this is bbc news. the united nations says the targeting of thousands of people in lebanon with exploding pagers and walkie talkies could amount to a war crime. fresh revelations about former harrods owner mohamed al fayed 7 the bbc s told extra precautions were put in place at fulham football club to protect female players from its late owner. people in sri lanka are voting in the first election since the country's economic meltdown two years ago. welcome to bbc news. we start this hour with the latest on the tensions in the middle east. the united nations human rights chief has told the security council that the targeting of thousands of people in lebanon with exploding pagers and walkie talkies — widely considered to have been carried out by israel —

was a violation of international law. volker turk said he was appalled by the breadth and impact of the attacks, which left at least 37 dead and thousands injured. hezbollah has confirmed that its senior military commander, ibrahim aqil, was among those killed in friday's israeli airstrike on a building in the southern suburbs of beirut. the israeli envoy at the un, danny danon, has not mentioned the explosions but said his country would do whatever it took to defend itself. let's start with those comments from the un human rights chief volker turk. these attacks represent a new development in warfare. where communication tools become weapons, simultaneously exploding across marketplaces, on street corners and in homes as daily life unfolds. authorities have reportedly dismantled unexploded devices in universities, banks and hospitals. this has unleashed widespread fear, panic and horror among people in lebanon.

at the same meeting the united nations political affairs chief, rosemary dicarlo, warned that the middle east is at risk of a conflict that could "dwarf" the devastation witnessed in the region so far. as we approach a full year of near daily exchanges of fire across the blue line and bloodshed in gaza, too many lives have been lost, too many people have been displaced and too many livelihoods have been destroyed. but if things continue as they are, we risk seeing a conflagration that could dwarf even and suffering witnessed so far. it is not too late to avoid such folly. there is still room for diplomacy, which must be used without delay. as we said, israel's

representative to the un, danny danon, did not mention the exploding pagers and walkie talkies directly, but stressed israel's right to defend itself. we will not allow hezbollah�*s terror to dictate the future of our nation. if hezbollah does not retreat from our border and back to the north of the litani river through diplomatic efforts, israel will be left with no choice but to use any means within our rights to defend our citizens and enable the evacuees of the north to return to their homes. that is the very latest in terms of diplomacy. let's have a look at the situation on the ground in beirut and self. we have live pictures coming into the bbc. as you can see, people still working to clear the debris and look for survivors.

this is the beirut suburb after hezbollah confirmed that two of its senior commanders were killed in the israeli attack on that suburb. they are saying that suburb. they are saying that ibrahim aqil was killed. just that live shot continuing there that we are continuing to monitor as the diplomacy as we were hearing at the united nations is ongoing. lebanon's minister of public health dr firass abiad joins us. thank you very much for speaking to us at bbc news. just bring us up today in terms of the latest on the ground there. we saw the devastation in beirut. can you confirm who has been killed in terms of the hezbollah senior figures? this

was a residential— hezbollah senior figures? ti 3 was a residential building and we are still clearing the rubble to see whether there are any survivors. up until now the number of people who were killed was much higher i can report than the one that came yesterday and we will be issuing a report very soon with the latest tally, that includes three children and three women. the reports from hezbollah is that two of its commanders were included within those who were killed in that attack. 50 included within those who were killed in that attack.— killed in that attack. so in terms of _ killed in that attack. so in terms of when _ killed in that attack. so in terms of when we're - killed in that attack. so in l terms of when we're talking about 37 killed from the walkie—talkie at explosions, you are saying that that tally is higher including three children?— is higher including three children? ., ., , �* children? now, the tally i'm talkin: children? now, the tally i'm talking about _ children? now, the tally i'm talking about is _ children? now, the tally i'm talking about is from - children? now, the tally i'm talking about is from the - talking about is from the explosion on the buildings. the tally is now higher than 37, we are reporting two additional

deaths from the pager explosions.— deaths from the pager exlosions. ., ~ , ., ., explosions. thank you for confirming _ explosions. thank you for confirming that. - explosions. thank you for confirming that. how- explosions. thank you for confirming that. how is i explosions. thank you for l confirming that. how is the health service coping with the amount of casualties that you are seeing currently? you know, i think it are seeing currently? you know, i think it is _ are seeing currently? you know, i think it is a _ are seeing currently? you know, | think it is a bit _ i think it is a bit overwhelming in the sense that lebanon have been suffering from multiple crisis as you know. we have had a portion of our health care workers who have left the country as a consequence of the financial crisis. and that is why preparing for this conflict and these attacks that are ongoing has become pretty much challenging. now we have activated our disaster emergency plans, anticipating a large number of casualties stop andindeed large number of casualties stop and indeed on tuesday we received almost 3000 casualties in a matter of a few hours. 0ne in a matter of a few hours. one of the things that is making it

more difficult is that really we are seeing also a lot of civilians that are being injured. these indiscriminate attacks unfortunately are also resulting in a lot of these civilians and the geographical location is so wide because these pages were used by many people in their daily lives. that meant that almost 90 hospitals had to be involved in the response to that attack. figs the response to that attack. as we were saying a little bit earlier the united nations high commissionerfor human rights commissioner for human rights was commissionerfor human rights was saying that this is a violation of international law, the use of these civilian devices such as pagers and walkie—talkies. i assume you would be in accord and agreement with that? it would be in accord and agreement with that? it is a clear violation. _ agreement with that? it is a clear violation. as _ agreement with that? it is a clear violation. as i - agreement with that? it is a clear violation. as i said, i agreement with that? it is a | clear violation. as i said, the international humanitarian law is very clear that there is an

