vice president kamala harris and former president donald trump prepare for theirfirst presidential debate in philadelphia. the american actor james earljones, whose prolific career saw him lend his voice to darth vader, has died aged 93. iam your i am your father. hello, i'm sally bundock. more than 1,700 prisoners are to be released across england and wales, as part of an emergency bid to ease overcrowding in jails. some offenders who've served at least 40% of their sentences will be released. the government says that over the coming months, it will free up 5,500 more prison spaces.

0ur reporter adina campbell has more. 0ne one of the most dangerous and crowded jails in the uk. this was pentonville prison in north london last week. the bbc was given a rare access and within minutes... disorderwas given a rare access and within minutes... disorder was rife. in an attempt to fix a criminal justice system at breaking point, from today thousands of prisoners in england and wales will be released after serving 40% of the sentence rather than 50%. it 4096 of the sentence rather than 50%. ., , ., y 4096 of the sentence rather than 50%. ., _, ., ., 5096. it was the only option on the table and _ 5096. it was the only option on the table and that _ 5096. it was the only option on the table and that is _ 5096. it was the only option on the table and that is because i the table and that is because the table and that is because the alternative to not making this change would be to another prison system to collapse and therefore to allow law and order in this country to collapsible.— collapsible. but these emergency _ collapsible. but these emergency measures| collapsible. but these .

emergency measures are controversial with big concerns from some prison staff and campaigners about public safety and an increase in reoffending. they've got nowhere to live they fall back into drugtaking, they fall back into drugtaking, they have got mental health difficulties already, if they are not getting the support, treatment and stable housing the dangers they fall back on to reoffending or reach their licence conditions and end up inside anyway. licence conditions and end up inside anyway-— inside anyway. prison pepulation _ inside anyway. prison population in - inside anyway. prisonj population in england inside anyway. prison - population in england and inside anyway. prison _ population in england and wales at a record high with more than 88,000 people injail according to the bassist ministry of justice data, estimated 4000 extra male prisoners and around 1000 female inmates will be released over the next 18 months under these new measures, with the government hoping to free up five and a half thousand beds to hold newly sentenced criminals. those convicted of the most serious crimes such as murder, terrorism and domestic abuse are excluded from the programme. but for rebecca a

victim of domestic abuse, she is fearing the worst again. she recently received a letter saying her ex— partner who served time for domestic abuse would now be released early for a connected offence.— a connected offence. feels like a connected offence. feels like a slap on _ a connected offence. feels like a slap on the — a connected offence. feels like a slap on the wrist _ a connected offence. feels like a slap on the wrist and - a connected offence. feels like a slap on the wrist and told - a slap on the wrist and told not to be a naughty boy. 0ff not to be a naughty boy. off you go. was i had to deal with any damage he has done to me. it's tough. any damage he has done to me. it's tough-— it's tough. the conservative sa the it's tough. the conservative say the government - it's tough. the conservative say the government should | it's tough. the conservative - say the government should focus on building more prisons to help ease overcrowding. and for those charged with or convicted of offences related to the recent riots, all prison places are expected to be quickly filled in the coming weeks. adina campbell, bbc news. a lot more detail on the early release of prisoners on our website. do take a look on the

bbc news app. at least 40 people have been killed and dozens more injured in israeli strikes on a designated humanitarian zone, according to the hamas—run civil defence authority. local residents said three strikes targeted tents housing displaced people in al—mawasi, west of the city of khan younis. these are the latest pictures we have of search and rescue operations in the area. the israeli military said its aircraft attacked an operations centre in khan younis belonging to hamas fighters, and that it had taken steps to mitigate risk of harming civilians. eyewitnesses told the bbc large explosions rocked the al—mawasi area shortly after midnight and flames could be seen rising into the sky. with me is reporter at bbc arabic, said shehata. good morning. what more can you tell us about this?—

tell us about this? according to the civil _ tell us about this? according to the civil defence - tell us about this? according to the civil defence agency i tell us about this? according | to the civil defence agency in gaza, it said at least 40 people were killed, and 60 more than 60 at least injured because of airstrike, which hit tents in al—mawasi a designated humanitarian sign and since the start of the war people have been moving there. this area was almost empty a year ago, was almost empty a year ago, was like a ghost town, an area with no population there but now there is 180,000 people there, tents so the strike of there, tents so the strike of the israeli which the israeli army said it attacked a command centre operation for hamas fighters, hamas denied that and says it is a lie it is not true. so this attack is not the first one to happen, many attacks have happened before in al—mawasi. many un agencies and

