this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. new york's governor, andrew cuomo, is facing an uncertain political future after a five—month investigation found he sexually harrased women. the independent investigation has concluded that governor andrew cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. i never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. the afghan capital kabul is rocked by a series of blasts and gunfire. police in ukraine open a murder investigation after a belarusian opposition activist was found hanged in kyiv. there are suspicions he was targeted by agents from belarus. mandatoryjabs in the big apple. new york will become the first american city to require proof

of vaccination to enter indoor places such as restaurants, theatres, and gyms. and curiosity didn't kill the cat, but it did stop a major league baseball game. we'll meet the feline that brought a new york yankees game to standstill. hello, and welcome. new york governor andrew cuomo has denied the findings of a five—month investigation by the state's attorney general that found he sexually harassed multiple women, including senior employees. —— rejected the findings. the five—month probe found that governor cuomo violated federal and state laws while creating a "climate of fear" in the workplace. two senior democrats — us senate majority leader, chuck schumer and senator kirsten gillibrand, both new york democrats —

have called on governor andrew cuomo to resign. here's a little of what the attorney general had to say. the independent investigation has concluded that governor andrew cuomo sexually harassed multiple women — and in doing so, violated federal and state law. specifically, the investigation found that governor andrew cuomo sexually harassed current and former new york state employees by engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women. this is what mr cuomo had to say in response to the report. i want you to know directly from me that i never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.

i am 63 years old. i have lived my entire adult life in public view. that isjust not who i am. and that is not who i have ever been. today we are living in a superheated, if not toxic political environment. that should not be lost on anyone _ environment. that should not be lost on anyone. politics and bias are interwoven _ on anyone. politics and bias are interwoven throughout every aspect of the _ interwoven throughout every aspect of the situation. one would be naive to think_ of the situation. one would be naive to think otherwise. i'm joined now by the bbc�*s samira hussain in new york. hi there, how serious is this for andrew cuomo? i hi there, how serious is this for andrew cuomo?_ hi there, how serious is this for andrew cuomo? i mean, it is really very surprising _ andrew cuomo? i mean, it is really very surprising to — andrew cuomo? i mean, it is really very surprising to hear _ andrew cuomo? i mean, it is really very surprising to hear such - andrew cuomo? i mean, it is really very surprising to hear such a - very surprising to hear such a strong statement coming from

governor cuomo. i mean, most people, once the report came down, would've expected to hear that the governor was going to be resigning his position. but that is not the case — in fact, i would suggest is the exact opposite, that mr cuomo is first pushing back on some of the things that were reported in the investigation. even in that video statement, he went on to talk about some of the accusers and encountered some of the accusers and encountered some of the accusers and encountered some of their recollections of how things went and some of his actions. and further politically, i think it is getting very difficult to see how the governor survives in this position. we've already heard from high—ranking members of the democratic party that say he should in fact resign. we are waiting for us presidentjoe biden, the leader of the democratic party, and he's expected to make comments on the investigation and on what's happening with governor cuomo. it's

unclear what he'll say about it, but it's very hard for president, who is white house has already called the allegations or the information from this report absolutely abhorrent. i this report absolutely abhorrent. i appreciate that you probably haven't had time to read the full 165 page report but, in looking through what you've been able to see, what stands out? it you've been able to see, what stands out? , . , . , out? it is really incredible - first, the — out? it is really incredible - first, the fact _ out? it is really incredible - first, the fact that - out? it is really incredible - first, the fact that overall, | out? it is really incredible - i first, the fact that overall, that governor cuomo had created such a toxic work environment, and that really allowed for this kind of harassment to go on, that in painful detail these victims talked about how they were sexually touched and forced to sit on the governor's lap, how they were forced to kiss him and also the sexual comments that they were on the receiving end of from the governor's office, also what's

disturbing to hear is the retaliation at least against one woman when she chose to speak out. there were reports that staffers would say things like, "well, you should be happy that you're getting that kind of attention from the governor." these are really disturbing things that have come out — and we aren't talking about things that have happened in 1977 that are only coming to light now, these are events that happened in 2020, this is the post to me too eric, which is indicative of how difficult some work environments can be for women. thank you very much. the biden administration is celebrating what it calls a "major milestone" in the global vaccination effort, as the united states has now donated more than 100 million doses of covid—19 vaccines to over 60 countries. we're expecting comments from president biden on this shortly.

as well as comments on the allegations against governor cuomo. the us contribution is more than the donations of all other countries combined. the us had been facing criticism for not doing enough to help as a little over 1% of people in low income countries have beenjabbed. i'm joined now by dr craig spencer, an emergency room physician in new york. thanks so much forjoining us. 100 million doses is something, not nothing, but it is just a fraction of the what, 8 billion doses the world still needs?— of the what, 8 billion doses the world still needs? yes. look, as someone _ world still needs? yes. look, as someone who's _ world still needs? yes. look, as someone who's very _ world still needs? yes. look, as someone who's very critical - world still needs? yes. look, as someone who's very critical of i world still needs? yes. look, as. someone who's very critical of this administration, ifelt someone who's very critical of this administration, i felt they were slow early on in helping donate the vaccine, i applaud this achievement, it's a great first step. that is more than any other country and we need countries to step up. but we can and must do more. 100 million dosesis can and must do more. 100 million doses is enough to vaccinate maybe 3% of the global population. there are such huge inequities now between

people like me who are lucky enough to live in the us and other wealthy countries, versus those who are in low and middle income countries where the vast majority of people have not yet had access to even a single dose of vaccine. i think it's time for us to do more, we need a comprehensive plan for the government, not one of celebratory announcements but thinking of how we will get the world vaccinated as quickly as possible.— quickly as possible. should 15-year-olds _ quickly as possible. should 15-year-olds in _ quickly as possible. should 15-year-olds in america i quickly as possible. should 15-year-olds in america or| quickly as possible. should - 15-year-olds in america or any other 15—year—olds in america or any other country in the west be vaccinated ahead of 80—year—olds in the developing world? this ahead of 80-year-olds in the developing world?— ahead of 80-year-olds in the develoin: world? , , developing world? this is something i've been thinking _ developing world? this is something i've been thinking about _ developing world? this is something i've been thinking about for - developing world? this is something i've been thinking about for months. j i've been thinking about for months. i've been thinking about for months. i have friends in east africa fighting this pandemic on a daily basis, unvaccinated, unprotected without any ppe — in arguably the need to be vaccinated before teenagers in the us. it doesn't have to be a zero—sum game, look, the us can put more pressure on pharmaceutical companies to increase production internationally, let