onus, even during conflict, for civilians to be isolated or not to be targeted. but unfortunately what we are seeing within the recent conflicts is the parties involved are making no effort to differentiate the civilians and unfortunately that means it is making it much more difficult for health systems such as ours to prepare for the result of these attacks.- result of these attacks. israel arc ues result of these attacks. israel argues that — result of these attacks. israel argues that it _ result of these attacks. israel argues that it has _ result of these attacks. israel argues that it has to - result of these attacks. israel argues that it has to continue j argues that it has to continue targeting hezbollah because of the conflict on the border. what is your response? i think irrespective — what is your response? i think irrespective of _ what is your response? i think irrespective of how _ what is your response? i think irrespective of how you - what is your response? i think irrespective of how you want l what is your response? i think| irrespective of how you want to justify the conflict but the fact that the international humanitarian law is very clear in the way that it organises conflict in the fact that during conflict civilians not

be targeted. and whoever is doing the targeting, whether it is israel or anybody else, this is israel or anybody else, this is a violation of international humanitarian law that should be stopped. the only problem with israel is that they have bigger weapons so to speak and therefore the tallies of what they are doing is much, much higher and more difficult to deal with. higher and more difficult to deal with-— deal with. help us for our international _ deal with. help us for our international audience - deal with. help us for our international audience to | international audience to understand in terms of the population of lebanon. how many people are hezbollah members? i don't think anybody knows. hezbollah is a non—state actor and as you know we don't have, nobody has a good idea of how many members there are. but the fact is that those children and those women who were killed were not members of hezbollah. those were citizens who happen to be nearby. and when those explosive devices, communication devices exploded,

they exploded in hospitals, they exploded in hospitals, they exploded in markets, they exploded on the streets and therefore unfortunately for therefore u nfortu nately for everyone therefore unfortunately for everyone else.— therefore unfortunately for everyone else. thank you very much for _ everyone else. thank you very much forjoining _ everyone else. thank you very much forjoining us _ everyone else. thank you very much forjoining us and - everyone else. thank you very much forjoining us and i - everyone else. thank you veryj much forjoining us and i know you are rushing off to give that press conference. we will be monitoring that as well. thank you for your time. and we'll be live with our correspondents in beirut and jerusalem later in this bulletin. do stay with us for the very latest. and we have a live page online with the very latest reaction and analyis from our correspondents across the region. you will find that on the bbc news website and app. voting is under way in sri lanka to choose a new president who it's hoped can repair the country's finances after its catastrophic economic collapse two years ago which sparked mass protests

and toppled the government. there are a record 38 candidates vying to be the next president, but none is a women. live to our correspondent, samira hussain, who is at a polling station in colombo. look, there has been a steady stream of people coming into this polling station to vote but of course live television and there is no one right this second! but these elections are really important because they are the first presidential elections since those mass protests. you will remember these phenomenal photos of people storming the presidential palace. well, that protest ended up toppling the government and actually have a guest with me now. he was one of the protesters at that time. i want to know what do you think has changed since those protests so long ago? i

think has changed since those protests so long ago?- protests so long ago? i think --eole protests so long ago? i think peeple have _ protests so long ago? i think people have started - protests so long ago? i think people have started to - people have started to understand the power that they have as a citizen and how much influence they have on governance and how important it is to elect people, people have learnt how important it is to elect a responsible person and how much they need to give more attention as to what these people are, who they are and what they're capable of. what are the biggest _ what they're capable of. what are the biggest issues - what they're capable of. what are the biggest issues for - what they're capable of. what are the biggest issues for you in this election? i are the biggest issues for you in this election?— in this election? i think the economic— in this election? i think the economic crisis _ in this election? i think the economic crisis for - in this election? i think the economic crisis for me - in this election? i think the economic crisis for me is l economic crisis for me is something that affects everybody but for me personally the economic crisis and especially the accountability and the justice especially the accountability and thejustice aspect especially the accountability and the justice aspect when especially the accountability and thejustice aspect when it comes from the part of the state. we have still not seen any sort of accountability taken by those who are responsible for the economic crisis orfor responsible for the economic crisis or for the ministers and the parliamentarians who are

not simply accused but were found guilty or were found attached to some sort of a scam. so there is this constant getaway. like, when you are in power you get to get away with it. but since the uprising, people are now calling for more accountability and justice and i think that is something that whoever comes into power will have to deliver false whyjust to heavily clear, a lot of the blame for that economic crisis is named at the feet of politicians after decades of mismanagement. i'm wondering how hopeful you are for sri lanka's future? the supreme court itself decided, gave a verdict on who is responsible for the economic crisis. i think that is a good place to start. the supreme court named those who are responsible for it. but we're also seeing in current state where there is a

conflict between the judiciary and executive. so whoever comes into power, maybe this election will send a message as to how much the demands are of the people. so i think this will be a turning point for sri lanka. excellent, thank you very much for your time. that is a political activist who participated in those protests two years ago. in terms of when we will get the results, it is going to take a little while because as you pointed out there are 38 candidates that are running in these elections, so we don't expect to get a clear sense of the winner until sometime tomorrow. i'm sure we will be back with you later in the day. samir hussein —— samira hussainjoining us from sri lanka. let's return now to our top story and the tensions in the middle east, after a top hezbollah military commander

was killed in an israeli air strike on the lebanese capital beirut on friday, in a major escalation that has added to fears of an all—out war. joining me now is daniel de simone, our correspondent injerusalem and our middle east correspondent, hugo bachega who is in beirut in lebanon. if you go, let's start with you because of course that coverage we have been looking at those live pictures from beirut and the devastation following that strike on those two commanders but a lot of devastation of that suburb in beirut. exactly and emergency _ that suburb in beirut. exactly and emergency teams - that suburb in beirut. exactly and emergency teams are . that suburb in beirut. exactlyl and emergency teams are still searching for people who are believed to be missing and could be under the rubble of this building that collapsed in the suburb here in beirut that is has blah�*s stronghold. again, this was a major attack. hezbollah now saying that at least 13 senior members of the