humanitarian agencies say there is no place in gaza this is another example of how can you hit a place where the people are displaced people there, tents and about 20 tents were set alight because of the strike, in addition to that a huge crater in the area and rescue teams searching for survivors because of that. before injuly, the israeli army said they killed the head of the brigade which is the military wing of hamas, and this caused at least 92 people to be killed at the time. hamas inaudible so far, it shows this area which was a safe area was targeted several times before in this one is causing a huge stress because the humanitarian agencies say this area say there is no sanitary there, limited food and it is dehumanising conditions for this area. in addition to this

misery another airstrike. haw misery another airstrike. how does all of — misery another airstrike. how does all of this _ misery another airstrike. how does all of this impact - misery anotherairstrike. how does all of this impact peace talks or any hope of brokering some kind of deal in the near future? i some kind of deal in the near future? ~ , , future? i think this will put more pressure _ future? i think this will put more pressure on - future? i think this will put more pressure on the - future? i think this will put | more pressure on the sides future? i think this will put. more pressure on the sides to think twice again about any hope for any deal because the israeli prime minister insisting it is the only way to achieve the success of israel is to carry on the military operation there. we are going behind hamas fighters everywhere in gaza in order to eliminate them. so far it is not most over a year there is not most over a year there is no elimination for hamas, they have weakened hamas but hamas is still there, the future for any peace deal i think it would be a question mark about it, will it happen? many indicators that will not have because of the condition of mr netanyahu insisting on fighting and in

this context, the secretary of the united nations said yesterday it is the level of destruction and death he has never seen in his life. this adds more grim future for any peace deal to happen between hamas and israel. said shehata there. thank you very much indeed. life for afghanistan's 21 million women has become even tougher. three years after the taliban's return to power, a new law has been passed saying that women must cover their face and body completely if they leave the house and their voices cannot be heard in public. despite the risk to themselves, some women have spoken out and have been telling the bbc�*s yogita limaye what life is like for them now. we have hidden their identities and used actors�* voices to protect them. it's increasingly difficult for foreign journalists to report from afghanistan. this is yogita's report compiled along with camera journalist, sanjay ganguly, and producer, imogen anderson.

this is a country where women are increasingly being pushed out of view. their freedoms crushed bit by bit, by a relentless series of diktats. the latest a published law. this section says that if a woman must leave her home out of necessity, she's obliged to cover her face and body, and her voice must not be heard. we've had to be very careful and discreet when talking to women here, because they're already operating in an environment of brutal restrictions. and now the taliban's morality police have been given sweeping powers. it's only been a few weeks since the law was announced, so it's unclear how stringently it will be implemented, but already there's a ripple effect of fear that you feel when speaking to people here. we meet teenage girls

who've already lost three crucial years of education. their voices might need to be hidden, but they want their words to be heard. if we go out, we're scared. if we take a bus or remove our masks, we're scared. if we speak louder, we're scared. there's so much fear and stress. if we can't speak, then why go out at all? why even live? until last year, groups of women took to the streets demanding their rights. risking violence and detention. the taliban cracked down on the marches until they stopped altogether. this woman broke down, telling us how she was detained last year while participating in protests. the taliban beat me and dragged me into a vehicle saying, "why are you acting against us? this is an islamic system."

they took me to a dark, frightening place and insulted me with terrible words. we were treated like animals. after being released from detention, we weren't the same people we were before. now this is how afghan women are showing dissent, posting videos of themselves online, singing songs criticising the taliban's actions. we met hamdullah fitrat from the taliban government. he didn't want to be seen with a woman or sit directly opposite me, but he answered my questions. we asked how he could justify the law. translation: the laws that have been introduced have been approved by the supreme leader in accordance with islamic sharia. any religious scholar can check their references. most of the girls and women

we've spoken to in your country say they are prepared to wear whatever it is that your government prescribes, as long as you allow them to study. and because they're not being allowed to do that, they're being driven to the point of depression, even suicidal thoughts. isn't it your responsibility as a government to listen to those voices and act on it? translation: absolutely. 0ur sisters' education is an important issue. we are trying to resolve this, which is the demand of a lot of our sisters. we have mentioned it several times in the past too, that our leadership is working on it. a solution will be found. it's been three years now since girls were locked out of schools, but it hasn't happened on the ground. do you really expect people to believe that you are committed to actually doing it? we are awaiting the decision of our leadership. in a province not far from kabul, we found some

