this is bbc news with the headlines. the sky over the stadium exploded with colour as fireworks marked the start of the games. in a pared back — covid safe — ceremony, small groups of athletes from more than 200 countries marched in the teams�* parade in other news: the us denies a change in policy as it bombs taliban positions in afghanistan. we get the story behind the soaring price of the beans in your coffee, a clue: it's not covid and i talk to the supermodel who's given up her career, saying it's incompatible with her muslim faith.

hello. welcome to bbc news in the uk and around the world.after months of uncertainty, and a build—up marred by controversy and resignations, the delayed 2020 tokyo 0lympics are finally under way. even though the japanese capital is under a state of emergency because of covid, 0lympic officials still managed to pull off a thoughtful opening ceremony watched by millions globally. lucy hockings is in tokyo there wasn't exactly a party —like atmosphere in tokyo today, still a lot of fear of anxiety around the rising covid—19 infection rates. this is still a city in the state of emergency with bars and restaurants shutting at eight o'clock in people

being told to stay home and stay safe because of the pandemic. and the cost of these 0lympic safe because of the pandemic. and the cost of these olympic games and the cost of these olympic games and the pandemic mean there's a lot of protests in recent opinion polls saying that over 55% of the japanese public did not want these 0lympics public did not want these olympics to happen. and even as the olympics ceremony goes under way, there were very vocal protesters saying stop the olympics, how can you call this a festival of peace. there are a lot of emotions and the japanese capital today. of the ceremony happened and it was very stripped down and simple in terms of the ceremony. there was less than the thousand foreign dignitaries there, not nearly the number of athletes that we would normally see in this stadium and a message of hope that the olympics can be laid at the end of the tunnel of the pandemic and a very sombre

moment when they pay tribute to those who died from covid—19 and those who died from covid—19 and those that have cared for people around the world during the pandemic. so, very much not throughout the ceremony —— a nod throughout the ceremony —— a nod throughout the ceremony —— a nod throughout the ceremony. it is the games do kick—off, we'll see what happens in the games in the sports, those facing massive challenges of keeping everyone connected to these games safe. dr david fletcher is a sports psychologist at loughborough university. just talked to was a little bit about what it must be like for these athletes now. this is an 0lympics like no other. it’s

athletes now. this is an olympics like no other.— like no other. it's getting very real for them _ like no other. it's getting very real for them now. _ like no other. it's getting very real for them now. a - like no other. it's getting very real for them now. a mixture | like no other. it's getting very i real for them now. a mixture of realfor them now. a mixture of anxiety and nerves coupled with some excitement as well. especially with the opening ceremony this afternoon getting very real for them. and the opening ceremony this afternoon getting very realfor them. and it will be a whole mixture of positive and negative types of emotions as they enter the competition. what they enter the competition. what kind of training _ they enter the competition. what kind of training will probably come in handy now? because sports men and women are used to blocking out all types of distractions, aren't they? but will this be a lot different from what they're used to? commencing training. gone are the dates are athletes just focused on physical and technical training. and working alongside sports psychologists and coaching staff to prepare for the games itself and we know that the games are arguably the most pressure is competition in the world and as you say, combined with

covid—19 restrictions and worries and the concerns around, the lack of audience and those types of factors. they that option, sports playing a key role in preparing our athletes, they have a programme of work for they have a programme of work for the past 18 months, specifically focused on preparing athletes mentally for these types of challenges.— mentally for these types of challenues. �* ., , challenges. and of course there other difference _ challenges. and of course there other difference is _ challenges. and of course there other difference is that - challenges. and of course there other difference is that there i challenges. and of course there i other difference is that there won't be any spectators. no fans to cheer them on. what sort of impact does that have on the psychology of an athlete? it that have on the psychology of an athlete? . , , . ., athlete? it varies very much an athlete? it varies very much an athlete athlete, _ athlete? it varies very much an athlete athlete, some - athlete? it varies very much an athlete athlete, some get - athlete? it varies very much an| athlete athlete, some get quite nervous and they walk out to a big arena and it's like no other cauldron of fierce competition and the cloud itself can add a dynamic to that. but of course, the japanese athletes have benefited from the home support and there were no longer have that. so i think it's very much on a case—by—case basis. but i think the majority of our athletes, and won't make much