group were killed, including two top commanders including ibrahim aqil. these were leaders in the top unit. so again another major blow for hezbollah. this happensjust hezbollah. this happens just days hezbollah. this happensjust days after those explosions on pagers and walkie—talkies in a major security breach for the group. it is ameliorating for them. hezbollah wants to be seen as a powerful and sophisticated enemy by israel. so i think here in lebanon people are obviously waiting to hear how hezbollah are going to respond. this is a major escalation in the conflict with israel but i don't think hezbollah has as lots of options to give a strong response in this attack because it is given repeated indications that it is not interested in a major war with israel. hezbollah is supported by iran. it is important for iran to have a very strong

hezbollah here in lebanon next israel. so it doesn't seem to be interested in major conflicts either but this is a group that is under pressure. it needs to be seen to be giving a response after this wave of humiliating attacks and major setbacks after the israeli attacks.— major setbacks after the israeli attacks. and, daniel, when it comes _ israeli attacks. and, daniel, when it comes to _ israeli attacks. and, daniel, when it comes to the - israeli attacks. and, daniel, when it comes to the israeli | when it comes to the israeli attacks a major setback for israel itself because you have the un describing attacks with the un describing attacks with the walkie—talkies and pagers as a violation of humanitarian law. . �* , as a violation of humanitarian law. ., �* , ., �* law. that's right. i don't think the _ law. that's right. i don't think the israeli - law. that's right. i don't - think the israeli government will see _ think the israeli government will see it as a setback. there has been _ will see it as a setback. there has been also criticism by the un of— has been also criticism by the un of israel and there is quite a contentious relationship between the un on israel, i think— between the un on israel, i think it _ between the un on israel, i think it is _ between the un on israel, i think it is fair to say. the israeli _ think it is fair to say. the israeli military has been speaking since yesterday about the strikes in beirut. they are

seeing — the strikes in beirut. they are seeing this as a major blow against _ seeing this as a major blow against hezbollah, killing senior— against hezbollah, killing senior commanders from the group — senior commanders from the group and other figures. they are saying that when they carried _ are saying that when they carried out the strike, those people — carried out the strike, those people were meeting in a basement in a residential building in beirut to plot attacks against israelis. and the context for this is really a week— the context for this is really a week of escalation by israel. at the — a week of escalation by israel. at the beginning of the week ismel— at the beginning of the week israel formally set out a war goal— israel formally set out a war goal relating to the north, that— goal relating to the north, that was the first time, there are four— that was the first time, there are four war goals and until this— are four war goals and until this week there were three. they— this week there were three. they obligated —— related to gaza — they obligated —— related to gaza and _ they obligated —— related to gaza and hamas. the new one relates— gaza and hamas. the new one relates to _ gaza and hamas. the new one relates to 60,000 israelis who have _ relates to 60,000 israelis who have been displaced in the north— have been displaced in the north of— have been displaced in the north of the country due to rocket _ north of the country due to rocket fire by hezbollah. and they— rocket fire by hezbollah. and they say— rocket fire by hezbollah. and they say they're going to return _ they say they're going to return as people home. what they— return as people home. what they haven't said is how they are going _ they haven't said is how they are going to do that. but after setting — are going to do that. but after setting that goal we have seen a wave — setting that goal we have seen a wave of— setting that goal we have seen a wave of attacks against hezbollah and that includes the

walkie—talkie and pagers attack _ walkie—talkie and pagers attack. then the air strike in beirut — attack. then the air strike in beirut yesterday, we saw a change _ beirut yesterday, we saw a change in language from the israeli — change in language from the israeli leadership talking about— israeli leadership talking about a new phase in the war. about — about a new phase in the war. about the _ about a new phase in the war. about the centre of gravity of this war— about the centre of gravity of this war moving north. we saw division — this war moving north. we saw division of— this war moving north. we saw division of the israeli army moved _ division of the israeli army moved north from the south. but ithink— moved north from the south. but i think despite all that it is unclear— i think despite all that it is unclear exactly how israel will achieve — unclear exactly how israel will achieve this goal. yesterday hezbollah fired around 200 rockets _ hezbollah fired around 200 rockets into northern israel. so that _ rockets into northern israel. so that is _ rockets into northern israel. so that is why i think there is still— so that is why i think there is still quite _ so that is why i think there is still quite a lot of speculation here in israel and elsewhere about what else might happen, — elsewhere about what else might happen, what else the israeli military— happen, what else the israeli military might do. there is speculation about whether there might— speculation about whether there might be — speculation about whether there might be a ground incursion into— might be a ground incursion into southern lebanon to create a so—called buffer zone that would — a so—called buffer zone that would be the goal of which to protect— would be the goal of which to protect israeli citizens in the north — protect israeli citizens in the north as _ protect israeli citizens in the north. as we are heading into the weekend there is a real sense — the weekend there is areal sense of— the weekend there is a real sense of what next? what might happen — sense of what next? what might happen in— sense of what next? what might happen in the coming days? as we happen in the coming days? is we mentioned, escalating tension there. hugo, just back to you in beirut, lebanon. just

remind us of the context of this, of course you know the region extremely well. when it comes to those attacks, those rocket launchers and attacks from israel into lebanon and lebanon back into israel, the higher percentage actually does come from israel into lebanon, is that right?— is that right? exactly. we have seen that israel _ is that right? exactly. we have seen that israel has _ is that right? exactly. we have seen that israel has been - seen that israel has been responding hard to those rockets that have been fired by hezbollah. hezbollah says it is supporting palestinians in gaza with this campaign of targeting mainly military positions in northern israel and has been saying that these attacks are going to continue unless there is a ceasefire in gaza. and we know that all the effort so far to try to reach a deal for a ceasefire in gaza have failed. so there was the main hope to try to de—escalate tensions here along the border. but hezbollah has always been seen as a much more powerful enemy than brook. it has tens of thousands of rockets and

