welcome to newsday — reporting live from the headlines... huw edwards is named

as the bbc presenter — explicit images. leaders of the g7 pledge security guarantees for kyiv, withjoe biden and rishi sunak both stressing ukraine willjoin nato. translation: i believe that we will be in nato l and we will be finished. palestinian president mahmoud abbas has made a brief after twelve people were killed in a raid by israel. and it's emmy season... the nominations are in, and hbo drama succession is in full force with 27 nominations this is bbc news. it's newsday.

hello and welcome to the programme. he's one of the most recognisable faces on british television, anchoring coverage of major national and international events. but now, huw edwards, the lead anchor of the bbc�*s news at ten, has been revealed as the man at the centre of allegations, over the payment of thousands of pounds, to a young person for explicit pictures. he was identified in a statement on his behalf by his wife, who said he's now receiving inpatient" hospital care, having suffered a "serious mental health episode", after what have been five extremely difficult days. huw edwards has not resigned from the bbc. the announcement came a few minutes after the metropolitan police, having reviewed the allegations, said there's no evidence of a criminal offence having been committed. as the bbc resumes its own inquiry into his conduct,

the sun newspaper says it won't be printing any more claims. there are questions over the conduct of the tabloid in its first reporting of the allegations. here's our culture editor, katie razzle. tonight at ten, we are in edinburgh where the king has been presented with the crown jewels of scotland. named, and likely a huge shock to many viewers. this ceremony was steeped in tradition. wednesday was the last time huw edwards appeared on bbc news, that night from edinburgh. the next day, the bbc quietly took him off air. now, the secret that has been speculated upon across social media for days is public. ——huw edwards, the main face of the bbc�*s flagship news at ten, for two decades, is the presenter at the centre of allegations of misconduct. this evening, his wife released a statement, naming her husband...

she said her husband had been first told of the allegations last thursday. moments earlier, the metropolitan police had confirmed it was not investigating, that there was no evidence to suggest

a criminal offence had been committed in the case. the bbc had responded, saying, having paused its investigation yesterday at the request of the police, it would now restart it with a thorough assessment, while continuing to be mindful of its duty of care to all involved. for many, the processing of this news isjust beginning. he is the face of bbc in many ways, particularly in terms of news, absolutely. i don't think it is quite such a shock. i think this speculation has been so rampant for the last few days that it is more a relief in a sense than a shock. the sun broke the story in its saturday paper, alleging that a high profile, unnamed presenter at the bbc had paid £35,000 to a much younger person for sexually explicit images, beginning when the young individual was 17. more allegations were front page every day since, although on monday, the lawyer for the young person said the story was rubbish and nothing criminal had taken place. some will now be asking

whether the sun has questions to answer for its decisions. tonight the paper said... it added that it at no point in the original story alleged why are we not saying to the sun newspaper, you published these allegations, you asked the bbc to give the detail you wouldn't give, what is the sun's response? has it got photographs, details of bank transfers and so on? it has not put them forward and a lot of former tabloid editors are asking the same questions. but we must not forget that huw edwards is suspended from the bbc. he may not be facing a criminal investigation but he is accused of potential misconduct and if true, there is a family and a young person who are also in trauma. in recent years, huw edwards has publicly shared his struggles with mental health

in a welsh documentary. i have talked to him about his depression several times in the past. i think it is good that people feel able and willing to be open about their mental health. i know exactly what the thinking will be behind that and some of our newspapers tonight, as vicki friend makes that appeals for privacy. if the guy talks about his mental love and ends up in hospital, that's a legitimate thing to cover. the future of the united kingdom is uncertain. now the man who has held viewers�* hands through some of the most significant moments of the nation's history is asking to be left in private. that is bbc news at ten... whether he can find a way back to health and broadcasting is a question for the future. katie razzall reporting. 0ur news correspondent, charlotte gallagher, joins me now. charlotte, a lot has happened in the last few hours — talk us through the latest.

it has been a really fast moving day. lots of developments. sojust before 6pm uk time, the metropolitan police issued a statement saying they looked into the allegations against hugh edwards, but they found no evidence of a criminal offence. they were not moving forward. it was now bbc internal matter. just a few minutes later, we get a statement from the wife of huw edwards identifying him as the bbc presenter at the centre of these allegations, saying that her and her family had had a really terrible five days, as you can well imagine. it's been a drip, drip, drip of allegations, accusations and of course a lot of pressure on huw edwards to name himself as the person behind these allegations. we also heard from huw edwards's wife that he is now in hospital. he's had a severe mental health episode and is now being treated