companies produce their own vaccine so they aren't dependent... every health care worker should be vaccinated. to do that in the medium and long term, the us did not dispute delivering doses but help build up the knowledge hubs in countries. let countries create their own vaccines is how we prepare for the next pandemic. fire their own vaccines is how we prepare for the next pandemic.— for the next pandemic. are they makin: for the next pandemic. are they making them? _ for the next pandemic. are they making them? not _ for the next pandemic. are they making them? not yet, - for the next pandemic. are they making them? not yet, there's| for the next pandemic. are they - making them? not yet, there's been discussion around _ making them? not yet, there's been discussion around trips _ making them? not yet, there's been discussion around trips waivers, - discussion around trips waivers, around the intellectual property — the us site director has signed on to say they are willing to waive the intellectual property, other countries have not. booster shots in the us will bring the millions of dollars. my concern is that those boosters in the us, uk and wealthy countries will be prioritised before people in lower and middle income countries get

their doses. and we need to do everything we can to push pharmaceutical companies and governments to make sure that countries are able to make their own doses, that they have the tech necessary to make that capacity. we don't need to give people fish, we can teach them to go fish and they'll be a lot better prepared for it. fits they'll be a lot better prepared for it. ~ , . , they'll be a lot better prepared for it. as always, doctor spencer, thanks for _ it. as always, doctor spencer, thanks forjoining _ it. as always, doctor spencer, thanks forjoining us. - it. as always, doctor spencer, thanks forjoining us. thanks i it. as always, doctor spencer, l thanks forjoining us. thanks for thanks for “oining us. thanks for havin: thanks forjoining us. thanks for having me- _ to afghanistan now, where the capital kabul has been rocked by a series of blasts and sporadic gunfire. officials say an attack on the home of the afghan defence minister — involving a suicide car—bombing and four gunmen — has now ended with all the attackers killed. this was the fire which followed the first explosion. the minister was not at home at the time. the attack represents a further escalation in the deteriorating security situation across afghanistan. the bbc�*s chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kabul and gave us an update on what she's been experiencing there, just a short while ago.

you may still hear the constant rat—a—tat of gunfire here. you can hear in the green zone just streets away from this highly protected enclave right in the heart of kabul. you can see it's still happening, this attack is still going on. it's been hours since we heard the first loud blast of that truck bomb, the car bomb exploding outside the defence minister's house. he and his family were not there at the time. that was later followed by the sound of suicide vests exploding. we know the attackers also entered the home of the defence minister, mortars were also fired. special forces were rushed to the area, we could hear helicopters flying overhead. the government is now saying that they have the situation under control, but you can keep hearing — this certainly isn't completely under control, this is still a very tense situation.

the defence minister himself has just put out a video on social media condemning what he described as a "terrorist attack", and trying to send a message that all was well, he was alive. but of course, this has really jangled nerves at a time when the taliban have been advancing on provincial capitals outside kabul, which has always been regarded as the most protected of cities. and yet tonight, it is a city which is come under attack in its most heavily—protected area. shortly after the attack in kabul, this was the scene in the west of the city. afghans took to the streets, chanting "allah—u—akbar" — or god is greatest — in support of afghan forces battling the taliban advancing on three provincial capitals. the militants have seized control of vast territory since foreign forces began withdrawing in may.

residents of the besieged southern city of lashkah gah have been urged to evacuate, ahead of an army operation against the taliban there. joining me from berlin is thomas ruttig, co—director of the afghanistan analysts network, which is based in berlin and kabul. thanks so much forjoining us. almost every day now, we get word of a taliban advance and we try to assess their strategy and success. given what we've seen in kabul tonight, what is your assessment? well, the taliban are still following double strategy, which is increasing their military pressure on the government in kabul. at the same time, they're looking for negotiations, but on their own terms with the government increasingly being pushed into a corner as we've seen tonight with the attack on the defence minister's residence. what defence minister's residence. what would the taliban _ defence minister's residence. what would the taliban want _ defence minister's residence. what would the taliban want from negotiations that they cannot get on

the battlefield?— the battlefield? well, a victory on the battlefield? well, a victory on the battlefield _ the battlefield? well, a victory on the battlefield would _ the battlefield? well, a victory on the battlefield would alienate - the battlefield? well, a victory on the battlefield would alienate not| the battlefield would alienate not only their own population, they are trying not to rule against them, and also the international community — afghanistan is a very poor country, very dependent on external resources, and the tell ben know that. they've ensured and their deal with the states... that they will try to mobilise further resources for the reconstruction. fire try to mobilise further resources for the reconstruction.— for the reconstruction. are they tood for the reconstruction. are they good negotiators? _ for the reconstruction. are they good negotiators? they - for the reconstruction. are they good negotiators? they are - for the reconstruction. are they | good negotiators? they are very for the reconstruction. are they - good negotiators? they are very good ne . otiators, good negotiators? they are very good negotiators. and _ good negotiators? they are very good negotiators, and so _ good negotiators? they are very good negotiators, and so far _ good negotiators? they are very good negotiators, and so far they've - negotiators, and so far they've achieved most of what they wanted, and the americans have handed over more than what was probably necessary, excluding the afghan government from these talks in doha hawk, and handing over the defence of the country to them while withdrawing themselves. the