missiles, —— are more powerful enemy than hamas. it has a news is more sophisticated weapons in this conflict yet. so there is a possibility that which we see a major escalation in this complex, a war between hezbollah and israel, that places deep inside israeli territory could be targeted by those missiles. i think it is going to be very interesting to see what the powerful hezbollah leader will have to say after these latest air strikes. again, a major setback for hezbollah and see how the group is going to respond. this hezbollah and see how the group is going to respond.— is going to respond. as always, hu~o is going to respond. as always, hugo itachega _ is going to respond. as always, hugo bachega that _ is going to respond. as always, hugo bachega that in _ is going to respond. as always, hugo bachega that in beirut - is going to respond. as always, | hugo bachega that in beirut and our colleague daniel d simoni injerusalem, thank you very much for bringing us up—to—date. we are expecting a press conference from leather and's health minister as well. there is a live page on the bbc

website that is monitoring all the latest of elements. let's bring you up—to—date with some of today's other news. a new zealand pilot has been freed after more than 18 months in captivity in indonesia's papua. phillip mehrtens was held by an armed faction of the west papua national liberation army after he landed a small commercial plane in a remote, mountainous area. he's now having medical check—ups. the us state of south carolina has carried out its first execution in thirteen years, just days after the key witness for the prosecution proclaimed that the death row inmate was innocent. freddie 0wens had been convicted of killing a shop worker during an armed robbery in 1997. on wednesday, his co—defendant in the crime, steven golden, told the state supreme court that 0wens had not even been present when the robbery took place. but the court rejected a last minute motion for a stay of execution. pope francis has criticised police action against protesters in his home country, argentina, where president javier milei has implemented a harsh austerity plan

to try to curb hyperinflation. in a video released by the vatican, the pope said he had seen footage of police �*repression', as he put it, against workers and pensioners a week ago. next to the latest on the war in ukraine. there are reports of explosions at a russian ammunition warehouse, following a ukrainian drone attack. the site is in the krasnodar region, which borders russian—occupied crimea. the russian ministry of defence said it downed i8 ukrainian drones in the krasnodar region overnight. live tojessica parker our correspondent in kyiv. just bring us up—to—date on what we know here, jessica. morning. let me run you through what we have heard from some official sources this morning as those reports emerged of an ammunition depot inside russia being hit following a ukrainian

drone attack. this appears to have been part of a wider ukrainian drone attack, so the russian ministry of defence have said around 100 drones were intercepted overnight, around 18 over the cross region. what the regional government —— krasnodar. they said there were destinations, explosions and there have been evacuations of residents nearby, no reported casualties at the moment. we have been looking at some footage on social media, on telegram, we are working to try and verify that footage but it appears to show large explosions, a ball of fire, a ball of smoke in the area. now this of course is after on wednesday morning news emerged of quite a similar type of attack on an ammunition depot in a different region, another drone attack by ukraine which appeared to target a russian ammunition warehouse. so for kyiv, although they

haven't officially commented this morning on these latest reports, they will mark that up as a victory as they have ramped up drone attacks in russia. but of course what they really want is to get permission to use western long—range missiles to hit targets inside russian territory. and you have got to imagine that that is going to be top of the agenda as president zelensky heads to the us next week where among those he will meet is the us president, outgoing president joe biden. ,, ., ~ joe biden. jessica parker there with the latest _ joe biden. jessica parker there with the latest from _ joe biden. jessica parker there with the latest from kyiv. - joe biden. jessica parker there with the latest from kyiv. afp| with the latest from kyiv. afp are saying that president zelensky saying that international aid for ukraine has accelerated since september. that is the latest from ukraine. we have much more coming up injust a few minutes' time so do stay with us here on bbc news.

hello. friday brought some storms to southern parts of the uk, even a damaging tornado. but at the same time some parts also sunny and quite warm. in kew gardens the temperature reached 25 celsius. the days ahead are looking very different. it is turning unsettled, autumnal and the jet stream or send weather fronts in our direction. a fair amount of rain on the way, especially across the southern half of the uk and this time next week some parts of the country could be around 10 degrees cooler by day. in terms of the rainfall this weekend you can see where most of it will be. this is the potential rainfall here, perhaps 50 millimetres or so in some parts of england and wales. it is a mixed bag this weekend. certainly some sunshine on the way, particular across northern parts of the uk but also heavy showers at times. so through the early hours maybe some showers returning to southern parts of

the uk, perhaps thunder. not a cold morning by any means, temperatures of 1a in london, typically 12 or 13 whether you are north or south. further showers on the way on saturday, particular across england and wales. later in the day they could become heavy and move a little bit further north but at the same time a lot of sunshine in the forecast around the irish sea, northern ireland, western parts scotland. 18 degrees. much cloudier and cooler along the north sea coast. showers in saturday evening. sunday, the showers become more widespread and heavy across parts of england and wales. again, the best of our weather on sunday will be in the west of the uk. 0nce in the west of the uk. once again sunny spells for the western isles are not looking so bad in belfast with a bit of sunshine too but not looking so great further south. monday, low pressure over the uk,

outbreaks of rain and the air will come in from the north. temperatures will drop in northern scotland. in the south still relatively warm, holding onto the mid—, possibly high teens. here is the outlook for the week ahead. this big drop in the temperature in the south, 1a degrees in london but look at edinburgh. by tuesday it is only around 11 degrees with showers. that's it stop goodbye.

you are watching bbc news. the united nations says the targeting of thousands of people in lebanon with exploding pagers and walkie talkies could amount to a war crime. fresh revelations about former harrods owner mohamed al fayed ? the bbc s told extra precautions were put in place at fulham football club to protect female players from its late owner. people in sri lanka are voting in the first election since the country's economic meltdown two years ago. there are 38 candidates, all of whom are men. a second round of voting will be held. hundreds of paratroopers are re—enacting one of the major us and british operations against germany in the second world war. this weekend marks 80 years since 0peration market garden.