evidence that at least a section of the taliban differs with the supreme leader. we were given rare access to a midwife training course run by the taliban government. all the students are in their 20s. here, they are being taught how to nurse a woman in labour. it's a rare exception. but behind closed doors, some afghan women are taking matters into their own hands. we meet a teacher who runs a secret school for girls. when the new law came, i explained its rules to my students and told them things would become even more difficult. every day i wake up asking god to make the day pass safely. several times i've had to change the location of the school. it's a quiet act of defiance and hope. yogita limaye, bbc news, kabul. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the first us presidential debate between kamala harris and donald trump takes place tonight. in a race still too close to call, the event is being seen as a critical moment. it's taking place in the city of philadelphia in pennsylvania, a crucial swing state. 0ur correspondent tom bateman has been meeting voters in western pennsylvania. deepin deep in the american rustbelt, a rail ride pass some of the last of the left behind. jack and wayne man of steel. they laboured at these vast steel mills for years. there they helped forge america's future. but now that's all in the past. the democrats at one time, were for the working man. it's not that way anymore.—

for the working man. it's not that way anymore. today they hear promises _ that way anymore. today they hear promises from _ that way anymore. today they hear promises from both - that way anymore. today they l hear promises from both sides, cast in the heat of this election, to revive american industry. i election, to revive american industry-— industry. i would believe donald industry. iwould believe donald trump, - industry. iwould believe donald trump, i - industry. iwould believe donald trump, i don't i industry. i would believe - donald trump, i don't believe paris, she has been there 3.5 years and has done nothing, all of a sudden she is going to do something. you know, i don't believe her.— believe her. one day she is auainst believe her. one day she is against fracking _ believe her. one day she is against fracking and - believe her. one day she is against fracking and for - against fracking and for fracking and against it, i can tell which_ fracking and against it, i can tell which way you are going to vote? — tell which way you are going to vote? �* , . , , tell which way you are going to vote? �*, . , , ., vote? it's the hat, buddy. i am hundred %- — vote? it's the hat, buddy. i am hundred 96. if— vote? it's the hat, buddy. i am hundred 96. if it's _ vote? it's the hat, buddy. i am hundred 96. if it's an _ vote? it's the hat, buddy. i am hundred 96. if it's an honest. hundred %. if it's an honest election he will win. hundred 96. if it's an honest election he will win.- election he will win. the election _ election he will win. the election trail _ election he will win. the election trail has - election he will win. the election trail has been l election he will win. the election trail has been surging through pennsylvania it is now an intense focus of both campaigns will top butjust as the states split is between urban and rural it is also an equally divided among men and women. i meet kelly and joseph uso they will watch trump and harris debate on tv tonight. i used to be a democrat and i switched to republican but i

don't really go by that. i go by who says what's better. the? by who says what's better. they seem in lockstep _ by who says what's better. they seem in lockstep on _ by who says what's better. they seem in lockstep on both - by who says what's better. they seem in lockstep on both issues but watch where theyjumbo. there is that abortion thing. that is a woman's right, that is not up to the government to decide. i don't believe in it but that is up to each individual, not the state or the government.— individual, not the state or the government. last time donald trump _ the government. last time donald trump took - the government. last time donald trump took this - the government. last time - donald trump took this county by a landslide two—thirds of the vote he has rural pennsylvania under his belt. for kamala harris to when she has to hold onto the big cities and crucially to when the suburbs in this state. pennsylvania another critical back —— battleground area. street by street, door—to—door pennsylvania is being fought for to the last zero of every zip code. the democrats urging their voters not to stay at home. it is a day off for this gas station pump fixer widget

