and will vote for whoever it is that can unseat the conservative candidate in that particular constituency. now obviously in mid bedfordshire we don't have polls in mid bedfordshire, we have the national picture and what's then going to matter is which kinds of voters split to which kinds of parties and if it's split three ways, which it could very well do, and if it essentially then is a three way marginal constituency, despite it being historically a conservative constituency since 1930s, then in that case, it really is potentially on a knife edge. but strong voices from a local, independent and other national parties. i'm offering something completely different from what we've had before. the political parties have let down the voters here on numerous occasions, so i'm offering a much more in—touch approach to all of the people where they can feel that they're

actually getting the political representation that they deserve from someone who cares deeply about this area. looking at the news and what's happening around the world, i think people understand the climate needs to be at the centre of government policy and unfortunately westminster isn't listening. the green party is saying that we can fight the climate crisis and the cost of living crisis in tandem. it doesn't have to be one or the other and it doesn't have to cost us a lot of money. i think we've seen 30 or 40 years of gradual decline and the successive governments seem to manage it as if it's a decline to be controlled rather than treating the country as an opportunity to be embraced. i don't think we're finished as a country. i think we've got a great future in front of us. but it takes a government with vision, ideas and commitment. a quiet corner of the country

is given its say. sometimes that can resonate. telling us about the political direction of the country as a whole. nick there. seven candidates, that we know of, have so far said they're standing in the mid—bedfordshire by—election on october 19th. their names are on your screen now. so let's take a look at some of the front pages. in the telegraph, front page picture of daniel khalife, the absconded prisoner. in the guardian, the escape of terror suspect from the present cuts row and on the right, 5 million vapes being binned each week. and in the times, another picture of a very young —looking officer during his army training which police believe may have helped him evade capture after his escape from wandsworth prison on wednesday. that's just about all from us tonight.

i'll be back tomorrow. till then, sleep well. and we leave you with the winner of this year's mercury prize. ezra collective. goodnight. wood so remarkable about this case is that even as the department of justice is screening this case, they have a policy for more than 50 years that says people like me, senior white house advisers, illegals are present cannot be compelled to testify before congress.

it will make all the assistance they can't make as much progress as possible before this year draws to a close. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. five former metropolitan police officers have pleaded guilty to sending offensive racist messages on whatsapp. some of the messages, which came to light after an investigation carried out by the bbc�*s newsnight programme, were about the duchess of sussex and the prime minister rishi sunak. all of the men had already retired from the police. the conservative mp, chris pincher is standing down, after losing his appeal against an eight week suspension from the commons over groping allegations, which allegedly took place at a club away from the houses of parliament. the decision will trigger

a by—election in his constituency. network rail has admitted a series of health and safety failings connected to a train derailment in scotland, in which three people died. the rail operator says a number of errors contributed to the crash at stonehaven in bad weather in 2020. you're live with bbc news. california's legislature has become the first in the us to approve a bill banning caste discrimination. the caste system in india dates back over 3,000 years — and divides hindu society into rigid hierarchical groups. us lawmakers say the measure will protect people of south asian descent from unfair treatment. the state's governor must now decide whether to sign the bill into law —

amid arguments from some hindu group that the caste system is not a serious issue in north america. live now to thenmozhi soundararajan, an indian—american dalit rights activist and the executive director of equality labs, who campaigned in support of the california bill. how important was it for the state to bring in a law like this? wonderful to be here theyjust want to emphasise how crucial it was that this bill_ to emphasise how crucial it was that this bill was— to emphasise how crucial it was that this bill was brought up in the state — this bill was brought up in the state of— this bill was brought up in the state of california across united states _ state of california across united states and we are hearing greater reports _ states and we are hearing greater reports of — states and we are hearing greater reports of severe discrimination on the basis _ reports of severe discrimination on the basis of— reports of severe discrimination on the basis of this and i think it is important — the basis of this and i think it is important for the audience to know what we're — important for the audience to know what we're talking about caste, we are talking — what we're talking about caste, we are talking about global systems priorities— are talking about global systems priorities based on discrimination. this is— priorities based on discrimination. this is a _ priorities based on discrimination. this is a very large caste system of

immigrants— this is a very large caste system of immigrants coming from the united states— immigrants coming from the united states but— immigrants coming from the united states but other communities that experience caste discrimination. muslim — experience caste discrimination. muslim communities in somalia and europe _ muslim communities in somalia and europe it _ muslim communities in somalia and europe it is— muslim communities in somalia and europe. it is actually very globally recognised category and we are hearing — recognised category and we are hearing from those communities that are experiencing severe discrimination. in the quality labs, one discrimination. in the quality labs, ohe irr— discrimination. in the quality labs, one in four— discrimination. in the quality labs, one in four people have faced physical— one in four people have faced physical assault and educational discrimination and two out of three workpiece — discrimination and two out of three workplace discrimination. this data is backed _ workplace discrimination. this data is backed by thousands of testimonies of people who have experienced discrimination in housing — experienced discrimination in housing workplace and that is why we have worked with the senator to bring _ have worked with the senator to bring this— have worked with the senator to bring this bill forward because just one case _ bring this bill forward because just ohe case is— bring this bill forward because just one case is already one case too much _ one case is already one case too much and — one case is already one case too much and the discrimination looks like trafficking, wage theft, it