difference because we think about it, they train on a date to day basis without credits watching them and also they been competing in the lead up to these games with low numbers of clouds and no crowds at all. and the olympic trial and if event minimal crowds. and i think will actually be ready for this and it won't be a key factor, and in the far north, it will be enough motivation for them.- far north, it will be enough motivation for them. n, , ., ., motivation for them. many have had different training _ motivation for them. many have had different training conditions. - motivation for them. many have had different training conditions. is - different training conditions. is that going to have a significant effect on how they can perform and the date? , , . , the date? yes, very much depending on the athletes _ the date? yes, very much depending on the athletes themselves - the date? yes, very much depending on the athletes themselves and - the date? yes, very much depending on the athletes themselves and the i on the athletes themselves and the athletes training in the centres, they'll have an advantage based. plus when i of the big pluses is our infrastructure and notjust her

sporting system but also a vexing roll—out that i think we'll have bit of a head start on countries in terms of preparing our athletes and getting them ready. and if i'm working with an athlete this evening, i'll be telling them to focus on what they've done well in their training and also in other oppositions, one of the quality preparations that they've had. might make me know what you will be doing, watching the games. thank you very much for your time. these games have been a long time in the making. 0ur correspondent rupert wingfield—hayes is in tokyo and has been assessing the hurdles these games have had to encounter. for this family it has been a long, anxious wait to get to this moment. they are serious 0lympic fans. dad has spent over £3000 on 0lympic tickets. so you can imagine the mixed emotions they are feeling tonight. yeah, we think about, you know,

the kids, it's their very first time to have the olympics injapan, so we were excited. i am very disappointed, he says. if they were not going to have spectators, they should have postponed again until next year. then we could have welcomed people from abroad properly. those who think the whole show should have been scrapped long ago were out on the streets again this evening. but they were vastly outnumbered by the crowds that have turned out to try and get a glimpse of the action. this was shinjuku park at lunchtime, as japan's airforce display team painted the olympic rings across the sky. the olympics is very, i mean... it's one of the... a once—in—a—lifetime kind of event, right? so ijust wanted my kids to have the experience, to see those athletes, at least. but, i mean...

due to this covid—19, i guess, you know, it has got to be the way it is. for months, we've heard that japan doesn't want the games, that people are afraid. it didn't look like it tonight. the contrast between what's going on inside the olympic stadium tonight and what's going on outside in tokyo could not be more stark. because of covid, because of the state of emergency, the stadium seats are empty, and yet here we are, right outside — tens of thousands of people gathered in public squares and public parks to try and glimpse a bit of the action. and if you go in the streets around here, the restaurants are all full, life is going on as normal. there's some pretty strange logic going on here. translation: | am sure _ the government is taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus by separating the athletes from the public. so i am not worried. for some, these scenes show the ban on 0lympic spectators is unnecessary. but with covid cases in tokyo claiming rapidly, others will say this demonstrates

exactly why the spectator ban is needed. the us has launched a number of air strikes in afghanistan against taliban positions in recent days, despite having withdrawn ninety—five per cent of its forces from the country. a pentagon spokesman did not provide further details on the attacks but the taliban said some had been close to the southern city of kandahar, where the militants have been advancing in recent weeks. separately, afghan officials say taliban militants have executed around a hundred civilians in the district of spin boldak bordering pakistan. 0ur afghanistan correspondent, secunder kermani is in kabul. a number ofairstrikes a number of air strikes were in support of afghanistan forces. we understand that some of them have been around the southern city that is strategically and symbolically important and increasing concern about the way the taliban are

pressing in on it. these air strikes is said to have targeted military equipment and vehicles seized by the taliban from afghanistan forces and they were called over the horizon operations, involving aircraft and not stationed in afghanistan but flown in from elsewhere in the region for the strikes and then flown out once again. the strikes will have been useful in holding back the taliban and advance around the city but this real concern over well happen at the end of august with all the remaining national forces and us officials have been suggesting that after august, any of these over the horizon air strikes will no longer target the taliban. they were just targeted groups like al-qaeda or iss. they'rejust they were just targeted groups like al-qaeda or iss. they're just a number of cities in afghanistan feeling the pressure from the tele— band, the group has seen territory that no major city has as of yet. president xijinping has paid a surprise visit to the politically sensitive region of tibet,