inpatient, so we don't know when he will be released, when he will be well enough, because he will be well enough, because he does want to address the allegations that have been made against him. he has spoken a lot about his mental health recently saying that he suffered from severe depression over the past 20 years. but real flurry of allegations over the last five days, and it's culminated in this. huw edwards being named as this presenter. i mean from it's fair to call him the face of bbc news. he announced the death of queen elizabeth, he worked on her funeral, then the coronation of king charles, remembering sunday events. huw edwards king charles, remembering sunday had nts. huw edwards king charles, remembering sunday had a s. huw edwards king charles, remembering sunday had a big iuw edwards king charles, remembering sunday had a big partedwards king charles, remembering sunday had a big part in vards king charles, remembering sunday had a big part in those. always had a big part in those. he really is known basically by everyone in the united kingdom. i don't think i'm over stating that. so it's become a huge shock for people learning that he is the presenter behind all of this. . �* �* , of this. that bbc will resume its fact-finding _

of this. that bbc will resume i its fact-finding investigation, its fact—finding investigation, but at the same time, some critics, as we heard in the report earlier, some critics accusing the paper that they may be accusing the paper that they may he should not to publish the report if there was no criminal activity.- the report if there was no criminal activity. they have indeed and _ criminal activity. they have indeed and questions - criminal activity. they have indeed and questions are i criminal activity. they have i indeed and questions are now being asked of the newspaper, why did you go ahead and publish this story if it was simply about the private life of a famous person? and there weren't any criminal activities, however, the newspaper have said that these were really serious allegations that were brought to them by the family of a young person. they say they never named huw edwards or the young person involved. they now said they want be reporting any more allegations about huw edwards for the time being and said they will hand over their dossier of evidence to the bbc while it completes its internal investigation. 0ne while it completes its internal investigation. one of the big questions that will be asked is why did it take so long? the

family came to the bbc in may why did it take so long? the fam told me to the bbc in may why did it take so long? the fam told them the bbc in may why did it take so long? the fam told them about bc in may why did it take so long? the fam told them about something and told them about something involving huw edwards, and it wasn't until last he wasn't until last week that he wasn't until last week that he was told about it and taken off air. so a lot for air. so a lot of questions for the bbc to answer, the paper and still huw edwards. charlotte, thank you so much for that update for now. leaders from the g7 group of wealthy nations have announced a new security pact with ukraine. alliance in lithuania. those security commitments are a broad international framework to deliver modern advanced military equipment, such as fighter jets, training, and intelligence—sharing. its been welcomed by president zelensky who has swallowed his disappointment at the lack a of a timetable for ukraine tojoin nato. elsewhere, president erdogan has warned sweden's membership of nato won't be ratified until at least october. and the british defence secretary ben wallace has caused a stir by saying that

people wanted to see "gratitude" from ukraine in relation to western aid. in a moment we'll hear from president zelensky — but first here's us presidentjoe biden. today, the members of the g7 are launching a joint declaration of support for ukraine to make it clear that our support will last long into the future. this starts a process by which of each of our nations and then the other nation that wishes to participate will negotiate long bilateral security commitments to ukraine. we are going to help ukraine build a strong capable across land air and sea, from which we will for us, there will be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats. deter against any and all threate— deter against any and all threats. ., . ., ., threats. the outcome of the nato summit _ threats. the outcome of the nato summit in _ threats. the outcome of the nato summit in vilnius - threats. the outcome of the nato summit in vilnius is i threats. the outcome of the i nato summit in vilnius is very much—needed and meaningful success— much—needed and meaningful success for ukraine. and i am grateful— success for ukraine. and i am grateful all leaders in need to

are very— grateful all leaders in need to are very practical and presenting support, considering our support for ukraine. today, there _ our support for ukraine. today, there are — our support for ukraine. today, there are security guarantees for ukraine on the way to nato, and an— for ukraine on the way to nato, and an important package of security— and an important package of security guarantees. today, we are coordinating with our g7 countries, _ are coordinating with our g7 countries, the framework for a security— countries, the framework for a security guarantee that shall be further extended through arrangements with our key partners. bilateraland partners. bilateral and multilateral agreements, and ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security victory for ukraine, for our— security victory for ukraine, for our country, for our pe0ple. _ for our country, for our people, for our children. it opens— people, for our children. it opens for— people, for our children. it opens for us absolutely new security _ opens for us absolutely new security opportunities, and i think— security opportunities, and i think of— security opportunities, and i think of one who made it possible. —— ithink think of one who made it possible. —— i think everyone who— possible. —— i think everyone who made _ possible. —— i think everyone who made it possible.