a former manager of fulham's women's football team has told the bbc precautions were put in place to protect female players from mohammed al—fayed when he owned the club. mr al—fayed, who died last year, has been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women who worked for harrods, which he sold in 2010. the department store says it's "utterly appalled" by the allegations. simonjones has the latest — and a warning, his report contains descriptions of sexual violence. how widespread was mohamed al fayed's alleged offending? dozens of women have come forward to say that they were sexually assaulted by him when they worked at harrods. lawyers say they are also representing women employed by al fayed at the ritz in paris. and now there are questions about the late billionaire's 16 years in charge of fulham football club. a former manager of fulham's women's team says extra precautions were put in place to protect female players from mohamed al fayed.

gaute haugenes, who managed the side between 2001 and 2003, said members of staff became aware that he liked young, blonde girls. as a result, players were not allowed to be left alone with him. the club said it was deeply troubled by the disturbing reports relating to harrods, adding... lawyers representing al fayed's accusers told a news conference more and more alleged victims were coming forward. we don't at this stage represent any women who, for instance, sustained attacks at fulham football club, but our investigations are obviously ongoing. it is highly unlikely that there are not victims out there from these other places of work, wherever he went.

there will be victims. 0ne former harrods employee spoke of what happened to her. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i worked for, pushed himself onto me. i fell to the floor with him still on top of me but i managed to kick free. he just laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word of this to anyone. harrods said the department store today is a very different organisation from the one owned and controlled by al fayed between 1985 and 2010. it has reached financial settlements with the majority of people who have approached it since 2023. the ritz paris says it strongly condemns any form of behaviour that does not align with the values of the establishment. a man now branded a monster — the legal team representing

many of his accusers says it has not ruled out launching proceedings against al fayed's estate. simon jones, bbc news. there is much more on our website as well. here in uk, the labour party will hold its first annual conference since its landslide general election win in liverpool later today. despite delegates celebrating the party's electoral success, ministers will be urging party members to prepare for more tough decisions in next month's budget. it come after downing street said that the prime minster, his deputy and the chancellor will no longer accept any donations for clothing — following growing criticism over gifts from party donors. 0ur political correspondent iain watson has this report. labour returns to liverpool for its annual conference, but with one big difference. last year they were in opposition, and now they are in government after a landslide election win. delegates will want to celebrate — but they will

hear sobering messages from ministers. they will be told the foundations of the economy needs to be fixed, and that means more difficult decisions lie ahead. and if that hasn't made the bubbly go flat, what about this from labour together — a pro—leadership grouping. in a weighty new report, they warn that... ..and is... all this comes after a difficult week for sir keir starmer. he had to declare last night he would not take more donations to pay for clothing and specs. even with the new eyewear, voters are saying he lacks vision. they want to conference to call for cuts

but even with the new eyewear, critics say he lacks vision. the giant unite union is claiming voters' trust could be lost without a change of direction from sir keir starmer. and behind closed doors there'll be a meeting between ministers and unions to thrash out differences over how far to extend workers' rights. that successful election campaign may now feel a long time ago. the challenges of government are different from the difficulties of opposition. are different from the iain watson, bbc news. are different from the live to our political correspondent, helen catt, who is in liverpool. the labour party are really desperately wanting to draw a line over that row over gifts. will they achieve that? i think we'll find out _ will they achieve that? i think we'll find out in _ will they achieve that? i think we'll find out in the _ will they achieve that? i think we'll find out in the next - will they achieve that? i think we'll find out in the next 24 i we'll find out in the next 2a hours or so whether it has managed to move on, by saying as you heard that keir starmer, angela reinier, rachel reeves, the maiden three voices, won't be taking any more gifts of her clothing. that might leave questions over other things, and it is not the only story that has been making things a

bit rocky for the government. there been reports, claims, leaks about problems from behind—the—scenes at number ten, and some of the tensions there. that is another thing thatis there. that is another thing that is forming a backdrop to this conference. having a party conference does give you a shop window for a few days, if you like, and labour will want to take advantage of that to try and take back the conversation to what they are doing in government, what they plan to do in government, putting it back more onto policy. everywhere you look around the soul, whether it is on the hoardings here, pillows, giant banners hanging from the ceiling, the slogan of change begins, and that is the message that labour is going to try to use this conference to push. how successful it is in changing the conversation in moving away from those rocky patches will depend to some extent on what happens on the conference floor here. we know, as you heard in the piece,

there are efforts to try and get some of the policy issues that have caused a few tensions, like the cut to the winter fuel allowance discussed. there are also some meetings about israel and gaza, and that has been a long—running tension in the party, so we have to see what happens over the coming days. also, there will be an element of celebration of course, to an extent, this is a party meeting thatis extent, this is a party meeting that is in government for the first time in a decade and a half with a very large majority. b. half with a very large majority-— half with a very large ma'ori . �* , ' , ma'ority. a very different set of majority. a very different set of circumstances _ majority. a very different set of circumstances to - majority. a very different set of circumstances to the - majority. a very different set of circumstances to the last l of circumstances to the last conference, but we are also hearing of warnings of more tough choices, so that difficult messaging still continuing from the labour party in government? it continuing from the labour party in government? it is, and if ou party in government? it is, and if you talk— party in government? it is, and if you talk to — party in government? it is, and if you talk to labour _ party in government? it is, and if you talk to labour mps - party in government? it is, and if you talk to labour mps as - party in government? it is, and if you talk to labour mps as i i if you talk to labour mps as i have been, there is a sense that more bad news is coming down the line. there will be an element of celebration in this conference, but that is going to be muted to a degree,