the first by a chinese president in more than thirty years. his visit is only being covered by state media because of the sensitivities of the trip. many exiled tibetans accuse beijing of religious repression. there have been tensions too with india. the head of the bbc�*s chinese service, howard zhang gave us his view of the purpose of the visit: there is speculations and analysis from different walks. 0ne there is speculations and analysis from different walks. one of the main thoughts is, he is trying to emphasise his push for a different type of nationalist agenda in recent years, people have noticed changes and some of the chinese ethnic policies, such as trying to force different ethnic groups to have a melting pot identity in trying to make their religion and culture is more secular and fitting into the

main communist ledge state structure. that is manipulative interpretation. he is trying to put more emphasis on that. but the timing is also quite crucial because there at that juncture timing is also quite crucial because there at thatjuncture of timing is also quite crucial because there at that juncture of 70 timing is also quite crucial because there at thatjuncture of 70 years of the chinese army entering tibet and signing the peaceful liberation treaty which, there are multiple factors here. stay with us on bbc world news, still to come: we'll hear from the supermodel who's given up her career because she says it's incompatible with her muslim faith coming down the ladder now. that's one small step for man. one giant

leap for mankind. fix, one small step for man. one giant leap for mankind.— leap for mankind. a catastrophic enaine leap for mankind. a catastrophic engine fire _ leap for mankind. a catastrophic engine fire was _ leap for mankind. a catastrophic engine fire was being _ leap for mankind. a catastrophic engine fire was being blamed i leap for mankind. a catastrophic| engine fire was being blamed for leap for mankind. a catastrophic i engine fire was being blamed for the first crash in the 30 year history of concorde, the only supersonic airliner. i5 of concorde, the only supersonic airliner. , ., ., airliner. is one of the most vivid s mbols airliner. is one of the most vivid symbols and _ airliner. is one of the most vivid symbols and the _ airliner. is one of the most vivid symbols and the violence - airliner. is one of the most vivid symbols and the violence and i airliner. is one of the most vivid i symbols and the violence and hatred that tore _ symbols and the violence and hatred that tore apart the state of yugoslavia, but now a decade later, it has_ yugoslavia, but now a decade later, it has been— yugoslavia, but now a decade later, it has been painstakingly rebuilt and opens again today. this it has been painstakingly rebuilt and opens again today. this been a 5096 and opens again today. this been a 50% decrease _ and opens again today. this been a 50% decrease in _ and opens again today. this been a 5096 decrease in sperm _ and opens again today. this been a 5096 decrease in sperm count i and opens again today. this been a| 5096 decrease in sperm count entity 50% decrease in sperm count entity and an— 50% decrease in sperm count entity and an increase _ 50% decrease in sperm count entity and an increase in _ 50% decrease in sperm count entity and an increase in it— 50% decrease in sperm count entity and an increase in it being - and an increase in it being unable to swim_ and an increase in it being unable to swim proneriy. _ and an increase in it being unable to swim properly.— to swim properly. thousands of households _ to swim properly. thousands of households are _ to swim properly. thousands of households are suspiciously i to swim properly. thousands of. households are suspiciously quiet to swim properly. thousands of- households are suspiciously quiet at this lunchtime as children buried their noses in the final instalment of harry potter. this is bbc news, the latest headlines. the opening ceremony of the tokyo 0lympics has taken

place in a largely empty stadium, but the man in charge has described this as a day of hope. the us bombs taliban positions in afghanistan despite having withdrawn ninety—five per cent of its forces from the country. meanwhile, as water is pumped from tunnels submerged in deadly flash—flooding, more bodies are being found in china's henan province and the death toll is rising. it currently stands at 51 but is expected to rise further. officials say that nearly 400,000 people have been moved to safer areas and now the flooding has moved to different towns and cities in the province as more rivers burst their banks. china correspondent stephen mcdonell reports from beijing. people in their hundreds of thousands have been moved to safety in central china's henan province. deadly flash flooding following record—breaking heavy driving rain has shut down cities and towns across the region. some people have been trapped

for days, cut off by the rising waters without fresh food or water. officials say tens of thousands of rescuers have been mobilised, including the military to reach stranded residents and evacuate the most dangerous areas. the rain has eased in zhengzhou city and water is being pumped from rail and car tunnels. as these tunnels are cleared, bodies are being found, pushing up the official death toll. while the emergency situation may have improved in zhengzhou, elsewhere it's become more dire. floodwaters have spread to new locations with more rivers in henan province breaching their banks. makeshift bridges are being put in to allow emergency teams to operate. 0n social media, china's rapidly growing cities have been criticised for not better preparing for catastrophic weather events.