our correspondent lewis vaughan jones is in vilnius — he has more, along with our europe editor katya adler. the nato summit here in vilnius in lithuania is being dismantled. for the last two days, this is exactly where world leaders have walked through and spoken to the world's media and given their commitments, particularly, of course, to ukraine. now it's wrapped up, let's get an assessment from our europe editor, katya adler. katya, what is your assessment then of where this leads ukraine and president zelensky, because just before this summit started, it was a blistering start, saying it would be absurd not to get a specific timeline for ukraine tojoin nato. that didn't happen, but how do you think president zelensky will be viewing it now? so can i think it's important not to get hung up on those kind of headlines, because when you leave this summit, you are in no doubt that the west is united behind ukraine and against russian aggression. i mean, that's extremely clear. for the short, the medium in the long term. i think like you have seen

at the summit is that tension that exists between the realities of war on the one hand, so, you know, ukraine being decimated, the security situation across the air being offended, which leads to those kinds of pledges and promises and support from the nato leaders, so that, on the one hand, but on the other, the domestic political challenge that all these leaders face as well. so if we take president zelensky, for example, his suffering people think he should be able to rack appear and say, we want these weapons and that weapons, we want them lethal, we want to membership of nato and we want it as soon as possible, and because of what they are going through, they think that could and should happen, but, of course and he can'tjust snap his fingers like that. and you have a look atjoe biden. i mean, he has taken a real leadership role over ukraine here in europe, but he is facing reelection in the united states next year and is facing a really delicate political tight rope there. and if you look at the uk's rishi sunak references emanuel background, their countries are facing a cost—of—living crisis, and the people who live there, they may not be happy for a long term to give ukraine

the sort of carte blanch when it comes to military and financial aid. so, you know, it is tricky. katya, thank you so much for that. and just to emphasise that message that you were just talking their unity coming out of nato, joe biden in his speech after this nato summit said one phrase, continued support of the us and the world for ukraine, he is the phrase, "we will not waver." around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. insulting the scheme to stop because he is worlds closest just skulls at peak times, including the one outside this rochester primary. to including the one outside this rochester primary.— rochester primary. to be honest. _ rochester primary. to be honest. i— rochester primary. to be honest, i think _ rochester primary. to be honest, i think it's - rochester primary. to be honest, i think it's a - rochester primary. to be | honest, i think it's a great idea. yeah, it can get to manic, especially around any of these areas because there are a

lot of schools in traffic. it lot of schools in traffic. if it does i had come of the scheme will be similar to the sun in london. drivers caught on camera during drop—off and pick—up times will be fined unless they residence, have businesses in the street or are working at the school.- businesses in the street or are working at the school. what we see in london _ working at the school. what we see in london and _ working at the school. what we see in london and in _ working at the school. what we see in london and in other - see in london and in other places or people choosing other types of transport commits a potentially car sharing, but also looking at walking and cycling to school, which has the concurrent air impact of reducing air pollution as well. with the consultation are over, counsellors will decide whether and where the scheme should go ahead. for more news from across the uk, had to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. the palestinian president mahmoud abbas visited the west bank city of jenin on wednesday. his visit comes just days after three of his senior officials were forced to flee a funeral by crowds who were furious at their response to the two—day long israeli assault last week. our correspondent tom bateman

reports from jenin. the palestinian president came just inside the camp. you can see the entrance there. and this was all about the symbolism of coming to a place he's not been for two decades. leadership had long lost the faith of many, many palestinians, a process that's been increasing, and particularly here atjenin refugee camp, the official palestinian leadership, but they've been official security forces. now, he came in and we had utterly chaotic scenes as his entourage brought him through, and his presidential and he then stood and spoke.

leadership, is the fact that his microphone didn't work to start with and indeed stopped working. it was cutting in and out throughout a lot of the speech. it was quite hard to make out much of what was being said. assault of last week. but what this was about was trying to stamp his authority, but control that really is an illusion that doesn't returns to the devastation, the impoverishment, of a new generation of palestinian militants. and that is why this may do something to galvanise some support here among his fatah party and people who had already believed in his leadership. but in terms of the wider picture, this crisis and this crisis of security on the occupied west bank goes on.

let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. japanese tv personality ryuchell has been found dead by their manager at their agency's office in tokyo. the cause of death hasn't been confirmed, but police said they're investigating suicide. 27—year—old ryuchell became an influential lgbtq figure injapan, and was well—known for their genderless style of dressing — but they were frequently hundreds of pro—democracy protesters gathered in the upcoming election. pita was dealt a major setback when two separate complaints in italy, people have been

posting tensecond videos in the country. a judge acquitted a 66—year—old school caretaker accused of groping a 17—year—old student, saying it did not constitute a crime, because it lasted less than ten seconds. celebrities have also been posting videos on social media platforms, to show how long ten seconds can feel. (pres)t hursday the 13th ofjuly marks the first thursday the 13th of july marks the first anniversary of when former sri lankan president — gotabaya rajapaksa — fled the country, after months of mass protests against his governments handling of the worst economic crisis to hit the nation. since then, the country has received a bailout from the international monetary fund, and a new government has pledged to implement reforms to get the economy back on track. the crippling shortages in food, fuel and medicines have eased but the activists who led the protests say not