looks — like trafficking, wage theft, it looks like disparate hiring practices, slurs in the workplace and sexual— practices, slurs in the workplace and sexual assault and harassment. severe _ and sexual assault and harassment. severe enough that the american bar association, southeast asian bar association, southeast asian bar association and all of them represent tens of thousands of lawyers, — represent tens of thousands of lawyers, came out strongly in favour past equity— lawyers, came out strongly in favour past equity in this was brought forward — some hindu groups in the us have argued against the proposal saying it will discriminate against hindus and that caste discrimination is already illegal under state law. how would you respond to that? i think what is important to recognise that any time you talk atrout— recognise that any time you talk about civii— recognise that any time you talk about civil rights, and it's a nerve _ about civil rights, and it's a nerve in _ about civil rights, and it's a nerve. in the united states, we are not a _ nerve. in the united states, we are not a stranger to that, we know them was of— not a stranger to that, we know them was of the _ not a stranger to that, we know them was of the civil rights movement fighting — was of the civil rights movement fighting for the rights of black americans and all people of colour, peopie _ americans and all people of colour, people were lynched, churches were

bombed _ people were lynched, churches were bombed and we have empathy for her oppohehts _ bombed and we have empathy for her opponents were concerned that their ability— opponents were concerned that their ability to— opponents were concerned that their ability to preserve the right to discriminate might be impacted. however— discriminate might be impacted. however we keep in mind but the losses— however we keep in mind but the losses here and what we have this broad _ losses here and what we have this broad consensus of the federal level and state _ broad consensus of the federal level and state level that caste is poor covered — and state level that caste is poor covered under existing categories but what — covered under existing categories but what is needed is clarification because — but what is needed is clarification because it — but what is needed is clarification because it is not listed that employees, or going to go to companies like this and sharing of experiences of discrimination, the companies — experiences of discrimination, the companies are unclear and whether first corporations to be sued on the basis _ first corporations to be sued on the basis of caste discrimination in the united _ basis of caste discrimination in the united states, despite that being currently— united states, despite that being currently in mediation, they have not only— currently in mediation, they have not only added to their policies, they put— not only added to their policies, they put in a public blog posting 2020 _ they put in a public blog posting 2020 that they want the legislature to added _ 2020 that they want the legislature to added as a protected categories there _ to added as a protected categories there is— to added as a protected categories there is clarity on this issue. the reality— there is clarity on this issue. the reality is— there is clarity on this issue. the

reality is completely lawful to add this as _ reality is completely lawful to add this as a _ reality is completely lawful to add this as a protected category but the only people it impacts it it discriminates against drugs clarifying and making it clear. and our opponents are also protected by the spiii~ _ our opponents are also protected by the spiii~ it — our opponents are also protected by the spill. it is a civil rights bill and _ the spill. it is a civil rights bill and we — the spill. it is a civil rights bill and we needed to remedy discrimination but also to bring reconciliation and healing of the basis _ reconciliation and healing of the basis of— reconciliation and healing of the basis of the system. a jury has found donald trump's former trade adviser, peter navarro, guilty on two counts of contempt of congress, for defying a subpoena to give evidence on the storming of the us capitol in 2021. mr navarro had refused to testify or provide documents to a congressional committee investigating the riot by mr trump's supporters. he spoke outside court, saying he'll appeal. what's so remarkable about this case is that even as the department

ofjustice was bringing this case, they had a policy for more than 50 years that says people like me, senior white house advisers, alter—egos in present cannot be compelled to testify before congress. our washington correspondent, gary o'donoghue has more. this relates of course, to peter navarro's plan, what he called the green bay sweep, and a refreshing reference to that end run by the green bay packers to overturn the election results on january the sixth. now, this wasn't a trial about that plan. it was a trial about him refusing to appear before congress. he's now been found guilty on both charges. he could get up to a year in prison on either of them and up to $100,000 fine. and he's going to be sentenced in january.

and he said that he will appeal and may even file for a mistrial, but he's the second one to be convicted. steve bannon, you remember, charged with the same things, got four months. he's still waiting for his appeal to be heard. what you are about to see, is one of the few public photographs ofjonny kitigawa who was the head ofjapan�*s biggest pop talent agency until his death four years ago. japanese pop — orj pop as it's known — is a huge industry — and last week there was shock when investigators found kitagawa "extensively" abused hundreds of boys and young men at the agency over a six—decade career. he neverfaced criminal prosecution. on thursday, his niece — the current chief executive of the agency — resigned and offered a public apology to her uncle's victims. our tokyo correspondent shaimaa khalil reports. injapan, home to the world's second biggest music market, one company has dominated for decades. johnny and associates is the country's biggestj—pop star—maker, but for years rumours of sexual abuse have surrounded the founder of the all—male talent agency, the latejohnny kitagawa.