at times, the drainage infrastructure here has not kept up with increased population density. chinese scientists are warning, though, that the source of this devastating weather can be traced back to climate change, leading to calls for a much more rapid plan to ameliorate it. over the coming days, the priority is going to be surviving the current flooding crisis. the rain hasn't stopped in henan and over the weekend, a typhoon is expected to hit to china's east coast. stephen mcdonnell, bbc news, beijing. in western india, more than a hundred people have been killed after torrential monsoon rains triggered landslides and flooding in the state of maharashtra. officials say dozens of bodies have been recovered from a landslide in the district of rye—gad, with more feared trapped. hundreds of villages and towns are without electricity and drinking water. 0ur correspondent sarah campbell reports.

whole areas of the state are underwater. the result of torrential rain triggering devastating landslides. battling fast flowing currents and submerged dangers, the countries natural disaster response force. ., , , countries natural disaster response force. ., , ,, force. houses of collapsed because ofthe force. houses of collapsed because of the rim force. houses of collapsed because of the ring and _ force. houses of collapsed because of the ring and the _ force. houses of collapsed because of the ring and the operation i force. houses of collapsed because of the ring and the operation is i of the ring and the operation is there going on and as of the report, we have recovered 32 bodies and some more are said to be trapped there. residents are not counting the cost of the losses. their homes and possessions lost or destroyed. —— now counting. i possessions lost or destroyed. -- now counting-— possessions lost or destroyed. -- now counting. i have three vehicles and there are _ now counting. i have three vehicles and there are also _ now counting. i have three vehicles and there are also immersed i now counting. i have three vehicles and there are also immersed in thej and there are also immersed in the floodwaters, they are all damaged. the furniture in my house and outside — the furniture in my house and outside is _ the furniture in my house and outside is also been damaged. this is monsoon — outside is also been damaged. ti 3 is monsoon season, the rain has been too much for areas to cope with. more than half a metre of rain fell in parts of india's west coast in

just 2a hours. the authorities were forced to evacuate from low—lying areas as rain was released from dams that were threatening to overflow. if the water released from the dam today— if the water released from the dam today and — if the water released from the dam today and the — if the water released from the dam today and the rain _ if the water released from the dam today and the rain continued, i if the water released from the damj today and the rain continued, flood water— today and the rain continued, flood water can— today and the rain continued, flood water can enter— today and the rain continued, flood water can enter homes. _ today and the rain continued, flood water can enter homes. find - today and the rain continued, flood water can enter homes.— water can enter homes. and the situation is _ water can enter homes. and the situation is set _ water can enter homes. and the situation is set to _ water can enter homes. and the situation is set to worsen. i water can enter homes. and the situation is set to worsen. the l situation is set to worsen. the meteorological department issued red alerts indicating the traditional rainfall is expected to continue. now, we could soon be paying more for our cappuccinos and lattes because the price of coffee beans has gone through the roof. arabica coffee futures have risen around 25% in a week, to their highest in more than six and a half years. so what's behind the record spike? kona haque is the head of research at an agricultural commodities merchant the reason for the big jump is because brazil, which is the worlds

largest producer of coffee in the worlds largest exporter, has suffered some pretty bad news on its crop. brazil early this year had a very bad drought, one of its historically bad ones and this year was always going to be a very small crop. and he had quite severe frost and temperatures below 5 degrees in winter, this frost hasn't happened since 1994. in this has the potential to really impact the crops. two in consecutively, much lower than needed. in south africa, towns and cities are cleaning up after the recent riots that killed over 200 people. the unrest is expected to hit the economy hard and could lead to the loss of thousands ofjobs. but it could have been much worse, had it not been for communities working together. vumani mkhize reports on how one man managed to save over 2000 jobs in soweto.