of the country to them while withdrawing themselves. the us has withdrawn its — withdrawing themselves. the us has withdrawn its ground _ withdrawing themselves. the us has withdrawn its ground forces - withdrawing themselves. the us has withdrawn its ground forces and - withdrawn its ground forces and engaged in air strikes in recent days. what is it strategy now that it's no longer on the ground? i it's no longer on the ground? i think the us is on the way out in the air strikes might end very soon. i'm not sure they change too many things, they can stop the taliban from attacking cities, but since that has to be done from the indian ocean, from aircraft carriers are military bases in the gulf, it will be very complicated and costly to keep that up for quite a while. so the strategy should be to go for negotiations, and also make sure that what has been achieved in the last 20 years leads to some rights and freedoms will be salvaged. ierreiiiiii and freedoms will be salvaged. will it be salvaged? it _ and freedoms will be salvaged. will it be salvaged? it is _ and freedoms will be salvaged. will it be salvaged? it is possible. - and freedoms will be salvaged. will it be salvaged? it is possible. in - it be salvaged? it is possible. in those negotiations, _ it be salvaged? it is possible. in those negotiations, the - it be salvaged? it is possible. in those negotiations, the afghan | those negotiations, the afghan government and forces which need to be involved which also must include

civil society people, and those people who represent the victims need international support in those talks. we must make sure that they are not left alone in these talks with the taliban. the are not left alone in these talks with the taliban.— are not left alone in these talks with the taliban. the taliban has taken a number— with the taliban. the taliban has taken a number of _ with the taliban. the taliban has taken a number of smaller - with the taliban. the taliban has | taken a number of smaller areas, with the taliban. the taliban has i taken a number of smaller areas, is now turned its attentions to bigger areas — will that be difficult militarily for the taliban? i areas - will that be difficult militarily for the taliban? i think it will be very — militarily for the taliban? i think it will be very difficult _ militarily for the taliban? i think it will be very difficult to - militarily for the taliban? i think it will be very difficult to take i it will be very difficult to take over the 3a provincial capitals, including the capital of the country, kabul, after taking over democrat more than half of the district centre. so i still see them in that case of escalating military pressure and getting to talks where they can dictate their own interest so to speak. they can dictate their own interest so to speak-— so to speak. thanks so much for doint so to speak. thanks so much for doing us- _ so to speak. thanks so much for doing us. thank _ so to speak. thanks so much for doing us. thank you _ so to speak. thanks so much for doing us. thank you very - so to speak. thanks so much for doing us. thank you very much. | stay with us on bbc news. still to come: the tabby cat who gave major league

baseballers the run—around. the ever given — the huge container ship that disrupted global trade when it got stuck across the suez canal in march — has finally arrived at the port of felixstowe. 0ur correspondent theo leggett was there to see it dock. this was just one ship — a very big one, as you can see — butjust one ship which became stranded across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and delayed hundreds of vessels. the knock—on effects of that lasted for weeks, if not months. freight rates, the amount that businesses pay to bring goods in from china shot up, and they haven't gone down since because of other problems like covid outbreaks in china. and that means at the moment, businesses are trying to stock up for the busy christmas period. there wondering what rates they'll pay and whether they'll be able to get the goods at all. what that means for you and me is that our christmas shopping may cost us a lot more,

and we may have a lot less choice. and this vessel is a very powerful symbol, i should say, of all that disruption. there's growing international concern over belarus, after an exile and critic living in ukraine was found dead. police there have opened a murder inquiry into the death. vitaly shishov was discovered, hanged, in a park close to his home in kyiv. police say they are investigating whether he'd been killed and his death was made to look like a suicide. he wentjogging on monday morning. he didn't return, and couldn't be reached on his mobile phone. meanwhile, the olympic athlete from belarus, who was forced to seek sanctuary in the polish embassy in tokyo, has been talking to the bbc. krystsyna tsimanouskaya said it was not safe in belarus — and she didn't anticipate returning,

for many years. the belarusian opposition leader sviatlana tsikhanovskaya has met borisjohnson as international pressure continues to mount on the regime of president alexander lukashenko who has ruled the country since 1994. 0ur correspondent, sarah rainsford, sent this report from the bela rusian capital, minsk. she is a young athlete thrust into a political row she never sought. when sprinter krystsyna tsimanouskaya publicly criticised her coaches at the olympics, they tried to force her back to belarus. she refused. speaking to the bbc from tokyo, she said she was now scared for herself and for her family. translation: i can't go back to belarus now, of course. - it's definitely not safe for me. i have no idea when i can go back. it may be 5—10 years. and today came another reminder of the danger for dissidents. in kyiv, a young belarusian activist was found hanging in a park. but his friends don't

believe it was suicide. vitaly shishov fled to ukraine last year to avoid arrest. he had been helping a flood of other opposition supporters who followed. the opposition leader sviatlana tsikhanouskaya is in forced exile herself. she was in london today, part of a tour seeking international support. she wants more pressure, more sanctions against alexander lu kashenko. the man she tried to topple as president. since then, the mood in minsk has changed dramatically. alexander lukashenko now firmly back in control. a year ago, this entire square and all the streets around it were crammed full of protesters. it was opposition to president alexander lukashenko on a scale like he had never seen before. but now there is no public sign at all of that challenge because so many people have been arrested since then that the others have been scared into silence.

maria was one of the faces of the protest. touring the country, rallying mass crowds. tomorrow she goes on trial for attempting to overthrow the authorities. her father hasn't been allowed to see her since her arrest. translation: she told me, "whatever sentence i get, i i'm ready for that." she writes to me all the time, that we'll meet against soon. everything will be ok. but belarus today feels anything but 0k — even our meeting is being monitored from the shadows. sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk. now to the olympics — and sensational events on the track on day 11, with world records being smashed, while in gymnastics, huge attention for the return of simone biles. lucy hockings in tokyo rounds up the action. hi, everyone, a well morgan back to

tokyo. hi, everyone, a well morgan back to to 0. �* , . ., hi, everyone, a well morgan back to to 0. . ., .,~ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, tokyo. there's so much to talk about. but _ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, but let's _ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, but let's start _ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, but let's start with - tokyo. there's so much to talk l about, but let's start with what's been happening on the track, a massive triumph for the jamaican sprinter elaine thompson her own. five years ago in rio, she became the first woman in 28 years to achieve the 100 metre, 200 metre sprint double. now she's gone on to the double double. two golds in rio, two golds in tokyo, and look at her here crossing the finish line. looking happy but also making it look so easy. injune, she was barred by world athletics from running in the 400 metres because of her raised levels of testosterone. let's talk now about what's being described here in tokyo around the world as one of the greatest race in olympic history. norway's castro 0lympic history. norway's castro home winning gold in the men's100 metre hurdles. the first time anyone has run the event in less than 46