now, a sign of respect and remorse, in a hugely significant moment. before stepping down as ceo, julie fujishima has for the first time admitted that abuse of young boys had taken place in her uncle's organisation. translation: both the agency itself and myself as a person _ recognise that six abuse byjohnny kitagawa took place. i apologise to his victims from the bottom of my heart. the agency had promised to compensate the victims, some of whom had been watching. translation: | believe that | an agency that retains johnny's name should not exist. she acknowledged and sincerely apologised for what happened, i but it's not like the emotional scars have gone. _ it is very difficult to overstate the clout, the power,

the influence thatjohnny kitagawa held overjapan�*s entertainment industry. if you were a young japanese teenager who wanted to become a pop star, who wanted to break through, his agency was your gateway. pressure grew on the agency when the allegations resurfaced earlier this year in a bbc documentary where one of the victims, who wanted to remain anonymous, told our colleague mobeen azhar that their career would have been harmed if they did not comply with kitagawa's sexual demands. translation: jonny told me, "go and have a bath". - johnny filled up the bath. i thought, "isn't he kind? " but then he reached for my trousers. - later several boys told me, "you have to put up with it| or you won't succeed". more people came forward with their stories after the documentary, including j—pop star kauan okamoto, who said he was abused by kitagawa when he was 15. last week an independent investigation found

that the entertainment mogul had abused hundreds of boys repeatedly over six decades, and that the family's management of the firm had allowed the assault to continue. it's not clear yet how this scandal will change japan's entertainment industry, with an empire and a brand that has been synonymous with the country's pop culture publicly disgraced. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, tokyo. before we go, one more story for you, currently the most read on the bbc website, a yoga class in the uk has been mistaken for a �*ritual mass murder�* scene. it happened at a village in lincolnshire when members of the public saw several people lying on the floor and reported it to police. officers rushed to the scene only to discover seven yoga students in the relaxation part of the class with candles burning. you have been watching newsday. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello there. temperatures have been creeping up day—by—day and on thursday we saw the warmest day of the year so far in wisley in surrey. 32.6 celsius, rounding up to 33 degrees. now, most places ended thursday on a dry, warm and muggy note, but some pretty ferocious thunderstorms, northern ireland through scotland have been raging. they will continue to clear the way northwards of the early part of friday and then we'll start to see some low cloud, mist and fog rolling in off the north sea, affecting eastern scotland and north—east england. a very warm and muggy nights come for all areas, particularly across the south. so we start off with this grey, misty, foggy weather across eastern scotland through the firth of forth and across north—east england.

it will gradually burn back to the north sea coast as we move through the morning. so sunshine will make an appearance here fairly quickly, but for most it's another dry, sunny and hot and humid day. a bit of high cloud building across england and wales later on. then we could start to see some thundery showers pushing into the south—west of england as we push into the evening. mid to high 20 celsius, up to 29 degrees or so for north—east scotland, low 30s for south—east england, another hot day to come. through friday night, we could see these showers, thunderstorms becoming a bit more extensive across central and northern areas, but of mist and murk around some coasts. otherwise, for most, it's another dry and a warm, muggy night. so into saturday then, we start off with plenty of sunshine around it'll feel very humid at this point. start to see more wind, cloud, breeze picking up for north—west of scotland with this weather front. ahead of it will start to see some showers and thunderstorms breaking out. certainly across scotland, northern ireland, maybe northern parts of england and wales.

very hot on saturday, we could be up to 33 celsius again in the south—east. temperatures will be coming down, though, in the north—west. for sunday we start to see some changes — the air starts to destabilise from the atlantic as these weather fronts encroach in. so although much of england wales will have another hot and sunny day, there is the threat of showers and thunderstorms becoming more widespread in the north and the west. temperatures will be coming down across scotland and northern ireland closer to the seasonal norm, but still another hot day for england and wales with 30 celsius or so in the south—east. the heat lasts for monday across south—eastern areas, but then all areas will be cooler with sunshine and showers for the rest of the week.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines at the top of the hour as newsday continues, straight after hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur, today on the shores of lake como in northern italy at the annual ambrosetti forum, where power brokers from across the world gather to talk geopolitics. in this era of great power rivalries, there is much focus on political uncertainty in the united states, with a presidential election looming next year. my guest is republican senator lindsey graham — an ally of donald trump. is the seemingly never—ending trump soap opera about to

plunge the us into turmoil?