celebrating an unusual mission in soweto. the largest on trip step you we are going to carry on this mission and see it through. the rioting and looting, the biggest shopping public in soweto remained untouched. thanks to him. this shopping public in soweto remained untouched. thanks to him.- untouched. thanks to him. this is way bigger— untouched. thanks to him. this is way bigger than — untouched. thanks to him. this is way bigger than me, _ untouched. thanks to him. this is way bigger than me, i _ untouched. thanks to him. this is way bigger than me, i cannot i untouched. thanks to him. this is| way bigger than me, i cannot stop untouched. thanks to him. this is i way bigger than me, i cannot stop it alone, _ way bigger than me, i cannot stop it alone, i'rn _ way bigger than me, i cannot stop it alone, i'm going to call all the men in soweto— alone, i'm going to call all the men in soweto to rise and take responsibility.— in soweto to rise and take responsibility. this is what could've — responsibility. this is what could've happened. - responsibility. this is what could've happened. the i responsibility. this is what i could've happened. the other shopping centre was ransacked and remains closed. the riots were sparked by the arrest of jacob after he failed to appear before a corruption inquiry. it quickly degenerated into white skill looting in the province. —— wide scale.

there were 200 people who are lost their lives, around 160 malls were badly damaged and some 3000 shops have been looted. this flame is a symbol of our young democracy. it burns day and night. now, the events of last week which president calls and insurrection, jeopardise 28 years of nation—building. and highlighted that even our so—called stable democracy can come under threat. socioeconomic factors have been to blame as well. this implosion was looming. there is no socie on implosion was looming. there is no society on the _ implosion was looming. there is no society on the planet _ implosion was looming. there is no society on the planet that _ implosion was looming. there is no society on the planet that can i society on the planet that can sustain — society on the planet that can sustain this _ society on the planet that can sustain this level— society on the planet that can sustain this level of— society on the planet that can - sustain this level of impoverishment and social— sustain this level of impoverishment and social desperation— sustain this level of impoverishment and social desperation without - sustain this level of impoverishmentj and social desperation without some kind of— and social desperation without some kind of massive _ and social desperation without some kind of massive upheaval. _ and social desperation without some kind of massive upheaval. three i and social desperation without some kind of massive upheaval.— kind of massive upheaval. three out of four youths _ kind of massive upheaval. three out of four youths are _ kind of massive upheaval. three out of four youths are unemployed i of four youths are unemployed leaving many disillusioned about their future. leaving many disillusioned about theirfuture. taste leaving many disillusioned about their future.— their future. we live in poverty, there is nothing. _ their future. we live in poverty, there is nothing. there - their future. we live in poverty, there is nothing. there is- their future. we live in poverty, i

there is nothing. there is nothing. living here is a struggle every day enough _ living here is a struggle every day enough to— living here is a struggle every day enough to make sure that you get out of here _ enough to make sure that you get out of here the _ enough to make sure that you get out of here. .., ., . of here. the economic repercussions of here. the economic repercussions of bein: of here. the economic repercussions of being felt — of here. the economic repercussions of being felt across _ of here. the economic repercussions of being felt across the _ of here. the economic repercussions of being felt across the country. it i of being felt across the country. it could what we have to do is expedite them ofjob— what we have to do is expedite them ofjob creation — what we have to do is expedite them ofjob creation and _ what we have to do is expedite them ofjob creation and also _ what we have to do is expedite them ofjob creation and also as _ what we have to do is expedite them ofjob creation and also as we - ofjob creation and also as we grow the economy, _ ofjob creation and also as we grow the economy, we _ ofjob creation and also as we grow the economy, we grow— ofjob creation and also as we grow the economy, we grow the - ofjob creation and also as we growl the economy, we grow the economy sustainability — the economy, we grow the economy sustainability. if— the economy, we grow the economy sustainability-— sustainability. if not for people like her, sustainability. if not for people like her. he — sustainability. if not for people like her, he could've _ sustainability. if not for people like her, he could've been i sustainability. if not for people | like her, he could've been much worse as a young community leader is proud to have saved over 200 jobs at the mall. it proud to have saved over 200 “obs at the mall. ., ~ , proud to have saved over 200 “obs at the mall. . ~ , , , . ,, ., the mall. it makes me speechless and very emotional — the mall. it makes me speechless and very emotional with _ the mall. it makes me speechless and very emotional with that _ the mall. it makes me speechless and very emotional with that there - very emotional with that there people — very emotional with that there people that are working, we have people _ people that are working, we have people whose jobs are saved in the multahs— people whose jobs are saved in the mullahs functioning. not a glass broken. — mullahs functioning. not a glass broken, so it warms my heart. it is eas to broken, so it warms my heart. it is easy to break _