seconds. he tweeted he is now an olympic champion and has a world record. his biggest dream has now become reality. back at home, as friends and families gathered around to watch him, he hears the reaction of his parents. cheering. translation: yes, what can i say? a totally indescribable _ translation: yes, what can i say? a totally indescribable experience. - translation: yes, what can i say? a totally indescribable experience. it - totally indescribable experience. it was one thing to hope it would go well, but i never expected that it would be with such margin. translation: it would be with such margin. translation:— would be with such margin. translation: it was amazing, incredible time. _ translation: it was amazing, incredible time. there - translation: it was amazing, incredible time. there are - translation: it was amazing, incredible time. there are no . translation: it was amazing, - incredible time. there are no awards for it— incredible time. there are no awards for it -- _ incredible time. there are no awards for it -- words— incredible time. there are no awards for it —— words for it. it was amazing _ for it —— words for it. it was amazing how he managed to perform today _ amazing how he managed to perform today in _ amazing how he managed to perform today. i'm simply totally overwhelmed.— today. i'm simply totally overwhelmed. ., , ., , overwhelmed. lovely to see those scenes in norway. _ overwhelmed. lovely to see those scenes in norway. one _ overwhelmed. lovely to see those scenes in norway. one of- overwhelmed. lovely to see those scenes in norway. one of the - overwhelmed. lovely to see those | scenes in norway. one of the day's

highlights as well was the tremendous comeback for the american gymnastics superstar simone biles. she returned it to the beam and landed a bronze, it was a very confident routine, and she seemed like an athlete back in full command, scoring a total of 14.0. all smiles, command, scoring a total of 14.0. allsmiles, but command, scoring a total of 14.0. all smiles, but it was china's contestant who secured the gold medal — herform contestant who secured the gold medal — her form was skilled and composed, a wonderful performance from her. i should say i was up till 5am at home watching every minute of the athletics, it was incredibly fun. now it turns out it's notjust humans who want a day out at the ball game — our feline friends enjoy a day out, too. this was the moment a cat interrupted play at the new york yankees stadium last night. the cat, who is yet to be unidentified, deftly weaved its way across the field — much to the amusement of the crowd and the players. staff had a tough time catching

the animal, who seemed to enjoy playing its own game of cat and mouse. given the new york yankees lost to the orioles 7—1, it's no surprise the home crowd were unaninous in crowning the mystery cat the mvp of the game! we will see that cat at the all—star game. a reminder of our top story: new york governor andrew cuomo has rejected the findings of a five—month investigation by the state's attorney general that found he sexually harassed multiple women, including senior employees. the five—month probe found that governor cuomo violated federal and state laws while creating a "climate of fear" in the workplace. two senior democrats — us senate majority leader, chuck schumer, and senator kirsten gillibrand, both new york democrats — have called on governor andrew cuomo to resign. we're expecting comments from president biden on andrew cuomo within the next half hour.

to stay with bbc news. hello. there's no heat wave, temperatures are a degree or so either side of average for the time of year, but it undeniably feels warm when you get to see some sunshine. and most places did at some stage of today. here's the view from powys this afternoon. there weren't that many showers, but in kent, one of our weather watchers caught a view of the rain bouncing off the ground for a time. and there were more showers in scotland today compared with recent days. and there will be a few continuing overnight to effect the far north, northwest and into the western isles. whereas elsewhere, most places will lose the showers, becoming dry with clear spells, some patchy mist and fog around, and temperatures will be lower than this in the countryside where we will dip down into single figures. fine whether to start the day tomorrow, but these showers still around northeast scotland from the word go, a few more will pop up in scotland,

northern ireland, and more so in northern england tomorrow compared with recent days. again, the chance of catching a heavy downpour that may be thundery. elsewhere in england and wales, the showers will be very well—scattered, most places will avoid them and stay dry, and again, get to see some pleasantly warm, sunny spells with temperatures just creeping into the low 20s. most of the downpours will die away through wednesday evening, a few showers overnight and into thursday will continue in northern ireland and western scotland. then from thursday onwards, our weather is dominated by low pressure moving in — which will take a full four days to come in and clear away from the uk, as our weather turns. windier, more widely better again across the uk. and it will come in, this area of low pressure, with bands of rain and showers, initially across western areas on thursday, many eastern areas will stay largely dry, but there will be a few showers pushing in here, as well, as we get deeper on through the day. the winds picking up initially in the west, gusts of around 40 mph or so, and it will be turning

windier across the uk, temperatures heading down slightly, as well. so that area of low pressure will be very much with us friday into the weekend. it's moving its way slowly northeastwards, but it won't be till the start of next week when it clears away — though there will still be a few showers around, our weather will be rather more settled again for a time. so a selection of places with the longer forecast taking us through the weekend — many locations will look like this, and that means there'll be some heavy, even thundery downpours. could be disruptive on friday, showers easing later on sunday.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the governor of new york denies the findings of an independent investigation that he sexually harrassed women — including employees at his office. one year on from the blast that changed beirut — hello and welcome back to the program.

almost one year ago, a devastating and deadly explosion at the port in beirut sent shock waves through lebanon. but as the first anniversary of the blast approaches, life has become even harderfor most lebanese. today, half of the population is living on the poverty line and the country is undergoing one of the world's worst economic collapses in history. to this day, no top officials have been questioned over the blast. here's what the lebanese president had to say today: "let the judiciary go to the end in investigations and trials, and i am with it, and by its side, until the facts are revealed. i'm joined now by kim ghattas who is a journalist and the author of black wave in beirut. that was a very formal introduction, but i've known you for years. i'm dying to know it has anything changed in the last year? good to

seak changed in the last year? good to s - eak to changed in the last year? good to speak to you _ changed in the last year? good to speak to you from _ changed in the last year? good to speak to you from beirut. - changed in the last year? good to speak to you from beirut. what . changed in the last year? good to i speak to you from beirut. what has changed is that things have gotten only worse in the country. the economic crisis has worsened, people popped by standards of living have worsened, people are standing and queuing up for petrol for medication, for baby formula, that economic crisis started in 2019 and the revolution for protest against corruption, against sectarianism, the protesters were able to bring down the cabin at the time and then they waited forever for other cabinets and then came the pandemic and then came the atrocious couple of years for the lebanese. the worst economic crisis, as you mentioned and what of the top three worst economic crisis in the last 150 years. and this horrific last year

