezing together. we will have another swathe of strong winds across some central and eastern parts of england, particularly down the east coast where we could see gusts of 50-60 coast where we could see gusts of 50—60 mph. that combined with high tides could cause some coastal flooding. on monday, the area of low pressure slides away, quite a winter weather, mist and fog patches around to start monday. then a decent amount of dry and fine weather with the spells of sunshine. however, down to the south—west, here is our

next frontal system and our next area of pressure, more heavy rain piling in. again the risk of some localised flooding. on tuesday, the area of low pressure will slide eastwards and as it clears, follow the isobars northwards on that is where ourair the isobars northwards on that is where our air will come from the middle part of the week, a plunge of chilly air, temperatures dipping away significantly. let's look at some city forecasts. in edinburgh, 12 degrees on wednesday and 1a in london, and then for the end of the week, wet and windy again.

this is bbc world news, the headlines: the white house has restricted access to transcripts of some of president donald trump's calls with foreign leaders, according to us media reports. officials say notes about calls to leaders including russia's vladimir putin and the saudi crown prince were not handled in the usual way. opposition parties in britain have been considering their next steps as they try to head off the possibility of the uk leaving the european union without a deal at the end of october. the scottish national party have reiterated their support