because within that context of this also being out government thatis this also being out government that is going to have to make more difficult decisions because of things like an awareness of their voter base and what given that majority, as you just heard, so i think that is... i think also this conference will be used as an opportunity to explain some of these decisions, this message that the government is saying, they are notjust choosing to make difficult decisions for the sake of it, they are probably going to keep pushing that message about the inheritance they say they have been left by the conservatives as being a cause for some of these, but also trying to inject perhaps a bit of optimism into this, because there has been criticism in recent weeks that the messaging has been too bleak, to doom and gloomy, so we will see if they try to inject that little bit of optimism that is suggested by like conference slogan of change beginning.— by like conference slogan of change beginning. thank you for pre-empting _ change beginning. thank you for

pre-empting and _ change beginning. thank you for pre-empting and previewing - change beginning. thank you for pre-empting and previewing thej pre—empting and previewing the labour party conference there, jessica, excuse me, helen catt. i'm sure we'll be back with helen throughout the day. this weekend marks the 80th anniversary of one of the major us and british operations against germany in the second world war. the objective of operation market garden was to advance into german—held territory in the netherlands with a bridgehead over the lower rhine. the mission wasn't successful and many lives were lost, but the allies did capture the area a few months later towards the end of the war. in the last few minutes, hundreds of paratroopers have started jumping from planes over the netherlands to renact the operation. this is the re—enactment of operation market garden, which 0peration market garden, which as i mentioned, was not

successful. many lives were lost. let's speak to anna holligan who joins us from arnhem. we were just watching that re—enactment of that parachute drop. re-enactment of that parachute dro -. , ~ re-enactment of that parachute dro. , ~ . re-enactment of that parachute dro. , . ., ., re-enactment of that parachute dro. ,. ., ., ., re-enactment of that parachute dro. , . ., ., ., ., ., drop. yes. we are on an area which would _ drop. yes. we are on an area which would have _ drop. yes. we are on an area which would have been - drop. yes. we are on an area which would have been on . drop. yes. we are on an areal which would have been on fire 80 years ago, if we could just come down, stephen is here, and you are a ministerfor come down, stephen is here, and you are a minister for america and overseas territories, but your grandfather was taking part in operation market garden. it it is a huge honour to be here, but my own grandfather was landing 80 years — grandfather was landing 80 years ago, he was wounded and taken _ years ago, he was wounded and taken prisoner of war. this is a hugely— taken prisoner of war. this is a hugely significant event as we commemorate the sacrifice of those _ we commemorate the sacrifice of those eight years ago. and

we commemorate the sacrifice of those eight years ago.— those eight years ago. and to exlain, those eight years ago. and to explain. if — those eight years ago. and to explain, if you're _ those eight years ago. and to explain, if you're not - those eight years ago. and to explain, if you're not familiar| explain, if you're not familiar with 0peration market garden, this was an allied effort to try and find a back route into nazi germany, so the idea was that the airborne troops were dropped behind enemy lines, and the ground forces were coming up the ground forces were coming up from normandy after the d—day landings. they were hoping to secure the strategic bridges, and yet arnhem proved to be, as the phrase goes, a bridge too far. fir to be, as the phrase goes, a bridge too far.— bridge too far. or even two brid . es bridge too far. or even two bridges to _ bridge too far. or even two bridges to power. - bridge too far. or even two bridges to power. that - bridges to power. that challenge of landing people behind enemy lines, as ambitious as it was, was met with— ambitious as it was, was met with huge _ ambitious as it was, was met with huge challenges. the bravery— with huge challenges. the bravery and sacrifice of those, particularly from the parachute regiment and others, my own grandfather was here from the border— grandfather was here from the border regiment, and those who were _ border regiment, and those who were trapped, those who lost their— were trapped, those who lost their lives, and those who eventually had to be evacuated,

but an _ eventually had to be evacuated, but an incredibly daring, powerful... but an incredibly daring, powerful. . .— powerful... audacious! audacious _ powerful... audacious! audacious moment, i powerful... audacious! - audacious moment, really. what is extraordinary is this is an example _ is extraordinary is this is an example of how we work together with the _ example of how we work together with the netherlands, the americans, the polish, and so many, — americans, the polish, and so many, and _ americans, the polish, and so many, and we are commemorating that today, — many, and we are commemorating that today, but as members of nato, — that today, but as members of nato, we — that today, but as members of nato, we stand together in support— nato, we stand together in support of ukraine and the aggression and those who would want _ aggression and those who would want to— aggression and those who would want to undermine our liberty and democracy today. it is very poignant — and democracy today. it is very poignant moment not to only remember the past, poignant moment not to only rememberthe past, but also rememberthe past, but also remember the future and how we are working as allies today. the — are working as allies today. the t — are working as allies today. the , . ., are working as allies today. the , .., , , the i will see if we can spin the camera _ the i will see if we can spin the camera around. - the i will see if we can spin the camera around. there i the i will see if we can spin i the camera around. there are about a thousand people who have come out to witness this, and the biggest round of applause so far has been for the veterans in attendance. 0ne the veterans in attendance. one of the most remarkable things about this year because my cam oration is is that it may be one of the last where the

veterans took part in operation market garden will be here. very few are still living, so it is— very few are still living, so it is very— very few are still living, so it is very important as we think— it is very important as we think of— it is very important as we think of the future, and that is why— think of the future, and that is why we _ think of the future, and that is why we see so many young people — is why we see so many young people here, it is important they— people here, it is important they know about that heroism and sacrifice and think about what — and sacrifice and think about what it— and sacrifice and think about what it means for them today. for me. — what it means for them today. for me, there's a message about the uk _ for me, there's a message about the uk and — for me, there's a message about the uk and the netherlands working together, uk and europe working _ working together, uk and europe working together, uk and europe working together for our common security— working together for our common security and standing together in support of and against russian _ in support of and against russian aggression. to remind ou what russian aggression. to remind you what we — russian aggression. to remind you what we are _ russian aggression. to remind you what we are looking - russian aggression. to remind you what we are looking at - you what we are looking at here, eight nato nations taking part in this airdrop. 700 paratroopers, and although pa ratroopers, and although 0peration paratroopers, and although 0peration market garden is often referred to as an historic failure, that term is kind of contested, because those forces who are involved, including your great—grandfather, they help the germans, and there were gains, even though a third of