almost exactly a year ago to the day, also one of the top three largest nonnuclear blasts in recent history. people in this country are still waiting for justice, history. people in this country are still waiting forjustice, they are still waiting forjustice, they are still waiting for answers. the president spoke today saying he was there in support ofjustice but he did also promised last year the investigation would take five years and people are still waiting. there is a history of impunity in lebanon and lack of accountability that is systemic, and it's a problem across the region. and without accountability and justice there can be stability. accountability and 'ustice there can be stabili . ~ ., , accountability and 'ustice there can be stability.— be stability. what obstacles came from a full and _ be stability. what obstacles came from a full and independent - from a full and independent investigation? we from a full and independent investigation?— from a full and independent investitation? . ., , investigation? we had this report come to date _ investigation? we had this report come to date from _ investigation? we had this report come to date from human - investigation? we had this report come to date from human rights| come to date from human rights watch. the kind of work that the authorities who should be doing and putting out where they state in this report that government officials

foresaw and tacitly accepted the death posed by the nitrate ammonium that was being stored at the beirut port. this was part criminal negligence, it is part willful ignorance of the consequences, it is part of a corruption system, as i said, that has been there in this country for many years, in a country that has ruled and continues to be ruled by warlords who have vested interests, were once and amnesty their cells into the piece, then they started ruling the country. the interest meet it's accommodation for her warlords, cartels and of course the militia and political party has below that have an interest of maintaining the system as is and covering up for each other because they are all in it together. what's different this time is that we see

the lebanese people waking up to the fact that things cannot continue as is. we see them demanding justice. we see them pushing for accountability and going after not only locally protest but looking for avenues ofjustice outside of the country. avenues of 'ustice outside of the count . �* ,., avenues of 'ustice outside of the count.�* , ., , country. i'm so sorry to 'ump in, thank you — country. i'm so sorry to 'ump in, thank you so i country. i'm so sorry to 'ump in, thank you so much _ country. i'm so sorry to 'ump in, thank you so much for_ country. i'm so sorry tojump in, thank you so much forjoining i country. i'm so sorry tojump in, thank you so much forjoining us from beirut, we really do appreciate it. we can cross live to the white house, where president biden is delivering his remarks: last week i announced additional steps _ last week i announced additional steps to— last week i announced additional steps to incentivise americans to -et steps to incentivise americans to get vaccinated including calling on states _ get vaccinated including calling on states to — get vaccinated including calling on states to offer $100 for anyone willing — states to offer $100 for anyone willing to step up and get a vaccination shot. you know, already in minnesota — vaccination shot. you know, already in minnesota and new mexico have done that — in minnesota and new mexico have done that. north carolina announced its $100 _ done that. north carolina announced its $100 incentive today. places

that have — its $100 incentive today. places that have offered the hundred dollars. — that have offered the hundred dollars, 100,000 would be really good, _ dollars, 100,000 would be really good, i_ dollars, 100,000 would be really good, i would go back and get vaccinated three times. all kidding aside, _ vaccinated three times. all kidding aside, offerthe vaccinated three times. all kidding aside, offer the $100 for vaccination has seen an uptick of 25% on _ vaccination has seen an uptick of 25% on a — vaccination has seen an uptick of 25% on a daily vaccination rate. we also announced small and medium—size businesses _ also announced small and medium—size businesses will be fully reimbursed for offering paid time off for their employees to get vaccinated. and for them to— employees to get vaccinated. and for them to take a child or a parents to -et them to take a child or a parents to get vaccinated. and i announced some tough, _ get vaccinated. and i announced some tough, sometimes the popular steps tough, sometimes the popular steps to keep _ tough, sometimes the popular steps to keep people safe and our economy strong _ to keep people safe and our economy strong~ all_ to keep people safe and our economy strong. all federal workers must report— strong. all federal workers must report the — strong. all federal workers must report the vaccination status or be subject— report the vaccination status or be subject to — report the vaccination status or be subject to strict requirements. any federat— subject to strict requirements. any federal worker who does not attest to the _ federal worker who does not attest to the vaccination status or is not vaccinated — to the vaccination status or is not vaccinated will be required to mask no ntatter— vaccinated will be required to mask no matter where they work, test once

or twice _ no matter where they work, test once or twice a _ no matter where they work, test once or twice a week, socially distance and generally will not be allowed to travel _ and generally will not be allowed to travel for— and generally will not be allowed to travel for work. and generally will not be allowed to travelforwork. i and generally will not be allowed to travel for work. i directed my ministration to take steps to apply similar— ministration to take steps to apply similar standards to all federal contractors. if you want to do business _ contractors. if you want to do business with the federal government -et business with the federal government get vaccinated. also directed the pentagon to adding never one to list of vaccinations required for our troops, — of vaccinations required for our troops, because others are required. i troops, because others are required. i approved _ troops, because others are required. i approved the department of veterans affairs to require doctors, nurses _ veterans affairs to require doctors, nurses and — veterans affairs to require doctors, nurses and other health care workers who care _ nurses and other health care workers who care for— nurses and other health care workers who care for veterans be vaccinated. and the _ who care for veterans be vaccinated. and the good news is that now many are following the federal government's lead. the past several days state _ government's lead. the past several days state and local officials have come _ days state and local officials have come out — days state and local officials have come out to oppose similar vaccination mandates. president biden at the white house talking about the us vaccination

programme and the donation of more than 100 million doses to the rest of the world. we will monitor that and bring you any more news as it develops. now let's return to belarus. there's growing international concern after an exile and critic — living in ukraine, was found dead. police there have opened a murder inquiry into the death. vitaly shishov was discovered, hanged, in a park close to his home in kyiv. police say they are investigating whether he'd been killed and his death was made to look like a suicide. meanwhile the olympic athlete from belarus, who was forced to seek sanctuary in the polish embassy in tokyo — has been talking to the bbc. krystsina tsimanouskaya said, it was not safe in belarus — and she didn't anticipate returning, for many years. joining me now is hanna liubakova — a journalist from belarus and member of the international affairs group, the atlantic council. she's currently in london. thank you so much forjoining us. we have reported those two stories and what happened to the exile in kyiv