broken, so it warms my heart. it 3 easy to break down and destroy. the heroes are those who make peace and build. forthese heroes are those who make peace and build. for these riots have reminded us is that there are millions of poor and marginalised people in this country and they have a voice and they too want to be heard in this democracy. when the supermodel halima aden announced she was quitting modelling in november last year — because it was incompatible with her muslim faith — her exit sent shock waves through the fashion industry. now — halima, who became a trailblazer for wearing her hijab on the catwalk and in photoshoots, has told the bbc in a new documentary that towards the end of her modelling career she felt she had lost control of her identity. here's what she had to say. you know, it's not that i was made to do things i didn't want but i think like many models, you start out very young. i was 19 when i started modelling and i remember bringing sets, suitcases to set full of the jobs and fabrics and leggings

and sweaters and turtlenecks and all these things that i would bring and work with the stylist onset to achieve the shoot. this towels that they are addressing me in, didn't really make it that. is and accessories and genes and for sachi this and that. in place of the traditional hijab. i had the chance to stay often reflect due to the pandemic and like many people, i decided to make career changes. a reminder of our top story. the olympic games have been formally

opened by emperor naruhito ofjapan at a pared down ceremony in tokyo. good evening. well, northern ireland saw temperatures up around 30 degrees once again today. further south, the storm clouds were gathering, and that sets us up for the weekend. a cooler feel to the weather, with some really intense downpours for some of us. now, a lot to look at on this satellite picture. this beautiful swirl of low cloud in the north sea, that's been turning things quite murky for some north—eastern coasts. these clouds to the south—west are the storm clouds. we've had a lot of lightning from these clouds as they've been approaching our shores, and through this evening and tonight, this rain, this thundery rain will push in across southern counties of england, getting into the far south of wales, too. at the same time, this mist and murk and low cloud will once again roll

in across north east scotland, the eastern side of england on what will be another pretty warm night. but as we head into tomorrow, this area of low pressure will dominate the scene across the southern half of the uk. where you're close to the centre of this low, you can expect some really intense downpours and thunderstorms. across southern parts of england and south wales especially, there is the risk of flooding and transport disruption. now, it won't be raining all the time. there will be some gaps, some bright or sunny spells between the downpours. but where the showers do show up, they could give you a lot of rain in a short space of time, with frequent lightning and some rather gusty winds. this mist and murk and low cloud will cling to some of the north sea coasts. but for north wales, north west england, nothern ireland and a good part of scotland, we'll see some sunshine and still some warmth through tomorrow afternoon, with highs of around 26 degrees. the showers and storms, though, in the south will continue to rumble around for a time during saturday evening. and as we get into the second half of the weekend, our area of low pressure will still be with us. it'll lumber perhaps just a little further eastwards, so that's going to focus the showers and thunderstorms across south—eastern parts of the uk,

especially through east anglia, parts of south east england, maybe the south west and parts of the midlands as well. some further heavy and potentially disruptive thundery downpours. further north and west, drier, brighter with quite a lot of sunshine, but temperatures lower than they have been recently, between 20—24 degrees in most places. and as we head into next week, things will continue to turn cooler. we'll see some further rain at times. some of that rain will be heavy and thundery, but with some drier, brighter spells in between.

this is bbc world news. the headlines. the delayed 2020 tokyo 0lympics have got under way with a modest opening ceremony, reflecting the impact of the pandemic. the stadium was almost empty, and the show included a moment of silence to honour covid victims. tennis star naomi 0saka lit the olympic cauldron marking the official start of the 32nd 0lympiad. the message from the man in charge of the international olympic committee was that this is a day of hope. the us has launched a number of air strikes in afghanistan against taliban positions in recent days, despite having withdrawn 95% of its forces from the country. the price of coffee bean futures has soared by around 25% in the past week, after a rare frost hit brazil's main coffee—growing region. traders say there's damage to an estimated 10% of brazil's coffee trees. now on bbc news —

it's time for hardtalk.