much has changed. the bbc s archana shukla reports. a year ago, i was here at the seaside expanse in colombo. and behind me, this area was full of protesters rejoicing the ousting of the then president, gotabaya rajapaksa, who was forced to flee the country. thousands had been camping here for months, protesting the economic mismanagement of the government that led the country into the economic crisis and demanding a regime change. the feeling then was very optimistic. but one year on, many activists say the country didn't get the change it demanded. melanie gunathilaka was one of the protesters camping here last year. what the youth wanted, i think, was accountability and transparency in decision making, and that hasn't happened. so even the decisions that have been taken

with the imf or the conditions, they were not done melanie says she has been arrested twice for participating in demonstrations. the government has also proposed a new the right to freedom of assembly and speech. the government says this is needed to maintain stability. the reason that there are no protests is because of and every time when people get out, when they have to face repression time and time again, people naturally get scared. a few weeks after fleeing, former president rajapaksa returned to the country. he now lives in a government bungalow and many members of his cabinet are back at the parliament. but for many sri lankans, the economic distress continues, burdened by soaring prices and new tax hikes.

there are questions raised over whether president wickramasinghe has enough public support to carry on with the difficult decisions needed to turn around the economy. critics say his decision not to hold early elections and not enough communication and transparency over hard hitting reforms is fuelling mistrust. one year on, the government is still striving to gain this public trust. the celebrated czech—born writer, milan kundera — who's best known for his novel the unbearable lightness of being — has died at the age of ninety—four. of being — has died at the age of 94. kundera left what was then czechoslovakia in the mid—19705 amid repression by the soviet— backed government and relocated to france. he became a french citizen after being stripped of his homeland's citizenship, although this was restored four years ago. this year's emmy nominations

have been announced and there's one drama that's scooped the pool. succession is up for 27 awards — the highest number of nominations this year. it's followed by — post—apocalyptic drama, the last of us. but trade publication, variety, is reporting that the television academy is debating whether to push back the ceremony — as the industry waits to see if the actors' union goes on strike this week. our correspondent peter bowes is following this story for us from los angeles and explained what could happen if a deal isn't reached. it'll mean that many of those shows, whether it's a sitcom or a drama, are very likely to be delayed in terms of future episodes, the opening of the next season. a lot of shows, of course, are already, to use the expression, in the can. they've already been made. so there might not be an immediate effect with with some of those shows, but certainly, especially as far as the streaming services are concerned and broadcast television as well, there is likely to be, depending on how long a strike goes on, if indeed it is

called, there could belong delays and it could affect movies, of course, as well. movies set for release next year may be delayed for a full year for 12 months if the studios don't believe that they can be properly made. the other impact and the big area of discussion today, and you mentioned the emmy nominations is to whether the emmys ceremony can actually go ahead as normal. it's scheduled for september the 18th. and there are discussions going on right now in los angeles as to whether to delay the emmys, the handing out of the awards until november or possibly january to try to avoid any potential strike. that's it for the programme. thank you so much for watching newsday. hello. if you thought summer had already taken a bit of a back—seat, just wait till friday and into the weekend. this is the area of low pressure that's developing. it will be responsible for some big changes.

before that arrives, and as one area of low pressure pulls away into scandinavia, into a slightly quieter spell on thursday. still a few showers around to start the day in the north and the west. temperatures like they were on wednesday morning. but low pressure still close enough by for the shower clouds to bubble up once more. thing is, with thursday, there'll be fewer showers around. the heaviest of the showers, some will be across scotland, slow moving here. large rainfall totals for some, but equally, some will stay dry. northern ireland, england and wales, fewer showers by and large. many will spend the day, well, at least the bulk of it, dry. though, we'll start to see cloud gather towards the southwest. feel a touch warmer with winds that little bit lighter. now, into the evening, rain at times, northern ireland, but already the change is towards the southwest. this is the area of low pressure. and into the weekend. strongest of the winds, though, for friday, mainly towards the southwest

of the uk. rough seas developing too. some of it should become heavy and thundery. dry start elsewhere, a bit of patchy rain scotland stays dry throughout. outbreaks of rain, though, spread to much of england, wales, northern ireland, maybe not too much east anglia southeast until late in the day. and whilst temperatures high teens low 20s, the strengthening wind will start to make it feel a little bit cooler. and that cooler story continues into the weekend. an unseasonably windy spell through the weekend too. not what you want to see this stage injuly. low pressure by saturday, will be to the north far north of scotland and towards the south west on saturday than they will have been on friday. heavy thundery downpours quite widely across much of the uk. strong winds, making it feel rather cool as well,

despite seeing temperatures again, high teens and low 20s. winds strengthen for scotland on sunday. elsewhere, sunshine and blustery showers yet again.

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