and the athlete in tokyo, when exiles see these two stories together, how might they react? i would say that'sjust together, how might they react? i would say that's just a sign that nobody can feel safe right now. no activist, nojournalists, no politician, no blog weather in belarus or outside belarus it's just unsafe for everyone. what happened to krystsina tsimanouskaya injapan shows that the regime in belarus does not have any boundaries or limits. every person, even an athlete for dissipating in the olympic games can be nearly kidnapped and forced to come back to belarus. let's remember in may when a civilian plane was forced down in minskjust a civilian plane was forced down in minsk just to a civilian plane was forced down in minskjust to arrest and opposition blogger, roman protasevich. itjust shows that nobody can feel safe. that's the primary connection. what

happened to the tally in kyiv... we have to wait for the official investigation to find out the reason and whether he was indeed killed. so that's something that we have to wait for at the moment. the investigation has been started and which need to wait for the results. at around a year or so ago we saw every weekend huge protests inside belarus by the opposition protests from the presidential election. what has happened to the opposition movement?— has happened to the opposition movement? ~ ., , , movement? well, he has emptied the streets. movement? well, he has emptied the streets- now — movement? well, he has emptied the streets. now we _ movement? well, he has emptied the streets. now we don't _ movement? well, he has emptied the streets. now we don't see _ movement? well, he has emptied the streets. now we don't see mass i streets. now we don't see mass protest because the level of repression has been unprecedented. six august there's been more than 36,000 people have been arrested and that's a lot for a country of 90 and a half million. people werejust scared to come out for the streets

and protesting openly. but it does not mean that the discontent is over. below are still against lukashenko and he feels that. that's what he feel so frustrated and angry because of any kind of critical voices raised against him. so that's kind of the main take away. i think after this year is that the majority of the population want changes and that's something that we have to take into account i think. the opposition leader says she still believes in a nonviolent transition. she even keeps talking about the word transition, is that even realistic to consider?- word transition, is that even realistic to consider? well, it's alwa s realistic to consider? well, it's always realistic _ realistic to consider? well, it's always realistic i _ realistic to consider? well, it's always realistic i think. - realistic to consider? well, it's always realistic i think. many l always realistic i think. many people in belarus feel that the point of no return has been passed. many people want lukashenko to go. it's been more than 27 years of him in power, people arejust it's been more than 27 years of him in power, people are just tired. people felt last year that their

votes have been stolen from them and they want a new free and fair election, that's why they been protesting peacefully for so many months. that's why there's this discontent that's not over and they're still trying to protest in their neighbourhoods and even though they are small rallies they are really resilient, there's a lot of frustration and a lot of hopelessness but there is a lot of strength among the people as well. and what lukashenko is doing right now, he's trying destroy civil society but people are sort of fighting back because they have not given up and the movement, the fight. stay with us on bbc news, still to come. how social media and some massive stars has given knitting a new lease of life with a younger generation.

nicola sturgeon has confirmed that the scottish government will go ahead with plans to end most remaining covid restrictions on august 9th. the first minister said laws requiring physical distancing and limiting social gatherings will be dropped and all venues will be allowed to open. but laws requiring face coverings to be worn in some indoor settings will remain in place. let's listen to what she had to say. it's the combination of the steady decline in cases, the success of vaccination, helping to weaken the link between cases and serious illness and of course our understanding of the social, health and economic harms continued restrictions have, all underpinned by our obligation to ensure that any restrictions that remain in place are lawful. in other words, that they are both necessary and proportionate that

forms the basis for our decision today to move beyond level zero. the move beyond level zero will entail the lifting of most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions, most notably on physical distancing and limits to the size of social gatherings. it also means from the 9th of august no venues will be legally required to close. this change is significant and it is hard—earned. the sacrifices everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated. however, while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic, or a return to life exactly as we knew it before covid struck. declaring freedom from or victory over the virus, is in my view, premature. the harm the virus can do, including through the impact of long covid, shouldn't be underestimated and its ability to mutate may yet pose us real challenges.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines. actually we are going to go straight to our stories. we told you the headlines can be used to remember them. new york city will become the first major us city to require proof of covid—19 vaccination for customers and staff at restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses as the country enters a new phase of battling the highly contagious delta variant. mayor bill de blasio hope the moves will encourage new yorkers to get vaccinated. let's talk with jake dell the owner of the world famous katzs deli whojoins me now. hello. hi, how are you today? are ou ttoin hello. hi, how are you today? are you going to _ hello. hi, how are you today? are you going to check— hello. hi, how are you today? are you going to check people - hello. hi, how are you today? are you going to check people on i you going to check people on the door? it you going to check people on the door? ., , ,

door? it would be interesting. you're still — door? it would be interesting. you're still waiting _ door? it would be interesting. you're still waiting for- door? it would be interesting. you're still waiting for specificj you're still waiting for specific guidance on exactly what we will be required according to the city. just announced about 10am this morning. but we, you know given the structure of our restaurant we always have someone at the door anyway so for us we seen so many things over the years, we've been here at 133 years, this is not ourfirst pandemic. so. you done two world wars and you can do checks on the door.— do checks on the door. that's right and whatever _ do checks on the door. that's right and whatever keep _ do checks on the door. that's right and whatever keep people - do checks on the door. that's right and whatever keep people safe i l do checks on the door. that's right. and whatever keep people safe i am very curious as a business owner and as a lifelong new yorker i want to do everything to keep ourselves safe, keep our city safe. but i do have a lot of very practical questions about what does that mean and for some of the smaller restaurants i think more so than us,

you know, guys that are just sort of getting back on their feet that have one or two people working there, what some 20—year—old kids going to be checking the door? there's a lot of question marks here and we are just sort of all waiting to see what that means. d0 just sort of all waiting to see what that means-— that means. do you think your customers _ that means. do you think your customers are _ that means. do you think your customers are coming - that means. do you think your customers are coming for i that means. do you think your customers are coming for one | that means. do you think your l customers are coming for one of that means. do you think your i customers are coming for one of your world famous sandwiches are happy to show the check on the dork of this want to get to you and get to the sandwich? , , ., , , , sandwich? listen, your guess is as tood as sandwich? listen, your guess is as good as mine- _ sandwich? listen, your guess is as good as mine. we _ sandwich? listen, your guess is as good as mine. we hope _ sandwich? listen, your guess is as good as mine. we hope so - sandwich? listen, your guess is as good as mine. we hope so and i sandwich? listen, your guess is as i good as mine. we hope so and as you can see we've got a pretty full restaurant right now and the majority of people are wearing masks. so when they walking around. i think we have been through a lot, we've all been through it and so maybe this is just another thing we have to get used to it. who knows. it looks past, are you happy with business, things look good behind you?