those who took part were either taken prisoner or killed. extraordinary heroism, and it impacted _ extraordinary heroism, and it impacted on other parts of the war in— impacted on other parts of the war in europe. it ultimately led to— war in europe. it ultimately led to the liberation of europe and the — led to the liberation of europe and the end of the nazi regime and the end of the nazi regime and the — and the end of the nazi regime and the end of the nazi regime and the end of the nazi regime and the end of tyranny in europe _ and the end of tyranny in europe i_ and the end of tyranny in europe. i think that is a very powerful— europe. i think that is a very powerful example that, with audacity, with courage and even great _ audacity, with courage and even great sacrifice, huge these can be achieved. to pay tribute today— be achieved. to pay tribute today is _ be achieved. to pay tribute today is hugely important to me, — today is hugely important to me to _ today is hugely important to me, to the uk government, to those _ me, to the uk government, to those veterans and their family still alive _ those veterans and their family stillalive, but those veterans and their family still alive, but also to be thinking _ still alive, but also to be thinking about what it means for us — thinking about what it means for us today. this example you see here — for us today. this example you see here today of nato nations, these _ see here today of nato nations, these are — see here today of nato nations, these are some of the most incredible airborne troops. thanks— incredible airborne troops. thanks so much. we will leave you with these incredible, majestic images.- you with these incredible, majestic images. you with these incredible, ma'esticimaaes. �* ., ., ,, majestic images. and are, thank ou so majestic images. and are, thank

you so much- — majestic images. and are, thank you so much- my _ majestic images. and are, thank you so much. my thanks - majestic images. and are, thank you so much. my thanks to - majestic images. and are, thank you so much. my thanks to you i you so much. my thanks to you and your guest there at arnhem, where we are seeing that 0peration market garden recreation, that allied military recreation during the second world war, the stunning live pictures of the recreation of that parachute drop taking place right now. the actor david graham, who provided the voice for characters in a number of much—loved children's tv programmes, has died aged 99. he was well known in the late �*60s as the voice of parker in thunderbirds and more recently as grandpa pig in the series peppa pig, which has been shown in over 180 countries worldwide. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin paterson looks back at his life. we are closing in on him, milady. good, parker. generations of children grew up listening to david graham's voice. in the 1960s, he was parker... yes, m'lady. ..lady penelope's ever—so—loyal chauffeur in thunderbirds, basing the way he spoke

on a real wine waiter. it turned out that he'd been a retired member of the royal household. i think he worked for the duke of windsor. and we asked him, you know, what he thought, and he said he was a real gent. as parker: you know, they don't make them like that any more. i and wejust embroidered him from then on. home, m'lady? is this the end of the daleks? he also voiced the daleks in early dr who alongside his friend peter hawkins. exterminate him! last year, at the age of 98, he returned to provide new dalek dialogue for a restored colourised version of the original dalek story. you will go ahead of us and follow my directions. hello! but for many, the part for which they will know him best was rather less menacing. 20 years ago, he became the voice of grandpa pig in peppa pig. let's watch some television. david graham said he was thrilled that voiceover work had allowed him to extend

an acting career which had included being a member of sir laurence 0livier�*s david graham said he was thrilled that voiceover work had allowed him to extend an acting career which had included being a member of sir laurence 0livier�*s company at the national theatre, and one that ended giving joy to so, so many. whee! 0h—ho—ho! oh, you seem heavier than before. pig snorts remembering david graham, who's died aged 99. the table football world cup, has "flicked" off this weekend — back in its birthplace of tunbridge wells. 300 players from 26 nations, across the world are competing for the title in the sport many know as subbuteo. it was created in the 1940s, and despite being a nostalgic childhood game for many, millions still play in leagues across the globe, including a new generation of players. mike bushell went along to have a sneak preview. welcome to the 2024 federation

of international table sports world cup, where the players from across the planet are going through theirfinal warm—ups. here in tunbridge wells, football really is coming home. the dulcet tones there of bbc commentatorjohn murray who himself has a subbuteo set gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere — but for 5 million players across the planet their love of flicking the kick has never gone away. just look at the scenes, the emotions, the last time the last time the world cup came to england in 2012 at manchester's etihad stadium, and now it is coming back to where it all started. it is the home of subbuteo. when you are having a tournament in england you can have a big stadium, but when i bring it to the birthplace of the game? it is dexterous, it is tactile, it is like a combination

between chess, football and billiards. there is nothing better than scoring a goal physically with your fingers. flick, goal, top corner. you get three flicks with each player, and it can be so fast—moving. and it is notjust older generations who are getting the back—of—the—net buzz. 15—year—old ruby is one of england's top prospects now. my dad introduced it to me when i was seven. i have been playing ever since. i have to think about it and it is tactical, because sometimes you've got to think three flicks ahead, notjust what you are doing now. this where it all started. the house just outside tunbridge wells, wherein191i7 a man named peter adolphe came back from serving in the raf in world war ii and wanted a new hobby and game to play, so he started flicking his mother's coat buttons around on an old army rug, and created a sport has and created a sport that has spread all over the world. the current residents are very proud. people like rachel here, of the house's sporting heritage. peter was also a keen bird—watcher and named his

game after the hobby falcon, falco subbutteo. and it soon became part of the way of life across kent. it is really interesting part of our local heritage, it is one of those pieces around west kent where everyone's family history in some way involved subbuteo, working on the factories, painting it and playing themselves. i used to have a flick on the floor, course you had all the little tiny figures to paint, the hands and the faces. it is quite nice to see that something like this that has been going for years is still going. it wasn't just in kent that table football became part of the culture. in 1980, it even got a message in the undertones hit, my perfect cousin. # he always beat me _ at subbuteo, because he flicked the kick and i didn't know.# the songs co—writer still hands out trophies at competitions and his nephew martin will be playing for northern ireland at this world cup.