who says she was compelled to the doorsteps to stop donald trump. the doorsteps to stop donald trum -. ~ .,, the doorsteps to stop donald trum. , .,, the doorsteps to stop donald trum. , ., trump. most people are concerned _ trump. most people are concerned about - trump. most people are i concerned about women's trump. most people are - concerned about women's rights, i know myself that is one of the things at the forefront for me as a mother of two daughters, it's incredibly important they have the right to choose what to do with their own bodies for the rest of their lives. fist own bodies for the rest of their lives.— own bodies for the rest of their lives. �* . ~ ., their lives. at the back of the local hq their lives. at the back of the local h0 they _ their lives. at the back of the local hq they are _ their lives. at the back of the | local hq they are strategising. 0ur freedom local hq they are strategising. 0urfreedom is in the balance because i truly believe this election is so important for our basic freedoms and basic democracy. our basic freedoms and basic democracy-— our basic freedoms and basic democra . �* ., . ~ , democracy. back with the steel wool worker — democracy. back with the steel wool worker jack _ democracy. back with the steel wool workerjack at _ democracy. back with the steel wool workerjack at the - democracy. back with the steel wool workerjack at the weekly | wool workerjack at the weekly music bingo here they say will they will be watching tonight they will be watching tonight the first debate between kamala harris and donald trump. in a place where life has changed, a tv moment tonight that the power to change lives. tom bateman, bbc news, pennsylvania. here on bbc news, you'll be able to watch rolling coverage of the abc news presidential debate simulcast.

news coverage will start from 8:00pm east coast time on tuesday and 1:00am if you're in the uk, and the actual debate will start an hour later. this time tomorrow we shall have all the highlights, the low lights and analysis. we will be looking at that so join us for that here on bbc news. plans to end winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners in england and wales will be voted on in parliament today. the chancellor's plans would see the winter allowance of up to 300 pounds become means—tested meaning millions of people would no longer be eligible. the treasury says it will save around 1.4 billion pounds. it's thought dozens of labour mps could abstain in the vote. the actorjames earljones, perhaps best known the legendary voice

of darth vader in star wars, has died at the age of 93. during his long career, he won a host of awards, including emmys, tony awards, a grammy and an honorary 0scar. lizo mzimba looks back at his life. from his first film role, he clearly had something special. the fire is out, but the power is on. everything seemed to check out all right. will advise. that voice. before doctor strangelove, james earljones served in the military, but he really wanted to act. i've been waiting for you, obi wan. we meet again at last. then came something that made his voice world famous. when i left you, i was but the learner. now, i am the master. you are part of the rebel alliance and a traitor. take her away! his voice's gravity and depth made him a natural choice for the lion king. look, simba — everything the

light touches is our kingdom. and it's a remake a quarter of a century later. one day, simba, the sun will set on my time here and will rise with you as the new king. while he again he played a king opposite eddie murphy in coming to america... i want a woman to love me as who i am. ..he also had the chance to show his gift for comedy. i am a man who has never tied his own shoes before. wrong — you are a prince who has never tied his shoes. believe me, itied my own shoes once. it is an overrated experience. on tv, he played the author alex haley, whose search for his african ancestors led to the ground—breaking series roots. the force is with you, young skywalker. but you are not a jedi yet. and is all the more admirable in that a young boy who barely

spoke because of his stutter... most impressive. ..should become an actor whose starry tones. that's very good. earned him the accolade of having perhaps the world's most recognisable voice. simba, remember... i found you! i am your father. let's speak to tanya hart, host of the syndicated radio show hollywood live and the podcast hollywood live extra. lovely to talk to you. you interviewed james earljones, you met him at events, what was he like? ~ , ., ., he like? well, first of all he is like what _ he like? well, first of all he is like what you _ he like? well, first of all he is like what you would - he like? well, first of all he i is like what you would expect. he would always command the room. i mean he walks in, he

was a big man, with a big voice, but he would always take command of the room, the gentle giant that he was. it's interesting because i was trying to remember — winded first interviewed him? long before i came to hollywood i had my show in boston, and this was in the 80s, and we talked about his overcoming that incredible speech impediment that, as part of the trauma of his childhood, was another story. i remember him telling me he put small stones in his mouth, and he would talk and that was one of the techniques that was one of the techniques that he used as he was beginning to debate at high school. the other cool story as he grew up i think about 80 miles from where i was born, he lived in madison county with his grandmother and i was born in the county over, so, he was always kind of a hometown hero.