business, things look good behind ou? , , . business, things look good behind ou? , , , business, things look good behind ou? , , . , you? this is a pretty good, early in the pandemic— you? this is a pretty good, early in the pandemic we _ you? this is a pretty good, early in the pandemic we really _ you? this is a pretty good, early in the pandemic we really switched i the pandemic we really switched gears, really focused on our nationwide shipping programme and our local deliveries, and wood were lucky we did not actually lose any staff and we are able to keep powerful 200 plus staff that have been here for decades just by teaching them new skills and switching gears. so we are happy that the bulk of the headaches are behind us but we know that by no means are we totally out of the weeds yet. means are we totally out of the weeds yet-— means are we totally out of the weeds yet. it's been fantastic to s-eak weeds yet. it's been fantastic to s . eak to weeds yet. it's been fantastic to speak to you. — weeds yet. it's been fantastic to speak to you, thank _ weeds yet. it's been fantastic to speak to you, thank you - weeds yet. it's been fantastic to speak to you, thank you so i weeds yet. it's been fantastic to i speak to you, thank you so much. the british government has confirmed it's urgently investigating the suspected hijacking of an oil tanker off the coast of the united arab emirates. analysts say that if a ship has indeed been seized in the gulf of oman, there'll be suspicion that iranian forces a re involved. just days ago israel, britain and the us blamed the iranians for a drone attack on a tanker in the gulf of oman. tehran denied any involvement. 0ur security correspondent

frank gardiner gave us the latest. yes, well in the last few minutes maritime intelligence has been confirming that indeed the hijack has taken place and that armed men believed to be from the iranian revolutionary guards corps have taken over control of a medium—sized tanker, the ship is in order to sail to iran. there's been no confirmation of this from iran at all and in the past they usually were denied these roles initially. this particular tanker was sailing from the port in oman, i've had a look at the maritime tracker and it's not moving very fast, it's currently under way but at less than one not so it's almost stationary and almost midway between the coast of the uae and iran. but it's being

taken very seriously and in the last two been a comment from the white house saying that the us is taking this very seriously because the cubs just five days after the fatal drone attack that killed a british security guard and romanian sailor on board the merchant tanker not far away. also off the coast of oman, so this is a very worrying development. team gb 0lympian tom daley created became a viral sensation — again — but this time it's not for his his work on the diving board, rather his penchant for knitting. the gold medal swimmer, was spotted enjoying a spot of knitting at the games, and he's one of many getting into an area often unfairly considered the domain of grandmas. thanks to online communities, and multiple lockdowns, wool and knitting companies have reported year on year rises in profits, much of it fuelled by yonger customer. so is it time for us all to get on board the knitting train?

esther andrews is a designer specialising in knit wear, even going as far as to knit her own wedding dress and joins us now. even going so far as to niche her own wedding dress. how are you? good how are you? — own wedding dress. how are you? good how are you? so — own wedding dress. how are you? good how are you? so in _ own wedding dress. how are you? good how are you? so in earth _ own wedding dress. how are you? good how are you? so in earth have - own wedding dress. how are you? good how are you? so in earth have got i how are you? so in earth have got these knitting _ how are you? so in earth have got these knitting needles _ how are you? so in earth have got these knitting needles next i how are you? so in earth have got these knitting needles next to i these knitting needles next to me but i do have no idea how they work. it's always been up to patient, exclusive he is someone in a rocking chair, and knitting something you don't always want to wear, you are changing all of that? yes absolutely. _ changing all of that? yes absolutely. that's i changing all of that? yes absolutely. that's was i changing all of that? yes| absolutely. that's was so changing all of that? yes absolutely. that's was so fun about seeing him knitting because itjust makes everyone so excited and you need to absolutely get on that train. something i read that it relaxes him and get the stress—free outlet, that's also a huge reason why i love it and also someone who

likes to do a lot of things, there so many times where you might be somewhere like in the doctor's office and it's nice to just pull it out of your bag and have it there with you and you feel so productive when you have a scarf or a sweater done afterwards. i’sere when you have a scarf or a sweater done afterwards.— done afterwards. i've guess to needles here, _ done afterwards. i've guess to needles here, red _ done afterwards. i've guess to needles here, red or - done afterwards. i've guess to needles here, red or white i done afterwards. i've guess to i needles here, red or white thread, very briefly what do i do? . i have some here _ very briefly what do i do? . i have some here with _ very briefly what do i do? . i have some here with me _ very briefly what do i do? . i have some here with me to _ very briefly what do i do? . i have some here with me to so - very briefly what do i do? . i have some here with me to so you i very briefly what do i do? . i have some here with me to so you are| some here with me to so you are going to take your needles and while you're actually going to start with one because there's two parts to song registry the very start of knitting. i song registry the very start of knittint. . ., song registry the very start of knittint. _, ., ,., ., knitting. i feel it come about to eat it i knitting. i feel it come about to eat it i don't — knitting. i feel it come about to eat it i don't know. _ knitting. i feel it come about to eat it i don't know. a _ knitting. i feel it come about to eat it i don't know. a little i knitting. i feel it come about to eat it i don't know. a little bit. | eat it i don't know. a little bit. take care _ eat it i don't know. a little bit. take care yarn _ eat it i don't know. a little bit. take care yarn and _ eat it i don't know. a little bit. take care yarn and make i eat it i don't know. a little bit. | take care yarn and make a long eat it i don't know. a little bit. i take care yarn and make a long tail. whatever colour you want to start with. ., and whatever colour you want to start with.- and you're _ whatever colour you want to start with.- and you're going i whatever colour you want to start with. read. and you're going to make a sli-knot.