grew up in a street where everybody said, do you play subbuteo? my father, my uncle played subbuteo. we danced about as youngsters to my perect cousin. the undertones are legend in subbuteo circles. then in the 1980s came goldfinger. archive: it is not hard to see why justin's friends _ call him goldfinger. he is so accurate that the makers of subbuteo insured the forefinger of his right hand for £50,000. justin, who shot to fame as a teenager at the 1986 world cup is hoping to prove his goldfinger is working this weekend. that's the gold finger. it went viral all over, which is a bit odd. it is like any sport, if you dedicate a lot of time in practice, like darts, eventually over the years of dedication,

it has got me to a level i am playing at today, and i am hoping i can win the world cup for england. just like professional football, the game has evolved so much since i played as a teenager in the 1980s when it was on a crumpled pitch on the floor. and often you stood on the players... oh, my goodness, what a goal. it has come on such a long way from being on the floor, on the carpet, trying to play along, now we have astroturf pitches that are glued down, the bases have down, the bases have evolved, to be slimmer, so they slide along really quickly and it is also the composure. how did you chip it like that? did you see the movement of the ball? she got it over my keeper, how did you do that flick? you put a certain amount of pressure into the flick. wow. we are stronger than ever with our open teams, - it is phenomenal right now. that is our background, - that is our legacy that we need to uphold, and it will be a tough tournament. i we have italy on the horizon, j they always win a lot of stuff.

belgium, greece, all. these different places. from a button on a coat to a football craze that has the world at your fingertips, waiting for the flick that could bring you world glory. the original football manager! who needs — the original football manager! who needs video _ the original football manager! who needs video games? - and finally, after a week on the run, cinnamon the capybara has been found safe and well in a pond, as you do. the giant rodent, which captured international attention, is now back in her enclosure at hoo zoo near telford. bob hockenhull has the story. 0k, guys, we tracked cinnamon down to our pond on oui’ conservation area... the moment cinnamon the capybara is finally captured after a week on the run. staff at hoo zoo in telford finally spotted the elusive rodent in a pond not very far away, and waded in so they could surround her. the taste of freedom has proved highly desirable. cinnamon was able to elude her keepers by hiding in thick undergrowth. this afternoon, the game was up. if you drew a line from her

enclosure to where the pond is located, it's about 250 metres, so she really hadn't travelled that far, but she was obviously having too much fun out there and didn't want to bring herself back. so unfortunately, we did have to bring bring her back. we can'tjust leave capybaras out in the wild, as much as i'm sure we'd all love that. so yeah, we're very pleased that she's now back here. the story of cinnamon the escapee has captured people's imagination. but for now, the zoo wants her to stay out of the public eye so she can recuperate. while cinnamon is resting from her ordeal in the enclosure behind me, the zoo says she'll be checked over by vets in the coming days and reintroduced to the public next weekend. meanwhile, an extra gate is being erected around cinnamon's pen to make sure there's no repeat of the great escape. bob hockenhull, bbc news, shropshire. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello. well, friday brought some storms to southern parts of the uk. even a report of a damaging tornado. but at the same time, some parts of the country were also quite sunny and warm. in kew gardens, the temperatures reached 25 celsius. the days ahead are looking very different. it's turning unsettled. it's turning autumnal. a jet stream will send weather fronts in our direction. i think there's a fair amount of rain on the way, particularly across the southern half of the uk, and this time next week, some parts of the country could be around ten degrees cooler by day. now, in terms of the rainfall this weekend, you can see where most of it will be. this is just the potential for rainfall here, perhaps 50mm or so in some parts of england and wales. so it is a mixed bag this weekend. certainly some sunshine on the way, particularly across northern parts of the uk, but also heavy showers at times. so through the early hours, maybe some showers returning to southern parts of the uk, some cracks of thunder. it's not a cold

morning by any means. temperatures of around 1a in london, typically around 12 or 13 whether you're north or south. so further showers on the way on saturday, particularly across england and wales. later in the day, they could become heavy and move a little bit further north, but at the same time a lot of sunshine in the forecast around the irish sea for northern ireland, for western parts of scotland. 18 degrees in glasgow, but i think quite cloudy and much cooler along that north sea coast. and then notice the showers again here in the north west through the course of saturday evening. and then on sunday the showers become more widespread and heavier across parts of england and wales. but again, the best of our weather on sunday will be in the north west of the uk. so once again sunny spells for the western isles and not looking so bad there in belfast with a bit of sunshine too, but not so great further south with all the cloud and the rain. now on monday, low pressure is over the uk.

that again spells a fair amount of cloud outbreaks of rain and the air will start to come in from the north, so the temperatures will start to drop from northern scotland, only 12 degrees. in the south, still relatively warm. we're holding on to the mid, possibly the high teens. so here's the outlook for the week ahead. you can see that big drop in the temperature in the south 1a degrees in london. but look at edinburgh — by tuesday it's only around 11 degrees with showers. that's it. bye bye.

live from london. this is bbc news. the united nations says the targeting of thousands of people in lebanon with exploding pagers and walkie talkies could amount to a war crime. fresh revelations about former harrods owner mohamed al fayed — the bbc�*s told extra precautions were put in place at fulham football club to protect female players from its late owner. people in sri lanka are voting in the first election since the country's economic meltdown two years ago. hundreds of paratroopers are re—enacting one of the major us and british operations against germany in the second world war. hello, welcome to bbc news. we start this hour with the latest on the tensions in the middle east. the united nations human rights chief has told the security council that the targeting of thousands

of people in lebanon with exploding pagers