to elaborate on the challenges he had to overcome because he was mute in his early childhood. was it a teacher that really helped him to overcome that challenge? yes, it was, it _ overcome that challenge? yes, it was. it was — overcome that challenge? yes, it was, it was one _ overcome that challenge? yes, it was, it was one of— overcome that challenge? yes, it was, it was one of his - it was, it was one of his teachers at high school, actually before high school it was little school and he realised james was very good at writing poetry. and his priority was beautiful and he finally got him to recite his poetry in front of his class, and james realised, that he could actually speak something that he had memorised. so he memorised his poetry, and then he could speak it. and he eventually became very good and ended up on the debating team and did very well and got a scholarship to the university of michigan, in medicine, he was a pre— med student but he knew what his calling was, it was theatre. he is a one in a

lifetime talent and i'm so glad he realised that.— he realised that. what was his favourite moment _ he realised that. what was his favourite moment did - he realised that. what was his favourite moment did he - he realised that. what was his| favourite moment did he share that with you? he had so many amazing roles, be fully you have 20 seconds? fii< amazing roles, be fully you have 20 seconds?- amazing roles, be fully you have 20 seconds? ok the one thin he have 20 seconds? ok the one thing he really _ have 20 seconds? ok the one thing he really would - have 20 seconds? ok the one thing he really would share i thing he really would share with everyone, is never give up on your dreams and don't let the disability stop you from achieving what you know you can do. . ., achieving what you know you can do. . ~' , ., achieving what you know you can do. ., ~' i., ., achieving what you know you can do. ., ,, ., ., ,, ., do. thank you for talking to us. tanya hart there. her memories of james her memories ofjames earl jones. i will be back with business to day next. hello there. well, it's been mild, relatively speaking, despite all of that rain in the south, and very warm, in fact, out towards the far north and west, but some changes for the next couple of days. autumn is biting back. temperature—wise at least, it's going to turn colder

by day and by night, with the chance of a frost for some, especially on thursday night. it will be windy, a brisk northwesterly wind, sunny spells, but also some blustery showers. and those changes have already started. a deep area of low pressure sweeping across the northern isles is sending this cold front sweeping southwards and eastwards across the uk. so you see that milder air being pushed away, marked in orange, blues, and yellows, the colder air takes over through the middle part of the week and it will feel bitingly cold, i think, in exposure to that northwesterly wind. and here's the cold front for the rest of tuesday. it sinks southwards and eastwards, a narrow band of rain for most. there will be some cloud ahead of the front, but sunshine developing behind, blustery showers, very heavy rain across the northern isles could lead to some localised flooding and it's windy wherever you are across the uk, but particularly so for the northern isles. gusts of wind here of up to 60—65mph. and here are the temperatures, ranging between 11—18 degrees. we keep that mild air towards the south, but the rain could pep up here perhaps as we head through tuesday evening before it clears overnight. it's going to feel cold on tuesday night.

some of our temperatures could drop back to mid—single figures. i think you'll really notice the chill on wednesday morning. still some blustery showers out towards the north and the west, but we will see some more clearer skies, especially the further south and east you are. and then on wednesday, it's a typical day when we see a northwesterly wind at this time of year. sunny spells and showers, most of the showers towards the north and the west, some of them heavy and possibly thundery. it will feel cold and exposure, so that's still brisk northwesterly wind and temperatures are now below the seasonal average across the board. but it's still september, so in the spells of sunshine and sheltered from the wind, then it won't feel too bad. again, more sunny spells and showers perhaps on thursday, and then high pressure starts to build in from the southwest. that's going to have the effect of lightening the wind, so there could be a bit of frost, particularly for northern england, parts of scotland into friday morning, and some mist and fog developing as well. but mostly dry on friday,

temperatures recover on friday, and through the weekend. bye— bye.

ai in your pocket: apple launches its latest iphone amongst a slew of upgraded gadgets. we'll explain why investors were not wowed. buying in the dip: wall street bounces back after its worst week

of the year. we'll talk you through the winners and losers. warnings of a grim september for uk oil and steel workers as thousands ofjobs are set to be cut. and we take you to the french riviera for europe's biggest in water boat show. live from london, this is business today. i'm sally bundock. we start in the us, where apple are banking big time on al with their latest launch of a slew of upgraded products. at an event at apple's hq in california, chief exec tim cook unveiled the star of the show, the latest iphone 16. built with apple's ai platform, he described it as pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. the tech giant has been under pressure to show what it will offer buyers to jump—start a new wave of iphone sales, which have been flagging. 0ur north america technology correspondent lily jamali has all the details.