with. read. and you're going to make a slipknot- just _ with. read. and you're going to make a slipknot. just an _ with. read. and you're going to make a slipknot. just an easy _ with. read. and you're going to make a slipknot. just an easy little... you jump from step one to step 100! i will do my own kind of slipknot. that's some kind of immature one. —— amateur. i've got a loop. i don't know if you can see me doing this i'm slightly hoping you cannot. you 'ust use i'm slightly hoping you cannot. you just use one _ i'm slightly hoping you cannot. gm. just use one needle at first. that will help. and then now that you have that loop you have these two tales. so with your index finger in your thumb you make an l and you're going to penchant together and you are going to go through the two so that you are kind of making a little person almost. that you are kind of making a little person almost-— that you are kind of making a little person almost. how long a second or two did it take _ person almost. how long a second or two did it take you _ person almost. how long a second or two did it take you to _

person almost. how long a second or two did it take you to do _ person almost. how long a second or two did it take you to do your - two did it take you to do your wedding dress? ih two did it take you to do your wedding dress?— wedding dress? in this, that was nine months. _ wedding dress? in this, that was nine months. did _ wedding dress? in this, that was nine months. did it— wedding dress? in this, that was nine months. did it look- wedding dress? in this, that was nine months. did it look good i wedding dress? in this, that was nine months. did it look good in| wedding dress? in this, that was i nine months. did it look good in the end? it nine months. did it look good in the end? it was — nine months. did it look good in the end? it was very — nine months. did it look good in the end? it was very special. _ nine months. did it look good in the end? it was very special. that i nine months. did it look good in the end? it was very special. that looksj end? it was very special. that looks fantastic. it's _ end? it was very special. that looks fantastic. it's a _ end? it was very special. that looks fantastic. it's a dress _ end? it was very special. that looks fantastic. it's a dress i _ end? it was very special. that looks fantastic. it's a dress i will- fantastic. it's a dress i will alwa s fantastic. it's a dress i will always cherish. _ fantastic. it's a dress i will always cherish. i- fantastic. it's a dress i will always cherish. i wonder l fantastic. it's a dress i will. always cherish. i wonder how fantastic. it's a dress i will- always cherish. i wonder how long it would take me _ always cherish. i wonder how long it would take me to _ always cherish. i wonder how long it would take me to do _ always cherish. i wonder how long it would take me to do a _ always cherish. i wonder how long it would take me to do a scarf, - would take me to do a scarf, probably six to nine months orjust one sleeve of a shirt. her fleet centre was a christmas present is based on the technique you have taught me. i really do appreciate that, thank you so much. the white house just now, the the white housejust now, the us president has called on governor andrew cuomo to resign. mr biden made these remarks on the day that allegations have been made against

andrew cuomo following a five—month probe into his conduct and allegations of sexual harassment against him. charges he denies. to stay with us. hello. no heatwave on the way here any time soon. in fact, temperatures very much in the summer comfort zone, a degree or so either side of average depending on where you are in the uk. as we look at our temperature anomaly map for the whole of europe, the north—west is actually a little bit cooler than average at the moment, but the heat is certainly on into the south—east. an extreme heatwave here, dangerous heat and wildfires and temperatures rising into the upper 40s. now it will gradually cool here later in the week and into the weekend. this area of low pressure will take some storms and a cold front through with somewhat cooler air. but the uk will turn a little bit cooler because there will be low pressure right across us. it will be wetter and windier too. we're not there yet. and actually for wednesday, quite a bit of fine weather on the way.

pleasantly warm, sunny spells, but just as we've seen in the past few days, there will be a scattering of showers and thunderstorms developing during the day. they'll be very hit and miss — perhaps a greater chance of picking them up in northern england, though, compared with the past few days. but away from these, in those sunny spells, temperatures widely reaching in towards the low 20s. as we get on into wednesday evening, any of these heavy downpours that have developed, most of them will fade away, but some will continue to affect parts of northern ireland and western scotland into the night, close to this weather front. and then as we go into thursday, it's all about this area of low pressure, which will take a full four days to move in and then move away from the uk. thursday is the moving—in day, so it will come in with a band of showery rain, some heavy downpours. even to the east of that, although some places will stay dry, there will be a few showers and storms developing during the day. there will be some pleasantly warm, sunny spells too, but it will also be turning windier on thursday, and those brisk winds will continue into friday as well, particularly around some southern

and western coasts, gusting around 40mph or so. not as windy as it was with storm evert, but still, it's an area of low pressure that's right across the uk for friday. and again, spiralling around that will be bands of rain or showers, the potential for some disruptive thundery downpours on friday. there is a risk of seeing some flooding from some of these as well, although by no means everybody will catch them. temperatures are just a little bit lower. so that takes us into the weekend. low pressure still across us, just beginning to nudge away a little bit further northwards. another set of weather fronts coming in towards southern england as well. some uncertainty about this, but they may pep up some thundery downpours here, and as you can see from the picture on saturday, it's messy. won't be many places that avoid a downpour at some stage of the day, but not necessarily wet all day long, and in between, there will be some bright or sunny spells. the low—pressure system is still here for part two of the weekend, but it is slowly continuing its journey away from us. still be quite breezy over the weekend, as it will be on sunday, a westerly

breeze coming in. looks like most of the showers, maybe some longer spells of rain will be into scotland, but there will be a few showers elsewhere. but perhaps fewer showers, and without the same intensity as we've had on the previous days. but for the most part, with that wind direction, we're talking temperatures in the teens. and then looking into next week, the low pressure finally moves out of the way. a ridge of high pressure comes in to settle things for a time, but then another area of low pressure looks to come our way. it's further north, this one, may well take initially the bulk of its wet weather towards the north—west of the uk, which for many areas could do with a bit of rain this summer. maybe not much rain towards the south—east, but some areas here have been very wet so far this summer. that's your latest weather for the week ahead.